Business Description
CNA Financial Corporation (CNAF) was incorporated in 1967 and is an insurance
holding company. Collectively, CNAF and its subsidiaries are referred to as
CNA or the Company. References to “CNA,” “the Company,”
“we,” “our,” “us” or like terms refer to
the business of CNAF and its subsidiaries. CNAs property and casualty and remaining
life and group insurance operations are primarily conducted by Continental Casualty
Company (CCC), The Continental Insurance Company, Western Surety Company, CNA
Insurance Company Limited and Hardy Underwriting Bermuda Limited and its subsidiaries
(Hardy). Loews Corporation (Loews) owned approximately 90% of our outstanding
common stock as of December 31, 2015. On August 1, 2014, we completed the sale
of the common stock of Continental Assurance Company (CAC).
Our insurance products primarily include commercial property and casualty coverages,
including surety. Our services include risk management, information services,
warranty and claims administration. Our products and services are primarily
marketed through independent agents, brokers and managing general underwriters
to a wide variety of customers, including small, medium and large businesses,
insurance companies, associations, professionals and other groups.
Our core business, commercial property and casualty insurance operations, is
reported in three business segments: Specialty, Commercial and International.
Our non-core businesses are reported in two business segments: Life & Group
Non-Core and Corporate & Other Non-Core. Each segment is managed separately
due to differences in their markets and product mix.
The insurance industry is subject to comprehensive and detailed regulation
and supervision. Regulatory oversight by applicable agencies is exercised through
review of submitted filings and information, examinations (both financial and
market conduct), direct inquiries and interviews. Each domestic and foreign
jurisdiction has established supervisory agencies with broad administrative
powers relative to licensing insurers and agents, approving policy forms, establishing
reserve requirements, prescribing the form and content of statutory financial
reports and regulating capital adequacy and the type, quality and amount of
investments permitted. Such regulatory powers also extend to premium rate regulations,
which require that rates not be excessive, inadequate or unfairly discriminatory,
governance requirements and risk assessment practice and disclosure. In addition
to regulation of dividends by insurance subsidiaries, intercompany transfers
of assets may be subject to prior notice or approval by insurance regulators,
depending on the size of such transfers and payments in relation to the financial
position of the insurance subsidiaries making the transfer or payment.
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