AS FILED WITH THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON SEPTEMBER
12, 2003
REGISTRATION NO. 333-
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
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FORM S-4
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Under
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
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THE CHUBB CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
NEW JERSEY 6331 13-2595722
(State or other jurisdiction of (Primary Standard Industrial (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Classification Code Number) Identification Number)
15 MOUNTAIN VIEW ROAD
P.O. BOX 1615
WARREN, NEW JERSEY 07061-1615
(908) 903-2000
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of
registrant's principal executive offices)
HENRY G. GULICK
VICE PRESIDENT AND SECRETARY
THE CHUBB CORPORATION
15 MOUNTAIN VIEW ROAD
WARREN, NEW JERSEY 07061-1615
(908) 903-2000
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
of agent for service of each registrant)
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Please address a copy of all communications to:
JOANNE L. BOBER NICHOLAS F. POTTER, ESQ.
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL COUNSEL STEVEN J. SLUTZKY, ESQ.
THE CHUBB CORPORATION DEBEVOISE & PLIMPTON
15 MOUNTAIN VIEW ROAD 919 THIRD AVENUE
WARREN, NEW JERSEY 07061-1615 NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10022
(908) 903-2000 (212) 909-6000
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APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF THE PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: As
soon as practicable after this Registration Statement becomes effective.
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If the securities being registered on this Form are being offered in
connection with the formation of a holding company and there is compliance with
General Instruction G, check the following box. [ ]
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and
list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective
registration statement for the same offering. [ ]
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering. [ ]
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
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PROPOSED MAXIMUM PROPOSED MAXIMUM
TITLE OF EACH CLASS OF AMOUNT TO BE OFFERING PRICE PER AGGREGATE OFFERING AMOUNT OF
SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED REGISTERED UNIT(1) PRICE(1) REGISTRATION FEE(2)
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3.95% Notes due 2008........................ $225,000,000 100% $225,000,000
5.20% Notes due 2013........................ $275,000,000 100% $275,000,000
Total.................................. $500,000,000 100% $500,000,000 $40,450
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(1) Estimated solely for the purpose of computing the registration fee pursuant
to Rule 457 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
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THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL
FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(a) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND
POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION,
ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(a), MAY DETERMINE.
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THE INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT COMPLETE AND MAY BE CHANGED. WE MAY
NOT SELL THESE SECURITIES UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION IS EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT AN OFFER
TO SELL THESE SECURITIES AND WE ARE NOT SOLICITING OFFERS TO BUY THESE
SECURITIES IN ANY STATE WHERE THE OFFER OR SALE IS NOT PERMITTED.
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED SEPTEMBER 12, 2003
PROSPECTUS
(CHUBB LOGO)
The Chubb Corporation
OFFER TO EXCHANGE $225,000,000 OUTSTANDING 3.95% NOTES DUE 2008
FOR $225,000,000 REGISTERED 3.95% NOTES DUE 2008
AND
OFFER TO EXCHANGE $275,000,000 OUTSTANDING 5.20% NOTES DUE 2013
FOR $275,000,000 REGISTERED 5.20% NOTES DUE 2013
THE OLD NOTES
$225,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 3.95% notes due 2008 and
$275,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 5.20% notes due 2013 were originally
issued and sold by us on March 18, 2003, in a transaction that was exempt from
registration under the Securities Act of 1933, and resold to qualified
institutional buyers in compliance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act of
1933.
THE NEW NOTES
We are offering $225,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 3.95% notes due
2008 and $275,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 5.20% notes due 2013. The
terms of the new notes are identical to the terms of the old notes except that
the new notes are registered under the Securities Act of 1933 and will not
contain restrictions on transfer or provisions relating to additional interest,
will bear a different CUSIP number from the old notes and will not entitle the
holders to registration rights.
We will pay interest on the new notes semi-annually on April 1 and October
1 of each year, commencing on October 1, 2003. The 3.95% notes will mature on
April 1, 2008. The 5.20% notes will mature on April 1, 2013. We may redeem the
notes at any time, in whole or in part, at the applicable redemption price
specified herein, plus accrued and unpaid interest.
The new notes will be unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of The Chubb
Corporation and will rank equally with our unsecured and unsubordinated
indebtedness.
THE EXCHANGE OFFER
Our offer to exchange old notes for new notes will be open until 5:00 p.m.,
New York City time, on , 2003 unless we extend the offer.
No public market currently exists for the notes.
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NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES
COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THESE SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON THE
ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL
OFFENSE.
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THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS IS , 2003
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
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Forward-Looking Statements.................................. ii
The Chubb Corporation....................................... 1
The Exchange Offer.......................................... 2
Use of Proceeds............................................. 11
Ratio of Consolidated Earnings to Fixed Charges............. 11
Capitalization.............................................. 12
Calculation of Our Underwriting Ratios...................... 12
Description of Notes........................................ 13
Plan of Distribution........................................ 22
Legal Opinions.............................................. 23
Experts..................................................... 23
Where You Can Find More Information......................... 23
Incorporation By Reference.................................. 23
i
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus and the documents and information incorporated by reference
in it contain "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined in the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking
statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and include estimates and assumptions
related to economic, competitive and legislative developments. These include
statements relating to trends in, or representing management's beliefs about,
our future strategies, operations and financial results, as well as other
statements that include words such as "anticipate," "believe," "plan,"
"estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "should" or other similar expressions.
Forward-looking statements are made based upon management's current expectations
and beliefs concerning trends and future developments and their potential
effects on the company. They are not guarantees of future performance. Actual
results may differ materially from those suggested by forward-looking statements
as a result of risks and uncertainties which include, among others:
- the availability of primary and reinsurance coverage, including the
implications relating to terrorism legislation and regulation;
- global political conditions and the occurrence of any terrorist attacks,
including any nuclear, biological or chemical events;
- the effects of the outbreak of war or hostilities in other countries or
regions of the world;
- premium price increases and profitability or growth estimates overall or
by lines of business or geographic area, and related expectations with
respect to the timing and terms of any required regulatory approvals;
- larger than expected assessments for guaranty funds and mandatory pooling
arrangements;
- our expectations with respect to cash flow projections and investment
income and with respect to other income;
- the adequacy of loss reserves, including:
- our expectations relating to reinsurance recoverables;
- our estimates relating to ultimate asbestos liabilities and related
reinsurance recoverables;
- the impact from the bankruptcy protection sought by various asbestos
producers and other related businesses;
- the willingness of parties, including Chubb, to settle disputes;
- developments in judicial decisions or legislative actions relating to
coverage and liability for asbestos and toxic waste claims; and
- developments in judicial decisions or regulatory or legislative actions
relating to coverage and liability for mold claims;
- the impact of the current economic climate on companies on whose behalf
we have issued surety bonds, and in particular, on those companies that
have experienced deterioration in creditworthiness;
- the effects of disclosures by and investigations of public companies
relating to possible accounting irregularities, practices in the energy
and securities industries and other corporate governance issues,
including:
- the effects on the energy markets and the companies that participate in
them, in particular as they may relate to concentrations of risk in our
surety business;
- the effects on the capital markets and the markets for directors and
officers and errors and omissions insurance;
ii
- claims and litigation arising out of accounting and other corporate
governance disclosures by other companies;
- claims and litigation arising out of investment banking practices; and
- legislative or regulatory proposals or changes, including the changes in
law and regulation implemented under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002;
- the occurrence of significant weather-related or other natural or
human-made disasters;
- any downgrade in our claims-paying, financial strength or other credit
ratings;
- general economic conditions, including:
- changes in interest rates, market credit spreads and the performance of
the financial markets, generally and as they relate to credit risks
assumed by the Chubb Financial Solutions unit in particular;
- changes in domestic and foreign laws, regulations and taxes;
- changes in competition and pricing environments;
- regional or general changes in asset valuations;
- the inability to reinsure certain risks economically;
- changes in the litigation environment; and
- general market conditions.
Our forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made, and we
undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking
statements set forth in this registration statement or any forward-looking
statements incorporated by reference herein.
iii
THE CHUBB CORPORATION
The Chubb Corporation, incorporated in New Jersey in 1967, is a holding
company for a family of property and casualty insurance companies known
informally as the Chubb Group of Insurance Companies. Since 1882, we have
provided property and casualty insurance to businesses and individuals around
the world. According to A.M. Best, we are the 12th largest U.S. property and
casualty insurer based on 2002 net written premiums. Net premiums written means
direct premiums written, plus reinsurance premiums assumed, less reinsurance
premiums ceded.
Our property and casualty operations are divided into three strategic
business units. Chubb Commercial Insurance offers a full range of commercial
customer insurance products, including coverage for multiple peril, casualty,
workers' compensation and property and marine. Chubb Commercial Insurance is
known for writing niche business, where our expertise can add value for our
agents, brokers and policyholders. Chubb Specialty Insurance offers a wide
variety of specialized executive protection and professional liability products
for privately and publicly owned companies, financial institutions, professional
firms and healthcare organizations. Chubb Specialty Insurance also includes our
surety and accident businesses, as well as our reinsurance assumed business
produced by Chubb Re. Chubb Personal Insurance offers products for individuals
with fine homes and possessions who require more coverage choices and higher
limits than standard insurance policies.
Our principal executive offices are located at 15 Mountain View Road,
Warren, New Jersey 07061-1615, and our telephone number is (908) 903-2000.
1
THE EXCHANGE OFFER
The following is a summary of the material provisions of the registration
rights agreement and the exchange offer. It does not contain all of the
information that may be important to an investor in the notes. We refer you to
the terms of the registration rights agreement, which has been filed as an
exhibit to the registration statement that includes this prospectus. See "Where
You Can Find More Information."
GENERAL
In connection with the issuance of the old notes pursuant to a purchase
agreement, dated March 18, 2003, among Chubb and the initial purchasers, we
entered into a registration rights agreement, dated March 18, 2003, among us,
the initial purchasers and the other parties thereto. The following contains a
summary of various provisions of the registration rights agreement and does not
contain all of the information that may be important to an investor in the
notes. We refer you to the provisions of the registration rights agreement which
has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement.
Under the registration rights agreement, we have agreed to use our
reasonable best efforts to (1) file with the Securities and Exchange Commission
the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part with respect to a
registered offer to exchange the old notes for the new notes no later than the
180th day after the date the old notes were first issued, and (2) cause the
registration statement to be declared effective under the Securities Act no
later than the 240th day after the date the old notes were first issued. We will
keep the exchange offer open for the period required by applicable law, but in
any event for at least 20 business days after the date notice of the exchange
offer is mailed to holders of the old notes.
Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this prospectus
and in the letter of transmittal, all old notes validly tendered and not
withdrawn prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date will be
accepted for exchange. New notes will be issued in exchange for an equal
principal amount of outstanding old notes accepted in the exchange offer. Old
notes may be tendered only in integral multiples of $1,000. This prospectus,
together with the letter of transmittal, is being sent to all holders as of
, 2003. The exchange offer is not conditioned upon any minimum
principal amount of old notes being tendered for exchange. However, the
obligation to accept old notes for exchange pursuant to the exchange offer is
subject to certain customary conditions as set forth herein under
"-- Conditions."
Old notes shall be deemed to have been accepted as validly tendered when,
as and if we have given oral or written notice thereof to the exchange agent.
The exchange agent will act as agent for the tendering holders of old notes for
the purposes of receiving the new notes and delivering new notes to such
holders.
Based on interpretations by the Staff of the SEC as set forth in no-action
letters issued to third parties (including Exxon Capital Holdings Corporation
(available May 13, 1988), Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated (available June 5,
1991), K-III Communications Corporation (available May 14, 1993) and Shearman &
Sterling (available July 2, 1993)), we believe that the new notes issued
pursuant to the exchange offer may be offered for resale, resold and otherwise
transferred by any holder thereof (other than any such holder that is a
broker-dealer or an "affiliate" of us within the meaning of Rule 405 under the
Securities Act) without compliance with the registration and prospectus delivery
provisions of the Securities Act, provided that:
- such new notes are acquired in the ordinary course of business;
2
- at the time of the commencement of the exchange offer such holder has no
arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in a
distribution of such new notes; and
- such holder is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, a
distribution of such new notes.
We have not sought, and do not intend to seek, a no-action letter from the
SEC with respect to the effects of the exchange offer, and we cannot assure you
that the Staff would make a similar determination with respect to the new notes
as it has in such no-action letters.
By tendering old notes in exchange for new notes and executing the letter
of transmittal, each holder will represent to us that:
- any new notes to be received by it will be acquired in the ordinary
course of business;
- it has no arrangements or understandings with any person to participate
in the distribution of the old notes or new notes within the meaning of
the Securities Act;
- it is not our "affiliate," as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities
Act or, if it is our affiliate, it will comply with the registration and
prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act to the extent
applicable; and
- it has no present intention to participate in the distribution of the new
notes.
If such holder is a broker-dealer, it will also be required to represent
that it will receive the new notes for its own account in exchange for old notes
acquired as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities and
that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of new notes.
See "Plan of Distribution." If such holder is not a broker-dealer, it will be
required to represent that it is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage
in, the distribution of the new notes. Each holder, whether or not it is a
broker-dealer, shall also represent that it is not acting on behalf of any
person that could not truthfully make any of the foregoing representations
contained in this paragraph. If a holder of old notes is unable to make the
foregoing representations, such holder may not rely on the applicable
interpretations of the Staff of the SEC and must comply with the registration
and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with
any secondary resale transaction unless such sale is made pursuant to an
exemption from such requirements.
Each broker-dealer that receives new notes for its own account in exchange
for old notes where such new notes were acquired by such broker-dealer as a
result of market-making or other trading activities, must acknowledge that it
will deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act and
that it has not entered into any arrangement or understanding with us or an
affiliate of ours to distribute the new notes in connection with any resale of
such new notes. See "Plan of Distribution."
Upon consummation of the exchange offer, any old notes not tendered will
remain outstanding and continue to accrue interest at the applicable rate but,
with limited exceptions, holders of old notes who do not exchange their old
notes for new notes in the exchange offer will no longer be entitled to
registration rights and will not be able to offer or sell their old notes,
unless such old notes are subsequently registered under the Securities Act,
except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the
Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. Subject to limited
exceptions, we will have no obligation to effect a subsequent registration of
the old notes.
EXPIRATION DATE; EXTENSIONS; AMENDMENTS; TERMINATION
The expiration date shall be , 2003 unless we, in our sole
discretion, extend the exchange offer, in which case the expiration date shall
be the latest date to which the exchange offer is extended.
3
To extend the expiration date, we will notify the exchange agent of any
extension by oral or written notice and will notify the holders of old notes by
means of a press release or other public announcement prior to 9:00 A.M., New
York City time, on the next business day after the previously scheduled
expiration date. Such announcement may state that we are extending the exchange
offer for a specified period of time.
We reserve the right:
- to delay acceptance of any old notes, to extend the exchange offer or to
terminate the exchange offer and not permit acceptance of old notes not
previously accepted if any of the conditions set forth under
"-- Conditions" shall have occurred and shall not have been waived by us
prior to the expiration date, by giving oral or written notice of such
delay extension or termination to the exchange agent; or
- to amend the terms of the exchange offer in any manner deemed by it to be
advantageous to the holders of the old notes.
Any such delay in acceptance, extension, termination or amendment will be
followed as promptly as practicable by oral or written notice to the exchange
agent. If the exchange offer is amended in a manner determined by us to
constitute a material change, we will promptly disclose such amendment in a
manner reasonably calculated to inform the holders of the old notes of such
amendment.
Without limiting the manner in which we may choose to make public
announcement of any delay extension, amendment or termination of the exchange
offer, we shall have no obligations to publish, advertise, or otherwise
communicate any such public announcement, other than by making a timely release
to an appropriate news agency.
INTEREST ON THE NEW NOTES
Each new note due 2008 will accrue interest at the rate of 3.95% per annum
and each new note due 2013 will accrue interest at the rate of 5.20% per annum,
in each case from the last interest payment date on which interest was paid on
the old note surrendered in exchange therefor or, if no interest has been paid
on such old note, from the issue date of such old note, provided, that if an old
note is surrendered for exchange on or after a record date for an interest
payment date that will occur on or after the date of such exchange and as to
which interest will be paid, interest on the new note received in exchange
therefor will accrue from the date of such interest payment date. Interest on
the new notes is payable on April 1 and October 1 of each year, commencing
October 1, 2003. No additional interest will be paid on old notes tendered and
accepted for exchange.
PROCEDURES FOR TENDERING
To tender in the exchange offer, a holder must complete, sign and date the
applicable letter of transmittal, or a facsimile thereof, have the signatures
thereon guaranteed if required by the letter of transmittal, and mail or
otherwise deliver such letter of transmittal or such facsimile, together with
any other required documents, to the exchange agent prior to 5:00 p.m., New York
City time, on the expiration date. In addition, either:
- certificates of old notes must be received by the exchange agent along
with the applicable letter of transmittal; or
- a timely confirmation of a book-entry transfer of such old notes, if such
procedure is available, into the exchange agent's account at the
book-entry transfer facility, The Depository Trust Company, pursuant to
the procedure for book-entry transfer described
4
below, must be received by the exchange agent prior to the expiration
date with the applicable letter of transmittal; or
- the holder must comply with the guaranteed delivery procedures described
below.
The method of delivery of old notes, letter of transmittal and all other
required documents is at the election and risk of the note holders. If such
delivery is by mail, it is recommended that registered mail, properly insured,
with return receipt requested, be used. In all cases, sufficient time should be
allowed to assure timely delivery. No old notes, letters of transmittal or other
required documents should be sent to us. Delivery of all old notes, if
applicable, letters of transmittal and other documents must be made to the
exchange agent at its address set forth below. Holders may also request their
respective brokers, dealers, commercial banks, trust companies or nominees to
effect such tender for such holders.
The tender by a holder of old notes will constitute an agreement between
such holder and us in accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions
set forth herein and in the applicable letter of transmittal. Any beneficial
owner whose old notes are registered in the name of a broker, dealer, commercial
bank, trust company or other nominee and who wishes to tender should contact
such registered holder promptly and instruct such registered holder to tender on
his behalf.
Signatures on a letter of transmittal or a notice of withdrawal, as the
case may be, must be guaranteed by any member firm of a registered national
securities exchange or of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.,
a commercial bank or trust company having an office or correspondent in the
United States or an "eligible guarantor" institution within the meaning of Rule
17Ad-15 under the Exchange Act, or an eligible institution unless the old notes
tendered pursuant thereto are tendered (1) by a registered holder of old notes
who has not completed the box entitled "Special Issuance Instructions" or
"Special Delivery Instructions" on the letter of transmittal or (2) for the
account of an eligible institution.
If a letter of transmittal is signed by trustees, executors,
administrators, guardians, attorneys-in-fact, officers of corporations or others
acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, such person should so indicate
when signing, and unless waived by us, evidence satisfactory to us of their
authority to so act must be submitted with such letter of transmittal.
All questions as to the validity, form, eligibility, time of receipt and
withdrawal of the tendered old notes will be determined by us in our sole
discretion, which determination will be final and binding. We reserve the
absolute right to reject any and all old notes not properly tendered or any old
notes which, if accepted, would, in the opinion of counsel for us, be unlawful.
We also reserve the absolute right to waive any irregularities or
conditions of tender as to particular old notes. Our interpretation of the terms
and conditions of the exchange offer, including the instructions in the letter
of transmittal, will be final and binding on all parties. Unless waived, any
defects or irregularities in connection with tenders of old notes must be cured
within such time as we shall determine. Neither we, the exchange agent nor any
other person shall be under any duty to give notification of defects or
irregularities with respect to tenders of old notes, nor shall any of them incur
any liability for failure to give such notification. Tenders of old notes will
not be deemed to have been made until such irregularities have been cured or
waived. Any old note received by the exchange agent that is not properly
tendered and as to which the defects or irregularities have not been cured or
waived will be returned without cost to such holder by the exchange agent,
unless otherwise provided in the letter of transmittal, as soon as practicable
following the expiration date.
In addition, we reserve the right in our sole discretion, subject to the
provisions of the indenture pursuant to which the notes are issued,
- to purchase or make offers for any old notes that remain outstanding
subsequent to the expiration date or, as described under "-- Conditions,"
to terminate the exchange offer;
5
- to redeem old notes as a whole or in part at any time and from time to
time, as described under "Description of Notes -- Optional Redemption;"
and
- to the extent permitted under applicable law, to purchase old notes in
the open market, in privately negotiated transactions or otherwise.
The terms of any such purchases or offers could differ from the terms of
the exchange offer.
Each broker-dealer that receives new notes for its own account in exchange
for old notes where such new notes were acquired by such broker-dealer as a
result of market-making or other trading activities, must acknowledge that it
will deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act and
that it has not entered into any arrangement or understanding with us or an
affiliate of ours to distribute the new notes in connection with any resale of
such new notes. See "Plan of Distribution."
ACCEPTANCE OF OLD NOTES FOR EXCHANGE; DELIVERY OF NEW NOTES
Upon satisfaction or waiver of all of the conditions to the exchange offer,
all old notes properly tendered will be accepted promptly after the expiration
date, and the new notes will be issued promptly after acceptance of the old
notes. See "-- Conditions." For purposes of the exchange offer, old notes shall
be deemed to have been accepted as validly tendered for exchange when, as and if
we have given oral or written notice thereof to the exchange agent. For each old
note accepted for exchange, the holder of such old note will receive a new note
having a principal amount equal to that of the surrendered old note.
In all cases, issuance of new notes for old notes that are accepted for
exchange pursuant to the exchange offer will be made only after timely receipt
by the exchange agent of:
- certificates for such old notes or a timely book-entry confirmation of
such old notes into the exchange agent's account at the applicable
book-entry transfer facility;
- a properly completed and duly executed letter of transmittal; and
- all other required documents.
If any tendered old notes are not accepted for any reason described in the
terms and conditions of the exchange offer, such unaccepted or such nonexchanged
old notes will be returned without expense to the tendering holder thereof (if
in certificated form) or credited to an account maintained with such book-entry
transfer facility as promptly as practicable after the expiration or termination
of the exchange offer.
BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER
The exchange agent will make a request to establish an account with respect
to the old notes at the book-entry transfer facility for purposes of the
exchange offer within two business days after the date of this prospectus. Any
financial institution that is a participant in the book-entry transfer
facility's systems may make book-entry delivery of old notes by causing the
book-entry transfer facility to transfer such old notes into the exchange
agent's account at the book-entry transfer facility in accordance with such
book-entry transfer facility's procedures for transfer. However, although
delivery of old notes may be effected through book-entry transfer at the
book-entry transfer facility, the letter of transmittal or facsimile thereof
with any required signature guarantees and any other required documents must, in
any case, be transmitted to and received by the exchange agent at one of the
addresses below under "-- Exchange Agent" on or prior to the expiration date or
the guaranteed delivery procedures described below must be complied with.
6
EXCHANGING BOOK-ENTRY NOTES
The exchange agent and the book-entry transfer facility have confirmed that
any financial institution that is a participant in the book-entry transfer
facility may utilize the book-entry transfer facility Automated Tender Offer
Program, or ATOP, procedures to tender old notes.
Any participant in the book-entry transfer facility may make book-entry
delivery of old notes by causing the book-entry transfer facility to transfer
such old notes into the exchange agent's account in accordance with the
book-entry transfer facility's ATOP procedures for transfer. However, the
exchange for the old notes so tendered will only be made after a book-entry
confirmation of the book-entry transfer of old notes into the exchange agent's
account, and timely receipt by the exchange agent of an agent's message and any
other documents required by the letter of transmittal. The term "agent's
message" means a message, transmitted by the book-entry transfer facility and
received by the exchange agent and forming part of a book-entry confirmation,
which states that the book-entry transfer facility has received an express
acknowledgment from a participant tendering old notes that are the subject of
such book-entry confirmation that such participant has received and agrees to be
bound by the terms of the letter of transmittal, and that we may enforce such
agreement against such participant.
GUARANTEED DELIVERY PROCEDURES
If the procedures for book-entry transfer cannot be completed on a timely
basis, a tender may be effected if:
- the tender is made through an eligible institution;
- prior to the expiration date, the exchange agent receives by facsimile
transmission, mail or hand delivery from such eligible institution a
properly completed and duly executed letter of transmittal and notice of
guaranteed delivery, substantially in the form provided by us, which:
- sets forth the name and address of the holder of old notes and the
amount of old notes tendered;
- states that the tender is being made thereby; and
- guarantees that within three New York Stock Exchange, or NYSE, trading
days after the date of execution of the notice of guaranteed delivery,
the certificates for all physically tendered old notes, in proper form
for transfer, or a book-entry confirmation, as the case may be, and any
other documents required by the letter of transmittal will be deposited
by the eligible institution with the exchange agent; and
- the certificates for all physically tendered old notes, in proper form
for transfer, or a book-entry confirmation, as the case may be, and all
other documents required by the letter of transmittal are received by
the exchange agent within three NYSE trading days after the date of
execution of the notice of guaranteed delivery.
WITHDRAWAL OF TENDERS
Tenders of old notes may be withdrawn at any time prior to 5:00 p.m., New
York City time, on the expiration date.
For a withdrawal to be effective, a written notice of withdrawal must be
received by the exchange agent prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time on the
expiration date at the address below under "-- Exchange Agent." Any such notice
of withdrawal must:
- specify the name of the person having tendered the old notes to be
withdrawn;
- identify the old notes to be withdrawn, including the principal amount of
such old notes;
7
- in the case of old notes tendered by book-entry transfer, specify the
number of the account at the book-entry transfer facility from which the
old notes were tendered and specify the name and number of the account at
the book-entry transfer facility to be credited with the withdrawn old
notes and otherwise comply with the procedures of such facility;
- contain a statement that such holder is withdrawing its election to have
such old notes exchanged;
- be signed by the holder in the same manner as the original signature on
the letter of transmittal by which such old notes were tendered,
including any required signature guarantees, or be accompanied by
documents of transfer to have the trustee with respect to the old notes
register the transfer of such old notes in the name of the person
withdrawing the tender; and
- specify the name in which such old notes are registered, if different
from the person who tendered such old notes.
All questions as to the validity, form, eligibility and time of receipt of
such notice will be determined by us, whose determination shall be final and
binding on all parties. Any old notes so withdrawn will be deemed not to have
been validly tendered for exchange for purposes of the exchange offer. Any old
notes which have been tendered for exchange but which are not exchanged for any
reason will be returned to the tendering holder thereof without cost to such
holder, in the case of physically tendered old notes, or credited to an account
maintained with the book-entry transfer facility for the old notes as soon as
practicable after withdrawal, rejection of tender or termination of the exchange
offer. Properly withdrawn old notes may be retendered by following one of the
procedures described under "-- Procedures for Tendering" and "-- Book-Entry
Transfer" above at any time on or prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the
expiration date.
CONDITIONS
Notwithstanding any other provision of the exchange offer, we shall not be
required to accept for exchange, or to issue new notes in exchange for, any old
notes and may terminate or amend the exchange offer if at any time prior to 5:00
p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date, we determine in our reasonable
judgment that the exchange offer violates applicable law, any applicable
interpretation of the Staff of the SEC or any order of any governmental agency
or court of competent jurisdiction.
The foregoing conditions are for our sole benefit and may be asserted by us
regardless of the circumstances giving rise to any such condition or may be
waived by us in whole or in part at any time and from time to time in our
reasonable discretion. Following any such waiver, we will keep the exchange
offer open for any additional period required by applicable law, rule or
regulation. Our failure at any time to exercise any of the foregoing rights
shall not be deemed a waiver of any such right and each such right shall be
deemed an ongoing right which may be asserted at any time and from time to time.
In addition, we will not accept for exchange any old notes tendered, and no
new notes will be issued in exchange for any such old notes, if at such time any
stop order shall be threatened or in effect with respect to the registration
statement of which this prospectus constitutes a part or the qualification of
the indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended. We are required
to use our reasonable best efforts to obtain the withdrawal of any order
suspending the effectiveness of the registration statement at the earliest
possible time.
8
EXCHANGE AGENT
Bank One Trust Company, N.A. will be appointed as exchange agent for the
exchange offer. Questions and requests for assistance and requests for
additional copies of this prospectus or of the letter of transmittal should be
directed to the exchange agent addressed as follows:
By Mail:
Bank One Trust Company, N.A.
1111 Polaris Parkway
Suite N1-0H1-0184
Columbus, Ohio 43240
Attention: Exchanges
For information call: (800) 346-5153
FEES AND EXPENSES
The expenses of soliciting tenders pursuant to the exchange offer will be
borne by us. The principal solicitation for tenders pursuant to the exchange
offer is being made by mail; however, additional solicitations may be made by
telegraph, telephone, telecopy or in person by our officers and regular
employees.
We will not make any payments to brokers, dealers or other persons
soliciting acceptances of the exchange offer. We will, however, pay the exchange
agent reasonable and customary fees for its services and will reimburse the
exchange agent for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in connection
therewith. We may also pay brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and
fiduciaries the reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them in forwarding
copies of the prospectus and related documents to the beneficial owners of the
old notes, and in handling or forwarding tenders for exchange.
The expenses to be incurred by us in connection with the exchange offer
will be paid by us, including fees and expenses of the exchange agent and
trustee and accounting, legal, printing and related fees and expenses.
We will pay all transfer taxes, if any, applicable to the exchange of old
notes pursuant to the exchange offer. If, however, new notes or old notes for
principal amounts not tendered or accepted for exchange are to be registered or
issued in the name of any person other than the registered holder of the old
notes tendered, or if tendered old notes are registered in the name of any
person other than the person signing the letter of transmittal, or if a transfer
tax is imposed for any reason other than the exchange of old notes pursuant to
the exchange offer, then the amount of any such transfer taxes imposed on the
registered holder or any other persons will be payable by the tendering holder.
If satisfactory evidence of payment of such taxes or exemption therefrom is not
submitted with the letter of transmittal, the amount of such transfer taxes will
be billed directly to such tendering holder.
CONSEQUENCES OF FAILURE TO EXCHANGE
Holders of old notes who do not exchange their old notes for new notes
pursuant to the exchange offer will continue to be subject to the restrictions
on transfer of such old notes as set forth in the legend thereon as a
consequence of the issuance of the old notes pursuant to exemptions from, or in
transactions not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act
and applicable state securities laws. The old notes may not be offered, sold or
otherwise transferred, except in compliance with the registration requirements
of the Securities Act, pursuant to an exemption from registration under the
Securities Act or in a transaction not subject to the registration requirements
of the Securities Act, and in compliance with applicable state securities laws.
We do not currently anticipate that we will register the old notes under the
Securities Act. To
9
the extent that old notes are tendered and accepted in the exchange offer, the
trading market for untendered and tendered but unaccepted old notes could be
adversely affected.
REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS
Following the effectiveness of the registration statement covering the
exchange offer, no material federal or state regulatory requirement must be
complied with in connection with this exchange offer.
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USE OF PROCEEDS
We will not receive any cash proceeds from the exchange offer. In
consideration for issuing the new notes, we will receive in exchange old notes
of like principal amount, the terms of which are identical in all material
respects to the new notes. The old notes surrendered in exchange for new notes
will be retired and canceled and cannot be reissued. Accordingly, issuance of
the new notes will not result in any increase in our indebtedness. We have
agreed to bear the expenses of the exchange offer. No underwriter is being used
in connection with the exchange offer.
The net proceeds from the offering of the old notes were approximately $495
million, after deducting the initial purchasers' discounts and commissions and
expenses of the original offering payable by us. We used the net proceeds of the
original offering to repay $389 million of outstanding commercial paper and for
general corporate purposes.
RATIO OF CONSOLIDATED EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
The following table sets forth our ratio of consolidated earnings to fixed
charges for each of the five years in the period ended December 31, 2002 and for
the six months ended June 30, 2003:
SIX MONTHS
ENDED
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, JUNE 30,
--------------------------------------- ----------
1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003
----- ----- ----- ------ ------ ----------
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges........ 16.03 10.40 11.48 0.49(1) 2.59(2) 8.44
---------------
(1) For the year ended December 31, 2001, consolidated earnings were not
sufficient to cover fixed charges by $46.0 million. Consolidated earnings
for the period, as defined, reflect a $635.0 million loss before income
taxes from the September 11 attack in the United States and net surety bond
losses before income taxes of $220.0 million arising from the bankruptcy of
Enron Corp.
(2) Consolidated earnings, as defined, for the year ended December 31, 2002
reflect aggregate net losses of $700.0 million before income taxes
recognized in the third and fourth quarters related to asbestos and toxic
waste claims and a reduction in net surety losses of $88.0 million before
income taxes resulting from the settlement of litigation related to Enron.
For purposes of computing the above ratios of consolidated earnings to
fixed charges, consolidated earnings consist of income from continuing
operations before income taxes excluding income or loss from equity investees,
plus those fixed charges that were charged against income and distributions from
equity investees. Fixed charges consist of interest expense before reduction for
capitalized interest and the portion of rental expense (net of rental income
from subleased properties) which is considered to be representative of the
interest factors in the leases.
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CAPITALIZATION
The following table sets forth our consolidated capitalization as of June
30, 2003.
You should read this table in conjunction with our historical financial
statements and the notes to those financial statements, which are incorporated
by reference into this prospectus.
AS OF JUNE 30, 2003
(UNAUDITED, IN MILLIONS)
------------------------
Long-term debt.............................................. $ 2,821.1
Shareholders' Equity........................................ 8,393.7
---------
Total Capitalization...................................... $11,214.8
=========
CALCULATION OF OUR UNDERWRITING RATIOS
The combined loss and expense ratio, expressed as a percentage, is the key
measure of underwriting profitability traditionally used in the property and
casualty business. Chubb evaluates the performance of its insurance businesses
by using the combined loss and expense ratio calculated in accordance with
statutory accounting principles applicable to property and casualty insurance
companies. Using statutory accounting principles, the combined loss and expense
ratio is the sum of the ratio of losses to premiums earned (loss ratio) plus the
ratio of statutory underwriting expenses to premiums written (expense ratio)
after reducing both premium amounts by dividends to policyholders.
Statutory accounting principles differ in certain respects from generally
accepted accounting principles, or GAAP. Under statutory accounting principles,
policy acquisition and other underwriting expenses are recognized immediately,
not at the time premiums are earned. To convert underwriting expenses to a GAAP
basis, policy acquisition expenses are deferred and recognized over the period
in which the related premiums are earned. While the combined loss and expense
ratio is not defined in GAAP literature, we believe that, using the most
directly comparable GAAP measures, it would be defined as the sum of the ratio
of losses to premiums earned (loss ratio) plus the ratio of GAAP underwriting
expenses, including dividends to policyholders, to premiums earned (expense
ratio).
The expense ratio calculated using GAAP measures generally will be higher
than the statutory expense ratio. The magnitude of this difference generally
will be greater during periods of high premium growth and lesser during periods
of low premium growth. However, we do not believe that the differences in any
period would affect the analysis of underwriting trends in our insurance
businesses.
To demonstrate the differences, the following table shows, for the six
months ended June 30, 2003 and 2002, the loss ratio, the expense ratio and the
combined loss and expense ratio calculated on a statutory basis and calculated
using GAAP measures:
FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30,
-----------------------------------------------
USING GAAP USING GAAP
STATUTORY MEASURES STATUTORY MEASURES
2003 2003 2002 2002
--------- ---------- --------- ----------
Loss Ratio............................... 64.8% 64.6% 65.4% 65.0%
Expense Ratio............................ 30.5 31.9 31.6 32.8
---- ---- ---- ----
Combined Loss and Expense Ratio.......... 95.3% 96.5% 97.0% 97.8%
==== ==== ==== ====
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DESCRIPTION OF NOTES
We issued the old notes and will issue the new 3.95% notes due 2008 and the
new 5.20% notes due 2013 under an indenture dated as of October 25, 1989 between
us and Bank One Trust Company, N.A., successor in interest to the First National
Bank of Chicago, as trustee, as supplemented by a supplemental indenture, dated
as of March 18, 2003, between us and the trustee. We refer to the indenture, as
supplemented, as the indenture. The new notes will be issued as two separate
series of debt securities under the indenture. The terms of the new notes are
identical to the terms of the old notes, except that the new notes will be
registered under the Securities Act, and therefore will not contain restrictions
on transfer, will not contain provisions relating to additional interest, and
will contain terms of an administrative nature that differ from the old notes.
New notes will otherwise be treated as old notes for purposes of the indenture.
We have summarized portions of the indenture, and the new notes. The
summary is not complete. A copy of the indenture and the form of the notes will
be available upon request to us, at the address set forth under "Where You Can
Find More Information." You should read the indenture and the form of the notes
for the provisions which may be important, to you, because they, and not this
description, define your rights as a holder of the notes. We have provided in
the summary that follows specific cross references to some of the sections of
the indenture that we have summarized.
Defined terms used in this description but not defined herein have the
meanings assigned to them in the indenture. In this section, the terms "we,"
"our," "us," and "Chubb" do not include any of our current or future
subsidiaries, unless the context otherwise indicates.
GENERAL
The notes due 2008 will initially be limited to $225,000,000 aggregate
principal amount, will bear interest at 3.95% per annum and will mature on April
1, 2008. The notes due 2008 will bear interest from March 18, payable in arrears
on April 1 and October 1 of each year, commencing on October 1, 2003, to the
persons in whose names the notes are registered on the preceding March 15 and
September 15, respectively.
The notes due 2013 will initially be limited to $275,000,000 aggregate
principal amount, will bear interest at 5.20% per annum and will mature on April
1, 2013. The notes due 2013 will bear interest from March 18, payable in arrears
on April 1 and October 1 of each year, commencing on October 1, 2003, to the
persons in whose names the notes are registered on the preceding March 15 and
September 15, respectively.
The notes will be unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of Chubb and
will rank equally with all other unsecured and unsubordinated debt of Chubb.
The notes will be issued only in fully registered form without coupons, in
denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000. Each series of notes
will be evidenced by one or more global notes registered in the name of Cede &
Co. as nominee of the Depository Trust Company ("DTC"). All payments of interest
and principal will be in U.S. dollars. No service charge will be made for any
transfer or exchange of the notes, but we may require payment to cover any tax
or other governmental charge payable on any such transfer or exchange.
The indenture does not contain any covenant or other specific protection to
holders of the notes in the event of a highly leveraged transaction or a change
in control of Chubb, except to the limited extent described under
"-- Consolidation, Merger or Sale of Assets".
HOLDING COMPANY STRUCTURE
As a holding company, our ability to continue to pay dividends to
shareholders and to satisfy our obligations, including the payment of interest
and principal on debt obligations, relies on the
13
availability of liquid assets at the holding company which is dependent in large
part on the dividend paying ability of our property and casualty insurance
subsidiaries. Various state insurance laws restrict our property and casualty
insurance subsidiaries as to the amount of dividends they may pay to us without
the prior approval of regulatory authorities. The restrictions are generally
based on net income and on certain levels of policyholders' surplus as
determined in accordance with statutory accounting practices. Dividends in
excess of such thresholds are considered "extraordinary" and require prior
regulatory approval.
OPTIONAL REDEMPTION
We may redeem all or a portion of one or both series of notes at any time,
at our option. We may redeem the notes at a redemption price equal to the
greater of:
- 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed plus accrued and
unpaid interest thereon to the date of redemption; and
- the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of
principal and interest on the notes to be redeemed (exclusive of interest
accrued to the date of redemption) discounted to the redemption date on a
semiannual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day
months) at the Treasury Rate plus 20 basis points, in the case of the
notes due 2008, and 25 basis points, in the case of the notes due 2013,
plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the date of
redemption.
"Treasury Rate" means, with respect to any redemption date, the rate per
annum equal to the semiannual equivalent yield to maturity or interpolated (on a
day count basis) of the Comparable Treasury Issue, assuming a price for the
Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount)
equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for such redemption date.
"Comparable Treasury Issue" means the United States Treasury security or
securities selected by an Independent Investment Banker as having an actual or
interpolated maturity comparable to the remaining term of the series of notes to
be redeemed that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance
with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt
securities of a comparable maturity to the remaining term of such notes to be
redeemed.
"Independent Investment Banker" means one of the Reference Treasury Dealers
appointed by the Trustee after consultation with us.
"Comparable Treasury Price" means, with respect to any redemption date, (A)
the average of the Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such redemption
date, after excluding the highest and lowest such Reference Treasury Dealer
Quotations, or (B) if the trustee obtains fewer than four such Reference
Treasury Dealer Quotations, the average of all such quotations.
"Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations" means, with respect to each
Reference Treasury Dealer, any redemption date and the series of notes to be
redeemed, the average, as determined by the trustee, of the bid and asked prices
for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its
principal amount) for the series of notes to be redeemed quoted in writing to
the trustee by such Reference Treasury Dealer at 3:30 p.m. New York time on the
third business day preceding such redemption date.
"Reference Treasury Dealer" means each of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner &
Smith Incorporated, Deutsche Bank Securities, Inc., Goldman, Sachs & Co. and
Salomon Smith Barney, Inc. or their affiliates which are primary U.S. Government
securities dealers, and their respective successors; provided, however, that if
any of the foregoing or their affiliates will cease to be a primary U.S.
Government securities dealer in The City of New York (a "Primary Treasury
Dealer"), Chubb will substitute therefor another Primary Treasury Dealer.
Notice of any redemption will be mailed at least 30 days but not more than
60 days before the redemption date to each holder of notes to be redeemed.
Unless we default in payment of the
14
redemption price, on and after the redemption date interest will cease to accrue
on the notes or portions thereof called for redemption.
MODIFICATION AND WAIVER
We may generally amend the indenture with the consent of the holders of a
majority in aggregate principal amount of debt securities affected by the
amendment. However, we may not amend the indenture without the consent of each
holder of debt securities affected, in order to, among other things:
- extend the final maturity of any debt security;
- reduce the principal amount of any debt security;
- reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of interest on any debt
security;
- reduce the amount payable on redemption of any debt security, or reduce
the amount of principal of an original issue discount debt security that
would be due and payable on an acceleration of the maturity of such debt
security or the amount of such debt security provable in bankruptcy;
- change the currency of payment of principal of or interest on any debt
security;
- extend the time or reduce the amount of any payment to any sinking fund
or analogous obligation relating to any debt security;
- impair or affect the right of any security holder to institute suit for
payment on such security or any right of repayment at the option of the
security holder;
- reduce the percentage of debt securities of any series that must consent
to an amendment to an indenture to less than a majority;
- reduce the percentage of debt securities of any series necessary to
consent to waive any past default under an indenture to less than a
majority; or
- modify any provisions of the sections of the indenture relating to
supplemental indentures with the consent of the holder of debt
securities, except to increase the percentage of holders or to provide
that provisions of the indenture cannot be modified or waived without the
consent of the holder of each affected debt security. (section 8.2)
A supplemental indenture which changes or eliminates any covenant, or other
provision of the indenture which has expressly been included solely for the
benefit of one or more particular series of debt securities, or which modifies
the rights of the holders of debt securities of such series with respect to such
covenant or other provision, will not affect the rights under the indenture of
the holders of the debt securities of any other series. (section 8.2)
We and the trustee may amend the indenture without the consent of any
holder of debt securities in order to:
- secure any debt securities issued under such indenture;
- provide for the succession of another corporation and assumption of our
obligations in the case of a merger or consolidation;
- add to the covenants of Chubb or add additional events of default;
- cure ambiguities, defects or inconsistencies, provided that such action
does not adversely affect any holders of debt securities issued under the
indenture;
- establish the form and terms of debt securities of any series;
15
- provide for a successor trustee with respect to one or more series of
securities issued under such indenture or to provide for or facilitate
the administration of the trusts under the indenture by more than one
trustee;
- permit or facilitate the issuance of securities in bearer form or to
provide for uncertificated securities to be issued under such indenture;
or
- to change or eliminate any provision of such indenture, provided that any
such, change or elimination will become effective only when there is no
security outstanding of any series created prior to the execution of such
supplemental indenture which is entitled to the benefit of such
provision. (section 8.1)
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
These are "Events of Default" under the indenture with respect to the
notes:
(1) failure to pay principal, or premium, if any, when due;
(2) failure to pay any interest when due, continued for 30 days;
(3) default in the payment of any sinking fund installment when due and
payable;
(4) failure to perform any covenant or warranty of Chubb continued for 60
days after written notice; and
(5) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of Chubb.
If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the trustee may, and at
the written request of holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of
the securities of each series affected by the Event of Default and upon the
trustee's receipt of indemnification to its satisfaction, will proceed to
protect and enforce its rights and those of the holders of such securities.
If an Event of Default, other than an Event of Default specified in clause
(5) above, occurs and is continuing with respect to the debt securities of any
series, then the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of
the outstanding debt securities of that series (each series voting as a separate
class) may require us to repay immediately the entire principal amount of the
outstanding debt securities of that series, or such lesser amount as may be
provided in the terms of the securities, together with all accrued and unpaid
interest and premium, if any. (sections 5.1, 5.10)
If an Event of Default under the indenture specified in clause (4) occurs
and is continuing with respect to all series of debt securities then outstanding
under the indenture or an Event of Default specified in clause (5) occurs and is
continuing, then the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount
of all of the debt securities then outstanding under the indenture (treated as
one class) may require us to repay immediately the entire principal amount of
the outstanding debt securities, or such lesser amount as may be provided in the
terms of the securities, together with all accrued and unpaid interest and
premium, if any. (sections 5.1, 5.10)
Any Event of Default with respect to a particular series of debt securities
under the indenture may be waived by the holders of a majority of the aggregate
principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of such series, or of all
the outstanding debt securities under the indenture, as the case may be, except,
in each case, with respect to a failure to pay principal of or premium, if any,
or interest on such debt security. (sections 5.1, 5.10)
The trustee will, within 90 days of the occurrence of an Event of Default
that has not been cured, provide notice to the holders of any series of debt
securities effected. The trustee may withhold notice to the holders of any
default, except for a default by us in the payment of principal of or interest
or premium on, or sinking fund payment in respect of, the securities, if the
trustee considers it in the interest of the holders to do so. (section 5.11)
16
We are required to furnish to the trustee an annual statement as to
compliance with all conditions and covenants under the indenture. (section 4.5)
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER OR SALE OF ASSETS
We may not consolidate with, merge into or sell, convey or lease all or
substantially all of our assets to any individual, corporation, partnership,
joint venture, association, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated
organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof, nor
permit any such entity to consolidate with, merge into or sell, convey or lease
all or substantially all of its assets to us unless:
- we are the surviving corporation or the successor corporation is a
corporation organized under the laws of any domestic jurisdiction and
assumes our obligations on the debt securities and under the indenture;
- after giving effect to such transaction no Event of Default, and no event
which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event of
Default will have occurred and be continuing; and
- Chubb or the surviving entity will have delivered to the trustee an
officers' certificate and opinion of counsel stating that the transaction
or series of transactions and a supplemental indenture, if any, complies
with this covenant and that all conditions precedent in the indenture
relating to the transaction or series of transactions have been
satisfied. (sections 9.1, 9.2, 9.3)
DEFEASANCE AND DISCHARGE
We may discharge all of our obligations, other than as to certain transfers
and exchanges, with respect to each series of the notes, if, among other things:
- we irrevocably deposit with the trustee cash or U.S. government
obligations or a combination thereof, as trust funds in an amount
certified to be sufficient to pay on each date that they become due and
payable, the principal of and interest on, all outstanding notes of the
series to be discharged;
- we deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that:
- we have received from, or there has been published by, the Internal
Revenue Service a ruling to the effect, or in lieu thereof, an opinion
of such counsel to the effect, the holders of the notes of the
applicable series will not recognize income, gain or loss for United
States federal income tax purposes as a result of the defeasance or
covenant defeasance; and
- the defeasance will not otherwise alter those holders' U.S. federal
income tax treatment of principal and interest payments on the notes of
the applicable series; and
- no event of default under the indenture has occurred and is continuing.
(section 10.1)
FURTHER ISSUES
We may from time to time, without notice to or consent of the holders of
the notes, issue additional notes of the same tenor, coupon and other terms as
the notes, so that such notes and the notes offered hereby will form a single
series. We refer to this additional issuance of notes as a "further issue."
Purchasers of the notes offered hereby, after the date of any further
issue, will not be able to differentiate between the notes sold as part of the
further issue and previously issued notes. If we were to issue notes with
original issue discount, persons that are subject to U.S. federal income
taxation who purchase notes after such further issue may be required to accrue
original issue
17
discount with respect to their notes. This may affect the price of outstanding
notes as a result of a further issue.
APPLICABLE LAW
The notes and the indenture will be governed by and construed in accordance
with the laws of the State of New York.
THE TRUSTEE
Bank One Trust Company, N.A. is the trustee under the indenture. The
trustee's current address is 153 West 51st Street, New York, New York 10019.
Bank One is acting as the successor to the original trustee, The First National
Bank of Chicago.
BOOK ENTRY, DELIVERY AND FORM
GLOBAL NOTE
Each series of notes will be issued in the form of one or more registered
notes in global form, without interest coupons. The global notes will be
deposited on the date of the closing of the sale of the notes with, or on behalf
of, The Depository Trust Company ("DTC") and registered in the name of Cede &
Co., as nominee of DTC, or will remain in the custody of the trustee pursuant to
the FAST Balance Certificate Agreement between DTC and the trustee.
BOOK ENTRY PROCEDURES FOR THE GLOBAL NOTES
The descriptions of the operations and procedures of DTC set forth below
are provided solely as a matter of convenience. These operations and procedures
are solely within the control of DTC and are subject to change by DTC from time
to time. Neither we nor the initial purchasers take any responsibility for these
operations or procedures, and investors are urged to contact DTC or its
participants directly to discuss these matters.
DTC has advised us that it is (i) a limited purpose trust company organized
under the laws of the State of New York, (ii) a "banking organization" within
the meaning of the New York Banking Law, (iii) a member of the Federal Reserve
System, (iv) a "clearing corporation" within the meaning of the Uniform
Commercial Code, as amended, and (v) a "clearing agency" registered pursuant to
Section 17A of the Exchange Act. DTC was created to hold securities for its
participants and facilitates the clearance and settlement of securities
transactions between participants through electronic book-entry changes to the
accounts of its participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical transfer
and delivery of certificates. DTC's participants include, securities brokers and
dealers (including the initial purchasers), banks and trust companies, clearing
corporations and certain other organizations. Indirect access to DTC's system is
also available to other entities such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust
companies (collectively, the "indirect participants") that clear through or
maintain a custodial relationship with a participant, either directly or
indirectly. Investors who are not participants may beneficially own securities
held by or on behalf of DTC only through participants or indirect participants.
We expect that pursuant to procedures established by DTC (i) upon deposit
of each global note, DTC will credit the accounts of participants designated by
the initial purchasers with an interest in the global note and (ii) ownership of
the notes will be shown on, and the transfer of ownership thereof will be
effected only through, records maintained by DTC (with respect to the interests
of participants) and the records of participants and the indirect participants
(with respect to the interests of persons other than participants).
The laws of some jurisdictions may require that certain purchasers of
securities take physical delivery of such securities in definitive form.
Accordingly, the ability to transfer interests in the notes represented by a
global note to such persons may be limited. In addition, because DTC can
18
act only on behalf of its participants, who in turn act on behalf of persons who
hold interests through participants, the ability of a person having an interest
in notes represented by a global note to pledge or transfer such interest to
persons or entities that do not participate in DTC's system, or to otherwise
take actions in respect of such interest, may be affected by the lack of a
physical definitive security in respect of such interest.
So long as DTC or its nominee is the registered owner of a global note, DTC
or such nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder
of the notes represented by the global note for all purposes under the
indenture. Except as provided below, owners of beneficial interests in a global
note will not be entitled to have notes represented by such global note
registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical
delivery of certificated notes, and will not be considered the owners or holders
of the global note under the indenture for any purpose, including with respect
to the giving of any direction, instruction or approval to the trustee
thereunder. Accordingly, each holder owning a beneficial interest in a global
note must rely on the procedures of DTC and, if such holder is not a participant
or an indirect participant, on the procedures of the participant through which
such holder owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a holder of notes under
the indenture or such global note. We understand that under existing industry
practice, in the event that we request any action of holders of notes, or a
holder that is an owner of a beneficial interest in a global note desires to
take any action that DTC, as the holder of such global note, is entitled to
take, DTC would authorize the participants to take such action and the
participants would authorize holders owning through such participants to take
such action or would otherwise act upon the instruction of such holders. Neither
we nor the trustee will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of
the records relating to or payments made on account of notes by DTC, or for
maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records of DTC relating to such notes.
Payments with respect to the principal of, and premium, if any, additional
interest, if any, and interest on, any notes represented by a global note
registered in the name of DTC or its nominee on the applicable record date will
be payable by the trustee to or at the direction of DTC or its nominee in its
capacity as the registered holder of the global note representing such notes
under the indenture. Under the terms of the indenture, we and the trustee may
treat the persons in whose names the notes, including the global notes, are
registered as the owners thereof for the purpose of receiving payment thereon
and for any and all other purposes whatsoever. Accordingly, neither we nor the
trustee has or will have any responsibility or liability for the payment of such
amounts to owners of beneficial interests in a global note (including principal,
premium, if any, additional interest, if any, and interest). Payments by the
participants and the indirect participants to the owners of beneficial interests
in a global note will be governed by standing instructions and customary
industry practice and will be the responsibility of the participants or the
indirect participants and DTC.
Transfers between participants in DTC will be effected in accordance with
DTC's procedures, and will be settled in same-day funds.
CERTIFICATED NOTES
If (i) DTC notifies us that it is no longer willing or able to act as a
depositary or DTC ceases to be registered as a clearing agency under the
Exchange Act and a successor depositary is not appointed within 90 days of such
notice or cessation, (ii) an Event of Default has occurred with respect to the
series of notes represented by the global note and is continuing or (iii) we, at
our option, notify the trustee in writing that we elect to cause the issuance of
notes in definitive form under the indenture, then, upon surrender by DTC of the
global notes, certificated notes will be issued to each person that DTC
identifies as the beneficial owner of the notes represented by the global notes.
Upon any such issuance, the trustee is required to register such certificated
notes in the name of such person or persons (or the nominee of any thereof) and
cause the same to be delivered thereto.
19
Neither we nor the trustee will be liable for any delay by DTC or any
participant or indirect participant in identifying the beneficial owners of the
related notes and we and the trustee may conclusively rely on, and will be
protected in relying on, instructions from DTC for all purposes (including with
respect to the registration and delivery and the respective principal amounts,
of the notes to be issued).
REGISTRATION RIGHTS; ADDITIONAL INTEREST
The following summary of certain provisions of the registration rights
agreement does not contain all of the information that may be important to an
investor in the notes. It is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to, all the provisions of the registration rights agreement. A copy of
the registration rights agreement is available as set forth under the heading
"Where You Can Find More Information."
Pursuant to the registration rights agreement, we have agreed to use our
reasonable best efforts to file a registration statement for this exchange offer
and to use our reasonable best efforts to cause it to become effective. The
registration statement of which this prospectus is a part constitutes the
registration statement to be filed pursuant to the registration rights
agreement.
SHELF REGISTRATION
We may also be required to file a shelf registration statement to permit
certain holders of the old notes or the new notes, as the case may be, who were
eligible to participate in the exchange offer or who do not receive freely
tradable new notes to resell the notes periodically without being limited by the
transfer restrictions. We will only be required to file a shelf registration
statement if:
- after the date the old notes were issued, there is a change in law or
applicable interpretations of the law by the staff of the SEC, and as a
result we are not permitted to complete the exchange offer as
contemplated by the registration rights agreement;
- any holder of the old notes is prohibited by law or SEC policy to
participate in the exchange offer;
- any holder of the old notes does not receive freely tradable new notes;
- the exchange offer registration statement is not declared effective
within 240 days of the date the old notes were first issued or the
exchange offer is not consummated within 270 days of the date the old
notes were first issued; or
- under certain circumstances, we are requested to do so by any initial
purchaser.
The shelf registration statement will permit only certain holders to resell
their old or new notes from time to time. In particular, such holders must:
- provide specified information in connection with the shelf registration
statement; and
- agree in writing to be bound by all provisions of the Registration Rights
Agreement (including the indemnification obligations).
We will, in the event of the filing of a shelf registration statement, use
our reasonable best efforts to provide to each holder of old or new notes that
are covered by the shelf registration statement copies of the prospectus which
is a part of the shelf registration statement and notify each such holder when
the shelf registration statement has become effective. A holder who sells old or
new notes pursuant to the shelf registration statement will be required to be
named as a selling securityholder in the prospectus and to deliver a copy of the
prospectus to purchasers. Such holder will be subject to certain of the civil
liability provisions under the Securities Act in connection with such sales, and
will be bound by the provisions of the registration rights agreement which are
applicable to such a holder (including the indemnification obligations).
20
If a shelf registration statement is required, we will use our reasonable
best efforts to:
- file the shelf registration statement with the SEC after such obligation
arises;
- cause the shelf registration statement to be declared effective by the
SEC as promptly as reasonably practicable after filing, but no later than
the 330th day after the old notes were first issued; and
- keep the shelf registration statement effective for a period of two years
after the date the shelf registration statement is declared effective (or
one year in the case of a shelf registration effected at the request of
the initial purchasers), or such shorter period that will terminate when
all of the old and new notes covered by the shelf registration statement
are sold thereunder or are already freely tradable.
Under certain circumstances, we may suspend the availability of the shelf
registration statement for certain periods of time, as specified in the
registration rights agreement.
ADDITIONAL INTEREST
If a registration default (as defined below) occurs, then we will be
required to pay additional interest to each holder of the old notes. We will pay
additional interest equal to 0.25% per annum upon the occurrence of each
registration default. The amount of additional interest will also increase by an
additional 0.25% per annum for such subsequent 90-day period that a registration
default remains uncured. However, in no event will the rate of additional
interest exceed 0.5% per annum. Such additional interest will accrue only for
those days that a registration default occurs and is continuing. All accrued
additional interest will be paid to the holders of the old notes in the same
manner as interest payments on the old notes, with payments being made on the
interest payment dates for the old notes. Following the cure of all registration
defaults, no more additional interest will accrue. You will not be entitled to
receive any additional interest if you were, at any time while the exchange
offer was pending, eligible to exchange, and did not validly tender, your old
notes for new notes in the exchange offer.
A "registration default" includes any of the following:
- we fail to file any of the registration statements required by the
registration rights agreement on or before the date specified for such
filing;
- any of such registration statements is not declared effective by the SEC
on or prior to the date specified for such effectiveness;
- we fail to complete the exchange offer on or prior to the date specified
for such completion; or
- the shelf registration statement is declared effective but thereafter
ceases to be effective or unavailable in connection with resales of the
old or new notes, as the case may be, during the period specified in the
registration rights agreement, subject to our right to suspend the
availability of the shelf registration statement for certain periods.
21
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
Each broker-dealer that receives new notes for its own account pursuant to
the exchange offer must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in
connection with any resale of such new notes. This prospectus, as it may be
amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a broker-dealer in
connection with resales of new notes received in exchange for old notes where
such old notes were acquired as a result of market-making activities or other
trading activities. We have agreed that, for a period of 90 days after the
expiration date, we will make this prospectus, as amended or supplemented,
available to any broker-dealer for use in connection with any such resale. In
addition, until , 2003, all dealers effecting transactions in the new
notes may be required to deliver a prospectus.
We will not receive any proceeds from any sale of new notes by
broker-dealers. New notes received by broker-dealers for their own account
pursuant to the exchange offer may be sold from time to time in one or more
transactions in the over-the-counter market, in negotiated transactions, through
the writing of options on the new notes or a combination of such methods of
resale, at market prices prevailing at the time of resale, at prices related to
such prevailing market prices or negotiated prices. Any such resale may be made
directly to purchasers or to or through brokers or dealers who may receive
compensation in the form of commissions or concessions from any broker-dealer or
the purchasers of any new notes. Any broker-dealer that resells new notes that
were received by it for its own account pursuant to the exchange offer and any
broker or dealer that participates in a distribution of new notes may be deemed
to be an "underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act and any profit
on the resale of new notes and any commission or concessions received by any
such persons may be deemed to be underwriting compensation under the Securities
Act. The Letter of Transmittal states that, by acknowledging that it will
deliver and by delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed to
admit that it is an "underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act.
For a period of 90 days after the expiration date we will promptly send
additional copies of this prospectus and any amendment or supplement to this
prospectus to any broker-dealer that requests such documents in the Letter of
Transmittal. We have agreed to pay all expenses incident to the exchange offer
other than commissions or concessions of any brokers or dealers and will
indemnify certain holders of the notes (including any broker-dealers) against
certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.
Based on interpretations by the Staff of the SEC as set forth in no-action
letters issued to third parties (including Exxon Capital Holdings Corporation
(available May 13, 1988), Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated (available June 5,
1991), K-III Communications Corporation (available May 14, 1993) and Shearman &
Sterling (available July 2, 1993)), we believe that the new notes issued
pursuant to the exchange offer may be offered for resale, resold and otherwise
transferred any holder of such new notes, other than any such holder that is a
broker-dealer or an "affiliate" of us within the meaning of Rule 405 under the
Securities Act, without compliance with the registration and prospectus delivery
provisions of the Securities Act, provided that:
- such new notes are acquired in the ordinary course of business,
- at the time of the commencement of the exchange offer such holder has no
arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in a
distribution of such new notes, and
- such holder is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, a
distribution of such new notes.
We have not sought, and do not intend to seek, a no-action letter from the
SEC with respect to the effects of the exchange offer, and there can be no
assurance that the Staff would make a similar determination with respect to the
new notes as it has in such no-action letters.
22
LEGAL OPINIONS
The validity of the notes will be passed upon for us by Debevoise &
Plimpton, New York, New York, and Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, Florham Park, New
Jersey. Debevoise & Plimpton will rely on the opinion of Drinker Biddle & Reath
LLP, as to matters of New Jersey law.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements and schedules of The Chubb
Corporation appearing in The Chubb Corporation's Annual Report (Form 10-K) for
the year ended December 31, 2002 have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP,
independent auditors, as set forth in their report thereon, included therein and
incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements and
schedules are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such report
given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-4 under the
Securities Act that we filed with the SEC, covering the new notes to be issued
in the exchange offer. The registration statement, including the attached
exhibits, contains additional relevant information about us and the new notes to
be issued in the exchange offer. If we have filed any contract, agreement or
other document as an exhibit to the registration statement, you should read the
exhibit for a more complete understanding of the document or the matter
involved.
The rules of the SEC allow us to omit from this prospectus some of the
information included in the registration statement. This information may be
inspected and copied at, or obtained at prescribed rates from the Public
Reference Section of the SEC at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Judiciary Plaza,
Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further
information on the operation of these public reference facilities. The SEC
maintains an Internet site, http://www.sec.gov, that contains reports, proxy and
information statements and other information regarding issuers that file
electronically with the SEC. This URL is intended to be an inactive textual
reference only. It is not intended to be an active hyperlink to the SEC's
website. The information on the SEC's website, which might be accessible through
a hyperlink resulting from this URL, is not and is not intended to be part of
this prospectus and is not incorporated into this prospectus by reference.
We are subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended. We fulfill our obligations with respect to such
requirements by filing periodic reports and other information with the SEC.
These reports and other information are available as provided above and may also
be inspected at the offices of the NYSE at 20 Broad Street, New York, New York
10005.
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
The rules of the SEC allow us to incorporate by reference information into
this prospectus. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be a
part of this prospectus, and information that we file later with the SEC will
automatically update and supersede this information. This prospectus
incorporates by reference the documents listed below:
- our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002;
- our amendment to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2002 on Form 10-K/A as filed with the SEC on March 13, 2003;
- our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2003;
23
- our amendment to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
March 31, 2003 on Form 10-Q/A as filed with the SEC on June 12, 2003;
- our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2003;
- our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 21, 2003, our Current
Report on Form 8-K filed on March 11, 2003, our current report on Form
8-K filed on March 14, 2003; our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June
6, 2003 (other than the information furnished pursuant to Item 9
contained therein) and our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 25,
2003.
- the information under the captions indicated in Part III of our Annual
Report on Form 10-K on pages 3 through 11, 14 through 25 and 38 of our
definitive Proxy Statement dated March 28, 2003; and
- all documents filed by us pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 after the date of this prospectus
and before the completion of the exchange offer.
We will provide without charge to each person, including any beneficial
owner, to whom a copy of this prospectus is delivered, upon written or oral
request of such person, a copy of any or all of the documents referred to above
which have been or may be incorporated by reference in this prospectus. You
should direct requests for those documents to The Chubb Corporation, 15 Mountain
View Road, P.O. Box 1615, Warren, New Jersey 07061-1615, Attention: Secretary
(telephone: 908-903-2000).
IN ORDER TO OBTAIN TIMELY DELIVERY, YOU MUST REQUEST DOCUMENTS FROM US NO
LATER THAN , 2003, WHICH IS FIVE DAYS BEFORE THE EXPIRATION DATE OF
THE EXCHANGE OFFER ON , 2003.
24
(CHUBB LOGO)
Offer to Exchange its
3.95% Notes due 2008
and
Offer to Exchange its
5.20% Notes due 2013
---------------------
PROSPECTUS
---------------------
, 2003
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DEALER PROSPECTUS DELIVERY OBLIGATION
Until , 2003, all dealers that effect transactions in these
securities, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to
deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to the dealers' obligation to deliver
a prospectus when acting as underwriters and with respect to their unsold
allotments or subscriptions
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
ITEM 20. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
The Chubb Corporation is organized under the laws of the State of New
Jersey. The New Jersey Business Corporation Act, as amended (the "NJBCA"),
provides that a New Jersey corporation has the power generally to indemnify its
directors, officers, employees and other agents against expenses and liabilities
in connection with any proceeding involving such person by reason of his or her
being or having been a corporate agent, other than a proceeding by or in the
right of the corporation, if such person acted in good faith and in a manner he
or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the
corporation and, with respect to any criminal proceeding, such person had no
reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. In the case of an
action brought by or in the right of the corporation, indemnification of
directors, officers, employees and other agents against expenses is permitted if
such person acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to
be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation; however, no
indemnification is permitted in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to
which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation,
unless and only to the extent that the New Jersey Superior Court, or the court
in which such proceeding was brought, shall determine upon application that
despite the adjudication of liability, but in view of all the circumstances of
the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to such indemnification.
Expenses incurred by a director, officer, employee or other agent in connection
with a proceeding may be, under certain circumstances, paid by the corporation
in advance of the final disposition of the proceeding as authorized by the board
of directors. The power to indemnify and advance expenses under the NJBCA does
not exclude other rights to which a director, officer, employee or other agent
of the corporation may be entitled to under the certificate of incorporation,
by-laws, agreement, vote of stockholders, or otherwise, provided that no
indemnification is permitted to be made to or on behalf of such person if a
judgment or other final adjudication adverse to such person establishes that his
or her acts or omissions were in breach of his or her duty of loyalty to the
corporation or its shareholders, were not in good faith or involved a violation
of the law, or resulted in the receipt by such person of an improper personal
benefit.
Under the NJBCA, a New Jersey corporation has the power to purchase and
maintain insurance on behalf of any director, officer, employee or other agent
against any expenses incurred in any proceeding and any liabilities asserted
against him or her by reason of his or her being or having been a corporate
agent, whether or not the corporation has the power to indemnify him or her
against such expenses and liabilities under the NJBCA. All of the foregoing
powers of indemnification granted to a New Jersey corporation may be exercised
by such corporation notwithstanding the absence of any provision in its
certificate of incorporation or by-laws authorizing the exercise of such powers.
However, a New Jersey corporation may, with certain limitations, provide in its
certificate of incorporation that a director or officer shall not be personally
liable, or shall be liable only to the extent therein provided, to the
corporation or its shareholders for damages for breach of a duty owed to the
corporation or its shareholders.
Reference is made to Sections 14A:3-5 and 14A:2-7(3) of the NJBCA in
connection with the above summary of indemnification, insurance and limitation
of liability.
Article XII of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Chubb reads as
follows:
TWELFTH:
SECTION A. A Director or Officer of the Corporation shall not be
personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for damages for breach
of any duty owed to the Corporation or its stockholders, except for liability
for any breach of duty based upon an act or omission (i) in breach of such
Director's or Officer's duty of loyalty to the Corporation or stockholders, (ii)
not in good
II-1
faith or involving a knowing violation of law or (iii) resulting in receipt by
such Director or Officer of an improper personal benefit. The provisions of this
section shall be effective as and to the fullest extent that, in whole or in
part, they shall be authorized or permitted by the laws of the State of New
Jersey. No repeal or modification of the foregoing provisions of this Section A
nor, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any modification of law shall
adversely affect any right or protection of a Director or Officer of the
Corporation which exists at the time of such repeal or modification.
SECTION B.
1. As used in this Section B:
(a) "corporate agent" means any person who is or was a director, officer,
or employee of the Corporation and any person who is or was director, officer,
trustee or employee of any other enterprise, serving, or continuing to serve, as
such at the written request of the Corporation, signed by the Chairman or the
President or pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors, or the legal
representative of any such person;
(b) "other enterprise" means any domestic or foreign corporation, other
than the Corporation, and any partnership, joint venture, sole proprietorship,
trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise, whether or not for profit,
served by a corporate agent;
(c) "expenses" means reasonable costs, disbursements and counsel fees;
(d) "liabilities" means amounts paid or incurred in satisfaction of
settlements, judgments, fines and penalties;
(e) "proceeding" means any pending, threatened or completed civil,
criminal, administrative or arbitrative action, suit or proceeding, and any
appeal therein and any inquiry or investigation which could lead to such action,
suit or proceeding, and shall include any proceeding as so defined existing at
or before, and any proceedings relating to facts occurring or circumstances
existing at or before, the adoption of this Section B.
2. Each corporate agent shall be indemnified by the Corporation against his
expenses and liabilities in connection with any proceeding involving the
corporate agent by reason of his having been such corporate agent to the fullest
extent permitted by applicable law as the same exists or may hereafter be
amended or modified. The right to indemnification conferred by this paragraph 2
shall also include the right to be paid by the Corporation the expenses incurred
in connection with any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition to
the fullest extent authorized by applicable law as the same exists or may
hereafter be amended or modified. The right to indemnification conferred in this
paragraph 2 shall be a contract right.
3. The Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any
corporate agent against any expenses incurred in any proceedings and any
liabilities asserted against him by reason of his having been a corporate agent,
whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify him against
such expenses and liabilities under applicable law as the same exists or may
hereafter be amended or modified. The Corporation may purchase such insurance
from, or such insurance may be reinsured in whole or in part by, an insurer
owned by or otherwise affiliated with the Corporation, whether or not such
insurer does business with other insureds.
The rights and authority conferred in this Section B shall not exclude any
other right to which any person may be entitled under this Certificate of
Incorporation, the By-Laws, any agreement, vote of stockholders or otherwise. No
repeal or modification of the foregoing provisions of this Section B nor, to the
fullest extent permitted by law, any modification of law, shall adversely affect
any right or protection of a corporate agent which exists at the time of such
repeal or modification.
II-2
* * *
Chubb is insured against liabilities which it may incur by reason of
Article XII of Chubb's Restated Certificate of Incorporation. In addition,
directors and officers of Chubb are insured at the expense of Chubb against
certain liabilities which might arise out of their service and not be subject to
indemnification.
ITEM 16. EXHIBITS.
EXHIBIT NO. DESCRIPTION
----------- -----------
1.1 Purchase Agreement, dated March 14, 2003, among The Chubb
Corporation and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
Incorporated, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Goldman Sachs &
Co. and Salomon Smith Barney Inc.
3.1 Restated Certificate of Incorporation of The Chubb
Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3 of The
Chubb Corporation's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
quarterly period ended June 30, 1996, filed on August 14,
1996 (No. 1-8661)).
3.2 Certificate of Amendment to the Restated Certificate of
Incorporation of The Chubb Corporation (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 3 of The Chubb Corporation's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998,
filed on March 29, 1999 (No. 1-8661)).
3.3 Certificate of Correction of Certificate of Amendment to the
Restated Certificate of Incorporation of The Chubb
Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3 of The
Chubb Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 1998, filed on March 29, 1999 (No.
1-8661)).
3.4 Restated By-laws of The Chubb Corporation (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 3 of The Chubb Corporation's first
amendment to its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 2002, filed on March 13, 2003 (No.
1-8661)).
4.1 Indenture dated as of October 25, 1989, between The Chubb
Corporation and Bank One Trust Company, N.A., as successor
in interest to The First National Bank of Chicago relating
to Senior Debt Securities (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4(a) to The Chubb Corporation's Registration
Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-31796)).
4.2 Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 18, 2003, to the
Indenture dated as of October 25, 1989 between the Chubb
Corporation and Bank One Trust Company, N.A., as successor
in interest to The First National Bank of Chicago relating
to Senior Debt Securities (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.29 to The Chubb Corporation's Registration
Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-104310)).
4.3 Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of March 18, 2003,
among The Chubb Corporation and Merrill Lynch, Pierce,
Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.,
Goldman, Sachs & Co. and Salomon Smith Barney Inc.
*4.4 Specimen 3.95% Note.
*4.5 Specimen 5.20% Note.
*5.1 Opinion of Debevoise & Plimpton.
*5.2 Opinion of Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP.
12.1 Statement Re: Computation of Ratio of Earnings to
Consolidated Fixed Charges and Earnings to Combined
Consolidated Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends of
The Chubb Corporation.
23.1 Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.
*23.2 Consent of Debevoise & Plimpton (included in Exhibit 5.1
hereto).
*23.3 Consent of Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP (included in Exhibit
5.2 hereto).
24.1 Powers of Attorney (contained on signature pages).
*25.1 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification under the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939 of Bank One Trust Company, N.A., as
Trustee for the Senior Indenture.
II-3
EXHIBIT NO. DESCRIPTION
----------- -----------
99.1 Form of Letter of Transmittal for 3.95% Notes.
99.2 Form of Letter of Transmittal for 5.20% Notes.
99.3 Form of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery for 3.95% Notes.
99.4 Form of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery for 5.20% Notes.
99.5 Form of Instruction to Registered Holder and/or Book Entry
Participant from Beneficial Owner for Tender of 3.95% Senior
Notes due 2008 for registered 3.95% Senior Notes due 2008.
99.6 Form of Instruction to Registered Holder and/or Book Entry
Participant from Beneficial Owner for Tender of 5.20% Senior
Notes due 2013 for registered 5.20% Senior Notes due 2013.
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* To be filed by amendment.
ITEM 22. UNDERTAKINGS.
(a) Filings Incorporating Subsequent Exchange Act Documents by Reference.
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purpose of
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the
registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit
plan's annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be
deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(b) Acceleration of Effectiveness.
Insofar as indemnifications for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of
the registrants pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the
registrants have been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange
Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act
and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification
against such liabilities (other than the payment by a registrant of expenses
incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person, if any, of such
registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is
asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the
securities being registered, such registrant will, unless in the opinion of its
counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court
of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is
against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final
adjudication of such issue.
(c) Requests for Information.
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to respond to requests for
information that is incorporated by reference into the prospectus pursuant to
Items 4, 10(b), 11 or 13 of this form, within one business day of receipt of
such request, and to send the incorporated documents by first class mail or
other equally prompt means. This includes information contained in documents
filed subsequent to the effective date of the registration statement through the
date of responding to the request.
(d) Unsold Securities.
To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of
the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the
offering.
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(e) Future Transaction.
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to supply by means of a
post-effective amendment all information concerning a transaction, and the
company being acquired involved therein, that was not the subject of and
included in the registration statement when it became effective.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, The Chubb
Corporation (i) certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it
meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-4 and (ii) has duly caused
this Registration Statement on Form S-4 to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the Township of Warren, State of New
Jersey, on this 12th day of September, 2003.
THE CHUBB CORPORATION
By: /s/ HENRY G. GULICK
------------------------------------
Name: Henry G. Gulick
Title: Vice President and
Secretary
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears
below constitutes and appoints Henry G. Gulick, John F. Finnegan and Philip J.
Sempier, jointly and severally, as his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and
agent, acting alone, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him
and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all
amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement,
and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in
connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto
said attorney-in-fact full power and authority to do perform each and every act
and thing requisite or necessary to be done in and about the premises, as
person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and
agent, or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by
virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement on Form S-4 has been signed by the following persons in
the capacities and on the dates indicated.
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE
--------- ----- ----
/s/ JOHN D. FINNEGAN President, Chief Executive September 12, 2003
------------------------------------------------ Officer and Director
John D. Finnegan (Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ MICHAEL O'REILLY Vice Chairman and September 12, 2003
------------------------------------------------ Chief Financial Officer
Michael O'Reilly (Principal Financial Officer)
/s/ HENRY B. SCHRAM Senior Vice President and September 12, 2003
------------------------------------------------ Chief Accounting Officer
Henry B. Schram (Principal Accounting
Officer)
/s/ ZOE BAIRD Director September 12, 2003
------------------------------------------------
Zoe Baird
/s/ JOHN C. BECK Director September 12, 2003
------------------------------------------------
John C. Beck
/s/ SHEILA P. BURKE Director September 12, 2003
------------------------------------------------
Sheila P. Burke
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SIGNATURE TITLE DATE
--------- ----- ----
/s/ JAMES I. CASH, JR. Director September 12, 2003
------------------------------------------------
James I. Cash, Jr.
/s/ JOEL J. COHEN Chairman and Director September 12, 2003
------------------------------------------------
Joel J. Cohen
/s/ JAMES M. CORNELIUS Director September 12, 2003
------------------------------------------------
James M. Cornelius
/s/ DAVID H. HOAG Director September 12, 2003
------------------------------------------------
David H. Hoag
Director
------------------------------------------------
Klaus J. Mangold
/s/ WARREN B. RUDMAN Director September 12, 2003
------------------------------------------------
Warren B. Rudman
/s/ DAVID G. SCHOLEY Director September 12, 2003
------------------------------------------------
David G. Scholey
Director
------------------------------------------------
Raymond G.H. Seitz
/s/ LAWRENCE M. SMALL Director September 12, 2003
------------------------------------------------
Lawrence M. Small
/s/ DANIEL E. SOMERS Director September 12, 2003
------------------------------------------------
Daniel E. Somers
/s/ KAREN HASTIE WILLIAMS Director September 12, 2003
------------------------------------------------
Karen Hastie Williams
/s/ JAMES M. ZIMMERMAN Director September 12, 2003
------------------------------------------------
James M. Zimmerman
/s/ ALFRED W. ZOLLAR Director September 12, 2003
------------------------------------------------
Alfred W. Zollar
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