RENAISSANCERE HOLDINGS LTD

Fair Value

The use of fair value to measure certain assets and liabilities with resulting unrealized gains or losses is pervasive within our consolidated financial statements. Fair value is defined under accounting guidance currently applicable to us as the price that would be received upon the sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between open market participants at the measurement date. We recognize the change in unrealized gains and losses arising from changes in fair value in our consolidated statements of operations.

FASB ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement prescribes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to the respective valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to valuation techniques that use at least one significant input that is unobservable (Level 3).

In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement in its entirety falls has been determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement of the asset or liability. Our assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, and we consider factors specific to the asset or liability.

In order to determine if a market is active or inactive for a security, we consider a number of factors, including, but not limited to, the spread between what a seller is asking for a security and what a buyer is bidding for the same security, the volume of trading activity for the security in question, the price of the security compared to its par value (for fixed maturity investments), and other factors that may be indicative of market activity.

At December 31, 2024, we classified $45.8 million and $2.4 million of our assets and liabilities, respectively, at fair value on a recurring basis using Level 3 inputs (2023 - $159.8 million and $2.7 million, respectively). This represented 0.1% and 0.0% of our total assets and liabilities, respectively (2023 - 0.3% and 0.0%, respectively). Level 3 fair value measurements are based on valuation techniques that use at least one significant input that is unobservable. These measurements are made under circumstances in which there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability. We use valuation models or other pricing techniques that require a variety of inputs including contractual terms, market prices and rates, yield curves, credit curves, measures of volatility including credit spreads and projected cash flows, prepayment rates and correlations of such inputs, some of which may be unobservable, to value these Level 3 assets and liabilities.

Refer to “Note 6. Fair Value Measurements” in our “Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements” for additional information about fair value measurements.

Impairments

The amount and timing of asset impairment is subject to significant estimation techniques and is a critical accounting estimate for us. The significant impairment reviews we complete are for our goodwill and other intangible assets and equity method investments, as described in more detail below.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill and other intangible assets acquired are initially recorded at fair value, the assessment of which requires significant judgments, assumptions and estimates which are inherently subjective. As discussed above, the measurement of fair values is a critical accounting estimate, and involves numerous inputs into the assessment, including a range of reasonable judgments that impact the determination of fair value. Subsequent to initial recognition, finite lived other intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful life, subject to impairment, and goodwill and indefinite lived other intangible assets are carried at the lower of cost or fair value, subject to impairment. If goodwill or other intangible assets are impaired, they are written down to their estimated fair values with a corresponding expense reflected in our consolidated statements of operations.

We assess goodwill and other intangible assets for impairment in the second half of each year, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. For purposes of the annual impairment evaluation, we assess qualitative factors to determine if events or circumstances exist that would lead us to conclude that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If we determine that it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then we do not perform a quantitative evaluation. Should we determine that a quantitative analysis is required, we will first determine the fair value of the reporting unit and compare that with the carrying value, including goodwill. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, then goodwill is not considered impaired and no further analysis is required. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, we then proceed to determine the amount of the impairment charge, if any. There are many assumptions and estimates underlying the fair value calculation. Principally, we identify the reporting unit or business entity that the goodwill or other intangible asset is attributed to, and review historical and forecasted operating and financial performance and other underlying factors affecting such analysis, including market conditions. Other assumptions used could produce significantly different results which may result in a change in the value of goodwill or our other intangible assets and a related charge in our consolidated statements of operations. An impairment charge could be recognized in the event of a significant decline in the implied fair value of those operations where the goodwill or other intangible assets are applicable. In the event we determine that the value of goodwill has become impaired, an accounting charge will be taken in the fiscal quarter in which such determination is made, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations in the period in which the impairment charge is recorded.

As a result of our impairment assessment performed during the second and third quarters of 2024, it was determined that certain licenses associated with certain Validus entities that had been amalgamated or merged into the Company, had been cancelled. Accordingly, we determined that these indefinite lived intangible assets of $13.8 million, recognized in relation to the acquisition of Validus, should be written down to $Nil. During the year ended December 31, 2024, we recorded an intangible asset impairment charge of $13.8 million. Refer to “Note 4. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” in our “Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements” for additional information with respect to the impairment.

As at December 31, 2024, excluding the amounts recorded in investments in other ventures, under the equity method, as noted below, our consolidated balance sheets include $300.5 million of goodwill (2023 - $300.5 million) and $403.6 million of other intangible assets (2023 - $474.8 million). Impairment charges related to these balances were $13.8 million during the year ended December 31, 2024 (2023 - $Nil). Refer to “Note 3. Acquisition of Validus” in our “Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements” for additional information with respect to goodwill and intangible assets acquired in connection with the Validus Acquisition. In the future, it is possible we will hold more goodwill and intangible assets, which would increase the degree of judgment and uncertainty embedded in our financial statements, and potentially increase the volatility of our reported results.

Investments in Other Ventures, Under Equity Method

Investments in which we have significant influence over the operating and financial policies of the investee are classified as investments in other ventures, under equity method, and are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. Under this method, we record our proportionate share of income or loss from such investments in our results for the period. Any decline in the value of investments in other ventures, under equity method, including goodwill and other intangible assets arising upon acquisition of the investee, considered by management to be other-than-temporary, is reflected in our consolidated statements of operations in the period in which it is determined. As of December 31, 2024, we had $102.8 million (2023 - $112.6 million) in investments in other ventures, under equity method on our consolidated balance sheets, including $8.7 million of goodwill and $0.2 million of other intangible assets (2023 - $10.8 million and $7.3 million). The carrying value of our investments in other ventures, under equity method, individually or in the aggregate, may, and likely will, differ from the realized value we may ultimately attain, perhaps significantly so.

In determining whether an equity method investment is impaired, we take into consideration a variety of factors including the operating and financial performance of the investee, the investee’s future business plans and projections, recent transactions and market valuations of publicly traded companies where available, discussions with the investee’s management, and our intent and ability to hold the investment until it recovers in value. Accordingly, we make assumptions and estimates in assessing whether an impairment has occurred and if, in the future, our assumptions and estimates made in assessing the fair value of these investments change, this could result in a material decrease in the carrying value of these investments. This would cause us to write-down the carrying value of these investments and could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations in the period the impairment charge is taken. We do not have any current plans to dispose of these investments, and cannot assure you we will consummate future transactions in which we realize the value at which these holdings are reflected in our financial statements. During the year ended December 31, 2024, we recorded a $9.1 million impairment charge associated with our investments in other ventures, under equity method (2023 - $Nil).