Berkshire Hathaway 2007 Annual Report Download - page 68

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Property and casualty losses (Continued)
BHRG (Continued)
2005. Loss reserves for pre-2007 events declined by approximately $200 million which produced a corresponding increase to
pre-tax earnings in 2007. Reserving techniques for catastrophe and individual risk contracts generally rely more on a per-policy
assessment of the ultimate cost associated with the individual loss event rather than with an analysis of the historical
development patterns of past losses. Catastrophe loss reserves are provided when it is probable that an insured loss has occurred
and the amount can be reasonably estimated. Absent litigation affecting the interpretation of coverage terms, the expected claim-
tail is relatively short and thus the estimation error in the initial reserve estimates usually emerges within 24 months after the loss
event.
Other reinsurance reserve amounts are generally based upon loss estimates reported by ceding companies and IBNR
reserves that are primarily a function of reported losses from ceding companies and anticipated loss ratios established on an
individual contract basis, supplemented by management’ s judgment of the impact on each contract of major catastrophe events
as they become known. Anticipated loss ratios are based upon management’ s judgment considering the type of business
covered, analysis of each ceding company’ s loss history and evaluation of that portion of the underlying contracts underwritten
by each ceding company, which are in turn ceded to BHRG. A range of reserve amounts as a result of changes in underlying
assumptions is not prepared.
Other Critical Accounting Policies
Berkshire records as assets deferred charges with respect to liabilities assumed under retroactive reinsurance contracts.
At the inception of these contracts, the deferred charges represent the difference between the consideration received and the
estimated ultimate liability for unpaid losses. Deferred charges are amortized using the interest method over an estimate of the
ultimate claim payment period with the periodic amortization reflected in earnings as a component of losses and loss expenses.
The deferred charge balances are adjusted periodically to reflect new projections of the amount and timing of loss payments.
Adjustments to these assumptions are applied retrospectively from the inception of the contract. Unamortized deferred charges
were $4.0 billion at December 31, 2007. Significant changes in the estimated amount and payment timing of unpaid losses may
have a significant effect on unamortized deferred charges and the amount of periodic amortization.
Berkshire’ s Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2007 includes goodwill of acquired businesses of
approximately $32.9 billion. A significant amount of judgment is required in performing goodwill impairment tests. Such tests
include periodically determining or reviewing the estimated fair value of Berkshire’ s reporting units. There are several methods
of estimating a reporting unit’ s fair value, including market quotations, asset and liability fair values and other valuation
techniques, such as discounted projected future net earnings or net cash flows and multiples of earnings. If the carrying amount
of a reporting unit, including goodwill, exceeds the estimated fair value, then individual assets, including identifiable intangible
assets, and liabilities of the reporting unit are estimated at fair value. The excess of the estimated fair value of the reporting unit
over the estimated fair value of net assets would establish the implied value of goodwill. The excess of the recorded amount of
goodwill over the implied value is then charged to earnings as an impairment loss.
Berkshire’ s consolidated financial position reflects very significant amounts of invested assets. A substantial portion
of these assets are carried at fair values based upon current market quotations and, when not available, based upon fair value of
similar instruments or valuation models reflecting the present value of estimated future cash flows. Further, Berkshire’ s finance
businesses maintain significant balances of finance receivables, which are carried at amortized cost. Considerable judgment is
required in determining the assumptions used in certain valuation models, including interest rate, loan prepayment speed, credit
risk and liquidity risk assumptions. Significant changes in these assumptions can have a significant effect on carrying values.
Information concerning recently issued accounting pronouncements which are not yet effective is included in Note 1(s)
to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Berkshire does not expect that the adoption of any of the recently issued accounting
pronouncements will have a material effect on its financial condition.
Market Risk Disclosures
Berkshire’ s Consolidated Balance Sheets include a substantial amount of assets and liabilities whose fair values are
subject to market risks. Berkshire’ s significant market risks are primarily associated with interest rates, equity prices, foreign
currency exchange rates and commodity prices. The following sections address the significant market risks associated with
Berkshire’ s business activities.
Interest Rate Risk
Berkshire’ s management prefers to invest in equity securities or to acquire entire businesses based upon the principles
discussed in the following section on equity price risk. When unable to do so, management may alternatively invest in bonds,
loans or other interest rate sensitive instruments. Berkshire’ s strategy is to acquire securities that are attractively priced in
relation to the perceived credit risk. Management recognizes and accepts that losses may occur. Berkshire strives to maintain
high credit ratings so that the cost of debt is minimized. Berkshire utilizes derivative products, such as interest rate swaps, to
manage interest rate risks on a limited basis.
The fair values of Berkshire’ s fixed maturity investments and notes payable and other borrowings will fluctuate in
response to changes in market interest rates. Increases and decreases in prevailing interest rates generally translate into decreases
and increases in fair values of those instruments. Additionally, fair values of interest rate sensitive instruments may be affected
by the creditworthiness of the issuer, prepayment options, relative values of alternative investments, the liquidity of the
instrument and other general market conditions. Fixed interest rate investments may be more sensitive to interest rate changes
than variable rate investments.