§ 846. Discounted unpaid losses defined
(a)
Discounted losses determined
(1)
Separately computed for each accident year
The amount of the discounted unpaid losses as of the end of any taxable year shall be the sum of the discounted unpaid losses (as of such time) separately computed under this section with respect to unpaid losses in each line of business attributable to each accident year.
(2)
Method of discounting
The amount of the discounted unpaid losses as of the end of any taxable year attributable to any accident year shall be the present value of such losses (as of such time) determined by using—
(3)
Limitation on amount of discounted losses
In no event shall the amount of the discounted unpaid losses with respect to any line of business attributable to any accident year exceed the aggregate amount of unpaid losses with respect to such line of business for such accident year included on the annual statement filed by the taxpayer for the year ending with or within the taxable year.
(b)
Determination of undiscounted unpaid losses
For purposes of this section—
(1)
In general
Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the term “undiscounted unpaid losses” means the unpaid losses shown in the annual statement filed by the taxpayer for the year ending with or within the taxable year of the taxpayer.
(2)
Adjustment if losses discounted on annual statement
If—
(A)
the amount of unpaid losses shown in the annual statement is determined on a discounted basis, and
(B)
the extent to which the losses were discounted can be determined on the basis of information disclosed on or with the annual statement,
the amount of the unpaid losses shall be determined without regard to any reduction attributable to such discounting.
(c)
Rate of interest
(1)
In general
For purposes of this section, the rate of interest determined under this subsection shall be the annual rate determined by the Secretary under paragraph (2).
(2)
Determination of annual rate
(A)
In general
The annual rate determined by the Secretary under this paragraph for any calendar year shall be a rate equal to the average of the applicable Federal mid-term rates (as defined in section
1274
(d) but based on annual compounding) effective as of the beginning of each of the calendar months in the test period.
(d)
Loss payment pattern
(1)
In general
For each determination year, the Secretary shall determine a loss payment pattern for each line of business by reference to the historical loss payment pattern applicable to such line of business. Any loss payment pattern determined by the Secretary shall apply to the accident year ending with the determination year and to each of the 4 succeeding accident years.
(2)
Method of determination
Determinations under paragraph (1) for any determination year shall be made by the Secretary—
(B)
on the basis of the most recent published aggregate data from such annual statements relating to loss payment patterns available on the 1st day of the determination year,
(3)
Computational rules
For purposes of this subsection—
(A)
In general
Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, the loss payment pattern for any line of business shall be based on the assumption that all losses are paid—
(B)
Treatment of certain losses
Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph—
(C)
Special rule for certain long-tail lines
In the case of any long-tail line of business—
(i)
the period taken into account under subparagraph (A)(ii) shall be extended (but not by more than 5 years) to the extent required under clause (ii), and
(ii)
the amount of losses which would have been treated as paid in the 10th year after the accident year shall be treated as paid in such 10th year and each subsequent year in an amount equal to the amount of the losses treated as paid in the 9th year after the accident year (or, if lesser, the portion of the unpaid losses not theretofore taken into account).
Notwithstanding clause (ii), to the extent such unpaid losses have not been treated as paid before the last year of the extension, they shall be treated as paid in such last year.
(D)
Long-tail line of business
For purposes of subparagraph (C), the term “long-tail line of business” means any line of business described in subparagraph (A)(ii) if the amount of losses which (without regard to subparagraph (C)) would be treated as paid in the 10th year after the accident year exceeds the losses treated as paid in the 9th year after the accident year.
(E)
Special rule for international and reinsurance lines of business
Except as otherwise provided by regulations, any determination made under subsection (a) with respect to unpaid losses relating to the international or reinsurance lines of business shall be made using, in lieu of the loss payment pattern applicable to the respective lines of business, a pattern determined by the Secretary under paragraphs (1) and (2) based on the combined losses for all lines of business described in subparagraph (A)(ii).
(F)
Adjustments if loss experience information available for longer periods
The Secretary shall make appropriate adjustments in the application of this paragraph if annual statement data with respect to payment of losses is available for longer periods after the accident year than the periods assumed under the rules of this paragraph.
(G)
Special rule for 9th year if negative or zero
If the amount of the losses treated as paid in the 9th year after the accident year is zero or a negative amount, subparagraphs (C)(ii) and (D) shall be applied by substituting the average of the losses treated as paid in the 7th, 8th, and 9th years after the accident year for the losses treated as paid in the 9th year after the accident year.
(e)
Election to use company’s historical payment pattern
(1)
In general
The taxpayer may elect to apply subsection (a)(2)(C) with respect to all lines of business by using a loss payment pattern determined by reference to the taxpayer’s loss payment pattern for the most recent calendar year for which an annual statement was filed before the beginning of the accident year. Any such determination shall be made with the application of the rules of paragraphs (2)(C) and (3) of subsection (d).
(2)
Election
(A)
In general
An election under paragraph (1) shall be made separately with respect to each determination year under subsection (d).
(3)
No election for international or reinsurance business
No election under this subsection shall apply to any international or reinsurance line of business.
(4)
Regulations
The Secretary shall prescribe such regulations as may be necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of this subsection including—
(f)
Other definitions and special rules
For purposes of this section—
(1)
Accident year
The term “accident year” means the calendar year in which the incident occurs which gives rise to the related unpaid loss.
(2)
Unpaid loss adjustment expenses
The term “unpaid losses” includes any unpaid loss adjustment expenses shown on the annual statement.
(3)
Annual statement
The term “annual statement” means the annual statement approved by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners which the taxpayer is required to file with insurance regulatory authorities of a State.
(4)
Line of business
The term “line of business” means a category for the reporting of loss payment patterns determined on the basis of the annual statement for fire and casualty insurance companies for the calendar year ending with or within the taxable year, except that the multiple peril lines shall be treated as a single line of business.
(5)
Multiple peril lines
The term “multiple peril lines” means the lines of business relating to farmowners multiple peril, homeowners multiple peril, commercial multiple peril, ocean marine, aircraft (all perils) and boiler and machinery.
(6)
Special rule for certain accident and health insurance lines of business
Any determination under subsection (a) with respect to unpaid losses relating to accident and health insurance lines of businesses (other than credit disability insurance) shall be made—
(A)
in the case of unpaid losses relating to disability income, by using the general rules prescribed under section
807
(d) applicable to noncancellable accident and health insurance contracts and using a mortality or morbidity table reflecting the taxpayer’s experience; except that—
(g)
Regulations
The Secretary shall prescribe such regulations as may be necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of this section, including—