UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K

 

(Mark One)

[X]

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

 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006

 

OR

 

[  ]

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

 

For the transition period from _______ to _______.

 

Commission file number 001-13672

 

 

The Commerce Group, Inc.SM
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Massachusetts
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation
or organization)

04-2599931
(IRS Employer Identification No.)

   

211 Main Street
Webster, Massachusetts
(Address of principal executive offices)

01570
(Zip Code)

   

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (508) 943-9000
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

   

Title of each Class
Common stock, $.50 par value per share

Name of each exchange on which registered
New York Stock Exchange

   

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

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.  Yes  [X]    No  [  ]

 

      Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.  Yes  [  ]    No [X]

 

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

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of "accelerated filer and large accelerated filer" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer [X]

Accelerated filer  [  ]

Non-accelerated filer [  ]

 

      Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).

Yes  [  ]    No  [X]

 

      The aggregate market value of the voting common equity held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the price at which the common stock was last sold as of June 30, 2006 was $1,607,245,641.

<PAGE>  1

      As of January 31, 2007, the number of shares outstanding of the registrant's common stock (exclusive of treasury shares) was 66,595,083.

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

 

      Portions of the registrant's definitive Proxy Statement for its annual meeting of stockholders, which the registrant intends to file within 120 days after the end of the registrant's fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, are incorporated by reference into Part III hereof as provided therein.

<PAGE>  2

GLOSSARY OF SELECTED INSURANCE TERMS

Affinity group marketing program

In Massachusetts, an "affinity group marketing program" is any system, design or plan whereby motor vehicle or homeowner insurance is afforded to employees of an employer or to members of a trade union, association or organization in accordance with those provisions of M.G.L. c. 175, s. 193R, distinguishing such plans from a "mass-merchandising plan." Specifically, an affinity group marketing program contemplates the issuance of such insurance through standard policies that generally preclude individual underwriting, contain an option to continue coverage at a standard rate upon termination of employment or membership, restrict cancellation, require the continuance of certain participation in ways not applicable to standard policies, and provide for the downward modification of rates based upon the experience of the insured group.

   

A.M. Best

A.M. Best Company, Inc. is a rating agency reporting on the financial condition of insurance companies. A.M. Best's statistics cited in this Form 10-K are based upon information voluntarily submitted to it by insurers.

   

Catastrophe reinsurance

A form of excess of loss reinsurance which, subject to specified limits, indemnifies the ceding company for the amount of loss in excess of a specified retention, with respect to an accumulation of losses resulting from a catastrophic event or series of events.

   

Combined ratio

A combination of the underwriting expense ratio and the loss and loss adjustment expense ratio. The underwriting expense ratio measures the ratio of underwriting expenses (including corporate expenses) to net premiums written. The loss and LAE ratio measures the ratio of incurred losses and LAE to earned premiums (including corporate expenses).

   

Commissioner

The Commissioner of the Division of Insurance of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

   

Commonwealth Automobile Reinsurers (CAR)

CAR is a Massachusetts mandated reinsurance mechanism, under which all premiums, expenses and losses on ceded business are shared by all insurers. It is similar to a joint underwriting association because a number of insurers act as Servicing Carriers for the private passenger and/or commercial automobile risks insured.

   

Deficiency

The shortfall between (1) the current estimated cost of all claim payments and related expenses that an insurer ultimately will be required to pay and (2) the reserves previously established by the insurer for those future payments.

   

Direct

Refers to premiums, losses, LAE and underwriting expenses on policies which a company writes before accounting for business ceded and assumed through reinsurance.

   

Direct written premiums

Total premiums for insurance sold to insureds, as opposed to, and not including, assumed reinsurance premiums.

   

Domestic insurer

An insurance company that operates in the state in which it is incorporated.

   

Earned premiums

The portion of net premiums written that is equal to the expired portion of policies recognized for accounting purposes as income during a period. Also known as premiums earned.

<PAGE>  3

Exclusive representative producer (ERP)

A Massachusetts automobile insurance agency which does not have a voluntary agency automobile insurance relationship with an insurer and which is assigned by CAR to an insurer who is a Servicing Carrier.

   

Exposure

An insurable unit defined as one automobile for a one-year term.

   

Frequency

The relative incidence of number of claims in relation to an exposure or group of exposures.

   

Hard market

An insurance market in which the demand for insurance exceeds the readily available supply and premiums are relatively high or increasing.

   

Incurred losses

The total losses sustained by an insurance company under a policy or policies, whether paid or unpaid. Incurred losses include a provision for losses not yet reported and salvage and subrogation.

   

Limited servicing carrier

An insurer designated by CAR to write and service commercial automobile policies which are reinsured through CAR. Limited servicing carriers provide a market for commercial automobile policies that no carrier will write voluntarily.

   

Loss adjustment expenses (LAE)

The expenses relating to settling claims, including legal and other fees and the portion of general corporate expenses allocated to claim settlement costs.

   

Loss and LAE ratio

The ratio of incurred losses plus LAE (including corporate expenses), net of reinsurance recoveries, to earned premiums.

   

Loss reserves

Liabilities established by insurers to reflect the estimated cost of claim payments and the related expenses that the insurer will ultimately be required to pay in respect of insurance it has written. Reserves are established for losses and for LAE.

   

Net premiums written

Direct premiums written for a given period less premiums ceded during such period plus premiums assumed during such period.

   

Participation ratio

A Massachusetts insurer's share of the CAR results. For private passenger automobile, the participation ratio is based upon the insurer's market share of automobile risks not reinsured through CAR, adjusted for utilization of CAR and credits for voluntarily writing less desirable under-priced business and ceded exclusions.

   

Premium-to-surplus ratio

The ratio of net premiums written to policyholders' surplus.

   

Quota share reinsurance

Reinsurance in which the reinsurer shares a proportion of the original premiums and losses under the reinsured policy. Also known as pro-rata insurance.

   

Redundancy

The excess between (1) the reserves previously established by an insurer and (2) the current estimated cost of all claim payments and related expenses that the insurer ultimately will be required to pay.

   

Reinsurance

The acceptance by one or more insurers, called reinsurers, of all or a portion of the risk underwritten by another insurer who has directly written the coverage. However, the legal rights of the insured generally are not affected by the reinsurance transaction and the insurance company issuing the insurance policy remains liable to the insured for payment of policy benefits.

<PAGE>  4

Salvage

The sale of damaged goods for which the insured has been indemnified by the insurance company.

   

Servicing carrier

An automobile insurer writing business in Massachusetts which can reinsure risks through CAR while remaining responsible for servicing the related private passenger automobile policies and which must provide a market for ERPs assigned to it by CAR.

   

Severity

The relative magnitude of the dollar amount of a claim or group of claims.

   

Soft market

An insurance market in which the supply of insurance exceeds the current demand and premiums are relatively low or decreasing.

   

Statutory surplus

The excess of admitted assets over total liabilities (including loss reserves), determined in accordance with statutory accounting practices.

   
   

Subrogation

The substitution of the insurer's right to recover in place of the insured's right to recover from a third party responsible for a loss paid by the insurer.

   

Take-all-comers

A phrase used to characterize the Massachusetts personal automobile insurance system under which all servicing carriers are required to underwrite and accept virtually all risks submitted to them. Once accepted, an insurer can write the business voluntarily or can cede it to CAR.

   

Underwriting

The insurer's process of reviewing applications submitted for insurance coverage, deciding whether to accept all or part of the coverage requested, and determining the applicable premiums.

   

Underwriting expenses

The aggregate of policy acquisition costs, including commissions, and the portion of administrative, general and other expenses attributable to underwriting operations.

   

Underwriting expense ratio

The ratio of underwriting expenses (including corporate expenses), adjusted for the change in deferred acquisition costs, to net premiums written.

   

Unearned premiums

The portion of written premium representing the unexpired amount of the contract term as of a certain date.

<PAGE>  5

Unless otherwise stated, "we," "our," "us" or "the Company" means The Commerce Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries. "Commerce" refers to The Commerce Insurance Company, "Commerce West" refers to Commerce West Insurance Company, "American Commerce" or "ACIC" refers to American Commerce Insurance Company, "Citation" refers to Citation Insurance Company, and "AHC" refers to ACIC Holding Co., Inc. In addition, unless otherwise stated, all references to "year ended" are for our fiscal year which ends December 31. Dollar amounts are in thousands, except per share data and as otherwise noted.

 

PART I

 

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

 

      Our principal line of business is writing personal automobile insurance. We were incorporated in 1976. We write insurance through our principal subsidiary, Commerce, which was incorporated in 1971 and began writing business in Massachusetts in 1972 and New Hampshire in 2001. We also write insurance through three other subsidiaries -- Citation, Commerce West and American Commerce. Citation was incorporated in Massachusetts on September 24, 1981. We acquired Commerce West on August 31, 1995 and we acquired American Commerce on January 29, 1999. Citation writes insurance in Massachusetts. Commerce West writes insurance in California, Oregon and Arizona. American Commerce, a wholly-owned subsidiary of AHC, is located in Columbus, Ohio and actively writes insurance in 11 states. We own 95% of AHC's common stock; 5% is owned by AAA Southern New England (AAA SNE).

 

      We provide personal and commercial property and casualty insurance in Massachusetts and, to a lesser extent, in other states. We market our products primarily through our network of independent agents. Our core product line is personal automobile insurance. We also write commercial automobile and homeowners insurance. We have been the largest writer of personal property and casualty insurance in Massachusetts in terms of direct premiums written since 1990. At November 30, 2006, our estimated share of the Massachusetts personal automobile market was 31.2%, up from 29.9% at the end of 2005. Beginning in 2003, we became the largest insurance company writing homeowners insurance in Massachusetts. In 2006, we were the second largest writer of commercial automobile insurance in Massachusetts. On a consolidated basis, we were ranked the 19th largest personal automobile insurance group in the country by A.M. Best, based on 2005 direct written premium information.

 

      We manage our business in four reporting segments. Our primary business strategy is to focus on the personal automobile market in Massachusetts and the other states where we write business, which comprise our first two reporting segments. An overview of our business is summarized in the table which follows for our two primary segments. Our other segments are "Real Estate and Commercial Lending" and "Corporate and Other." We originate and service residential and commercial mortgages in Massachusetts and Connecticut through Bay Finance Company, Inc., our wholly-owned real estate and commercial lending subsidiary. Our Corporate and Other segment captures activities which are not related to our other segments, including activities of the parent company. For the information about our reportable segments required by this Item and not provided here, please refer to Note P of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

<PAGE>  6

Insurance Business Overview

 
 

Property and Casualty Insurance -
Massachusetts

Property and Casualty Insurance -- Other Than
Massachusetts

Subsidiaries
(A.M. Best's
rating*)

•  Commerce (A+ Superior)
•  Citation (A+ Superior)

•  American Commerce (A+ Superior)
•  Commerce West (A+ Superior)
•  Commerce (New Hampshire only)

Insurance
Products

•  Personal Automobile
•  Commercial Automobile
•  Homeowners
•  Other

•  Personal Automobile
•  Commercial Automobile
•  Homeowners
•  Other

Principal Markets

•  Massachusetts

•  California
•  Washington
•  Oklahoma
•  Rhode Island

•  Oregon
•  Arizona
•  Ohio
•  Kentucky

Market Position(a)

•  Largest writer of personal automobile
     insurance (31.2%)
•  Largest insurance company writing
     homeowners insurance
•  Second largest writer of commercial
     automobile insurance (13.7%)

American Commerce:
•  Less than 3% of personal automobile
     market in several states
Commerce West:
•  Less than 1% of personal automobile
     market in California

Principal
Competitors
(personal
automobile market
share)(a)

•  Safety Insurance Companies (11.2%)
•  Arbella Insurance Co. (9.6%)
•  Liberty Mutual (7.8%)
•  Metropolitan Insurance (7.0%)
•  Travelers (6.9%)

American Commerce:
•  Allstate (10.1% of U.S. market)
•  Travelers (2.2% of U.S. market)
Commerce West:
•  Mercury Insurance (8.6% of California
     market)

In-force Policies
at December 31,
2006

•  1,155,452

American Commerce:
•  164,177
Commerce West:
•  40,336
Commerce (New Hampshire Only):
•  10,140


*

Consolidated rating is based on our Inter-affiliate Pooling Agreement.

(a)

The market share percentages for our Massachusetts segment and our Massachusetts competitors represent the Massachusetts market at November 30, 2006 as reported by CAR. The market share percentages for our Other Than Massachusetts segment were reported by A.M. Best and represent the market share at December 31, 2005.

 

      Our direct premiums written for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005 follows (dollars in millions):

 
 

Massachusetts

 

All Other States

 

Total

 

% of Total

 


 


 


 


 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


                               

Personal automobile

$1,345

 

$1,366

 

$171

 

$185

 

$1,516

 

$1,551

 

81.3%

 

82.8%

Homeowners

146

 

136

 

43

 

42

 

189

 

178

 

10.1   

 

9.5   

Commercial automobile

102

 

95

 

9

 

10

 

111

 

105

 

6.0   

 

5.6   

Other lines

38

 

39

 

10

 

1

 

48

 

40

 

2.6   

 

2.1   

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


        Total

$1,631

 

$1,636

 

$233

 

$238

 

$1,864

 

$1,874

 

100.0%

 

100.0%

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


        Percentage of total

87.5%

 

87.3%

 

12.5%

 

12.7%

 

100.0%

 

100.0%

       
 


 


 


 


 


 


       

<PAGE>  7

      We attribute our success primarily to the following factors:

*

our strong relationships with independent insurance agencies that provide us with quality business;

*

a highly experienced management team with a proven track record;

*

our in-depth understanding of the Massachusetts regulatory and underwriting environments;

*

our ability to operate efficiently with significant economies of scale;

*

our strong relationships with various AAA organizations;

*

our ability to compete in an affinity group marketing environment;

*

our advanced information systems with an extensive underwriting database in Massachusetts; and

*

our history of maintaining a strong financial condition.

      Our relationships with our independent insurance agencies are critical to our continued success. We believe that we are the preferred provider for most of our agencies and that, as a result, we have gained access to policyholders with above average underwriting profit characteristics. We focus on selecting and retaining agencies with premium volume and loss ratios that meet our criteria, and we devote substantial resources to maintaining strong relationships with our existing agencies. We pay our agencies significant compensation in the form of profit sharing, which is primarily based on the underwriting profits of each agency's business written with us. In addition, we occasionally sponsor incentive award trips for agents to encourage profitability and growth.

      Based on agency surveys that we conduct several times a year, we believe that we are attentive to the needs of our agencies and insureds. We emphasize our commitment to the Massachusetts insurance market by our responsiveness in servicing claims and our internal support for agency operations, including direct billing of insureds, direct claim reporting, agency upload and download systems, on-line inquiry systems for our agents and insureds, and by providing competitively priced automobile and property insurance programs and products.

      Massachusetts Business. We believe that a significant factor in our success is our focus on the personal automobile insurance market in Massachusetts, which accounted for $1,345,043, or 72.2% of our total direct premiums written for the year ended December 31, 2006. The terms, conditions, and rates of personal automobile insurance are subject to extensive regulation in Massachusetts. As a consequence of our focus on the Massachusetts market, we have both an in-depth understanding of this market and the ability to respond effectively to shifts in the state's regulatory and underwriting environments. Currently, we are required by law to accept virtually all private passenger automobile insurance business submitted to us by our agencies in Massachusetts. Our ability to underwrite this business profitably, however, depends on our understanding of the risks in the business as well as our management of reinsurance through CAR.

      We have actively pursued affinity group marketing programs since 1995. Our affinity group marketing programs provide members of participating groups and associations with a convenient means of purchasing discounted private passenger automobile insurance. We emphasize writing insurance for larger affinity groups, although we consider accounts with as few as 25 participants. Affinity groups are eligible for rate discounts, which must be filed annually with the Massachusetts Division of Insurance. In general, we look for affinity groups with mature, stable membership, favorable driving records and below average turnover ratios. Participants who leave the sponsoring group during the term of the policy are allowed to maintain the policy until expiration. At expiration, we will issue through the agency a non-discounted policy at the insured's option.

      As of February 2007, we have entered into long-term marketing agreements with three Massachusetts AAA clubs that extends our business partnership from a minimum of three years to a minimum of twenty years. The largest of these clubs, AAA SNE, has been an agent of Commerce since 1984 and has sponsored a successful affinity marketing program since 1995. Participating agents, including AAA SNE, writing in the AAA Marketing Program in Massachusetts wrote $675,904, or 50.3%, of our Massachusetts direct personal automobile premium.

      We believe our long-term commitment to providing consistent markets for Massachusetts insurance agencies is a significant factor in enabling us to increase and maintain our market share by contracting with agencies that meet our agency criteria. We believe that Massachusetts insurance agencies are more likely to seek to develop and expand relationships with

<PAGE>  8

domestic insurers that, like us, have a long-term commitment to, and focus on, the Massachusetts personal automobile market. According to the most recent data from CAR, in excess of 80% of the Massachusetts personal automobile market is written through independent agents.

      Business in Other States. American Commerce predominantly writes private passenger automobile and homeowners insurance in 11 states through 158 independent insurance agencies, 24 of which are owned and operated by AAA clubs. This is an increase from the 21 AAA-owned agencies of a year ago. During 2005, American Commerce began using independent agents in Arizona and Indiana. Products are similar to those offered by us in Massachusetts, although pricing of products is determined on a state-by-state basis. All of ACIC's business is underwritten at its headquarters in Columbus, Ohio. American Commerce primarily targets preferred insurance risks.

      In December 2006, we entered into an agreement whereby AHC will acquire SWICO Enterprises, Ltd., the holding company for Hempstead, New York-based property and casualty insurer State-Wide Insurance Company. Through this acquisition, we intend to enter the New York and, eventually, the New Jersey personal lines insurance markets. The transaction, which is subject to regulatory approval and which is expected to close early in the second quarter of 2007, is valued at approximately $55 million. In 2006, State-Wide Insurance had direct written premiums of approximately $38 million.

      In February 2005, AAA Arizona, Inc. stopped writing new business with American Commerce. As indicated in the following table, AAA Arizona was American Commerce's largest agent in 2004 in terms of direct written premiums. American Commerce wrote renewal business with AAA Arizona, Inc. through mid-August 2005 for personal automobiles and mid-September 2005 for homeowners. American Commerce now writes business in Arizona through independent agents but no longer markets its products through AAA Arizona. Commerce West began writing business in Arizona through independent agencies in early 2005.

      Commerce West predominantly writes preferred private passenger automobile insurance in California. All of Commerce West's business is underwritten at its headquarters in Pleasanton, California. Commerce West also writes standard and non-standard private passenger and commercial automobile business in California and non-standard business in Oregon. Commerce West writes its business through 1,356 independent insurance agencies and brokers in California, Oregon and Arizona.

      A listing of direct written premiums for those states in which American Commerce and Commerce West write insurance, and the one state other than Massachusetts in which Commerce writes insurance, for the years ended December 31, follow:

Company

 

State

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004


   


   


 


 


                 

American Commerce:

 

Washington

 

$  40,745

 

$  36,919

 

$  30,583

   

Oklahoma

 

27,955

 

25,814

 

23,467

   

Rhode Island

 

25,486

 

25,299

 

24,126

   

Oregon

 

20,334

 

17,026

 

15,338

   

Arizona(a)

 

13,244

 

31,790

 

49,494

   

Ohio

 

9,947

 

13,458

 

18,295

   

Kentucky

 

8,939

 

9,625

 

10,166

   

Indiana

 

4,156

 

4,330

 

5,364

   

Tennessee

 

3,993

 

4,299

 

4,939

   

Idaho

 

3,030

 

3,283

 

3,392

   

South Dakota

 

1,164

 

1,164

 

1,110

   

Other:

           
   

  Discontinued states(b)

 

316

 

1,959

 

5,538

   

  American Nuclear Insurers (ANI)

 

8,881

 

-

 

-

       


 


 


   

    Total

 

$168,190

 

$174,966

 

$191,812

       


 


 


Commerce West:

 

California

 

$  51,258

 

$  51,500

 

$  49,327

   

Oregon

 

1,821

 

3,399

 

4,769

   

Arizona

 

3,050

 

805

 

-

       


 


 


   

    Total

 

$  56,129

 

$  55,704

 

$  54,096

       


 


 


Commerce:

 

New Hampshire

 

$    8,539

 

$    7,610

 

$    7,669

       


 


 


                 

(a)

As noted above, AAA Arizona stopped writing new business with American Commerce in February 2005.

(b)

Represents states from which American Commerce has discontinued writing.

<PAGE>  9

      Inter-Affiliate Pooling Agreement. We implemented an inter-affiliate reinsurance pooling agreement, which we refer to as a "pool" or "pooling agreement," that was effective January 1, 2004. The pool consists solely of our four insurance subsidiary companies. The pool permits each insurance subsidiary to rely on the capacity of the entire pool, rather than its own capital and surplus, and it prevents any one insurance subsidiary from suffering any undue losses, as all insurance subsidiaries will share underwriting profits and losses in proportion to their pool participation percentages. It produces a more uniform and stable underwriting result than the companies would otherwise experience individually, and, we believe, permits a more efficient use of our surplus. We expect the pool to provide greater diversification for each subsidiary, both geographic and, to a lesser extent, by product mix. The pool has permitted all of our insurance subsidiaries to obtain a group rating from each of A.M. Best, Moody's Investors Service and Standard & Poor's.

      The pool participation percentage of each insurance subsidiary reflects the ratio of that subsidiary's year end 2003 policyholders' surplus to our aggregate policyholders' surplus. We have used the same pooling percentages in 2004, 2005 and 2006 as follows:

 

Commerce Insurance

79.6%

 
 

Citation Insurance

10.0%

 
 

American Commerce

7.2%

 
 

Commerce West

3.2%

 
 

      Through the pooling agreement, Commerce assumed from all the other insurance subsidiaries all of their combined premiums, losses, loss expenses and underwriting expenses. In addition, Commerce combined this business with its own direct and assumed business, and then ceded back to the other insurance subsidiaries, net of applicable reinsurance, their respective percentage of the combined premiums, losses, loss expenses and underwriting expenses of all of our insurance subsidiaries, including Commerce. Accounts are rendered quarterly with inter-company balances settled within the next quarter. The pool may be terminated in the event of an uncured breach or by mutual agreement of all of the parties.

Our Products

      Automobile Insurance Lines. Our principal insurance line is personal automobile insurance. We offer automobile policyholders the following types of coverage: bodily injury liability coverage, including underinsured and uninsured motorist coverage, personal injury protection coverage, property damage liability coverage, collision and comprehensive coverage, including fire, theft and other hazards specified in the policy. In Massachusetts and New Hampshire, our policies have one-year terms. Personal automobile insurance policies written by Commerce West and American Commerce usually have policy terms of six months.

      Our published maximum automobile liability limits by state follow (in thousands):

   

Maximum Liability Limits

 

Most Commonly Purchased Limits

   


 


   

Per
Person

 

Per
Accident

 

Property
Damage

 

Per
Person

 

Per
Accident

 

Property
Damage

   


 


 


 


 


 


     

Commerce and Citation:

                       

Massachusetts personal

 

$   500

 

$1,000

 

$   250

 

$100

 

$300

 

$100

New Hampshire personal

 

250

 

500

 

250

 

100

 

300

 

100

Massachusetts voluntary

               

  commercial(a)

 

1,000

 

1,000

 

500

 

($1,000 combined single limit)

Commerce West:

                       

California personal

 

500

 

500

 

100

 

15

 

30

 

10

Oregon personal

 

250

 

500

 

100

 

25

 

50

 

10

Arizona personal

 

250

 

500

 

100

 

15

 

30

 

10

California commercial

 

($1,000 combined single limit)

 

15

 

30

 

10

American Commerce:

                       

Majority of states

 

1,000

 

1,000

 

1,000

 

100

 

300

 

50

 

___________________

(a)

Our Massachusetts voluntary commercial accounts have a choice between the separate limits indicated and a maximum liability limit of $1,000 for combined single limit, which is the most common choice.

   

      Citation provides a separate rating tier for preferred commercial automobile business and homeowners business. Citation wrote approximately 10% of our Massachusetts commercial automobile premium produced during 2006. We also implemented a separate rating tier within Citation for higher risk commercial automobile business, for April 2006

<PAGE>  10

policy effective dates. We expect that these secondary rating tiers will continue to assist us in retaining better commercial automobile and homeowner accounts.

      Homeowners Insurance. We also offer homeowners insurance in Massachusetts, including policies in company-designated coastal areas, which were less than 3.1% of our total Massachusetts homeowners policies at year end. Our average homeowners policy is an all risk, replacement cost insurance policy covering a dwelling and its contents. Our published limits of liability for property damage to a dwelling in Massachusetts are a minimum coverage of $100, a maximum coverage of $1,000, and the most commonly purchased amounts per policy are between $150 and $300. Some policies over this amount are written after underwriting review. For personal liability, the minimum coverage is $100, the maximum coverage is $1,000 and the most commonly purchased amount per policy in Massachusetts written by Commerce and Citation is $500. Generally, the average amount of contents coverage is 70% of the amount of coverage for the dwelling, with limitations on the amount of coverage per item placed on securities, cash, jewelry, furs, silverware, computer equipment, and firearms. However, additional coverage for such items can be purchased. We also offer personal liability umbrella coverage of $1,000, $2,000, $3,000, $4,000 and $5,000, which is reinsured through Swiss Re America.

      We offer a preferred risk homeowners product through Citation, which has an alternative pricing schedule for selected insureds meeting more restrictive underwriting guidelines. Citation produced approximately 55% of our Massachusetts homeowner business during 2006, calculated based on direct premiums written.

      American Commerce writes homeowners insurance as well. The maximum liability limit for homeowners insurance written by American Commerce is $750, and the most commonly purchased coverages are between $100 and $200. Commerce West does not write homeowners insurance.

      During the first two quarters of 2006, our homeowners business was reinsured through a 75% quota share agreement. That agreement terminated on June 30, 2006. Effective July 1, 2006, we entered into a series of agreements that provide catastrophe reinsurance for our insurance subsidiaries' other-than-automobile property lines of business. Prior to July 1, 2006, we utilized various one-year quota share agreements to reinsure this business. For the period July 1, 2005 to June 30, 2006, we had a 75% quota share agreement, for the period July 1, 2004 to June 30, 2005 it was a 70% agreement and for the period July 1, 2003 to June 30, 2004, 65%. Refer to Note M to the audited consolidated financial statements in this Form 10-K for additional reinsurance information.

Massachusetts Automobile Business

      Massachusetts automobile business is the principal component of our Massachusetts property and casualty operations. In each of the last three years, the Commissioner has approved decreases in the state mandated average Massachusetts personal automobile insurance premium rate. The Commissioner approved average decreases of 11.7% in personal automobile premiums for the one-year period beginning April 1, 2007 and 8.7% for the fifteen months beginning January 1, 2006. Coinciding with the 2007 and 2006 rate decisions, the Commissioner also approved the base commission agents receive for selling private passenger automobile insurance. The Commissioner approved no change in commission dollars for 2007 and a 1.5% increase for 2006. The following table shows the state-mandated average rate change, the actual average written premium change per exposure and our average written premium change per exposure as estimated for 2007 and for the three previous years in Massachusetts.

Year

 

State Mandated
Average Rate Change (2)

 

Actual State Average
Written Premium
Change
Per Exposure (2)

 

Commerce Average
Written Premium
Change Per Exposure


 


 


 


             

2007 (1)

 

(11.7)%

 

NA

 

(6.4)%

2006

 

(8.7)%

 

(5.5)%

 

(5.6)%

2005

 

(1.7)%

 

1.5%

 

0.4%

2004

 

2.5%

 

7.0%

 

5.8%

 

(1)

Estimated for Commerce average written premium change per exposure.

(2)

Based on Massachusetts Division of Insurance filings.

NA

Data currently unavailable.

   

      The actual state average written premium change per exposure represents the change in the average premium paid by drivers in Massachusetts, as opposed to the state mandated average rate change. As can be seen above, our average written premium change per exposure corresponds more closely to the actual state average written premium change. The reason for this is that both take into account newer vehicles, as compared to the state mandated average rate change which

<PAGE>  11

does not consider written premium arising from the mandated rate applied to new vehicle purchases. The 2007 figure also takes into account the fact that the 2007 rate decrease does not take effect until April 1.

      The Commissioner approved an 11.7% decrease in the state mandated average personal automobile insurance premium rate for the one-year period beginning April 1, 2007. Management estimates that this will translate into a 6.4% decline in the average written premium per exposure for 2007. We estimate the 2007 net pre-tax impact of the 6.4% decrease in our 2007 average written premium per exposure to be approximately $34,400. The majority of the impact on earned premium will occur during the last quarter of 2007 and the first quarter of 2008 as premiums for policies with 2007 effective dates become earned.

      Commonwealth Automobile Reinsurers. A significant aspect of our automobile insurance business relates to our interaction with CAR. CAR enables Commerce and the other participating insurers to reinsure any personal automobile risk that the insurer perceives to be under-priced. CAR is responsible for the administration of the personal and commercial automobile reinsurance mechanisms in Massachusetts. Participating insurers, which are responsible for over 99% of total direct premiums written for personal automobile insurance in Massachusetts, are required to offer automobile insurance coverage to all eligible applicants pursuant to "take-all-comers" requirement, but may reinsure under-priced business with CAR. In addition, participating insurers are obligated to accept private passenger ERPs from CAR and to provide a private passenger automobile insurance market in Massachusetts for those agencies. ERP assignments occur by line of business and may apply to personal automobile only, commercial automobile only, or both lines.

      CAR maintains separate pools for personal and commercial automobile risks. All companies writing automobile insurance in Massachusetts share in the underwriting results of CAR business for their respective product line or lines, whether or not they are servicing carriers. CAR has annually generated underwriting losses, primarily in the personal automobile pool. Accordingly, each automobile insurer attempts to develop and implement underwriting strategies that will minimize its relative share of the CAR results while maintaining acceptable loss ratios on risks not reinsured through CAR. The gap between our personal automobile market share and participation ratio has increased from 3.7% for 2005 to 4.2% for 2006.

      Massachusetts has considered alternative methods to CAR for structuring the residual or involuntary market. Most recently, in December 2006, the former Commissioner approved rules which would have instituted an assigned risk plan, the Massachusetts Automobile Insurance Plan (MAIP), to provide private passenger automobile insurance for those individuals unable to obtain insurance voluntarily, in place of CAR. An assigned risk plan would place these individuals directly with an assigned insurance company. These regulations were to be effective April 1, 2007 for certain new business, July 1, 2007 for SDIP Point 10 and above new and renewal business and January 1, 2008 for all business except clean-in-three renewals. However, on January 19, 2007, the Acting Commissioner suspended these rules for up to ninety days in order to hear additional comment. A public hearing was held on February 15, 2007. In addition, a new Commissioner was named during February 2007. We are unable to predict the outcome of the hearing or what, if any, changes to the current Massachusetts residual market mechanism may occur or determine the effect of any decision on our financial condition or results of operations.

      Effective for January 1, 2006, the Commissioner approved the CAR plan to implement a limited servicing carrier (LSC) program for the commercial automobile residual market. The program is an attempt to streamline the handling of commercial automobile risks by reducing the number of servicing carriers while equalizing access for agents to the residual market. The plan calls for six companies, including Commerce, to be appointed LSCs. All agents were assigned as ERPs to one of the LSCs for processing ceded policies. While only six carriers were appointed LSCs, CAR results will be distributed to the industry based upon retained voluntary market share. We wrote approximately $9.1 million in LSC business in 2006, with approximately $4.1 million of commercial automobile business from newly assigned commercial automobile ERPs, as well as $5.0 million through ERPs who also represented Commerce during 2005.

      Our Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in this Form 10-K has additional information about CAR.

Marketing

      We market our insurance products exclusively through a network of licensed independent agents in all states, except in California where we also utilize some brokers. As of December 31, 2006, we had 772 agents throughout Massachusetts (of which 214 are ERPs), 52 agents writing business in New Hampshire, 1,356 agents and brokers in California, Oregon and Arizona for Commerce West, and 1,022 agents in 11 states for American Commerce. Our voluntary, private passenger independent agencies may also represent other insurance companies, some of which may compete directly with us. The private passenger ERPs may represent other companies for lines of business other than personal automobile and, for these

<PAGE>  12

other lines, the ERPs may represent companies that compete with us. Commercial automobile ERPs may have voluntary contracts with Commerce, or with another carrier who competes with us. The independent insurance agencies are under contract with our subsidiaries and must conduct their business according to the provisions of their contracts. Voluntary contracts for Massachusetts agencies may be terminated by us upon 180 days notice to the agency or at will by the agency. Commerce and Citation may extend the termination date for renewal business to 13 months. ERP contracts may be terminated by us with 30 days notice, if the ERP violates CAR rules and our actions are upheld by the CAR Governing Committee.

      Massachusetts Business. We seek to establish long-term relationships with voluntary agencies that can generate a sizable volume of business with profitable underwriting characteristics and for which we will be among the top one or two preferred writers of private passenger automobile policies.

      The following summarizes the longevity of our voluntary independent agents as of December 31:

     

2006

 

2005

 
     


 


 
             
 

Less than five years

 

147

 

157

 
 

Five to ten years

 

91

 

83

 
 

Ten to fifteen years

 

116

 

103

 
 

More than fifteen years

 

204

 

187

 
             

      We also assess whether the mix of a prospective agency's business will expand our presence in one or more of our core product lines. In 2006, the agencies representing us in Massachusetts produced an average of approximately $2,019 of our direct written premiums per agency, a 3.1% decrease as compared to 2005. Direct premiums written in 2006 and 2005 by our Massachusetts agencies follow:

     

No. of Agencies

 
     


 
 

Premium Range

 

2006

 

2005

 
 


 


 


 
             
 

Under $1,000

 

286

 

292

 
 

$1,000 to $2,000

 

254

 

224

 
 

$2,000 to $3,000

 

104

 

111

 
 

$3,000 to $4,000

 

49

 

50

 
 

Over $4,000

 

79

 

93

 
             

Our three largest agencies produced $106,191, $23,499 and $18,576 of our 2006 Massachusetts direct premiums written, or approximately 6.5%, 1.4% and 1.1% of total Massachusetts direct premiums written, respectively.

      Included in the total of Massachusetts personal automobile direct premiums written are premiums that were the result of appointments of new agents. During 2006, Commerce had 95 new appointments. Of these new appointments, 20 were voluntary agents resulting in an additional $5.1 million in premiums. The remainder of the new appointments were ERPs assigned to Commerce by CAR. Business obtained from these new ERPs amounted to $59.3 million of personal automobile and $4.1 million of commercial automobile business. In addition, 49 former ERPs accepted voluntary contracts during 2006. These former ERPs produced $70.5 million in premiums during 2006.

      We carefully monitor an agency's performance. An Agency Evaluation Committee, composed of representatives of our Marketing, Underwriting, and Premium Accounting departments, uses a host of pre-established criteria (loss ratio, premium volume, business distributions, etc.) to continuously evaluate agencies. Generally, we will counsel an agency on how to improve its underwriting and profitability before we consider terminating the agency. During 2006, we terminated 41 non-ERP agencies. These terminated agencies wrote $23.5 million in premiums during 2006.

      Our agencies receive commissions on policies written for us and are eligible to receive additional compensation through a profit sharing arrangement. The Commissioner annually establishes a minimum average direct commission for personal automobile insurance, which in 2006 was 11.8%. For qualified agents, we pay a bonus to increase compensation paid on an agent-by-agent basis, varying the amount based on premium volume, risk distribution, length of time with us, and historical profitability. Our agents' profit sharing is tied to the underwriting profit on policies written by an agency. We generally pay a qualifying agency up to 45% of the rolling three-year underwriting profit attributable to the agency's business. The arrangement for profit sharing on Massachusetts policies utilizes a three-year rolling plan, with one-third of each of the current and the two prior years' profit or loss calculations, summed to a single amount. This amount, if positive, is multiplied by the profit sharing rate and paid to the agent. To qualify for profit sharing, an agent generally must have a three-year average loss ratio of 60% or better. CAR credits for voluntary business written in under-priced territories and

<PAGE>  13

credits for writing youthful operators on a voluntary basis can increase the loss ratio tolerance for profit sharing. Books of business with limited credits must achieve a lower loss ratio, generally around 55%, to qualify. In 2006, our total commissions to our agencies were 21.6% of direct premiums written, of which direct commissions and profit sharing were 13.9% and 7.7%, respectively, versus total compensation expensed of 20.5%, of which 13.2% was direct commissions and 7.3% was profit sharing in 2005. Direct commissions are higher than the personal automobile minimum commission rates primarily due to negotiated commissions in 2006 to agencies with better performing private passenger automobile books of business, coupled with higher commissions on non-automobile lines of business. In addition, ceded reinsurance commission returned declined to 3.6% of direct premiums written in 2006 from 4.9% in 2005, due to termination of our other-than-automobile quota share agreement. Ceded reinsurance commissions returned reduce commission expense.

      We devote substantial time and resources to the development of our information systems, which we believe have enhanced both our underwriting and our agency support. Through the use of several customized software programs, we have the ability to analyze our internal historical underwriting data and use such information in making, in our belief, more informed underwriting decisions. Our information systems also enable us to provide extensive support to our agencies. This support includes a direct billing system, which covers approximately 99% of our policyholders, and an on-line inquiry system, which allows agencies to ascertain the status of pending claims and direct bill information via the Internet. We also have over 225,000 policyholders utilizing Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) which carry no billing service fees. The system also allows agents on-line access to manuals, reports and forms. We also offer an agency upload for personal and commercial automobile and an agency download product for personal and commercial automobile, as well as homeowners. We expect to expand these offerings from time to time. During 2006, approximately 98% of our agents had access to one or more of these systems. We offer on-line access to insureds for certain premium billing and claim information.

      We believe that, because of our compensation arrangements and our emphasis on service, we are the preferred provider for most of our agencies. Although we believe, based on annual surveys of our agencies, that our relationships with our independent agencies are excellent, any disruption in these relationships could adversely affect our business.

      Affinity Programs in Massachusetts. Since 1995, we have been a leader in affinity group marketing in Massachusetts by providing discounts to members of the AAA clubs. Based on information provided to us by the AAA clubs operating in Massachusetts, we believe that membership in these clubs represents approximately one-third of the Massachusetts motoring public. In 2006, we increased our total Massachusetts private passenger automobile written insurance exposures by 4.3%, ending 2006 with approximately 31.2% of the Massachusetts private passenger automobile market, up from 29.9% at the end of 2005, primarily as a result of the new ERPs added throughout CAR's redistribution. We estimate a 42% penetration of AAA members in Massachusetts. The AAA Affinity group discount has been established at 5% for 2007. The rate for 2006, 2005 and 2004 was also 5%.

      Programs in Other States. Both American Commerce and Commerce West file and seek approval for premium rates with the respective divisions of insurance in the states where they do business. American Commerce competes for business primarily by using AAA-owned and operated independent agencies that offer competitively priced products and provide quality service. The independent agencies are offered compensation in the form of commission and profit sharing, based primarily on loss ratios. In addition, the AAA-owned agencies are also offered stock options and bonuses based on the year-over-year increase in the volume of agency business written with American Commerce. Commerce West competes for business by using independent insurance agencies and brokers that offer competitively priced products and provide quality service. Commerce West offers compensation to agents and brokers in the form of commissions and profit sharing, which are based in part on the underwriting results of the agency business written with us. Commerce offers competitively priced products and commissions to agents in New Hampshire. Profit sharing, based on loss experience, is also offered as an inducement for exceptional business.

      During 2006 and 2005, we invested approximately $9,300 and $7,500, respectively, in several software implementation projects for the primary purpose of strengthening our business in states other than Massachusetts. Our largest initiative toward achieving this goal involves a comprehensive upgrade of our information systems. The specific objectives of this upgrade are to:

*

provide an easy-to-use, stable, robust platform that supports flexible product development and growth of market share;

*

support independent business decisions and processing needs driven by ACIC and New Hampshire business users;

*

consolidate processing of our other-than-Massachusetts, multi-state business written through American Commerce, Commerce, and Citation onto one system; and

<PAGE>  14

*

enhance data integrity and control mechanisms.

In addition to upgrading to the latest version of our base system software, we will also implement enhanced agency upload capabilities. Specifically, the Agency Port initiative will significantly improve, we believe, our agents' ease of doing business with American Commerce, Commerce and Citation. American Commerce licensed and is implementing the Agency Port web portal for use by its club and agent partners. Commerce and Citation plan to use this product for Massachusetts homeowners as well as Commerce's New Hampshire business. The Agency Port web portal provides automated underwriting and an easy-to-use web-enabled interface for quoting American Commerce products. In the future, this product will also provide for the servicing of ACIC products, as well as the quoting and servicing of Commerce and Citation products. We began this project in late 2005, continued throughout 2006 and completion is expected by 2008.

Underwriting

      We seek to achieve an underwriting profit, as measured by a statutory combined ratio of less than 100%, in each of our product lines. Our strategy is designed to achieve consistent profitability with substantial growth in net premiums written during hard markets and growth that is more modest during soft markets and during Massachusetts mandated premium declines. All of our policies have been written on a "claims incurred basis," meaning that we cover claims based on occurrences that take place during the policy period.

      Agencies are authorized to bind us on risks as limited by our written underwriting rules and practices, which establish eligibility rules for various policies and coverages, unacceptable risks, and maximum and minimum limits of liability. For non-automobile policies, other than certain umbrella policies, our agencies have the ability to bind us for a limited period, typically 60 days, during which time we review all risks to determine whether we will accept or reject the policy. During this review period, we are obligated to pay any claim that would be covered under the policy. Violation of our underwriting rules and practices is grounds for termination of the agency's contract with us.

      In Massachusetts, we and each of the other servicing carriers of CAR must write virtually all private passenger automobile risks submitted to us. Massachusetts personal automobile insurance rates are fixed annually by the Commissioner. All companies writing personal automobile policies are required to use such mandated rates, unless they have received prior approval from the Commissioner to offer a lower rate such as what we have done with our AAA affinity program. The actual premium paid by a particular policyholder, however, is adjusted, either up or down, based upon the driving record of the insured operator. Moving violations and accidents for which the insured was at fault within the most recent six year period are used to determine each operator's safe driver surcharge or credit. For January 1, 2006 policies, the Massachusetts Safe Driver Insurance Plan (SDIP) changed from a "step-based" to a "point-based" system in an attempt to further improve the accuracy, and the clarity to insureds, of the plan.

      We set our voluntary Massachusetts commercial automobile insurance rates competitively, subject to the Commissioner's authority to disapprove such rates. CAR files the rates for commercial automobile risks reinsured through CAR, subject to the authority of the Commissioner to disapprove the rates, except for ceded private passenger type non-fleet business which is filed by insurance companies and approved by the Commissioner.

      For our business written outside of Massachusetts and other product lines within Massachusetts, including homeowners and commercial lines of general liability and property insurance, rates are based in part on loss cost data from the Insurance Services Office, or ISO, which is an industry bureau providing policy forms and rate making data, and in part, on our own experience and other companies' price levels. We are not obligated by statute to accept every homeowners risk submitted to us. Accordingly, risks meeting our underwriting guidelines are accepted, and all other risks are declined or not renewed. We use ISO policy forms and have added special coverage features to meet our product needs. Rates and forms must be filed with and approved or not disapproved by the insurance commissioner in each state where we do business.

Reinsurance

      In addition to participating in CAR, we reinsure with other insurance companies, on a claims incurred basis, a portion of our potential exposure under the policies we have written. The objective of this reinsurance is to mitigate the adverse financial consequences of a severe loss under individual policies, or catastrophic occurrences where a number of claims can produce an extraordinary aggregate loss. Reinsurance does not legally discharge us from our primary liability to the insured for the full amount of the policies, but it does make the reinsurer liable to us to the extent of the reinsured portion of any loss ultimately suffered. We seek to utilize reinsurers that we consider adequately capitalized and financially able to meet their respective obligations under reinsurance agreements with us. We use a variety of reinsurance mechanisms to

<PAGE>  15

protect ourselves against loss. For additional information, please refer to Note M to the audited consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-K.

Involuntary Pool

      Our insurance subsidiaries are required to participate in various Property Insurance Underwriting Associations, the most significant of which is the Fair Access to Insurance Requirements Plan (FAIR Plan) in Massachusetts. The federal government reinsures those insurers participating in FAIR Plans against excess losses sustained from riots and civil disorders. The Massachusetts FAIR Plan has coastal policies which could result in losses which could be material to the FAIR Plan and participating insurance companies. Effective July 1, 2006, the Massachusetts FAIR Plan began purchasing catastrophe reinsurance; consequently, we have exposure for our proportionate share of catastrophic losses greater than their program. Effective July 1, 2006, we entered into a catastrophe reinsurance program which covers catastrophic losses from the FAIR Plan. See Note M of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussions.

American Nuclear Insurers (ANI)

      Our insurance subsidiaries are member companies of ANI. ANI is a voluntary association of insurers that provides property insurance protection and nuclear energy liability insurance protection. See Note M of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further details.

Settlement of Claims

      Claims under insurance policies written by us are investigated and settled primarily by our claims adjusters at our Webster, Massachusetts headquarters. Commerce also employs investigators to address suspected insurance fraud and abuse. American Commerce settles claims at its home office in Ohio, the Webster, Massachusetts headquarters and three regional claims offices located around the country. In addition to these individuals, American Commerce uses the services of independent appraisal firms and independent property adjusting companies, which are also located around the country. Commerce West settles claims at its home office. In addition, Commerce West uses the services of independent appraisal firms located in California, Oregon and Arizona. If a claim or loss cannot be settled and results in litigation, we retain outside counsel to represent us.

      We believe that, based on surveys of our agency force and insureds, through our claims staff of experienced adjusters, appraisers, managers, and administrative staff, we have higher customer satisfaction than many of our competitors. All claims office staff members work closely with agents, insureds and claimants with a goal of settling claims fairly, rapidly and cost effectively.

      We have a 24-hour claim reporting service to third-party claimants and insureds of interested agencies. This service allows customers to report their first notice of a loss at any time of the day, 365 days a year. This reporting methodology allows us to improve customer satisfaction by making the initial claim handling much faster and ultimately reducing indemnity payments such as rental and storage.

Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense (LAE) Reserves

      The following table represents the development of reserves, net of reinsurance, for 1996 through 2006. The top line of the table shows the reserves at the balance sheet date for each of the indicated years, representing the estimated losses and LAE for claims arising in all years that were unpaid at the balance sheet date, including losses that had been incurred but not yet reported to us. The upper portion of the table shows the cumulative amounts paid as of successive years expressed as a percentage with respect to that year's ending reserve liability. The lower portion of the table shows the re-estimated amount as a percentage of the previously recorded reserves based on experience as of the end of each succeeding year, including cumulative payments made since the end of the respective year. The estimate changes as more information becomes known about the payments and the frequency and severity of claims for individual years. Favorable loss development exists when the original reserve estimate is greater than the re-estimated reserves at December 31, 2006. Favorable development is depicted as a positive number in the line "Redundancy expressed as a percentage of year end reserves." The table shows that we have redundancies in each of the last ten years.

      For additional information, please refer to "Critical Accounting Estimates" in Item 7, Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, of this Form 10-K.

      In evaluating the cumulative information in the following table, it should be noted that each year's amount includes the cumulative effects of all changes in amounts for prior periods. This table does not present accident or policy year

<PAGE>  16

development data. Conditions and trends that have affected development of the liability in the past may not necessarily occur in the future. Accordingly, it is not appropriate to extrapolate future development based on the following table.

<PAGE>  17

Loss and LAE Reserve Development (dollars in millions)

 
 

2006

2005

2004

2003

2002

2001

2000

1999

1998 (1)

1997

1996

                       

Reserves for losses and loss

                     

  adjustment expenses

$850.7

$834.7   

$830.1   

$792.3   

$678.3   

$594.2   

$585.9   

$558.8   

$561.2   

$529.8   

$534.0   

 


Paid (cumulative) as a percentage

                     

  of current reserves as of:

                     

    One year later

 

48.4%

49.8%

51.9%

52.8%

52.9%

54.0%

52.5%

49.4%

53.7%

52.6%

    Two years later

   

70.6   

72.1   

73.2   

73.9   

74.2   

74.7   

72.9   

78.1   

75.4   

    Three years later

     

85.1   

86.2   

86.2   

85.9   

85.9   

84.5   

93.1   

88.2   

    Four years later

       

92.1   

92.8   

93.0   

92.1   

90.1   

99.4   

96.9   

    Five years later

         

95.9   

96.5   

96.5   

93.1   

102.4   

99.8   

    Six years later

           

97.7   

98.3   

94.9   

103.7   

101.0   

    Seven years later

             

98.7   

95.8   

104.7   

101.6   

    Eight years later

               

96.0   

105.2   

102.3   

    Nine years later

                 

105.4   

102.7   

    Ten years later

                   

102.8   

Reserves re-estimated as a

                     

  percentage of initial reserves as of:

                     

    One year later

 

94.8%

92.6%

92.8%

96.3%

97.6%

94.0%

92.4%

92.9%

88.4%

84.3%

    Two years later

   

90.1   

90.7   

93.8   

93.9   

93.7   

90.3   

91.9   

85.6   

79.3   

    Three years later

     

89.8   

92.7   

92.7   

91.8   

90.3   

91.3   

85.1   

77.4   

    Four years later

       

92.2   

91.6   

91.4   

89.3   

91.3   

84.7   

77.3   

    Five years later

         

91.0   

90.6   

89.1   

88.8   

84.4   

77.1   

    Six years later

           

90.2   

87.8   

88.8   

81.0   

76.8   

    Seven years later

             

87.6   

88.0   

80.7   

74.5   

    Eight years later

               

87.9   

80.1   

74.2   

    Nine years later

                 

80.0   

73.9   

    Ten years later

                   

73.8   

Redundancy expressed as a

                     

  percentage of year end reserves

 

5.2%

9.9%

10.2%

7.8%

9.0%

9.8%

12.4%

12.1%

20.0%

26.2%

                       

Gross liability, end of year

$971.9

$989.2   

$990.3   

$957.4   

$815.6   

$695.2   

$684.7   

$671.0   

$657.0   

$639.7   

$658.0   

Reinsurance recoverables

121.2

154.5   

160.2   

165.1   

137.3   

101.0   

98.9   

112.2   

95.8   

109.9   

124.0   

 


Net liability, end of year

$850.7

$834.7   

$830.1   

$792.3   

$678.3   

$594.2   

$585.9   

$558.8   

$561.2   

$529.8   

$534.0   

 


Gross re-estimated liability - latest

N/A

$903.4   

$873.6   

$831.1   

$780.4   

$677.5   

$664.7   

$617.1   

$618.2   

$562.8   

$576.0   

Re-estimated recoverable - latest

N/A

112.4   

125.3   

119.3   

154.6   

136.8   

136.2   

127.6   

124.8   

138.9   

182.0   

 


Net re-estimated liability - latest

N/A

$791.0   

$748.3   

$711.8   

$625.8   

$540.7   

$528.5   

$489.5   

$493.4   

$423.9   

$394.0   

 


                       

(1)

The 1998 amount includes an adjustment to add $63.1 million in loss and LAE reserves related to the purchase of American Commerce at January 29, 1999. For additional information about losses and LAE, gross and net of reinsurance, see Note F to the audited consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-K.

NA

Not applicable for 2006.

<PAGE>  18

      Included in our loss reserves are liabilities for unpaid claims and claim adjustment expenses for environmental related claims such as lead paint, oil spills and mold. We held reserves in the amount of $2,050 for lead paint related claims at December 31, 2006. Our reserves for environmental claims such as oil spills and mold were $5,177 and $1,384, respectively, at December 31, 2006. These reserves have been established to cover claims for known losses. Because of our limited exposure to these types of claims, we believe they will not have a material impact on our financial position.

Operating Ratios

      Loss and Underwriting Expense Ratios. Loss and underwriting expense ratios are used to interpret the underwriting experience of property and casualty insurance companies on a statutory basis. Certain corporate expenses included in our loss adjustment expenses and policy acquisition costs do not impact the statutory loss and LAE ratio or the statutory underwriting ratio because they are not expenses borne by our insurance subsidiaries. Examples include a portion of book value awards (BVA) and incentive awards (IA) expense, Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) expense and directors' compensation. Underwriting profit margins are reflected by the extent to which the sum of the loss and underwriting expense ratios, which we refer to as the combined ratio, is less than 100%. The combined ratio is considered the best simple index of current underwriting performance of an insurer. The ratios which follow include lines of insurance other than automobile. Data for the property and casualty industry generally may not be directly comparable to our data. This is because we conduct our business primarily in Massachusetts, where approximately 87.5% of our direct premiums were written for the year ended December 31, 2006, and, secondly, we primarily write personal automobile insurance.

 

Year Ended December 31,

 


 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

2003

 

2002

 


 


 


 


 


                   

Company group statutory ratios (unaudited):

                 

    Loss and LAE ratio

59.9%

 

60.8%

 

62.8%

 

73.4%

 

75.1%

    Underwriting expense ratio

29.2%

 

26.5%

 

24.9%

 

22.9%

 

23.6%

 


 


 


 


 


        Combined ratio

89.1%

 

87.3%

 

87.7%

 

96.3%

 

98.7%

 


 


 


 


 


                   

    Industry combined ratio (all writers) (1)

92.6%

 

96.0%

 

94.4%

 

94.4%

 

104.5%

 


 


 


 


 


                   

(1)

Source: A.M. Best's Review/Preview (January 2007), as reported by A.M. Best for all property and casualty insurance companies and adjusted to reflect our relative product mix. The 2006 industry information is estimated by A.M. Best.

   

      Premiums-to-Surplus Ratio. While there is no regulatory requirement applicable to us which establishes a permissible statutory net premiums-to-surplus ratio, guidelines established by the NAIC provide that this ratio should be no greater than 300%.

      The premium-to-surplus ratios for the five years ended 2006 for our industry and us follow (in millions of dollars):

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

2003

 

2002

 


 


 


 


 


                   

Net premiums written by us

$1,825.3   

 

$1,736.2   

 

$1,712.5   

 

$1,555.5   

 

$1,313.0   

Policyholders' surplus of our

                 

  insurance subsidiaries(1)

$1,535.7   

 

$1,477.3   

 

$1,290.1   

 

$1,075.1   

 

$   662.0   

Our ratio

118.9%

 

117.5%

 

132.8%

 

144.7%

 

198.3%

Industry ratio(2)

90.2%

 

99.7%

 

108.5%

 

117.4%

 

130.5%

                   

(1)

The increase in policyholders' surplus from 2002 to 2003 was primarily the result of our $300 million debt offering. The proceeds from the offering were used as additional paid-in capital for Commerce.

(2)

Source: A.M. Best's Review/Preview (January 2007), for all property and casualty insurance companies. The 2006 industry information is estimated by A.M. Best.

   

Investments

      Investment income is an important source of revenue for us, and the return on our investment portfolio has a material effect on our net earnings. Our investment strategy emphasizes investment yield while maintaining investment quality. The focus of our investment objectives continues to be maximizing after-tax investment income through investing in high quality diversified investments structured to maximize after-tax investment income while minimizing risk. A secondary objective is to achieve above average after-tax total return. Our funds are generally invested in securities with maturities intended to provide adequate funds to pay claims and meet other operating needs without the forced sale of investments.

<PAGE>  19

      For additional information on our investment income and investment portfolio, please refer to "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and Note C to the audited consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-K.

Regulation

      Our business is subject to extensive regulation. In Massachusetts, the Commissioner of Insurance is appointed by the Governor and has broad authority. The Commissioner sets maximum policy rates and establishes minimum agent commission levels on personal automobile insurance. In addition, the Commissioner grants and revokes licenses to write insurance, approves policy forms, sets reserve requirements, determines the form and content of statutory financial statements and establishes the type and character of portfolio investments. The Commissioner also approves company submissions regarding affinity group insurance programs and corresponding discounts along with permitted deviations, such as safe driver deviations. Consequently, the policies and regulations set by the Commissioner are an important element of writing insurance in Massachusetts. In states other than Massachusetts, premium rates generally must be filed with, and approved or not disapproved by the Commissioner of Insurance in that particular state. In general, minimum commissions to agents are not set by the other state commissioners.

      State insurance regulators are responsible for conducting periodic examinations of insurance companies. Massachusetts Division of Insurance regulations provide that insurance companies will be examined every five years or more frequently as deemed prudent by the Commissioner. California Department of Insurance regulations provide that insurance companies will be examined every three years. Ohio Department of Insurance regulations provide that insurance companies will be examined at least every five years. Both Commerce and Citation were examined for the five-year period ended December 31, 2003. Commerce West was last examined in 2004 by the California Department of Insurance for the four-year period ended December 31, 2003. American Commerce was examined in 2004 by the Ohio Department of Insurance for the five-year period ended December 31, 2002. These examinations produced no material findings.

      At the state level, various forms of automobile insurance reform are continuously debated. In Massachusetts, for example, new regulations and legislation are often proposed with the goal of reducing the need for premium increases or to alter CAR results sharing. See Massachusetts Automobile Business section of Item 1, Business, and Commonwealth Automobile Reinsurers section of Item 7, Management Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, for further discussion.

      Although the U.S. federal government does not directly regulate the insurance industry, federal initiatives often have an impact on the industry. Proposed legislation currently exists in Congress, the State Modernization and Regulatory Transparency (SMART) Act, which would force states to comply with uniform standards and resolve disputes, speed up the process of getting new products to the market and move toward a system of market-based rates. Congress and certain federal agencies continue to investigate the current condition of the insurance industry, encompassing both life and health and property and casualty insurance, in the United States in order to decide whether some form of federal role in the regulation of insurance companies would be appropriate. Congress conducts hearings relating, in general, to the solvency of insurers and has proposed federal legislation from time to time on this and other subjects.

      Former New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer and his staff had been challenging two separate but related insurance industry practices -- fraudulent bid fixing and certain contingent commission payments. Mr. Spitzer and his staff took legal action against several companies as a result of these challenges. No such action has been taken against us or any of our subsidiaries by any regulator in regards to these practices, nor do we expect any such action to occur.

      Automobile Insurance Regulation Overview. Massachusetts has required compulsory automobile insurance coverage since 1925. States other than Massachusetts generally have varying levels of minimum compulsory insurance. Under current law, all Massachusetts motorists are required to carry certain minimum coverages mandated by the state. With very limited exceptions, each servicing carrier writing private passenger automobile insurance in Massachusetts must accept all risks submitted to the servicing carrier for the compulsory coverage, but is permitted to reinsure these risks (including affinity group marketing insurance risks) through CAR.

      Compulsory Coverage. Compulsory coverage includes no-fault coverage, limited bodily injury coverage, property damage coverage and coverage against uninsured or hit and run motorists. The Massachusetts no-fault statute provides for personal injury protection coverage, which entitles a party to be reimbursed directly by the party's own insurer for certain medical expenses, lost wages and other defined expenses arising from an automobile accident, up to a specific amount, even if another party caused the accident.

<PAGE>  20

      Rates and Commissions. Massachusetts personal automobile insurance rates are fixed and generally established annually by the Commissioner. Affinity group marketing insurance programs and permitted deviations must be annually approved by the Commissioner. We set our voluntary Massachusetts commercial automobile insurance rates competitively, subject to the Commissioner's authority to disapprove such rates. CAR files the rate for commercial automobile risks reinsured through CAR, subject to the authority of the Commissioner to disapprove the rates, except for ceded private passenger type non-fleet business which is filed by insurance companies and approved by the Commissioner. For additional information, see "Commonwealth Automobile Reinsurers."

      Massachusetts personal automobile premiums charged to a policyholder are adjusted based upon the safe driver rating of the operator. Moving violations and at-fault accidents affect each driver's safe driver rating. In addition, the Extra Risk Rating regulations permit insurers to deny coverage or charge surcharged rates for physical damage coverage to both high risk vehicles and insureds with excessive prior loss or violation activity.

      The Commissioner sets an average minimum direct agency commission rate for personal automobile insurance. With respect to risks reinsured through CAR, the maximum amount of commissions that CAR will reimburse the ceding carrier, as part of their expense allowance structure, is fixed at that prescribed rate.

      Rates and commissions in states other than Massachusetts are set competitively on a company-by-company and state-by-state basis.

      Mandatory Underwriting. With minimal exception, Massachusetts law specifies that all individuals holding a valid driver's license be entitled to purchase the mandatory automobile insurance coverages regardless of their driving experience or accident record. Massachusetts law also places certain restraints on insurers' discretion to refuse to renew automobile insurance policies. Policyholders are generally entitled to renew except in cases of fraud, material misrepresentation, revocation or suspension of an operator's license or nonpayment of premiums. With very limited exceptions, servicing carriers that participate in CAR in Massachusetts must accept every automobile risk submitted to them.

      Under the Massachusetts system of rate regulation, some personal automobile insurance risks are purposefully under-priced by the Commissioner, and therefore, absent state-intervention, insurers would not ordinarily choose to write those risks. The CAR reinsurance program described below is intended to mitigate the burden imposed by under-pricing and the Massachusetts take-all-comers system, by allowing insurers to transfer the exposure for under-priced risks to an industry pool, and by granting participation credits for voluntary writing of certain under-priced risks. While credits are required by statute, the detailed credit offer is annually established by CAR and approved by the Commissioner.

      Commonwealth Automobile Reinsurers. CAR is a Massachusetts state-mandated reinsurance mechanism, under which all premiums, expenses and losses on ceded business are pooled and shared by all insurers. It is similar to a joint underwriting association because a limited number of insurers participate in the program as servicing carriers. At December 31, 2006, there were a total of 19 companies, including Commerce, that were servicing carriers for the personal automobile pool. At December 31, 2006, six insurers, including Commerce, were limited servicing carriers for the commercial automobile market. See the previous discussion of CAR's new commercial program in the Massachusetts Automobile Business section.

      In general, agencies licensed to issue automobile insurance policies are entitled to be assigned to at least one servicing carrier. There are two categories of private passenger agencies: (1) those that have voluntary agreements with one or more servicing carriers, and (2) those that do not. The latter are assigned by CAR, generally to a single servicing carrier and are known as private passenger ERPs. An agent can be an ERP for private passenger automobile or commercial automobile or both.

      An insurer may terminate its participation in CAR by surrendering its license to write automobile policies in Massachusetts. Termination does not discharge or otherwise affect liability of an insurer incurred prior to termination. A withdrawing insurer is assessed a share of CAR's projected results for future years based on the insurer's prior years' participation in CAR. The assessment paid by the withdrawing insurer is redistributed to the remaining insurers based on their participation ratios.

      An insurer can transfer its obligations for its personal insurance policies to another insurer who formally agrees to assume these obligations. The transferring insurer is thereby relieved of future CAR obligations which otherwise would have arisen as a consequence of the business transferred. As previously noted, additional information about CAR, including regulatory reform, is in Item 7 of this Form 10-K.

<PAGE>  21

      Insurance Holding Company Structure. As an insurance holding company, we are subject to regulation under the insurance holding company statutes of the states in which our subsidiary insurance companies are incorporated. Because our subsidiaries are members of an insurance holding company system, they are required to register with their respective Divisions of Insurance and to submit reports describing:

 

*

the capital structure;

     
 

*

general financial condition;

     
 

*

ownership and management of each insurer and any person or entity controlling the insurer;

     
 

*

the identity of every member of the insurance holding company system; and

     
 

*

the material outstanding transactions between the insurer and its affiliates.

     

California and Ohio have insurance holding company laws similar to those in Massachusetts.

      Each member of the insurance holding company system must keep current the information required to be disclosed by reporting all material changes or additions within 15 days of the end of the month in which it learns of such change or addition.

      Massachusetts law prohibits a party that is not a domestic insurer from acquiring "control" of a domestic insurer or of a company controlling a domestic insurer without prior approval of the Commissioner. Control is presumed to exist if a party directly or indirectly holds, owns or controls ten percent or more of the voting stock of another party, but may be rebutted by showing that control does not exist. California and Ohio have laws similar to those in Massachusetts.

      In the event of the insolvency, liquidation or other reorganization of any of our insurance subsidiaries, our creditors and stockholders will have no right to proceed against the assets of those subsidiaries, or to cause the liquidation or bankruptcy of any company under federal or state bankruptcy laws. State laws govern such liquidation or rehabilitation proceedings and the Division of Insurance would act as receiver for the particular company. Creditors and policyholders of the insurance subsidiaries would be entitled to payment in full from such assets before a stockholder, such as Commerce Holdings in our case, would be entitled to receive any distribution therefrom.

      Payment of Dividends. Under Massachusetts law, an insurer may pay cash dividends only from earnings and statutory surplus, and the insurer's remaining surplus must be both reasonable in relation to its outstanding liabilities and adequate in relation to its financial needs. Following the declaration and payment of such dividends, the insurer must file a report with the Commissioner. A Massachusetts insurance company may not pay an extraordinary dividend or distribution unless the insurer gives the Commissioner at least 30 days' prior notice of the declaration and the Commissioner does not disapprove of the plan of payment prior to the date of such payment. An extraordinary dividend or distribution includes any dividend or distribution whose fair market value together with other dividends or distributions made within the preceding 12 months exceeds the greater of 10% of surplus, or net income for the 12 month period ending the 31st day of December. California and Ohio have laws similar to those in Massachusetts regulating the payment of dividends by insurance companies.

      The aggregate amount of dividends calculated in accordance with regulations in Massachusetts, California and Ohio that could have been paid in 2006 from 2006 sources from all of our insurance subsidiaries without prior regulatory approval was approximately $238,122, of which $203,410 was declared and paid during 2006. In addition, previously unused dividend capability for the last eleven years from all of our insurance subsidiaries, which can also be used for dividend issuance without regulatory approval, totaled approximately $219,224.

      Protection Against Insurer Insolvency. All insurance companies are required to participate in insurance insolvency fund programs in the states in which they write. For further information, please refer to Note L to the audited consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-K.

      National Association of Insurance Commissioners Guidelines. The NAIC Insurance Regulatory Information System, or IRIS, was developed by a committee of state insurance regulators and is intended primarily to assist state insurance regulators in executing their statutory mandates to oversee the financial condition of insurance companies operating in their respective states. IRIS identifies eleven industry ratios and specifies "usual values" for each ratio. Departure from the "usual values" on four or more of the ratios can lead to inquiries from individual state insurance commissioners as to

<PAGE>  22

certain aspects of an insurer's business. For the year ended December 31, 2006, our consolidated property and casualty operations had no ratios outside the "usual values."

      In order to enhance the regulation of insurer insolvency, the NAIC developed a formula and model law to provide for risk-based capital, or RBC, requirements for property and casualty insurance companies. The model law has since been adopted in all states. RBC requirements are designed to assess capital adequacy and to raise the level of protection that statutory surplus provides for policyholder obligations. The RBC model for property and casualty insurance companies measures three major areas of risk facing property and casualty insurers:

(1)

underwriting, which encompasses the risk of adverse loss development and inadequate pricing;

(2)

declines in asset values arising from credit risk; and

(3)

other business risks from investments.

      Insurers having less statutory surplus than required by the RBC calculation will be subject to varying degrees of regulatory action, depending on the level of capital inadequacy. The RBC model formula has four levels of regulatory action. The extent of regulatory intervention and action increases as the percentage of surplus to RBC falls. The first level, defined by the NAIC as the "Company Action Level," requires an insurer to submit a plan of corrective actions to the regulator if surplus falls below 200% of the RBC amount. As indicated in the following table, the RBC level of each of our insurance subsidiaries at December 31, 2006 significantly exceeded the 200% RBC level requirements.

   

Commerce

 

Citation

 

American
Commerce

 

Commerce
West

   


 


 


 


                 

Statutory surplus

 

$1,205,881   

 

$139,396   

 

$131,527   

 

$59,238   

200% RBC Company Action Level

 

219,781   

 

25,596   

 

18,491   

 

8,255   

   


 


 


 


Statutory surplus in excess of RBC

               

  Company Action Level

 

$   986,100   

 

$113,800   

 

$113,036   

 

$50,983   

   


 


 


 


RBC amounts

 

$   109,891   

 

$  12,798   

 

$    9,246   

 

$  4,128   

   


 


 


 


Percent of surplus to RBC amounts

 

1,097%

 

1,089%

 

1,423%

 

1,435%

   


 


 


 


                 

Competition

      The property and casualty insurance industry is highly cyclical, characterized by periods of increasing premium rates and limited underwriting capacity, followed by periods of intensive price competition and abundant underwriting capacity. This industry also is highly competitive, with a large number of companies, many of which operate in more than one state, offering automobile, homeowners, commercial property and other lines of insurance. Some of our competitors have larger volumes of business and greater financial resources than we have and some sell insurance directly to policyholders rather than through independent agents.

      Massachusetts. Our insurance products are marketed exclusively through independent agencies, including ERPs. Because most of our voluntary agencies represent more than one company, we face competition within each of these agencies. We compete for business within independent agencies by offering a more attractively priced product through our AAA discount to the consumer and by paying agents significant compensation in the form of commissions and profit sharing. We also seek to provide a consistent market, prompt servicing of policyholder claims and effective agency support services. We have agreed that we shall be the exclusive underwriter of Massachusetts personal automobile group programs for three AAA clubs, and we have extended our agreements with them from a minimum of three years to a minimum of twenty years.

      We believe that the Massachusetts regulatory environment requires a commitment to the market that certain companies have been unwilling to make, and thus have not established a presence or expanded their market share in Massachusetts. We believe that previous proposals to change the Massachusetts personal auto system reflect a desire expressed by some to change the Massachusetts system for regulating automobile insurance to one that is comparable to the regulatory framework in most other states. Any material change to the regulatory environment in Massachusetts could adversely affect our business. For additional information, see "Massachusetts Personal Automobile Insurance" in Item 7, Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, in this Form 10-K.

      Other States. We compete with various regional and domestic insurers, national agency companies and direct writers. Any of these competitors could undertake actions that could adversely affect our profitability, such as pricing automobile insurance premiums more aggressively or offering greater compensation to independent agencies.

<PAGE>  23

Our Employees

      As of December 31, 2006, we employed 2,187 people. Commerce employed 1,851 people; American Commerce employed 246 people; Commerce West employed 90 people; and Citation had no employees. We are not a party to any collective bargaining agreements, and we believe our relationships with our employees are very good.

Information Available on Our Website

      We make available, free of charge, on our website (http://www.commerceinsurance.com) our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the Securities and Exchange Commission. The following are also posted on our website and are available in print to any stockholder upon request:

*

Corporate Governance Guidelines

*

Code of Ethics

*

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Charter

*

Audit Committee Charter

*

Compensation Committee Charter

*

Procedures to Contact Non-Management Directors

*

Procedures to Contact the Board of Directors

*

Divisions of Insurance Annual Statements

Executive Officers of the Registrant

      The information regarding executive officers called for by regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission is incorporated by reference from information about our executive officers in Item 10 of this Form 10-K.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

      There are various risks involved in investing in the Company, some of which are described below. Investors should carefully consider each of the following factors and all of the other financial information in this annual report, including the information incorporated by reference.

 

Regulatory or legislative changes to enhance competition in Massachusetts are being considered and, if enacted, could adversely affect our market share and profitability.

      From time to time, the Massachusetts Division of Insurance considers potential changes and reforms to the Massachusetts personal automobile insurance system that would have the goal of enhancing competition. Massachusetts is currently the only state that we write business in where personal automobile insurance rates are set by state regulators.

      The Massachusetts regulatory environment currently:

*

requires personal automobile insurers to issue a policy to any eligible applicant who seeks one, known as the "take all comers" requirement,

*

fixes maximum personal automobile rates, which has the effect of keeping premiums artificially low on specific high risk segments of the market, such as urban and youthful drivers, effectively imposing higher premiums on lower risk segments,

*

fixes the SDIP point assignment criteria and rating factors,

*

assigns certain agents that have not been able to obtain a voluntary contract with another insurer, known as Exclusive Representative Producers, or ERPs, to servicing carriers on the basis of market share,

<PAGE>  24

*

apportions losses incurred by the state-mandated residual market run by Commonwealth Automobile Reinsurers, known as CAR,

*

mandates that higher compulsory and optional coverages be offered to all eligible drivers, and

*

establishes minimum agency commissions.

      Our marketing and underwriting strategies are limited by maximum premium rates and minimum agency commission levels for personal automobile insurance, which are mandated by the Commissioner. Rate decisions by the Commissioner are based upon claims experience and other data which are several years old and may not reflect current conditions. The rates set by the Commissioner affect our results. Future increases in commission rates would also adversely affect our results of operations unless there were corresponding increases in premiums.

      Changes in the prevailing legislative or regulatory environment could adversely affect our competitive position. We are unable to predict what, if any, changes that may be approved, or changes to the regulatory system that the Division or CAR may implement and, therefore are unable to determine whether the impact would be favorable or unfavorable to us, and the effect, if any, that it would have on competition, nor can we predict when any changes would take effect.

We are primarily a personal automobile insurance carrier, and therefore our business may be adversely affected by changing conditions in the industry.

      Approximately 81.3% of our direct premiums written for the year ended December 31, 2006 were generated from personal automobile insurance policies. As a result of our focus on that line of business, negative developments in the economic, competitive or regulatory conditions affecting the personal automobile insurance industry could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. Factors that negatively affect cost trends and our profitability include inflation in automobile repair costs, automobile parts costs, used car prices and medical care costs. Increased litigation of claims may also adversely affect loss costs. In addition, these developments in the personal automobile insurance industry would have a disproportionate effect on us, compared to insurers that are more diversified across multiple business lines.

We write a substantial portion of our business in Massachusetts, and therefore our business may be adversely affected by changing conditions and adverse legislative, regulatory and judicial decisions in Massachusetts.

      Approximately 87.5% of our direct premiums written for the year ended December 31, 2006 were generated in Massachusetts. Therefore, our revenues and profitability are subject to prevailing regulatory, economic, demographic, competitive and other conditions, including weather-related events as described below, and regulatory and judicial decisions in Massachusetts. Changes in any of these conditions or the rendering of an adverse regulatory and judicial decision could make it more costly or difficult for us to conduct our business. In addition, these developments would have a disproportionate effect on us, compared to insurers that do not have such a geographic concentration.

Our financial performance may be materially adversely affected by severe weather conditions or other catastrophic losses.

      We are exposed to the risk of severe weather conditions and other catastrophes. Catastrophes can be caused by natural events, such as hurricanes, coastal storms, severe ice or snow storms, tornadoes, windstorms, earthquakes, hailstorms and fires, and man-made events, such as explosions, terrorist attacks or riots. The incidence and severity of such catastrophes are inherently unpredictable and our losses from catastrophes could be substantial. The occurrence of claims from catastrophic events is likely to result in substantial volatility in our financial condition or results of operations and our ability to write new business. This volatility is compounded by accounting regulations that do not permit insurers to reserve for such catastrophic events until they occur.

      The occurrence of severe weather conditions is inherently unpredictable. There is generally an increase in claims frequency and severity under the personal automobile insurance we write when severe weather occurs because of a higher incidence of vehicular accidents and other insured losses tend to occur as a result of severe weather conditions. We do not carry reinsurance for physical damage or comprehensive catastrophic-related losses for our personal or commercial automobile product lines.

      In addition, we have exposure to an increase in claims frequency and severity under the homeowners and other property insurance we write because property damage may result from severe weather conditions. Some catastrophes are restricted to small geographic areas; however, hurricanes, coastal storms, tornadoes, winter storms, windstorms, earthquakes,

<PAGE>  25

terrorist attacks and other man-made catastrophes may produce significant damage over large, heavily populated areas. Although we participate in a reinsurance program to limit our exposure to these types of natural catastrophes, we would have no reinsurance recoveries for a single event catastrophe to the extent that the total loss exceeds $600,000. We would have no reinsurance coverage for terrorist events. Although we attempt to manage our exposure to such events, a single catastrophic event could affect multiple geographic zones or the frequency or severity of catastrophic events could exceed our estimates. As a result, the occurrence of one or more catastrophic events could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.

      We are part of a joint underwriting association that provides excess loss coverage to nuclear power plants and related facilities. Our maximum exposure in 2006 in the event of a catastrophic loss at an insured nuclear facility was $11,000 for domestic risks and $10,000 for foreign risks. For 2007, these exposure amounts increased to $12,000 and $11,000, respectively.

If we are not able to attract and retain independent agents, our business could be adversely affected.

      We market our insurance primarily through independent agents. We must compete with other insurance carriers for the business of these independent agents. Additionally, most agents represent more than one company, which means we face competition within each agency. Some of our competitors offer a larger variety of products, lower prices for insurance coverage or higher compensation. While we believe that the compensation and services we provide to our agents are competitive with other insurers, changes in compensation, services or products offered by our competitors could make it harder for us to attract and retain independent agents to sell our insurance products.

If our affinity relationship with one or more AAA clubs, especially in Massachusetts, were to be terminated, we would lose a significant avenue for our affinity programs, which would likely lead to a decline in our sales of personal automobile insurance products, that would then adversely affect our business and results of operations.

      Since 1995, we have actively pursued affinity group marketing programs, which provide participating groups with a means of purchasing discounted private passenger automobile insurance through associations and employer groups. The AAA affinity program is the largest of these affinity programs. This is especially true in Massachusetts, where a significant portion of our Massachusetts premiums written is derived through the AAA affinity program. Direct written premiums written through the AAA affinity program during 2006 totaled $675,904, or 36.3% of total direct written premiums or 41.4% of Massachusetts direct written premiums.

      In Massachusetts, we are the exclusive underwriter of personal automobile group programs for three AAA clubs. As of February 2007, we have signed agreements to extend our exclusive agreement with these clubs from a minimum of three years to a minimum of twenty years.

      Direct premiums written by American Commerce in the top five states in which American Commerce does business, excluding Arizona, represented $124,467, or 74.0% of American Commerce's direct premiums written and 6.7% of our total direct premiums written in 2006. Furthermore, all of American Commerce's business in each of these states is generated by one or more insurance agencies owned by a single AAA club in that state, with limited exceptions.

      We have particularly significant relationships with AAA SNE that are important to various aspects of our business. Since 1995 we have maintained an exclusive affinity group marketing relationship with a Massachusetts agency controlled by AAA SNE. In 2006, that agency wrote the greatest amount of our Massachusetts personal automobile business, accounting for $106,191, or 5.7% of our total direct premiums written. AAA SNE also controls a Rhode Island insurance agency that in 2006 produced $25,486 of direct premiums written for our subsidiary American Commerce, representing 1.4% of our total direct premiums written for that year. In addition, AAA SNE owns a 5% equity interest in ACIC Holding, the holding company of American Commerce that is 95% owned by us.

      Should one or more of the significant AAA clubs elect to terminate its exclusive agreement, we would lose a significant avenue for offering affinity discounts, and we may not be able to achieve comparable sales through different affinity programs or otherwise. We also expect that we would lose the business written through any insurance agency owned by an AAA club that elects to terminate its exclusive arrangement with us. A termination of relationships with AAA SNE agencies could also adversely affect our ability to develop or maintain relationships with other AAA clubs. For these reasons, the termination of our exclusive arrangement with one or more of the AAA clubs may have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

We are a holding company with no direct operations, and our insurance subsidiaries' ability to pay dividends to us is restricted by law.

<PAGE>  26

      As a holding company with no direct operations and whose only significant assets are the capital stock of our subsidiaries, we rely on net investment income, dividends and other permitted payments from our subsidiaries to pay our expenses. Our subsidiaries may not be able to generate cash flow sufficient to pay a dividend or distribute funds to us. In addition, applicable state laws that regulate the payment of dividends by our insurance subsidiaries could prohibit such dividends or distributions. Under Massachusetts law, an insurer may pay cash dividends only from earnings and statutory surplus, and the insurer's remaining surplus must be both reasonable in relation to its outstanding liabilities and adequate in relation to its financial needs. Following the declaration and payment of such dividends, the insurer must file a report with the Commissioner. A Massachusetts insurance company may not pay an extraordinary dividend or distribution unless the insurer gives the Commissioner at least 30 days' prior notice of the declaration and the Commissioner does not disapprove of the plan of payment prior to the date of such payment. An extraordinary dividend or distribution includes any dividend or distribution whose fair market value together with other dividends or distributions made within the preceding 12 months exceeds the greater of 10% of surplus, or net income for the 12 month period ending the 31st day of December. California and Ohio have laws similar to those in Massachusetts regulating the payment of dividends by insurance companies. If our insurance subsidiaries cannot pay dividends in future periods we may have difficulty servicing our debt, paying dividends on our shares of common stock and meeting our holding company expenses.

Established competitors with greater resources may make it difficult for us to market our products effectively and offer our products at a profit.

      We compete with various regional and domestic insurers, national agency companies and direct writers. Some of these competitors have financial resources greater than ours. Any of these competitors could undertake actions that could adversely affect our profitability, such as pricing automobile insurance premiums more aggressively or offering greater compensation to independent agencies. The present soft market exacerbates the risk of these competitive actions.

We may not be able to preclude other companies from engaging in insurance-related business in Massachusetts using the words "Commerce" and "Insurance" in its name or service marks; and we believe that our business will be harmed if any other company in fact conducts insurance-related business in Massachusetts using the words "Commerce" and "Insurance" in its name or service marks.

      Commerce Insurance, which has been writing business in Massachusetts for more than 34 years under the names and marks The Commerce Insurance Company and Commerce Insurance Company, holds Massachusetts state registrations for those marks, but no federal registrations. We have reason to believe that Commerce Bancorp, Inc., a New York Stock Exchange-listed financial services company, and its subsidiary Commerce Insurance Services, Inc. d/b/a Commerce Insurance Brokerage Services, both of Cherry Hill, New Jersey, are now in, or are on the verge of entering, Massachusetts to provide a variety of broker and agency insurance services under variants of the mark Commerce Insurance. Commerce Bancorp has acquired or is seeking to acquire federal registrations for marks including the words "Commerce" and "Insurance." In August 2003, Commerce Bancorp filed applications in the United States Patent and Trademark Office (the "PTO") to register the mark Commerce Insurance Services and the mark Commerce C Insurance Services and related design. Moreover, we understand that Commerce Bancorp acquired by assignment from the original owner the federal registration for the mark Commerce that was issued in 1997 for use in connection with "insurance agencies featuring home, accident, life, property, casualty and business insurance".

      In May 2005, we began opposing both of the applications filed by Commerce Bancorp in a proceeding before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. The Trademark Trial and Appeal Board has suspended the proceeding before it pending resolution of a lawsuit filed by our subsidiary Commerce Insurance in the Federal District Court of Massachusetts against Commerce Bancorp and Commerce Insurance Services on February 22, 2006. In the complaint, Commerce Insurance sought preliminary and permanent injunctions and damages against Commerce Bancorp and Commerce Insurance Services for trade name and service mark infringement and unfair competition under federal statutory law and for trade name and service mark infringement, unfair competition, and dilution under Massachusetts statutory and common law. The Commerce Insurance complaint alleges, among other things, that the use in Massachusetts by Commerce Bancorp and Commerce Insurance Services of marks including the words "Commerce" and "Insurance" will create the likelihood of dilution of our Commerce Insurance marks, because our marks (1) are either inherently distinctive or have acquired secondary meaning, and (2) are likely to be confused with the Commerce Bancorp and Commerce Insurance Services use of their marks.

      On July 13, 2006, the Court held a hearing, at which a judicial stipulation was made on behalf of Commerce Bancorp, Inc. and Commerce Insurance Services that the defendants no longer intended to use the name Commerce Insurance Services, Inc. in Massachusetts. On July 14, 2006, in light of the judicial stipulation made on behalf of the defendants, we withdrew, without prejudice, our pending motion for preliminary injunction. On June 30, 2006, Commerce Bancorp filed an application in the PTO to register the mark Commerce C Banc Insurance Services plus design (the "Design Mark"). On August 29, 2006, Commerce Bancorp filed an application in the PTO to register the mark Commerce Banc Insurance

<PAGE>  27

Services (the "Word Mark"). The application to register the Design Mark was published for opposition on February 20, 2007, and the application to register the Word Mark was to be published for opposition on February 27, 2007. Commerce intends to oppose these applications.

      On October 26, 2006, we filed a Supplemental Complaint in Federal District Court to supplement our claims to include the defendants' intended use of the name Commerce Banc Insurance Services in Massachusetts. The defendants responded on November 9, 2006. The case is proceeding in the United States District Court of Massachusetts, and discovery closes on March 15, 2007. No trial date has been set.

      We cannot predict whether we will be successful in opposing Commerce Bancorp and Commerce Insurance Services either in Federal District Court or before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. If our opposition is unsuccessful, we believe that we will continue to be able to use the marks Commerce Insurance, The Commerce Insurance Company and Commerce Insurance Company in Massachusetts, but that our business will be harmed if Commerce Bancorp and Commerce Insurance Services in fact conduct insurance-related business in Massachusetts using the words "Commerce" and "Insurance."

We are subject to comprehensive regulation by Massachusetts as well as the other states in which we operate, and our ability to earn profits may be restricted by changes to these regulations.

      General Regulation. We are subject to regulation by government agencies in Massachusetts, as well as in the other states in which we operate, and we must obtain prior approval for certain corporate actions. In Massachusetts, for example, we must comply with regulations involving:

*

mandatory underwriting, commonly known as take-all comers regulations;

*

transactions between an insurance company and any of its affiliates;

*

the payment of dividends;

*

the acquisition of an insurance company or of any company controlling an insurance company;

*

approval or filing of premium rates and policy forms;

*

approval of the SDIP and rating factors;

*

solvency standards;

*

minimum amounts of capital and surplus that must be maintained;

*

limitations on types and amounts of investments;

*

restrictions on the size of risks that may be insured by a single company;

*

limitations on the right to cancel or choose not to renew policies in some lines;

*

regulation of the right to withdraw from markets or terminate involvement with agencies;

*

requirements to participate in residual markets, such as CAR, or other state-mandated insurance pools;

*

licensing of insurers and agents;

*

deposits of securities for the benefit of policyholders; and

*

reporting with respect to financial condition.

      The other states in which we operate have similar regulations. In addition, insurance department examiners from Massachusetts, California and Ohio perform periodic financial and market conduct examinations of insurance companies. Such regulation is generally intended for the protection of policyholders rather than security holders.

<PAGE>  28

      Massachusetts requires that all licensed property and casualty insurers bear a portion of the losses suffered by some insureds as a result of impaired or insolvent insurance companies. In 2006, 2005 and 2004, we were assessed $1,231, $128 and $6,304, respectively, by the Massachusetts Insurance Insolvency Fund (MIIF) as our portion of these losses. In addition, Massachusetts has established an underwriting association in order to ensure that property insurance is available for owners of high risk property who are not able to obtain insurance from private insurers. The losses of this underwriting association are shared by all insurers that write property and casualty insurance in Massachusetts. We are assessed from time to time to pay those losses. The effect of these assessments could reduce our profitability in any given period and limit our ability to grow our business. Additionally, Commerce West and American Commerce are domiciled in California and Ohio, respectively, and are both covered by similar associations in the states in which they do business. These associations operate similarly to the Massachusetts association described above. In 2006, 2005 and 2004, we were (refunded) assessed $(224), $76 and $126, respectively, by these associations.

      We are unable to predict future changes in the political, economic or regulatory environments in Massachusetts and other states. We cannot assure you that existing insurance-related laws and regulations will not become more restrictive in the future or that new restrictive laws will not be enacted, and we cannot predict the potential effects on us of any such laws and regulations.

      Commonwealth Automobile Reinsurers Program. We are subject to the extensive regulation of the private passenger and commercial automobile insurance industry in Massachusetts, and our ability to earn profits may be restricted by these requirements. Owners of automobiles are required to demonstrate minimum automobile insurance coverage prior to registration. Generally, we are required by law to issue a policy to any applicant who seeks it. On the basis of our market share, we are assigned ERPs. In addition, we are required to participate in the state-mandated reinsurance program run by CAR, to which we may cede risks that we believe are underpriced and from which we are allocated a portion of the program's overall losses. Since its inception, CAR has annually generated underwriting losses, primarily in the personal automobile pool. All companies underwriting automobile insurance in Massachusetts share in the underwriting results of the CAR business for their respective product line or lines. A company's proportionate share of the CAR personal automobile results is based on its market share, adjusted by a utilization formula such that, in general, a company's participation ratio is disproportionately and adversely affected if its relative use of CAR reinsurance exceeds that of the industry, and favorably affected if its relative use of CAR reinsurance is less than that of the industry. Participation in the CAR commercial automobile results is based on a company's voluntary market share. Finally, for the personal automobile CAR pool, an insurer's participation ratio may be affected by credits received for not reinsuring through CAR automobile risks in selected underpriced classes and territories. An insurer's participation ratio will be favorably affected if its relative use of credits exceeds that of the Massachusetts industry. Credit values are set annually by CAR, and we cannot forecast whether the yearly changes will be beneficial or detrimental to the results of our personal automobile insurance business.

      Member companies of CAR have joint and several liabilities for the obligations of CAR. If one member of CAR fails to pay its assessments, each of the remaining members of CAR will be required to pay its pro-rata share of the member who fails to pay its obligations. As a result of the concentration of the Massachusetts market for personal automobile insurance, the assessment could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations if one of the leading companies were to fail. At the present time, we are not aware of any CAR member company who has failed to meet its obligation.

      Massachusetts has considered alternative methods to CAR for structuring the residual or involuntary market. Most recently, in December 2006, the former Commissioner approved rules which would have instituted an assigned risk plan, the Massachusetts Automobile Insurance Plan (MAIP), to provide private passenger automobile insurance for those individuals unable to obtain insurance voluntarily, in place of CAR. An assigned risk plan would place these individuals directly with an assigned insurance company. These rules were to be effective April 1, 2007 for certain new business, July 1, 2007 for SDIP Point 10 and above new and renewal business and January 1, 2008 for all business except clean-in-three renewals. However, on January 19, 2007, the Acting Commissioner suspended these rules for up to ninety days in order to hear additional comment. A public hearing was held on February 15, 2007. In addition, a new Commissioner was named during February 2007. We are unable to predict the outcome of the hearing or what, if any, changes to the current Massachusetts residual market mechanism may occur or determine the effect of any decision on our financial condition or results of operations.

If we unexpectedly lose certain key personnel, or are unable to attract and retain talented employees and executives, our ability to conduct business successfully could be hindered.

      Our future success depends significantly upon the continued contributions of certain key management personnel. We do not have employment agreements with any of our executive officers, nor do we have key man life insurance policies covering them. The unexpected loss of the services and the institutional knowledge of any one of these officers could adversely affect our business and harm our results of operations and financial condition. Additionally, our ability to continue profitable growth and to remain a competitive force in the marketplace depends, in part, on our ability to hire and retain

<PAGE>  29

talented employees. During 2006, Arthur J. Remillard, Jr., our Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, retired and was replaced by Gerald Fels, who was then Executive Vice President, as President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board. We had employed Mr. Remillard, Jr. and Gerald Fels for approximately 30 years. Randall V. Becker, employed at Commerce since 1986, was elected to succeed Mr. Fels as Chief Financial Officer, effective February 17, 2006. We have employed our eleven executive officers for an average of approximately 15 years.

New claim, coverage and regulatory issues in the insurance industry may adversely affect us.

      As insurance industry practices and regulatory, judicial, and consumer conditions change, unexpected and unintended issues related to claims, coverage and underwriting may emerge. The issues can have a negative effect on our business by either extending coverage beyond our underwriting intent or by increasing the size of claims. Recent examples of emerging claims, coverage and underwriting issues include:

*

a growing trend of plaintiffs targeting automobile insurers in purported class action litigation relating to claims-handling practices such as total loss evaluation methodology and cases outside of Massachusetts alleging that insureds are entitled to recover the inherent diminution in the value of their vehicles involved in accidents;

*

increases in the number and size of water damage claims, including those related to expenses for testing and remediation of mold conditions;

*

the use of an applicant's credit rating as a factor in making risk selection and pricing decisions;

*

the availability of coverages that pay different commission levels to agents depending upon premium level; and

*

coverage for wind versus flood damage.

These and other unforeseen emerging claim, coverage and underwriting issues could negatively affect our results of operations or our methods of doing business.

We cannot assure you that our diversification strategy will be effective.

      We expect that our primary focus will continue to be our core business in Massachusetts and on enhancing our geographic diversity by increasing the proportion of business that we originate from the other states where we now have a significant presence. In addition, we have sought and may continue to seek to take advantage of opportunities that may arise to expand our core business into other states where we believe the independent agent distribution channel is strong or where American Commerce is able to establish new relationships with AAA clubs. Other than our previously announced expansion into New York and New Jersey through the SWICO acquisition, we do not currently have expansion plans, other than in the states in which we currently write business. As a result of a number of factors, including the difficulties of finding appropriate expansion opportunities and the challenges of operating in an unfamiliar market, we may not be successful in finding opportunities to expand into other states or in taking advantage of opportunities that we may identify. We have not dedicated a specific amount of resources toward any of those diversification strategies for states in which we do not have a presence. There can be no assurance that any of the aforementioned strategies will ultimately be successful.

Our failure to maintain a commercially acceptable financial strength rating would significantly and negatively affect our ability to implement our business strategy successfully.

      An important factor in an insurer's ability to compete effectively is its financial strength rating. A.M. Best generally is considered to be a leading authority on insurance company ratings and information. A.M. Best assigns 15 ratings to insurance companies, which currently range from "A++ Superior" to "F in liquidation." A.M. Best has currently assigned each of our insurance subsidiaries a combined "A+ Superior" rating, which is the second highest rating issued by A.M. Best. According to A.M. Best, an insurer with a Superior rating has a superior ability to meet its ongoing obligations to policyholders. Each of the insurance subsidiaries has also been assigned a stable outlook by A.M. Best, which indicates a company is experiencing stable financial/market trends, and there is a low likelihood that its rating will change in the near term.

      Moody's Investor Services also rates the financial strength of insurance companies, and has assigned an A2 ("Good") rating to Commerce, which is Moody's third highest rating. According to Moody's an insurer with an A2 ("Good") rating offers good financial security, with elements present which suggest a susceptibility to impairment sometime in the future. Moody's assigns nine ratings to insurance companies, which currently range from Aaa to C, with a numerical modifier in each generic rating classification to refer to the ranking in the group, with 1 being the highest and 3 being the

<PAGE>  30

lowest. Moody's divides their ratings into "strong" and "weak" companies, with companies in one of the top four rating categories being considered "strong" companies.

      Additionally, Standard & Poor's rates the financial strength of insurance companies and assigns eight ratings, which currently range from AAA to CC, and may further modify that rating with a "+" or a "-" to show relative standing within the category. S&P has assigned an "A" rating, its third highest rating, to Commerce and Citation. According to S&P, an insurer with an "A" rating has strong financial security characteristics, but is somewhat more likely to be affected by adverse business conditions than are insurers with higher ratings.

      A.M. Best, Moody's and S&P base their ratings on factors that concern policyholders and not upon factors concerning investor protection. Such ratings are subject to change and are not recommendations to buy, sell or hold securities. Any future decrease in the ratings of one of our subsidiaries could adversely affect our competitive position.

      In addition, reinsurance companies and financial institutions use A.M. Best and other insurance ratings to help assess the financial strength and quality of insurance companies. A decline in the ratings of our property and casualty insurance subsidiaries may dissuade a reinsurance company or financial institution from conducting business with us or they may increase our reinsurance or interest costs.

Our losses and loss adjustment expenses may exceed our reserves, which could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

      The reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses, or LAE, that we have established are estimates of amounts needed to pay reported and unreported claims and related expenses based on facts and circumstances known to us as of the time we establish the reserves. Reserves are based on historical claims information, industry statistics and other factors. The establishment of appropriate reserves is an inherently uncertain process. This uncertainty arises from a number of factors, including the difficulty in predicting the rate of inflation and the rate and direction of changes in trends, interpretation of insurance policy provisions by courts, inconsistent decisions in lawsuits regarding coverage and expanded theories of liability. In addition, changes in claims settlement practices can lead to changes in loss payment patterns, which are used to estimate reserve levels. There can be no assurance that our ultimate liability will not materially exceed our reserves.

      Due to the inherent uncertainty of estimating reserves, it has been necessary, and will over time continue to be necessary, to revise estimated future liabilities as reflected in our reserves for claims and policy expenses. If our reserves subsequently are found to be inadequate and therefore must be strengthened, we would be required to treat the amount of such increase as a charge to our earnings in the period that the deficiency is recognized, which would have an adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

      The historical development of reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses may not necessarily reflect future trends in the development of these amounts. Accordingly, it is not appropriate to extrapolate redundancies or deficiencies based on historical information.

Market fluctuations and changes in interest rates have had, and may continue to have, significant and negative effects on our investment portfolio and stockholders' equity.

      Our results of operations depend in part on the performance of our invested assets. We had fixed maturity, preferred stock and preferred stock mutual fund investments with a market value of $2.7 billion at December 31, 2006 that are subject to:

*

market value risk, which is the risk that our invested assets will decrease in value, due to a change in the prevailing market yields on our investments, an unfavorable change in the liquidity of an investment or an unfavorable change in the financial prospects or a downgrade in the credit rating of the issuer of an investment or one or more other factors;

*

reinvestment risk, which is the risk that interest rates will decline, an investment will be redeemed and we will not be able to reinvest the proceeds in a comparable investment that provides a yield equal to or greater than the investment which was redeemed; and

*

liquidity risk, which is the risk that we may have to sell assets at an undesirable time and/or price to provide for payment of claims or other liabilities.

<PAGE>  31

      In addition, our investment portfolio is subject to risks inherent in the domestic and international capital markets. The functioning of those markets, the value of our investments and our ability to liquidate investments on short notice may be adversely affected if those markets are disrupted by national or international events including, without limitation, wars, terrorist attacks, recessions or depressions, high inflation or a deflationary environment, the collapse of governments or financial markets, and other factors or events.

      Our fixed-maturity investment portfolio includes mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities. As of December 31, 2006, mortgage-backed securities and other asset-backed securities constituted approximately 14.6% of our cash and invested assets. As with other fixed maturity investments, the fair value of these securities fluctuates depending on market and other general economic conditions and the interest rate environment. Changes in interest rates can expose us to prepayment risks on these investments. In periods of declining interest rates, mortgage prepayments generally increase and mortgage-backed securities and other asset-backed securities are paid more quickly, requiring us to reinvest the proceeds at the then current market rates.

      We seek to maintain a proper amount of diversity and liquidity in our portfolio; however, there can be no assurance that we will be successful in this regard. If our portfolio were to be impaired by market or issuer-specific conditions to a substantial degree, our liquidity, financial position and financial results could be materially adversely affected. Further, our income from these investments could be materially reduced, and write-downs of the value of certain securities could further reduce our profitability. In addition, a decrease in value of our investment portfolio could put our subsidiaries at risk of failing to satisfy regulatory capital requirements. If we were not at that time able to supplement our capital by issuing debt or equity securities on acceptable terms, our ability to continue growing could be adversely affected.

      We continue to monitor the effects of changing interest rates on the value of our fixed maturity and preferred stock investments. We estimate that a 200 basis point immediate increase in market interest rates would decrease the fair value of those investments at December 31, 2006 by 15.4%, or $399,295.

Our ownership interests in closed-end preferred stock mutual funds may cause our capital gains (losses) and corresponding net earnings to be more volatile than many other similar companies.

      Our net earnings have been significantly affected by our ownership interests in closed-end preferred stock mutual funds that we account for using the equity method of accounting. For our investment in any fund in which we own 20% or more of the fund's share, the equity method of accounting requires us to categorize as a realized investment gain or loss the change in the net asset value of that fund as compared to the end of the immediately preceding fiscal quarter. These funds primarily invest in preferred stock and, therefore, an increase in interest rates would cause a significant decrease in the respective net asset values of those funds and, as a direct consequence, a significant increase in the net realized investment losses that we would recognize for those investments. As of December 31, 2006, we had investments in three funds, with a carrying value of $141,654, in which we own more than 20% of the funds' shares and therefore account for them under the equity method of accounting.

We may not be able to successfully alleviate risk through reinsurance arrangements, which could cause us to reduce our premiums written in certain lines or could result in losses.

      In order to reduce risk and increase our underwriting capacity, we purchase reinsurance. The availability and the cost of reinsurance protection is subject to market conditions, which are outside of our control. A catastrophe, even if it primarily affects a geographic area outside of our markets, could significantly limit the availability of reinsurance, which would adversely affect our ability to obtain reinsurance. As a result, we may not be able to successfully alleviate risk through these arrangements. In addition, we are subject to credit risk with respect to our reinsurance because the ceding of risk to reinsurers does not relieve us of our liability to our policyholders. A significant reinsurer's insolvency or inability to make payments under the terms of a reinsurance treaty could have a material adverse affect on our results of operations and financial condition.

Our results may fluctuate due to the highly cyclical nature of the insurance industry.

      Historically, the financial performance of the property and casualty insurance industry has tended to fluctuate in cyclical patterns of soft markets followed by hard markets. Although an individual insurance company's financial performance is dependent on its own specific business characteristics, the profitability of most property and casualty insurance companies tends to follow this cyclical market pattern. We cannot predict with certainty how long any soft or hard market will last.

<PAGE>  32

The failure of a key third party service vendor would adversely affect our ability to timely write Massachusetts automobile policies, which would adversely affect our results of operations.

      We use an unrelated third party service vendor, CGI Technologies and Solutions, Inc. (CGI Tech), to provide rating and policy production data to us for use in underwriting our Massachusetts personal and commercial automobile policies. CGI Tech is a wholly-owned subsidiary of CGI Group, Inc., a provider of information technology services with which we have done business since the 1970s. CGI Tech may terminate the service agreement only in the event of a material breach of the agreement by us or upon our insolvency. The agreement also provides that if CGI Tech is no longer able to make the service available, we have the option to license immediately the software used by CGI Tech for a fee of $250.

      In the event that CGI Tech becomes unable to provide us these services and we were to exercise the option to license the software, we would have to transition either to our own mainframe or to leased computer facilities, which we believe could take up to 30 days and possibly longer, depending primarily on availability of computer hardware and information technology personnel. During this period, we would have to process manually renewals and new applications in-house, which would significantly slow our processing time. Due to the variables involved, we are unable to estimate the length of the interruption or the expense we would incur in such a case, but we expect that such a disruption would adversely affect our future customer and agency relations and may materially and adversely affect our results of operations.

      On November 20, 2003, we renewed our service agreement with CGI Tech; the term of the agreement is to run until December 31, 2009. We signed on November 22, 2006 an addendum that provides for CGI Tech to convert to a new processing system, and extends our contract for two years. However, it is contingent on them getting two of their other clients to sign and only one has signed.

      If we were to lose the services of CGI Tech and determine that licensing their software was not practicable, we do believe that alternative sources for these services would be available. We are unable to estimate whether the annual cost for these services would be higher or lower than our costs under the current agreement, though we do not believe that the difference for these services would materially affect our results of operations in future periods. We expect, however, that a transition to an alternate vendor would take a significant amount of time and expense. Due to the variables involved, we are unable to estimate the length of the interruption or the expense we would incur in such a case, but we expect that such an interruption could adversely affect our customer and agency relations, and may materially and adversely affect our results of operations.

We rely on our information technology and telecommunication systems, and the failure of these systems could materially and adversely affect our business.

      Increasingly, our businesses are dependent on computer and Internet-enabled technology. Although we have and test various disaster recovery plans, a sustained shutdown of one or more of our facilities, or a failure of one or more of our information technology, telecommunications or other business systems, could significantly impair our ability to perform our normal functions on a timely basis. In addition, because our information technology and telecommunications systems interface with and depend on third party systems, we could experience service denials if demand for such service exceeds capacity or third party systems fail or experience interruptions. If sustained or repeated, such a business interruption, systems failure or service denial could result in a deterioration of our ability to write and process new or renewal business, provide customer service, pay claims in a timely manner or perform other necessary corporate functions. This could materially and adversely affect our results of operations and future customer relations.

      We maintain insurance on our real property and other physical assets. This insurance will not fully compensate us for losses that may occur due to disruptions in service as a result of a computer, data processing or telecommunications system failure that is unrelated to covered property damage, nor will such insurance necessarily compensate us adequately for all losses resulting from covered events. Although we have an agreement that provides us with off-site disaster recovery back-up systems, we do not have a contingency plan to relocate employees to an alternate location.

An element of our growth and diversification strategy is the acquisition of other property and casualty insurance companies. Any pending or future acquisition we decide to undertake will involve risks.

      The acquisition and integration of other similar property and casualty insurance companies is an element of our growth and diversification strategy. This strategy depends on identifying suitable acquisition opportunities and reaching mutually agreeable terms with acquisition candidates. The negotiation of potential acquisitions as well as the integration of acquired businesses could require us to incur significant costs or utilize significant resources. Further, acquisitions may result in dilution for the owners of our common stock, our incurrence of debt and contingent liabilities, and fluctuations in quarterly results. In addition, the businesses and other assets we acquire may not achieve the financial results that we expected.

<PAGE>  33

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

      We do not have any unresolved written comments regarding our periodic or current reports that were received from the staff of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission not less than 180 days before December 31, 2006.

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

      We conduct our operations for our property and casualty -- Massachusetts segment from approximately 436,000 square feet of space in several buildings that we own in Webster, Massachusetts, which is located approximately 50 miles southwest of Boston. Our data processing and operational departments are housed in modern office buildings. Our property and casualty -- Other than Massachusetts segment consists primarily of the operations of Commerce West and American Commerce. Commerce West currently leases approximately 22,000 square feet of office space in Pleasanton, California. American Commerce conducts its operations from approximately 40,000 square feet of space in a building it owns located on a two acre site in Columbus, Ohio. American Commerce also leases property at three district claims offices.

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

      As is common with property and casualty insurance companies, we are a defendant in various legal actions arising from the normal course of our business, including claims based on Massachusetts Chapter 176D and Chapter 93A. See "Settlement of Claims." Similar provisions exist in other states where we do business. We consider these proceedings to be ordinary to operations or without foundation in fact. We believe that these actions will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position.

AAA Arizona

      As previously disclosed, in AAA Arizona, Inc. v. American Commerce Insurance Company (United States District Court for the District of Arizona), originally filed on May 16, 2005, AAA Arizona alleges, among other claims, that American Commerce has violated its contract with AAA Arizona by failing to pay approximately $1,700 in profit sharing that AAA Arizona claims to have earned during 2004. AAA Arizona also alleges that American Commerce is interfering with AAA Arizona's relationship with its members. AAA Arizona seeks an order from the court and an award of actual and consequential damages in total of approximately $10,000. We cannot estimate, as of the date of this Form 10-K, the amount of consequential damages that may be awarded to AAA Arizona if it is successful. American Commerce intends to vigorously defend against AAA Arizona's claims unless a reasonable settlement appears appropriate.

Commerce Bancorp.

      Commerce Insurance, which has been writing business in Massachusetts for more than 34 years under the names and marks The Commerce Insurance Company and Commerce Insurance Company, holds Massachusetts state registrations for those marks, but no federal registrations. We have reason to believe that Commerce Bancorp, Inc., a New York Stock Exchange-listed financial services company, and its subsidiary Commerce Insurance Services, Inc. d/b/a Commerce Insurance Brokerage Services, both of Cherry Hill, New Jersey, are now in, or are on the verge of entering, Massachusetts to provide a variety of insurance services under variants of the mark Commerce Insurance. Commerce Bancorp has acquired or is seeking to acquire federal registrations for marks including the words "Commerce" and "Insurance." In August 2003, Commerce Bancorp filed applications in the United States Patent and Trademark Office (the "PTO") to register the mark Commerce Insurance Services and the mark Commerce C Insurance Services and related design. Moreover, we understand that Commerce Bancorp acquired by assignment from the original owner the federal registration for the mark Commerce that was issued in 1997 for use in connection with "insurance agencies featuring home, accident, life, property, casualty and business insurance".

      In May 2005, we began opposing both of the applications filed by Commerce Bancorp in a proceeding before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. The Trademark Trial and Appeal Board has suspended the proceeding before it pending resolution of a lawsuit filed by our subsidiary Commerce Insurance in the Federal District Court of Massachusetts against Commerce Bancorp and Commerce Insurance Services on February 22, 2006. In the complaint, Commerce Insurance sought preliminary and permanent injunctions and damages against Commerce Bancorp and Commerce Insurance Services for trade name and service mark infringement and unfair competition under federal statutory law and for trade name and service mark infringement, unfair competition, and dilution under Massachusetts statutory and common law. The Commerce Insurance complaint alleges, among other things, that the use in Massachusetts by Commerce Bancorp and Commerce Insurance Services of marks including the words "Commerce" and "Insurance" will create the likelihood of dilution of our Commerce

<PAGE>  34

Insurance marks, because our marks (1) are either inherently distinctive or have acquired secondary meaning, and (2) are likely to be confused with the Commerce Bancorp and Commerce Insurance Services use of their marks.

      On July 13, 2006, the Court held a hearing, at which a judicial stipulation was made on behalf of Commerce Bancorp, Inc. and Commerce Insurance Services that the defendants no longer intended to use the name Commerce Insurance Services, Inc. in Massachusetts. On July 14, 2006, in light of the judicial stipulation made on behalf of the defendants, we withdrew, without prejudice, our pending motion for preliminary injunction. On June 30, 2006, Commerce Bancorp filed an application in the PTO to register the mark Commerce C Banc Insurance Services plus design (the "Design Mark"). On August 29, 2006, Commerce Bancorp filed an application in the PTO to register the mark Commerce Banc Insurance Services (the "Word Mark"). The application to register the Design Mark was published for opposition on February 20, 2007, and the application to register the Word Mark was to be published for opposition on February 27, 2007. Commerce intends to oppose these applications.

      On October 26, 2006, we filed a Supplemental Complaint in Federal District Court to supplement our claims to include the defendants' intended use of the name Commerce Banc Insurance Services in Massachusetts. The defendants responded on November 9, 2006. The case is proceeding in the United States District Court of Massachusetts, and discovery closes on March 15, 2007. No trial date has been set.

      We cannot predict whether we will be successful in opposing Commerce Bancorp and Commerce Insurance Services either in Federal District Court or before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. If our opposition is unsuccessful, we believe that we will continue to be able to use the marks Commerce Insurance, The Commerce Insurance Company and Commerce Insurance Company in Massachusetts, but that our business will be harmed if Commerce Bancorp and Commerce Insurance Services in fact conduct insurance-related business in Massachusetts using the words "Commerce" and "Insurance."

ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

      There were no matters submitted to a vote of security holders during the fourth quarter of 2006.

<PAGE>  35

PART II

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

      Our common stock trades on the NYSE under the symbol "CGI." The high, low and close prices for shares of our common stock and quarterly cash dividends paid for 2006 and 2005 follow.

   

2006

 

2005*

   


 


   

High

 

Low

 

Close

 

Dividend

 

High

 

Low

 

Close

 

Dividend

   


 


                                 

First Quarter*

 

$29.68

 

$25.77

 

$26.42

 

$0.225

 

$35.00

 

$28.88

 

$30.99

 

$0.165

Second Quarter*

 

31.07

 

25.89

 

29.54

 

0.250

 

32.17

 

28.75

 

31.06

 

0.190

Third Quarter

 

30.97

 

28.40

 

30.05

 

0.250

 

32.12

 

26.63

 

29.01

 

0.190

Fourth Quarter

 

32.00

 

29.17

 

29.75

 

0.250

 

29.76

 

26.82

 

28.64

 

0.190

               


             


           

Total

 

$0.975

         

Total

 

$0.735

               


             


                                 

*  Restated for the June 2006 two-for-one stock split.

      As of January 31, 2007, we had approximately 850 stockholders of record. This number does not include beneficial owners whose shares are held in "street name" or held in accounts for approximately 2,490 participants of our Employee Stock Ownership Plan.

      Dividends on shares of our common stock are declared and paid quarterly at the discretion of the Board of Directors. We have paid dividends on our common stock each year since 1994, but there can be no assurance that we will continue to pay dividends in the future or, if dividends are paid, that they will be in amounts similar to dividends that we have paid in recent periods. We currently expect to continue to pay quarterly cash dividends on our common stock in the future.

      A portion of our cash flow consists of dividends received from Commerce Holdings, Inc. (CHI), which receives dividends from Commerce and Citation. The payment of any cash dividends to holders of common stock by us therefore depends on the receipt of dividend payments from CHI. To the extent our insurance subsidiaries are restricted from paying dividends, CHI will be limited in its ability to pay dividends to us. The payment of dividends by our insurance subsidiaries is subject to limitations imposed by Massachusetts law for Commerce and Citation, by Ohio law for ACIC and by California law for Commerce West, as discussed in Item 1 of this report under "Regulation."

      In November 2001, the Board of Directors authorized a stock buy-back program to purchase 4,000,000 shares of our common stock of which 1,473,868 shares remained to be purchased. In November 2006, the Board of Directors authorized an increase of 3,526,132 shares in the repurchase program to 5,000,000 shares.

      At times, we acquire shares of our common stock through transactions which involved the exercise of stock options by our officers. Instead of paying us cash to exercise their stock options, some officers tendered their previously owned shares of common stock in our Company, in accordance with the stock option agreement. The average price paid per share is calculated in accordance with the stock option agreement, and represents the five-day average of our common stock's daily high and low trading prices prior to exercise. The maximum number of shares that may yet be purchased under publicly announced plans are not affected by these transactions as our Board of Directors determined that such transactions do not apply to its stock buy-back authorization. A summary of all treasury stock transactions for the fourth quarter of 2006 follows:

2006
Period

Total
Number
of Shares

Average
Price Paid
Per Share

Total Number of Shares
Purchased as Part of
Publicly Announced Plan

Maximum Number of
Shares that May Yet be
Purchased Under the Plan


 


 


 


 


 

October

-

$    -

-

1,716,600

November

356,795

29.85

356,795

4,885,937

December

701,494

29.93

701,494

4,184,443

         

      We will provide, upon written request and without charge, a copy of this Form 10-K. Requests must be directed to:

 
 

Name:

Randall V. Becker

 

Title:

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

Address:

211 Main Street

   

Webster, MA 01570

<PAGE>  36

COMMON STOCK PERFORMANCE

      The graph below compares the cumulative total stockholder return on the shares of our Common Stock for the last five years with the cumulative total return of the New York Stock Exchange Market Index and a property and casualty industry group established by Value Line (Value Line Property/Casualty Industry Group). The Value Line Property/Casualty Industry Group is composed of 25 companies.

12/31/01

12/31/02

12/31/03

12/31/04

12/31/05

12/31/06


The Commerce Group, Inc.

$100

$102

$111

$176

$170

$182

Value Line Property/Casualty

$100

$  94

$115

$126

$138

$154

New York Stock Exchange Market Index

$100

$  82

$106

$120

$129

$152

This line graph assumes an investment of $100 in our Common Stock, the New York Stock Exchange Market Index and the Value Line Property/Casualty Industry Group on December 31, 2001 and reinvestment of all dividends.

<PAGE>  37

ITEM 6. SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

      The data below should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements, related footnotes, and other financial information included herein. All dollar amounts are in thousands, except per share data.

   

2006

   

2005

   

2004

   

2003

   

2002

   


   


   


   


   


                             

Statement of Earnings Data

                           

    Direct premiums written

$

1,864,153

 

$

1,874,231

 

$

1,838,241

 

$

1,658,969

 

$

1,406,856 

    Net premiums written

 

1,825,278

   

1,736,191

   

1,712,543

   

1,555,499

   

1,313,014 

    Earned premiums

 

1,760,700

   

1,709,924

   

1,638,833

   

1,445,628

   

1,210,040 

    Net investment income

 

143,563

   

123,211

   

115,711

   

92,183

   

98,466 

    Net realized investment gains (losses)

 

16,643

   

22,907

   

23,628

   

76,103

   

(82,385)

    Total revenues

 

1,949,469

   

1,884,381

   

1,806,571

   

1,640,822

   

1,257,119 

    Losses and LAE

 

1,068,414

   

1,050,186

   

1,044,840

   

1,070,147

   

909,769 

    Policy acquisition costs

 

516,307

   

463,297

   

439,232

   

350,250

   

295,324 

    Total expenses

 

1,603,049

   

1,531,776

   

1,502,385

   

1,421,517

   

1,205,093 

    Net earnings

 

241,535

   

243,912

   

214,431

   

160,943

   

46,755 

    Comprehensive income

 

282,618

   

220,699

   

201,751

   

164,762

   

59,625 

                             

Per Share Data (1)

                           

    Net earnings per share -- basic

$

3.57

 

$

3.63

 

$

3.27

 

$

2.51

 

$

0.71 

    Net earnings per share -- diluted

 

3.55

   

3.60

   

3.25

   

2.49

   

0.71 

    Cash dividends paid per share

 

0.975

   

0.735

   

0.655

   

0.635

   

0.615 

    Stockholders' equity per share

 

22.53

   

19.39

   

16.75

   

14.23

   

12.30 

                             

Balance Sheet Data

                           

    Total investments

$

3,070,842

 

$

2,765,329

 

$

2,527,733

 

$

2,211,099

 

$

1,613,439 

    Premiums receivable

 

480,605

   

475,112

   

459,775

   

408,894

   

297,610 

    Total assets

 

4,110,869

   

3,927,010

   

3,612,243

   

3,211,286

   

2,419,073 

    Unpaid losses and loss adjustment

                           

      expenses

 

971,949

   

989,196

   

990,260

   

957,353

   

815,626 

    Unearned premiums

 

935,385

   

933,160

   

902,566

   

810,462

   

687,148 

    Bonds payable

 

298,589

   

298,388

   

298,186

   

297,984

   

    Stockholders' equity

 

1,503,271

   

1,305,069

   

1,116,156

   

912,211

   

790,052 

    Dividends paid

 

65,986

   

49,414

   

43,032

   

40,641

   

40,277 

                             

Key Performance Ratios

                           

    Return on equity

 

18.5%

   

21.9%

   

23.5%

   

20.4%

   

5.8% 

                             

    Loss and LAE ratio

 

60.7%

   

61.4%

   

63.8%

   

74.0%

   

75.2% 

    Underwriting expense ratio

 

28.5%

   

27.3%

   

26.2%

   

23.5%

   

24.1% 

   


   


   


   


   


    Combined ratio

 

89.2%

   

88.7%

   

90.0%

   

97.5%

   

99.3% 

   


   


   


   


   


                             

(1)

Adjusted for the June 2006 two-for-one stock split.

<PAGE>  38

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

      The purpose of the following discussion and analysis is to provide you with information that will assist you in understanding our financial condition and results of operations as reported in our consolidated financial statements. Therefore, the following should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements in this Form 10-K.

Business Overview

      We provide personal and commercial property and casualty insurance primarily in Massachusetts and in other states. Our core product lines are personal automobile, homeowners, and commercial automobile. We market our products exclusively through our network of independent agents in all states, except California, where we use agents and brokers. Our primary business strategy is to focus on the personal automobile insurance market in Massachusetts and to grow and diversify by increasing the proportion of our business written in other states in which we currently have a significant presence, primarily from Commerce West and American Commerce, and by expanding into the New York and New Jersey personal lines markets through the SWICO acquisition.

      We manage our business in four reportable segments: property and casualty insurance -- Massachusetts; property and casualty insurance -- other than Massachusetts; real estate and commercial lending; and, corporate and other.

      Our ability to capitalize on our business strengths and implement our strategies is subject to particular risks. For a discussion of these risks, see Item 1A, Risk Factors, contained elsewhere in this Form 10-K.

Massachusetts Regulatory Environment and Commonwealth Automobile Reinsurers (CAR)

Overview

      The Massachusetts regulatory environment for personal automobile insurance is characterized by the following key principles:

*

requiring personal automobile insurers to issue a policy to any eligible applicant who seeks one, known as the "take all comers" requirement,

*

fixing maximum personal automobile rates, which has the effect of keeping premiums artificially low on specific high risk segments of the market, such as urban and youthful drivers, effectively imposing higher premiums on lower risk segments,

*

assigning certain agents that have not been able to obtain a voluntary contract with another insurer, known as Exclusive Representative Producers, or ERPs, to servicing carriers on the basis of market share,

*

apportioning losses incurred by the state-mandated residual market run by CAR,

*

mandating that higher compulsory and optional coverages be offered to all eligible drivers, and

*

establishing minimum agency commissions.

      A significant aspect of our automobile insurance business relates to our interaction with CAR, which enables us and the other participating servicing carriers to reinsure any automobile risk which is perceived to be under-priced. Since its inception, CAR has annually generated significant underwriting losses, primarily in the personal automobile pool. All companies writing automobile insurance in Massachusetts share in the underwriting results of CAR business for their respective product line or lines.

      Member companies of CAR have joint and several liabilities for the obligations of CAR. If one member of CAR fails to pay its assessments, the remaining members will be required to pay the pro-rata share of the member who fails to pay its obligations. As of December 31, 2006, we were not aware of any current CAR member company which has failed to meet its obligations.

<PAGE>  39

Our Revenues and Expenses

      Our revenue principally reflects:

 

*

earned premiums, consisting of:

 

-

premiums that we receive from sales by our agents of property and casualty insurance policies, primarily personal automobile, homeowners and commercial automobile, which we refer to as direct premiums written, plus

 

-

premiums we receive from insurance policies that we assume, primarily from CAR, which we refer to as assumed premiums, less

 

-

the portion of our premiums that is ceded to CAR and other reinsurers, which we refer to as ceded premiums, less

 

-

the change in the portion of premiums that will not be recognized as income for accounting purposes until a future period, which we refer to as unearned premiums;

 

*

investment income that we earn on our invested assets;

     
 

*

premium finance charges and service fee income that we earn in connection with the billing and deferral of premium payments; and

     
 

*

realized investment gains and losses.

     

      Our expenses principally reflect:

 

*

incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses (which we sometimes refer to as LAE), including estimates for losses incurred during the period but not yet reported to us and changes in estimates from prior periods related to direct and assumed business, less the portion of those incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses that are ceded to other insurers; and

     
 

*

policy acquisition costs, including agent compensation and general and administrative costs, such as salaries and benefits, and advertising that are not deferred for accounting purposes to a future period.

     

Our Critical Accounting Policies

      The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principals generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. We consider the following accounting estimates, which are especially dependent upon our judgments and assumptions, to be critical to the preparation of our financial statements.

      Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses. The liability for loss and loss adjustment expenses represents our best estimate of the ultimate net cost of all loss and loss adjustment expenses incurred after reinsurance and amounts estimated to be recoverable through salvage and subrogation. The estimate for the ultimate net cost of all losses incurred through the balance sheet date includes the adjusted case estimates for losses, incurred but not reported (IBNR) losses, salvage and subrogation recoverable and a reserve for LAE. In arriving at our best estimate, we begin with the aggregate of individual case reserves and then make adjustments to these amounts on a line of business basis. The adjustment to the aggregate case reserves by line of business is made based on analyses performed by us. The entire liability for unpaid losses and LAE is also separately reviewed quarterly and annually by our actuarial department. Liability estimates are continually analyzed and updated, and therefore, the ultimate liability may be more or less than the current estimate. The effects of changes in the estimates are included in the results of operations in the period in which the estimates are revised.

      The claim cycle begins when a claim is reported to us and claims personnel establish a "case reserve" for the estimated amount of our exposure without regard to injury causality, third party liability or potential recoveries. The amount of the reserve is primarily based upon an evaluation of the type of claim involved, the circumstances surrounding the claim and the policy provisions relating to the loss. This estimate reflects the informed judgment of such personnel based on the experience and knowledge of the claims personnel adjusting the claim. During the loss adjustment period, these case basis

<PAGE>  40

estimates are revised as deemed necessary by our claims department personnel based on subsequent developments and periodic reviews of the claim.

      In accordance with industry practice, we also maintain reserves for estimated IBNR, salvage and subrogation recoverable and LAE. These reserves are determined based on historical information. Imbedded within the historical information are changes in the volume of policies written, claims frequency, severity and payment patterns, the mix of business and claims processing. IBNR reserves are established for claims that have been incurred prior to year end but have not been reported to us until after year end. Our IBNR reserve is derived by analyzing the amount of losses that have been incurred subsequent to a given calendar year end. We aggregate losses incurred for each of the three years after a given calendar year end and determine the percentage of losses to earned premium for that calendar year. We calculate the IBNR reserve by multiplying the appropriate historical percentage of losses by the earned premium for the current year and each of the prior two calendar years. Our calculations are based on historical losses incurred by line of business and coverage type and are modified where appropriate for changes in premium rates. We monitor the percentages for historical patterns and adjust our IBNR reserves as appropriate.

      Salvage and subrogation reserves are established in a similar manner to IBNR except that we track actual historical salvage and subrogation receipts as a percentage of loss incurred. In addition, we establish LAE reserves by tracking historical expenses as a percentage of incurred losses.

      Our financial management personnel calculate our financial statement loss and LAE reserves independently from those amounts calculated by our actuaries. Our financial management personnel establish our financial statement loss and LAE reserves primarily by reviewing historical loss and LAE data, focusing mainly on payment data. This method of using historical loss payments over discrete periods of time to estimate future losses assumes that the ratio of losses paid in one period to losses paid in an earlier period will remain consistent. This method necessarily assumes that factors that have affected paid losses in the past, such as inflation or the effects of litigation, will remain consistent in the future. Although we review trends for inflation, severity and the effects of litigation, these factors have not caused us to materially modify our loss and LAE reserves. Historical paid loss development methods do not use case reserves to estimate ultimate losses and can be more reliable than the other methods that look to case reserves (such as actuarial methods that use incurred losses) in situations where there are significant changes in how case reserves are established by a company's claims adjusters. However, historical paid loss development methods are more leveraged (meaning that small changes in payments have a larger impact on estimates of ultimate losses) than actuarial methods that use incurred losses because cumulative loss payments take much longer to equal the expected ultimate losses than cumulative incurred amounts. In addition, and for similar reasons, historical paid loss development methods are often slow to react to situations when new or different factors arise than those that have affected paid losses in the past. Because of the nature of our business and the consistent manner in claims settlement, we believe the use of historical payment patterns provides us the most appropriate method for establishing our reserve.

      We also review and compare the most recent loss frequency, severity, and payment data to historical trends in an attempt to determine if patterns are remaining consistent or not. We believe they remain consistent. We record our best estimate of the ultimate losses and LAE that we will incur to settle all claims and IBNR at each reporting date, but the actual amount of such losses and LAE cannot be known until all claims are settled. Our financial statement loss and LAE reserves net of reinsurance (prior to the effect of ceded insurance recoverable), based on our best estimate, were established at $850,775 for December 31, 2006.

      This process assumes that past experience, adjusted for the effects of current developments and anticipated trends, is an appropriate basis for predicting future events. There is no reasonably precise method, however, for subsequently evaluating the impact of any specific factor on the adequacy of reserves, because the eventual development of reserves is affected by many factors, as noted above.

      We utilize an actuarial calculation as a test of reasonableness of our financial statement loss and LAE reserves which were calculated by financial management. Our actuaries calculate their estimate of our liability for loss and LAE reserves using generally accepted actuarial reserving techniques. The reserving techniques employed by our actuaries include incurred loss development and paid loss development for all reviewed lines. For voluntary personal automobile liability, two additional methods were used -- claim count times average severity and exposures times ultimate pure premium. In estimating allocated LAE ("ALAE") reserves, our actuaries used two methods -- paid ALAE development and ratio of paid ALAE to paid loss development. For unallocated LAE ("ULAE") reserve, three methods were used -- paid ULAE development, paid ULAE to paid loss ratio development and calendar year paid ULAE to paid loss and ALAE. An average of these methods is calculated, which is called the indicated ultimate loss. The indicated ultimate loss is then subjected to actuarial judgment which considers other factors, such as the resulting ultimate loss ratio, loss trends, changes to business and the relative value of each of the different methods. A selected ultimate loss amount is then determined. Using the criteria of Actuarial Standard

<PAGE>  41

of Practice No. 36, a reserve range is then calculated that the actuary judges to be reasonable based upon appropriate actuarial methods and judgment. The actuarial methods utilized are considered standard for property and casualty companies with losses settling over a relatively short period of time, usually within 0 to 3 years (short-tail liability losses). The same basic assumptions and methods were used at both December 31, 2006 and 2005. Our aggregate actuarial estimate for the loss and LAE reserves, on a consolidated basis and net of reinsurance recoverable, ranges from a low of $778,600 to a high of $893,600 as of December 31, 2006 and a low of $764,600 to a high of $877,900 at December 31, 2005.

      After taking into account all relevant factors, we believe that, based on existing information, the provision for losses and LAE at December 31, 2006 is adequate to cover the ultimate net cost of losses and claims incurred as of that date. However, loss reserves are estimates and are inherently uncertain; they do not and cannot represent an exact measure of the liability. The ultimate liability may be greater or lower than established reserves. If the ultimate payment is greater than or less than our estimated liability for losses and LAE, we will incur additional expense or income, as appropriate, which may have a material impact on our results of operations. As our business primarily involves losses with a short-tailed liability, our loss and LAE reserves have more predictable development patterns than other property and casualty insurers whose business involves losses with a longer-tailed loss payment pattern.

      As we base our estimate of loss and LAE reserves primarily on historical payment experience, the following sensitivity analysis assumes that our historical payment experience was impacted by the stated percentages. The factors which could cause the payment experience to change are not analyzed individually as these factors are imbedded in the historical information. Based upon historical results over the last five years, we show a redundancy for all five years, with a minimum redundancy of 5.2% and a maximum redundancy of 10.2% from the initially established reserves. See page 18 for an analysis of our historical loss and LAE reserve development.

      The following sensitivity analysis presents the pro forma effect of a 5.2 and 10.2 percentage point redundancy change in our loss and LAE reserves (prior to the effect of ceded reinsurance recoverable) at December 31, 2006:


Hypothetical Change in Loss
and LAE Reserve Estimate

Loss and LAE
Reserve
Estimate, Net

Pro forma
Increase in
Net Earnings(1)

Pro forma Percentage
Increase in
Stockholders' Equity(1)


 


 


 


             

No change

 

$850,775

 

$     -

 

-

5.2% decrease

 

806,535

 

28,756

 

1.9%

10.2% decrease

 

763,996

 

56,406

 

3.8%

             

(1)

Net of income taxes at an assumed rate of 35%.

   

      The hypothetical changes noted above are based on historical experience. Conditions and trends that have affected development of reserves in the past may not necessarily occur in the future. Accordingly, it is not appropriate to extrapolate future development based on the preceding table.

      We believe that any additional payments due as a result of the inherent uncertainty of establishing loss and LAE reserves as noted in the sensitivity analysis above would be adequately met by our normal operating cash flow.

      The business we assume from CAR is a significant component of our loss and LAE reserves. Our assumed CAR loss and LAE reserves amounted to approximately 13% of our loss and LAE reserves at December 31, 2006 (prior to the effect of ceded reinsurance recoverable). CAR provides information to pool participants on a quarterly basis, one quarter in arrears. CAR provides consolidated results, which consist of all companies' ceded business into the pool, as well as information specific to our company. CAR provides information by line of business on policy year and accident year bases. This information consists of premiums written, unearned premium, earned premium, paid losses, case reserves, IBNR reserves, incurred losses, incurred loss adjustment expenses and underwriting expenses. The starting point for CAR's determination of its loss and LAE reserves is the separate loss and LAE reserves that CAR member companies provide to CAR. CAR then aggregates this information, which is reviewed by CAR's loss reserve committee, comprised of actuaries from member companies. This CAR actuarial committee establishes the total loss and LAE reserves for a given period. Our share of these loss and LAE reserves is derived by multiplying our participation ratio by the total CAR loss and LAE reserves. Management utilizes the information provided by CAR to book the initial amount related to the pool. The consolidated financial results produced by CAR are audited by independent public accountants and we rely on this audit for the incorporation of their reported results into our financial statements. CAR assesses the integrity of premium and claim data submissions by member companies by periodically auditing those member companies. Our actuary also reviews the CAR actuarial committee's work along with total CAR and company loss results for reasonableness.

<PAGE>  42

      The quarterly reports that CAR provides to us are one quarter in arrears when we calculate this component of our financial statement loss and LAE reserves, and therefore, it is necessary for us to make an estimate of the most recent quarter results for CAR. In calculating this estimate we compare the CAR loss and LAE reserve data with historical premium written and earned amounts from CAR. We then utilize the estimated written and earned premiums from CAR for the most recent quarter to calculate losses, LAE and underwriting expenses that would relate to that quarter, and then incorporate that information into our financial results.

      CAR results are less predictable and therefore more susceptible to change than our loss reserves because they are comprised of individual ceded business from all CAR member companies which may or may not use similar reserving methodologies and ceding philosophies as we use.

      Based on the historical data of the five most recent accident years, CAR had redundancies and deficiencies within its accident years. The deficiencies had a low of 2.7% and a high of 3.8% of the initial reserves, while the redundancies had a low of 4.4% and a high of 16.8% of the initial reserves. These are the percentages utilized in our sensitivity analysis for our loss and LAE reserves related to CAR at December 31, 2006:


Hypothetical Change in Loss
and LAE Reserve Estimate

Loss and LAE
Reserve
Estimate, Net

Pro forma
Increase (Decrease)
in Net Earnings(1)

Pro forma Percentage
Increase (Decrease) in
Stockholders' Equity(1)


 


 


 


             

3.8% increase

 

$114,449

 

$ (2,724)

 

(0.2)%

2.7% increase

 

113,236

 

   (1,935)

 

(0.1)%

No change

 

110,259

 

-

 

-

4.4% decrease

 

105,408

 

    3,153 

 

0.2 %

16.8% decrease

 

91,735

 

  12,041 

 

0.8 %

             

___________________

(1)

Net of income taxes at an assumed rate of 35%.

   

      The hypothetical changes noted above are based on historical experience. Conditions and trends that have affected development of reserves in the past may not necessarily occur in the future. Accordingly, it is not appropriate to extrapolate future development based on the preceding table.

      Investments and Other-than-Temporary Impairments. The carrying values of investments in fixed maturities, which include taxable and non-taxable bonds, and investments in common and preferred stocks, are derived from market prices supplied by our investment custodian or, when no price is provided by the custodian, from a third party valuation. Fair market value of fixed maturities and equity securities is based on quoted market prices. Unrealized investment gains and losses on common and preferred stocks and fixed maturities, to the extent that there is no other-than-temporary impairment of value, are credited or charged, net of any tax effect, to a separate component of stockholders' equity, known as "net accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)," until realized.

      We review all security holdings on a quarterly basis for potential other-than-temporary impairments due to declines in market value in accordance with GAAP. In general, unrealized losses resulting from an increase in interest rates will not necessarily lead to an other-than-temporary write-down. As part of this process, we consider any significant market decline in the context of the overall market and also in relation to the outlook for the specific issuer of the security and the issuer's industry. Each quarter, we review all securities whose market values have declined below book price. From a quantitative standpoint, we review all securities that have declined more than 20% below book price and have remained so for two consecutive quarters as potentially in need of a write-down. Any other security that we view as impaired for a significant period of time is also a candidate for a write-down, even if the percentage decline is less than 20%. In addition, we perform the following quarterly impairment review of our portfolio:

 

*

We review all holdings with an unrealized loss of over $250, or a fair market value that is more than 20% below cost.

     
 

*

We review all holdings with unrealized losses over $100, or a fair market value that is more than 10% below cost, for securities at a continuous loss position period of 12 to 36 months.

     
 

*

We review all securities that have been at a continuous loss position for 36 months or more.

<PAGE>  43

 

*

We review both issue specific data and general market data for all perpetual preferred stocks that have been at a continuous loss position for over 12 months.

     
 

*

Generally, we consider all AAA/AA rated U.S. Government securities with market values less than cost as temporarily impaired due to our intent and ability to hold these securities to full recovery.

     
 

*

We consider market activity between our quarter-end date and earnings release date in our evaluation.

     
 

*

We will consider other-than-temporary the impairment of any security which we do not intend to hold to maturity or full recovery.

     

      If a security is deemed other-than-temporarily impaired, we adjust the security's cost basis to market value through realized loss based on publicly available prices or, in the absence of such information, on a price supplied by a broker. There is a risk that we may assess an other-than-temporary decline in market value as being temporary and, consequently, not charge the impairment to our earnings, which could have a significant impact on our future earnings.

      Accrued agents' profit sharing. In addition to state mandated minimum and other commissions on policies written, we pay certain of our agencies compensation in the form of profit sharing under five separate arrangements: one for Commerce and Citation for their Massachusetts agencies; another for Commerce's New Hampshire agencies; one for American Commerce for its agencies; and, two for Commerce West for its agencies. Each of these arrangements entitles qualifying agencies to share in our results based primarily on the underwriting profits of an individual agents' business written with us. Our total obligation under these arrangements is reported on our consolidated balance sheet as "Accrued agents' profit sharing." For segment reporting, our profit sharing expenses are aligned by state; profit sharing expense for our agencies in Massachusetts is included in our Massachusetts segment's earnings; profit sharing expense for our agencies in states other than Massachusetts is included in our Other than Massachusetts segment's earnings.

      Approximately 96% of our total profit sharing expense in 2006 was for our Massachusetts agencies under the Commerce and Citation arrangement. Because this one arrangement accounts for nearly all of our profit sharing expense, the following discussion relates only to the Commerce and Citation plan in Massachusetts and excludes the other four profit sharing plans, the accounting for which we don't consider to be a critical accounting policy. The arrangement utilizes a three-year rolling plan, with one third of the agents' profit or loss for each of the current and the two prior years' calculations summed to a single amount. This amount, if positive, is multiplied by a sliding scale profit sharing commission rate and paid to the agent in the second quarter of the following year.

      We estimate our current year profit sharing expense each quarter. Our expense calculation at year-end has one critical accounting estimate, as defined by the SEC, which we refer to as the discount factors. The discount factors represent our expected profit sharing payments for the second and third years following the current year's payment, net of attrition related to our agencies' profitability and profit sharing eligibility. We don't use a discount factor for the current year's payment because, subject to some final adjustments, our year-end estimate of our next payment is usually reasonably close to the actual payment amount. However, we know from experience that all of the agencies that are currently profitable, after the first and second years of each rolling three-year cycle, will not remain profitable and be entitled to all of the profit sharing earned during those years. Therefore, we apply discount factors in our accrual calculation to the estimated payment amounts for the latter two years to estimate this attrition in profit sharing eligibility.

      We evaluate annually the appropriateness of these discount factors by considering our past experience and other prospective factors that may influence attrition in profit sharing eligibility, such as the pricing and regulatory environments in Massachusetts, current agency experience data, projected results of CAR, and underwriting results. Some of our prospective assumptions that underlie pricing, regulatory, CAR, and other factors are uncertain when we are performing our evaluation. In 2006, we increased our discount factors primarily because our underwriting results continued to be favorable and we expect less future attrition as a result. We believe the change is warranted despite the fact that we are currently in a soft market with significant premium rate decreases in Massachusetts. We believe that although the 2006 and 2007 premium rate reductions scheduled for the next 15 months in Massachusetts will reduce the profitability of our agencies in the state, the

<PAGE>  44

reductions should not cause a significant number of agencies who are currently profitable under our arrangement to become unprofitable in 2007, although we expect the number to grow in 2008 (two years out). By increasing our discount factors in 2006, we increased our profit sharing expense (Commerce and Citation only) in 2006 by approximately $8,600, which equates to a reduction in diluted EPS of approximately $0.08. The December 31, 2006 factors are 95% payable in one year and 75% payable in two years.

      Although the discount factors we used in our 2006 profit sharing estimate resulted from a comprehensive evaluation, our actual future payment results may not agree with these factors due to the uncertainties underlying certain assumptions we had to make. Any expense overage or shortfall will be recognized in our earnings in subsequent years along with our profit sharing estimates for those years. The following table quantifies what the financial effect would have been to our 2006 and 2005 profit sharing expense (Commerce and Citation only), consolidated net earnings (after taxes), and diluted EPS had our discount factors been 500 basis points higher and lower.

             

Pro forma

 
         

Pro forma

 

Change in

 
         

Change in Net

 

Stockholders'

 
     

Expense

 

Earnings(1)

 

Equity(1)

 
     


 


 


 
 

2006:

             
 

500 basis points higher

 

$131,372

 

$(4,160)

 

(0.3)%

 
 

Actual

 

124,972

 

 

-    

 
 

500 basis points lower

 

118,572

 

4,160 

 

0.3 %

 
 

2005:

             
 

500 basis points higher

 

126,350

 

(4,030)

 

(0.3)%

 
 

Actual

 

120,150

 

 

-    

 
 

500 basis points lower

 

113,950

 

4,030 

 

0.3 %

 
                 

(1)

Net of income taxes at an assumed rate of 35%.

   

Massachusetts Personal Automobile Insurance

      Overview. We have been the largest writer of personal property and casualty insurance in Massachusetts in terms of market share of direct premiums written since 1990. Our estimated share of the Massachusetts personal automobile market increased to 31.2% for the year through November 30, 2006, significantly exceeding our two nearest competitors, Safety Insurance Group, Inc. and Arbella Insurance Group, who maintained an estimated 11.2% and 9.6% market shares, respectively.

      In Massachusetts, private passenger automobile insurance is subject to extensive regulation. Owners of automobiles are generally required to demonstrate certain minimum automobile insurance coverages as a prerequisite to registering any automobile. With very limited exceptions, private passenger automobile insurers are required by law to issue a policy to any applicant seeking to obtain such coverages, commonly known as the "take all comers" requirement. Marketing and underwriting strategies for companies operating in Massachusetts are limited by maximum premium rates and minimum agency commission levels for personal automobile insurance, both of which are mandated by the Commissioner.

      Changes in Premium Rates. In each of the last three years, the Commissioner approved an average mandated Massachusetts personal automobile insurance premium rate decrease. The Commissioner approved average decreases of 11.7% for the one-year period beginning April 1, 2007 and 8.7% for the fifteen months beginning January 1, 2006. Coinciding with the 2006 and 2005 rate decisions, the Commissioner also approved commissions agents receive for selling private passenger automobile insurance. The Commissioner approved no change in commission dollars for 2007 and a 1.5% increase for 2006. The following table shows the state-mandated average rate change, the actual average written premium change per exposure and our average written premium change per exposure as estimated for 2006 and for the three previous years in Massachusetts.

Year

State Mandated
Average
Rate Change (2)

Actual State Average
Written Premium Change
Per Exposure (2)

Commerce Average
Written Premium Change
Per Exposure


 


 


 


             

2007(1)

 

(11.7)%

 

NA

 

(6.4)%

2006

 

(8.7)%

 

(5.5)%

 

(5.6)%

2005

 

(1.7)%

 

1.5 %

 

0.4 %

2004

 

2.5 %

 

7.0 %

 

5.8 %

             

(1)

Estimated for Commerce average written premium change per exposure.

(2)

Based on Massachusetts Division of Insurance filings.

NA

Data is currently unavailable.

<PAGE>  45

      Although mandated average personal automobile premium rates decreased 8.7% in 2006, our average written premium per exposure decreased only 5.6%. We believe that the smaller decrease for 2006 as compared to the Commissioner's state mandated average rate resulted primarily from:

*

the fact that our mix of personal automobile coverage differs from that of the industry; and

*

changes to our distribution of risks by class, territory and coverage, including changes resulting from the purchase of new, more expensive automobiles, which were not factored into the Commissioner's rate decrease.

The actual state average written premium change per exposure represents the change in the average premium paid by drivers in Massachusetts, as opposed to the state mandated average rate change. As can be seen above, our 2006 average written premium change per exposure corresponds more closely to the actual state average written premium change. The primary reason for this is that both take into account newer vehicles, as compared to the state mandated average rate change, which does not.

      The Commissioner approved an 11.7% decrease in state mandated average personal automobile insurance premium rate for the one-year period ending April 1, 2007. Management estimates that this will translate into a 6.4% decline in the average written premium per exposure for the upcoming year. We estimate the 2007 net pre-tax impact of the 6.4% decrease in our 2007 average written premium per exposure to be approximately $34,400. The majority of the impact will occur during the last quarter of 2007 and the first quarter of 2008 as premiums for policies with 2007 effective dates become earned.

      Affinity Group Marketing. Since 1995, we have been a leader in affinity group marketing in Massachusetts, through agreements with the three American Automobile Association Clubs operating in Massachusetts, offering discounts on private passenger automobile insurance to the clubs' members who reside in the state. A 5% discount was approved by the Commissioner for policies effective April 1, 2007. This same discount existed in 2006 through April 1, 2007. Based on information provided to us by the AAA clubs operating in Massachusetts, we believe that membership in these clubs represents approximately one-third of the Massachusetts motoring public. The following table presents total direct premiums written attributable to the AAA clubs' group business in Massachusetts for the years ended December 31:

   

2006

 

2005

 

2004

   


 


 


             

Total AAA-Massachusetts direct premiums written

 

$675,904   

 

$725,943   

 

$724,147   

Percentage of total direct premiums written

 

36.3%

 

38.7%

 

39.4%

Percentage of Massachusetts direct personal automobile premiums written

 

50.3%

 

53.1%

 

54.6%

Total AAA-Massachusetts exposures

 

644,600   

 

645,300   

 

643,400   

Percentage of Massachusetts exposures

 

51.5%

 

53.7%

 

54.9%

             

      The decreasing percentages since 2004 are attributed to a higher rate of increase in non-affinity group business. Of the total Massachusetts automobile exposures written through the AAA affinity group program by us in 2006, approximately 15.5% were written through insurance agencies owned by the AAA clubs (8.0% of our total Massachusetts automobile exposures). The remaining 84.5% of the AAA group program was written through our network of independent agents.

Our Performance Measures

      We evaluate our operations by monitoring key measures of growth and profitability. We measure our growth by examining our direct premiums written as well as increases in exposures and policies. We generally measure our operating results in accordance with GAAP by examining our net earnings, return on equity (ROE), and our loss and LAE, underwriting expense and combined ratios on a consolidated basis. Our key measures include:

*

Diluted Earnings per Share. Diluted earnings per share is net earnings divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding adjusted by the number of additional common shares that would have been outstanding had potentially dilutive common shares been issued and reduced by the number of common shares we could have purchased from the proceeds of those potentially dilutive shares.

<PAGE>  46

*

Return on Equity. Return on equity is net earnings divided by stockholders' equity at the beginning of the period.

*

Direct Premiums Written. Direct premiums written is the sum of the total policy premiums, net of cancellations, associated with policies underwritten and issued by our insurance subsidiaries. We use direct premiums written, which includes premiums that we cede to CAR and other reinsurers, as a measure of the underlying growth of our insurance business from period to period.

*

Direct Earned Premiums. Direct earned premiums are the portion of direct premiums written over the preceding twelve-month period equal to the expired portion of policies and recognized as revenue during an accounting period.

*

Net Investment Income. Net investment income represents earnings on our investment portfolio less expenses. We rely on after-tax investment income as a significant source of net earnings although we generally achieve a combined ratio (see below) of less than 100%.

*

Loss and LAE Ratio. The loss and LAE ratio is the percentage of losses and loss adjustment expenses (including corporate expenses) incurred to earned premiums. We calculate this ratio net of our reinsurance recoveries. We use this ratio as a measure of the overall underwriting profitability of the insurance business we write and to assess the adequacy of our pricing.

*

Underwriting Expense Ratio. The underwriting expense ratio is the percentage of underwriting expenses (including corporate expenses) incurred to net premiums written. Underwriting expenses are the aggregate of policy acquisition costs, including commissions, and the portion of administrative, general and other expenses attributable to underwriting operations. In addition, underwriting expenses are adjusted for any change in deferred acquisition costs.

*

Combined Ratio. The combined ratio is the sum of the loss and LAE ratio and the underwriting expense ratio and measures a company's overall underwriting profit. If the combined ratio is at or above 100%, an insurance company cannot be profitable without investment income, and may not be profitable if investment income is insufficient. We use the combined ratio in evaluating our overall underwriting profitability and for comparing our profitability to that of our competitors.

Results of Operations

      Our key operating measures for the years ended December 31 follow (dollars in millions, except earnings per share):

     

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 
     


 


 


 
                 
 

Diluted earnings per share

 

$     3.55   

 

$     3.60   

 

$     3.25   

 
 

Return on equity

 

18.5%

 

21.9%

 

23.5%

 
 

Direct premiums written

 

$1,864.2   

 

$1,874.2   

 

$1,838.2   

 
 

Direct earned premiums

 

1,847.0   

 

1,849.8   

 

1,753.3   

 
 

Net investment income

 

143.6   

 

123.2   

 

115.7   

 
 

Loss and LAE ratio

 

60.7%

 

61.4%

 

63.8%

 
 

Underwriting expense ratio

 

28.5%

 

27.3%

 

26.2%

 
 

Combined ratio

 

89.2%

 

88.7%

 

90.0%

 
                 

Year Ended 2006 Compared to Year Ended 2005

      The decrease in earnings in 2006 over 2005 resulted primarily from an increase in our combined ratio in 2006. The increase in the combined ratio can be attributed to an increase in the underwriting ratio, partially offset by a decline in the loss ratio. Also impacting 2006 net earnings was a $20,352 increase in net investment income partially offset by a $6,264 decline in net realized investment gains.

      We attribute the improvement in the loss ratio to several factors:

*

decreases in the current year automobile bodily injury and physical damage claims frequencies;

<PAGE>  47

*

continued improvement in the results from CAR due to fewer industry-wide cessions to CAR coupled with lower loss ratio on current year CAR business;

*

partially offset by reduced favorable voluntary reserve development compared to 2005.

      The increase in the underwriting ratio resulted primarily from reduced ceded reinsurance commissions, as a result of the termination of our other-than-automobile quota share agreement at June 30, 2006.

Premium Results

      For a detailed breakdown on direct premiums written and earned, see Note P -- Segment Information in Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Massachusetts Segment

      We experienced a slight decline in direct premiums written in the Massachusetts segment of 0.3%, with declines in our personal automobile business outweighing growth in homeowners and commercial automobile business. The personal automobile business decline was a result of a 5.6% decline in average written premium per written exposure partially offset by a 4.3% increase in the number of written exposures. Commerce continues to increase its market share in both the voluntary and ERP markets. Approximately 64% of the increase in written exposures resulted from new ERPs and the remaining 36% from continuing agents.

      Our year-to-date homeowners growth was the result of a 6.5% increase in average premium per policy partially offset by a 0.5% decrease in the number of policies written. Our year-to-date commercial automobile growth was the result of a 2.8% increase in average premium per policy combined with a 4.3% increase in policies written.

Other Than Massachusetts Segment

      Total direct written premiums for the other-than-Massachusetts segment declined $5,422, or 2.3%. The personal automobile decline accounted for the majority of this decrease, primarily as the result of the continued decline in premiums in Arizona due to the loss of AAA Arizona's affinity business in 2005. Direct written premiums from personal automobile policies in Arizona declined $15,633, or 62.6%, primarily due to a decline in policies. We believe Arizona business volumes have now stabilized. American Commerce and Commerce West will continue to write business in Arizona; however, ACIC no longer markets its products through AAA Arizona. Also contributing to the decline in personal automobile direct written premium were a 29.6% drop in Ohio, a 10.2% decline in Idaho and a 10.4% drop in Indiana. Partially offsetting these declines were increases in Oregon (18.9%), Washington (8.6%) and Oklahoma (7.2%). In general, we are lowering rates in states in which we write business in response to competitive pressures as a result of a soft market. Commercial automobile premiums decreased 14.4% while homeowners increased by 0.6%. Other lines increased $9,258 primarily due to $8,881 of direct premiums from ANI, resulting from American Commerce becoming a direct writer of ANI business.

Segment Results

Massachusetts Segment

      Revenue increased $75,132, or 4.5%, over the prior year primarily due to increases in earned premium and net investment income. The increase in earned premium resulted from the combination of the earning of 2005's increased personal automobile written premium as well as the earning of the returned unearned premium from the termination of our other-than-automobile quota share agreement. Net investment income increased as both outstanding invested assets and the yield on those assets increased.

      Earnings increased $2,986, or 0.8%, over the prior year primarily due to the increases in revenue previously discussed, partially offset by an increased combined ratio. The combined ratio increased due to the factors discussed for the Company as a whole.

Other-than-Massachusetts Segment

      Revenues declined $10,279, or 4.5%, over the prior year principally due to declining earned premium as written premium has declined in each of the last two years, as previously discussed. Increases in net investment income were offset by declines in realized investment gains.

<PAGE>  48

      Earnings declined $2,612, or 8.1%, over the previous year due to the previously mentioned revenue declines combined with an increased combined ratio. The increased combined ratio resulted from the same factors for the Company as a whole.

Net Investment Income

      Our net investment income for the year ended 2006 increased $20,352, or 16.5% compared to 2005. Net investment income is affected by the composition of our investment portfolio and yields on those investments.

      The composition of our investment portfolio, at cost, at December 31 follows:

     

% of

     

% of

 

2006

 

Total

 

2005

 

Total

 


 


 


 


               

Fixed maturities(a)

$1,961,080

 

65.5%

 

$2,037,127

 

73.6%

Preferred stocks

597,366

 

20.0   

 

395,099

 

14.3   

Common stocks

97,776

 

3.3   

 

103,472

 

3.8   

Preferred stock mutual funds

120,990

 

4.0   

 

88,859

 

3.2   

Mortgages and collateral notes

19,475

 

0.7   

 

17,801

 

0.6   

Short-term investments

13,414

 

0.4   

 

-

 

-   

Cash and cash equivalents

141,367

 

4.7   

 

97,942

 

3.5   

Other investments

43,001

 

1.4   

 

28,976

 

1.0   

 


 


 


 


      Total investments and cash

$2,994,469

 

100.0%

 

$2,769,276

 

100.0%

 


 


 


 


               

(a)

Fixed maturities include mortgage-backed bonds, corporate bonds, U.S. Treasury bonds and notes and tax-exempt state and municipal bonds.

   

      Key measures of net investment income for the years ended December 31 follow:

 

Years Ended

 


 

2006

 

2005

 


 


       

Investment Return:

     

Average month-end investments (at cost)

$2,874,345

 

$2,661,190

Net investment income before tax

143,563

 

123,211

Net investment income after-tax

109,124

 

95,359

Net investment income as a percentage of average net investments (at cost)

5.0%

 

4.6%

Net investment income after-tax as a percentage of average net investments (at cost)

3.8%

 

3.6%

       

      The increase in our net investment income in 2006 was due to the combination of increased invested assets and higher overall yields. The increase in invested assets is primarily attributable to increased operating cash flows. The increase in yields corresponds with the increase in duration of our fixed maturity portfolio which rose to 5.4 years at December 31, 2006 from 4.9 years a year earlier. The increased yield is primarily attributable to the government bond and preferred stock segments, where pre-tax yields increased 100 and 60 basis points, respectively.

Realized Investment Gains and Losses

      Net realized investment gains (losses) for the years ended December 31 follow:

 

2006

 

2005

 

Change

 


 


 


           

Transaction net gains (losses):

         

Fixed maturity securities

$    (943)

 

$21,135 

 

$(22,078)

Equity securities

(856)

 

4,464 

 

(5,320)

Venture capital funds

9,415 

 

837 

 

8,578 

Other investments

42 

 

627 

 

(585)

 


 


 


      Transaction net gains

7,658 

 

27,063 

 

(19,405)

 


 


 


Other-than-temporary impairment losses:

         

Fixed maturity securities

(2,368)

 

(305)

 

(2,063)

Equity securities

(1,839)

 

(4,547)

 

2,708 

 


 


 


      Total other-than-temporary impairment losses

(4,207)

 

(4,852)

 

645 

 


 


 


Equity in earnings of closed-end preferred stock mutual funds

13,192 

 

696 

 

12,496 

 


 


 


      Net realized investment gains included in net earnings

$16,643 

 

$22,907 

 

$  (6,264)

 


 


 


<PAGE>  49

      Total realized gains declined 27.3% in 2006 as compared to 2005. We maintain the flexibility to realize capital gains when we feel it is a benefit for our long-term, after-tax return.

Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses

      Our loss ratio declined to 60.7% for 2006 from 61.4% the prior year. The improvement was the result of several factors, including:

*

improved current year results, and

*

a decrease in the current year personal and commercial automobile bodily injury and physical damage claim frequency.

      A reconciliation of beginning and ending reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses for the years ended December 31, net of reinsurance deductions from all reinsurers including CAR, follows:

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 


 


 


           

Incurred losses and LAE:

         

   Provision for insured events of the current year

$1,112,140 

 

$1,111,583 

 

$1,101,871 

   Decrease in provision for insured events of prior years

(43,726)

 

(61,397)

 

(57,031)

 


 


 


      Total incurred losses and LAE

1,068,414 

 

1,050,186 

 

1,044,840 

 


 


 


           

Payments:

         

   Losses and LAE attributable to insured events of the current year

669,495 

 

672,894 

 

637,373 

   Losses and LAE attributable to insured events of prior years

382,843 

 

372,719 

 

369,684 

 


 


 


      Total payments

1,052,338 

 

1,045,613 

 

1,007,057 

 


 


 


Change in loss and LAE reserves during the year

16,076 

 

4,573 

 

37,783 

Loss and LAE reserves prior to the effect of ceded reinsurance

         

  recoverable, beginning of year

834,699 

 

830,126 

 

792,343 

 


 


 


Loss and LAE reserves prior to the effect of ceded reinsurance

         

  recoverable, end of year

850,775 

 

834,699 

 

830,126 

Ceded reinsurance recoverable

121,174 

 

154,497 

 

160,134 

 


 


 


Loss and LAE reserves, end of year

$   971,949 

 

$   989,196 

 

$   990,260 

 


 


 


           

      As a result of changes in estimates of insured events in prior years, the provision for loss and LAE decreased $43,726 for the year ended 2006 and $61,397 for the year ended 2005. The favorable development is due primarily to lower than anticipated losses related to the personal automobile liability. Conditions and trends that have affected development in the past may not necessarily occur in the future. Accordingly, it may not be appropriate to extrapolate future redundancies or deficiencies based upon these developments. The amounts we will ultimately incur from loss and loss adjustment expenses could differ materially in the near term from the amounts recorded.

      Approximately $43,522 in personal automobile liability redundancies developed for the year ended 2006, with 99% of this amount coming from the 2005, 2004 and 2003 accident years. The primary reason for the redundancies in this area is that claim severity developed better than we anticipated, coupled with significant redundancies from CAR, which approximated 27% of the total automobile liability redundancy. Automobile physical damage had approximately $1,735 in redundancies all related to the 2005 accident year, which were offset by prior period deficiencies. Redundancies related to 2005 were approximately $4,713, of which CAR accounted for 43%. Partially offsetting these redundancies was a $1,895 deficiency in commercial automobile business, primarily related to CAR for the 2005 accident year, and a $236 deficiency in homeowners business. Various redundancies and deficiencies for the other lines of business and accident years combined for the remaining net redundancy of approximately $600.

      Management considers many factors, as disclosed in the Critical Accounting Policies section of this report, in establishing its best estimate for loss and LAE reserves. We believe that our loss and LAE reserve estimate is a reasonable assessment of the ultimate future payment amounts necessary to settle all of our insured losses incurred as of December 31, 2006. In addition, we believe the pro forma analysis presented under the Critical Accounting Policies is a reasonable depiction of our sensitivity related to our estimate, based on our reserving methodology and the short-tail nature of the

<PAGE>  50

business that we write. However, the ultimate liability may be greater or less than the established reserves for losses and LAE. If the ultimate payments are greater or less than our estimated liability for losses and LAE, we will either incur additional or less expenses, respectively, in future periods which may have a material effect on our future results of operations.

Policy Acquisition Costs

      Our underwriting ratio increased to 28.5% for 2006 from 27.3% in the prior year, primarily as a result of reduced ceded reinsurance commissions. This reduction resulted from the termination of our other-than-automobile quota share agreement. Also contributing to the increase were higher accrued agents' profit sharing and higher 2006 policy year mandated Massachusetts personal automobile commission rates, as well as an increase in our assessment from the Massachusetts Insurance Insolvency Fund. See Note L of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information. The increase in agents' profit sharing is due to improved underwriting results versus the previous year.

Other

      The market price for our common stock and our financial results directly affects our expense related to stock options, book value awards (BVAs) and incentive awards (IAs), respectively. Our stock option expense represents options granted to both employees and American Commerce agents. The majority of this expense is related to options granted to American Commerce agents. An increase in the market value of our stock will increase the expense we recognize for options. Similarly, an increase in our net income will increase the value of, and therefore the expense we recognize for, outstanding BVAs and IAs. We record these expenses in three separate line items on our income statement -- losses and loss adjustment expenses, policy acquisition costs and net investment income. See Note I of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information. The stock option, BVA and IA expenses recorded in each line item for the years ended December 31 follow:

   

2006

 

2005

 
   


 


 
           
 

Losses and loss adjustment expenses

$18,962

 

$16,430

 
 

Policy acquisition costs

15,849

 

14,570

 
 

Net investment income

126

 

187

 
   


 


 
 

      Total stock option, BVA and IA expenses

$34,937

 

$31,187

 
   


 


 
           

Income Taxes

      Our overall effective tax rate for the year ended 2006 was 30.0% as compared to 30.6% for 2005. In both years, our effective rate was lower than the statutory rate of 35.0% primarily due to tax-exempt interest and the corporate dividends received deduction. Our effective tax rate decreased in 2006 due to a slightly higher amount of the corporate dividends received deduction and lower profits at the 35% rate.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

      In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement No. 158, Employers' Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans -- an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106 and 132(R). This Statement requires an employer to recognize the overfunded or underfunded status of a defined benefit plan as an asset or liability in its financial statement and to recognize changes in that funded status in the years in which the changes occur through comprehensive income. This Statement also requires measurement of funded status as of the fiscal year-end, with limited exceptions. The Statement is effective for publicly traded companies for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2006. The adoption of this Statement did not have an impact on our results of operations or financial position.

      In September 2006, the FASB also issued Statement No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (FAS 157). The Statement defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in GAAP, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. FAS 157 does not require any new fair value measurements but applies under other financial pronouncements that permit or require fair value measurements. FAS 157 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 and early application is encouraged. We do not expect the adoption of this Statement to have a material impact on our results of operations or financial position.

      In September 2006, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 108, Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements

<PAGE>  51

(SAB 108). SAB 108 establishes an approach that requires quantification of financial statement errors based on the effects of the error on each of the company's financial statements and related disclosures. This model is referred to as the dual approach, as it requires errors to be quantified for their impact on both the income statement (including reversing effect of prior year misstatements) and the period-end balance sheet. SAB 108 is effective for fiscal year ends after November 15, 2006. The adoption of SAB 108 did not have a material impact on our results of operations or financial position.

      In July 2006, the FASB released FIN 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes -- an interpretation of SFAS 109. This interpretation clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in accordance with SFAS 109. This interpretation prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. It also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, interim periods and disclosure. FIN 48 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. We will adopt FIN 48 as of January 1, 2007 and we expect the adoption to have a negligible impact on our results of operation and financial position.

      In March 2006, the FASB issued Statement No. 156, Accounting for Servicing of Financial Assets, an amendment of Statement No. 14 (FAS 156). FAS 156 requires all separately recognized servicing assets and servicing liabilities to be initially measured at fair value, if practicable, and permits an entity to subsequently measure those servicing assets and servicing liabilities at fair value. FAS 156 is effective for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2006. We do not expect the adoption of FAS 156 to have a material impact on our results of operations or financial position.

      In February 2006, the FASB issued Statement No. 155, Accounting for Certain Hybrid Financial Instruments -- an amendment of FASB Statements No. 133 and 140. The Statement permits fair value remeasurement for any hybrid financial instrument that contains an embedded derivative that otherwise would require bifurcation. The new Statement also requires companies to identify interests in securitized financial assets that are freestanding derivatives or contain embedded derivatives that would have to be accounted for separately and that interest-only and principal-only strips are not subject to Statement No. 133. This new Statement is effective for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2006 with early adoption permitted. Although we do not currently have any financial instruments subject to this new Statement, we elected to adopt this Statement effective January 1, 2006 and it had no impact on our financial statements.

      In June 2005, the FASB issued Statement No. 154, Accounting Changes and Error Corrections -- A Replacement of APB Opinion No. 20 and FASB Statement No. 3 (FAS 154). The Statement applies to all voluntary changes in accounting principles and requires that such changes be applied retrospectively to prior periods unless doing so is impracticable. The Statement does not change the transition method for new accounting standards where the new pronouncements address transition provisions. The Statement was effective January 1, 2006. FAS 154 did not have an impact on our financial position or results of operations.

      The FASB issued in December 2004 revised rules for accounting for stock options and other equity-based remuneration, SFAS No. 123R, Share-Based Payment. We adopted these revised rules in the first quarter of 2006 when they became effective. This change did not impact our results of operations and financial condition for the employee stock options we awarded through 2001 under the Plan because application of the revised rules is on a prospective basis, these awards were fully vested and we have not modified, repurchased or cancelled any of these stock options. The revised rules did not change our accounting for BVAs, IAs and the stock options we award under the American Commerce agents' option Plan.

Year Ended 2005 Compared to Year Ended 2004

      The significant increase in earnings in 2005 over 2004 was primarily due to the decrease in our loss ratio. We attribute the improvement in our loss ratio to several factors:

 

*

improved current year results and continued favorable prior years' loss development from CAR,

     
 

*

an increase in average earned premium revenue per automobile (see discussion regarding premium results), and

     
 

*

a decrease in the current year personal and commercial automobile bodily injury claim frequency.

     

These items were partially offset by reduced favorable voluntary loss reserve development compared to 2004.

      The effect of our improved loss ratio on 2005 earnings was partially offset by the increase in our underwriting ratio. This increase was driven by a significant increase in our agents' profit sharing expense in 2005 and slightly higher 2005 policy year mandated Massachusetts personal automobile commission rates, both partially offset by a decrease in our

<PAGE>  52

assessment from the Massachusetts Insurance Insolvency Fund. The increase in agents' profit sharing expense is the result of improved underwriting results in 2005 versus 2004.

Premium Results

      For a detailed breakdown on direct premiums written and earned, see Note P -- Segment Information in Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Massachusetts Segment

      We experienced growth in direct premiums written in the Massachusetts segment of 3.2%, with increases in our personal automobile and homeowners lines of business. Growth in personal automobile business accounted for approximately 75% of the segment's increase. Personal automobile business growth was a result of a 2.2% increase in the number of written exposures coupled with a 0.4% increase in average written premium per written exposure. The agents assigned to us by CAR accounted for 54.4% of the written exposure increase. We believe that voluntary agents are currently very cautious in moving books of business between carriers due to the uncertainties created by CAR reform proposals.

      Our year-to-date homeowners growth was from a 10.5% increase in average premium per policy partially offset by a 0.6% decrease in the number of policies written. Our year-to-date commercial automobile decline was from a 2.0% decrease in average premium per policy partially offset by a 0.7% increase in policies written. Average premium per policy has declined due to more competitive pricing in a softening market.

Other Than Massachusetts Segment

      Total direct written premiums for the other-than-Massachusetts segment declined $15,297, or 6.0%. The personal automobile decline accounted for the majority of this decrease, primarily as the result of the decline in premiums in Arizona due to the loss of AAA Arizona's affinity business. Direct written premiums from personal automobile policies in Arizona declined $14,400, or 36.6%, and policies in force declined 65.5%. We project an additional decline of $14,000, or 56.5%, during 2006. American Commerce and Commerce West will continue to write business in Arizona; however, ACIC will no longer market its products through AAA Arizona. In general, we are lowering rates in states in which we write business in response to competitive pressures. Commercial automobile premiums increased over 9.0% while homeowners and other lines were basically unchanged. The increase in the commercial automobile category primarily resulted from an 11.9% increase in the number of policies in force at Commerce West.

Net Investment Income

      Our net investment income for the year ended 2005 increased $7,500, or 6.5% compared to 2004. Net investment income is affected by the composition of our investment portfolio and yields on those investments.

      The composition of our investment portfolio, at cost, at December 31 follows:

     

% of

     

% of

 

2005

 

Total

 

2004

 

Total

 


 


 


 


               

Fixed maturities(a)

$2,037,127

 

73.6%

 

$1,674,849

 

67.1%

Preferred stocks

395,099

 

14.3   

 

421,247

 

16.9   

Common stocks

103,472

 

3.8   

 

74,865

 

3.0   

Preferred stock mutual funds

88,859

 

3.2   

 

54,653

 

2.2   

Mortgages and collateral notes

17,801

 

0.6   

 

15,107

 

0.6   

Cash and cash equivalents

97,942

 

3.5   

 

220,988

 

8.9   

Other investments

28,976

 

1.0   

 

32,277

 

1.3   

 


 


 


 


      Total investments

$2,769,276

 

100.0%

 

$2,493,986

 

100.0%

 


 


 


 


               

(a)

Fixed maturities include mortgage-backed bonds, corporate bonds, U.S. Treasury bonds and notes and tax-exempt state and municipal bonds.

<PAGE>  53

      Key measures of net investment income for the years ended December 31 follow:

 

Years Ended

 


 

2005

 

2004

 


 


       

Investment Return:

     

Average month-end investments (at cost)

$2,661,190

 

$2,319,170

Net investment income before tax

123,211

 

115,711

Net investment income after-tax

95,359

 

90,756

Net investment income as a percentage of average net investments (at cost)

4.6%

 

5.0%

Net investment income after-tax as a percentage of average net investments (at cost)

3.6%

 

3.9%

       

      The increase in our net investment income in 2005 was primarily due to increased invested assets partially offset by lower overall yields. The increase in invested assets is primarily attributable to increased operating cash flows. The decrease in yields corresponds with the decline in duration of our fixed maturity portfolio in which we sold higher yielding investment securities. This is particularly true in the corporate and municipal bonds segments, where pre-tax yields declined 120 and 70 basis points, respectively.

Realized Investment Gains and Losses

      Net realized investment gains (losses) for the years ended December 31 follow:

 

2005

 

2004

 

Change

 


 


 


           

Transaction net gains (losses):

         

Fixed maturity securities

$21,135 

 

$ 12,733 

 

$   8,402 

Equity securities

4,464 

 

19,085 

 

(14,621)

Venture capital funds

837 

 

3,668 

 

(2,831)

Other investments

627 

 

(205)

 

832 

 


 


 


      Transaction net gains

27,063 

 

35,281 

 

(8,218)

 


 


 


Other-than-temporary impairment losses:

         

Fixed maturity securities

(305)

 

(14,189)

 

13,884 

Equity securities

(4,547)

 

(760)

 

(3,787)

 


 


 


      Total other-than-temporary impairment losses

(4,852)

 

(14,949)

 

10,097 

 


 


 


Equity in earnings of closed-end preferred stock mutual funds

696 

 

3,296 

 

(2,600)

 


 


 


      Net realized investment gains included in net earnings

$22,907 

 

$ 23,628 

 

$     (721)

 


 


 


           

      Total realized gains were relatively flat from 2005 as compared to 2004. Impairment losses decreased by $10,097 but were offset by a $8,218 decline in transaction gains and a $2,600 decline in the equity in earnings of the closed-end preferred stock mutual funds. Once again in 2005, we were able to realize significant investment gains in long duration municipal bonds and asset-backed investments. We maintain the flexibility to realize capital gains when we feel it is a benefit for our long-term, after-tax return.

Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses

      Our loss ratio declined to 61.4% for 2005 from 63.8% the prior year. The improvement was the result of several factors, including:

 

*

improved current year results and continued favorable prior years' loss development from CAR,

     
 

*

an increase in average earned premium revenue per automobile, and

     
 

*

a decrease in the current year personal and commercial automobile bodily injury claim frequency.

     

Redundancies related to prior years for CAR Private Passenger Auto Liability accounted for approximately one-half of the 2.4% decrease in the loss ratio from 2004. These items were partially offset by reduced favorable voluntary loss reserve development compared to 2004.

      A reconciliation of beginning and ending reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses for the years ended December 31, net of reinsurance deductions from all reinsurers including CAR, follows:

<PAGE>  54

 

2005

 

2004

 

2003

 


 


 


           

Incurred losses and LAE:

         

   Provision for insured events of the current year

$1,111,583 

 

$1,101,871 

 

$1,095,371 

   Decrease in provision for insured events of prior years

(61,397)

 

(57,031)

 

(25,224)

 


 


 


      Total incurred losses and LAE

1,050,186 

 

1,044,840 

 

1,070,147 

 


 


 


           

Payments:

         

   Losses and LAE attributable to insured events of the current year

672,894 

 

637,373 

 

625,803 

   Losses and LAE attributable to insured events of prior years

372,719 

 

369,684 

 

330,349 

 


 


 


      Total payments

1,045,613 

 

1,007,057 

 

956,152 

 


 


 


Change in loss and LAE reserves during the year

4,573 

 

37,783 

 

113,995 

Loss and LAE reserves prior to the effect of ceded reinsurance

         

  recoverable, beginning of year

830,126 

 

792,343 

 

678,348 

 


 


 


Loss and LAE reserves prior to the effect of ceded reinsurance

         

  recoverable, end of year

834,699 

 

830,126 

 

792,343 

Ceded reinsurance recoverable

154,497 

 

160,134 

 

165,010 

 


 


 


Loss and LAE reserves, end of year

$   989,196 

 

$   990,260 

 

$   957,353 

 


 


 


           

      As a result of changes in estimates of insured events in prior years, the provision for loss and LAE decreased $61,397 for the year ended 2005 and $57,031 for the year ended 2004. The favorable development is due primarily to lower than anticipated losses related to the personal automobile liability, the automobile physical damage and the commercial multiple peril lines of business. Conditions and trends that have affected development in the past may not necessarily occur in the future. Accordingly, it may not be appropriate to extrapolate future redundancies or deficiencies based upon these developments. The amounts we will ultimately incur from loss and loss adjustment expenses could differ materially in the near term from the amounts recorded.

      Approximately $54,370 in personal automobile liability redundancies developed for the year ended 2005, with 92% of this amount coming from the 2004, 2003 and 2002 accident years. The primary reason for the redundancies in this area is that claim severity developed better than we anticipated, coupled with significant redundancies from CAR, which accounted for approximately 41% of the total automobile liability redundancy. Automobile physical damage had approximately $7,447 in redundancies chiefly related to the 2004 accident year, approximately 47% of which was related to CAR. In 2005, we also experienced redundancies of $1,733 for the commercial multiple peril line of business, 62% of which related to the 2004 accident year. Partially offsetting these redundancies was a $3,467 deficiency in commercial automobile business, primarily related to CAR for the 2004 accident year. Various redundancies and deficiencies for the other lines of business and accident years combined for the remaining net redundancy of approximately $1,314.

Policy Acquisition Costs

      Our underwriting ratio increased to 27.3% for 2005 from 26.2% in the prior year, primarily as a result of significantly higher accrued agents' profit sharing and slightly higher 2005 policy year mandated Massachusetts personal automobile commission rates, both partially offset by a decrease in our assessment from the Massachusetts Insurance Insolvency Fund. In addition to the increase in agents' profit sharing expense in 2005, policy acquisition cost increases are also due to our premium growth. The increase in agents' profit sharing is due to improved underwriting results versus the previous year. Premium growth results in additional expense in commission, premium tax, and other variable costs. Partially offsetting these increases was a decline in stock option, BVA and IA expense.

Other

      The market price for our common stock and our financial results directly affects our expense related to stock options, BVAs and IAs, respectively. We record these expenses in three separate line items on our income statement -- losses and loss adjustment expenses, policy acquisition costs and net investment income. The stock option, BVA and IA expenses recorded in each line item for the years ended December 31 follow:

   

2005

 

2004

 
   


 


 
           
 

Losses and loss adjustment expenses

$16,430

 

$20,383

 
 

Policy acquisition costs

14,570

 

17,161

 
 

Net investment income

187

 

185

 
   


 


 
 

      Total stock option, BVA and IA expenses

$31,187

 

$37,729

 
   


 


 
           

<PAGE>  55

Income Taxes

      Our overall effective tax rate for the year ended 2005 was 30.6% as compared to 29.3% for 2004. In both years, our effective rate was lower than the statutory rate of 35.0% primarily due to tax-exempt interest and the corporate dividends received deduction. Our effective tax rate increased in 2005 due to improved underwriting results which are taxed at 35%.

Financial Condition

      Our financial condition improved significantly in 2006. Our stockholders' equity per share increased 16.2% from $19.39 at December 31, 2005 to $22.53 at December 31, 2006. Our ratio of total liabilities to stockholders' equity decreased 27 percentage points at December 31, 2006 from the prior year end. This decrease is due to a 15.2% increase in equity combined with a 0.6% decline in total liabilities. The increase in equity during 2006 resulted primarily from current year earnings and appreciation in value of available for sale securities, partially offset by dividends paid and common stock repurchased. Total liabilities decreased chiefly as a result of declines in unpaid losses and LAE and accrued expenses partially offset by increased accrued agents' profit sharing.

      Total assets increased $183,859, or 4.7%, versus the prior year end. Predictably, as they comprise approximately 75% of total assets, investment growth represented the majority of the increase. Investments increased $305,513, or 11.0%, from operating cash flows, retained net earnings and from market value appreciation. We continue to maintain our cash and fixed maturity investments at levels to both service our liabilities and optimize after-tax returns. Amounts due from reinsurers declined due to the termination of our other-than-automobile quota share agreement. Deferred income taxes decreased primarily due to the resulting deferred tax liability relating to the increase in market value over cost of available for sale securities.

      Total unpaid losses and LAE, net of salvage and subrogation, by line of business at December 31, 2006 and 2005 follow (in millions):

2006

 

Case

 

IBNR

 

LAE

 

Total


 


 


 


 


                 

Private passenger automobile

 

$382.0

 

$132.2

 

$110.4

 

$624.6

Commercial automobile

 

42.0

 

9.9

 

11.0

 

62.9

CAR

 

147.6

 

35.0

 

7.8

 

190.4

Homeowners

 

39.4

 

9.7

 

8.7

 

57.8

Other

 

23.1

 

8.2

 

4.9

 

36.2

   


 


 


 


      Total

 

$634.1

 

$195.0

 

$142.8

 

$971.9

   


 


 


 


                 

2005

 

Case

 

IBNR

 

LAE

 

Total


 


 


 


 


                 

Private passenger automobile

 

$367.9

 

$131.7

 

$109.4

 

$609.0

Commercial automobile

 

39.2

 

9.9

 

8.9

 

58.0

CAR

 

174.5

 

40.6

 

9.5

 

224.6

Homeowners

 

40.0

 

9.8

 

8.9

 

58.7

Other

 

25.3

 

8.9

 

4.7

 

38.9

   


 


 


 


      Total

 

$646.9

 

$200.9

 

$141.4

 

$989.2

   


 


 


 


                 

      Ceded unpaid losses and LAE recoverable, net of salvage and subrogation, by line of business at December 31, 2006 and 2005 follow (in millions):

   

2006

 

2005

 
   


 


 
           
 

Commercial automobile

$    0.5

 

$    0.4

 
 

CAR

80.1

 

93.5

 
 

Homeowners

19.7

 

34.7

 
 

Other

20.9

 

25.9

 
   


 


 
 

      Total

$121.2

 

$154.5

 
   


 


 

<PAGE>  56

      Unpaid losses and LAE reserves net of ceded reinsurance recoverable, by line of business, and the actuarial low and high range estimates at December 31, follow (in millions):

       

2006 Actuarial Estimate

   

2005 Actuarial Estimate

       


 


   

2006

 

Low

 

High

 

2005

 

Low

 

High

   


 


 


 


 


 


                         

Private passenger automobile

 

$624.6

 

$575.5

 

$659.5

 

$609.0

 

$553.7

 

$634.7

Commercial automobile

 

62.4

 

52.6

 

60.3

 

57.6

 

50.3

 

57.7

CAR

 

110.3

 

104.7

 

121.3

 

131.1

 

124.5

 

144.1

Homeowners

 

38.1

 

33.4

 

38.3

 

24.0

 

22.7

 

26.0

Other

 

15.3

 

12.4

 

14.2

 

13.0

 

13.4

 

15.4

   


 


 


 


 


 


      Total

 

$850.7

 

$778.6

 

$893.6

 

$834.7

 

$764.6

 

$877.9

   


 


 


 


 


 


                         

Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments

      Our contractual obligations and commercial commitments as of December 31, 2006 by maturity follow:

       

Payments Due by Fiscal Period

       


Contractual Obligations

 

Total

 

2007

 

2008-09

 

2010-11

 

Thereafter

   


 


 


 


 


                     

Bond indebtedness principal

 

$   300,000

 

$            -

 

$            -

 

$            -

 

$300,000

Bond indebtedness interest

 

124,950

 

17,850

 

35,700

 

35,700

 

35,700

SWICO acquisition

 

55,000

 

55,000

 

-

 

-

 

-

Unpaid losses and LAE (a)

 

971,949

 

468,479

 

353,789

 

103,027

 

46,654

Accrued agents' profit sharing

 

232,440

 

119,829

 

112,611

 

-

 

-

   


 


 


 


 


      Total contractual obligations

 

$1,684,339

 

$661,158

 

$502,100

 

$138,727

 

$382,354

   


 


 


 


 


                     
       

Commitment Expiration

       


Commercial Commitments(b)

 

Total

 

2007

 

2008-09

 

2010-11

 

Thereafter

   


 


 


 


 


                     

Unadvanced loan commitments

 

$       7,715

 

$            -

 

$    7,715

 

-

 

$            -

Venture capital partnerships

 

12,254

 

945

 

-

 

-

 

11,309

   


 


 


 


 


      Total commercial commitments

 

$     19,969

 

$       945

 

$    7,715

 

-

 

$  11,309

   


 


 


 


 


                     

(a)

The liability for unpaid losses and LAE represents the accumulation of individual case estimates for reported losses, adjustments to this amount on a line of business basis and estimates for incurred but not reported losses and LAE, net of salvage and subrogation recoverable. The liability is intended to cover the ultimate net cost of all losses and LAE incurred through the balance sheet date. Payment amounts are estimated, based on payment patterns experienced through 2006.

(b)

Liability is included as of date of final commitment.

   

      During the second quarter of 2006, we entered into an agreement to fund a commercial loan participation of $10,000. As of December 31, 2006, $2,285 of this commitment has been funded and is included in other investments on the consolidated balance sheet. The remaining commitment will be funded through ordinary operating cash flows over the next two years.

      We have commitments in two venture capital fund investments. These investments are made in limited partnerships and our exposure to loss is limited to our actual investment. One limited partnership investment required a commitment by us to invest up to $50,000 into the partnership. As of December 31, 2006, we invested $38,691 into the partnership. The partnership was formed to operate as an investment fund principally for the purpose of making investments primarily in equity, equity-related and other securities issued in expansion financing, start-ups, buy-outs and recapitalization transactions relating to companies in the areas of insurance, financial services, e-commerce, healthcare, and related businesses, including, without limitation, service and technology enterprises supporting such businesses.

      The other limited partnership interest required a commitment by us to invest up to $3,500 into the partnership. As of December 31, 2006, we invested $2,555 into the partnership. The partnership was formed to operate as an investment fund principally for the purpose of making investments in equity and equity related securities of companies operating in the area of insurance distribution and distribution related activities.

<PAGE>  57

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

      Liquidity management allows us to meet our cash needs at a reasonable cost under various operating environments. Liquidity is actively managed and reviewed in order to maintain stable, cost-effective funding to meet our operating needs. Liquidity comes from a variety of sources such as cash flow from operating activities and borrowing capacity. Management believes its current liquidity exceeds its operational requirements as of December 31, 2006.

 

      The primary sources of our liquidity are funds generated from insurance premiums, net investment income, premium finance and service fees and the maturing and sale of investments. The primary uses of our liquidity are payment of policy claims, operating costs, interest on our senior notes, purchases of investment securities and treasury stock, and payment of dividends to our stockholders. We believe our capital resources are sufficient toward meeting our short and long-term liquidity needs.

 

      In April 2005, Commerce Insurance became a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) of Boston, providing Commerce Insurance with a significant source of liquidity. The FHLB of Boston, which is one of 12 regional FHLBs, serves as a reserve or central bank for its members within its assigned region. The FHLB of Boston makes loans, which are referred to as advances, to members in accordance with policies and procedures established by its board of directors. These policies and procedures are subject to the regulation and oversight of the Federal Housing Finance Board. All advances from the FHLB of Boston to Commerce Insurance are required to be fully secured by sufficient collateral as determined by the FHLB. We estimate that FHLB membership provides Commerce Insurance with the capacity to borrow approximately $380,000 from the FHLB of Boston. We have not borrowed from the FHLB.

 

      The primary source of liquidity for The Commerce Group (parent company only) is the payment of dividends from its subsidiaries. Its main subsidiary, CHI, is dependent upon dividends from our insurance subsidiaries. The payment of dividends from insurance companies is regulated and limited under the laws of Massachusetts, Ohio and California. See "Payment of Dividends" within the Regulations section of Item 1. Business.

 

      We expect to pay significantly more for agent profit sharing in 2007 than we paid in 2006. We paid approximately $84,000 for agent profit sharing in the second quarter of 2006. Due to our improved underwriting results during 2006, we estimate paying approximately $115,000 in the second quarter of 2007.

 

      Industry and regulatory guidelines suggest that the ratio of a property and casualty insurer's annual net premiums written to statutory policyholders' surplus should not exceed 3.00 to 1.00. The following table presents, on a consolidated basis, our net premiums written to statutory surplus ratio:

 
   

For the Year Ended

   


   

2006

 

2005

 

2004

   


 


 


      Net premiums written to statutory surplus ratio

 

1.19 to 1.00

 

1.18 to 1.00

 

1.33 to 1.00

             

Market Risk: Interest Rate Sensitivity and Equity Price Risk

 

      The primary focus of our investment objectives continues to be maximizing after-tax investment income through investing primarily in high-quality diversified fixed maturity investments structured to maximize after-tax investment income while minimizing risk. We generally invest in securities with maturities intended to provide adequate cash flow to pay claims and meet other operating needs without the forced sale of investments. When the appropriate opportunity arises, we will recognize investment gains to increase after-tax total return. We held no derivatives, emerging market securities or hedge funds at December 31, 2006 and 2005.

 

      In conducting investing activities, we are subject to, and assume, market risk. Market risk is the risk of an adverse financial impact from changes in interest rates and market prices. The level of risk assumed by us is a function of our overall objectives, liquidity needs and market volatility.

 

      We manage our market risk by focusing on higher quality equity and fixed maturity investments, by periodically monitoring the credit strength of companies in which investments are made, by limiting exposure in any one investment and by monitoring the quality of the investment portfolio taking into account, among other factors, credit ratings assigned by recognized rating organizations. Of our bonds and preferred stocks, 93% of the market value was rated in either of the two highest quality categories provided by the NAIC as of December 31, 2006, as compared to 91% at December 31, 2005. Although we have significant holdings of various closed-end preferred stock mutual funds, these funds are comprised primarily of preferred and common stocks traded on national stock exchanges, thus limiting exposure to any one obligor.

<PAGE>  58

      Interest Rate Sensitivity. As part of our investing activities, we assume positions in fixed maturity, equity, short-term and cash equivalents markets. Therefore, we are exposed to the impacts of changes in the market value of investments resulting from fluctuations in interest rates. We estimate our exposure to interest rate changes and equity price risk using sensitivity analysis. The interest rate impact is defined as the effect of a hypothetical interest rate change of plus-or-minus 100 or 200 basis points on the market value of fixed maturities and preferred stocks.

 

      Changes in interest rates would result in unrealized gains or losses in the market value of the fixed maturity and preferred stock portfolio due to differences between current market rates and the stated rates for these investments. The following table summarizes our interest rate risk, based on the results of the sensitivity analysis at December 31, 2006 and 2005. The table also reflects the changes in market value and stockholders' equity that would be attributable to realized investment gains (losses) that we would recognize under the equity method of accounting with respect to the change in the net asset value of the mutual funds in which we own 20% or more of the shares outstanding. See "Critical Accounting Estimates--Investments and Other-than-Temporary Impairments."

 





Hypothetical Change in Interest Rates

 

Estimated Market
Value of Fixed
Maturity and
Preferred Stock
Investments

 


Estimated
Increase
(Decrease) in
Market Value

 



Hypothetical Percentage
Increase (Decrease) in
Stockholders' Equity (1)


 


 


 


             

December 31, 2006:

               

  200 basis point increase

 

$2,200,033

 

$(399,295)

   

(17.3)%

 

  100 basis point increase

 

  2,391,809

 

(207,519)

   

(9.0)%

 

  No change

 

  2,599,328

 

   

-    

 

  100 basis point decrease

 

  2,771,057

 

171,729 

   

7.4%

 

  200 basis point decrease

 

  3,020,565

 

421,237 

   

18.2%

 
                 

December 31, 2005:

               

  200 basis point increase

 

  2,138,966

 

(283,888)

   

(14.1)%

 

  100 basis point increase

 

  2,285,278

 

(137,576)

   

(6.9)%

 

  No change

 

  2,422,854

 

   

-    

 

  100 basis point decrease

 

  2,548,494

 

125,640 

   

6.3%

 

  200 basis point decrease

 

  2,684,096

 

261,242 

   

13.0%

 
                 

(1)  Net of income taxes at an assumed rate of 35%.

 

      Our fixed maturity portfolio's weighted average duration (which includes all fixed maturities and preferred stocks) as of December 31, 2006 and 2005 was 5.4 years and 4.9 years, respectively. The "duration" of a security is the time-weighted present value of the security's expected cash flows and is used to measure a security's price sensitivity to changes in interest rates. The duration reflects industry prepayment assumptions. The analytic systems we used to calculate the above duration data utilize optional call dates and sinking fund requirements and assume a non-static prepayment pattern in deriving these averages.

 

      The preceding sensitivity analysis does not represent a forecast and should not be relied upon as being indicative of expected results. These hypothetical estimates are based upon numerous assumptions such as the nature and timing of interest rate levels including the yield curve shape, prepayments on loans and securities, reinvestment and replacement of asset and liability cash flows and other assumptions. While assumptions are developed based upon current economic conditions, we cannot provide any assurance as to the predictive nature of these assumptions. Also, as market conditions vary from those assumed in the sensitivity analysis, actual results will also differ due to prepayment and refinancing levels likely deviating from those assumed and other internal and external variables. Furthermore, the sensitivity analysis does not reflect actions that management might take in responding to or anticipating changes in interest rates.

 

      Equity Price Risk. The equity price risk is defined as a hypothetical change of plus-or-minus 10% in the carrying value of common stocks. This total includes common stocks at market value and those closed-end preferred stock mutual funds carried at equity value. The following table summarizes our equity price risk, based on the results of the sensitivity analysis at December 31, 2006 and 2005:

<PAGE>  59



Hypothetical Change in Market Price

 

Carrying Value of
Common Equity
Investments

 

Increase
(Decrease) in
Carrying Value

 

Hypothetical Percentage
Increase (Decrease) in
Stockholders' Equity (1)


 


 


 


             

December 31, 2006:

               

  20% price increase

 

$301,687

 

$ 50,281 

   

2.2 %

 

  10% price increase

 

  276,547

 

25,141 

   

1.1 %

 

  No change

 

  251,406

 

   

-    

 

  10% price decrease

 

  226,265

 

(25,141)

   

(1.1)%

 

  20% price decrease

 

  201,125

 

(50,281)

   

(2.2)%

 
                 

December 31, 2005:

               

  20% price increase

 

  238,411

 

39,735 

   

2.0%

 

  10% price increase

 

  218,544

 

19,868 

   

1.0%

 

  No change

 

  198,676

 

   

-    

 

  10% price decrease

 

  178,808

 

(19,868)

   

(1.0)%

 

  20% price decrease

 

  158,941

 

(39,735)

   

(2.0)%

 
                 

(1)  Net of income taxes at an assumed rate of 35%.

 

Effects of Inflation and Recession

 

      We generally are unable to recover the costs of inflation in our personal automobile insurance line since the premiums charged for personal automobile insurance in Massachusetts, our principal business segment, are subject to state regulation. Additionally, the premium rates that we charge for personal automobile insurance in Massachusetts are adjusted by the Commissioner generally at annual intervals. Such annual adjustments in premium rates may lag behind related cost increases. Economic recessions can have an impact upon us, primarily through the policyholder's election to decrease non-compulsory coverages afforded by the policy and decreased driving, each of which tends to decrease claims.

 

      To the extent inflation and economic recession influence yields on investments, we are also affected. As each of these environments affect current market rates of return, previously committed investments may rise or decline in value depending on the type and maturity of investment.

 

      Inflation and recession must also be considered by us in the creation and review of loss and LAE reserves since portions of these reserves are expected to be paid over extended periods of time. The anticipated effect of economic conditions is implicitly considered when estimating liabilities for losses and LAE. The importance of continually adjusting reserves is even more pronounced in periods of changing economic circumstances.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

      This annual report and Form 10-K may contain statements that are not historical fact and constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act. Statements about our expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance are not historical facts and may be forward-looking. These statements are often, but not always, made through the use of words or phrases such as "anticipates," "estimates," "plans," "projects," "continuing," "ongoing," "expects," "may," "will," "could," "likely," "should," "management believes," "we believe," "we intend," and similar words or phrases. These statements may address, among other things, our strategy for growth, business development, regulatory approvals, market position, expenditures, financial results and reserves. Accordingly, these statements involve estimates, assumptions and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in them. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by reference to the factors discussed throughout this annual report on Form 10-K and in our Forms 10-Q and other documents filed with the SEC. Among the key factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking statements:

 

*

the possibility of severe weather, terrorism and other adverse catastrophic experiences;

*

adverse trends in claim severity or frequency and uncertainties in estimating property and casualty losses;

*

adverse state and federal regulations and legislation;

*

adverse judicial decisions;

<PAGE>  60

*

adverse changes to the laws, regulations and rules governing the residual market system in Massachusetts;

*

fluctuations in interest rates and the performance of the financial markets in relation to the composition of our investment portfolio;

*

premium rate making decisions for private passenger automobile policies in Massachusetts;

*

potential rate filings;

*

heightened competition;

*

our concentration of business within Massachusetts and within the personal automobile line of business;

*

market disruption in Massachusetts, if competitors exit the market or become insolvent;

*

the cost and availability of reinsurance;

*

our ability to collect on reinsurance and the solvency of our reinsurers;

*

the effectiveness of our reinsurance strategies;

*

telecommunication and information system problems, including failures to implement information technology projects timely and within budget;

*

our ability to maintain favorable ratings from rating agencies, including A.M. Best, S&P and Moody's;

*

our ability to attract and retain independent agents;

*

our ability to retain our affinity relationships with AAA clubs, especially in Massachusetts;

*

our dependence on a key third party service vendor in Massachusetts;

*

our dependence on our executive officers; and

*

the economic, market or regulatory conditions and risks associated with entry into new markets and diversification.

      You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement. The risk factors referred to above, as well as those elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statement made by us or on our behalf (see Part I, Item 1, "Risks Related to Our Business" of this Form 10-K). Further, any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which the statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict which factors will arise. In addition, we cannot assess the impact of each factor on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements.

 

ITEM 7A. QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

      For the information required by this Item, please refer to "Part II, Item 7, Market Risk: Interest Rate Sensitivity and Equity Price Risk" section (MD&A).

 

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

 

REPORT OF MANAGEMENT

 

      Our management is responsible for the consolidated financial statements and all other information presented in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America determined by management to be appropriate in the circumstances and

<PAGE>  61

include amounts based on management's informed estimates and judgments. Financial information presented elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K is consistent with the financial statements.

 

Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

      Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934. Management assessed the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in Internal Control - Integrated Framework. Based on this assessment, management concluded the Company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006.

 

      Our management's assessment of the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006 has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which appears herein.

<PAGE>  62

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of
The Commerce Group, Inc.:

 

We have completed integrated audits of The Commerce Group Inc.'s consolidated financial statements and of its internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Our opinions, based on our audits, are presented below.

 

Consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedules

 

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements listed in the index appearing under Item 15(a)(1) present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of The Commerce Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries at December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2006 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. In addition, in our opinion, the financial statement schedules listed in the index under Item 15(a)(2) presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements. These financial statements and financial statement schedules are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial statement schedules based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit of financial statements includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

Internal control over financial reporting

 

Also, in our opinion, management's assessment, included in Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting appearing under Item 8, that the Company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006 based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), is fairly stated, in all material respects, based on those criteria. Furthermore, in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the COSO. The Company's management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. Our responsibility is to express opinions on management's assessment and on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We conducted our audit of internal control over financial reporting in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. An audit of internal control over financial reporting includes obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, evaluating management's assessment, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control, and performing such other procedures as we consider necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinions.

 

A company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

<PAGE>  63

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

 
 

/s/  PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

 

Boston, MA
February 27, 2007

<PAGE>  64

THE COMMERCE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Balance Sheets
December 31,

 

ASSETS

         

(Thousands of Dollars)

 

2006

 

2005

   


 


Investments and cash (Note C):

       

    Fixed maturities, at market (amortized cost: $1,961,080 and $2,037,127)

 

$1,993,106 

 

$2,029,173 

    Preferred stocks, at market (cost: $597,366 and $395,099)

 

606,222 

 

393,681 

    Common stocks, at market (cost: $97,776 and $103,472)

 

109,752 

 

102,344 

    Preferred stock mutual funds, at equity (cost: $120,990 and $88,859)

 

141,654 

 

96,332 

    Mortgage loans on real estate and collateral notes receivable (less allowance
      for possible loan losses of $58 and $55)

 


19,417 

 


17,746 

    Short term investments

 

13,414 

 

    Cash and cash equivalents

 

141,367 

 

97,942 

    Other investments (cost: $43,001 and $28,976)

 

45,910 

 

28,111 

   


 


        Total investments and cash

 

3,070,842 

 

2,765,329 

Accrued investment income

 

23,094 

 

22,267 

Premiums receivable (less allowance for doubtful receivables
  of $2,454 and $2,254)

 


480,605 

 


475,112 

Deferred policy acquisition costs (Note D)

 

177,852 

 

174,415 

Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation (Note E)

 

68,383 

 

61,625 

Residual market receivable (Note M)

 

157,227 

 

191,309 

Due from reinsurers (Note M)

 

53,679 

 

142,923 

Deferred income taxes (Note K)

 

31,420 

 

68,926 

Current income taxes

 

7,796 

 

Other assets

 

39,971 

 

25,104 

   


 


        Total assets

 

$4,110,869 

 

$3,927,010 

   


 


         

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

 

Liabilities:

       

    Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses (Note F)

 

$   971,949

 

$   989,196 

    Unearned premiums (Note J)

 

935,385

 

933,160 

    Bonds payable ($300,000 face less discounts of $1,411 and $1,612) (Note G)

 

298,589

 

298,388 

    Current income taxes (Note K)

 

-

 

9,601 

    Deferred income (Note M)

 

10,913

 

8,757 

    Accrued agents' profit sharing (Note H)

 

232,440

 

187,760 

    Other liabilities and accrued expenses

 

151,363

 

189,122 

   


 


        Total liabilities

 

2,600,639

 

2,615,984 

   


 


Minority interest (Note A)

 

6,959

 

5,957 

   


 


Commitments and contingencies (Notes H and R)

 

-

 

-

Stockholders' equity (Note I):

       

    Preferred stock, authorized 5,000,000 shares at $1.00 par value; none issued

 

-

 

    Common stock, authorized 100,000,000 shares at $0.50 par value;
      81,927,916 and 81,831,546 shares issued

 


40,964

 


20,458 

    Paid-in capital

 

135,033

 

148,130 

    Net accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes
      (benefits) of $18,455 and $(3,649)

 


34,273

 


(6,810)

    Retained earnings

 

1,539,056

 

1,363,507 

   


 


        Total stockholders' equity before treasury stock

 

1,749,326

 

1,525,285 

    Treasury stock, 15,200,437 and 14,525,142 shares, at cost

 

(246,055)

 

(220,216)

   


 


        Total stockholders' equity

 

1,503,271

 

1,305,069 

   


 


        Total liabilities, minority interest and stockholders' equity

 

$4,110,869

 

$3,927,010 

   


 


 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

<PAGE>  65

THE COMMERCE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Earnings
For the years ended December 31,

 

(Thousands of Dollars, Expect Per Share Data)

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

   


 


 


Revenues:

           

    Earned premiums (Note J)

 

$1,760,700 

 

$1,709,924 

 

$1,638,833 

    Net investment income (Note C)

 

143,563 

 

123,211 

 

115,711 

    Premium finance and service fees

 

28,563 

 

28,339 

 

28,399 

    Net realized investment gains (Note C)

 

16,643 

 

22,907 

 

23,628 

   


 


 


        Total revenues

 

1,949,469 

 

1,884,381 

 

1,806,571 

   


 


 


Expenses:

           

    Losses and loss adjustment expenses (Notes F and M)

 

1,068,414 

 

1,050,186 

 

1,044,840 

    Policy acquisition costs (Note D)

 

516,307 

 

463,297 

 

439,232 

    Interest expense and amortization of bond fees (Note G)

 

18,328 

 

18,293 

 

18,313 

   


 


 


        Total expenses

 

1,603,049 

 

1,531,776 

 

1,502,385 

   


 


 


Earnings before income taxes and minority interest

 

346,420 

 

352,605 

 

304,186 

    Income taxes (Note K)

 

103,994 

 

107,768 

 

89,003 

   


 


 


Earnings before minority interest

 

242,426 

 

244,837 

 

215,183 

    Minority interest in net earnings of subsidiary (Note A)

 

(891)

 

(925)

 

(752)

   


 


 


Net earnings

 

$   241,535 

 

$   243,912 

 

$  214,431 

   


 


 


             

Net earnings per common share (Note I):

           

    Basic

 

$         3.57 

 

$         3.63 

 

$         3.27 

   


 


 


    Diluted

 

$         3.55 

 

$         3.60 

 

$         3.25 

   


 


 


             

Cash dividends paid per share

 

$       0.975 

 

$       0.735 

 

$       0.655 

   


 


 


Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:

           

    Basic

 

67,630,367 

 

67,171,716 

 

65,604,046 

   


 


 


    Diluted

 

68,012,769 

 

67,695,330 

 

65,905,428 

   


 


 


             

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

<PAGE>  66

THE COMMERCE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity
For the years ended December 31,

 
 

Common Stock

                     
 


                     




(Thousands of Dollars
Except Per Share Data)




Shares
Outstanding(3)

 



Par
Value
Amount

 




Paid-in
Capital

 

Net
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)

 




Retained
Earnings

   




Treasury
Stock

 





Total


Balance - January 1, 2004

64,121,400 

 

$19,315

 

$  52,090 

 

$ 29,083 

   

$   997,610 

   

$(185,887)

 

$   912,211 

Comprehensive income (loss)

           

(12,680)

(2)

 

214,431 

(1)

     

201,751 

Cash dividends declared on
  common stock
  ($0.655 per share)

                 



(43,032)

       



(43,032)

Options exercised
  (6,494,826 options)


4,198,102 

 


1,049

 


82,853 

                 


83,902 

Treasury stock purchased

(1,674,004)

                     

(38,676)

 

(38,676)


Balance - December 31, 2004

66,645,498 

 

20,364

 

134,943 

 

16,403 

   

1,169,009 

   

(224,563)

 

1,116,156 

Comprehensive income (loss)

           

(23,213)

(2)

 

243,912 

(1)

     

220,699 

Cash dividends declared on
  common stock
  ($0.735 per share)

                 



(49,414)

       



(49,414)

Options exercised
  (694,352 options)


374,116 

 


94

 


7,884 

                 


7,978 

Treasury stock reissued

286,790 

     

5,303 

             

4,347 

 

9,650 


Balance - December 31, 2005

67,306,404 

 

20,458

 

148,130 

 

(6,810)

   

1,363,507 

   

(220,216)

 

1,305,069 

Comprehensive income

           

41,083 

(2)

 

241,535 

(1)

     

282,618 

Cash dividends declared on
  common stock
  ($0.975 per share)

                 



(65,986)

       



(65,986)

Stock split (2-for-1)

   

20,458

 

(20,458)

                 

-

Options exercised
  (317,492 options)


96,370 

 


48

 


2,800 

                 


2,848 

Treasury stock purchased

(1,058,289)

                     

(31,646)

 

(31,646)

Treasury stock reissued

382,994 

     

4,561 

             

5,807 

 

10,368 


Balance - December 31, 2006

66,727,479 

 

$40,964

 

$135,033 

 

$ 34,273 

   

$1,539,056 

   

$(246,055)

 

$1,503,271 


                               

(1)

Net earnings for the year.

(2)

Net other comprehensive income (loss) for the year. See Note I of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

(3)

Retroactively adjusted for the June 2006 2-for-1 stock split.

   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

<PAGE>  67

THE COMMERCE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
For the years ended December 31,

 

(Thousands of Dollars)

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

   


 


 


Operating activities:

           

    Premiums collected

 

$1,801,749 

 

$1,709,573 

 

$1,678,313 

    Net investment income received

 

141,994 

 

121,279 

 

110,643 

    Premium finance and service fees received

 

28,563 

 

28,339 

 

28,399 

    Losses and loss adjustment expenses paid

 

(1,030,160)

 

(1,031,567)

 

(996,493)

    Policy acquisition costs paid

 

(474,457)

 

(381,923)

 

(375,757)

    Federal income taxes

 

(105,988)

 

(116,354)

 

(102,756)

    Interest paid

 

(17,850)

 

(17,850)

 

(17,850)

   


 


 


        Cash from operating activities

 

343,851 

 

311,497 

 

324,499 

   


 


 


Investing activities:

           

    Investment sales, repayments and maturities

 

2,228,632 

 

2,036,214 

 

2,120,964 

    Investment purchases

 

(2,402,930)

 

(2,412,949)

 

(2,418,402)

    Net activity of short-term investments

 

(13,414)

 

 

    Mortgage loans and collateral notes receipts

 

3,768 

 

3,984 

 

4,087 

    Mortgage loans and collateral notes originated

 

(5,442)

 

(6,978)

 

(2,319)

    Property and equipment purchases

 

(15,092)

 

(15,064)

 

(6,540)

    Other investing activities

 

1,992 

 

4,300 

 

4,161 

   


 


 


        Cash for investing activities

 

(202,486)

 

(390,493)

 

(298,049)

   


 


 


Financing activities:

           

    Dividends paid to stockholders

 

(65,986)

 

(49,414)

 

(43,032)

    Common stock purchases

 

(31,646)

 

 

    Common stock issued

 

130 

 

2,437 

 

22,606 

    Bond issue costs

 

 

 

(454)

    Outstanding checks payable

 

(438)

 

2,927 

 

(123)

   


 


 


        Cash for financing activities

 

(97,940)

 

(44,050)

 

(21,003)

   


 


 


Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

43,425 

 

(123,046)

 

5,447 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

 

97,942 

 

220,988 

 

215,541 

   


 


 


Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

 

$   141,367 

 

$   97,942 

 

$   220,988 

   


 


 


             

Reconciliation of net earnings to cash from operating activities:

           

    Net earnings

 

$   241,535 

 

$   243,912 

 

$   214,431 

    Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to cash from
      operating activities:

           

        Premiums receivable

 

(5,493)

 

(15,404)

 

(47,746)

        Deferred policy acquisition costs

 

(3,437)

 

(10,770)

 

(10,040)

        Residual market receivable

 

34,082 

 

2,309 

 

(874)

        Due from reinsurers

 

89,244 

 

(9,595)

 

(15,542)

        Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses

 

(17,247)

 

(1,064)

 

32,907 

        Unearned premiums

 

2,225 

 

30,594 

 

92,104 

        Current income taxes

 

(17,397)

 

4,486 

 

(9,976)

        Deferred income taxes

 

15,334 

 

(13,013)

 

(3,295)

        Deferred income

 

2,156 

 

(1,149)

 

1,960 

        Accrued agents' profit sharing

 

44,680 

 

78,328 

 

71,545 

        Net realized investment gains

 

(16,643)

 

(22,907)

 

(23,628)

        Other assets and other liabilities

 

(44,169)

 

15,191 

 

22,620 

        Other - net

 

18,981 

 

10,579 

 

33 

   


 


 


            Cash from operating activities

 

$   343,851 

 

$   311,497 

 

$   324,499 

   


 


 


             

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

<PAGE>  68

THE COMMERCE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Thousands of Dollars, Except for Per Share Data)

 

Note A - Organization and Basis of Presentation

 

      We provide personal and commercial property and casualty insurance in Massachusetts and, to a lesser extent, in other states. In addition, we originate and service residential and commercial mortgages in Massachusetts and Connecticut. Our primary business is property and casualty insurance in Massachusetts.

 

      Our consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). Our consolidated financial statements include the accounts of The Commerce Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries, Bay Finance Company, Inc., Clark-Prout Insurance Agency, Inc. and Commerce Holdings, Inc. (CHI). The Commerce Insurance Company (Commerce), Commerce West Insurance Company (Commerce West) and Citation Insurance Company (Citation) are wholly-owned subsidiaries of CHI. American Commerce Insurance Company (American Commerce) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of ACIC Holding Co., Inc. (AHC). AHC is owned jointly with AAA Southern New England (AAA SNE) with CHI maintaining a 95% common stock interest and AAA SNE maintaining a 5% common stock interest. All inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain prior year account balances have been reclassified to conform to the 2006 presentations.

 

      The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

      On May 19, 2006, the Board of Directors approved a two-for-one stock split of our $0.50 par value common stock, effective June 9, 2006. As a result of the split, 40,915,773 additional shares were issued, and paid-in capital was reduced by $20,458. All references in the accompanying financial statements and notes to the number of shares and per-share amounts for prior years have been restated to reflect the stock split.

 

Note B - Pro Forma Net Earnings

 

      Pro forma net earnings and earnings per share as if we had applied the fair value method of accounting for our stock-based compensation plans accounted for under the intrinsic value method for the years ended December 31 follow:

 
   

2006

 

2005

 

2004

   


 


 


             

Net earnings, as reported

 

$241,535

 

$243,912

 

$214,431

Deduct: Stock-based employee compensation expense determined
  under fair value method for awards granted in 2001, net of taxes

 


-

 


-

 


452

   


 


 


Pro forma net earnings under fair value accounting

 

$241,535

 

$243,912

 

$213,979

   


 


 


Basic earnings per share:

           

    As reported

 

$      3.57

 

$      3.63

 

$      3.27

   


 


 


    Pro forma

 

$      3.57

 

$      3.63

 

$      3.26

   


 


 


Diluted earnings per share:

           

    As reported

 

$      3.55

 

$      3.60

 

$      3.25

   


 


 


    Pro forma

 

$      3.55

 

$      3.60

 

$      3.25

   


 


 


             

All stock option based awards accounted for under the intrinsic value method were earned as of the first quarter of 2004; therefore, no additional expense was required after that date.

 

Note C - Investments

 

      All investment transactions have credit exposure to the extent that a counter party may default on an obligation. Credit risk is a consequence of carrying investment positions. We manage credit risk by focusing on higher quality fixed-income securities and preferred stocks, reviewing the credit strength of all companies in which we invest, limiting our exposure in any one investment category and monitoring the portfolio quality, taking into account credit ratings assigned by recognized statistical rating organizations.

<PAGE>  69

      Carrying values of investments in fixed maturities, which include taxable and non-taxable bonds and investments in common and preferred stocks, are derived from market prices supplied by our investment custodian, or in the few cases where no price is provided by the custodian, we obtain a third party valuation.

 

      We account for venture capital fund investments, which are included in other investments on the consolidated balance sheet, on the equity method. The operating results of these venture capital fund investments have been reflected in realized gains and losses.

 

      All of our investments in fixed maturity and equity securities at December 31, 2006 and 2005 were classified as available-for-sale. Realized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities were determined by using the specific identification method. We have not invested more than 5% of fixed maturities in any one state or political subdivision.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

      Cash equivalents include short-term, liquid investments that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash and so near their maturity that they present insignificant risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates.

 

      The cash and cash equivalent balances at December 31, 2006 and 2005 are grossed up by $41,845 and $42,283, respectively, which represents outstanding checks for which there was no right of offset. These amounts are included in other liabilities and accrued expenses for the respective years.

 

Short-term Investments

 

      Short-term investments represent investments with a maturity at purchase date of less than one year but more than 90 days. Short-term investments are carried at amortized cost which approximates market value.

 

Fixed Maturity Securities

 

      Fair market value and amortized cost of our fixed maturity securities at December 31 follow:

 
   

2006

 

2005

   


 


   

Fair Market
Value

 

Amortized
Cost

 

Fair Market
Value

 

Amortized
Cost

   


 


 


 


                 

U.S. government and agency

 

$   235,599

 

$   236,093

 

$   273,820

 

$   276,386

State and political subdivision

 

852,941

 

825,740

 

732,617

 

725,556

Corporate

 

415,799

 

413,296

 

550,654

 

558,191

Mortgage-backed

 

488,767

 

485,951

 

472,082

 

476,994

   


 


 


 


    Total fixed maturity securities

 

$1,993,106

 

$1,961,080

 

$2,029,173

 

$2,037,127

   


 


 


 


                 

      The fair market value and amortized cost of fixed maturities, by contractual maturity, at December 31 follow:

 
   

2006

 

2005

   


 


   

Fair Market
Value

 

Amortized
Cost

 

Fair Market
Value

 

Amortized
Cost

   


 


 


 


                 

Due in one year or less

 

$     35,993

 

$     36,095

 

$     19,521

 

$     19,719

Due after one year through five years

 

219,485

 

219,635

 

394,358

 

400,456

Due after five years through ten years

 

299,280

 

299,981

 

275,194

 

278,937

Due after ten years

 

949,581

 

919,418

 

868,018

 

861,021

   


 


 


 


   

1,504,339

 

1,475,129

 

1,557,091

 

1,560,133

Mortgage-backed

 

488,767

 

485,951

 

472,082

 

476,994

   


 


 


 


        Total fixed maturities

 

$1,993,106

 

$1,961,080

 

$2,029,173

 

$2,037,127

   


 


 


 


                 

      Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations. The carrying value of fixed maturities on deposit for state regulating authorities at December 31, 2006 was $7,992.

<PAGE>  70

      In February 2006, the FASB issued Statement No. 155, Accounting for Certain Hybrid Financial Instruments - an amendment of FASB Statements No. 133 and 140. The Statement permits fair value remeasurement for any hybrid financial instrument that contains an embedded derivative that otherwise would require bifurcation. The new Statement also requires companies to identify interests in securitized financial assets that are freestanding derivatives or contain embedded derivatives that would have to be accounted for separately and that interest-only and principal-only strips are not subject to Statement No. 133. This new Statement is effective for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2006 with early adoption permitted. Although we do not currently have any financial instruments subject to this new Statement, we elected to adopt this Statement effective January 1, 2006 and it had no impact on our financial statements.

 

Closed-end Preferred Stock Mutual Funds

 

      We record our equity in the change in net assets of closed-end preferred stock mutual funds for which our ownership is greater than 20% as a component of realized gains and losses. These investments are valued at original cost plus the cumulative undistributed equity in earnings and losses of the fund.

 

      Our closed-end preferred stock mutual fund holdings at December 31, 2006 and 2005 accounted for under the equity method follow:

 
   


Fund Shares
Held

 


% of
Ownership

 

Carrying
Value at
Equity

 



Cost

 


Quoted Market
Value

   


 


 


 


 


                     

December 31, 2006

                   

PDT(1)

 

6,803,200

 

45.2%

 

$  88,986

 

$  74,588

 

$  78,033

PGD(1)

 

2,118,000

 

25.4%

 

    31,219

 

    26,556

 

    27,830

PPF(1)

 

1,499,900

 

20.7%

 

    21,449

 

    19,846

 

    19,754

           


 


 


           

$141,654

 

$120,990

 

$125,617

           


 


 


December 31, 2005

                   

PDT(1)

 

6,075,000

 

40.4%

 

$  72,232

 

$  66,553

 

$  61,661

PGD(1)

 

1,768,200

 

21.2%

 

    24,100

 

    22,306

 

    21,219

           


 


 


           

$  96,332

 

$  88,859

 

$  82,880

           


 


 


                     

(1)

John Hancock Patriot Premium Dividend II Fund (PDT), John Hancock Patriot Global Dividend Fund (PGD) and John Hancock Patriot Preferred Dividend Fund (PPF). The quoted market values of these investments are less than carrying value at year end 2006 and 2005. The carrying value is the net asset value of the underlying securities, which would be the value we would receive if the fund liquidates. We intend to hold these investments to recovery.

   

Mortgage Loans on Real Estate and Collateral Notes Receivable

 

      We originate and hold real estate mortgage loans on properties located in Massachusetts and Connecticut. Mortgage loans are collateralized by the related real estate. Agency loans are generally collateralized by the assets of the agency. We control credit risk through credit approvals, credit limits and monitoring procedures. We perform in-depth credit evaluations on all new mortgage customers. We have not incurred any bad debt expense on mortgage loans during the three years ended 2006.

 

      Our exposure is generally 80% or less of the appraised value of any collateralized real property at the time of the loan origination. The ability and willingness of residential and commercial borrowers to honor their repayment commitments is generally dependent upon the level of overall economic activity and real estate values. During the three years ended 2006, we did not acquire any property through foreclosure of mortgages.

 

      Mortgage loans on real estate and collateral notes receivable are stated at the amount of unpaid principal, less an allowance for possible loan losses. The adequacy of the allowance for possible loan losses is evaluated on a regular basis. Loan losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the collectibility of the principal is unlikely and recoveries are credited to the allowance when received.

 

      Interest on mortgage loans is included in income as earned based upon rates applied to principal amounts outstanding. Accrual of interest on mortgage loans is discontinued either when reasonable doubt exists as to the full, timely collection of interest or principal, or when a loan becomes contractually past due more than 90 days. When a loan is placed on non-accrual status, all unpaid interest previously accrued is reversed against current period earnings. Interest on loans in a non-accrual status is recognized as received.

<PAGE>  71

      Mortgage loans on real estate and collateral notes receivable at December 31 follows:

 
   

2006

 

2005

   


 


         

    Residential (1st Mortgages)

 

$13,769 

 

$10,995 

    Residential (2nd Mortgages)

 

100 

 

106 

    Commercial (1st Mortgages)

 

4,851 

 

4,888 

   


 


   

18,720 

 

15,989 

    Collateral notes receivable

 

755 

 

1,812 

   


 


   

19,475 

 

17,801 

    Allowance for possible loan losses

 

(58)

 

(55)

   


 


    Mortgage loans on real estate and collateral notes receivable

 

$19,417 

 

$17,746 

   


 


         

      Fair value of our mortgage loans on real estate and collateral notes receivable is estimated by discounting the future cash flows using the current rates at which similar loans would be made to borrowers with similar credit and for the same remaining maturities. The future cash flows associated with certain non-performing loans are estimated based on expected payments from borrowers either through work out arrangements or the disposition of collateral. The estimated fair value of mortgage loans on real estate and collateral notes receivable at December 31, 2006 and 2005, prior to the allowance for possible loan losses, was $20,176 and $19,029, respectively.

 

      At December 31, 2006 and 2005, mortgage loans on non-accrual status totaled $69 and $149, respectively. Allowances of $10 and $13 were established in 2006 and 2005, respectively, for these non-accrual status loans. The reduction in interest income associated with non-accrual loans was $8, $8 and $15 for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively.

 

      Changes in the allowance for possible loan losses for the years ended December 31 follows:

 
   

2006

 

2005

 

2004

   


 


 


             

Balance, beginning of year

 

$55

 

$ 372 

 

$379 

    Provision for possible loan losses

 

3

 

(317)

 

(7)

   


 


 


Balance, end of year

 

$58

 

$   55 

 

$372 

   


 


 


             

      Mortgage principal and collateral notes receivable balances at December 31 follow:

 
   

2006

 

2005

   


 


         

Fixed rate mortgages and collateral notes maturing:

       

    One year or less

 

$       25

 

$       18

    More than one year to five years

 

342

 

810

    More than five years to ten years

 

554

 

679

    Over ten years

 

12,250

 

9,750

   


 


        Total fixed mortgages

 

13,171

 

11,257

   


 


Adjustable rate mortgages and collateral notes maturing:

       

    One year or less

 

-

 

2

    More than one year to five years

 

694

 

723

    More than five years to ten years

 

255

 

435

    Over ten years

 

5,355

 

5,384

   


 


        Total adjustable mortgages

 

6,304

 

6,544

   


 


            Total mortgages and collateral notes receivable

 

$19,475

 

$17,801

   


 


<PAGE>  72

Net Investment Income

 

      The components of net investment income for the years ended December 31 follow:

 
   

2006

 

2005

 

2004

   


 


 


             

Interest on fixed maturities

 

$102,465

 

$ 87,409

 

$ 82,052

Dividends on common and preferred stocks

 

30,247

 

26,387

 

25,278

Dividends on preferred stock mutual funds

 

8,189

 

8,187

 

8,342

Interest on short-term investments, cash and cash equivalents

 

4,261

 

2,511

 

1,510

Interest on mortgage loans

 

1,286

 

1,306

 

1,386

Other

 

128

 

512

 

126

   


 


 


        Total investment income

 

146,576

 

126,312

 

118,694

Investment expenses

 

3,013

 

3,101

 

2,983

   


 


 


        Net investment income

 

$143,563

 

$123,211

 

$115,711

   


 


 


             

      There were no fixed maturity investments outstanding at December 31, 2006 which did not produce income during 2006.

 

Net Realized Investment Gains

 

      Net realized investment gains for the years ended December 31 follow:

 
   

2006

 

2005

 

2004

   


 


 


             

Transaction gains (losses):

           

Fixed maturity securities gains

 

$ 18,667 

 

$ 31,652 

 

$ 40,308 

Fixed maturity securities losses

 

(19,610)

 

(10,517)

 

(27,575)

Equity securities gains

 

6,180 

 

9,320 

 

23,134 

Equity securities losses

 

(7,036)

 

(4,856)

 

(4,049)

Venture capital fund gains

 

10,176 

 

1,013 

 

3,668 

Venture capital fund losses

 

(761)

 

(176)

 

Other investments gains

 

61 

 

740 

 

Other investments losses

 

(19)

 

(113)

 

(213)

   


 


 


    Net transaction gains

 

7,658 

 

27,063 

 

35,281 

   


 


 


Impairment losses:

           

Fixed maturity securities

 

(2,368)

 

(305)

 

(14,189)

Equity securities

 

(1,839)

 

(4,547)

 

(760)

   


 


 


    Total impairment losses

 

(4,207)

 

(4,852)

 

(14,949)

   


 


 


Equity in earnings of closed-end preferred stock mutual funds

 

13,192 

 

696 

 

3,296 

   


 


 


    Net realized investment gains included in net earnings

 

$ 16,643 

 

$ 22,907 

 

$ 23,628 

   


 


 


             

      Proceeds from investment sales, calls, maturities and paydowns for the years ended December 31 follow:

 
   

2006

 

2005

 

2004

   


 


 


             

Sales:

           

Closed-end preferred stock mutual funds

 

$               -

 

$          244

 

$               -

Equity securities

 

591,466

 

457,496

 

267,624

Fixed maturity securities

 

1,383,190

 

1,239,329

 

1,231,136

   


 


 


    Total sales

 

1,974,656

 

1,697,069

 

1,498,760

   


 


 


Calls, maturities and paydowns:

           

Fixed maturity securities

 

210,575

 

282,581

 

581,246

Equity securities

 

32,178

 

46,533

 

38,895

   


 


 


    Total calls, maturities and paydowns

 

242,753

 

329,114

 

620,141

   


 


 


Other:

           

Venture capital fund investments

 

11,223

 

10,031

 

2,063

Mortgage loans and collateral notes

 

3,768

 

3,984

 

4,087

   


 


 


    Total other

 

14,991

 

14,015

 

6,150

   


 


 


    Proceeds from sales, calls, maturities and paydowns

 

$2,232,400

 

$2,040,198

 

$2,125,051

   


 


 


<PAGE>  73

Unrealized Investment Gains (Losses)

 

      Gross and net unrealized investment gains and losses, excluding minority interest, from fixed maturity and equity securities at December 31 follow:

 
   

2006

 

2005

   


 


   

Gains

 

Losses

 

Gains

 

Losses

   


 


 


 


                 

Fixed maturity securities:

               

U.S. government and agency

 

$     612

 

$(1,106)

 

$      155 

 

$  (2,721)

State and political subdivision

 

29,674

 

(2,473)

 

12,618 

 

(5,557)

Corporate

 

5,559

 

(3,056)

 

1,634 

 

(9,171)

Mortgage-backed

 

4,881

 

(2,065)

 

1,079 

 

(5,991)

   


 


 


 


    Fixed maturity securities unrealized gains (losses)

 

$40,726

 

$(8,700)

 

$ 15,486 

 

$(23,440)

   


 


 


 


Equity securities unrealized gains (losses)

 

$22,109

 

$(1,277)

 

$   5,029 

 

$  (7,575)

   


 


 


 


    Net unrealized gains (losses)

 

$52,858

         

$(10,500)

   


         


                 

      Net unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale investments, net of tax, is included in net accumulated other comprehensive income, a component of stockholders' equity.

 

      We review all security holdings on a quarterly basis for potential other-than-temporary declines in market value in accordance with GAAP. In general, unrealized losses resulting from an increase in interest rates will not necessarily lead to an other-than-temporary impairment write-down. As part of this process, we consider any significant market declines in the context of the overall market and also in relation to the outlook for the specific issuer of the security and the issuer's industry. Each quarter, we review all securities whose market values have declined below book price. From a quantitative standpoint, we view all securities that have declined more than 20% below book price and have remained so for two quarters as potentially in need of a write-down. Any other security that we view as impaired for a significant period of time is also a candidate for a write-down, even if the percentage decline is less than 20%. In addition, we perform the following quarterly review of our portfolio:

 
 

*

We review all holdings with an unrealized loss of over $250, or a fair market value that is more than 20% below cost.

     
 

*

We review all holdings with unrealized losses over $100, or a fair market value that is more than 10% below cost, for securities at a continuous loss position period of 12 to 36 months.

     
 

*

We review all securities that have been at a continuous loss position for 36 months or more.

     
 

*

We review both issue specific data and general market data for all perpetual preferred stocks that have been at a continuous loss position for over 12 months.

     
 

*

Generally, we consider all AAA/AA rated U.S. Government securities with market values less than cost as temporarily impaired due to our intent and ability to hold these securities to recovery.

     
 

*

We consider market activity between our quarter-end date and earnings release date in our evaluation.

     
 

*

We will consider other-than-temporary the impairment of any security which we do not intend to hold until maturity or full recovery.

     

      If a security is deemed other-than-temporarily impaired, we adjust the security's cost basis to market value through realized loss based on publicly available prices or, in the absence of such information, on a price supplied by a broker.

<PAGE>  74

      Gross unrealized losses on our fixed maturity and equity securities at December 31, 2006 by duration of unrealized loss and by credit quality (for fixed maturity securities) follow:

 
   


Total

 

0 - 6
Months

 

7 - 12
Months

 

13 - 24
Months

 

Over 24
Months

   


 


 


 


 


                     

Total equity and fixed maturity securities:

                   

    Number of positions

 

227 

 

111 

 

20 

 

72 

 

24 

   


 


 


 


 


    Total fair market value

 

$982,017 

 

$579,355 

 

$96,000 

 

$246,591 

 

$60,071 

    Total amortized cost

 

991,994 

 

583,364 

 

97,156 

 

250,050 

 

61,424 

   


 


 


 


 


Unrealized loss

 

$   (9,977)

 

$   (4,009)

 

$ (1,156)

 

$   (3,459)

 

$(1,353)

   


 


 


 


 


Unrealized loss percentage to
  fair market value

 


1.0%

 


0.7%

 


1.2%

 


1.4%

 


2.3%

   


 


 


 


 


                     

Equity securities:

                   

    Number of positions

 

35 

 

28 

 

 

 

   


 


 


 


 


    Total fair market value

 

$165,340 

 

$143,116 

 

$  5,607 

 

$  16,617 

 

    Total amortized cost

 

166,617 

 

144,324 

 

5,645 

 

16,648 

 

   


 


 


 


 


Unrealized loss

 

$   (1,277)

 

$   (1,208)

 

$      (38)

 

$        (31)

 

   


 


 


 


 


Unrealized loss percentage to
  fair market value

 


0.8%

 


0.8%

 


0.7%

 


0.2%

 


   


 


 


 


 


                     

Total fixed maturity securities:

                   

    Number of positions

 

192 

 

83 

 

17 

 

68 

 

24 

   


 


 


 


 


    Total fair market value

 

$816,677 

 

$436,239 

 

$90,393 

 

$229,974 

 

$60,071 

    Total amortized cost

 

825,377 

 

439,040 

 

91,511 

 

233,402 

 

61,424 

   


 


 


 


 


Unrealized loss

 

$   (8,700)

 

$   (2,801)

 

$ (1,118)

 

$ (3,428)

 

$(1,353)

   


 


 


 


 


Unrealized loss percentage to
  fair market value

 


1.1%

 


0.6%

 


1.2%

 


1.5%

 


2.3%

   


 


 


 


 


                     

Investment grade fixed maturity securities:

                   

    Number of positions

 

187 

 

78 

 

17 

 

68 

 

24 

   


 


 


 


 


    Total fair market value

 

$778,469 

 

$398,031 

 

$90,393 

 

$229,974 

 

$60,071 

    Total amortized cost

 

787,019 

 

400,682 

 

91,511 

 

233,402 

 

61,424 

   


 


 


 


 


Unrealized loss

 

$   (8,550)

 

$   (2,651)

 

$ (1,118)

 

$   (3,428)

 

$ (1,353)

   


 


 


 


 


Unrealized loss percentage to
  fair market value

 


1.1%

 


0.7%

 


1.2%

 


1.5%

 


2.3%

   


 


 


 


 


                     

Below investment grade fixed maturity
  securities:

                   

    Number of positions

 

 

 

 

 

   


 


 


 


 


    Total fair market value

 

$  38,208 

 

$  38,208 

 

 

 

    Total amortized cost

 

38,358 

 

38,358 

 

 

 

   


 


 


 


 


Unrealized loss

 

$      (150)

 

$      (150)

 

 

 

   


 


 


 


 


Unrealized loss percentage to
  fair market value

 


0.4%

 


0.4%

 


 


 


   


 


 


 


 


                     

      Our unrealized losses from below investment grade fixed maturity securities at December 31, 2006 were from corporate securities with a credit quality of BB or were unrated.

 

      We reviewed our investment holdings at December 31, 2006 and 2005 for other-than-temporary declines in market value, in accordance with our previously summarized accounting policy. Based on this analysis, we determined that the impairments represented in the above gross unrealized loss table are temporary. These temporary impairments are primarily due to interest rates and general market conditions. We have the intent and ability to hold to full recovery or maturity these temporarily impaired securities.

 

      In November 2005, the FASB issued Staff Position (FSP) 115-1 and 124-1, The Meaning of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment and Its Application to Certain Investments. This FSP addresses the determination as to when an investment is

<PAGE>  75

impaired, whether that impairment is other-than-temporary, and the measurement of an impairment loss. The guidance in this FSP was applied to reporting periods beginning January 1, 2006. The application of the provisions of this FSP has not had a material impact on our financial statements.

 

      Gross unrealized losses on our equity and fixed maturity securities at December 31, 2005, by duration of unrealized loss and by credit quality (for fixed maturity securities), follow:

 
   


Total

 

0 - 6
Months

 

7 - 12
Months

 

13 - 24
Months

 

Over 24
Months

   


 


 


 


 


                     

Total equity and fixed maturity securities:

                   

    Number of positions

 

408 

 

198 

 

135 

 

70 

 

   


 


 


 


 


    Total fair market value

 

$1,605,321 

 

$846,546 

 

$522,189 

 

$230,542 

 

$6,044 

    Total amortized cost

 

1,636,336 

 

860,721 

 

532,839 

 

236,592 

 

6,184 

   


 


 


 


 


Unrealized loss

 

$    (31,015)

 

$ (14,175)

 

$ (10,650)

 

$   (6,050)

 

$  (140)

   


 


 


 


 


Unrealized loss percentage to
  fair market value

 


1.9%

 


1.7%

 


2.0%

 


2.6%

 


2.3%

   


 


 


 


 


                     

Equity securities:

                   

    Number of positions

 

59 

 

41 

 

14 

 

 

   


 


 


 


 


    Total fair market value

 

$   228,828 

 

$182,722 

 

$  41,689 

 

$    3,568 

 

$   849 

    Total amortized cost

 

236,403 

 

189,088 

 

42,823 

 

3,617 

 

875 

   


 


 


 


 


Unrealized loss

 

$      (7,575)

 

$   (6,366)

 

$   (1,134)

 

$        (49)

 

$    (26)

   


 


 


 


 


Unrealized loss percentage to
  fair market value

 


3.3%

 


3.5%

 


2.7%

 


1.4%

 


3.1%

   


 


 


 


 


                     

Fixed maturity securities:

                   

    Number of positions

 

349 

 

157 

 

121 

 

67 

 

   


 


 


 


 


    Total fair market value

 

$1,376,493 

 

$663,824 

 

$480,500 

 

$226,974 

 

$5,195 

    Total amortized cost

 

1,399,933 

 

671,633 

 

490,016 

 

232,975 

 

5,309 

   


 


 


 


 


Unrealized loss

 

$    (23,440)

 

$   (7,809)

 

$   (9,516)

 

$   (6,001)

 

$  (114)

   


 


 


 


 


Unrealized loss percentage to
  fair market value

 


1.7%

 


1.2%

 


2.0%

 


2.6%

 


2.2%

   


 


 


 


 


                     

Investment grade fixed maturity securities:

                   

    Number of positions

 

327 

 

142 

 

115 

 

66 

 

   


 


 


 


 


    Total fair market value

 

$1,290,285 

 

$599,150 

 

$461,041 

 

$224,899 

 

$5,195 

    Total amortized cost

 

1,311,280 

 

605,920 

 

469,268 

 

230,783 

 

5,309 

   


 


 


 


 


Unrealized loss

 

$    (20,995)

 

$   (6,770)

 

$   (8,227)

 

$   (5,884)

 

$  (114)

   


 


 


 


 


Unrealized loss percentage to
  fair market value

 


1.6%

 


1.1%

 


1.8%

 


2.6%

 


2.2%

   


 


 


 


 


                     

Below investment grade fixed maturity
  securities:

                   

    Number of positions

 

22 

 

15 

 

 

 

   


 


 


 


 


    Total fair market value

 

$     86,208 

 

$  64,674 

 

$  19,459 

 

$    2,075 

 

    Total amortized cost

 

88,653 

 

65,713 

 

20,748 

 

2,192 

 

   


 


 


 


 


Unrealized loss

 

$      (2,445)

 

$   (1,039)

 

$   (1,289)

 

$      (117)

 

   


 


 


 


 


Unrealized loss percentage to
  fair market value

 


2.8%

 


1.6%

 


6.6%

 


5.6%

 


   


 


 


 


 


                     

Note D - Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs

 

      Policy acquisition costs are calculated by line of business as a percentage of unearned premiums by multiplying the sum of current commission rates plus current premium tax rates plus an estimate of the percentage of other underwriting expenses incurred at policy issuance. These costs are deferred and amortized over the period in which the related premiums are earned, the amount being reduced by any potential premium deficiency. If any potential premium deficiency exists, it represents future estimated losses, loss adjustment expenses and amortization of deferred acquisition costs in excess of the

<PAGE>  76

related unearned premiums. There was no premium deficiency in 2006, 2005 and 2004. In determining whether a premium deficiency exists, we consider anticipated investment income on the unearned premium reserve.

 

      Policy acquisition costs incurred and amortized to income follow:

 
   

2006

 

2005

 

2004

   


 


 


             

Balance, January 1

 

$174,415 

 

$163,645 

 

$153,605 

Costs deferred during the year

 

519,744 

 

474,067 

 

449,272 

Amortization charged to expense

 

(516,307)

 

(463,297)

 

(439,232)

   


 


 


Balance, December 31

 

$177,852 

 

$174,415 

 

$163,645 

   


 


 


             

      In September 2005, the AICPA issued a new accounting pronouncement, Statement of Position (SOP) 05-01, Accounting by Insurance Enterprises for Deferred Acquisition Costs in Connection with Modifications or Exchanges of Insurance Contracts. This SOP provides guidance on accounting for deferred acquisition costs on internal replacements of insurance and investment contracts other than those specifically described in Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 97. Internal replacements are modifications in product benefits, features, rights, or coverages that occur by the exchange of a contract for a new contract, or by amendment, endorsement, or rider to a contract, or by the election of a feature or coverage within a contract. The provisions of this SOP are effective for internal replacements occurring in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. We will adopt this SOP during the first quarter of 2007. Financial statement application of this SOP is prospective and initial application would generally occur as of the beginning of the fiscal year. We believe the adoption of this SOP will not have a material impact on our future financial statements.

 

Note E - Property and Equipment

 

      Our property and equipment at December 31 follows:

 
   

2006

 

2005

 
   


 


 
           

Buildings

 

$ 57,709 

 

$ 56,133 

 

EDP equipment and copiers

 

35,997 

 

34,247 

 

Software

 

17,236 

 

9,085 

 

Equipment and office furniture

 

14,086 

 

13,481 

 

Automobiles

 

1,672 

 

1,781 

 

Building improvements and other

 

1,900 

 

1,080 

 
   


 


 
   

128,600 

 

115,807 

 

    Less accumulated depreciation/amortization

 

(65,869)

 

(59,473)

 
   


 


 
   

62,731 

 

56,334 

 

Land

 

5,652 

 

5,291 

 
   


 


 

    Property and equipment, net

 

$ 68,383 

 

$ 61,625 

 
   


 


 
 

      Property and equipment are stated at cost and are depreciated on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets using the following rates and lives:

 
   

Percent Per
Annum

 

Useful Life
(Years)

   


 


         

Buildings

 

  2.5

 

40

Building improvements (prior to 1992)

 

  2.5

 

40

Building improvements (1992 and subsequent)

 

  5.0

 

20

Equipment and office furniture

 

10.0

 

10

Copiers and miscellaneous office equipment

 

20.0

 

  5

Automobiles

 

20.0

 

  5

EDP equipment

 

33.3

 

  3

Software

 

10.0 - 33.3

 

3 - 10

         

      Maintenance and repairs are charged to operations; betterments are capitalized. The cost of property sold or otherwise disposed and the accumulated depreciation thereon is eliminated from the related property and accumulated depreciation accounts and any resulting gain or loss is credited or charged to income. We capitalize tangible property and equipment having an economic life of more than one year with a dollar value of $2.5 or greater.

<PAGE>  77

      The cost of computer software developed or obtained for internal use in excess of $150 is capitalized. Amounts below the $150 threshold are expensed in the period the costs are incurred. Capitalized costs are generally amortized on a straight-line basis primarily over a ten-year period, unless another rational basis is more representative of the software's use.

 

      Depreciation and amortization expense was $7,197, $6,091 and $5,975 for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively. Depreciation and amortization expense is allocated evenly between loss adjustment expenses and policy acquisition costs.

 

Note F - Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses (LAE)

 

      The liability for unpaid losses and LAE represents our best estimate of the ultimate net cost of all losses and LAE incurred through the balance sheet date. This estimate includes the adjusted case estimates for losses, incurred but not reported losses, salvage and subrogation recoverable and a reserve for LAE. In arriving at our best estimate, we begin with the aggregate of individual case reserves and then make adjustments to these amounts on a line of business basis. These adjustments to the aggregate case reserves by line of business are made based on our analysis as further described below. The entire liability for unpaid losses and LAE is also independently reviewed quarterly and annually for reasonableness by our Actuarial Department. Liability estimates are continually analyzed and updated, and therefore, the ultimate liability may be more or less than the current estimate. The effects of changes in the estimates are included in the results of operations in the period in which the estimates are revised.

 

      Significant time can elapse between the occurrence of an insured loss, the reporting of the loss to the insurer and the insurer's payment of that loss. We recognize liabilities for unpaid losses by establishing reserves as balance sheet liabilities representing estimates of amounts needed to pay reported and unreported losses and LAE. We review these reserves quarterly. Regulations of the Divisions of Insurance require us to obtain a certification annually from either a qualified actuary or an approved loss reserve specialist that our loss and LAE reserves are reasonable.

 

      When a claim is reported to us, we establish a "case reserve" for the estimated amount of our ultimate exposure. The amount of the reserve is primarily based upon an evaluation of the type of claim involved, the circumstances surrounding the claim and the policy provisions relating to the loss. This estimate reflects our informed judgment based on general insurance reserving practices and on our experience and knowledge. During the loss adjustment period, these estimates are revised as deemed necessary based on subsequent developments and periodic reviews of the cases.

 

      In accordance with industry practice, we also maintain reserves for estimated incurred but not reported (IBNR) and LAE net of salvage and subrogation recoverable. These reserves are determined based on historical information and experience. Adjustments to these reserves are made periodically to take into account changes in the volume of business written, claims frequency and severity, the mix of business, claims processing and other items that can be expected to affect our liability for losses and LAE.

 

      When reviewing the liability for unpaid losses and LAE, we analyze historical data and estimate the impact of various factors, including:

 
 

*

payment trends;

     
 

*

loss expense per exposure;

     
 

*

our historical loss experience and that of the industry;

     
 

*

frequency and severity trends;

     
 

*

legislative enactments, judicial decisions, legal developments in the imposition of damages; and

     
 

*

changes and trends in general economic conditions, including the effects of inflation and recession.

     

This process assumes that past experience, adjusted for the effects of current developments and anticipated trends, is an appropriate basis for predicting future events. There is no precise method, however, for subsequently evaluating the impact of any specific factor on the adequacy of reserves, because the eventual development of reserves is affected by many factors.

 

      By using both individual estimates of reported claims and generally accepted actuarial reserving techniques, we estimate the ultimate net liability for losses and LAE. After taking into account all relevant factors, we believe that, based on

<PAGE>  78

existing information, the provision for losses and LAE at December 31, 2006 is adequate to cover the ultimate net cost of losses and claims incurred as of that date. The ultimate liability, however, may be greater or lower than established reserves. If the ultimate exposure is greater than (or less than) our estimated liability for losses and LAE, we will incur additional expense (income) which may have a material impact on our consolidated results of operations and financial position. We do not discount to present value that portion of our loss reserves expected to be paid in future periods.

 

      Liabilities for unpaid claims and claim adjustment expenses for environmental related claims such as oil spills, mold and lead paint are included in the loss reserve methodologies described above. Reserves have been established to cover these claims for known losses. Because of our limited exposure to these types of claims, we believe they will not have a material impact on our consolidated results of operations and financial position in the future. Loss reserves on environmental related claims amounted to $8,611 and $7,772 at December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

 

      Liabilities for unpaid losses and LAE at December 31 follow:

 
   

2006

 

2005

   


 


         

Net voluntary unpaid loss and LAE reserves

 

$837,470 

 

$ 806,552 

Voluntary salvage and subrogation recoverable

 

(96,954)

 

(102,878)

Assumed unpaid loss and LAE reserves from Commonwealth
  Automobile Reinsurers (CAR)

 


130,803 

 


152,506 

Assumed salvage and subrogation recoverable from CAR

 

(20,544)

 

(21,481)

   


 


    Total voluntary and assumed unpaid loss and LAE reserves

 

850,775 

 

834,699 

Adjustment for ceded unpaid loss and LAE reserves

 

130,174 

 

163,497 

Adjustment for ceded salvage and subrogation recoverable

 

(9,000)

 

(9,000)

   


 


    Total unpaid loss and LAE reserves

 

$971,949 

 

$ 989,196 

   


 


         

      The change in reserves for unpaid losses and LAE, net of reinsurance deductions from all reinsurers, including CAR, for the years ended December 31 follow:

 
   

2006

 

2005

 

2004

   


 


 


             

Incurred losses and LAE:

           

    Provision for insured events of the current year

 

$1,112,140 

 

$1,111,583 

 

$1,101,871 

    Decrease in provision for insured events of prior years

 

(43,726)

 

(61,397)

 

(57,031)

   


 


 


        Total incurred losses and LAE

 

1,068,414 

 

1,050,186 

 

1,044,840 

   


 


 


Payments:

           

    Losses and LAE attributable to insured events of the current year

 

669,495 

 

672,894 

 

637,373 

    Losses and LAE attributable to insured events of prior years

 

382,843 

 

372,719 

 

369,684 

   


 


 


        Total payments

 

1,052,338 

 

1,045,613 

 

1,007,057 

   


 


 


Change in loss and LAE reserves during the year

 

16,076 

 

4,573 

 

37,783 

Loss and LAE reserves prior to the effect of ceded reinsurance
  recoverable, beginning of year

 


834,699 

 


830,126 

 


792,343 

   


 


 


Loss and LAE reserves prior to the effect of ceded reinsurance
  recoverable, end of year

 


850,775 

 


834,699 

 


830,126 

Ceded reinsurance recoverable

 

121,174 

 

154,497 

 

160,134 

   


 


 


Loss and LAE reserves, end of year

 

$   971,949 

 

$   989,196 

 

$   990,260 

   


 


 


             

      As a result of changes in estimates of insured events in prior years, the provision for loss and LAE decreased $43,726 for the year ended 2006, $61,397 for 2005 and $57,031 for 2004. The favorable development is due primarily to lower than anticipated losses related to the personal automobile liability. Conditions and trends that have affected development in the past may not necessarily occur in the future. Accordingly, it may not be appropriate to extrapolate future redundancies or deficiencies based upon these developments. The amounts we will ultimately incur from loss and loss adjustment expenses could differ materially in the near term from the amounts recorded.

 

      Approximately $43,522 in personal automobile liability redundancies developed for the year ended 2006, with 99% of this amount coming from the 2005, 2004 and 2003 accident years. The primary reason for the redundancies in this area is that claim severity developed better than we anticipated, coupled with significant redundancies from CAR which approximated 27% of the total automobile liability redundancy. Automobile physical damage had approximately $1,735 in redundancies all related to the 2005 accident year, which were offset by prior period deficiencies. Redundancies related to 2005 were approximately $4,713, of which CAR accounted for 43%. Partially offsetting these redundancies were a $1,895 deficiency in commercial automobile business, primarily related to CAR for the 2005 accident year, and a $236 deficiency in homeowners

<PAGE>  79

business. Various redundancies and deficiencies for the other lines of business and accident years combined for the remaining net redundancy of approximately $600.

 

      Approximately $54,370 in personal automobile liability redundancies developed for the year ended 2005, with 92% of this amount coming from the 2004, 2003 and 2002 accident years. The primary reason for the redundancies in this area is that claim severity developed better than we anticipated, coupled with significant redundancies from CAR. Automobile physical damage had approximately $7,447 in redundancies related to the 2004 accident year, approximately 62% of which was related to CAR. In 2005, we also experienced redundancies of $1,733 for the commercial multiple peril line of business, 62% of which related to the 2004 accident year. Partially offsetting these redundancies was a $3,467 deficiency in commercial automobile business, primarily related to CAR for the 2004 accident year. Various redundancies and deficiencies for the other lines of business and accident years combined for the remaining net redundancy of approximately $1,314.

 

      Approximately $51,027 in personal automobile liability redundancies developed for the year ended 2004, with 98% of this amount coming from the 2003, 2002 and 2001 accident years. The primary reason for the redundancies in this area is that claim severity developed better than we anticipated. The redundancy for personal automobile liability that related to CAR accounted for approximately 2.5% of the total. Automobile physical damage had approximately $2,334 in redundancies related to the 2003 accident year, approximately 98% of which was related to CAR. In 2004, we also experienced redundancies of $2,222 for the commercial multiple peril line of business, half of which related to the 1996 accident year. Various redundancies and deficiencies for the other lines of business and accident years combined for the remaining net redundancy of approximately $1,448.

 

      Our aggregate actuarial estimate for the loss and LAE reserves, on a consolidated basis and net of reinsurance recoverable, ranges from a low of $778,600 to a high of $893,600, as of December 31, 2006. Our financial statement loss and LAE reserves net of reinsurance, based on our best estimate, was established at $850,775 for that date. Financial management calculates our estimate independently from those amounts as calculated by our actuaries and, therefore, the final results are most often not the same. We estimate amounts primarily by reviewing historical loss and LAE data, focusing mainly on payment data. We also review and compare most recent loss frequency, severity and payment data to historical trends in an attempt to determine if patterns are remaining consistent or not. We attempt to establish our reserve estimate as close to the amount required for the ultimate future payments necessary to settle all losses. The accuracy of this estimate is reflected by the line noted in the above table entitled "decrease in provision for insured events of prior years."

 

      Our loss and LAE reserves include our share of the aggregate loss from CAR which reflect our loss reserves and loss reserves determined by the other writers of automobile insurance in Massachusetts that participate in CAR (Servicing Carriers).

 

Note G - Bonds Payable

 

      On December 9, 2003, we issued $300,000 face value of senior unsecured and unsubordinated debt (the Senior Notes) which matures December 9, 2013. The Senior Notes were issued at 99.3% to yield 6.04% and bear a coupon interest rate of 5.95%, payable semi-annually on June 9 and December 9. Proceeds from the issuance were $297,972. Costs related to the issuance of the Senior Notes have been deferred and recorded in other assets on the balance sheet. The deferred costs and the original issue discount will be amortized into interest expense over the life of the Senior Notes. The fair market value of the Senior Notes at December 31, 2006 was estimated at $295,000.

 

Note H - Commitments

 

      During the second quarter of 2006, we entered into an agreement to fund a commercial loan participation of $10,000. As of December 31, 2006, $2,285 of this commitment has been funded and is included in other investments on the consolidated balance sheet. The remaining commitment will be funded through ordinary operating cash flows over the next two years.

 

      In 2000, Commerce entered into a Limited Partnership Agreement with Conning Partners VI, L.P., a Delaware Limited Partnership. This partnership agreement required our commitment to invest up to $50,000 into the partnership. As of December 31, 2006, we have invested $38,691 into the partnership, leaving a commitment balance to the partnership of $11,309. The partnership was formed to operate as an investment fund principally for the purpose of making investments primarily in equity, equity-related and other securities issued in expansion financing, start-ups, buy-outs and recapitalization transactions, relating to companies in the areas of insurance, financial services, e-commerce, healthcare, and related businesses, including, without limitation, service and technology enterprises supporting such businesses.

<PAGE>  80

      Also in 2000, Commerce entered into a Limited Partnership Agreement with Distribution Partners Investment Capital, L.P. a Delaware Limited Partnership. This partnership agreement required our commitment to invest up to $3,500 into the partnership. As of December 31, 2006, we have invested $2,555 into the partnership leaving a balance of $945 for funds still committed. The partnership was formed to operate as an investment fund principally for the purpose of making investments in equity and equity-related securities of companies operating in the area of insurance distribution and distribution related activities.

 

Note I - Stockholders' Equity

 

Net Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

 

      Net accumulated other comprehensive income is a component of stockholders' equity and includes unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, on available for sale investment securities.

 

      The components of other comprehensive income, both gross and net of tax (benefit), for the years ended December 31 are as follows:

 

2006

 

Gross

 

Tax (Benefit)

 

Net

   


 


 


             

Unrealized holding gain during the year

 

$ 50,109 

 

$ 17,538 

 

$ 32,571 

Reclassification adjustment

 

13,078 

 

4,566 

 

8,512 

   


 


 


      Other comprehensive income

 

$ 63,187 

 

$ 22,104 

 

$ 41,083 

   


 


 


2005

           

Unrealized holding loss during the year

 

$(21,286)

 

$  (7,439)

 

$(13,847)

Reclassification adjustment

 

(14,409)

 

(5,043)

 

(9,366)

   


 


 


      Other comprehensive loss

 

$(35,695)

 

$(12,482)

 

$(23,213)

   


 


 


2004

           

Unrealized holding gain during the year

 

$   8,849 

 

$   3,095 

 

$   5,754 

Reclassification adjustment

 

(28,360)

 

(9,926)

 

(18,434)

   


 


 


      Other comprehensive loss

 

$(19,511)

 

$  (6,831)

 

$(12,680)

   


 


 


             

Book Value Awards, Incentive Awards and Stock Option Programs

 

      The Incentive Compensation Plan. During 2002, our stockholders approved the Incentive Compensation Plan (the Plan) which provides for the award of incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, book value awards (BVAs), stock appreciation rights, restricted stock and performance stock units. Up to 10,000,000 shares of common stock (subject to increase for anti-dilution adjustments) may be issued under the Plan, including awards of restricted stock or upon the exercise of common stock equivalent awards such as stock options and stock appreciation rights payable in the form of common stock (not in the form of cash). At the discretion of the Compensation Committee, all of our directors, officers and other senior management employees, including those of our subsidiaries, are eligible to participate in the Plan.

 

      In May 2005, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors authorized, under the 2002 Incentive Compensation Plan, the grant of Incentive Awards (IAs) to officers and directors in lieu of BVAs which were granted in the past. IAs entitle officers and directors to cash payments at a specified settlement date, subject to certain specified conditions. The 2005 Incentive Award Agreement is substantially the same as the previously granted Book Value Award Agreement. The cash payment is based on cumulative net earnings per basic share of common stock over a three-year period, except for certain early retirement and change in control circumstances. During 2006, the Compensation Committee awarded similar IAs.

 

      IAs issued relating to the Plan totaled 1,206,297 in 2006 and 1,208,631 in 2005. BVAs issued related to the Plan totaled 1,489,111 in 2004. Expenses relating to BVAs and IAs were $26,081, $29,043 and $18,904 in 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively. The outstanding BVAs entitle the holders to cash payments based upon the extent to which, if at all, the per share book value exceeds certain thresholds set at the time the award was granted.

 

      Employee stock options (options) granted from 1999 through 2001 relating to a previously approved plan totaled 2,529,042, including the issuance of options previously terminated. No employee stock options were granted after 2001 under the Plan. The outstanding options entitle the recipient to purchase our common stock based upon the extent to which, if at all, the per share market value of the common stock exceeds certain thresholds set at the time the option was granted. Unexercised options terminate not later than eight years after the date of grant. The average contractual life of the remaining 16,084 options outstanding at December 31, 2006 was 2.3 years.

<PAGE>  81

      The market price for our common stock and our financial results directly affect our expense related to stock options, BVAs and IAs, respectively. Our stock option expense represents options granted to both employees and American Commerce agents. An increase in the market value of our stock will increase the expense we recognize for options subject to variable accounting. Similarly, an increase in our net income will increase the value of, and therefore the expense we recognize for, outstanding BVAs and IAs.

 

      We record our expenses related to employee stock options, BVAs and IAs in three separate line items on our statement of earnings - losses and loss adjustment expenses, policy acquisition costs and net investment income. Agent options are recorded in two separate lines, losses and LAE and policy acquisition costs. The stock option, BVA and IA expenses recorded in each line item for the years ended December 31 follow:

 
   

2006

 

2005

 

2004

   


 


 


         

BVAs, IAs and other plans:

           

Losses and loss adjustment expenses

 

$15,350

 

$15,655

 

$10,086

Policy acquisition costs

 

12,893

 

13,935

 

8,652

Net investment income

 

126

 

187

 

166

   


 


 


    Total

 

28,369

 

29,777

 

18,904

   


 


 


Employee options:

           

Losses and loss adjustment expenses

 

-

 

8

 

1,888

Policy acquisition costs

 

-

 

7

 

1,627

Net investment income

 

-

 

-

 

19

   


 


 


    Total

 

-

 

15

 

3,534

   


 


 


Agents' options:

           

Losses and loss adjustment expenses

 

3,612

 

767

 

8,410

Policy acquisition costs

 

2,956

 

628

 

6,881

   


 


 


    Total

 

6,568

 

1,395

 

15,291

   


 


 


    Total expense

 

$34,937

 

$31,187

 

$37,729

   


 


 


             

      Liabilities for the BVAs, IAs and employee stock option programs were $50,552 and $48,193 at December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Plan activity related to employee options, retroactively adjusted for the June 2006 two-for-one stock split, for the three years ended 2006 follows:

 
   


Shares

 

Weighted Average
Exercise Price

   


 


         

    Options outstanding at January 1, 2004

 

3,625,344 

 

$15.63

        Exercised

 

(3,494,326)

 

15.64

   


   

    Options outstanding at December 31, 2004

 

131,018 

 

  15.49

        Exercised

 

(108,442)

 

  15.51

   


   

    Options outstanding at December 31, 2005

 

22,576 

 

  15.40

        Exercised

 

(6,492)

 

  15.40

   


   

    Options outstanding at December 31, 2006

 

16,084 

 

  15.40

   


   
         

    Options exercisable at December 31, 2004

 

131,018 

 

$15.49

   


   

    Options exercisable at December 31, 2005

 

22,576 

 

  15.40

   


   

    Options exercisable at December 31, 2006

 

16,084 

 

  15.40

   


   
         

      At December 31, 2006, 5,115,328 shares of common stock may be awarded in the future under the Plan. Our Compensation Committee has not granted stock options to employees under the plan since 2001.

 

      The American Commerce Agents' Plan. Additionally, we grant options to certain agents (ACIC agents' options) of American Commerce (the ACIC Plan). The right of the recipient to exercise these ACIC agents' options is contingent upon the average volume of other-than-Massachusetts private passenger automobile and homeowners direct written premiums placed and maintained with American Commerce for a five year period specified in the ACIC agents' option agreement. If

<PAGE>  82

qualified, the recipient may purchase our common stock at the exercise price for a period of five years beginning five years after the date of the grant (the confirmation date). Unexercised ACIC agents' options terminate not later than ten years after the date of the grant (the expiration date). In conjunction with meeting specified premium growth levels over the term of the ACIC agents' options, we provided "put rights" to the holders of the ACIC agents' options granted in 1999. These put rights permit the agents' option holders to require us to purchase the ACIC agents' options at the difference between $20.00 less the exercise price, at any time from and after the confirmation date through and including the expiration date. Options outstanding from the 1999 grant totaled 297,350 at December 31, 2006. Options cannot be exercised using cash. Options can only be exercised using a net share purchase such that the dollar value that the option is in the money is divided by the fair market value of the stock at the date of exercise to arrive at the number of shares received by the option holder. We record our expenses associated with the ACIC Plan over each award's vesting period, based on our estimate of the fair value of each award using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Expenses related to these options were $6,568 in 2006, $1,395 in 2005 and $15,291 in 2004. The ACIC Plan has not been, and is not required to be, approved by our stockholders.

 

      The ACIC Plan activity, retroactively adjusted for the June 2006 two-for-one stock split, for the three years ended 2006 follows:

 
   


Shares

 

Weighted Average
Exercise Price

   


 


         

    Agents' options outstanding at January 1, 2004

 

7,594,760 

 

$20.64

        Granted

 

1,250,000 

 

 29.32

        Exercised

 

(3,000,500)

 

 18.16

   


   

    Agents' options outstanding at December 31, 2004

 

5,844,260 

 

 23.77

        Granted

 

950,000 

 

 36.27

        Exercised

 

(585,910)

 

 17.87

        Forfeited

 

(1,400,000)

 

 24.91

   


   

    Agents' options outstanding at December 31, 2005

 

4,808,350 

 

 26.62

        Granted

 

450,000 

 

 37.38

        Exercised

 

(311,000)

 

 21.31

   


   

    Agents' options outstanding at December 31, 2006

 

4,947,350 

 

$27.94

   


   
         

      There were 597,350, 308,350 and 744,260 exercisable ACIC agents' options at December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively. The weighted average remaining contractual life of ACIC agents' options outstanding at December 31, 2006 was 6.8 years.

 

      On February 10, 2005, 1,400,000 of the ACIC agents' options that were outstanding at December 31, 2004 were forfeited as a result of AAA Arizona terminating its relationship with American Commerce. None of these options were exercisable at the end of 2004. Accrued expenses for these options were $3,487 at December 31, 2004. This amount was credited to income during the first quarter of 2005.

 

      The fair value of each of the ACIC agents' options granted under the ACIC Plan was estimated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, with the following weighted average assumptions:

 
 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 


 


 


           

Dividend yield

3.30%

 

2.65%

 

2.38%

Expected volatility

20.45%

 

19.80%

 

21.50%

Risk-free interest rate

4.69%

 

4.40%

 

3.64%

Expected option life in years

5-9.5

 

5-9.5

 

5-9.5

           

      The weighted average exercise prices for ACIC agents' options granted in 2006, 2005, and 2004 were $37.38, $36.27 and $29.32, respectively. The estimated weighted average grant date fair values estimates of the ACIC agents' options granted during 2006, 2005 and 2004 were $4.46, $4.27 and $4.03, respectively. The ACIC agents' option liability at December 31, 2006 and 2005 was $21,236 and $17,398, respectively.

 

New Accounting Pronouncements

 

      The Financial Accounting Standards Board issued in December 2004 revised rules for accounting for stock options and other equity-based remuneration, SFAS No. 123R, Share-Based Payment. SFAS No. 123R is applicable for employee options and not for non-employee options, such as ACIC agents' options. We adopted these revised rules in the first quarter

<PAGE>  83

of 2006 when they became effective. This change did not impact our results of operations and financial condition for the employee stock options we awarded through 2001 under the Plan because application of the revised rules is on a prospective basis. The revised rules did not change our accounting for BVAs, IAs and the stock options we award under the ACIC Plan.

 

Treasury Stock

 

      Effective July 1, 2004, Massachusetts corporate law eliminated the distinction between treasury shares and authorized but unissued shares, by providing that common shares that we acquire automatically are restored to the status of authorized but unissued shares. We have continued to reflect treasury shares on our balance sheet and in our notes to the financial statements in part because the concept of treasury shares continues to be relevant under the New York Stock Exchange Rules. Also effective July 1, 2004 Massachusetts corporate law eliminated the concept of par value. The effect of that change was to supersede the historic prohibition against issuing par value stock for less than par. There is no minimum price at which we may issue shares. We have continued to show on our balance sheet the most recent par value per share of our common stock ($0.50), as well as the aggregate amount of par value for which the shares of our common stock now outstanding were issued, because we believe that presentation facilitates a better understanding of the stockholders' equity section of our consolidated balance sheet.

 

      In 2006, we issued 382,994 shares of our common stock from treasury to fund the Company's contribution to the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). In November 2006, our Board of Directors authorized an increase in the common stock repurchase program to 5,000,000 shares, an increase of 3,526,132 shares. During the fourth quarter of 2006, we repurchased 1,058,289 shares for $31,646, or an average of $29.90 per share. At December 31, 2006, we had authority to purchase a total of 4,184,443 additional shares of our common stock under our buy-back program.

 

Net Earnings Per Common Share (EPS)

 

      Basic EPS is computed based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted EPS is computed based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding adjusted by the number of additional common shares that would have been outstanding had the potentially dilutive common shares been issued and reduced by the number of common shares we could have repurchased from the proceeds of the potentially dilutive shares. Our only dilutive instruments are stock options outstanding. Basic and diluted EPS, retroactively adjusted for the June 2006 two-for-one stock split, are calculated for the years ended December 31, as follows:

 
   

2006

 

2005

 

2004

   


 


 


             

Net earnings for basic and diluted EPS

 

$     241,535

 

$     243,912

 

$     214,431

   


 


 


Common share information:

           

    Average shares outstanding for basic EPS

 

67,630,367

 

67,171,716

 

65,604,046

    Dilutive effect of stock options

 

382,402

 

523,614

 

301,382

   


 


 


    Average shares outstanding for dilutive EPS

 

68,012,769

 

67,695,330

 

65,905,428

   


 


 


             

Basic EPS

 

$    3.57

 

$    3.63

 

$    3.27

   


 


 


Diluted EPS

 

$    3.55

 

$    3.60

 

$    3.25

   


 


 


             

      The computation of diluted EPS did not include stock options that were anti-dilutive, as their exercise price was greater than the average market price of our common stock during the year. The number of such options was 2,200,000, 800,000 and 2,200,000 for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively.

 

Payments of Dividends

 

      Under Massachusetts law, an insurer may pay cash dividends only from earnings and statutory surplus, and the insurer's remaining surplus must be both reasonable in relation to its outstanding liabilities and adequate to its financial needs. Following the declaration and payment of such dividends, the insurer must file a report with the Commissioner. A Massachusetts insurance company may not pay an extraordinary dividend or distribution unless the insurer gives the Commissioner at least 30 days prior notice of the declaration and the Commissioner does not disapprove of the plan of payment prior to the date of such payment. An extraordinary dividend or distribution includes any dividend or distribution whose fair market value together with other dividends or distributions made within the preceding 12 months exceeds the greater of 10% of surplus, or net income for the 12 month period ending the 31st day of December. California and Ohio have laws similar to those in Massachusetts regulating the payment of dividends by insurance companies.

<PAGE>  84

      The aggregate amount of dividends calculated in accordance with regulations in Massachusetts, California and Ohio that could have been paid in 2006 from all of our insurance subsidiaries without prior regulatory approval was approximately $238,122, of which $203,410 was declared and paid as of December 31, 2006.

 

      Our Board of Directors voted to declare four quarterly dividends to stockholders of record totaling $0.975 per share and $0.735 per share in 2006 and 2005, respectively. On May 19, 2006, the board voted to increase the quarterly stockholder dividend from $0.225 to $0.25 per share to stockholders of record as of June 16, 2006. Previously, on February 17, 2006, the board increased the quarterly dividend to $0.225 from $0.19 per share. Prior to that declaration, we paid quarterly dividends of $0.19 per share dating back to May 20, 2005 when the board voted to increase the dividend from $0.165 to $0.19 per share.

 

Other

 

      The amount of consolidated retained earnings at December 31, 2006 represented by undistributed earnings of 50% or less owned investments that are accounted for using the equity method follows:

 
   

Carrying
Value

 


Cost

 

Undistributed
Earnings

   


 


 


             

Preferred stock mutual funds

 

$141,654

 

$120,990

 

$20,664

Other investments

 

45,910

 

43,001

 

2,909

   


 


 


   

$187,564

 

$163,991

 

23,573

   


 


   

Income tax expense (at 35%)

         

8,251

           


Undistributed equity method earnings included in consolidated
  retained earnings

         


$15,322

           


             

Note J - Premiums

 

      Insurance premiums are recognized as income ratably over the terms of the policies. Unearned premiums are determined by prorating written premiums on a daily basis over the terms of the policies.

 

      Approximately 81.3% of our direct premiums written for the year ended December 31, 2006 were generated from personal automobile insurance policies. Approximately 87.5% of our direct premiums written for the year ended December 31, 2006 were generated in Massachusetts.

 

      A significant portion of our Massachusetts premiums written is derived through the American Automobile Association Clubs of Massachusetts (AAA Clubs) affinity group marketing program. Direct premiums written by the AAA affinity group marketing program in Massachusetts were $675,904 or 36.3% of our total direct premiums written in 2006, $725,943 or 38.7% in 2005 and $724,147 or 39.4% in 2004. Insurance agencies owned by the AAA Clubs wrote 17.3% and our network of independent agents wrote 82.7% of total AAA affinity direct written premium in 2006. During 2005, AAA Club-owned agencies wrote 15.2% and our network wrote 84.8%. See Note U for information regarding our marketing agreement extention with the Massachusetts AAA clubs.

 

Note K - Income Taxes

 

      As a member of a consolidated group for tax purposes, The Commerce Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries (Affiliated Group) elect to file a consolidated federal income tax return. As such, they are jointly and severally liable for federal income taxes of the Affiliated Group. We have entered into an agreement establishing an allocation of tax liability and for compensation of the respective members of the Affiliated Group for use of their tax losses and credits.

 

      The method of allocation calls for current taxes to be allocated among all affiliated companies based on a written tax-sharing agreement. Under this agreement, allocation is made primarily on a separate return basis with current payment for losses and other tax items utilized in the consolidated return.

 

      We use an asset and liability approach that requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in our financial statements or tax returns. In estimating future tax consequences, we consider all expected future events other than changes in the tax law or rates, unless enacted. Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.

<PAGE>  85

      Our federal income tax expense (benefit) for the years ended December 31 follows:

 
     

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 
     


 


 


 
                 
 

Current

 

$  88,660

 

$120,781 

 

$92,298 

 
 

Deferred

 

15,334

 

(13,013)

 

(3,295)

 
     


 


 


 
 

    Income taxes

 

$103,994

 

$107,768 

 

$89,003 

 
     


 


 


 
                 

      Realization of a deferred tax asset is dependent on generating sufficient taxable income in future years. Although realization is not assured, we believe it is more likely than not that all of the deferred tax assets will be realized. GAAP requires a valuation allowance to be recorded when it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. We did not have a valuation allowance for deferred taxes at December 31, 2006 and 2005.

 

      Deferred tax assets (liabilities) at December 31 follow:

 
   

2006

 

2005

   


 


         

Unearned premiums

 

$   60,323 

 

$  55,804 

Deferred profit sharing

 

28,102 

 

18,925 

Discounting of loss reserves

 

20,351 

 

22,460 

Book value and incentive awards expense

 

7,987 

 

8,566 

Agents' stock option expense

 

7,433 

 

6,089 

Deferred income

 

3,399 

 

13,317 

Directors' retirement compensation expense

 

1,813 

 

1,393 

Investment write-downs

 

983 

 

7,944 

Net accumulated comprehensive loss

 

 

3,675 

Other

 

3,460 

 

4,236 

   


 


    Deferred tax assets

 

133,851 

 

142,409 

   


 


Deferred policy acquisition costs

 

(62,249)

 

(61,045)

Net accumulated comprehensive income

 

(18,502)

 

Preferred stock mutual funds

 

(9,219)

 

(4,602)

Software amortization

 

(5,505)

 

Tax depreciation in excess of book depreciation

 

(3,351)

 

(3,400)

Salvage and subrogation recoverable

 

(1,789)

 

(2,360)

Other

 

(1,816)

 

(2,076)

   


 


    Deferred tax liabilities

 

(102,431)

 

(73,483)

   


 


    Net deferred tax asset

 

$   31,420 

 

$  68,926 

   


 


         

      Federal income tax is less than the amount computed by applying the statutory rate of 35% for the years ended December 31 for the following reasons:

 
   

2006

 

2005

 

2004

   


 


 


                         

Tax at statutory rate

 

$121,247 

 

35.0%

 

$123,412 

 

35.0%

 

$106,467 

 

35.0%

Tax exempt interest

 

(10,000)

 

(2.9)  

 

(10,052)

 

(2.9)  

 

(10,239)

 

(3.4)  

Dividends received deduction

 

(5,810)

 

(1.7)  

 

(5,429)

 

(1.5)  

 

(5,306)

 

(1.7)  

Dividends paid to ESOP participants

 

(2,041)

 

(0.6)  

 

(1,510)

 

(0.4)  

 

(1,342)

 

(0.4)  

Tax contingency reserve

 

(15)

 

-    

 

266 

 

0.1   

 

(1,038)

 

(0.3)  

Other

 

613 

 

0.2   

 

1,081 

 

0.3   

 

461 

 

0.1   

   


 


 


 


 


 


Tax and effective rate

 

$103,994 

 

30.0%

 

$107,768 

 

30.6%

 

$  89,003 

 

29.3%

   


 


 


 


 


 


                         

      During 2004, our 2001 and 2002 federal income tax returns were audited by the IRS; there were no material findings. We are not currently under audit in any jurisdiction.

 

      In July 2006, the FASB released FIN 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes - an interpretation of SFAS 109. This interpretation clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in accordance with SFAS 109. This interpretation prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. It also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, interim periods and disclosure. FIN 48 is effective for fiscal years beginning after

<PAGE>  86

December 15, 2006. We will adopt FIN 48 as of January 1, 2007 and we expect the adoption to have a negligible impact on our results of operation and financial position.

 

Note L - Insolvency Fund Assessments

 

Protection Against Insurer Insolvency - Massachusetts

 

      All of the insurers writing the types of insurance covered by the Massachusetts Insurers Insolvency Fund (MIIF) are MIIF members. MIIF is obligated to pay any unpaid claim, up to $300, against an insolvent insurer if the claims existed prior to the declaration of insolvency or arose within 60 days thereafter. MIIF assesses members the amounts it deems necessary to pay both its obligations and the expenses of handling covered claims. Subject to certain limitations, assessments are made in the proportion that each member's net written premiums for the preceding calendar year for all property and casualty lines of business has to the corresponding net written premiums for all members for the same period. The statute that established MIIF also provides for the recoupment by insurers of amounts paid to MIIF. Historically, the Commissioner has allowed insurers to recoup the amounts they paid MIIF through rate adjustments.

 

      It is anticipated that there will be additional assessments from time to time relating to various insolvencies. By statute, no insurer may be assessed in any year an amount greater than two percent of that insurer's direct written premiums for the calendar year preceding the assessment. MIIF assessed Commerce and Citation $1,231, $128, and $6,304 for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively. These amounts are net of credits for prior year assessments on numerous insurer insolvencies.

 

Protection against Insurer Insolvency - Other States

 

      All companies are also covered by similar associations in the states where they do business. These associations operate similarly to the MIIF. Commerce West, domiciled in California, is covered by the California Insurance Guarantee Association, as well as associations in Arizona and Oregon. American Commerce, domiciled in Ohio, is covered by the Ohio Guarantee Association, as well as associations in the other states in which they do business. (Refunds) payments made by American Commerce, Commerce West and Commerce (for New Hampshire only) to the associations that they are covered under were $(224) in 2006, $76 in 2005 and $126 in 2004. These amounts are net of credits for prior year assessments.

 

Note M - Reinsurance

 

      We reinsure with other insurance companies on a claims incurred basis a portion of our potential exposure under the policies we have written. The objective of this reinsurance is to mitigate the adverse financial consequences of a severe loss under individual policies, or catastrophic occurrences where a number of claims can produce an extraordinary aggregate loss. Reinsurance does not legally discharge us from our primary liability to the insured for the full amount of the policies, but it does make the reinsurer liable to us to the extent of the reinsured portion of any loss ultimately suffered. We seek to utilize reinsurers that we consider adequately capitalized and financially able to meet their obligations under reinsurance agreements with us. We use a variety of reinsurance mechanisms to protect against loss.

 

Catastrophe Reinsurance Program

 

      On June 9, 2006, we entered into a series of agreements with participating reinsurers that provide catastrophe reinsurance for our insurance subsidiaries' other than automobile property lines of business for the contract year effective July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2007 (the "Catastrophe Reinsurance Program"). This new Catastrophe Reinsurance Program replaces our terminated 75% quota share program, which had covered our other than automobile property and liability lines of business, except for umbrella and our expiring one-year catastrophe treaty, which covered six percent of our exposure to Massachusetts FAIR Plan losses in excess of $100 million up to a total Massachusetts FAIR Plan losses of $1 billion.

 

      Effective July 1, 2006, we switched to a pure catastrophe reinsurance program across five layers as outlined below. The Catastrophe Reinsurance Program provides for reinsurance recovery of a maximum of $492.5 million in the event of a $600 million or greater occurrence, including all states' FAIR Plan losses. The total annual cost of the program is approximately $31.1 million and includes one reinstatement premium (pro-rated based on loss recoveries) for a maximum additional cost of approximately $31.1 million. The catastrophe program is based on $192 million of estimated subject premiums, which vary based on actual subject premiums. This program covers all FAIR Plan-type participation but does not cover comprehensive automobile.

<PAGE>  87



Layer

 



Coverage

 

Percentage of
Coverage Purchased
for each Layer

 

Maximum
Recovery
per Layer


 


 


 


             

1st

 

$25 million excess of $25 million

 

  30%

 

$    7,500

2nd

 

$50 million excess of $50 million

 

  50%

 

25,000

3rd

 

$150 million excess of $100 million

 

  80%

 

120,000

4th

 

$300 million excess of $250 million

 

100%

 

300,000

5th

 

$50 million excess of $550 million

 

  80%

 

40,000

           


           

$492,500

           


             

      The lines of business classified as property and covered under the new Catastrophe Reinsurance Program include fire, allied lines, homeowners, inland marine, special multi-peril and business owner policies. The Catastrophe Reinsurance Program covers losses occurring throughout the United States, except for the fourth and fifth layers which cover losses only in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Connecticut.

 

      We will have no additional reinsurance recoveries for a single event catastrophe in excess of a total loss of $600 million. Our average estimated combined total loss for the Commerce, Citation and ACIC insurance subsidiaries, on other than automobile business, was calculated in 2006 using two prominent catastrophe modeling companies. The average estimated "100 year loss" is $317 million and the "250 year loss" is $583 million.

 

      The Catastrophe Reinsurance Program will not discharge us from our primary liability to the insured for the full amount of the insured's policies, but it will make the reinsurer liable to us to the extent of the reinsured portion of any loss ultimately suffered. Each reinsurer participating in the reinsurance program will be severally (and not jointly) liable to us for its share of reinsurance coverage. We believe the reinsurers are adequately capitalized and financially able to meet their obligations under the reinsurance agreements with us, though there can be no assurance that they will be able to do so. Premiums related to the catastrophe program amounted to $17,490 for 2006.

 

      Prior to the catastrophe reinsurance program, we used a series of one-year quota share agreements. This program covered all non-automobile property and liability business, except umbrella policies. We utilized a 75% quota share agreement for the period July 1, 2005 to June 30, 2006; a 70% agreement for the period July 1, 2004 to June 30, 2005; and a 65% agreement for the period July 1, 2003 to June 30, 2004. Quota share reinsurance refers to a form of pro rata reinsurance arrangement where the reinsurer participates in a specified percentage of the premiums and losses on every risk within the scope of the reinsurance agreement.

 

FAIR Plan

 

      Our insurance subsidiaries are required to participate in various Property Insurance Underwriting Associations, the most significant of which is the Fair Access to Insurance Requirements Plan (FAIR Plan) in Massachusetts. The federal government reinsures those insurers participating in FAIR Plans against losses sustained from riots and civil disorders. The Massachusetts FAIR Plan has coastal policies which could result in losses which could be material to the FAIR Plan and participating insurance companies.

 

      Effective July 1, 2006, our exposure to FAIR Plan losses is covered under our catastrophe reinsurance program as outlined above.

 

American Nuclear Insurers

 

      Our company is a member company of American Nuclear Insurers ("ANI"). ANI is a voluntary, non-profit, unincorporated association of insurers through which members provide, on a several and not joint basis, property insurance protection and nuclear energy liability insurance protection. This protection covers hazards arising out of risks related to nuclear installations, operations or facilities. Membership is on a percentage participation basis with this percentage being applied through each pool in which the member participates. Members can increase their participation percentages at any time however this increase is only effective upon ANI Board of Directors approval. Members can also terminate or reduce their participation by giving written notice to the Association by June 30th of any calendar year with the effective date for the termination or reduction being December 31st of that year. Members may participate in the pool by being a direct writing member, a ceding member, or an assuming member or any combination of the three.

<PAGE>  88

      Prior to 2006, Commerce and American Commerce were assuming and ceding members of ANI. Beginning in 2006, American Commerce also became a direct writing member. The total pre-tax earnings impact of all of our participation in ANI for 2006 and 2005 was approximately $1,499 and $1,217, respectively. Our maximum exposure in 2006 in the event of a catastrophic loss at an insured nuclear facility was $11,000 for domestic risks and $10,000 for foreign risks. For 2007, the exposure amounts increased to $12,000 and $11,000, respectively.

 

Casualty Reinsurance

 

      Casualty reinsurance, excluding umbrella policies, is written on an excess of loss basis for any one event or occurrence with a maximum recovery of $8,000 over a net retention of $2,000. This coverage is placed with Swiss Re America Corporation, rated "A+ (Superior)" by A.M. Best (its second highest rating).

 

Personal and Commercial Umbrella

 

      Personal and commercial liability umbrella policies are reinsured on a 95% quota share basis in regard to limits up to $1,000 and 100% quota share basis for limits in excess of $1,000 but not exceeding $5,000 for policies with underlying automobile coverage of $250/$500 or more. We also have personal liability umbrella reinsurance coverage for policies with underlying automobile coverage of $100/$300 on a 65% quota share basis for limits up to $1,000 and 100% quota share basis for limits in excess of $1,000 but not exceeding $3,000. These coverages are placed with Swiss Re America Corporation.

 

      Earned premiums and losses and loss adjustment expenses are stated in the accompanying consolidated financial statements after deductions for reinsurance. Those deductions for reinsurance, other than CAR, follow for the years ended December 31:

 
   

2006

 

2005

 

2004

   


 


 


             

Statement of Earnings:

           

    Written premiums(1)

 

$22,680

 

$156,154

 

$138,084

    Earned premiums

 

97,660

 

147,578

 

124,975

    Losses and loss adjustment expenses

 

24,444

 

65,595

 

57,199

Balance Sheet:

           

    Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses

 

39,482

 

60,560

 

58,608

    Unearned premiums

 

6,295

 

81,275

 

72,699

             

(1)

The reduction in written premium primarily resulted from the termination of our quota share agreement as previously mentioned. The termination resulted in a decrease in ceded written premium of $77,708, therefore ceded written premium for quota share for 2006 was $(4,704) as compared to $150,461 for 2005.

   

      We, as primary insurer, would be required to pay losses in their entirety in the event that the reinsurers were unable to discharge their obligations under the reinsurance agreements.

 

Commonwealth Automobile Reinsurers

 

      CAR, a state-mandated reinsurance mechanism, enables us and other servicing carriers to reinsure any automobile risk that the insurer perceives to be under-priced at the premium level permitted by the Commissioner of Insurance. Servicing carriers, which are responsible for over 99.0% of total direct premiums written for personal automobile insurance in Massachusetts, are required to offer automobile insurance coverage to all eligible applicants pursuant to "take-all-comers" regulations, but may reinsure business with CAR.

 

      Since its inception, CAR has annually generated multi-million dollar underwriting losses, primarily in the personal automobile pool. We are required to share in the underwriting results of CAR business for our respective product lines. Under current regulations, our share of the CAR personal results is based upon our market share of automobile risks for the particular pool, adjusted by a "utilization" concept, such that, in general, we are disproportionately and adversely affected if our relative use of CAR reinsurance exceeds that of the industry, and favorably affected if our relative use of CAR reinsurance is less than that of the industry. For personal automobile writers, companies can reduce their participation ratio by writing credit eligible business voluntarily. Companies are provided credits against their participation ratio for writing those classes and territories of business that are purposefully under-priced in the Massachusetts rate setting process. Companies are also penalized for ceding certain business to CAR. Our strategy has been to maintain above average voluntary retention levels, as well as to retain private passenger automobile business voluntarily that receives credits. This favorably affects our participation ratio compared to our market share, but adversely impacts our voluntary loss ratio. Through 2004, the CAR utilization-based participation ratio calculation had remained the same for the personal automobile market. In 2005 and 2006, CAR switched to using a credit matrix approach.

<PAGE>  89

During 2006, 2005 and 2004, our net participation in the CAR personal automobile pool approximated 27.0%, 26.2% and 23.2%, respectively, as estimated by us for 2006 and as reported by CAR for 2005 and 2004. This is as compared to our estimated market share in those years of 31.2%, 29.9% and 29.1%, respectively. During 2006, 2005 and 2004, the amount of personal automobile exposures we reinsured through CAR approximated 4.6%, 4.7%, and 5.2%, respectively, as compared to industry averages of 5.1%, 6.2% and 6.8%, respectively. During 2006, the Commission directed CAR to redistribute personal automobile ERPs in an attempt to establish, for all Servicing Carriers, overall parity in the quantity and quality of ERP exposures.

 

      Massachusetts has considered alternative methods to CAR for structuring the residual or involuntary market. Most recently, in December 2006, the former Commissioner approved rules which would have instituted an assigned risk plan, the Massachusetts Automobile Insurance Plan (MAIP), to provide private passenger automobile insurance for those individuals unable to obtain insurance voluntarily, in place of CAR. An assigned risk plan would place these individuals directly with an assigned insurance company. These regulations were to be effective April 1, 2007 for certain new business, July 1, 2007 for SDIP Point 10 and above new and renewal business and January 1, 2008 for all business except clean-in-three renewals. However, on January 19, 2007, the Acting Commissioner suspended these rules for up to ninety days in order to hear additional comment. A public hearing was held on February 15, 2007. In addition, a new Commissioner was named during February 2007. We are unable to predict the outcome of the hearing or what, if any, changes to the current Massachusetts residual market mechanisms may occur or determine the effect of any decision on our financial condition or results of operations.

 

      CAR implemented a new method for handling ceded commercial automobile risks effective January 1, 2006. This new system provides for six servicing carriers, including Commerce, who were appointed after a competitive bid process for five year terms. The six appointed servicing carriers are the only carriers who can cede business to CAR, and all eligible producers are assigned to one of the servicing carriers in order to provide all producers with a market for their ceded business. As of 2006, the commercial results from all ceded commercial business is shared between all carriers, including the appointed servicing carriers, based upon each carrier's voluntary market share of commercial automobile business.

 

      Reinsurance activity with CAR for fiscal years 2006, 2005 and 2004 follows:

 
   

2006

 

2005

 

2004

   


 


 


   

Ceded

 

Assumed

 

Ceded

 

Assumed

 

Ceded

 

Assumed

   


 


 


 


 


 


                         

Statement of Earnings:

                       

    Written premiums

 

$115,210

 

$  99,015

 

$113,984

 

$132,098

 

$115,766

 

$128,152

    Earned premiums

 

108,306

 

119,627

 

118,307

 

125,982

 

110,833

 

121,379

    Losses and LAE incurred

 

87,690

 

91,916

 

105,409

 

104,459

 

105,405

 

137,822

    Underwriting expenses

 

-

 

36,406

 

-

 

40,401

 

-

 

42,763

                         

Balance Sheet:

                       

    Unpaid losses and LAE

 

80,096

 

110,259

 

93,418

 

131,026

 

99,990

 

144,184

    Unearned premiums

 

61,046

 

47,900

 

54,142

 

68,513

 

58,465

 

62,397

                         

      We pay to CAR all of the premiums generated by the policies we have ceded and CAR reimburses us for all losses incurred on ceded policies. In addition, we receive a fee for servicing ceded policies based on the expense structure established by CAR. For the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, these servicing fees amounted to $23,302, $24,102 and $21,160, respectively.

 

      We present assets and liabilities gross of reinsurance. The residual market receivable represents the gross amount of reinsurance recoverable from CAR, including unpaid losses, unearned premiums, paid losses recoverable and unpaid ceded and assumed premiums.

 

      Our two largest reinsurance components, quota share and CAR, settle on a quarterly basis. Quota share settles 45 days after the end of each quarter and CAR settles 90 days after the end of each quarter. There were no balances in dispute for the years ended 2006 and 2005 for either component.

 

      Income consisting of expense reimbursements, which include servicing carrier fees from CAR on policies written for CAR, is deferred and amortized over the term of the related insurance policies.

 

Note N - Employee Stock Ownership Plan

 

      We offer an ESOP for the benefit of substantially all employees, including those of our subsidiaries. The ESOP is noncontributory on the part of participants and contributions are made at the discretion of the Board of Directors. We are under no obligation to make contributions or maintain the ESOP for any length of time and may completely discontinue or terminate the ESOP at any time without liability. Contribution expense for the ESOP for the years ended December 31,

<PAGE>  90

2006, 2005 and 2004 were $10,790, $10,371 and $9,651, respectively. In 2007, 2006 and 2005, the previous year's contributions were funded entirely with 367,145, 382,994 and 286,790 treasury stock shares, respectively. ESOP contributions in years prior to 2005 were made in cash. The increase in the contribution in 2006 over 2005 and in 2005 over 2004 was primarily due to an increase in employees and wages paid to them. The ESOP held 5,856,990 and 5,742,514 shares of our common stock at December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

 

      Contributions are allocated among the participants' accounts in the ratio of each participant's eligible Form W-2 compensation to the total of all participants' covered compensation for the year. Dividends on ESOP shares are fully earned, and participants can elect to either receive cash or apply the dividend to their ESOP account. ESOP shares are treated as outstanding shares for the purpose of our earnings per share calculations.

 

      ESOP participants who are current employees and who are 100% vested in their ESOP accounts can annually elect to transfer out of the ESOP up to 100% of their allocated Company stock in the form of an eligible rollover distribution into another eligible retirement plan, such as a qualified individual retirement arrangement. Approximately 4,354,000 shares owned by participants in the ESOP at December 31, 2006 are allocated to the ESOP accounts of these individuals. Beginning January 1, 2007, ESOP accounts vest at a rate of 20% per service year beginning with a participant's second year of service.

 

      ESOP participants who are former employees of the Company may generally elect to withdraw from the ESOP the total amount of shares allocated to their accounts at any time. Approximately 1,145,000 shares held by the ESOP at December 31, 2006 are allocated to the ESOP accounts of these individuals.

 

      The remaining approximately 358,000 shares held by the ESOP at December 31, 2006 are allocated to the ESOP accounts of participants who have not yet reached 100% vesting in their account balances. The fair value of the ESOP shares held by participants that are less than 100% vested at December 31, 2006 was approximately $10,651. Beginning in 2007, participants with three years of service may diversify out of our stock and into any of the investment options under the Plan's 401(k) component. We pay for administration of the ESOP.

 

      Our 401(k) Plan is merged into the ESOP. The ESOP is administered by Fidelity Investments. The 401(k) component of the ESOP enables eligible employees to contribute up to 60% of eligible compensation on a pre-tax basis up to the annual maximum limits under federal tax law. We incur no expenses in the form of matching contributions but we pay for administration of the plan.

 

Note O - Directors' Retirement Compensation Plan

 

      During 2000, our directors approved a Directors' Retirement Compensation Plan (the Retirement Plan). The Retirement Plan becomes effective for each director upon terminating service from our Board of Directors (the Board) provided that such termination was not made under conditions adverse to our interest. Effective with the annual meeting wherein the director is not reappointed to the Board, and provided benefits are not paid until such time as the director has attained the age of 65, we will pay an annual retirement benefit equal to 50% of the average annual total compensation of the director for the highest three full years (the three year average compensation). The annual retirement benefit of 50% of the three year average compensation vests at the rate of 4.0% for each year of Board service up to a maximum of 100% vesting through termination of service. Payments continue for a maximum of ten years over the remaining life of the terminated director, or his or her then spouse, if the director pre-deceases the spouse. No payments are to be made after the death of the director and spouse. Expenses related to the Retirement Plan in 2006, 2005 and 2004 were $1,279, $887 and $273, respectively. We paid $78, $78 and $55 under the Retirement Plan in 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively. The liability for the Retirement Plan, as calculated based on a discounted cash flow basis, was $5,181 and $3,980 at December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

 

Note P - Segment Information

 

      We have four reportable segments: (1) property and casualty insurance - Massachusetts; (2) property and casualty insurance - other than Massachusetts; (3) real estate and commercial lending; and, (4) corporate and other. Our property and casualty insurance operations are written through Commerce, Citation, Commerce West, and American Commerce and are marketed to affinity groups, individuals, families and businesses through our relationships with professional independent insurance agencies. Our wholly-owned subsidiary, Bay Finance Company, Inc., originates and services residential and commercial mortgages in Massachusetts and Connecticut. The corporate and other segment represents the remainder of our activities, including those of the parent company.

<PAGE>  91

      We evaluate performance and allocate resources based primarily on the property and casualty insurance segments, which represents over 99% of our total revenue for the past three years. The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as those described in these notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

      Selected segment information for 2006, 2005 and 2004 follows. Earnings are before income taxes and change in accounting principle and include minority interest.

 
   

Revenue

 

Earnings

 

Assets

   


 


 


             

2006:

           

    Property and casualty insurance

           

        Massachusetts

 

$1,729,349 

 

$365,077 

 

$3,647,097 

        Other than Massachusetts

 

219,842 

 

29,456 

 

419,078 

    Real estate and commercial lending

 

853 

 

853 

 

19,636 

        Corporate and other

 

(575)

 

(49,857)

 

25,058 

   


 


 


        Consolidated

 

$1,949,469 

 

$345,529 

 

$4,110,869 

   


 


 


             

2005:

           

    Property and casualty insurance

           

        Massachusetts

 

$1,654,217 

 

$362,091 

 

$3,511,282 

        Other than Massachusetts

 

230,121 

 

32,068 

 

370,422 

    Real estate and commercial lending

 

1,024 

 

1,024 

 

17,963 

        Corporate and other

 

(981)

 

(43,503)

 

27,343 

   


 


 


        Consolidated

 

$1,884,381 

 

$351,680 

 

$3,927,010 

   


 


 


             

2004:

           

    Property and casualty insurance

           

        Massachusetts

 

$1,565,990 

 

$319,229 

 

$3,216,487 

        Other than Massachusetts

 

240,338 

 

35,687 

 

352,416 

    Real estate and commercial lending

 

731 

 

731 

 

15,207 

        Corporate and other

 

(488)

 

(52,213)

 

28,133 

   


 


 


        Consolidated

 

$1,806,571 

 

$303,434 

 

$3,612,243 

   


 


 


             

      Direct premiums written and earned for the years ended 2006, 2005 and 2004 follow:

 
   

2006

 

2005

 

2004

   


 


 


             

Massachusetts Direct Premiums Written:

           

Personal automobile

 

$1,345,043 

 

$1,365,887 

 

$1,327,375 

Commercial automobile

 

101,781 

 

94,963 

 

96,646 

Homeowners

 

146,153 

 

136,130 

 

121,222 

Other lines

 

38,318 

 

38,971 

 

39,421 

   


 


 


    Massachusetts Direct Premiums Written

 

1,631,295 

 

1,635,951 

 

1,584,664 

   


 


 


Other Than Massachusetts Direct Premiums Written:

           

Personal automobile

 

171,070 

 

184,573 

 

200,700 

Commercial automobile

 

8,536 

 

9,974 

 

9,131 

Homeowners

 

42,744 

 

42,483 

 

42,561 

Other lines

 

10,508 

 

1,250 

 

1,185 

   


 


 


    Other Than Massachusetts Direct Premiums Written

 

232,858 

 

238,280 

 

253,577 

   


 


 


    Total Direct Premiums Written

 

$1,864,153 

 

$1,874,231 

 

$1,838,241 

   


 


 


Massachusetts Direct Earned Premiums:

           

Personal automobile

 

$1,346,409 

 

$1,343,247 

 

$1,260,307 

Commercial automobile

 

99,414 

 

95,197 

 

93,994 

Homeowners

 

140,339 

 

128,495 

 

111,355 

Other lines

 

38,428 

 

38,891 

 

37,717 

   


 


 


    Massachusetts Direct Earned Premiums

 

1,624,590 

 

1,605,830 

 

1,503,373 

   


 


 


Other Than Massachusetts Direct Earned Premiums:

           

Personal automobile

 

168,333 

 

190,123 

 

200,715 

Commercial automobile

 

9,214 

 

9,597 

 

8,536 

Homeowners

 

41,648 

 

43,032 

 

39,558 

Other lines

 

3,254 

 

1,245 

 

1,079 

   


 


 


    Other Than Massachusetts Direct Earned Premiums

 

222,449 

 

243,997 

 

249,888 

   


 


 


    Total Direct Earned Premiums

 

1,847,039 

 

1,849,827 

 

1,753,261 

Net ceded earned premiums

 

(86,339)

 

(139,903)

 

(114,428)

   


 


 


    Total Earned Premiums

 

$1,760,700 

 

$1,709,924 

 

$1,638,833 

   


 


 


<PAGE>  92

Note Q - Related-Party Transactions

 

      We have made loans to insurance agencies with which Commerce transacts business on a regular basis. At December 31, 2006, five loans with an aggregate outstanding principal balance of $755 were collateralized by the assets of the agencies. At December 31, 2005, five loans with an aggregate outstanding balance of $1,812 were collateralized by the assets of the agencies. There were no loans to insurance agencies collateralized solely by real estate in 2006 and 2005. At December 31, 2004, six loans with an aggregate outstanding balance of $2,081 were collateralized by the assets of the agencies and none collateralized solely by real estate.

 

      The immediate family of Raymond J. Lauring, a director of the Company, owns more than a 10% equity interest in Lauring Construction Company. Mr. Lauring has no ownership interest in the construction company. Payments to Lauring Construction totaled $1,549 in 2006, $222 in 2005, and $285 in 2004. The increase in 2006 payments resulted primarily from construction projects for generators for our Webster facilities. For these projects, we paid Lauring Construction for work performed by them and by subcontractors. Lauring Construction in turn paid the subcontractors directly.

 

Note R-- Contingencies

 

      As is common with property and casualty insurance companies, we are a defendant in various legal actions arising from the normal course of our business, including claims based on the Massachusetts Unfair Claims Settlement Practices Act, or Chapter 176D and the Massachusetts Consumer Protection Act, or Chapter 93A. Similar provisions exist in other states where we do business. These proceedings are considered ordinary to operations or without foundation in fact. We are of the opinion that these actions will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position.

 

AAA Arizona

 

      As previously disclosed, in AAA Arizona, Inc. v. American Commerce Insurance Company (United States District Court for the District of Arizona), originally filed on May 16, 2005, AAA Arizona alleges, among other claims, that American Commerce has violated its contract with AAA Arizona by failing to pay approximately $1,700 in profit sharing that AAA Arizona claims to have earned during 2004. AAA Arizona also alleges that American Commerce is interfering with AAA Arizona's relationship with its members. AAA Arizona seeks an order from the court and an award of actual and consequential damages in total of approximately $10,000. We cannot estimate, as of the date of this Form 10-K, the amount of consequential damages that may be awarded to AAA Arizona if it is successful. American Commerce intends to vigorously defend against AAA Arizona's claims unless a reasonable settlement appears appropriate.

 

Potential Liability for CAR Obligation

 

      Member companies of CAR have joint and several liabilities for the obligations of CAR, the Massachusetts-mandated personal automobile reinsurance mechanism that enables us and other participating insurers to reinsure in CAR any risk. If one member of CAR fails to pay its assessments, the remaining members of CAR will be required to pay the pro-rata share of the member who fails to pay its obligations. As of December 31, 2006, we were not aware of any CAR member company which has failed to meet its obligations.

 

Note S - Statutory Financial Information

 

      The insurance subsidiaries, Commerce, Citation, Commerce West and American Commerce, prepare statutory financial statements in accordance with accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners and the Division of Insurance of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the State of California, and the State of Ohio. Statutory accounting principles differ in some respects from GAAP.

 

      Our consolidated net income on a statutory basis for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004 was $233,286, $238,122 and $241,062, respectively. Our statutory policyholders' surplus as reported to various state insurance departments at December 31, 2006 and 2005 was $1,535,659 and $1,477,307, respectively.

 

Note T - Quarterly Results of Operations (unaudited)

 

      An unaudited summary of our 2006 and 2005 quarterly performance follows:

 


2006

First
Quarter

 

Second
Quarter

 

Third
Quarter

 

Fourth
Quarter

 


 


 


 


               

Total revenues

$475,509

 

$450,986

 

$509,477

 

$513,497

Net earnings

66,955

 

58,619

 

56,535

 

59,426

Comprehensive income

59,692

 

43,151

 

104,925

 

74,850

Net earnings per common share:

             

    Basic

$      0.99  

 

$      0.87

 

$      0.83

 

$      0.88

    Diluted

0.99  

 

0.86

 

0.83

 

0.87

Cash dividends paid per share

0.225

 

0.25

 

0.25

 

0.25

               

<PAGE>  93


2005

First
Quarter

 

Second
Quarter

 

Third
Quarter

 

Fourth
Quarter

 


 


 


 


               

Total revenues

$467,809

 

$478,369

 

$465,732

 

$472,471

Net earnings

58,038

 

62,562

 

59,830

 

63,482

Comprehensive income

32,970

 

84,352

 

45,029

 

58,348

Net earnings per common share:

             

    Basic

$      0.87  

 

$      0.93

 

$      0.89

 

$      0.94

    Diluted

0.86  

 

0.92

 

0.88

 

0.94

Cash dividends paid per share

0.165

 

0.19

 

0.19

 

0.19

               

Note U - Other Items

 

SWICO Enterprises, Ltd.

 

      On December 22, 2006, we announced that we had entered into an agreement through which we expect to enter the New York personal lines insurance market in 2007. Under the terms of the agreement, AHC will acquire SWICO Enterprises, Ltd., the holding company for Hempstead, New York-based property and casualty insurer State-Wide Insurance Company. The transaction, which is subject to regulatory approval and which is expected to close early in the second quarter of 2007, is valued at approximately $55 million.

 

Massachusetts AAA Marketing Agreements

 

      In December 2006 and February 2007, we entered into agreements to extend our exclusive underwriter of personal automobile relationship with three Massachusetts AAA clubs from a minimum of three years to a minimum of twenty years.

 

Clark-Prout Insurance Agency

 

      In December 2006, we agreed to sell the building and the new and renewal policy business on and after April 1, 2007 of Clark-Prout to AAA SNE and its insurance subsidiary, respectively. The transaction, which is expected to close during the second quarter of 2007, is valued at approximately $1.7 million.

 

AAA SNE Reinsurance Agreement

 

      In November 2006, Commerce entered into a quota-share agreement with an insurance company that is a wholly-owned subsidiary of AAA SNE. This agreement became effective on January 1, 2007. Beginning in the first quarter of 2007, the underwriting results of our four insurance subsidiaries coupled with our corporate expenses that are integral to our insurance operation will be ceded to AAA SNE at a quota share rate of 1.5% for 2007. The underwriting results of the insurance companies will include the underwriting results of all external reinsurance assumed from or ceded to our company subsequent to January 1, 2007.

<PAGE>  94

THE COMMERCE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMBINED BALANCE SHEETS OF INSURANCE SUBSIDIARIES AND RECONCILIATION TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31,

 

(Thousands of Dollars, Unaudited)

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

2003

 

2002

 

2001

 

2000

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


ASSETS

 

Cash and short-term investments

$   154,149 

 

$     97,445 

 

$   220,245 

 

$   213,033 

 

$   205,907 

 

$   180,930 

 

$     95,217 

Bonds, at market (at amortized
  cost prior to 1993)


1,993,106 

 


2,029,055 

 


1,692,364 

 


1,497,016 

 


683,811 

 


626,482 

 


669,935 

Preferred stocks, at market (at
  amortized cost prior to 1993)


606,222 

 


393,681 

 


422,344 

 


298,721 

 


305,057 

 


248,101 

 


200,083 

Common stocks, at market

109,752 

 

102,344 

 

81,433 

 

105,523 

 

99,818 

 

107,458 

 

115,827 

Preferred stock mutual funds, at equity

141,654 

 

96,332 

 

61,429 

 

54,274 

 

270,616 

 

309,282 

 

337,733 

Mortgage loans on real estate

6,070 

 

7,396 

 

10,536 

 

10,996 

 

17,693 

 

26,237 

 

35,340 

Other investments

45,910 

 

28,111 

 

34,281 

 

22,914 

 

21,068 

 

18,743 

 

26,802 

Premium balances receivable

480,480 

 

474,971 

 

459,660 

 

410,713 

 

341,858 

 

246,095 

 

230,450 

Investment income receivable

23,041 

 

22,218 

 

18,611 

 

19,271 

 

13,903 

 

15,460 

 

18,118 

Residual market receivable

157,227 

 

191,309 

 

193,618 

 

192,743 

 

164,476 

 

131,670 

 

134,141 

Reinsurance receivable

53,679 

 

142,923 

 

133,328 

 

117,786 

 

98,403 

 

74,359 

 

65,319 

Deferred acquisition costs

177,852 

 

174,415 

 

163,645 

 

153,605 

 

138,241 

 

116,557 

 

111,305 

Current income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred income taxes

15,898 

 

47,780 

 

22,781 

 

14,238 

 

24,880 

 

16,550 

 

10,901 

Non-compete agreement

 

 

 

 

2,129 

 

2,479 

 

2,829 

Real estate, furniture and equipment

68,739 

 

61,878 

 

54,168 

 

53,511 

 

50,182 

 

38,764 

 

33,498 

Receivable for investments sold

 

10 

 

10 

 

6,871 

 

 

 

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


Total insurance company assets

4,033,779 

 

3,869,868 

 

3,568,453 

 

3,171,215 

 

2,438,042 

 

2,159,167 

 

2,087,498 

Total non-insurance company assets

77,090 

 

57,142 

 

43,790 

 

42,029 

 

25,419 

 

27,976 

 

12,941 

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


    Total assets

$4,110,869 

 

$3,927,010 

 

$3,612,243 

 

$3,213,244 

 

$2,463,461 

 

$2,187,143 

 

$2,100,439 

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


                           

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

                           

Unpaid losses and loss expenses

$   927,441 

 

$   948,622 

 

$   958,578 

 

$   933,645 

 

$   804,968 

 

$   685,725 

 

$   680,502 

Unearned premiums

935,385 

 

933,160 

 

902,566 

 

810,462 

 

687,148 

 

563,456 

 

519,885 

Excess of book value of subsidiary
  interest over cost


 


 


 


 


 


5,719 

 


8,431 

Deferred income

10,615 

 

8,466 

 

9,798 

 

7,684 

 

8,421 

 

7,015 

 

7,703 

Accounts payable, accrued and other
  liabilities


370,268 

 


278,910 

 


172,194 

 


122,721 

 


75,361 

 


75,151 

 


72,333 

Current income taxes

16,686 

 

26,433 

 

29,135 

 

10,886 

 

769 

 

3,817 

 

15,829 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

Payable for securities purchased

 

8,019 

 

11,871 

 

13,610 

 

 

 

Advance premium and commissions
  payable


47,711 

 


50,123 

 


50,190 

 


49,013 

 


44,388 

 


 


Outstanding checks payable

41,845 

 

42,283 

 

39,356 

 

39,479 

 

36,369 

 

32,512 

 

24,825 

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


Total insurance company liabilities

2,349,951 

 

2,296,016 

 

2,173,688 

 

1,987,500 

 

1,657,424 

 

1,373,395 

 

1,329,508 

Total non-insurance company liabilities

250,688 

 

319,968 

 

317,273 

 

309,143 

 

11,879 

 

4,315 

 

(12,018)

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


    Total liabilities

2,600,639 

 

2,615,984 

 

2,490,961 

 

2,296,643 

 

1,669,303 

 

1,377,710 

 

1,317,490 

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


Minority interest (1)

6,959 

 

5,957 

 

5,126 

 

4,390 

 

4,106 

 

 

1,068 

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


Capital stock

10,159 

 

10,159 

 

9,621 

 

9,621 

 

3,600 

 

3,600 

 

3,600 

Paid-in capital

260,966 

 

260,966 

 

260,966 

 

260,966 

 

45,050 

 

45,050 

 

45,050 

Retained earnings:

                         

  Balance, January 1

1,302,727 

 

1,124,178 

 

913,128 

 

796,447 

 

737,122 

 

708,272 

 

587,137 

  Net earnings

272,137 

 

270,866 

 

247,402 

 

174,456 

 

49,433 

 

94,358 

 

136,425 

  Other

 

(538)

 

 

7,774 

 

 

 

  Other comprehensive income (loss)

41,249 

 

(23,369)

 

(12,462)

 

603 

 

12,871 

 

560 

 

36,490 

  Dividends paid

(203,410)

 

(68,410)

 

(23,890)

 

(66,152)

 

(71,564)

 

(66,068)

 

(51,780)

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


Balance, December 31

1,412,703 

 

1,302,727 

 

1,124,178 

 

913,128 

 

727,862 

 

737,122 

 

708,272 

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


    Total insurance company equity

1,683,828 

 

1,573,852 

 

1,394,765 

 

1,183,715 

 

776,512 

 

785,772 

 

756,922 

    Total non-insurance company
      equity (2)


(180,557)

 


(268,783)

 


(278,609)

 


(271,504)

 


13,540 

 


23,661 

 


24,959 

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


     Total stockholders' equity

1,503,271 

 

1,305,069 

 

1,116,156 

 

912,211 

 

790,052 

 

809,433 

 

781,881 

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


    Total liabilities, minority
      interest and stockholders' equity


$4,110,869 

 


$3,927,010 

 


$3,612,243 

 


$3,213,244 

 


$2,463,461 

 


$2,187,143 

 

$2,100,439 

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


                           

(1)

Due to the internal reorganization in 2003, minority interest is no longer part of our insurance operation. Minority interest is included since then for comparative purposes and to reconcile to our consolidated balance sheet.

   

(2)

Since 2003, non-insurance company equity reflects the issuance of the $300 million senior debt offering offset by equity of the non-insurance subsidiaries.

<PAGE>  95

THE COMMERCE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMBINED BALANCE SHEETS OF INSURANCE SUBSIDIARIES AND RECONCILIATION TO
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31,

 
 

1999

 

1998

 

1997

 

1996

 

1995

 

1994

 

1993

 

1992

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


ASSETS

                               

Cash and short-term investments

$      42,971 

 

$     94,921 

 

$   254,894 

 

$   154,817 

 

$     62,209 

 

$     16,248 

 

$     22,858 

 

$     35,938 

Bonds, at market (at amortized
  cost prior to 1993)


647,338 

 


619,267 

 


590,597 

 


716,702 

 


815,277 

 


745,010 

 


649,491 

 


505,565 

Preferred stocks, at market (at
  amortized cost prior to 1993)


211,049 

 


197,425 

 


148,499 

 


147,680 

 


111,220 

 


85,574 

 


80,059 

 


2,261 

Common stocks, at market

77,348 

 

111,482 

 

58,652 

 

63,156 

 

40,359 

 

9,656 

 

47,462 

 

43,545 

Preferred stock mutual funds, at equity

251,135 

 

177,079 

 

123,246 

 

22,727 

 

 

 

 

Mortgage loans on real estate

42,479 

 

46,573 

 

57,425 

 

45,398 

 

31,404 

 

35,715 

 

42,042 

 

60,697 

Other investments

14,139 

 

7,825 

 

3,783 

 

127 

 

 

 

 

Premium balances receivable

195,047 

 

162,704 

 

169,311 

 

157,673 

 

126,090 

 

101,529 

 

94,333 

 

67,876 

Investment income receivable

14,531 

 

13,544 

 

12,103 

 

12,655 

 

14,440 

 

13,285 

 

10,205 

 

9,710 

Residual market receivable

149,620 

 

147,854 

 

169,267 

 

188,943 

 

193,625 

 

207,003 

 

208,156 

 

258,416 

Reinsurance receivable

51,532 

 

38,984 

 

19,899 

 

21,120 

 

23,254 

 

18,198 

 

12,868 

 

365 

Deferred acquisition costs

98,500 

 

88,759 

 

85,264 

 

82,968 

 

67,160 

 

59,066 

 

53,647 

 

55,442 

Current income taxes

 

2,773 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred income taxes

37,612 

 

 

 

 

2,100 

 

38,180 

 

 

Non-compete agreement

3,179 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Real estate, furniture and equipment

27,321 

 

27,885 

 

29,060 

 

26,011 

 

24,642 

 

25,246 

 

22,371 

 

23,183 

Receivable for investments sold

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


Total insurance company assets

1,863,801 

 

1,737,075 

 

1,722,000 

 

1,639,977 

 

1,511,780 

 

1,354,710 

 

1,243,492 

 

1,062,998 

Total non-insurance company assets

34,779 

 

29,774 

 

33,771 

 

38,062 

 

42,865 

 

34,358 

 

56,764 

 

43,581 

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


    Total assets

$1,898,580 

 

$1,766,849 

 

$1,755,771 

 

$1,678,039 

 

$1,554,645 

 

$1,389,068 

 

$1,300,256 

 

$1,106,579 

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

                               

Unpaid losses and loss expenses

$   670,446 

 

$   589,105 

 

$   627,291 

 

$   653,045 

 

$   613,649 

 

$   585,864 

 

$   555,641 

 

$   479,790 

Unearned premiums

457,095 

 

391,424 

 

379,599 

 

367,991 

 

330,454 

 

314,719 

 

283,526 

 

264,567 

Excess of book value of subsidiary
  interest over cost


10,758 

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


Deferred income

7,464 

 

6,948 

 

7,271 

 

7,974 

 

8,954 

 

10,451 

 

7,351 

 

8,384 

Accounts payable, accrued and other
  liabilities


48,505 

 


70,558 

 


60,332 

 


41,368 

 


34,351 

 


43,433 

 


16,564 

 


20,863 

Current income taxes

11,821 

 

 

9,635 

 

2,726 

 

1,596 

 

10,254 

 

4,867 

 

9,249 

Deferred income taxes

 

4,955 

 

9,218 

 

2,071 

 

 

 

13,669 

 

4,400 

Payable for securities purchased

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Advance premium and commissions
  payable


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


Outstanding checks payable

20,561 

 

19,266 

 

16,209 

 

14,715 

 

9,901 

 

11,688 

 

10,243 

 

10,129 

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


Total insurance company liabilities

1,226,650 

 

1,082,256 

 

1,109,555 

 

1,089,890 

 

998,905 

 

976,409 

 

891,861 

 

797,382 

Total non-insurance company liabilities

2,561 

 

(26,259)

 

(6,608)

 

1,174 

 

16,026 

 

(930)

 

25,047 

 

27,264 

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


    Total liabilities

1,229,211 

 

1,055,997 

 

1,102,947 

 

1,091,064 

 

1,014,931 

 

975,479 

 

916,908 

 

824,646 

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


Minority interest (1)

1,364 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


Capital stock

3,600 

 

3,620 

 

3,600 

 

3,600 

 

3,450 

 

3,450 

 

3,450 

 

3,450 

Paid-in capital

45,050 

 

45,050 

 

45,050 

 

45,050 

 

23,700 

 

23,700 

 

8,700 

 

8,700 

Retained earnings:

                             

Balance, January 1

606,149 

 

563,795 

 

501,437 

 

485,725 

 

351,151 

 

339,481 

 

253,466 

 

165,075 

Net earnings

85,242 

 

95,661 

 

106,718 

 

74,543 

 

110,450 

 

113,892 

 

79,837 

 

91,980 

Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss)

(47,948)

 

(1,669)

 

2,055 

 

6,399 

 

58,919 

 

(77,622)

 

21,928 

 

9,811 

Dividends paid

(56,306)

 

(51,638)

 

(46,415)

 

(65,230)

 

(34,795)

 

(24,600)

 

(15,750)

 

(13,400)

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


Balance, December 31

587,137 

 

606,149 

 

563,795 

 

501,437 

 

485,725 

 

351,151 

 

339,481 

 

253,466 

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


    Total insurance company equity

635,787 

 

654,819 

 

612,445 

 

550,087 

 

512,875 

 

378,301 

 

351,631 

 

265,616 

    Total non-insurance company
      equity (2)


32,218 

 


56,033 

 


40,379 

 


36,888 

 


26,839 

 


35,288 

 


31,717 

 


16,317 

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


     Total stockholders' equity

668,005 

 

710,852 

 

652,824 

 

586,975 

 

539,714 

 

413,589 

 

383,348 

 

281,933 

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


    Total liabilities, minority
      interest and stockholders' equity


$1,898,580 

 


$1,766,849 

 


$1,755,771 

 


$1,678,039 

 


$1,554,645 

 


$1,389,068 

 


$1,300,256 

 


$1,106,579 

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


                               

<PAGE>  96

THE COMMERCE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMBINED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS OF INSURANCE OPERATIONS AND RECONCILIATION
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Years Ended December 31,

 

(Thousands of Dollars, Unaudited)

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

2003

 

2002

 

2001

 

2000

 

1999

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


                               

Underwriting:

                             

    Direct premiums written

$1,864,153 

 

$1,874,231 

 

$1,838,241 

 

$1,658,969 

 

$1,406,856 

 

$1,152,407 

 

$1,071,649 

 

$ 948,149 

    Assumed premiums

99,015 

 

132,098 

 

128,152 

 

112,547 

 

96,269 

 

79,360 

 

81,659 

 

87,241 

    Ceded premiums

(137,890)

 

(270,138)

 

(253,850)

 

(216,017)

 

(190,111)

 

(152,800)

 

(144,397)

 

(123,397)

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


    Net premiums written

1,825,278 

 

1,736,191 

 

1,712,543 

 

1,555,499 

 

1,313,014 

 

1,078,967 

 

1,008,911 

 

911,993 

    Increase (decrease) in unearned
      premiums


64,578 

 


26,267 

 


73,710 

 


109,871 

 


102,974 

 


35,315 

 


54,428 

 


40,163 

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


        Earned premiums

1,760,700 

 

1,709,924 

 

1,638,833 

 

1,445,628 

 

1,210,040 

 

1,043,652 

 

954,483 

 

871,830 

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


Expenses:

                             

    Losses and loss expenses

1,053,745 

 

1,039,518 

 

1,029,806 

 

1,060,935 

 

908,227 

 

777,828 

 

682,805 

 

628,087 

    Underwriting expenses

505,707 

 

462,633 

 

434,486 

 

356,579 

 

314,150 

 

264,800 

 

251,697 

 

238,458 

    (Increase) decrease in deferred
      acquisition costs


(3,438)

 


(10,770)

 


(10,037)

 


(15,364)

 


(21,684)

 


(5,252)

 


(12,805)

 


(3,374)

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


        Total expenses

1,556,014 

 

1,491,381 

 

1,454,255 

 

1,402,150 

 

1,200,693 

 

1,037,376 

 

921,697 

 

863,171 

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


Underwriting income

204,686 

 

218,543 

 

184,578 

 

43,478 

 

9,347 

 

6,276 

 

32,786 

 

8,659 

Net investment income

145,328 

 

124,983 

 

118,210 

 

94,857 

 

99,611 

 

100,384 

 

96,739 

 

90,028 

Premium finance fees

28,544 

 

28,294 

 

28,275 

 

26,902 

 

21,492 

 

17,814 

 

15,221 

 

14,768 

Amortization of excess of book value
  of subsidiary interest over cost


 


 


 


 


 


3,389 

 


3,390 

 


3,019 

Net realized investment gains (losses)

16,624 

 

22,781 

 

24,293 

 

76,418 

 

(82,505)

 

(10,738)

 

29,380 

 

(16,325)

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


    Earnings before other items and
      federal income taxes


395,182 

 


394,601 

 


355,356 

 


241,655 

 


47,945 

 


117,125 

 


177,516 

 


100,149 

Other income

 

10 

 

118 

 

 

9,500 

 

 

 

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


    Earnings before other items and
      federal income taxes


395,182 

 


394,611 

 


355,474 

 


241,655 

 


57,445 

 


117,125 

 


177,516 

 


100,149 

Federal income taxes

123,048 

 

123,745 

 

108,072 

 

67,199 

 

19,804 

 

23,630 

 

41,411 

 

15,966 

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


    Earnings before cumulative effect of
      change in accounting principle and
      minority interest



272,134 

 



270,866 

 



247,402 

 



174,456 

 



37,641 

 



93,495 

 



136,105 

 



84,183 

Changes in accounting principle

 

 

 

 

11,237 

 

 

 

Minority interest in net losses of
  subsidiary(1)


 


 


 


 


555 

 


863 

 


320 

 


1,059 

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


Net earnings for insurance companies

272,134 

 

270,866 

 

247,402 

 

174,456 

 

49,433 

 

94,358 

 

136,425 

 

85,242 

Net (losses) earnings for non-insurance
  companies


(30,599)

 


(26,954)

 


(32,971)

 


(13,513)

 


(2,678)

 


(4,105)

 


(4,345)

 


3,434 

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


        NET EARNINGS

$   241,535 

 

$   243,912 

 

$   214,431 

 

$   160,943 

 

$46,755 

 

$     90,253 

 

$   132,080 

 

$   88,676 

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


                               

Statutory Financial Ratios (Unaudited)

                             

    Losses and loss expenses to
      premiums earned


59.9%

 


60.8%

 


62.8%

 


73.4%

 


75.1%

 


74.5%

 


71.7%

 


72.0%

Underwriting expenses to net
  premiums written


29.2   

 


26.5   

 


24.9   

 


22.9   

 


23.6   

 


24.2   

 


25.1   

 


26.5   

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


    Combined ratio

89.1%

 

87.3%

 

87.7%

 

96.3%

 

98.7%

 

98.7%

 

96.8%

 

98.5%

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


    Underwriting profit

10.9%

 

12.7%

 

12.3%

 

3.7%

 

1.3%

 

1.3%

 

3.2%

 

1.5%

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


                               

(1)

Due to the internal reorganization in 2003, minority interest is not included in our insurance operations, but instead is included in net earnings for non-insurance companies.

<PAGE>  97

THE COMMERCE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMBINED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS OF INSURANCE OPERATIONS AND RECONCILIATION
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Years Ended December 31,

 
 
 

1998

 

1997

 

1996

 

1995

 

1994

 

1993

 

1992

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


   
                           

Underwriting:

                         

    Direct premiums written

$ 796,858 

 

$ 768,649 

 

$ 731,823 

 

$ 626,666 

 

$ 625,023 

 

$601,289 

 

$ 525,495 

    Assumed premiums

74,644 

 

76,531 

 

93,703 

 

92,249 

 

93,785 

 

66,417 

 

83,268 

    Ceded premiums

(126,454)

 

(103,679)

 

(113,956)

 

(115,494)

 

(129,611)

 

(104,290)

 

(99,916)

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


    Net premiums written

745,048 

 

741,501 

 

711,570 

 

603,421 

 

589,197 

 

563,416 

 

508,847 

    Increase (decrease) in unearned
      premiums


(572)

 


11,004 

 


42,854 

 


10,831 

 


17,144 

 


14,856 

 


98,353 

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


        Earned premiums

745,620 

 

730,497 

 

668,716 

 

592,590 

 

572,053 

 

548,560 

 

410,494 

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


Expenses:

                         

    Losses and loss expenses

533,523 

 

521,775 

 

474,173 

 

367,258 

 

369,764 

 

373,243 

 

271,848 

    Underwriting expenses

200,525 

 

185,146 

 

194,873 

 

171,892 

 

162,446 

 

147,290 

 

138,669 

    (Increase) decrease in deferred
      acquisition costs


(3,495)

 


(2,296)

 


(15,809)

 


(5,723)

 


(5,420)

 


1,796 

 


(21,462)

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


        Total expenses

730,553 

 

704,625 

 

653,237 

 

533,427 

 

526,790 

 

522,329 

 

389,055 

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


Underwriting income

15,067 

 

25,872 

 

15,479 

 

59,163 

 

45,263 

 

26,231 

 

21,439 

Net investment income

86,664 

 

81,396 

 

76,867 

 

71,007 

 

63,119 

 

52,868 

 

39,685 

Premium finance fees

13,426 

 

7,056 

 

9,666 

 

19,246 

 

18,315 

 

16,486 

 

13,734 

Amortization of excess of book value
  of subsidiary interest over cost


 


 


 


 


 


 


Net realized investment gains (losses)

7,026 

 

30,102 

 

(7,752)

 

720 

 

32,025 

 

13,040 

 

12,368 

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


    Earnings before other items and
      federal income taxes


122,183 

 


144,426 

 


94,260 

 


150,136 

 


158,722 

 


108,625 

 


87,226 

Other income

 

 

 

 

 

 

43,168 

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


    Earnings before other items and
      federal income taxes


122,183 

 


144,426 

 


94,260 

 


150,136 

 


158,722 

 


108,625 

 


130,394 

Federal income taxes

26,522 

 

37,708 

 

19,717 

 

39,686 

 

44,830 

 

28,788 

 

38,414 

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


    Earnings before cumulative effect of
      change in accounting principle and
      minority interest



95,661 

 



106,718 

 



74,543 

 



110,450 

 



113,892 

 



79,837 

 



91,980 

Changes in accounting principle

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minority interest in net losses of
  subsidiary(1)


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


Net earnings for insurance companies

95,661 

 

106,718 

 

74,543 

 

110,450 

 

113,892 

 

79,837 

 

91,980 

Net (losses) earnings for non-insurance
  companies


2,604 

 


(5,314)

 


(468)

 


(249)

 


8,691 

 


(4,521)

 


(7,675)

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


        NET EARNINGS

$   98,265 

 

$ 101,404 

 

$   74,075 

 

$ 110,201 

 

$ 122,583 

 

$   75,316 

 

$   84,305 

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


                           
                           

Statutory Financial Ratios (Unaudited)

                         

    Losses and loss expenses to
      premiums earned


71.6%

 


71.4%

 


70.9%

 


62.0%

 


64.6%

 


68.0%

 


66.2%

Underwriting expenses to net
  premiums written


26.5   

 


25.1   

 


27.1   

 


29.0   

 


27.1   

 


25.7   

 


28.1   

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


    Combined ratio

98.1%

 

96.5%

 

98.0%

 

91.0%

 

91.7%

 

93.7%

 

94.3%

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


    Underwriting profit

1.9%

 

3.5%

 

2.0%

 

9.0%

 

8.3%

 

6.3%

 

5.7%

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


                           

<PAGE>  98

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

   

      None.

 

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 
 

(a)

Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures

     

      Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that the Company files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and forms.

 
 

(b)

Management's report on internal controls over financial reporting

     

      Management's report on internal controls over financial reporting and our independent registered public accountant's attestation report on management's assessment of our internal controls is included at the beginning of Item 8 of this report.

 
 

(c)

Changes in internal controls

     

      There have been no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting that have occurred during our last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to affect materially, our internal controls over financial reporting.

 

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

 

      None.

<PAGE>  99

PART III

 

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

 

      The information called for by this Item and not provided herein will be contained in our Proxy Statement, which we intend to file within 120 days after the end of the our fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, and such information is incorporated herein by reference.

 

      We have adopted a Code of Ethics and posted it on our website (http://www.commerceinsurance.com).

 

      Our executive officers are:

 
 

Name

   

Age

   

Primary Position with Company

   
 


   


   


   
               
 

Gerald Fels

 

64

 

President, Chief Executive Office, Chairman of the Board and Director

 
             
 

James A. Ermilio

 

44

 

Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

 
             
 

Lawrence R. Pentis

 

50

 

Executive Vice President; Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President of American Commerce and Commerce West

 
             
 

Arthur J. Remillard, III

 

51

 

Executive Vice President-Policyholder Benefits and Director

 
             
 

Randall V. Becker

 

46

 

Chief Financial Officer, Senior Vice President and Director

 
             
 

David H. Cochrane

 

53

 

Senior Vice President-Underwriting of Commerce and Citation

 
             
 

Peter J. Dignan

 

55

 

Senior Vice President-Marketing and Premium Accounting of Commerce and Citation

 
             
 

John W. Hawie

 

43

 

Senior Vice President and Chief Investment Officer of our insurance subsidiaries

 
             
 

Debra A. Mann

 

47

 

Senior Vice President-Management Information Systems of our insurance subsidiaries

 
             
 

Louise M. McCarthy

 

39

 

Senior Vice President, Senior Counsel and Assistant Secretary

 
             
 

Cathleen M. Moynihan

 

51

 

Senior Vice President-Human Resources

 
             

      Gerald Fels, a Certified Public Accountant, was appointed President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board effective July 27, 2006. Mr. Fels has been President and Chief Operating Officer of Commerce Insurance since 2001. Mr. Fels had been Executive Vice President of Commerce Group from 1989 until July 2006. From 1981 to 1989, Mr. Fels was Senior Vice President of Commerce Group. Mr. Fels was the Treasurer of Commerce Group from 1976 to 1994 and of Commerce Insurance from 1975 to 1994. Mr. Fels was Chief Financial Officer of Commerce Group since 1976 and of Commerce Insurance since 1975 until February 2006. Mr. Fels became the Chief Executive Officer and President of American Commerce and Commerce West effective November 2003. Additionally, Mr. Fels is a director of American Nuclear Insurers.

<PAGE>  100

      James A. Ermilio was appointed Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of The Commerce Group in August 2006. He previously was appointed as Senior Vice President for Commerce Group in May 2001. Mr. Ermilio was also appointed General Counsel of Commerce Group in February 2000 and was a Vice President of Commerce Group from November 1998 to May 2001. Mr. Ermilio is also General Counsel and Secretary of American Commerce and Secretary of ACIC Holding and Commerce West. Mr. Ermilio had been the Associate General Counsel of Commerce Group since September 1998. Mr. Ermilio was Counsel for Glaxo Wellcome, Inc. (currently known as GlaxoSmithKline, Inc.) from 1993 to September 1998. Prior to 1993, Mr. Ermilio was an Associate with the law firm currently known as Bingham McCutchen. Mr. Ermilio is a member of the Massachusetts and District of Columbia Bars.

 

      Lawrence R. Pentis was appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of American Commerce and Commerce West effective January 2007. Prior to joining us, Mr. Pentis spent the previous 17 years at the California State Automobile Association (CSAA), most recently serving as Senior Vice President, Insurance Operations. During his tenure at CSAA, Mr. Pentis managed a variety of functions, including product management, underwriting and claims.

 

      Arthur J. Remillard, III was appointed Executive Vice President of Policyholder Benefits in August 2006. Mr. Remillard, III had been Senior Vice President of Policyholder Benefits since 1988 and had been Assistant Clerk of Commerce Group since 1982. In August 2001, Mr. Remillard, III became responsible for the claim operations of American Commerce. From 1981 to 1988, Mr. Remillard, III had been Vice President-Mortgage Operations. In addition, Mr. Remillard, III was elected Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Insurance Fraud Bureau of the AIB in 2002 and he has served on that Board since 1991. Mr. Remillard, III has also served on the CAR Claims Advisory Committee since 1990 and the AIB Claims Committee since 1991.

 

      Randall V. Becker, a Certified Public Accountant, was appointed Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President of Commerce Group in February 2006. Mr. Becker was Treasurer and Chief Accounting Officer of Commerce Group from 1994 until August 2006. From 1990 to 1994, Mr. Becker was Assistant Treasurer and Comptroller of Commerce Group. From 1986 to 1990, Mr. Becker was the Director of Internal Audit for Commerce Group.

 

      David H. Cochrane has been the Senior Vice President of Underwriting for Commerce Insurance and Citation since 1988. For approximately four years prior to that, Mr. Cochrane was the Vice President of Financial Services of CAR. Mr. Cochrane has served on the CAR Market Review Committee since 1988 and was Chairman of this committee in 2005 and 2006. Mr. Cochrane serves on the CAR ERP Subscription Methodology Committee and was appointed to the CAR Actuarial Committee in January 2006.

 

      Peter J. Dignan was appointed the Senior Vice President of Marketing and Premium Accounting for Commerce Insurance and Citation in 1997. From 1989 to 1997, Mr. Dignan was Vice President of Premium Accounting for Commerce Insurance and Citation. From 1987 to 1989, Mr. Dignan was Assistant Vice President of Premium Accounting for Commerce and Citation.

 

      John W. Hawie joined The Commerce Group as Chief Investment Officer in February 2003. In May 2006, he was promoted to Senior Vice President and Chief Investment Officer. He was promoted to be an officer of Commerce Insurance, American Commerce and Commerce West in May 2003. Prior to joining Commerce, Mr. Hawie was employed by General Re where he spent 12 years in a variety of portfolio management functions. During this time, he spent four years in Luxembourg managing the assets of a joint venture between General Re and Axa and in 1997 was named Chief Investment Officer of General Re's UK operations.

 

      Debra A. Mann was appointed Senior Vice President of Management Information Systems for Commerce Insurance in February 2006. From 2002 until February 2006, Ms. Mann was Assistant Vice President of Management Information Systems at Commerce Insurance. From 1995 to 2002, Ms. Mann was Information Systems and Services Manager at Commerce Insurance. Ms. Mann has been employed in various positions at Commerce Insurance since 1984.

 

      Louise M. McCarthy was appointed Senior Vice President, Senior Counsel, and Assistant Secretary of The Commerce Group, Inc. in August 2006. Ms. McCarthy was also appointed Senior Vice President and General Counsel of the insurance subsidiaries of The Commerce Group at that time. She previously was appointed Vice President and Senior Counsel of The Commerce Group, Inc. in May 2006. She previously was appointed Senior Counsel and Assistant Vice President of The Commerce Group, Inc. in May 2003. She served as Senior Counsel of The Commerce Group, Inc. from September 2001 to May 2003. Ms. McCarthy served as counsel to OneBeacon Insurance Group (f/k/a CGU Insurance Group) from 1995 to September 2001. Prior to 1995, Ms. McCarthy served as Assistant General Counsel of the Massachusetts Division of Insurance. Ms. McCarthy is a member of the Massachusetts bar.

<PAGE>  101

      Cathleen M. Moynihan was appointed Senior Vice President of Human Resources in May 2006. Ms. Moynihan joined Commerce Group as Vice President of Human Resources in June 2005. Prior to joining Commerce, Ms. Moynihan was employed by EquiServe, Inc. as the Chief Human Resource Officer from October 2000 to June 2005. Ms. Moynihan had previously held executive level human resource positions at CGU Insurance (now known as One Beacon), Baystate Health Systems and the St. Paul Companies.

 

      Arthur J. Remillard, III and Regan P. Remillard, a Director of the Company, are brothers. Their father, Arthur J. Remillard, Jr., also is a Director of the Company. There are no other family relationships among the Company's executive officers or directors.

 

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

      The information called for by this Item will be contained in our Proxy Statement, which we intend to file within 120 days after the end of our fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 and such information is incorporated herein by reference.

 

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

   

      The information called for by this Item and not provided herein will be contained in our Proxy Statement, which we intend to file within 120 days after the end of our fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 and such information is incorporated herein by reference.

 

      A summary of the total number of shares of our common stock to be issued upon exercise of outstanding stock options, the weighted-average exercise price of these outstanding stock options and the number of shares of our common stock remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans at December 31, 2006 follows. This information is presented for equity compensation plans that have and have not been approved by our stockholders.

 

Plan Category

Securities to be Issued
Upon Exercise of
Outstanding Options

Weighted Average
Exercise Price of
Outstanding Options

Securities Remaining
Available for Future
Issuance Under Equity
Compensation Plans

 


 


 


                       

Equity compensation plans approved
  by security holders(1)

 

  16,084

     

$15.40

     

5,115,328

 
                       

Equity compensation plans not
  approved by security holders(2)

 

651,026

     

$27.94

     

NA

 
   


             


 

        Total

 

667,110

     

$27.64

     

NA

 
   


             


 
                       

(1)

During 2002, our stockholders approved an amended Incentive Compensation Plan, which provides for the award of incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, book value awards, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock and performance stock units. At the discretion of the Compensation Committee, our directors, officers and other senior management employees, including our subsidiaries, are eligible to participate in this plan. See Note I of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

   

(2)

Beginning in 1999, we have granted certain insurance agents of ACIC options on our common stock. See Note I of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a detailed description of the Plan. These options cannot be exercised using cash. Options can only be exercised using a net share purchase such that the dollar value that the option is in the money is divided by the market value of the common stock at date of exercise to arrive at the number of shares to be received by the option holder. We have estimated the number of shares to be issued for this disclosure by using the December 31, 2006 closing market value as market value on exercise date.

   
 

NA - Not applicable. No limit has been established for the ACIC agent option plan.

   

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

 

      The information called for by this Item will be contained in our Proxy Statement, which we intend to file within 120 days after the end of our fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 and such information is incorporated herein by reference.

 

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

<PAGE>  102

      The information called for by this Item will be contained in our Proxy Statement, which we intend to file within 120 days after the end of our fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 and such information is incorporated herein by reference.

 

PART IV

 

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

 

A.

(1)

The financial statements and notes to financial statements are filed as part of this report in Part II, Item 8.

 

(2)

The financial statement schedules are listed in the Index to Consolidated Financial Statement Schedules.

     
 

(3)

The exhibits are listed in the Index to Exhibits.

     

<PAGE>  103

SIGNATURES

 

      Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

Dated: March 1, 2007

 
 

THE COMMERCE GROUP, INC.

   
 

By:

Gerald Fels

   


   

(Gerald Fels)

   

President and Chief Executive Officer

     

      Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed by the following persons, dated March 1, 2007, on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities indicated.

 
 

Signature

   

Title

 


 


     

/s/ Gerald Fels

 

President, Chief Executive Officer, Chairman


 

of the Board and Director

     

/s/ Arthur J. Remillard, III

 

Executive Vice President-Policyholder Benefits


 

and Director

(Arthur J. Remillard, III)

   
     

/s/ Randall V. Becker

 

Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer


 

and Director

(Randall V. Becker)

   
     

/s/ Joseph A. Borski, Jr.

 

Director


   

(Joseph A. Borski, Jr.)

   
     

/s/ Eric G. Butler

 

Director


   

(Eric G. Butler)

   
     

/s/ Henry J. Camosse

 

Director


   

(Henry J. Camosse)

   
     

/s/ David R. Grenon

 

Director


   

(David R. Grenon)

   
     

/s/ Robert W. Harris

 

Director


   

(Robert W. Harris)

   
     

/s/ John J. Kunkel

 

Director


   

(John J. Kunkel)

   
     

/s/ Raymond J. Lauring

 

Director


   

(Raymond J. Lauring)

   
     

/s/ Normand R. Marois

 

Director


   

(Normand R. Marois)

   
     

/s/ Suryakant M. Patel

 

Director


   

(Suryakant M. Patel)

   
     

/s/ Arthur J. Remillard, Jr.

 

Director


   

(Arthur J. Remillard, Jr.)

   

<PAGE>  104

     

/s/ Regan P. Remillard

 

Director


   

(Regan P. Remillard)

   
     

/s/ Gurbachan Singh

 

Director


   

(Gurbachan Singh)

   
     

/s/ John W. Spillane

 

Director


   

(John W. Spillane)

   

<PAGE>  105

THE COMMERCE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES*

 

Schedules

Page

     

II

Condensed Financial Information of the Registrant as of and for the

 
 

years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004

108

     

III

Supplementary Insurance Information for the years ended

 
 

December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004

113

     

IV

Reinsurance for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004

114

     

V

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts for the years ended

 
 

December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004

115

     

VI

Supplemental Information Concerning Property-Casualty Insurance

 
 

Operations for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004

116

     

*

Financial statement schedules other than those listed are omitted because they are not required, not applicable or the required information has been included elsewhere.

<PAGE>  106

THE COMMERCE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SCHEDULE II
CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
THE COMMERCE GROUP, INC.
(Parent Company Only)
BALANCE SHEETS
December 31,

 

(Thousands of Dollars)

2006

 

2005

 


 


       

ASSETS

Investments:

     

    Investment in Commerce Holdings, Inc

$1,680,947 

 

$1,572,702 

    Investment in Bay Finance Company, Inc

11,640 

 

11,395 

    Investment in the Clark-Prout Insurance Agency, Inc

560 

 

703 

 


 


        Total investments

1,693,147 

 

1,584,800 

       

Cash and cash equivalents

220 

 

88 

Current income taxes

16,936 

 

16,958 

Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation

844 

 

1,028 

Deferred income taxes

14,477 

 

12,697 

Receivable from affiliates

163,272 

 

66,790 

Other assets

1,979 

 

2,244 

 


 


        Total assets

$1,890,875 

 

$1,684,605 

 


 


       

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Liabilities:

     

    Accounts payable and accrued expenses

$     87,759 

 

$     79,942 

    Bonds payable ($300,000 face less discount) (Note E)

298,589 

 

298,388 

    Other liabilities

1,256 

 

1,206 

 


 


        Total liabilities

387,604 

 

379,536 

 


 


Stockholders' equity:

     

    Common stock, authorized 100,000,000 shares at $0.50 par;
      81,927,916 and 81,831,546 shares issued


40,964 

 


20,458 

    Paid-in capital

135,033 

 

148,130 

    Net accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes
      (benefit) of $18,455 and $(3,649)


34,273 

 


(6,810)

    Retained earnings

1,539,056 

 

1,363,507 

 


 


        Total stockholders' equity before treasury stock

1,749,326 

 

1,525,285 

Treasury stock, 15,200,437 and 14,525,142 shares

(246,055)

 

(220,216)

 


 


        Total stockholders' equity

1,503,271 

 

1,305,069 

 


 


        Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

$1,890,875 

 

$1,684,605 

 


 


       

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed financial statements.

 

<PAGE>  107

THE COMMERCE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SCHEDULE II (continued)
CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
THE COMMERCE GROUP, INC.
(Parent Company Only)
STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
Years ended December 31,

 

(Thousands of Dollars)

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 


 


 


Revenues:

         

    Rent income

$       383 

 

$       510 

 

$       516 

    Net investment income

 

 

47 

 


 


 


        Total revenues

391 

 

511 

 

563 

 


 


 


           

Expenses:

         

    Depreciation

269 

 

286 

 

267 

    Interest expense and amortization of bond fees

18,328 

 

18,293 

 

18,313 

    Administrative and other expenses

29,402 

 

22,972 

 

31,553 

 


 


 


        Total expenses

47,999 

 

41,551 

 

50,133 

 


 


 


           

Losses before income tax benefits and equity in earnings of subsidiaries

(47,608)

 

(41,040)

 

(49,570)

Income tax benefits

(18,704)

 

(15,867)

 

(18,691)

 


 


 


           

Losses before equity in earnings of subsidiaries

(28,904)

 

(25,173)

 

(30,879)

           

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries

270,439 

 

269,085 

 

245,310 

 


 


 


    Net earnings

$241,535 

 

$243,912 

 

$214,431 

 


 


 


           

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed financial statements.

<PAGE>  108

THE COMMERCE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SCHEDULE II (continued)
CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
THE COMMERCE GROUP, INC.
(Parent Company Only)
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Years ended December 31,

 

(Thousands of Dollars)

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 


 


 


           

Cash flows from operating activities:

         

    Net earnings

$ 241,535 

 

$ 243,912 

 

$ 214,431 

    Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash operating activities:

         

        Dividends received from subsidiaries

203,175

 

68,040

 

23,625

        Equity in earnings of subsidiaries

(270,439)

 

(269,085)

 

(245,310)

        Depreciation and amortization

722 

 

766 

 

745 

        Change in:

         

            Other assets, other liabilities and accrued expenses

19,184 

 

39,175 

 

16,738 

            Balances with affiliates

(96,482)

 

(35,823)

 

9,022 

 


 


 


Net cash provided by operating activities

97,695 

 

46,985 

 

19,251 

 


 


 


           

Cash flows from investing activities:

         

    Purchase of property and equipment

(129)

 

(283)

 

(191)

    Other

68 

 

45 

 

57 

 


 


 


Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

(61)

 

(238)

 

(134)

 


 


 


           

Cash flows from financing activities:

         

    Dividends paid to stockholders

(65,986)

 

(49,414)

 

(43,032)

    Purchase of capital stock

(31,646)

 

 

    Bond issue costs

 

 

(454)

    Capital stock issued

130 

 

2,437 

 

22,606 

 


 


 


Net cash used in financing activities

(97,502)

 

(46,977)

 

(20,880)

 


 


 


           

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

132 

 

(230)

 

(1,763)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

88 

 

318 

 

2,081 

 


 


 


Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

$        220 

 

$          88 

 

$        318 

 


 


 


           

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed financial statements.

<PAGE>  109

THE COMMERCE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SCHEDULE II (continued)
CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
THE COMMERCE GROUP, INC.
(Parent Company Only)
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

      The accompanying condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes thereto in this annual report. Dollar amounts are in thousands, except per share data and as otherwise noted.

 

      These condensed financial statements are presented on a "parent company only" basis. The equity of each of the Company's subsidiaries is reflected on each "investment in" line of the balance sheet. The combined net earnings of the Company's subsidiaries is reflected by the Company from those subsidiaries on the "equity in earnings of subsidiaries" line in the statements of earnings. Since the condensed financial statements are presented on a "parent company only" basis, intercompany balances that are eliminated in the consolidated financial statements are reflected in those financial statements.

 

Note A--Dividends

 

      Cash dividends paid to The Commerce Group, Inc. (parent only) follow:

 
 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 


 


 


           

Consolidated insurance subsidiaries

$203,175

 

$68,040

 

$23,625

           

      See Note I to the consolidated financial statements in the annual report for a description of dividend restrictions applicable to the Company's subsidiaries.

 

Note B--Federal Income Tax Allocation

 

      As a member of a consolidated group for tax purposes, the Company and its subsidiaries (Affiliated Group) are jointly and severally liable for federal income taxes of the Affiliated Group. The Company and its subsidiaries have entered into an agreement establishing an allocation of tax liability and for compensation of the respective members of the Affiliated Group for use of their tax losses and credits.

 

      The method of allocation calls for current taxes to be allocated among all affiliated companies based on a written tax-sharing agreement. Under this agreement, allocation is made primarily on a separate return basis with current payment for losses and other tax items utilized in the consolidated return. However, to the extent that a payer member of the group has future net operating losses, which it cannot absorb in the year incurred, other members within the group will refund payments to the payer.

<PAGE>  110

THE COMMERCE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SCHEDULE II (continued)
CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
THE COMMERCE GROUP, INC.
(Parent Company Only)
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note C--Consolidated Financial Statements

 

      In preparing the consolidated financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries, the following amounts have been eliminated:

 
 

Years Ended December 31,

   
 


   

Balance Sheet

2006

 

2005

   
 


 


   
       
           

Investment in subsidiaries

$1,693,147

 

$1,584,800

   

Receivable from affiliates

163,272

 

66,790

   
           
 

Years Ended December 31,

 


           

Statement of Earnings

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 


 


 


   
           

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries

$270,439

 

$269,085

 

$245,310

Rent income

383

 

510

 

516

           

Note D--Reclassification of Prior Year Balances

 

      Certain prior year balances may have been reclassified to conform to the 2006 presentations.

 

Note E--Bonds Payable

 

      On December 9, 2003, we issued $300,000 face value of senior unsecured and unsubordinated debt (the Senior Notes) which matures December 9, 2013. The Senior Notes were issued at 99.3% to yield 6.04% and bear a coupon interest rate of 5.95%, payable semi-annually on June 9 and December 9. Proceeds from the issuance were $297,972. Costs related to the issuance of the Senior Notes have been deferred and recorded in other assets on the balance sheet. The deferred costs and the original issue discount will be amortized into interest expense over the life of the Senior Notes. The fair market value of the Senior Notes at December 31, 2006 was estimated at $295,000.

<PAGE>  111

THE COMMERCE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SCHEDULE III
SUPPLEMENTARY INSURANCE INFORMATION
Years Ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004
(Thousands of Dollars)

 






Segment



Deferred
Policy
Acquisition
Costs

Future
Policy
Benefits,
Claims and
Loss
Expenses





Unearned
Premiums


Other
Policy
Claims and
Benefits
Payable




Earned
Premium
Revenue




Net
Investment
Income(1)


Benefits,
Claims,
Losses and
Settlement
Expenses


Amortization
of Deferred
Policy
Acquisition
Costs




Other
Operating
Expenses




Net
Premiums
Written


                     

2006:

                   

    Massachusetts property and casualty

                   

        insurance

$160,251

$852,722

$852,417

 

$1,559,053

$125,740

$916,093

$448,179

$          -

 

$1,603,047

    Other states property and casualty

                   

      insurance

17,601

119,227

82,968

None

201,647

16,942

136,209

54,177

-

 

222,231

    Real estate and commercial lending

-

-

-

 

-

862

-

-

-

 

-

    Corporate and other

-

-

-

 

-

19

16,112

13,951

18,328

 

-

 


 


        Total

$177,852

$971,949

$935,385

 

$1,760,700

$143,563

$1,068,414

$516,307

$18,328

 

$1,825,278

 


 


                     

2005:

                   

    Massachusetts property and casualty

                   

      insurance

$157,985

$865,962

$860,594

 

$1,498,808

$108,974

$890,012

$402,932

$          -

 

$1,531,439

    Other states property and casualty

                   

      insurance

16,430

123,234

72,566

None

211,116

13,495

147,649

49,586

-

 

204,752

    Real estate and commercial lending

-

-

-

 

-

739

-

-

-

 

-

    Corporate and other

-

-

-

 

-

3

12,525

10,779

18,293

 

-

 


 


        Total

$174,415

$989,196

$933,160

 

$1,709,924

$123,211

$1,050,186

$463,297

$18,293

 

$1,736,191

 


 


                     

2004:

                   

    Massachusetts property and casualty

                   

      insurance

$145,706

$873,037

$824,277

 

$1,416,689

$103,000

$881,888

$368,768

$          -

 

$1,490,403

    Other states property and casualty

                   

      insurance

17,939

117,223

78,289

None

222,144

11,955

147,801

56,341

-

 

222,140

    Real estate and commercial lending

-

-

-

 

-

705

-

-

-

 

-

    Corporate and other

-

-

-

 

-

51

15,151

14,123

18,313

 

-

 


 


        Total

$163,645

$990,260

$902,566

 

$1,638,833

$115,711

$1,044,840

$439,232

$18,313

 

$1,712,543

 


 


                     

(1)

The allocation of net investment income is based upon the specific identification of activity within the various segments.

<PAGE>  112

THE COMMERCE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SCHEDULE IV
REINSURANCE
Years Ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004
(Thousands of Dollars)

 




Insurance Premiums Earned



Gross
Amount


Ceded to
Other
Companies


Assumed
from Other
Companies



Net
Amount

Percentage
of Amount
Assumed
to Net

 


 


 


 


 


                   

2006:

                 

    Property and casualty insurance

$1,847,039

 

$205,966

 

$119,627

 

$1,760,700

 

6.8%

                   

2005:

                 

    Property and casualty insurance

$1,849,827

 

$265,885

 

$125,982

 

$1,709,924

 

7.4%

                   

2004:

                 

    Property and casualty insurance

$1,753,262

 

$235,808

 

$121,379

 

$1,638,833

 

7.4%

 


 


 


 


 


<PAGE>  113

THE COMMERCE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SCHEDULE V
VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
Years Ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004
(Thousands of Dollars)

 

Balance
beginning
of year

Net addition
(reduction)
recorded to
expenses

Deductions(1)

Balance
at end
of year

 


 


 


 


                       

2006:

                     

    Allowance for losses on mortgage loans

                     

      and collateral notes receivable

$

55

 

$

 

$

 

$

58

 


 


 


 


    Allowance for doubtful premium receivables

$

2,254

 

$

2,415 

 

$

(2,215)

 

$

2,454

 


 


 


 


                       

2005:

                     

    Allowance for losses on mortgage loans

                     

      and collateral notes receivable

$

372

 

$

(317)

 

$

 

$

55

 


 


 


 


    Allowance for doubtful premium receivables

$

2,254

 

$

2,280 

 

$

(2,280)

 

$

2,254

 


 


 


 


                       

2004:

                     

    Allowance for losses on mortgage loans and

                     

      collateral notes receivable

$

379

 

$

(7)

 

$

 

$

372

 


 


 


 


    Allowance for doubtful premium receivables

$

2,254

 

$

2,129 

 

$

(2,129)

 

$

2,254

 


 


 


 


                       

(1)

Deductions represent net write-offs of amounts determined to be uncollectible.

<PAGE>  114

THE COMMERCE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SCHEDULE VI
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION CONCERNING
PROPERTY-CASUALTY INSURANCE OPERATIONS
Years Ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004
(Thousands of Dollars)

 
 






Affiliation with Registrant

 

Claims and claim
adjustment expenses
incurred related to


 



Paid claims
and claim
adjustment
expenses

Current
Year

 

Prior
Years

 
 
 


 


 


 


           

2006:

         

    Consolidated property-casualty entities

$1,112,140

 

$(43,726)

 

$1,052,338

 


 


 


           

2005:

         

    Consolidated property-casualty entities

$1,111,583

 

$(61,397)

 

$1,045,613

 


 


 


           

2004:

         

    Consolidated property-casualty entities

$1,101,871

 

$(57,031)

 

$1,007,057

 


 


 


<PAGE>  115

THE COMMERCE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
INDEX TO EXHIBITS (A)

 

Exhibit

       

Number

   

Title

 


   


 
     

3.1

 

Articles of Organization, as amended (B)

     

3.2

 

By-Laws (B)

     

4.1

 

Form of Stock Certificate (B)

     

4.2

 

Form of Indenture between the Registrant and Wachovia Bank (I)

     

4.3

 

Form of Officers' Certificate (includes form of Notes) (I)

     

10.2*

 

Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement (D)

     

10.3*

 

Form of Incentive Stock Option Agreement (D)

     

10.5*

 

Form of Stock Option Agreement (D)

     

10.7

 

Reinsurance Agreement with Employers Reinsurance Corporation (F)

     

10.8*

 

2002 Amended & Restated Incentive Compensation Plan (G)

     

10.9

 

ACIC Agent Growth Option Agreement (G)

     

10.10

 

Initial ACIC Agent Option Agreement (H)

     

10.11

 

Form of AAA Marketing Agreement (S)

     

10.12

 

Form of AAA Service Agreement (J)

     

10.13

 

Massachusetts Insurance Processing Service Agreement (K)

     

10.14

 

Letter Agreement Regarding Growth Options (K)

     

10.31

 

Multiple Line Quota Share Reinsurance Agreement (L)

     

10.32

 

Form of Director Indemnification Agreement (N)

     

10.36*

 

Form of 2005 Incentive Award Agreement (O)

     

10.38

 

Property and Catastrophe (1st through 3rd) Excess of Loss Reinsurance Contract (P)

     

10.39*

 

Form of 2006 Directors' Incentive Award Agreement (Q)

     

10.40*

 

Form of 2006 Officers' Incentive Award Agreement (Q)

     

10.43

 

Property Catastrophe Excess of Loss Reinsurance Contract, effective July 1, 2006 (R)

     

21

 

Subsidiaries of the Registrant(L)

     

23

 

Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP filed herewith

     

31

 

Statements under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 filed herewith

     

32

 

Statements under Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 filed herewith

<PAGE>  117


 

(A)

Exhibits other than those listed are omitted because they are not required or are not applicable. Copies of exhibits are available without charge by writing to the Assistant to the President at 211 Main Street, Webster, MA 01570.

   

(B)

Incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-18 (No. 33-12533-B).

   

(D)

Incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999.

   

(F)

Incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant's Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2002.

   

(G)

Incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002.

   

(H)

Incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant's Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2003.

   

(I)

Incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant's Form S-3/A (File No. 333-109255), filed on November 3, 2003.

   

(J)

Incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant's Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2002, filed on September 29, 2003.

   

(K)

Incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant's Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2002, filed on November 25, 2003.

   

(L)

Incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003.

   

(N)

Incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004.

   

(O)

Incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant's Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2005.

   

(P)

Incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant's Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2005.

   

(Q)

Incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant's Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2006

   

(R)

Incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant's Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30 2006

   

(S)

Incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant's Form 8-K filed December 18, 2006.

   

*

Denotes management contract or compensation plan or arrangement.

<PAGE>  117