8-KOther EventsExhibits & Filings

HARTFORD INSURANCE GROUP, INC. 8-K Report, Corporate Update (Sep 14, 2021)

Filed September 14, 2021For Securities:HIGHIG-PG

Summary

The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (HIG) has announced a new agreement-in-principle to resolve claims related to the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) bankruptcy. This supersedes a prior agreement and includes the BSA, its local councils, and a majority of sexual abuse claimants. Under the new terms, The Hartford will pay $787 million before tax, primarily for claims associated with policies issued in the 1970s. This payment will secure a full release from the BSA and its local councils for any obligations under previously issued policies. This revised settlement represents an increase from the previously announced $650 million settlement in April 2021, which did not include local councils or a majority of claimants. The company expects to record a pre-tax charge of approximately $137 million in the third quarter of 2021 due to prior accident year development related to this settlement. The agreement is contingent on several conditions, including the execution of definitive agreements, confirmation of the BSA's reorganization plan by the court, and executed releases from local councils, with court approval anticipated by late 2021.

Key Highlights

  • 1The Hartford entered a new agreement-in-principle for the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) bankruptcy settlement, superseding the prior agreement.
  • 2The new settlement involves a payment of $787 million (before tax) by The Hartford.
  • 3This agreement includes the BSA, its local councils, and representatives of a majority of sexual abuse claimants.
  • 4The company will receive a full release from the BSA and its local councils in exchange for the settlement payment.
  • 5An estimated pre-tax charge of $137 million will be recorded in Q3 2021 for prior accident year development related to the increased settlement amount.
  • 6The previous settlement announced in April 2021 was $650 million and did not include local councils or a majority of claimants.
  • 7The agreement is subject to several conditions precedent, including definitive agreement execution, court approval of the BSA's reorganization plan, and releases from local councils.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Hartford will pay $787 million before tax. The company expects to record a charge against earnings of approximately $137 million before tax in the third quarter of 2021, reflecting prior accident year development related to this settlement. The net cash outflow related to this specific settlement is $787 million.

The new agreement-in-principle increases the total settlement amount and importantly, it now includes the Boy Scouts of America's local councils and representatives of a majority of the sexual abuse claimants. The prior $650 million settlement did not have these broader inclusions.

The parties involved expect to receive court approval of the settlement in late 2021. However, this is contingent upon several conditions being met, including the execution of a definitive settlement agreement, confirmation of the BSA's global resolution plan, and receipt of executed releases from the local councils.

The increase in the settlement amount is largely due to the inclusion of the BSA's local councils and a majority of the sexual abuse claimants in this new agreement-in-principle. This broader scope necessitates a higher payment to resolve all associated claims.