v3.26.1
Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense Reserves
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2026
Text Block [Abstract]  
Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense Reserves

Note 5: Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense Reserves

U.S. Public Finance Insurance

U.S. public finance insured transactions consist of municipal bonds, including tax-exempt and taxable indebtedness of U.S. political subdivisions, as well as utilities, airports, health care institutions, higher educational facilities, housing authorities and other similar agencies and obligations issued by private entities that finance projects that serve a substantial public purpose. The Company estimates future losses by using probability-weighted cash flow scenarios that are customized to each insured transaction. Future loss estimates consider debt service due for each insured transaction, which includes par outstanding and interest due, as well as recoveries for such payments, if any. Gross par outstanding for capital appreciation bonds represents the par amount at the time of issuance of the insurance policy.

PREPA

In formulating loss reserves and recoveries for PREPA, estimates in the Company’s probability-weighted scenarios include assumptions related to the nature, value, and timing of net cash flows considering the following: environmental, economic, and political developments on the island; litigation and ongoing discussions with creditors and obligors on the Title III proceedings; contractual debt service payments; any existing settlement agreements or proposals and deviations from these proposals; the remediation strategy for insured obligations that have defaulted or are expected to default; and values of other obligations of the issuer. Refer to “Note 1: Business Developments and Risks and Uncertainties” for further information on the Company’s PREPA exposure.

International and Structured Finance Insurance

The international and structured finance insurance segment’s case basis reserves and recoverables recorded in accordance with GAAP do not include amounts related to consolidated VIEs, since they are eliminated in consolidation.

RMBS Case Basis Reserves (Financial Guarantees)

The Company’s RMBS case basis reserves primarily relate to RMBS backed by alternative-A loans. The Company calculated RMBS case basis reserves as of March 31, 2026 using a process called the Roll Rate Methodology (“Roll Rate Methodology”). The Roll Rate Methodology is a multi-step process using databases of loan level information, proprietary internal cash flow models, and commercially available models to estimate potential losses and recoveries on insured bonds. Roll Rate is defined as the probability that current loans become delinquent and subsequently default and loans in the delinquent pipeline are charged-off or liquidated. The loss reserve estimates are based on a probability-weighted average of potential scenarios of loan losses. Additional data used include historic averages of deal specific voluntary prepayment rates, forward projections of the secured overnight financing rate, and historic averages of deal-specific loss severities. Where applicable, the Company factors in termination scenarios when clean up calls are imminent.

In calculating estimated expected losses for RMBS, the Company projects the amount of loans that are expected to be liquidated in the future through foreclosure or short sale. The time to liquidation for a defaulted loan is specific to the loan’s delinquency bucket.

Cash flow models consider prioritized allocations and other structural aspects and claims against MBIA Corp.’s insurance policies consistent with such policies' terms and conditions. The estimated net claims from the procedure above are then discounted using a risk-free rate to a net present value reflecting paying claims over time and not on an accelerated basis.

The Company monitors RMBS portfolio performance on a monthly basis against projected performance, reviewing delinquencies, roll rates, and prepayment rates (including voluntary and involuntary). However, loan performance remains difficult to predict and actual losses may differ from expectations. In the event of a material deviation in actual performance from projected performance, the Company would increase or decrease the case basis reserves accordingly and re-evaluate its assumptions.

 

 

MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

Note 5: Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense Reserves (continued)

RMBS Recoveries

The Company’s RMBS recoveries relate to structural features within the trusts that allow for the Company to be reimbursed for prior claims paid. These reimbursements for specific trusts include recoveries that are generated from the excess spread of the transactions. Excess spread within insured RMBS securitizations is the difference between interest inflows on mortgage loan collateral and interest outflows on the insured RMBS notes.

Summary of Loss and LAE Reserves and Recoveries

The following table summarizes the Company's loss and loss adjustment expense ("LAE") reserves and recoveries before consolidated VIE eliminations, along with amounts that were eliminated as a result of consolidating VIEs:

 

 

 

 

As of March 31, 2026

 

 

As of December 31, 2025

 

In millions

Balance Sheet Line Item

 

 

Balance Sheet Line Item

 

 

 

 

Insurance loss recoverable

 

 

Loss and LAE reserves (1)

 

 

Insurance loss recoverable

 

 

Loss and LAE reserves (1)

 

U.S. Public Finance Insurance

$

25

 

 

$

208

 

 

$

22

 

 

$

219

 

International and Structured Finance Insurance:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Before VIE eliminations

 

22

 

 

 

223

 

 

 

21

 

 

 

229

 

 

VIE eliminations

 

-

 

 

 

6

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

6

 

 

 

Total international and structured finance insurance

 

22

 

 

 

229

 

 

 

21

 

 

 

235

 

 

Total

$

47

 

 

$

437

 

 

$

43

 

 

$

454

 

 

___________________

(1) - Amounts are net of estimated recoveries of expected future claims.

 

Changes in Loss and LAE Reserves

Loss and LAE reserves represent the Company’s estimate of future claims and LAE payments, net of any future recoveries of such payments. The following table presents changes in the Company’s loss and LAE reserves for the three months ended March 31, 2026. Changes in loss and LAE reserves, with the exception of loss and LAE payments, are recorded in “Losses and loss adjustment” expenses in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. As of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, the weighted average risk-free rates used to discount the Company’s loss reserves (claim liability) were 4.16% and 3.79%, respectively. LAE reserves are generally expected to be settled within a one-year period and are not discounted. As of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, the Company’s gross loss and LAE reserves included $14 million and $15 million, respectively, related to LAE.

 

In millions

 

 

Changes in Loss and LAE Reserves for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2026

 

 

 

 

Gross Loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross Loss

 

and LAE

 

 

 

 

 

Accretion

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Changes in

 

 

and LAE

 

Reserves as of

 

 

Loss

 

 

of Claim

 

 

Changes in

 

 

 

 

 

Unearned

 

 

Reserves as of

 

December 31,

 

 

and LAE

 

 

Liability

 

 

Discount

 

 

Changes in

 

 

Premium

 

 

March 31,

 

2025

 

 

Payments

 

 

Discount

 

 

Rates

 

 

Assumptions (1)

 

 

Revenue

 

 

2026

 

$

454

 

 

$

(21

)

 

$

4

 

 

$

(7

)

 

$

6

 

 

$

1

 

 

$

437

 

___________________

(1) - Includes changes in amount and timing of estimated payments and recoveries.

The decrease in the Company’s loss and LAE reserves was primarily due to claim payments and an increase in risk-free rates which caused future liabilities, net of recoveries, to decline primarily on the Company's insured RMBS transactions. These decreases were partially offset by accretion and the reclassification of lease-backed recoveries on paid claims.

 

 

 

 

 

MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

Note 5: Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense Reserves (continued)

 

Changes in Insurance Loss Recoverable

Insurance loss recoverable represents the Company’s estimate of expected recoveries on paid claims and LAE. The Company recognizes potential recoveries on paid claims based on the probability-weighted net cash inflows present valued at applicable risk-free rates as of the measurement date. The following table presents changes in the Company’s insurance loss recoverable for the three months ended March 31, 2026. Changes in insurance loss recoverable with the exception of collections, are recorded in “Losses and loss adjustment” expenses in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Changes in Insurance Loss Recoverable

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2026

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross

 

 

 

 

 

Recoverable

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recoverable

 

 

 

 

 

as of

 

 

 

 

 

Accretion

 

 

Changes in

 

 

 

 

 

as of

 

 

 

 

 

December 31,

 

 

Collections

 

 

of

 

 

Discount

 

 

Changes in

 

 

March 31,

 

In millions

 

 

2025

 

 

for Cases

 

 

Recoveries

 

 

Rates

 

 

Assumptions

 

 

2026

 

Insurance loss recoverable

 

 

$

43

 

 

$

(3

)

 

$

-

 

 

$

(1

)

 

$

8

 

 

$

47

 

 

 

The increase in the Company’s insurance loss recoverable was primarily due to the reclassification of lease-backed recoveries on paid claims from loss and LAE. This increase was partially offset by collections of recoveries.

Loss and LAE Activity

For the three months ended March 31, 2026, the incurred benefit primarily related to an increase in risk-free rates which caused future liabilities, net of recoveries, to decline primarily on the Company's insured RMBS transactions. This benefit was partially offset by accretion.

For the three months ended March 31, 2025, the incurred loss primarily related to a decline in risk-free rates which caused future liabilities, net of recoveries, to increase and accretion on the Company's insured RMBS transactions.

Costs associated with remediating insured obligations assigned to the Company’s surveillance categories are recorded as LAE and are included in “Losses and loss adjustment” expenses on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. For the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, LAE related to remediating insured obligations was $2 million and $1 million, respectively.

MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

Note 5: Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense Reserves (continued)

Surveillance Categories

The following table provides information about the financial guarantees and related claim liability included in each of MBIA’s surveillance categories as of March 31, 2026:

 

 

 

 

 

Surveillance Categories

 

 

 

 

 

 

Caution

 

 

Caution

 

 

Caution

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

List

 

 

List

 

 

List

 

 

Classified

 

 

 

 

$ in millions

 

Low

 

 

Medium

 

 

High

 

 

List

 

 

Total

 

Number of policies

 

 

20

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

87

 

 

 

107

 

Number of issues (1)

 

 

7

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

76

 

 

 

83

 

Remaining weighted average contract period (in years)

 

 

3.3

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

6.0

 

 

 

5.4

 

Gross insured contractual payments outstanding: (2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Principal

 

$

348

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

1,308

 

 

$

1,656

 

 

 

Interest

 

 

1,028

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

453

 

 

 

1,481

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

1,376

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

1,761

 

 

$

3,137

 

Gross Claim Liability (3)

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

762

 

 

$

762

 

Less:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross Potential Recoveries (4)

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

279

 

 

 

279

 

 

Discount, net (5)

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

100

 

 

 

100

 

Net claim liability (recoverable)

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

383

 

 

$

383

 

Unearned premium revenue

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

7

 

 

$

7

 

Reinsurance recoverable on paid and unpaid losses (6)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

15

 

 

(1) - An “issue” represents the aggregate of financial guarantee policies that share the same revenue source for purposes of making debt service payments on the insured debt.

(2) - Represents contractual principal and interest payments due by the issuer of the obligations insured by MBIA.

(3) - The gross claim liability with respect to Puerto Rico exposures are net of expected recoveries for policies in a net payable position.

(4) - Gross potential recoveries with respect to Puerto Rico exposures are net of the claim liability for policies in a net recoverable position.

(5) - Represents discount related to Gross Claim Liability and Gross Potential Recoveries.

(6) - Included in "Other assets" on the Company's consolidated balance sheets.

 

 

 

MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

Note 5: Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense Reserves (continued)

The following table provides information about the financial guarantees and related claim liability included in each of MBIA’s surveillance categories as of December 31, 2025:

 

 

 

 

 

Surveillance Categories

 

 

 

 

 

 

Caution

 

 

Caution

 

 

Caution

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

List

 

 

List

 

 

List

 

 

Classified

 

 

 

 

$ in millions

 

Low

 

 

Medium

 

 

High

 

 

List

 

 

Total

 

Number of policies

 

 

20

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

87

 

 

 

107

 

Number of issues (1)

 

 

7

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

76

 

 

 

83

 

Remaining weighted average contract period (in years)

 

 

3.5

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

6.1

 

 

 

5.6

 

Gross insured contractual payments outstanding: (2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Principal

 

$

356

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

1,329

 

 

$

1,685

 

 

 

Interest

 

 

1,054

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

478

 

 

 

1,532

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

1,410

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

1,807

 

 

$

3,217

 

Gross Claim Liability (3)

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

786

 

 

$

786

 

Less:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross Potential Recoveries (4)

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

281

 

 

 

281

 

 

Discount, net (5)

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

101

 

 

 

101

 

Net claim liability (recoverable)

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

404

 

 

$

404

 

Unearned premium revenue

 

$

1

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

8

 

 

$

9

 

Reinsurance recoverable on paid and unpaid losses (6)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

14

 

 

(1) - An “issue” represents the aggregate of financial guarantee policies that share the same revenue source for purposes of making debt service payments on the insured debt.

(2) - Represents contractual principal and interest payments due by the issuer of the obligations insured by MBIA.

(3) - The gross claim liability with respect to Puerto Rico exposures are net of expected recoveries for policies in a net payable position.

(4) - Gross potential recoveries with respect to Puerto Rico exposures are net of the claim liability for policies in a net recoverable position.

(5) - Represents discount related to Gross Claim Liability and Gross Potential Recoveries.

(6) - Included in "Other assets" on the Company's consolidated balance sheets.

MBIA Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)