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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549



SCHEDULE TO

Tender Offer Statement under Section 14(d)(1) or 13(e)(1)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934



WHITE MOUNTAINS INSURANCE GROUP, LTD.
(Name of Subject Company (Issuer) and Filing Person (Issuer and Offeror))



Common Shares, par value $1.00 per share
(Title of Class of Securities)



G9618E107
(CUSIP Number of Class of Securities)



Robert L. Seelig, Esq.
Executive Vice President and General Counsel
White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd.
80 South Main Street
Hanover, New Hampshire 03755-2053
Telephone: (603) 640-2200
(Name, address and telephone number of person authorized to receive notices and communications on behalf of filing persons)



With a copy to:
Ting S. Chen, Esq.
Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP
825 Eighth Avenue
New York, New York 10019
Telephone: (212) 474-1000



CALCULATION OF FILING FEE:

 
TRANSACTION VALUATION*
  AMOUNT OF FILING FEE**
 
$437,500,000.00   $54,468.75
 
*
Estimated for purposes of calculating the amount of the filing fee only. This calculation assumes the purchase of a total of 500,000 outstanding Common Shares, par value $1.00 per share, of White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd. at the maximum tender offer price of $875 per share.

**
The amount of the filing fee, calculated in accordance with Rule 0-11 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, equals $124.50 per million of the value of the transaction.
o
Check the box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing with which the offsetting fee was previously paid. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
Amount previously paid:   Not applicable   Filing Party:   Not applicable
Form or Registration No.:   Not applicable   Date Filed:   Not applicable
o
Check the box if the filing relates solely to preliminary communications made before the commencement of the tender offer.

          Check the appropriate boxes below to designate any transactions to which the statement relates:

          Check the following box if the filing is a final amendment reporting the results of the tender offer:    o

If applicable, check the appropriate box(es) below to designate the appropriate rule provision(s) relied upon:

   



INTRODUCTION

        This Issuer Tender Offer Statement on Schedule TO ("Schedule TO") relates to the tender offer by White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd., a company organized under the laws of Bermuda (the "Company"), to purchase 500,000 of its issued and outstanding Common Shares, par value $1.00 per share (the "Common Shares" or the "Shares"), or such lesser number of Shares as is properly tendered and not properly withdrawn, at a price not greater than $875 or less than $825 per Share, net to the seller in cash, less any applicable withholding taxes and without interest, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase dated April 10, 2018 (the "Offer to Purchase"), a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit (a)(1)(A), and in the related Letter of Transmittal (the "Letter of Transmittal" and, together with the Offer to Purchase, as they may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the "Offer"), a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit (a)(1)(B), which are herein incorporated by reference. This Schedule TO is being filed in accordance with Rule 13e-4 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act").

        All information in the Offer is hereby expressly incorporated by reference in answer to all items in this Schedule TO, and as more particularly set forth below.

Item 1.    Summary Term Sheet.

        The information set forth in the Offer to Purchase under "Summary Term Sheet" is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 2.    Subject Company Information.

        (a)   The name of the issuer is White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd., a company organized under the laws of Bermuda. The Company's principal executive offices are located at 80 South Main Street, Hanover, New Hampshire 03755-2053, telephone: (603) 640-2200.

        (b)   The class of securities to which this statement relates is the Common Shares, par value $1.00 per share, of which 3,753,405 Shares were issued and outstanding as of April 9, 2018.

        (c)   The information set forth in the Offer to Purchase under Section 7 ("Price Range of Shares; Dividends") is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 3.    Identity and Background of Filing Person.

        (a)   This Tender Offer Statement on Schedule TO is filed by the Company, which is also the issuer. The Company's address and telephone number are set forth under Item 2. The information set forth in the Offer to Purchase under Schedule I and Section 11 ("Interests of Directors and Executive Officers; Transactions and Arrangements Concerning the Shares") is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 4.    Terms of the Transaction.

        (a)   The following information set forth in the Offer to Purchase is incorporated herein by reference:

2


        (b)   The information set forth in the Offer to Purchase under "Summary Term Sheet", "Introduction", Section 5 ("Purpose of the Offer; Certain Effects of the Offer") and Section 11 ("Interest of Directors and Executive Officers; Transactions and Arrangements Concerning the Shares") is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 5.    Past Contacts, Transactions, Negotiations and Agreements.

        (e)   The information set forth in the Offer to Purchase under Section 11 ("Interests of Directors and Executive Officers; Transactions and Arrangements Concerning the Shares") is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 6.    Purpose of the Transaction and Plans or Proposals.

        (a)   The information set forth in the Offer to Purchase under "Summary Term Sheet" and Section 5 ("Purpose of the Offer; Certain Effects of the Offer") is incorporated herein by reference.

        (b)   The information set forth in the Offer to Purchase under Section 5 ("Purpose of the Offer; Certain Effects of the Offer") is incorporated herein by reference.

        (c)   The information set forth in the Offer to Purchase under "Summary Term Sheet", "Introduction", Section 5 ("Purpose of the Offer; Certain Effects of the Offer"), Section 9 ("Certain Information Concerning the Company") and Section 10 ("Source and Amount of Funds") is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 7.    Source and Amount of Funds or Other Consideration.

        (a), (b) and (d) The information set forth in the Offer to Purchase under "Summary Term Sheet" and Section 10 ("Source and Amount of Funds") is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 8.    Interest in Securities of the Subject Company.

        (a)   and (b) The information set forth in the Offer to Purchase under Schedule I and Section 11 ("Interests of Directors and Executive Officers; Transactions and Arrangements Concerning the Shares") is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9.    Persons/Assets Retained, Employed, Compensated or Used.

        (a)   The information set forth in the Offer to Purchase under "Introduction" and Section 15 ("Fees and Expenses") is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 10.    Financial Statements.

        Not applicable.

3


Item 11.    Additional Information.

        (a)(1)  The information set forth in the Offer to Purchase under Section 11 ("Interests of Directors and Executive Officers; Transactions and Arrangements Concerning the Shares") is incorporated herein by reference.

        (a)(2)  The information set forth in the Offer to Purchase under Section 12 ("Certain Legal Matters") is incorporated herein by reference.

        (a)(3)  Not applicable.

        (a)(4)  The information set forth in the Offer to Purchase under Section 13 ("Effects of the Offer on the Market for Shares; Registration Under the Exchange Act") is incorporated herein by reference.

        (a)(5)  None.

        (b)   The information set forth in the Offer to Purchase and the Letter of Transmittal, as each may be amended or supplemented from time to time, is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 12.    Exhibits.

Exhibit
No.
  Description
  (a)(1)(A)   Offer to Purchase, dated April 10, 2018

 

(a)(1)(B)

 

Letter of Transmittal, dated April 10, 2018

 

(a)(1)(C)

 

Notice of Guaranteed Delivery

 

(a)(1)(D)

 

Letter to Brokers, Dealers, Commercial Banks, Trust Companies and Other Nominees

 

(a)(1)(E)

 

Letter to Clients for use by Brokers, Dealers, Commercial Banks, Trust Companies and Other Nominees

 

(a)(1)(F)

 

Form of Summary Advertisement, as published on April 10, 2018

 

(a)(1)(G)

 

Letter from the Company's Chief Executive Officer to shareholders, dated April 10, 2018

 

(a)(1)(H)

 

Letter to participants in the White Mountains Retirement Plan, dated April 10, 2018

 

(a)(1)(I)

 

Email to participants in the White Mountains Retirement Plan, dated April 10, 2018

 

(a)(5)

 

Press Release, dated April 10, 2018

 

(b)

 

Not applicable

 

(d)(1)

 

White Mountains Long-Term Incentive Plan, as amended (incorporated by reference herein and filed as Appendix A of the Company's Notice of 2013 Annual General Meeting of Members and Proxy Statement, dated April 10, 2013)

 

(d)(2)

 

Retirement Agreement, dated March 1, 2017 between White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd. and Raymond Barrette (incorporated by reference herein and filed as Exhibit 10.1 of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2017)

 

(d)(3)

 

Employment Agreement, dated May 2, 2017 between White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd. and David T. Foy (incorporated by reference herein and filed as Exhibit 10.2 of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2017)

 

(d)(4)

 

White Mountains Bonus Plan (incorporated by reference herein and filed as Exhibit 10.10 of the Company's 2015 Annual Report on Form 10-K)

4


Exhibit
No.
  Description
  (d)(5)   Regulation 114 Trust Agreement by and among Build America Mutual Assurance Company, HG Re Ltd. and The Bank of New York Mellon, dated July 20, 2012 (incorporated by reference herein and filed as Exhibit 10.2 of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2012)

 

(d)(6)

 

Amended and Restated Supplemental Trust Agreement by and among Build America Mutual Assurance Company, HG Re Ltd. and The Bank of New York Mellon, dated August 14, 2017

 

(d)(7)

 

Second Amended and Restated Surplus Note Purchase Agreement between Build America Mutual Assurance Company, as Issuer and HG Holdings Ltd. and HG Re Ltd. as Purchasers, dated August 14, 2017

 

(g)

 

Not applicable

 

(h)

 

Not applicable

Item 13.    Information Required by Schedule 13E-3.

        Not applicable.

5



INDEX OF EXHIBITS

Exhibit
No.
  Description
(a)(1)(A)   Offer to Purchase, dated April 10, 2018

(a)(1)(B)

 

Letter of Transmittal, dated April 10, 2018

(a)(1)(C)

 

Notice of Guaranteed Delivery

(a)(1)(D)

 

Letter to Brokers, Dealers, Commercial Banks, Trust Companies and Other Nominees

(a)(1)(E)

 

Letter to Clients for use by Brokers, Dealers, Commercial Banks, Trust Companies and Other Nominees

(a)(1)(F)

 

Form of Summary Advertisement, as published on April 10, 2018

(a)(1)(G)

 

Letter from the Company's Chief Executive Officer to shareholders, dated April 10, 2018

(a)(1)(H)

 

Letter to participants in the White Mountains Retirement Plan, dated April 10, 2018

(a)(1)(I)

 

Email to participants in the White Mountains Retirement Plan, dated April 10, 2018

(a)(5)

 

Press Release, dated April 10, 2018

(b)

 

Not applicable

(d)(1)

 

White Mountains Long-Term Incentive Plan, as amended (incorporated by reference herein and filed as Appendix A of the Company's Notice of 2013 Annual General Meeting of Members and Proxy Statement, dated April 10, 2013)

(d)(2)

 

Retirement Agreement, dated March 1, 2017 between White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd. and Raymond Barrette (incorporated by reference herein and filed as Exhibit 10.1 of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2017)

(d)(3)

 

Employment Agreement, dated May 2, 2017 between White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd. and David Foy (incorporated by reference herein and filed as Exhibit 10.1 of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2017)

(d)(4)

 

White Mountains Bonus Plan (incorporated by reference herein and filed as Exhibit 10.10 of the Company's 2015 Annual Report on Form 10-K)

(d)(5)

 

Regulation 114 Trust Agreement by and among Build America Mutual Assurance Company, HG Re Ltd. and The Bank of New York Mellon, dated July 20, 2012 (incorporated by reference herein and filed as Exhibit 10.2 of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2012)

(d)(6)

 

Amended and Restated Supplemental Trust Agreement by and among Build America Mutual Assurance Company, HG Re Ltd. and The Bank of New York Mellon, dated August 14, 2017

(d)(7)

 

Second Amended and Restated Surplus Note Purchase Agreement between Build America Mutual Assurance Company, as Issuer and HG Holdings Ltd. and HG Re Ltd. as Purchasers, dated August 14, 2017

(g)

 

Not applicable

(h)

 

Not applicable

6



SIGNATURE

        After due inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.

    WHITE MOUNTAINS INSURANCE
GROUP, LTD.

 

 

By:

 

/s/ J. BRIAN PALMER

        Name:   J. Brian Palmer
        Title:   Managing Director and Chief Accounting Officer

April 10, 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

7




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Exhibit (a)(1)(A)

LOGO

OFFER TO PURCHASE FOR CASH
BY
WHITE MOUNTAINS INSURANCE GROUP, LTD.
OF UP TO 500,000 OF ITS COMMON SHARES (CUSIP NUMBER G9618E107)
AT A PURCHASE PRICE NOT GREATER THAN $875 OR LESS THAN $825 PER SHARE

        THE OFFER, PRORATION PERIOD AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE AT 12:00 MIDNIGHT, NEW YORK CITY TIME, AT THE END OF THE DAY ON MAY 7, 2018, UNLESS THE OFFER IS EXTENDED (SUCH TIME, AS IT MAY BE EXTENDED, THE "EXPIRATION TIME").

        White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd., a company organized under the laws of Bermuda (the "Company", "White Mountains", "we" or "us"), is offering to purchase 500,000 of its common shares, par value $1.00 per share (the "Shares"), or such lesser number of Shares as are properly tendered and not properly withdrawn, at a purchase price not greater than $875 or less than $825 per Share, net to the seller in cash, less any applicable withholding taxes and without interest, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Offer to Purchase (as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, this "Offer to Purchase") and in the related Letter of Transmittal (which together, as they may be amended or supplemented from time to time, constitute the "Offer"), including the "odd lot" and proration provisions described herein. We will select the lowest price per Share (in increments of $1.00) (the "Purchase Price") that will allow us to purchase the number of Shares sought in the Offer or, if a lesser number of Shares is properly tendered, all Shares that are properly tendered and not properly withdrawn. All Shares acquired in the Offer will be acquired at the same price regardless of whether the shareholder tendered at a lower price. However, because of the proration and "odd lot" priority provisions described in this Offer to Purchase, fewer than all of the Shares tendered at or below the Purchase Price may be purchased if more than the number of Shares the Company seeks are properly tendered and not properly withdrawn. Shares tendered but not purchased in the Offer, including Shares tendered at or below the Purchase Price and Shares not purchased because of proration, will be returned to the tendering shareholders at the Company's expense promptly after the expiration of the Offer. See "Section 1. Number of Shares; Proration" and "Section 2. Procedures for Tendering Shares".

        In the event that more than 500,000 Shares are properly tendered in the Offer, we may exercise our right to increase the number of Shares sought in the Offer by an amount not exceeding 2% of our outstanding Shares without extending the Expiration Time. We also expressly reserve the right, in our sole discretion, to amend the Offer to purchase additional Shares, subject to applicable law. See "Section 1. Number of Shares; Proration" and "Section 14. Extension of the Offer; Termination; Amendment".

        This Offer is not conditioned upon the receipt of financing or any minimum number of Shares being tendered. This Offer is, however, subject to certain other conditions. See "Section 8. Conditions to the Offer".

        The Shares are listed and traded on the New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE") under the symbol "WTM" and the Bermuda Stock Exchange under the symbol "WTM-BH". On April 9, 2018,


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the last full trading day before the public announcement of the Offer, the last reported closing sale price of the Shares on the NYSE was $806.17 per Share. SHAREHOLDERS ARE URGED TO OBTAIN A CURRENT MARKET QUOTATION FOR THE SHARES. See "Section 7. Price Range of Shares; Dividends".

        OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS (THE "BOARD") HAS APPROVED THE OFFER. HOWEVER, NONE OF THE COMPANY, OUR BOARD, THE DEALER MANAGERS, THE DEPOSITARY OR THE INFORMATION AGENT MAKES ANY RECOMMENDATION AS TO WHETHER ANY SHAREHOLDER SHOULD TENDER OR REFRAIN FROM TENDERING SHARES PURSUANT TO THE OFFER, OR AS TO THE PRICE OR PRICES AT WHICH A SHAREHOLDER MAY CHOOSE TO TENDER SHARES. EACH SHAREHOLDER MUST MAKE HIS OR HER OWN DECISION AFTER CONSULTING WITH HIS OR HER OWN ADVISORS WHETHER TO TENDER SHARES AND, IF SO, HOW MANY SHARES TO TENDER AND THE PRICE OR PRICES AT WHICH SUCH SHAREHOLDER WILL TENDER THEM. IN DOING SO, SHAREHOLDERS SHOULD READ CAREFULLY THE INFORMATION SET FORTH OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THIS OFFER TO PURCHASE AND IN THE RELATED LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, INCLUDING THE PURPOSES AND EFFECTS OF THE OFFER. SEE "SECTION 5. PURPOSE OF THE OFFER; CERTAIN EFFECTS OF THE OFFER".

        ALL OF OUR DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS HAVE ADVISED US THAT THEY DO NOT INTEND TO TENDER ANY SHARES OWNED BY THEM IN THE OFFER, EXCEPT FOR ROBERT L. SEELIG, OUR EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL COUNSEL, WHO HAS ADVISED US THAT, ALTHOUGH NO FINAL DECISION HAS BEEN MADE, HE MAY TENDER UP TO 3,000 SHARES THAT HE BENEFICIALLY OWNS PURSUANT TO THE OFFER. SEE "SECTION 11. INTERESTS OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICER; TRANSACTIONS AND ARRANGEMENTS CONCERNING THE SHARES".

        NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ("SEC") NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THIS TRANSACTION OR PASSED UPON THE FAIRNESS OR MERITS OF SUCH TRANSACTION OR UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS DOCUMENT. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

        You may direct questions and requests for assistance to D.F. King & Co., Inc., which is acting as the Information Agent for the Offer ("D.F. King" or the "Information Agent"), or to J.P. Morgan Securities LLC or Barclays Capital Inc., which are severally acting as the Dealer Managers for the Offer (the "Dealer Managers"). Their respective addresses and telephone numbers appear on the back cover of this Offer to Purchase. You may direct requests for additional copies of this Offer to Purchase, the Letter of Transmittal or the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery to the Information Agent.

The Dealer Managers for the Offer are:

J.P. Morgan   Barclays

Offer to Purchase dated April 10, 2018


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IMPORTANT

        Any shareholder desiring to tender all or any portion of such shareholder's Shares should (1) if such shareholder holds the Shares in its own name, complete and sign the Letter of Transmittal in accordance with the instructions in the Letter of Transmittal, have such shareholder's signature thereon guaranteed (if required by Instruction 1 to the Letter of Transmittal), mail, express or overnight delivery, or deliver the Letter of Transmittal and any other required documents to the Depositary (as defined herein) and either deliver the certificates for such Shares (the "Certificates") along with the Letter of Transmittal to the Depositary or tender such Shares pursuant to the procedures for book-entry transfer set forth in "Section 2. Procedures for Tendering Shares", (2) if such shareholder's Shares are registered in the name of a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee, request such shareholder's broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee to effect the transaction for such shareholder or (3) if such shareholder is an institution participating in The Depository Trust Company, tender the Shares according to the procedure for book-entry transfer described in "Section 2. Procedures for Tendering Shares". Any shareholder whose Shares are registered in the name of a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee must contact such broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee to tender such Shares.

        Any shareholder who desires to tender Shares and whose Certificates are not immediately available, or who cannot comply with the procedures for book-entry transfer described in this Offer to Purchase on a timely basis or who cannot deliver all required documents to the Depositary prior to the expiration of the Offer, may nevertheless tender such Shares by following the procedures for guaranteed delivery set forth in "Section 2. Procedures for Tendering Shares".

        If you wish to maximize the chance that your Shares will be purchased by us, you should check the box in the section of the Letter of Transmittal captioned "Shares Tendered at a Price Determined Pursuant to the Offer". If you agree to accept the Purchase Price determined pursuant to the Offer, your Shares will be deemed to be tendered at the minimum price of $825 per share. You should understand that this election may lower the Purchase Price paid for all purchased Shares in the Offer and could result in your Shares being purchased at the minimum price of $825 per Share.

        TO TENDER SHARES PROPERLY, YOU OR, IN THE CASE OF SHARES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A BROKER, DEALER, COMMERCIAL BANK, TRUST COMPANY OR OTHER NOMINEE, YOUR NOMINEE MUST PROPERLY COMPLETE AND DULY EXECUTE THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL OR AN AGENT'S MESSAGE IN LIEU OF THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, INCLUDING THE SECTION RELATING TO THE PRICE AT WHICH SHARES ARE BEING TENDERED.

        THE COMPANY IS NOT MAKING THE OFFER TO, AND WILL NOT ACCEPT ANY TENDERED SHARES FROM, SHAREHOLDERS IN ANY U.S. STATE WHERE IT WOULD BE ILLEGAL TO DO SO. HOWEVER, THE COMPANY MAY, IN ITS DISCRETION, TAKE ANY ACTIONS NECESSARY TO MAKE THE OFFER TO SHAREHOLDERS IN ANY SUCH STATE.

        Questions and requests for assistance may be directed to the Information Agent or to either of the Dealer Managers at their respective addresses and telephone numbers set forth on the back cover of this Offer to Purchase. Additional copies of this Offer to Purchase, the Letter of Transmittal, the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery and other tender offer materials may also be obtained from the Information Agent or either of the Dealer Managers at the Company's expense. Shareholders may also contact their brokers, dealers, commercial banks or trust companies for assistance concerning the Offer.

        NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO MAKE ANY RECOMMENDATION ON BEHALF OF THE COMPANY AS TO WHETHER SHAREHOLDERS SHOULD TENDER OR REFRAIN FROM TENDERING SHARES PURSUANT TO THE OFFER, OR AS TO THE PRICE OR PRICES AT WHICH A SHAREHOLDER MAY CHOOSE TO TENDER SHARES. NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFER OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THIS OFFER TO PURCHASE OR IN THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL. IF


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MADE OR GIVEN, SUCH RECOMMENDATION AND SUCH INFORMATION AND REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY, THE BOARD, THE DEALER MANAGERS, THE DEPOSITARY OR THE INFORMATION AGENT.

        Rule 13e-4 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") generally prohibits us and our affiliates from purchasing any Shares, other than pursuant to the Offer, during the Offer and for the period ending ten business days after the expiration or termination of the Offer. Following that time, we expressly reserve the absolute right, in our sole discretion from time to time in the future, to purchase Shares, whether or not any Shares are purchased pursuant to the Offer, through open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions, tender offers, exchange offers or otherwise, upon the same terms or on terms that are more or less favorable to the selling shareholders in those transactions than the terms of the Offer. We cannot assure you as to which, if any, of these alternatives, or combinations thereof, we might pursue.


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 
   
  Page  

SUMMARY TERM SHEET

    ii  

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

   
x
 

INTRODUCTION

   
1
 

THE OFFER

   
4
 

1.

 

Number of Shares; Proration

   
4
 

2.

 

Procedures for Tendering Shares

   
6
 

3.

 

Withdrawal Rights

   
10
 

4.

 

Acceptance for Payment and Payment for Shares

   
11
 

5.

 

Purpose of the Offer; Certain Effects of the Offer

   
12
 

6.

 

Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences

   
14
 

7.

 

Price Range of Shares; Dividends

   
18
 

8.

 

Conditions to the Offer

   
18
 

9.

 

Certain Information Concerning the Company

   
20
 

10.

 

Source and Amount of Funds

   
21
 

11.

 

Interests of Directors and Executive Officers; Transactions and Arrangements Concerning the Shares

   
21
 

12.

 

Certain Legal Matters

   
24
 

13.

 

Effects of the Offer on the Market for Shares; Registration Under the Exchange Act

   
24
 

14.

 

Extension of the Offer; Termination; Amendment

   
25
 

15.

 

Fees and Expenses

   
26
 

16.

 

Miscellaneous

   
27
 

SCHEDULE I INFORMATION CONCERNING THE DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY

   
29
 

i


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SUMMARY TERM SHEET

        White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd. (the "Company", "White Mountains", "we" or "us"), is offering to purchase up to 500,000 of its common shares, par value $1.00 per share (the "Shares"), at a purchase price not greater than $875 or less than $825 per Share, net to the seller in cash, less any applicable withholding taxes and without interest, upon the terms and subject to the conditions as set forth in this Offer to Purchase. We are providing this summary term sheet containing frequently asked questions and responses for your convenience. We urge you to read this Offer to Purchase and Letter of Transmittal and the other documents that are incorporated by reference herein because the information in this summary is not complete. We have included references to the sections of this Offer to Purchase where you will find a more complete discussion of the topics in this summary.

Who Is Offering To Buy My Securities, And Why?

        The Offer to purchase the Shares is being made by White Mountains, a company organized under the laws of Bermuda. The Offer is being made to utilize a portion of the Company's undeployed capital and to provide shareholders with added liquidity. If you choose to tender your Shares, you will avoid the usual transaction costs associated with any market sale. If you choose not to tender your Shares, the Offer will serve to increase your ownership interest in the Company and thus in the Company's future earnings and assets, because the Shares purchased pursuant to the Offer will be cancelled. See "Section 5. Purpose of the Offer; Certain Effects of the Offer" and "Section 9. Certain Information Concerning the Company".

What Are The Classes And Amounts Of Securities Sought In The Offer?

        We are offering to purchase 500,000 Shares, or such lesser number of Shares as are properly tendered and not properly withdrawn, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Offer to Purchase and in the related Letter of Transmittal, including the "odd lot" and proration provisions described in "Section 1. Number of Shares; Proration". As of April 9, 2018, there were 3,753,405 Shares outstanding. The Shares we are seeking to purchase through this Offer represent approximately 13% of the Shares outstanding as of such date. See "INTRODUCTION".

        The Shares are currently "margin securities" under the rules of the Federal Reserve Board. This has the effect, among other things, of allowing brokers to extend credit on the collateral of the Shares. Following the repurchase of Shares pursuant to the Offer, the Shares not purchased will continue to be "margin securities" for purposes of the Federal Reserve Board's margin regulations. See "Section 13. Effects of the Offer on the Market for Shares; Registration under the Exchange Act".

        If more than 500,000 Shares are properly tendered in the Offer, we may exercise our right to increase the number of Shares sought in the Offer by an amount not exceeding 2% of our outstanding Shares without extending the Expiration Time. We also expressly reserve the right, in our sole discretion, to amend the Offer to purchase additional Shares, subject to applicable law. See "Section 1. Number of Shares; Proration".

        If more than 500,000 Shares (or such greater number of Shares as we may elect to purchase, subject to applicable law) are properly tendered, all Shares properly tendered at or below the Purchase Price will be purchased on a pro rata basis, subject to the odd lot priority provisions described herein. The Offer is not conditioned on any minimum number of Shares being tendered by shareholders but is subject to certain other conditions. See "Section 1. Number of Shares; Proration" and "Section 8. Conditions to the Offer".

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How Much Are You Offering To Pay And What Is The Form Of Payment?

        We are conducting this Offer through a procedure called a "modified Dutch auction". This procedure allows you to select the price (in increments of $1.00) within the price range specified by us at which you are willing to sell your Shares. The price range for the Offer is $825 to $875 per Share. See "Section 1. Number of Shares; Proration".

        We will select the lowest purchase price per Share (in increments of $1.00) (the "Purchase Price") that will allow us to buy the number of Shares sought in the Offer or, if a lesser number of Shares is properly tendered, all Shares that are properly tendered and not properly withdrawn. We will determine the Purchase Price promptly after the Expiration Time. For purposes of determining the Purchase Price, those Shares that are tendered by shareholders agreeing to accept the Purchase Price determined pursuant to the Offer, as described below, will be deemed to be tendered at the minimum price of $825. See "Section 1. Number of Shares; Proration".

        All Shares that we purchase will be purchased at the Purchase Price, even if you have selected a lower price, but we will not purchase in the Offer any Shares tendered at a price above the Purchase Price we determine. If you wish to maximize the chance that your Shares will be purchased, you should check the box in the section on the Letter of Transmittal, "Shares Tendered at a Price Determined Pursuant to the Offer", indicating that you will accept the Purchase Price we determine. If you agree to accept the Purchase Price determined pursuant to the Offer, your Shares will be deemed to be tendered at the minimum price of $825 per Share. You should understand that this election could result in your Shares being purchased at the minimum price of $825 per Share. See "Section 1. Number of Shares; Proration" and "Section 2. Procedures for Tendering Shares".

        If your Shares are purchased in the Offer, you will receive the Purchase Price, net to the seller in cash, less any applicable withholding taxes and without interest, promptly after the Expiration Time. Under no circumstances will we pay interest on the Purchase Price, including, but not limited to, by reason of any delay in making payment. The Offer is scheduled to expire at 12:00 midnight, New York City time, at the end of the day on May 7, 2018, unless the Offer is extended by us. See "Section 1. Number of Shares; Proration" and "Section 14. Extension of the Offer; Termination; Amendment".

What Will Happen If The Offer Is Undersubscribed?

        In the event that fewer than the number of Shares we seek are properly tendered and not properly withdrawn, subject to the terms and conditions of this Offer, we will purchase all such tendered Shares.

What Happens If More Than 500,000 Shares Are Tendered At Or Below The Purchase Price? Will Tendered Shares Be Prorated?

        In the event that more than 500,000 Shares (or such greater number of Shares as we may elect to purchase, subject to applicable law) are properly tendered at or below the Purchase Price and not properly withdrawn, we will accept Shares for purchase in the following order of priority:

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        Therefore, we may not purchase all of the Shares that you tender even if you tender them at or below the Purchase Price. See "Section 1. Number of Shares; Proration".

If I Own Fewer Than 100 Shares And I Tender All Of My Shares, Will I Be Subject To Proration?

        If you own beneficially or of record fewer than 100 Shares in the aggregate, properly tender all of your Shares at or below the Purchase Price and do not properly withdraw them before the Expiration Time, and complete the section entitled Odd Lots in the Letter of Transmittal and, if applicable, in the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, we will purchase all of your Shares without subjecting them to the proration procedure. See "Section 1. Number of Shares; Proration".

Do You Have The Financial Resources To Make Payment?

        If we purchase 500,000 Shares, and the Purchase Price is an amount between $825 and $875 per Share, then the aggregate cost to us will be between approximately $412.5 million and $437.5 million. We anticipate meeting this cost with available cash, including cash from the sale of liquid investments. The Offer is not subject to any financing condition. See "Section 10. Source and Amount of Funds".

Are There Any Conditions To The Offer?

        Our obligation to purchase Shares tendered depends upon a number of conditions that must be satisfied or waived by us prior to the Expiration Time. See "Section 8. Conditions to the Offer".

How Do I Tender My Shares?

        If you own your Shares in your own name as a holder of record and decide to tender your Shares, you must deliver the Certificates evidencing your Shares, together with a completed Letter of Transmittal with any required signature guarantees or other required documents, to Computershare Trust Company, N.A., the depositary for the Offer ("Computershare" or the "Depositary"), not later than the Expiration Time. Deliveries to the Company, the Information Agent, the Dealer Managers or The Depository Trust Company ("DTC") will not be forwarded to the Depositary and will not constitute a valid delivery.

        If your Shares are registered in the name of a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee, meaning your Shares are owned in "street name", contact your broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee and have it tender your Shares for you.

        If you are unable to deliver something that is required to the Depositary by the Expiration Time, you may get extra time to do so by having a broker, bank or other fiduciary who is a member of the Securities Transfer Agent Medallion Program, The New York Stock Exchange Medallion Program or the Stock Exchange Medallion Program guarantee that the missing items will be received by the Depositary within two business days. However, the Depositary must receive the missing items within that two-business-day trading period. See "Section 2. Procedure for Tendering Shares".

        If you are a participant in the White Mountains Retirement Plan (the "White Mountains Retirement Plan"), and you wish to tender any of your Shares held in the White Mountains Retirement Plan, you must follow the separate instructions and procedures described in Section 2 (including an earlier deadline for delivering materials) and you must review separate instructions related to the White Mountains Retirement Plan enclosed with this Offer to Purchase.

How Long Do I Have To Tender In The Offer?

        You will have until 12:00 midnight, New York City time, at the end of the day on May 7, 2018, to tender your Shares in the Offer, unless we extend the Offer. We may choose to extend the Offer in our sole discretion at any time. Further, if you cannot deliver everything that is required in order to make a

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valid tender by that time, you may be able to use a guaranteed delivery procedure, which is described later in this Offer to Purchase. See "Section 2. Procedures for Tendering Shares".

        If a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee holds your Shares, it is likely that it has an earlier deadline for instructing it to accept the Offer. See "Section 2. Procedures for Tendering Shares".

        If you wish to tender Shares held in the White Mountains Retirement Plan, the deadline for giving instructions to the trustee and the special trustee of the White Mountains Retirement Plan to permit your Shares to be tendered on a timely basis is 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on May 2, 2018, unless we extend the Offer, in which case you will be able to give instructions to the trustee and the special trustee to tender Shares held in such Plan until 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the date that is two business days before the new Expiration Time. See "Section 2. Procedures for Tendering Shares".

Can The Offer Be Extended Or Terminated And Under What Circumstances?

        We are reserving the right to extend the Offer in our sole discretion. Also, should we, pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Offer, change the price of the Offer, reduce the number of Shares sought in the Offer, increase the number of Shares sought in the Offer by an amount exceeding 2% of our outstanding Shares or otherwise materially amend the Offer, we will ensure that the Offer remains open long enough to comply with U.S. federal securities laws. It is possible that this could involve an extension of the Offer, which could last up to 10 additional business days in some cases. We cannot assure you, however, that we will extend the Offer or, if we extend it, for how long. See "Section 14. Extension of the Offer; Termination; Amendment".

        We also expressly reserve the right, in our sole discretion, to withdraw or terminate the Offer and not accept for payment or pay for any Shares not theretofore accepted for payment or paid for or, subject to applicable law, to postpone payment for Shares upon the occurrence of any of the conditions specified in Section 8 by giving oral or written notice of the termination or postponement to the Depositary and making a public announcement of the termination or postponement. Additionally, we expressly reserve the right, subject to applicable law, to postpone payment for Shares under circumstances including but not limited to the occurrence of any of the conditions specified in "Section 8. Conditions to the Offer" by notifying the Depositary and making a public announcement thereof.

How Will I Be Notified If The Offer Is Extended Or Amended?

        If we extend the Offer, the Company or D.F. King, the Information Agent, will make a public announcement of the extension, not later than 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the next business day after the day on which the Offer was scheduled to expire. We will announce any amendment by making a public announcement of the amendment. See "Section 14. Extension of the Offer; Termination; Amendment".

When And How Will The Company Pay For The Shares I Tender That Are Accepted For Purchase?

        We will pay the Purchase Price, net to the seller in cash, less any applicable withholding taxes and without interest, for the Shares we purchase promptly after the expiration of the Offer and the acceptance of the Shares for payment. We will pay for the Shares accepted for purchase by depositing the aggregate Purchase Price with the Depositary promptly after the expiration of the Offer. The Depositary will act as your agent and will transmit to you the payment for all of your Shares accepted for payment. See "Section 4. Acceptance for Payment and Payment of Shares".

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May Holders Of Equity Awards Under White Mountains's Long-Term Incentive Plan Participate In The Offer?

        Holders of stock options, restricted share and performance share awards outstanding under our Long-Term Incentive Plan may not tender the Shares underlying such awards in the Offer, unless and until the applicable award is vested, exercised or settled in Shares (as applicable), and the holder thereof has acquired the underlying Shares free of restrictions on the transfer of such Shares.

May I Tender Only A Portion Of The Shares That I Hold?

        Yes. You do not have to tender all of the Shares that you own to participate in the Offer, unless you own fewer than 100 Shares in the aggregate, in which case you must tender all of your Shares to participate.

Can I Tender My Shares At Different Prices?

        Yes. You can elect to tender some of your Shares at one price and an additional number of Shares at a second price. However, you cannot tender the same Shares at different prices. If you tender some Shares at one price and the other Shares at another price, you must use a separate Letter of Transmittal for each tender. See "Section 2. Procedure for Tendering Shares".

Until What Time Can I Withdraw Previously Tendered Shares?

        You can withdraw previously tendered Shares at any time until the Offer has expired, or until such later time and date to which the Offer is extended. In addition, unless we have already accepted your tendered Shares for payment, you may withdraw your tendered Shares at any time after 12:00 midnight, New York City time, at the end of the day on May 7, 2018. See "Section 3. Withdrawal Rights".

        You may give instructions to withdraw tendered Shares held in the White Mountains Retirement Plan at any time before 5:00 p.m. New York City time, on May 2, 2018, unless we extend the Offer, in which case you can give instructions to withdraw your Shares until 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the date that is two business days before the new Expiration Time. See "Section 3. Withdrawal Rights".

How Do I Withdraw Previously Tendered Shares?

        To properly withdraw Shares, you must deliver a written notice of withdrawal with the required information to the Depositary while you still have the right to withdraw the Shares. If you have used more than one Letter of Transmittal or have otherwise tendered Shares in more than one group of Shares, you may withdraw Shares using either separate notices of withdrawal or a combined notice of withdrawal, so long as the required information is included. Some additional requirements apply if your Shares have been tendered under the procedure for book-entry transfer set forth in "Section 2. Procedures for Tendering Shares". If you have tendered your Shares by giving instructions to a bank, broker, dealer, trust company or other nominee, you must instruct such nominee to arrange for the withdrawal of your Shares. See "Section 3. Withdrawal Rights".

        If you wish to withdraw tendered Shares held in the White Mountains Retirement Plan, you must deliver an instruction form with the required information to the agent for the trustee and the special trustee of the White Mountains Retirement Plan, in accordance with the instructions in the letter furnished to you as a participant in the White Mountains Retirement Plan. If you wish to withdraw tendered Shares held in the White Mountains Retirement Plan, you must withdraw all such tendered Shares. See "Section 3. Withdrawal Rights".

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What Does The Board Think Of The Offer?

        The Board makes no recommendation as to whether you should tender or refrain from tendering any or all of your Shares, or hold them, or as to the price or prices at which you may choose to tender your Shares. Rather, they encourage you to make your own decision after consulting with your own advisor as to whether or not to tender Shares, and if so, how many to tender and at what price or prices. In doing so, you should read carefully the information set forth or incorporated by reference in this Offer to Purchase and the Letter of Transmittal.

Will Directors, Executive Officers Or Affiliates Of The Company Tender Shares In The Offer?

        All of our directors and executive officers have advised us that they do not intend to tender Shares pursuant to the Offer, except for Robert L. Seelig, our Executive Vice President and General Counsel, who has advised us that, although no final decision has been made, he may tender up to 3,000 Shares that he beneficially owns pursuant to the Offer. Accordingly, if we complete the Offer, the proportional holdings of our directors and executive officers will increase, except for Mr. Seelig, whose proportional holdings may decrease following completion of the Offer. However, our directors and executive officers may, in compliance with applicable law, sell their Shares in open market transactions at prices that may or may not be more favorable than the Purchase Price to be paid to our shareholders in the Offer. See "Section 11. Interests of Directors and Executive Officers; Transactions and Arrangements Concerning the Shares".

What Will Happen If I Do Not Tender My Shares?

        Shareholders who choose not to tender will own a greater percentage of our outstanding Shares following the consummation of the Offer. See "Section 5. Purpose of the Offer; Certain Effects of the Offer".

What Does The Company Intend To Do With The Purchased Shares After The Offer Expires?

        We will cancel the Shares. See "Section 5. Purpose of the Offer; Certain Effects of the Offer".

Does The Company Intend To Repurchase Any Shares Other Than Pursuant To The Offer During Or After The Offer?

        Rule 13e-4 of the Exchange Act generally prohibits us and our affiliates from purchasing any Shares, other than pursuant to the Offer, during the Offer and for the period ending ten business days after the expiration or termination of the Offer. Following that time, we may make Share repurchases from time to time through open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions, tender offers, exchange offers or otherwise. The Company has 643,130 Shares remaining under its existing Share repurchase authorization (which will not be reduced by purchases in the Offer). Whether we make additional Share repurchases will depend on many factors, including the number of Shares, if any, that we purchase in the Offer, the number of Shares our Board authorizes to be repurchased, our business and financial performance (including our liquidity and alternative uses for our resources) and situation, the business and market conditions at the time, including the price of the Shares, and such other factors as we may consider relevant. Any of these Share repurchases may be on the same terms or on terms that are more or less favorable to the selling shareholders in those transactions than the terms of the Offer. We cannot assure you as to which, if any, of these alternatives, or combinations thereof, we might pursue. See "Section 5. Purpose of the Offer; Certain Effects of the Offer".

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Following The Offer, Will The Company Continue As A Public Company?

        We do not intend or believe that our purchase of Shares through the Offer will cause our remaining Shares to be delisted from the NYSE or cause us to be eligible for deregistration under the Exchange Act. See "Section 8. Conditions to the Offer".

What Is The Market Value Of My Shares As Of A Recent Date?

        On April 9, 2018, the last trading day before the public announcement of the Offer, the last reported closing sale price of the Shares reported on the NYSE was $806.17 per Share. We advise you to obtain a recent quotation for the Shares in deciding whether to tender your Shares. See "Section 7. Price Range of Shares; Dividends".

What Are The United States Federal Income Tax Consequences If I Tender My Shares?

        The receipt of cash pursuant to the Offer generally will be treated for United States Federal income tax purposes either (a) as a sale or exchange eligible for capital gain or loss treatment or (b) as a dividend. Non-U.S. shareholders generally will not be subject to U.S. Federal income taxation on the receipt of cash pursuant to the Offer. See "Section 2. Procedures For Tendering Shares" and "Section 6. Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences".

What Is The Accounting Treatment Of The Offer?

        The accounting for the purchase of Shares pursuant to the Offer will result in a reduction of our common shareholders' equity in an amount equal to the aggregate purchase price of the Shares we purchase (plus expenses incurred in connection with the Offer) and a reduction in cash and cash equivalents in a corresponding amount. See "Section 5. Purpose of the Offer; Certain Effects of the Offer".

Will I Have To Pay Brokerage Commissions If I Tender My Shares?

        Tendering shareholders who hold Shares registered in their own name and who tender their Shares directly to the Depositary will not be obligated to pay brokerage commissions, solicitation fees or, except as set forth in "Section 4. Acceptance for Payment and Payment of Shares", stock transfer taxes on the purchase of Shares by us in the Offer. Shareholders holding Shares in a brokerage account or otherwise through brokers, dealers, commercial banks, trust companies or other nominees are urged to consult their brokers, dealers, commercial banks, trust companies or such other nominees to determine whether transaction costs may apply if shareholders tender Shares through such nominees and not directly to the Depositary. See "Section 2. Procedures for Tendering Shares", "Section 6. Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences" and "Section 15. Fees and Expenses".

Will I Have To Pay Stock Transfer Tax If I Tender My Shares?

        We will pay all stock transfer taxes, if any, payable on the transfer to us of Shares purchased pursuant to the Offer. If, however, payment of the Purchase Price is to be made to, or (in the circumstances permitted by the Offer) unpurchased Shares are to be registered in the name of, any person other than the registered holder, or if tendered book-entry accounts are registered in the name of any person other than the person signing the Letter of Transmittal, the amount of all stock transfer taxes, if any (whether imposed on the registered holder or the other person), payable on account of the transfer to the person will be deducted from the Purchase Price unless satisfactory evidence of the payment of the stock transfer taxes, or exemption from payment of the stock transfer taxes, is submitted. See "Section 4. Acceptance for Payment and Payment of Shares".

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Who Can I Talk To If I Have Questions About The Offer?

        You can call D.F. King, the Information Agent for the Offer, at (800) 893-5865 (toll free) or either of the Dealer Managers at their respective telephone numbers listed on the back cover of this Offer to Purchase. For further contact information, see the back cover of this Offer to Purchase.

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

        This Offer to Purchase may contain "forward-looking statements". All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included or referenced in this release which address activities, events or developments which the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward- looking statements. The words "will", "believe", "intend", "expect", "anticipate", "project", "estimate", "predict" and similar expressions are also intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, among others, statements with respect to the Company's: change in adjusted book value per share or return on equity; business strategy; financial and operating targets or plans; incurred loss and loss adjustment expenses and the adequacy of its loss and loss adjustment expense reserves; projections of revenues, income (or loss), earnings (or loss) per share, dividends, market share or other financial forecasts; expansion and growth of our business and operations; and future capital expenditures. These statements are based on certain assumptions and analyses made by the Company in light of its experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors believed to be appropriate in the circumstances. However, whether actual results and developments will conform to its expectations and predictions is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations, including: the risks that are described from time to time in White Mountains's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to White Mountains's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 filed February 28, 2018; business opportunities (or lack thereof) that may be presented to it and pursued; actions taken by ratings agencies from time to time, such as financial strength or credit ratings downgrades or placing ratings on negative watch; the continued availability of capital and financing; general economic, market or business conditions; competitive forces, including the conduct of other insurers; changes in domestic or foreign laws or regulations, or their interpretation, applicable to the Company, its competitors or its customers; an economic downturn or other economic conditions adversely affecting its financial position; and other factors, most of which are beyond the Company's control. Consequently, all of the forward-looking statements made in this Offer to Purchase are qualified by these cautionary statements, and there can be no assurance that the actual results or developments anticipated by the Company will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, the Company or its business or operations. Except for our obligations under Rule 13e-4(c)(3) and Rule 13e-4(e)(3) of the Exchange Act to disclose any material changes in the information previously disclosed to shareholders or as otherwise required by law, the Company assumes no obligation to publicly update any such forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

        You should read this Offer to Purchase and the documents that we reference in this Offer to Purchase and have filed as exhibits to the Tender Offer Statement on Schedule TO filed with the SEC, of which this Offer to Purchase is a part, completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect. We qualify all of our forward-looking statements by each of these cautionary statements.

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INTRODUCTION

To the Holders of Common Shares of White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd.:

        White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd. hereby offers to purchase 500,000 of its outstanding common shares, par value $1.00 per share (the "Shares"), or such lesser number of Shares as are properly tendered and not properly withdrawn, at a purchase price not greater than $875 or less than $825 per Share, net to the seller in cash, less any applicable withholding taxes and without interest. We will select the lowest price per Share (in increments of $1.00) (the "Purchase Price") that will allow us to purchase the number of Shares sought in the Offer or, if a lesser number of Shares is properly tendered, all Shares that are properly tendered and not properly withdrawn. All Shares acquired in the Offer will be acquired at the same price, regardless of whether the shareholder tendered at a lower price. Our Offer is being made upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Offer to Purchase and in the related Letter of Transmittal (which together, as they may be amended or supplemented from time to time constitute the Offer).

        Only Shares properly tendered at prices at or below the Purchase Price and not properly withdrawn will be purchased. However, because of the proration and "odd lot" priority provisions described in this Offer to Purchase, not all of the Shares tendered at or below the Purchase Price may be purchased if more than the number of Shares we seek are properly tendered and not properly withdrawn. We will return any Shares that are tendered at prices in excess of the Purchase Price and Shares that we do not purchase because of proration promptly following the Expiration Time. See "Section 2. Procedures for Tendering Shares".

        Shareholders must, among other items, complete the section of the Letter of Transmittal relating to the price at which they are tendering Shares in order to properly tender Shares.

        OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS (THE "BOARD") HAS APPROVED THE OFFER. HOWEVER, NONE OF THE COMPANY, OUR BOARD, THE DEALER MANAGERS, THE DEPOSITARY OR THE INFORMATION AGENT MAKES ANY RECOMMENDATION AS TO WHETHER ANY SHAREHOLDER SHOULD TENDER OR REFRAIN FROM TENDERING SHARES PURSUANT TO THE OFFER, OR AS TO THE PRICE OR PRICES AT WHICH SHAREHOLDERS MAY CHOOSE TO TENDER SHARES. EACH SHAREHOLDER MUST MAKE HIS OR HER OWN DECISION AFTER CONSULTING WITH HIS OR HER OWN ADVISORS WHETHER TO TENDER SHARES AND, IF SO, HOW MANY SHARES TO TENDER AND THE PRICE OR PRICES AT WHICH SUCH SHAREHOLDER WILL TENDER THEM. IN DOING SO, SHAREHOLDERS SHOULD READ CAREFULLY THE INFORMATION SET FORTH OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THIS OFFER TO PURCHASE AND IN THE RELATED LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL INCLUDING THE PURPOSES AND EFFECTS OF THE OFFER. SEE "SECTION 5. PURPOSE OF THE OFFER; CERTAIN EFFECTS OF THE OFFER".

        ALL OF OUR DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS HAVE ADVISED US THAT THEY DO NOT INTEND TO TENDER ANY SHARES OWNED BY THEM IN THE OFFER, EXCEPT FOR ROBERT L. SEELIG, OUR EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL COUNSEL, WHO HAS ADVISED US THAT, ALTHOUGH NO FINAL DECISION HAS BEEN MADE, HE MAY TENDER UP TO 3,000 SHARES THAT HE BENEFICIALLY OWNS PURSUANT TO THE OFFER. ACCORDINGLY, IF WE COMPLETE THE OFFER, THE PROPORTIONAL HOLDINGS OF OUR DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS WILL INCREASE, EXCEPT FOR MR. SEELIG, WHOSE PROPORTIONAL HOLDINGS MAY DECREASE FOLLOWING COMPLETION OF THE OFFER. HOWEVER, OUR DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS MAY, IN COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAW, SELL THEIR SHARES IN OPEN MARKET TRANSACTIONS AT PRICES THAT MAY OR MAY NOT BE MORE FAVORABLE THAN THE PURCHASE PRICE TO BE PAID TO OUR SHAREHOLDERS. SEE "SECTION 11. INTERESTS OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS; TRANSACTIONS AND ARRANGEMENTS CONCERNING THE SHARES".

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        THE OFFER IS NOT CONDITIONED UPON THE RECEIPT OF FINANCING OR ANY MINIMUM NUMBER OF SHARES BEING TENDERED. THE OFFER IS, HOWEVER, SUBJECT TO CERTAIN CONDITIONS. SEE "SECTION 8. CONDITIONS TO THE OFFER".

        AS OF APRIL 9, 2018, THERE WERE 3,753,405 SHARES OUTSTANDING. ACCORDINGLY, THE 500,000 SHARES WE ARE SEEKING TO PURCHASE THROUGH THIS OFFER REPRESENT APPROXIMATELY 13% OF THE SHARES OUTSTANDING AS OF SUCH DATE.

        In the event that more than 500,000 Shares are tendered in the Offer, we may exercise our right to increase the number of Shares sought in the Offer by an amount not exceeding 2% of our outstanding Shares without extending the Expiration Time. We also expressly reserve the right, in our sole discretion, to amend the Offer to purchase additional Shares, subject to applicable law.

        If more than 500,000 Shares (or such greater number of Shares as we may elect to purchase, subject to applicable law) are properly tendered at or below the Purchase Price and not properly withdrawn, we will accept Shares for purchase in the following order of priority:

        Therefore, we may not purchase all of the Shares that you tender even if you tender them at or below the Purchase Price.

        The Purchase Price will be paid, net to the seller in cash, less any applicable withholding taxes and without interest, for all Shares purchased. Tendering shareholders who hold Shares registered in their own name and who tender their Shares directly to the Depositary will not be obligated to pay brokerage commissions, solicitation fees or, except as set forth in "Section 4. Acceptance for Payment and Payment of Shares", stock transfer taxes on the purchase of Shares by us in the Offer.

        Shareholders holding Shares in a brokerage account or otherwise through brokers, dealers, commercial banks, trust companies or other nominees are urged to consult their brokers, dealers, commercial banks, trust companies or such other nominees to determine whether transaction costs may apply if shareholders tender Shares through such nominees and not directly to the Depositary. See "Section 2. Procedures for Tendering Shares", "Section 6. Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences" and "Section 15. Fees and Expenses".

        The Company will pay all reasonable charges and expenses of the Dealer Managers, the Information Agent and the Depositary incurred in connection with the Offer. All Shares tendered but not purchased in the Offer, including Shares tendered at or below the Purchase Price and Shares not purchased because of proration, will be returned to the tendering shareholders at the Company's expense promptly after the Expiration Time.

        The Shares are listed and traded on the NYSE under the symbol "WTM" and the Bermuda Stock Exchange under the symbol "WTM-BH". On April 9, 2018, the last full trading day before the public announcement of the Offer, the last reported closing sale price of the Shares on the NYSE was $806.17 per Share. Shareholders are urged to obtain a current market quotation for the Shares. See "Section 7. Price Range of Shares; Dividends".

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        YOU SHOULD READ CAREFULLY THE INFORMATION SET FORTH OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THIS OFFER TO PURCHASE OR IN THE RELATED LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, INCLUDING OUR REASONS FOR MAKING THE OFFER. SEE "SECTION 5. PURPOSE OF THE OFFER; CERTAIN EFFECTS OF THE OFFER".

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THE OFFER

        1.    Number of Shares; Proration.     Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer (including, if the Offer is extended or amended, the terms and conditions of such extension or amendment), the Company will accept for payment, and will pay for 500,000 Shares, or such lesser number of Shares as are properly tendered and not properly withdrawn in accordance with "Section 3. Withdrawal Rights", before the Expiration Time at a Purchase Price not greater than $875 or less than $825 per Share, net to the seller in cash, less any applicable withholding taxes and without interest.

        The term "Expiration Time" means 12:00 midnight, New York City time, at the end of the day on May 7, 2018, unless and until the Company shall have extended the period during which the Offer is open, in which event the term "Expiration Time" shall mean the latest time and date at which the Offer, as so extended by the Company under Section 14, shall expire.

        If the Offer is oversubscribed as described below, Shares properly tendered at or below the Purchase Price and not properly withdrawn will be subject to proration, except for "odd lots". The proration period and, except as described herein, withdrawal rights, expire at the Expiration Time.

        Subject to all applicable laws and the terms and conditions of the Offer, the Company reserves the right, as described in "Section 8. Conditions to the Offer" and in "Section 14. Extension of the Offer; Termination; Amendment", to waive conditions thereto, in its sole discretion, and/or extend, withdraw, terminate, delay or amend the Offer in any case by making a public announcement thereof. There can be no assurance, however, that the Company will exercise its right to extend the Offer.

        In accordance with Instruction 7 to the Letter of Transmittal, shareholders desiring to tender Shares must either (i) specify that they are willing to sell their Shares to us at the price determined pursuant to the Offer or (ii) specify the price, not greater than $875 or less than $825 per Share (in increments of $1.00), at which they are willing to sell their Shares to us in the Offer. Promptly following the Expiration Time, we will, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer, determine a single per Share Purchase Price that we will pay for Shares properly tendered and not properly withdrawn pursuant to the Offer, taking into account the number of Shares tendered and the prices at which they are tendered. We will select the lowest purchase price specified by tendering shareholders that will allow us to purchase the number of Shares sought in the Offer or, if a lesser number of Shares is properly tendered, all Shares that are properly tendered and not properly withdrawn. All Shares purchased pursuant to the Offer will be purchased at the same Purchase Price regardless of whether the shareholder tendered at a lower price. If tendering shareholders wish to maximize the chance that their Shares will be purchased, they should check the box in the section of the Letter of Transmittal captioned "Shares Tendered at a Price Determined Pursuant to the Offer". Note that this election could result in the tendered Shares being purchased at the minimum price of $825 per Share.

        In the event that more than 500,000 Shares are properly tendered in the Offer, we may exercise our right to increase the number of Shares sought in the Offer by an amount not exceeding 2% of our outstanding Shares without extending the Expiration Time. If we exercise our right to increase the number of Shares sought in the Offer by an amount not exceeding 2% of our outstanding Shares, then we could have as few as 3,178,337 Shares outstanding following the purchase of the Shares tendered in the Offer. We also expressly reserve the right, in our sole discretion, to amend the Offer to purchase additional Shares, subject to applicable legal requirements.

        Only Shares properly tendered at prices at or below the Purchase Price and not properly withdrawn will be purchased. However, because of the proration provisions of the Offer, not all of the Shares tendered at or below the Purchase Price may be purchased if more than the number of Shares we seek are properly tendered and not properly withdrawn. All Shares tendered and not purchased in the Offer, including Shares tendered at or below the Purchase Price and Shares not purchased because

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of proration, will be returned to the tendering shareholders at our expense promptly following the Expiration Time.

        THE OFFER IS NOT CONDITIONED UPON THE RECEIPT OF FINANCING OR ANY MINIMUM NUMBER OF SHARES BEING TENDERED. THE OFFER IS, HOWEVER, SUBJECT TO CERTAIN OTHER CONDITIONS. SEE "SECTION 8. CONDITIONS TO THE OFFER".

        Priority of Purchases.    If more than 500,000 Shares (or such greater number of Shares as the Company may elect to purchase, subject to applicable law) are properly tendered at or below the Purchase Price and not properly withdrawn, we will accept Shares for purchase in the following order of priority:

        Therefore, we may not purchase all of the Shares that you tender even if you tender them at or below the Purchase Price.

        Odd Lots.    The term "odd lots" means all Shares tendered by any person (an "Odd Lot Holder") who owned beneficially or of record a total of fewer than 100 Shares and so certified in the appropriate place on the Letter of Transmittal and, if applicable, on the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery. To qualify for the odd lot preference, an odd lot holder must tender all Shares owned in accordance with the procedures described in Section 4. Odd lots will be accepted for payment before any proration of the purchase of other tendered Shares. Any Odd Lot Holder wishing to tender all of the shareholder's Shares in the Offer must complete the section entitled "Odd Lots" in the Letter of Transmittal and, if applicable, in the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery. See "Section 2. Procedures for Tendering Shares".

        Proration.    In the event that proration of tendered Shares is required, the Company will determine the final proration factor promptly after the Expiration Time. Proration for each shareholder tendering Shares (excluding Odd Lot Holders) will be based on the ratio of the number of Shares properly tendered and not properly withdrawn by the shareholder to the total number of Shares at or below the Purchase Price properly tendered and not properly withdrawn by all shareholders excluding Odd Lot Holders. Although the Company does not expect that it will be able to announce the final proration factor until a reasonable time after expiration of the period to complete tenders made by Guaranteed Delivery, it will announce preliminary results of proration by press release promptly after the Expiration Time. Shareholders may obtain such preliminary information from the Information Agent and may be able to obtain such information from their brokers or financial advisors.

        All Shares tendered but not purchased in to the Offer, including Shares tendered at or below the Purchase Price and Shares not purchased because of proration, will be returned to the tendering shareholders at the Company's expense promptly (which, in the event of proration, will not be until a reasonable period after the final proration factor has been calculated) following the Expiration Time.

        As described in "Section 6. Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences", the number of Shares that we will purchase from a shareholder pursuant to the Offer may affect the United States federal income tax consequences to the shareholder of the purchase and, therefore, may be relevant to a shareholder's decision whether or not to tender Shares. The Letter of Transmittal affords each

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shareholder who tenders Shares registered in such shareholder's name directly to the Depositary the opportunity to designate the order of priority in which Shares tendered are to be purchased in the event of proration. In the event the shareholder does not designate the order and fewer than all Shares are purchased due to proration, the Depositary will select the order of Shares purchased.

        2.    Procedures for Tendering Shares. General.     Except as set forth below, in order for Shares to be properly tendered pursuant to the Offer, the Letter of Transmittal, properly completed and duly executed, together with any required signature guarantees (or, in the case of a book-entry transfer, an Agent's Message in lieu of the Letter of Transmittal) and any other documents required by the Letter of Transmittal, must be received by the Depositary at one of its addresses set forth on the back cover of this Offer to Purchase and either (i) the Certificates evidencing tendered Shares must be received by the Depositary at such address or such Shares must be tendered pursuant to the procedure for book-entry transfer described below and a Book-Entry Confirmation must be received by the Depositary (including an Agent's Message if the tendering shareholder has not delivered a Letter of Transmittal), in each case on or prior to the Expiration Time, or (ii) the tendering shareholder must comply with the guaranteed delivery procedures described below. No alternative, conditional or contingent tenders will be accepted. The term "Agent's Message" means a message, transmitted by electronic means to, and received by, the Depositary and forming a part of a Book-Entry Confirmation that states that (i) DTC has received an express acknowledgment from the participant in DTC tendering the Shares that are the subject of such Book-Entry Confirmation, (ii) such participant has received and agrees to be bound by the terms of the Letter of Transmittal and (iii) the Company may enforce such agreement against such participant.

        In accordance with Instruction 7 to the Letter of Transmittal, each shareholder desiring to tender Shares in the Offer must either (i) check the box in the section of the Letter of Transmittal captioned "Shares Tendered at a Price Determined Pursuant to the Offer," in which case you will be deemed to have tendered your Shares at the minimum price of $825 per Share or (ii) check one of the boxes in the section of the Letter of Transmittal captioned "Shares Tendered at a Price Determined by Shareholder," indicating the price at which Shares are being tendered. A tender of Shares will be proper if, and only if, one of these boxes is checked on the Letter of Transmittal.

        If tendering shareholders wish to maximize the chance that their Shares will be purchased, they should check the box in the section on the Letter of Transmittal captioned "Shares Tendered At Price Determined Pursuant To The Offer". If you agree to accept the Purchase Price determined pursuant to the Offer, your Shares will be deemed to be tendered at the minimum price of $825 per share. You should understand that checking the box in the section of the Letter of Transmittal captioned "Shares Tendered at a Price Determined Pursuant to the Offer" may lower the Purchase Price paid for all purchased Shares in the Offer and could result in the tendered Shares being purchased at the minimum price of $825 per share.

        If tendering shareholders wish to indicate a specific price (in increments of $1.00) at which their Shares are being tendered, they must check a box under the section captioned "Price (in Dollars) per Share at Which Shares are Being Tendered". Tendering shareholders should be aware that this election could mean that none of their Shares will be purchased if they check a box other than the box representing the lowest price. A shareholder who wishes to tender Shares at more than one price must complete separate Letters of Transmittal for each price at which Shares are being tendered. The same Shares cannot be tendered (unless previously properly withdrawn in accordance with the terms of the Offer) at more than one price. In the event a holder who has submitted multiple Letters of Transmittal wishes to withdraw previously tendered shares in accordance with the terms of the Offer, separate notices of withdrawal (described in Section 3) are not required for each Letter of Transmittal unless each Letter of Transmittal tenders Shares at different prices; however, absent a notice of withdrawal, subsequent Letters of Transmittal do not revoke prior Letters of Transmittal. Shareholders may contact the Depositary for additional instructions.

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        Odd Lot Holders must tender all of their Shares and also complete the section captioned "Odd Lots" in the Letter of Transmittal and, if applicable, in the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery to qualify for the preferential treatment available to Odd Lot Holders as set forth in Section 1.

        Tendering shareholders who hold Shares registered in their own name and who tender their Shares directly to the Depositary will not be obligated to pay brokerage commissions, solicitation fees or, except as set forth in "Section 4. Acceptance for Payment and Payment of Shares", stock transfer taxes on the purchase of Shares by us in the Offer. Shareholders holding Shares in a brokerage account or otherwise through brokers, dealers, commercial banks, trust companies or other nominees are urged to consult their brokers, dealers, commercial banks, trust companies or such other nominees in order to tender such Shares and in order to determine whether transaction costs may apply if shareholders tender Shares through such nominees and not directly to the Depositary. It is likely that the nominee has established an earlier deadline for you to act to instruct the nominee to accept the Offer on your behalf.

        Procedure for the White Mountains Retirement Plan.    A participant in the White Mountains Retirement Plan may instruct the White Mountains Retirement Plan's trustee and special trustee to tender some or all of the Shares allocated to such participant's account by completing and returning to the agent for such trustee and special trustee an instruction form in accordance with the instructions in the letter furnished to participants in the White Mountains Retirement Plan, in each case not later than two business days prior to the Expiration Time. All documents furnished to shareholders generally in connection with the Offer will be made available to participants whose White Mountains Retirement Plan accounts are credited with Shares. Although the Offer will remain open to all shareholders until the Expiration Time, if the trustee and the special trustee for the White Mountains Retirement Plan do not receive such participant's instructions by 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on May 2, 2018, such trustee and special trustee will not tender Shares attributable to the participant's account unless the Offer is extended, in which case such participant's instruction must be received by 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the date that is two business days before the new Expiration Time. Participants are urged to read the letter sent to them regarding and the separate instruction form carefully. Participants in the White Mountains Retirement Plan cannot use the Letter of Transmittal to direct the tender of Shares held under the White Mountains Retirement Plan, and must use the instruction form included in the separate letter sent to them. Participants in the White Mountains Retirement Plan who also hold Shares outside the White Mountains Retirement Plan must (i) complete an instruction form according to the instructions in the letter sent to them for Shares held under the White Mountains Retirement Plan and (ii) use the applicable procedures otherwise described in this Offer to Purchase to tender Shares outside the White Mountains Retirement Plan.

        Book-Entry Transfer.    The Depositary will establish accounts with respect to the Shares at DTC for purposes of the Offer within two business days after the date of this Offer to Purchase. Any financial institution that is a participant in DTC's system may make a book-entry delivery of Shares by causing DTC to transfer such Shares into the Depositary's account in accordance with DTC's procedures for such transfer. However, although delivery of Shares may be effected through book-entry transfer at DTC, either the Letter of Transmittal, properly completed and duly executed, together with any required signature guarantees, or an Agent's Message in lieu of the Letter of Transmittal, and any other required documents, must, in any case, be received by the Depositary at one of its addresses set forth on the back cover of this Offer to Purchase prior to the Expiration Time, or the tendering shareholder must comply with the guaranteed delivery procedure described below. DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS TO DTC DOES NOT CONSTITUTE DELIVERY TO THE DEPOSITARY.

        Signature Guarantees.    Signatures on all Letters of Transmittal must be guaranteed by a firm which is a member of the Securities Transfer Agent Medallion Program, the New York Stock Exchange Medallion Signature Program or the Stock Exchange Medallion Program (each, an "Eligible

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Institution"), except in cases where Shares are tendered (i) by a registered holder (which term, for purposes of this Section 2, will include any participant in the DTC whose name appears on a security position listing as the owner of the Shares) of Shares who has not completed either the box entitled "Special Payment Instructions" or the box entitled "Special Delivery Instructions" on the Letter of Transmittal or (ii) for the account of an Eligible Institution.

        If a Certificate is registered in the name of a person other than the signatory of the Letter of Transmittal, or if payment is to be made, or a Certificate not accepted for payment or not tendered is to be returned, to a person other than the registered holder(s), then the Certificate must be endorsed or accompanied by appropriate share powers, in either case, signed exactly as the name(s) of the registered holder(s) appear on the Certificate, with the signature(s) on such Certificate or share powers guaranteed by an Eligible Institution. If the Letter of Transmittal or share powers are signed or any Certificate is endorsed by trustees, executors, administrators, guardians, attorneys-in-fact, agents, officers of corporations or others acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, such persons should so indicate when signing and, unless waived by the Company, proper evidence satisfactory to the Company of their authority to so act must be submitted. See Instructions 1 and 5 of the Letter of Transmittal.

        Guaranteed Delivery.    If a shareholder desires to tender Shares pursuant to the Offer and the Certificates evidencing such shareholder's Shares are not immediately available or such shareholder cannot deliver the Certificates and all other required documents to the Depositary prior to the Expiration Time, or such shareholder cannot complete the procedure for delivery by book-entry transfer on a timely basis, such Shares may nevertheless be tendered, provided that all the following conditions are satisfied:

        The Notice of Guaranteed Delivery may be delivered by mail, express or overnight delivery, or transmitted by email to the Depositary and must include a guarantee by an Eligible Institution in the form set forth in the form of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery made available by the Company.

        In all cases, payment for Shares tendered and accepted for payment pursuant to the Offer will be made only after timely receipt by the Depositary of the Certificates evidencing such Shares, or a Book-Entry Confirmation of the delivery of such Shares, and the Letter of Transmittal, properly completed and duly executed, with any required signature guarantees, and any other documents required by the Letter of Transmittal.

        Shareholders may contact the Information Agent or their broker for assistance. The contact information for the Information Agent is on the back cover page of this Offer to Purchase.

        THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF CERTIFICATES AND ALL OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING DELIVERY THROUGH DTC, IS AT THE OPTION AND RISK OF THE TENDERING SHAREHOLDER, AND THE DELIVERY WILL BE DEEMED MADE ONLY WHEN ACTUALLY RECEIVED BY THE DEPOSITARY (INCLUDING, IN THE CASE OF BOOK-ENTRY

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TRANSFER, BY BOOK-ENTRY CONFIRMATION). IF DELIVERY IS BY MAIL, REGISTERED MAIL WITH RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED, PROPERLY INSURED, IS RECOMMENDED. IN ALL CASES, SUFFICIENT TIME SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO ENSURE TIMELY DELIVERY TO THE DEPOSITARY PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION TIME.

        Determination of Validity.    All questions as to the price to be paid for the Shares to be accepted and the validity, form, eligibility (including time of receipt) and acceptance for payment of any tender of Shares will be determined by the Company in its reasonable discretion, which determination shall be final and binding on all parties. The Company reserves the absolute right to reject any and all tenders reasonably determined by it not to be in proper form or the acceptance for payment of which may, in the opinion of its counsel, be unlawful. The Company also reserves the absolute right to waive any condition of the Offer (except as provided in "Section 8. Conditions to the Offer") or any defect or irregularity in the tender of any particular Shares or any particular shareholder, whether or not similar defects or irregularities are waived in the case of other shareholders, and the Company's reasonable interpretation of the terms and conditions of the Offer will be final and binding on all persons. No tender of Shares will be deemed to have been properly made until all defects and irregularities have been cured or waived to the satisfaction of the Company. We will not be liable for failure to waive any condition of the Offer, or any defect or irregularity in any tender of Shares. Neither the Company, nor any other person will be under any duty to give notification of any defects or irregularities in tenders or incur any liability for failure to give any such notification. Our reasonable interpretation of the terms of and conditions to the Offer, including the Letter of Transmittal and the instructions thereto, will be final and binding on all persons participating in the Offer. Any determination by the Company as to the validity, form, eligibility and acceptance of Shares for payment, or any interpretation by the Company as to the terms and conditions of the Offer, is subject to applicable law and, if challenged by shareholders in a lawsuit, to the judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction.

        Tendering Shareholder's Representation and Warranty; Acceptance by the Company Constitutes an Agreement.    A tender of Shares pursuant to any of the procedures described above will constitute the tendering shareholder's acceptance of the terms and conditions of the Offer, as well as the tendering shareholder's representation and warranty to the Company that (i) the shareholder has a "net long position," within the meaning of Rule 14e-4 promulgated by the SEC under the Exchange Act, in the Shares or equivalent securities at least equal to the Shares being tendered and (ii) the tender of Shares complies with Rule 14e-4. It is a violation of Rule 14e-4 for a person, directly or indirectly, to tender Shares for that person's own account unless, at the time of tender and at the end of the proration period or period during which Shares are accepted by lot (including any extensions thereof), the person so tendering (i) has a net long position equal to or greater than the amount of (a) Shares tendered or (b) other securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for the Shares tendered and will acquire the Shares for tender by conversion, exchange or exercise and (ii) will deliver or cause to be delivered the Shares in accordance with the terms of the Offer. Rule 14e-4 provides a similar restriction applicable to the tender or guarantee of a tender on behalf of another person. Our acceptance for payment of Shares tendered pursuant to the Offer will constitute a binding agreement between the tendering shareholder and us upon the terms and conditions of the Offer.

        Backup Federal Income Tax Withholding.    Under the United States Federal income tax backup withholding rules, 24% of the gross proceeds payable to a shareholder or other payee pursuant to the Offer must be withheld and remitted to the United States Treasury, unless the shareholder or other payee provides his or her taxpayer identification number (employer identification number or social security number) to the Depositary and certifies that such number is correct or an exemption otherwise applies under applicable regulations. Therefore, unless an exemption exists and is proven in a manner satisfactory to the Depositary, each tendering shareholder should complete and sign the Substitute Form W-9 included as part of the Letter of Transmittal so as to provide the information and certification necessary to avoid backup withholding. Certain shareholders (including, among others, all

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corporations and certain foreign individuals) are not subject to these backup withholding and reporting requirements. In order for a foreign individual to qualify as an exempt recipient, that shareholder must submit a statement (generally, an IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E), signed under penalties of perjury, attesting to that individual's exempt status. Such statements can be obtained from the Depositary. See "Important Tax Information" and "Substitute Form W-9" in the Letter of Transmittal.

        ANY TENDERING SHAREHOLDER OR OTHER PAYEE WHO FAILS TO COMPLETE FULLY AND SIGN THE SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 INCLUDED IN THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL MAY BE SUBJECT TO REQUIRED UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX BACKUP WITHHOLDING OF 24% OF THE GROSS PROCEEDS PAID TO SUCH SHAREHOLDER OR OTHER PAYEE PURSUANT TO THE TENDER OFFER.

        Other Requirements.    If the Certificates which a registered holder wants to surrender have been lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated, the shareholder should follow the instructions set forth in the Letter of Transmittal.

        CERTIFICATES FOR SHARES, TOGETHER WITH A PROPERLY COMPLETED AND DULY EXECUTED LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, WITH ANY REQUIRED SIGNATURE GUARANTEES, OR AN AGENT'S MESSAGE, AND ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS REQUIRED BY THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, MUST BE DELIVERED TO THE DEPOSITARY AND NOT TO US OR THE INFORMATION AGENT. ANY SUCH DOCUMENTS DELIVERED TO US OR THE INFORMATION AGENT WILL NOT BE FORWARDED TO THE DEPOSITARY AND THEREFORE WILL NOT BE DEEMED TO BE PROPERLY TENDERED.

        3.    Withdrawal Rights.     Tenders of the Shares made pursuant to the Offer are irrevocable, except that such Shares may be withdrawn at any time prior to the Expiration Time and, unless theretofore accepted for payment by the Company pursuant to the Offer, may also be withdrawn at any time after 12:00 midnight, New York City time, at the end of the day on May 7, 2018. If the Company extends the Offer, is delayed in its acceptance for payment of Shares or is unable to accept Shares for payment pursuant to the Offer for any reason, then, without prejudice to the Company's rights under the Offer, the Depositary may, nevertheless, on behalf of the Company, retain tendered Shares, and such Shares may not be withdrawn except to the extent that tendering shareholders are entitled to withdrawal rights as described in this Section 3.

        For a withdrawal to be effective, a written notice of withdrawal must be timely received by the Depositary at one of its addresses set forth on the back cover page of this Offer to Purchase. Any such notice of withdrawal must specify the name of the person who tendered the Shares to be withdrawn, the number of Shares to be withdrawn and, if different from that of the person who tendered such Shares, the name of the registered holder of such Shares. A shareholder who has tendered Shares at more than one price must complete a separate notice of withdrawal for Shares tendered at each price. If Certificates evidencing Shares to be withdrawn have been delivered or otherwise identified to the Depositary, then, prior to the physical release of such Certificates, the serial numbers shown on such Certificates must be submitted to the Depositary and the signature(s) on the notice of withdrawal must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution, unless such Shares have been tendered for the account of an Eligible Institution. If Shares have been tendered pursuant to the procedure for book-entry transfer as set forth in "Section 2. Procedures for Tendering Shares", any notice of withdrawal must specify the name and number of the account at DTC to be credited with the withdrawn Shares or must otherwise comply with DTC's procedures.

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        Withdrawals of tenders of Shares may not be rescinded, and Shares properly withdrawn will thereafter be deemed not properly tendered for purposes of the Offer. However, withdrawn Shares may be retendered by following the procedures described in "Section 2. Procedures for Tendering Shares", at any time prior to the Expiration Time.

        If you wish to withdraw tendered Shares held in the White Mountains Retirement Plan, you must deliver an instruction form with the required information to the agent for the trustee and the special trustee of the White Mountains Retirement Plan by 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on May 2, 2018, unless we extend the Offer, in which case you can instruct the trustee and the special trustee to withdraw your Shares until 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the date that is two business days before the new Expiration Time. If you wish to withdraw tendered Shares held in the White Mountains Retirement Plan, you must withdraw all such tendered Shares. If you withdraw Shares held in the White Mountains Retirement Plan, you may retender such Shares by giving instruction to the trustee and the special trustee within the applicable time period as described in "Section 2. Procedures for Tendering Shares".

        All questions as to the form and validity (including time of receipt) of any notice of withdrawal will be determined by the Company in its reasonable discretion, which determination will be final and binding on all parties. None of the Company, the Depositary, the Information Agent or any other person will be under any duty to give notification of any defects or irregularities in any notice of withdrawal or incur any liability for failure to give any such notification. Any determination by the Company as to the form and validity (including time of receipt) of any notice of withdrawal, or any interpretation by the Company as to the terms and conditions of the Offer, is subject to applicable law and, if challenged by shareholders in a lawsuit, to the judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction.

        4.    Acceptance for Payment and Payment for Shares.     Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer, promptly following the Expiration Time, we (i) will determine which shareholders tendered Shares at or below the Purchase Price and (ii) will accept for payment and pay for (and thereby purchase) up to 500,000 Shares (or such greater number of Shares as we may elect to purchase, subject to applicable law) which are properly tendered at prices at or below the Purchase Price and not properly withdrawn on or before the Expiration Time.

        In all cases, payment for Shares tendered and accepted for payment pursuant to the Offer will be made promptly, subject in the event of proration to the time necessary to determine the applicable proration factor, but only after timely receipt by the Depositary of (i) the Certificates or timely confirmation (a "Book-Entry Confirmation") of a book-entry transfer of such Shares into the Depositary's account at DTC pursuant to the procedures set forth in "Section 2. Procedures for Tendering Shares", (ii) the Letter of Transmittal, properly completed and duly executed, with any required signature guarantees or, in the case of a book-entry transfer, an Agent's Message (as defined below) in lieu of the Letter of Transmittal and (iii) any other documents required by the Letter of Transmittal.

        In the event of proration, we will determine the proration factor and pay for those tendered Shares accepted for payment promptly after the Expiration Time. However, we do not expect to be able to announce the final results of any proration and commence payment for Shares purchased until a reasonable time after expiration of the period to complete tenders made by Guaranteed Delivery.

        For purposes of the Offer, the Company will be deemed to have accepted for payment, and thereby purchased, subject to the Odd Lot priority and proration, Shares properly tendered and not properly withdrawn, if and when the Company gives oral or written notice to the Depositary, as agent for the tendering shareholders, of the Company's acceptance for payment of such Shares pursuant to the Offer. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer, payment for Shares accepted for payment pursuant to the Offer will be made by deposit of the Purchase Price with the Depositary, which will act as agent for tendering shareholders for the purpose of receiving payments from the

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Company and transmitting such payments to tendering shareholders whose Shares have been accepted for payment.

        Under no circumstances will we pay interest on the Purchase Price, including but not limited to, by reason of any delay in making payment.

        We will pay all stock transfer taxes, if any, payable on the transfer to us of Shares purchased pursuant to the Offer. If, however, payment of the Purchase Price is to be made to, or (in the circumstances permitted by the Offer) unpurchased Shares are to be registered in the name of, any person other than the registered holder, or if tendered book-entry accounts are registered in the name of any person other than the person signing the Letter of Transmittal, the amount of all stock transfer taxes, if any (whether imposed on the registered holder or the other person), payable on account of the transfer to the person will be deducted from the Purchase Price unless satisfactory evidence of the payment of the stock transfer taxes, or exemption from payment of the stock transfer taxes, is submitted.

        If any tendered Shares are not accepted for payment for any reason pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Offer (including those not purchased because of proration or because Shares are tendered at prices in excess of the Purchase Price), or if Certificates are submitted evidencing more Shares than are tendered, unless a shareholder specified otherwise in the Letter of Transmittal, Certificates evidencing unpurchased Shares will be returned, without expense to the tendering shareholder (or, in the case of Shares tendered by book-entry transfer into the Depositary's account at DTC pursuant to the procedure set forth in "Section 2. Procedures for Tendering Shares", such Shares will be credited to an account maintained at DTC) within a reasonable time after determination of the final proration factor.

        5.    Purpose of the Offer; Certain Effects of the Offer.     The Offer is being made to utilize a portion of the Company's undeployed capital and to provide shareholders with added liquidity. The Company recognizes that its Shares are not widely held and are not regularly followed by many analysts. Based on existing circumstances, the Company believes that it currently has adequate capital and liquidity to fund the maximum amount contemplated by the Offer and to meet its ongoing needs. Accordingly, we have determined that it is in the interest of the Company's shareholders to create a selling opportunity for shareholders through a repurchase by the Company of up to 500,000 Shares. The Offer represents the opportunity for us to return capital to shareholders who elect to tender their Shares. The Offer will also afford to shareholders the opportunity to dispose of Shares without the usual transaction costs associated with any market sale; however, if you hold your Shares through a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee and your nominee tenders Shares on your behalf, your nominee may charge you a fee for doing so.

        The Offer will further allow qualifying Odd Lot Holders whose Shares are purchased pursuant to the Offer to avoid the payment of brokerage commissions and any applicable odd-lot discount payable on a sale of Shares in a transaction effected on a securities exchange.

        To the extent the purchase of Shares in the Offer results in a reduction in the number of shareholders of record, the costs to the Company for services to shareholders will be reduced. We can give no assurance, however, that we will not issue additional Shares or equity interests in the future. Shareholders may be able to sell non-tendered Shares in the future on the NYSE or otherwise, at a net price which may be higher than the Purchase Price in the Offer. We can give no assurance, however, as to the price at which a shareholder may be able to sell his or her Shares in the future, which may be higher or lower than the Purchase Price paid by us in the Offer.

        The accounting for the purchase of Shares pursuant to the Offer will result in a reduction of our common shareholders' equity in an amount equal to the aggregate purchase price of the Shares we

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purchase (plus expenses incurred in connection with the Offer) and a reduction in cash and cash equivalents in a corresponding amount.

        Shareholders whose Shares are not purchased in the Offer will obtain an increase in their ownership interest in the Company and thus in the Company's future earnings and assets because Shares purchased pursuant to the Offer will be cancelled.

        OUR BOARD HAS APPROVED THE OFFER. HOWEVER, NONE OF THE COMPANY, OUR BOARD, THE DEALER MANAGERS, THE DEPOSITARY OR THE INFORMATION AGENT MAKES ANY RECOMMENDATION AS TO WHETHER ANY SHAREHOLDER SHOULD TENDER OR REFRAIN FROM TENDERING SHARES PURSUANT TO THE OFFER, OR AS TO THE PURCHASE PRICE OR PRICES AT WHICH SHAREHOLDERS MAY CHOOSE TO TENDER SHARES. EACH SHAREHOLDER MUST MAKE HIS OR HER OWN DECISION AFTER CONSULTING WITH HIS OR HER OWN ADVISORS WHETHER TO TENDER SHARES AND, IF SO, HOW MANY SHARES TO TENDER AND THE PRICE OR PRICES AT WHICH SUCH SHAREHOLDER WILL TENDER THEM. IN DOING SO, SHAREHOLDERS SHOULD READ CAREFULLY THE INFORMATION SET FORTH OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THIS OFFER TO PURCHASE AND IN THE RELATED LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, INCLUDING THE PURPOSES AND EFFECTS OF THE OFFER. SEE "SECTION 5. PURPOSE OF THE OFFER; CERTAIN EFFECTS OF THE OFFER".

        ALL OF OUR DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS HAVE ADVISED US THAT THEY DO NOT INTEND TO TENDER ANY SHARES OWNED BY THEM IN THE OFFER, EXCEPT FOR ROBERT L. SEELIG, OUR EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL COUNSEL, WHO HAS ADVISED US THAT, ALTHOUGH NO FINAL DECISION HAS BEEN MADE, HE MAY TENDER UP TO 3,000 SHARES THAT HE BENEFICIALLY OWNS PURSUANT TO THE OFFER. SEE "SECTION 11. INTERESTS OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS; TRANSACTIONS AND ARRANGEMENTS CONCERNING THE SHARES".

        Shares acquired by the Company pursuant to the Offer will be cancelled. The purchase of up to 500,000 Shares pursuant to the Offer will not cause the Shares to be delisted by the NYSE or deregistered under the Exchange Act. See "Section 8. Conditions to the Offer".

        Rule 13e-4 of the Exchange Act generally prohibits us and our affiliates from purchasing any Shares, other than pursuant to the Offer, during the Offer and for the period ending ten business days after the expiration or termination of the Offer. Following that time, we may make Share repurchases from time to time through open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions, tender offers, exchange offers or otherwise. The Company has 643,130 Shares remaining under its existing Share repurchase authorization (which will not be reduced by purchases in the Offer). Whether we make additional Share repurchases will depend on many factors, including the number of Shares, if any, that we purchase in the Offer, the number of Shares our Board authorizes to be repurchased, our business and financial performance (including our liquidity and alternative uses for our resources) and situation, the business and market conditions at the time, including the price of the Shares, and such other factors as we may consider relevant. Any of these Share repurchases may be on the same terms or on terms that are more or less favorable to the selling shareholders in those transactions than the terms of the Offer. We cannot assure you as to which, if any, of these alternatives, or combinations thereof, we might pursue.

        Other Plans.    On August 14, 2013, the Company entered into a revolving credit facility, as amended on September 24, 2014, with a syndicate of lenders administered by Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., which has a total commitment of $425.0 million and a maturity date of August 14, 2018 (as amended, the "revolving credit facility"). As of April 9, 2018, the revolving credit facility was undrawn. We currently intend to terminate the revolving credit facility in conjunction with the completion of the Offer. Consistent with our previous disclosure and after taking into account total share repurchases

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during the twelve months ended December 31, 2017, we currently intend to distribute approximately $0.75 to $1.25 billion to our shareholders over the medium-term. In addition, consistent with our fundamental philosophy, we remain focused on creating shareholder value by pursuing value-oriented, opportunistic transactions. In the ordinary course of our business on a continual basis, we review and assess transactions that we believe may provide value to our shareholders. Over the next several years, we currently intend to utilize approximately $0.5 to $1.0 billion of our undeployed capital, in addition to current outstanding commitments and the pending acquisition of NSM Insurance Group, to engage in transactions that we believe will provide value to our shareholders, which may include, among other things, entering into joint ventures in innovative areas, or purchasing majority stakes in operating businesses that we understand and can enhance, primarily in insurance, broader financial services, and adjacent sectors. There can be no assurance of when or whether any such transactions will be consummated by us. In addition, the size and type of transactions in which we engage may vary significantly and it is likely that we will utilize in excess of, or less than, $0.5 to $1.0 billion of undeployed capital over the next several years, in addition to current outstanding commitments and the pending acquisition of NSM Insurance Group. Except as otherwise disclosed in the Offer or in our filings with the SEC incorporated herein by reference (see "Section 9. Certain Information Concerning the Company"), we do not have any plans, proposals or negotiations under way that would relate to or result in: (i) any extraordinary transaction (such as a merger, reorganization or liquidation) involving us or any of our subsidiaries; (ii) any purchase, sale or transfer of a material amount of assets of the Company or any of our subsidiaries; (iii) any change in the Board or management or material term of the employment contract of any executive officer; (iv) any material change in our current dividend rate or policy or capitalization, indebtedness, corporate structure or business; (v) any class of our equity securities being delisted from the NYSE or the Bermuda Stock Exchange or ceasing to be authorized to be quoted on the NYSE or the Bermuda Stock Exchange; (vi) any class of our equity securities becoming eligible for termination of registration under Section 12(g) of the Securities Act of 1933; (vii) the suspension of our obligation to file reports under Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act; (viii) the acquisition or disposition of any securities issued by the Company; or (ix) any changes in our articles of incorporation, bylaws or other governing instruments or other actions that could impede the acquisition of control of the Company.

        6.    Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences.     This is a general summary of the material U.S. Federal income tax consequences of the sale of Shares pursuant to the Offer applicable to "U.S. Holders" as defined below. This discussion is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), applicable Treasury Regulations and administrative and judicial interpretations, all as of the date hereof and all of which are subject to change (possibly on a retroactive basis). This summary does not discuss all the tax consequences that may be relevant to a particular shareholder in light of the shareholder's particular circumstances, including the impact of the Medicare contribution tax on net investment income. Different rules that are not discussed below may apply to some shareholders subject to special tax rules such as partnerships (or entities classified as partnerships for U.S. Federal income tax purposes), insurance companies, tax-exempt persons, financial institutions, regulated investment companies, dealers in securities or currencies, persons that hold Shares as a position in a "straddle" or as part of a "hedge", "conversion transaction" or other integrated investment, persons who received Shares as compensation, persons whose functional currency is other than the United States dollar or persons required to recognize any item of gross income with respect to the Offer as a result of such income being recognized on an applicable financial statement. This summary does not address any state, local or foreign tax or alternative minimum tax considerations that may be relevant to a shareholder's decision to tender Shares pursuant to the Offer. This summary assumes Shares are held as capital assets within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code.

        EACH SHAREHOLDER IS URGED TO CONSULT HIS OR HER OWN TAX ADVISOR WITH RESPECT TO THE U.S. FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL TAX CONSEQUENCES OF

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PARTICIPATING IN THE OFFER, AS WELL AS ANY TAX CONSEQUENCES ARISING UNDER THE LAWS OF ANY OTHER TAXING JURISDICTION.

        A "U.S. Holder" is a beneficial owner of Shares who is:

        A "Non-U.S. Holder" is a beneficial owner of Shares who is not a U.S. Holder.

        The U.S. Federal income tax treatment of a partner in a partnership (or an entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. Federal income tax purposes) that holds Shares will depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Prospective participants in the Offer that are partnerships (or entities or arrangements treated as partnerships for U.S. Federal income tax purposes) should consult their own tax advisors concerning the U.S. Federal income tax consequences to them and their partners of the participation in the Offer by the partnership.

        Tax Consequences of Offer—Distribution vs. Sale Treatment.    The Company's purchase of Shares from a U.S. Holder pursuant to the Offer will be treated either as a sale of the Shares or as a distribution by the Company. The purchase will be treated as a sale if the U.S. Holder meets any of the three tests discussed below. It will be treated as a distribution if the U.S. Holder satisfies none of those tests.

        If the purchase of Shares from a U.S. Holder is treated as a sale, the U.S. Holder will recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount of cash received by the U.S. Holder and the Holder's tax basis in the Shares sold. The gain or loss will be capital gain or loss and will be long-term capital gain or loss if the Shares were held more than one year. A U.S. Holder must calculate gain or loss separately for each block of Shares that he or she owns, and the gains and losses for each block may not be netted in determining overall gain or loss. A U.S. Holder may be able to designate which blocks and the order of such blocks of Shares to be tendered pursuant to the Offer. The gain or loss will be U.S. source for foreign tax credit purposes.

        If the purchase of Shares from a U.S. Holder is treated as a distribution by the Company, the full amount of cash received by the U.S. Holder for the Shares (without any offset for the U.S. Holder's tax basis in the purchased Shares) will be treated as a dividend to the extent of the Company's current and accumulated earnings and profits allocable to the distribution. The tax basis of the U.S. Holder's sold Shares will be added to the tax basis of his or her remaining Shares. The Company believes that it has sufficient current and accumulated earnings and profits so that all purchases treated as distributions will be treated as dividends. For non-corporate U.S. Holders, such dividends may be "qualified dividend income" that is taxed at the lower applicable capital gains rate provided that certain conditions are satisfied, including certain holding period requirements. The Company believes that it is currently a "U.S.-owned foreign corporation" for U.S. Federal income tax purposes. As a result, a portion of any dividends may be treated as U.S. source for foreign tax credit purposes. To the extent, if any, payments made by the Company exceed a U.S. Holder's allocable share of the Company's current and accumulated earnings and profits, the distribution will first be treated as a non-taxable return of capital, causing a reduction in the U.S. Holder's adjusted basis in his or her Shares, and any amounts in excess of the U.S. Holder's adjusted basis will be treated as capital gain. Shareholders should consult their own tax advisors concerning the rules discussed in this paragraph in their particular circumstances.

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        Determination of Sale or Distribution Treatment.    The Company's purchase of Shares pursuant to the Offer will be treated as a sale of the Shares by a U.S. Holder if:

        If none of these tests are met with respect to a particular U.S. Holder, then the Company's purchase of Shares from that U.S. Holder pursuant to the Offer will be treated as a distribution.

        In applying these tests, the constructive ownership rules of Section 318 of the Code apply. Thus, a U.S. Holder is treated as owning not only Shares actually owned by the U.S. Holder but also Shares actually (and in some cases constructively) owned by others. Under the constructive ownership rules, a U.S. Holder will be considered to own Shares owned, directly or indirectly, by certain members of the U.S. Holder's family and certain entities (such as corporations, partnerships, trusts and estates) in which the U.S. Holder has an equity interest, as well as Shares that the U.S. Holder has an option to purchase.

        It may be possible for a tendering U.S. Holder to satisfy one of these three tests by contemporaneously selling or otherwise disposing of all or some of the Shares that such U.S. Holder actually or constructively owns that are not purchased pursuant to the Offer. Correspondingly, a tendering U.S. Holder may not be able to satisfy one of these three tests because of contemporaneous acquisitions of Shares by such U.S. Holder or a related party whose Shares are attributed to such U.S. Holder. Shareholders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the tax consequences of such sales or acquisitions in their particular circumstances.

        Complete Termination.    A purchase of Shares pursuant to the Offer will result in a "complete termination" of the U.S. Holder's interest in the Company if, immediately after the sale, either:

        Not Essentially Equivalent to a Dividend.    A purchase of Shares pursuant to the Offer will be treated as "not essentially equivalent to a dividend" if it results in a "meaningful reduction" in the selling U.S. Holder's proportionate interest in the Company. Whether a U.S. Holder meets this test will depend on relevant facts and circumstances. In measuring the change, if any, in a U.S. Holder's proportionate interest in the Company, the meaningful reduction test is applied by taking into account all Shares that the Company purchases pursuant to the Offer, including Shares purchased from other U.S. Holders.

        The Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") has held in a published ruling that, under the particular facts of that ruling, a small reduction in the percentage share ownership of a small minority shareholder in a publicly and widely held corporation who did not exercise any control over corporate affairs constituted a "meaningful reduction". If, taking into account the constructive ownership rules of Section 318 of the Code, a U.S. Holder owns Shares that constitute only a minimal interest in the Company and does not exercise any control over the affairs of the Company, any reduction in the U.S. Holder's percentage ownership interest in the Company should be a "meaningful reduction". Such selling U.S. Holder should, under these circumstances, be entitled to treat his or her sale of Shares pursuant to the Offer as a sale for U.S. Federal income tax purposes. Shareholders should consult their

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own tax advisors with respect to the application of the "not essentially equivalent to a dividend" test in their particular circumstances.

        Substantially Disproportionate.    A purchase of Shares pursuant to the Offer will be "substantially disproportionate" as to a U.S. Holder if (i) the percentage of the then outstanding Shares actually and constructively owned by such U.S. Holder immediately after the purchase is less than 80% of the percentage of the outstanding Shares actually and constructively owned by such U.S. Holder immediately before the purchase, and (ii) the percentage of the outstanding voting stock of the Company actually and constructively owned by such U.S. Holder immediately after the purchase is less than 80% of the percentage of the outstanding voting stock of the Company actually and constructively owned by such U.S. Holder immediately before the purchase. Shareholders should consult their own tax advisors with respect to the application of the "substantially disproportionate" test in their particular circumstances.

        The Company Cannot Predict Whether There Will Be Sale or Distribution Treatment.    The Company cannot predict whether or the extent to which the Offer will be oversubscribed. If the Offer is oversubscribed, proration of tenders pursuant to the Offer will cause the Company to accept fewer Shares than are tendered. Consequently, the Company can give no assurance that a sufficient number of any U.S. Holder's Shares will be purchased pursuant to the Offer to ensure that such purchase will be treated as a sale, rather than as a distribution, for U.S. Federal income tax purposes under the rules discussed above.

        Corporate Dividends-Received Deduction.    In the case of a corporate U.S. Holder, if cash received pursuant to the Offer is treated as a dividend, the resulting dividend income will not qualify for the dividends-received deduction otherwise generally available to corporate U.S. Holders.

        Consequences to Shareholders Who Do Not Sell Shares Pursuant to the Offer.    Shareholders (including Non-U.S. Holders) who do not sell Shares pursuant to the Offer will not incur any U.S. Federal income tax liability as a result of the consummation of the Offer.

        Taxation of Non-U.S. Holders.    Non-U.S. Holders will generally not be subject to U.S. Federal income taxation as a result of selling Shares pursuant to the Offer. The rules governing U.S. Federal income taxation of the receipt by Non-U.S. Holders of cash pursuant to the Offer, however, are complex and Non-U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors concerning the application of U.S. Federal, state, local and foreign income tax laws in their particular circumstances.

        Backup Federal Income Tax Withholding.    See Section 2 with respect to the application of backup United States Federal income tax withholding.

        To prevent backup withholding and possible penalties, each shareholder should complete the substitute Form W-9 included in the Letter of Transmittal. In order to qualify for an exemption from backup withholding, a Non-U.S. Holder must submit a properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN, W-8BEN-E or other applicable form to the Depositary. Any amount paid as backup withholding will be creditable against the shareholder's U.S. Federal income tax liability provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

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        7.    Price Range of Shares; Dividends.     The Shares are listed and traded on the NYSE under the symbol "WTM" and the Bermuda Stock Exchange under the symbol "WTM-BH". The following table sets forth, for the quarters indicated, the high and low sales prices per Share as reported on the NYSE:

NYSE
  High   Low  

2016:

             

First Quarter

  $ 809.99   $ 689.31  

Second Quarter

    845.37     786.33  

Third Quarter

    852.58     804.44  

Fourth Quarter

    874.69     815.04  

2017:

   
 
   
 
 

First Quarter

    948.94     834.20  

Second Quarter

    900.05     845.41  

Third Quarter

    888.00     838.65  

Fourth Quarter

    903.26     841.33  

2018:

   
 
   
 
 

First Quarter

    858.09     786.23  

Second Quarter (through April 9, 2018)

    827.98     804.40  

        On April 9, 2018, the last full trading day prior to the public announcement of the Offer, the last reported closing sale price per Share as reported on the NYSE was $806.17. SHAREHOLDERS ARE URGED TO OBTAIN A CURRENT MARKET QUOTATION FOR THE SHARES.

        Historically, dividends have been declared and paid on an annual basis. On March 1, 2018, the Board declared an annual dividend of $1.00 per Share, payable March 28, 2018, to shareholders of record as of March 19, 2018. There can be no assurance that we will pay a regular annual dividend in the future. The amount and timing of all future dividend payments is subject to the discretion of the Board and will depend upon business conditions, results of operations, the Company's financial condition and other factors.

        8.    Conditions to the Offer.     Notwithstanding any other provision of the Offer, and in addition to (and not in limitation of) the Company's right to extend, amend or terminate the Offer as set forth in Section 14, the Company shall not be required to accept for payment or pay for any Shares tendered, or may postpone the acceptance for payment of or the payment for Shares tendered, subject to Rule 13e-4(f) promulgated under the Exchange Act, if, before acceptance for payment of or payment for any such Shares, any of the following has occurred:

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        The foregoing conditions are for the sole benefit of the Company and may be asserted by us regardless of the circumstances (including any action or inaction by the Company) giving rise to any such condition and any such condition may be waived by us, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time in our sole discretion. In certain cases, waiver of a condition to the Offer would require an extension of the Offer. See "Section 14. Extension of the Offer; Termination; Amendment".

        The Company's failure at any time to exercise any of the foregoing rights shall not be deemed a waiver of any such right; the waiver of any such right with respect to particular facts and circumstances shall not be deemed a waiver with respect to any other facts or circumstances; and each such right shall be deemed an ongoing right which may be asserted at any time and from time to time. At or before the expiration of the Offer, all of the conditions to the Offer, other than those requiring necessary government approval, must have been satisfied or waived. Any determination by the Company concerning the events described above will be final and binding on all parties. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that one or more of the events described above occurs, we will promptly notify shareholders of our determination as to whether to: (i) waive or modify the applicable condition(s) and continue the Offer; or (ii) terminate the Offer.

        9.    Certain Information Concerning the Company.     White Mountains is an exempted Bermuda limited liability company whose principal businesses are conducted through its property and casualty insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries and affiliates. The Company's headquarters are located at 26 Reid Street, Hamilton, Bermuda HM 11, its principal executive office is located at 80 South Main Street, Hanover, New Hampshire 03755-2053 and its registered office is located at Clarendon House, 2 Church Street, Hamilton, Bermuda HM 11.

        Where You Can Find More Information.    The Company is subject to the informational filing requirements of the Exchange Act and, in accordance therewith, is required to file periodic reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC relating to its business, financial condition and other matters. Such reports, proxy statements and other information can be inspected and copied at the SEC's public reference rooms in Washington, D.C. at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549.

        Information regarding the public reference facilities may be obtained from the SEC by telephoning 1-800-SEC-0330. The Company's filings are also available to the public on the SEC Internet site (http://www.sec.gov).

        Incorporation by Reference.    The rules of the SEC allow us to "incorporate by reference" information into this document, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC. The following documents contain

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important information about us and we incorporate them by reference (other than any portions of the respective filings that were furnished to, rather than filed with, the SEC under applicable SEC rules):

        You can obtain any of the documents incorporated by reference in this document from the SEC's website at the address described above. You may also request a copy of these filings, at no cost, by writing or telephoning the Information Agent at its address and telephone number set forth below.

        10.    Source and Amount of Funds.     Assuming that the maximum number of Shares are tendered in the Offer and the Purchase Price is an amount between $825 and $875 per Share, the aggregate purchase price for the Shares will be between approximately $412.5 million and $437.5 million. The Company intends to fund the purchase of Shares with available cash, including cash from the sale of liquid investments. We do not currently have any alternative financing arrangements or plans that would fund the purchase of Shares in the Offer in the event that we do not have sufficient available cash.

        11.    Interests of Directors and Executive Officers; Transactions and Arrangements Concerning the Shares.     As of April 9, 2018, we had 3,753,405 issued and outstanding Shares. The 500,000 Shares that the Company is offering to purchase pursuant to the Offer represent approximately 13% of the Shares outstanding as of April 9, 2018.

        As of April 9, 2018, our directors and executive officers as a group of 12 persons beneficially owned an aggregate of approximately 70,741 Shares (including Shares that are subject to the proxy described above), representing approximately 1.9% of the total number of outstanding Shares. All of our directors and executive officers have advised us that they do not intend to tender any of their Shares in the Offer, except for Robert L. Seelig, our Executive Vice President and General Counsel, who has advised us that, although no final decision has been made, he may tender up to 3,000 Shares that he beneficially owns pursuant to the Offer. Accordingly, if we complete the Offer, the proportional holdings of our directors and executive officers will increase, except for Mr. Seelig, whose proportional holdings may decrease following completion of the Offer. However, our directors and executive officers may, in compliance with applicable law, sell their Shares in open market transactions at prices that may or may not be more favorable than the Purchase Price to be paid to our shareholders in the Offer.

        Schedule I provides information with respect to the beneficial ownership of Shares by (i) each of our directors, (ii) each of our executive officers and (iii) all directors and executive officers as a group. We based the Share amounts on each person's beneficial ownership of Shares as of April 9, 2018.

        Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC. In computing the number of Shares beneficially owned by a person and the percentage of ownership held by that person, Shares subject to options or which are otherwise subject to vesting and that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of the date of this Offer to Purchase are deemed outstanding. These Shares, however, are not deemed outstanding for purposes of computing percentage ownership of each other shareholder.

        Based on our records and on information provided to us by our directors, executive officers, affiliates and subsidiaries, neither we nor our directors, executive officers, affiliates or subsidiaries have effected any transactions in the Shares during the 60 days prior to the date hereof, except as follows:

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        White Mountains's Long-Term Incentive Plan (the "LTIP") provides for grants of various types of share-based and non-share-based incentive awards to our key employees and service providers, including stock options, restricted Shares, performance Shares and performance units. The LTIP as adopted by the Board, was approved by the Company's sole shareholder in 1985 and was subsequently amended by its shareholders in 1995, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2010 and 2013. The compensation committee of the Board (the "Compensation Committee") administers the LTIP and has the authority to select employees, directors and consultants to receive awards under the LTIP, determine the type, size and terms of awards granted under the LTIP, and interpret the LTIP and related awards.

        The LTIP provides that up to 250,000 Shares could be granted "at target" under the LTIP with up to 500,000 Shares actually issuable if all grants were made as performance Share grants that paid out at 200% of target and were settled with Shares. The maximum amount of performance Shares that can be granted to a participant pursuant to an award of performance Shares with respect to any particular award period of one year or more cannot exceed 25,000 Shares. The maximum amount of compensation that can be earned by a participant with respect to a grant of performance units made in any single year cannot exceed $25,000,000. A participant cannot receive options or stock appreciation rights on more than 50,000 Shares during any one year. In the event of certain events effecting the capitalization of the Company, such as a recapitalization or stock split, the maximum number of Shares available for issuance under the LTIP, the individual limits described above, the number of Shares underlying outstanding awards and the exercise price applicable to outstanding awards may be equitably adjusted as determined by the Compensation Committee.

        White Mountains takes a more conservative approach in managing the LTIP than required by the NYSE by counting the target number of Shares granted (whether or not ultimately earned or, if earned, paid in common shares). Based on this approach, as of April 9, 2018, White Mountains actually has issued 178,402 Shares, meaning that 71,598 Shares remained available for future grants at target under the LTIP, which could result in up to 143,196 Shares being issued.

        Pursuant to the LTIP, the Compensation Committee has typically structured our long-term incentive compensation as performance Shares and restricted Shares. Performance Shares are awards of phantom units some or all of which are earned if performance goals established by the Compensation Committee are satisfied over a specified award period, usually three years. Based on the level of performance against established goals, the number of performance Shares earned can range from 0% to 200% of the number of target Shares originally granted. Performance Shares are typically paid in cash, though all or a portion may be settled in Shares at the election of the Compensation Committee. Awards of performance Shares are generally forfeited if any participant terminates employment with the Company and its subsidiaries prior to the end of the award period for any reason other than death, disability or retirement, or pursuant to a trigger event following a change in control. Restricted Shares are Shares that may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged, hypothecated or otherwise disposed of during a period designated by the Compensation Committee. The Company may repurchase the

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restricted stock at the price specified by the Compensation Committee at the time of grant if the holder's employment with the Company terminates before the end of the applicable restricted period for a reason other than death, disability or, in the discretion of the Board, retirement or other voluntary termination, or pursuant to a trigger event following a change in control.

        As of April 9, 2018, our executive officers held the following number of performance Shares and restricted Shares (with performance Shares calculated based on target performance): Reid T. Campbell—6,500 performance Shares and 6,500 restricted Shares; J. Brian Palmer—1,620 performance Shares and 1,620 restricted Shares; G. Manning Rountree—9,000 performance Shares and 9,000 restricted Shares; Robert L. Seelig—5,800 performance Shares and 5,800 restricted Shares; and all executive officers as a group—22,920 performance Shares and 22,920 restricted Shares. Our non-employee directors do not hold any awards subject to vesting under the LTIP. See below for further discussion on the compensation arrangements for our directors.

Director Compensation

        Management directors do not receive any additional compensation for their role as a director. Each non-management director receives an annual retainer of $135,000. Mr. Gelston, who joined the Board in March 2018, received a retainer of $33,750, which represents 25% of the annual retainer for each non-management director. Ms. Choksi, who joined the Board in August 2017, received a retainer of $101,250, which represents 75% of the annual retainer for each non-management director. Additional retainers in the following amounts are provided to those directors serving in the following roles: Chairman of the Audit Committee ($100,000), Deputy Chairman ($50,000), Chairman of any other Board committee ($25,000) and members of the Audit Committee ($15,000). Retainers are generally paid in cash.

        On May 25, 2017, all non-management directors received an annual grant of 250 Shares, except for (i) Mr. Davis who received 350 Shares for his role as Chairman of the Board, (ii) Mr. Gelston, who received 63 Shares upon his joining the Board in March 2018 (representing a prorated portion of his annual director equity award) and (iii) Ms. Choksi, who received 188 Shares upon her joining the Board in August 2017 (representing a prorated portion of his annual director equity award). Mr. Brouillette received additional Shares for payment of his retainer in lieu of cash. All Shares issued were valued at $808.49 per Share, the market price on the date the Shares were granted, except for (i) those granted to Mr. Gelston, whose Shares were valued at $810.32 per Share, the market price on the date the Shares were granted and (ii) those granted to Ms. Choksi, whose Shares were valued at $864.18 per Share, the market price on the date the Shares were granted.

        Directors who serve as directors of the Company's subsidiaries or affiliates typically receive additional compensation for their service. Mr. Davis received $89,000 in compensation as a director of our former subsidiary, OneBeacon Insurance Group, Ltd. ("OneBeacon"), $60,000 in compensation as the Company's representative on the Board of Compare.com and $40,000 in compensation as a director of MediaAlpha. Mr. Smith received $276,500 in director compensation as the Chairman of OneBeacon.

Other Arrangements

        We have no employment or change-in-control arrangements with our current executive officers. Our executive officers generally receive an annual base salary and are eligible to receive an annual bonus based on the performance of his respective business unit. The aggregate bonus pool size for each business unit could range from 0% to 200% of target, depending on performance. Individual bonuses can vary widely around the pool average based on individual performance and no cap (other than the size of the pool) applies to any single individual. Further, at White Mountains, severance benefits to our executive officers, if any, are determined by the Compensation Committee in its sole discretion. At

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our operating subsidiaries, our executive officers participate in the severance plans, if any, generally applicable to such officers at those companies.

        Our executive officers are generally eligible to participate in the White Mountains Retirement Plan. The White Mountains Retirement Plan contains cash deferred arrangements. Participants in the White Mountains Retirement Plan may direct the trustee of the White Mountains Retirement Plan to invest funds in any investment option available under the White Mountains Retirement Plan. The White Mountains Retirement Plan provides employees with a menu of investment options, including Shares. Our executive officers also participate in our other benefit plans on the same terms as our other employees, and are eligible for limited perquisites.

        12.    Certain Legal Matters.     The Company is not aware of any license or regulatory permit that appears to be material to its business that might be adversely affected by its acquisition of Shares as contemplated in the Offer or of any approval or other action by any government or governmental, administrative or regulatory authority or agency, domestic, foreign or supranational, that would be required for the Company's acquisition or ownership of Shares pursuant to the Offer. Should any such approval or other action be required, the Company currently contemplates that it will seek such approval or other action. The Company cannot predict whether it may determine that it is required to delay the acceptance for payment of Shares tendered pursuant to the Offer pending the outcome of any such matter. There can be no assurance that any such approval or other action, if needed, would be obtained or would be obtained without substantial conditions or that the failure to obtain any such approval or other action might not result in adverse consequences to the Company's business. The Company intends to make all required filings under the Exchange Act.

        As of the date of this Offer to Purchase, there are no material legal proceedings relating to the Offer.

        The Company's obligation under the Offer to accept Shares for payment is subject to certain conditions. See "Section 8. Conditions to the Offer".

        13.    Effects of the Offer on the Market for Shares; Registration Under the Exchange Act.     The purchase by the Company of Shares under the Offer will reduce our "public float" (the number of Shares owned by non-affiliate shareholders and available for trading in the securities markets). This reduction in our public float may result in lower stock prices and/or reduced liquidity in the trading market for the Shares following completion of the Offer. In addition, the Offer may reduce the number of White Mountains shareholders. As of April 9, 2018, we had 3,753,405 issued and outstanding Shares. Shareholders may be able to sell non-tendered Shares in the future on the NYSE or otherwise, at a net price higher or lower than the Purchase Price in the Offer. We can give no assurance, however, as to the price at which a shareholder may be able to sell such Shares in the future.

        We anticipate that there will be a sufficient number of Shares outstanding and publicly traded following completion of the Offer to ensure a continued trading market for such Shares. Based upon published guidelines of the NYSE, we do not believe that our purchase of Shares under the Offer will cause the remaining outstanding Shares to be delisted from the NYSE.

        The Shares are currently "margin securities" under the rules of the Federal Reserve Board. This classification has the effect, among other things, of allowing brokers to extend credit to their customers using the Shares as collateral. The Company believes that, following the purchase of Shares under the Offer, the Shares remaining outstanding will continue to be margin securities for purposes of the Federal Reserve Board's margin rules and regulations.

        The Shares are registered under the Exchange Act, which requires, among other things, that we furnish certain information to our shareholders and the SEC and comply with the SEC's proxy rules in connection with meetings of our shareholders. We believe that our purchase of Shares under the Offer will not result in the Shares becoming eligible for deregistration under the Exchange Act.

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        14.    Extension of the Offer; Termination; Amendment.     Subject to the terms and conditions of the Offer, the Company expressly reserves the right, in its sole discretion, at any time and from time to time, and regardless of whether or not any of the events set forth in "Section 8. Conditions to the Offer" shall have occurred or shall be deemed by the Company to have occurred, to extend the period of time during which the Offer is open and thereby delay acceptance for payment of any Shares by giving oral or written notice of such extension to the Depositary and making a public announcement thereof. During any such extension, all Shares previously tendered and not purchased or withdrawn will remain subject to the Offer, except to the extent that such Shares may be withdrawn as set forth in "Section 3. Withdrawal Rights".

        The Company also expressly reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to withdraw or terminate the Offer and not accept for payment or pay for any Shares not theretofore accepted for payment or paid for or, subject to applicable law, to postpone payment for Shares upon the occurrence of any of the conditions specified in Section 8 by giving oral or written notice of the termination or postponement to the Depositary and making a public announcement of the termination or postponement. Additionally, the Company expressly reserves the right, subject to applicable law, to postpone payment for Shares under circumstances including but not limited to the occurrence of any of the conditions specified in "Section 8. Conditions to the Offer" by notifying the Depositary and making a public announcement thereof. However, the ability of the Company to delay the payment for Shares which the Company has accepted for payment is limited by Rule 13e-4(f)(5) promulgated under the Exchange Act, which requires that bidder pay the consideration offered or return the securities deposited by, or on behalf of, holders of securities promptly after the termination or withdrawal of the Offer.

        If the Company is delayed in its payment for the Shares or is unable to pay for the Shares pursuant to the Offer for any reason, then, without prejudice to the Company's rights under the Offer, the Depositary may retain tendered Shares on behalf of the Company, and such Shares may not be withdrawn except to the extent tendering shareholders are entitled to withdrawal rights as described in "Section 3. Withdrawal Rights".

        Subject to compliance with applicable law, the Company further reserves the right, in its sole discretion, and regardless of whether or not any of the events set forth in "Section 8. Conditions to the Offer" shall have occurred or shall be deemed by the Company to have occurred, to amend the Offer in any respect (including by decreasing or increasing the consideration offered in the Offer or by increasing or decreasing the number of Shares being sought in the Offer). Amendments to the Offer may be made at any time, effected by public announcement thereof. Such announcement, in the case of an extension, is to be issued no later than 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the next business day after the previously scheduled Expiration Time. Any disclosure of a material change in the information published, sent or given to shareholders will be disseminated promptly to shareholders in a manner reasonably calculated to inform shareholders of such change to the extent required by

        Rules 13e-4(d)(2) and 13e-4(e)(3) promulgated under the Exchange Act. Without limiting the manner in which the Company may choose to make a public announcement pursuant to or concerning the Offer, except as required by applicable law, the Company shall have no obligation to publish, advertise or otherwise communicate any such public announcement other than by making a release to the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times or another comparable service.

        If the Company makes a material change in the terms of the Offer or the information concerning the Offer, or if it waives a material condition of the Offer, the Company will extend the Offer to the extent required by Rules 13e-4(e)(3) and 13e-4(f)(1) promulgated under the Exchange Act. If we make any change to the purchase price range at which we are offering to purchase Shares in the Offer, decrease the number of Shares purchasable in the Offer or increase the number of Shares sought in the Offer by an amount exceeding 2% of our outstanding Shares, the Offer must remain open a minimum of ten business days from and including the date such change is first published, sent or given

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to shareholders in the manner specified in this Section 14. The minimum period during which the Offer must remain open following material changes in the terms of the Offer or information concerning the Offer, other than a change in price or change in percentage of Shares sought, will depend upon the facts and circumstances then existing, including the relative materiality of the changed terms or information. In a public release, the SEC has stated its views that an offer must remain open for a minimum period of time following a material change in the terms of the Offer and that waiver of a material condition is a material change in the terms of the Offer. The release states that an offer should remain open for a minimum of five business days from the date a material change is first published or sent or given to security holders and that, if material changes are made with respect to information not materially less significant than the offer price and the number of Shares being sought, a minimum of 10 business days may be required to allow for adequate dissemination to shareholders and investor response. For purposes of the Offer, a "business day" means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or United States Federal holiday and consists of the time period from 12:01 a.m. through 12:00 midnight, New York City time. The requirements to extend the Offer do not apply to the extent that the number of business days remaining between the occurrence of the change and the then-scheduled Expiration Time equals or exceeds the minimum extension period that would be required because of such amendment.

        15.    Fees and Expenses.     Except as set forth below, the Company will not pay any fees or commissions to any broker, dealer or other person for soliciting tenders of Shares pursuant to the Offer.

        We have retained J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Barclays Capital Inc. severally to act as the Dealer Managers in connection with the Offer. In their roles as such, the Dealer Managers may contact brokers, dealers and similar entities and may provide information regarding the Offer to those that it contacts or persons that contact it. The Dealer Managers will receive reasonable and customary compensation for their services in connection with the Offer. The Company has also agreed to reimburse the Dealer Managers for certain out-of-pocket expenses and to indemnify the Dealer Managers against certain liabilities which could occur in connection with the Offer, including certain liabilities under the federal securities laws. The Dealer Managers have provided in the past, and are currently providing, various investment banking and other services to us, for which services they receive customary compensation from us. In particular, an affiliate of Barclays Capital Inc. is an agent and lender under our revolving credit facility. We expect the Dealer Managers and their respective affiliates to continue to render such services, for which they would expect to continue to receive customary compensation from us. Additionally, in the ordinary course of business, including in its trading and brokerage operations and in a fiduciary capacity, the Dealer Managers and their respective affiliates may hold positions, both long and short, for their own accounts and for those of their customers, in our securities, including the Shares, and/or other financial instruments.

        We have also retained D.F. King to act as Information Agent in connection with the Offer. The Information Agent will assist shareholders who request assistance in connection with the Offer and may request brokers, dealers and other nominee shareholders to forward material relating to the Offer to beneficial owners for which they act as nominees. D.F. King will receive reasonable and customary compensation for its services in connection with the Offer and will be reimbursed for reasonable expenses, including the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel. The Company has agreed to indemnify D.F. King against certain liabilities which could occur in connection with the Offer, including certain liabilities under the federal securities laws. D.F. King has not been retained and is not authorized to make solicitations or recommendations in connection with the Offer in its role as Information Agent.

        We have also retained Computershare to act as Depositary in connection with the Offer. Computershare, in its capacity as Depositary, will receive reasonable and customary compensation for its services in connection with the Offer and will be reimbursed by us for reasonable expenses, including reasonable fees and expenses of counsel. The Company has agreed to indemnify

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Computershare against certain liabilities which could occur in connection with the Offer, including liabilities under the federal securities laws.

        The Company will not pay any fees or commissions to any broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other person (other than fees to the Dealer Managers, the Information Agent and Depositary), for soliciting Shares pursuant to the Offer. The Company will, however, on request, reimburse such persons for customary handling and mailing expenses incurred in forwarding materials in respect of the Offer to the beneficial owners for which they act as nominees. No broker, dealer, commercial bank or trust company has been authorized to act as an agent for the Company, the Dealer Managers, the Information Agent or the Depositary for the purpose of the Offer. The Company will not pay (or cause to be paid) any share transfer taxes on its purchase of Shares pursuant to the Offer, except as otherwise provided in this Offer to Purchase or in Instruction 6 of the Letter of Transmittal.

        Certain officers and employees of the Company may render services in connection with the Offer, but they will not receive any additional compensation for such services.

        16.    Miscellaneous.     The Offer is being made to all holders of Shares. The Company is not aware of any U.S. State where the making of the Offer is prohibited by administrative or judicial action pursuant to any valid state statute. If the Company becomes aware of any valid state statute prohibiting the making of the Offer or the acceptance of Shares pursuant thereto, the Company will make a good faith effort to comply with any such state statute or seek to have such statute declared inapplicable to the Offer. If, after such good faith effort, the Company cannot comply with any such state statute, the Offer will not be made to (nor will tenders be accepted from or on behalf of) the holders of Shares in such state. In any jurisdiction where the securities, blue sky or other laws require the Offer to be made by a licensed broker or dealer, the Offer will be deemed to be made on behalf of the Company by one or more registered brokers or dealers licensed under the laws of such jurisdiction.

        OUR BOARD HAS APPROVED THE OFFER. HOWEVER, NONE OF THE COMPANY, OUR BOARD, THE DEALER MANAGERS, THE DEPOSITARY OR THE INFORMATION AGENT MAKES ANY RECOMMENDATION AS TO WHETHER ANY SHAREHOLDER SHOULD TENDER OR REFRAIN FROM TENDERING SHARES PURSUANT TO THE OFFER, OR AS TO THE PRICE OR PRICES AT WHICH A SHAREHOLDER MAY CHOOSE TO TENDER SHARES. EACH SHAREHOLDER MUST MAKE HIS OR HER OWN DECISION AFTER CONSULTING WITH HIS OR HER OWN ADVISORS WHETHER TO TENDER SHARES AND, IF SO, HOW MANY SHARES TO TENDER AND THE PRICE OR PRICES AT WHICH SUCH SHAREHOLDER WILL TENDER THEM. IN DOING SO, SHAREHOLDERS SHOULD READ CAREFULLY THE INFORMATION SET FORTH OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THIS OFFER TO PURCHASE AND IN THE RELATED LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, INCLUDING THE PURPOSES AND EFFECTS OF THE OFFER. SEE "SECTION 5. PURPOSE OF THE OFFER; CERTAIN EFFECTS OF THE OFFER". YOU SHOULD READ CAREFULLY THE INFORMATION SET FORTH OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THIS OFFER TO PURCHASE OR IN THE RELATED LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, INCLUDING OUR REASONS FOR MAKING THE OFFER. SEE "SECTION 5. PURPOSE OF THE OFFER; CERTAIN EFFECTS OF THE OFFER".

NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFER OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS OFFER TO PURCHASE OR IN THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL. IF MADE OR GIVEN, SUCH RECOMMENDATION AND SUCH INFORMATION AND REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY, OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS, THE DEALER MANAGERS, THE DEPOSITARY OR THE INFORMATION AGENT.

        The Company has filed with the SEC a Tender Offer Statement on Schedule TO, together with all exhibits thereto, pursuant to Rule 13e-4 promulgated under the Exchange Act, furnishing certain additional information with respect to the Offer. Such Schedule and any amendments thereto, including

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exhibits, may be inspected and copies may be obtained from the offices of the SEC in the manner set forth in "Section 9. Certain Information Concerning the Company" (except that they will not be available at the regional offices of the SEC).

White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd.

April 10, 2018

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SCHEDULE I

INFORMATION CONCERNING THE DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE
OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY

        Directors and Executive Officers of the Company.    Set forth in the table below are the names, titles, business addresses, telephone numbers and beneficial ownership of Shares information of the directors and executive officers of the Company. Each person identified below, except for the Company and Yves Brouillette (Canadian citizen), is a United States citizen.

        The address and telephone number of each person listed is c/o White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd., 80 South Main Street, Hanover, New Hampshire 03755, telephone (603) 640-2200.

NAME
  TITLE   Aggregate Number
Of Beneficially
Owned Shares
  Percentage Of Total
Beneficially Owned
Shares
 

Yves Brouillette

  Director     6,662     *  

Reid T. Campbell

  Executive VP and Chief Financial Officer     8,636     *  

Mary C. Choksi

  Director     188     *  

Morgan W. Davis

  Director and Chairman     18,339     *  

A. Michael Frinquelli

  Director     2,641     *  

Edith E. Holiday

  Director     2,102     *  

J. Brian Palmer

  Managing Director and Chief Accounting Officer     2,045     *  

G. Manning Rountree

  Director, Chief Executive Officer     6,747     *  

Robert L. Seelig

  Executive VP and
General Counsel
    18,046     *  

Lowndes A. Smith

  Director     2,902     *  

Gary C. Tolman

  Director     2,370     *  

Philip A. Gelston

  Director     63     *  

All directors and executive officers as a group (12 persons)

        70,741     1.9 %

*
Less than 1%.

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The Depositary for the Offer is:

Computershare Trust Company, N.A.

By First Class, Registered or
Certified Mail:
Computershare Trust
Company, N.A., Depositary
c/o Voluntary Corporate Actions
PO Box 43011
Providence, Rhode Island 02940-3011
  By Express or Overnight Delivery:
Computershare Trust
Company, N.A., Depositary
c/o Voluntary Corporate Actions
250 Royall Street, Suite V
Canton, Massachusetts 02021

        DELIVERY OF THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL TO AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE WILL NOT CONSTITUTE A VALID BINDING DELIVERY TO THE DEPOSITARY.

        Any questions or requests for assistance or for additional copies of this Offer to Purchase, the Letter of Transmittal or the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery may be directed to the Information Agent. Shareholders may also contact their broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee for assistance concerning the Offer.

The Information Agent for the Offer is:
D.F. King & Co., Inc.
48 Wall Street, 22nd Floor
New York, NY 10005

Banks and Brokerage Firms Please Call Collect: (212) 269-5550

All Others Call Toll Free: (800) 893-5865

Email: wtm@dfking.com

The Dealer Managers for the Offer are:

J.P. Morgan   Barclays

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
383 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10179
Direct: (212) 622-4401
Toll Free: (877) 371-5947

 

Barclays Capital Inc.
745 Seventh Avenue
New York, NY 10019
Direct: (212) 526-0111
Toll Free: (800) 438-3242



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Exhibit (a)(1)(B)

         LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL

To Tender Common Shares (CUSIP Number G9618E107)
of

WHITE MOUNTAINS INSURANCE GROUP, LTD.

Pursuant to the Offer to Purchase
Dated April 10, 2018

of up to 500,000 of its Common Shares
at a Purchase Price not greater than $875
or less than $825 per share.

        THE OFFER, PRORATION PERIOD AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE AT 12:00 MIDNIGHT, NEW YORK CITY TIME, AT THE END OF THE DAY ON MAY 7, 2018, UNLESS THE OFFER IS EXTENDED (SUCH TIME, AS IT MAY BE EXTENDED, THE "EXPIRATION TIME").


The Depositary for the Offer is:

Computershare Trust Company, N.A.

By First Class, Registered or   By Express or Overnight Delivery:
Certified Mail:   Computershare Trust Company, N.A.
Computershare Trust Company, N.A.   Depositary
Depositary   c/o Voluntary Corporate Actions
c/o Voluntary Corporate Actions   250 Royall Street, Suite V
PO Box 43011   Canton, Massachusetts 02021
Providence, Rhode Island    
02940-3011    

        YOU SHOULD READ CAREFULLY THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, INCLUDING THE ACCOMPANYING INSTRUCTIONS, BEFORE YOU COMPLETE IT. FOR THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL TO BE VALIDLY DELIVERED, IT MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE DEPOSITARY AT ONE OF THE ABOVE ADDRESSES BEFORE OUR OFFER EXPIRES (IN ADDITION TO THE OTHER REQUIREMENTS DETAILED IN THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND ITS INSTRUCTIONS). DELIVERY OF THIS INSTRUMENT TO AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN THOSE SHOWN ABOVE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A VALID DELIVERY. DELIVERIES TO THE COMPANY, THE INFORMATION AGENT, THE DEALER MANAGERS OR THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY ("DTC") WILL NOT BE FORWARDED TO THE DEPOSITARY AND WILL NOT CONSTITUTE A VALID DELIVERY.

        Indicate below the order (by certificate number) in which Shares are to be purchased in the event of proration (attach additional signed list if necessary). If you do not designate an order and if less than all Shares tendered are purchased due to proration, Shares will be selected for purchase by the Depositary. See Instruction 15.

    1st:     

  2nd:       
  3rd:       
   

 

 

4th:

 

 


 

5th:

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

o  Lost Certificates. My certificate(s) for Shares have been lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated, and I require assistance in replacing the Shares (See Instruction 14).

 

 

 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
  DESCRIPTION OF SHARES TENDERED
(See Instructions 3 and 4)

   
            Shares Tendered
(Attach additional list if necessary)
   
     Name(s) and Address(es) of Registered Holder(s)
(Please fill in exactly as name (s) appear(s) on
certificate(s))
      Certificate
Number(s)*
      Number of Shares
Represented by
Certificate(s)*
      Total Number of
Shares
Represented by
Book entry
(Electronic Form)
Tendered
      Number of
Shares
Tendered**
   
 
                                          
 
                                          
 
                                          
 
                                          
 
                                          
 
                                          
 
               Total Shares                            
       *   Need not be completed if Shares are delivered by book-entry transfer.    
     **   Unless otherwise indicated, it will be assumed that all Shares represented by any certificates delivered to the Depositary are being tendered. See Instruction 4.    


VOLUNTARY CORPORATE ACTIONS COY: WTM


        This Letter of Transmittal is to be used only (a) if you desire to effect the tender transaction yourself, (b) if you intend to request your broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee to effect the transaction for you and the common shares of White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd. (the "Company"), par value $1.00 per share (the "Shares"), are not registered in the name of such broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee or (c) by a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee effecting the transaction as a registered owner or on behalf of a registered owner. A properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal (or photocopy thereof bearing original signature(s) and any required signature guarantees), any certificates representing Shares tendered and any other documents required by this Letter of Transmittal should be mailed, by express or overnight delivery, or delivered to the Depositary at the appropriate address set forth herein and must be received by the Depositary prior to 12:00 midnight, New York City time, at the end of the day on May 7, 2018, or such later time and date to which the Offer is extended.

        Any shareholder who desires to tender Shares and whose certificates are not immediately available, or who cannot comply with the procedures for book-entry transfer described in this Offer to Purchase on a timely basis, or who cannot deliver all required documents to the Depositary prior to the expiration of the Offer, may nevertheless tender such Shares by following the procedures for guaranteed delivery set forth in Section 2 of the Offer to Purchase. See Instruction 2.

        A shareholder owning beneficially or of record an aggregate of fewer than 100 Shares and who tenders all such Shares and satisfies the other requirements set forth in Instruction 8, may have all such Shares purchased before proration, if any, of the purchase of other Shares pursuant to the Offer.

        Your attention is directed to the following:

        We urge shareholders who hold Shares through a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee to consult their nominee to determine whether transaction costs are applicable if they tender Shares through their nominee and not directly to the Depositary.

        QUESTIONS AND REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE OR FOR ADDITIONAL COPIES OF THE OFFER TO PURCHASE OR THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE INFORMATION AGENT OR THE DEALER MANAGERS AT THEIR RESPECTIVE ADDRESSES OR TELEPHONE NUMBERS SET FORTH AT THE END OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.


VOLUNTARY CORPORATE ACTIONS COY: WTM


PLEASE READ CAREFULLY THE INSTRUCTIONS SET FORTH BELOW BEFORE COMPLETING THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.

o

  LOST CERTIFICATES: My certificate(s) for shares have been lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated, and I and require assistance in replacing the shares. See Instruction 14.

o

 

CHECK HERE IF TENDERED SHARES ARE BEING DELIVERED BY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER MADE TO AN ACCOUNT MAINTAINED BY THE DEPOSITARY WITH DTC AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING (ONLY PARTICIPANTS IN DTC MAY DELIVER COMMON SHARES BY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER):

 

  Name of Tendering Institution:    

 

  DTC Participant Number:    

 

  Account Number:    

 

  Transaction Code Number:    

 

o

  CHECK HERE IF CERTIFICATES FOR TENDERED SHARES ARE BEING DELIVERED PURSUANT TO A NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY PREVIOUSLY SENT TO THE DEPOSITARY AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:

 

  Name(s) of the Tendering Shareholder(s):    

 

  Window Ticket Number (if any):    

 

  Date of Execution of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery:    

 

  Name of Eligible Institution Which Guaranteed Delivery:    

 

  DTC Participant Number (if delivered by book-entry transfer):    

 

  Transaction Code Number (if delivered by book-entry transfer):    


VOLUNTARY CORPORATE ACTIONS COY: WTM



PRICE PER SHARE AT WHICH SHARES ARE BEING TENDERED
(See Instruction 7)

CHECK ONLY THE BOX UNDER 1 OR 2 BELOW.

IF BOTH BOXES UNDER 1 OR 2 ARE CHECKED OR IF NEITHER OF THE BOXES UNDER 1 OR 2 ARE CHECKED, THERE IS NO VALID TENDER OF SHARES.

1.

 

SHARES TENDERED AT A PRICE DETERMINED PURSUANT TO THE OFFER

o

 

By checking this box INSTEAD OF ONE OF THE BOXES UNDER 2 BELOW, the undersigned hereby tenders Shares and is willing to accept the purchase price determined pursuant to the Offer. This action will maximize the chance of having the Company purchase all of the Shares tendered by the undersigned (subject to the possibility of proration). The undersigned understands that this election could result in the tendered shares being purchased at the minimum price of $825 per Share.

—OR—

2.

 

SHARES TENDERED AT A PRICE DETERMINED BY SHAREHOLDER

 

 

By checking ONE of the boxes below INSTEAD OF THE BOX UNDER 1 ABOVE, the undersigned hereby tenders Shares at the price checked the corresponding box in the section below captioned "Price (in Dollars) per Share at which Shares are Being Tendered". This action could result in none of the Shares being purchased if the purchase price for the Shares is less than the price checked. If the purchase price for the Shares is equal to or greater than the price checked, then the Shares purchased by the Company will be purchased at the purchase price. All Shares so purchased by the Company will be purchased at the same price regardless of whether the shareholder tendered at a lower price. A shareholder who wishes to tender Shares at more than one price must complete a separate Letter of Transmittal for each price at which Shares are being tendered. The same Shares cannot be tendered (unless such Shares were previously withdrawn in accordance with the terms of the Offer) at more than one price.

 

 

PRICE (IN DOLLARS) PER SHARE AT WHICH SHARES ARE BEING TENDERED.

 

 

CHECK ONLY ONE BOX BELOW. IF MORE THAN ONE BOX BELOW IS CHECKED OR IF NO BOX BELOW IS CHECKED, THERE IS NO VALID TENDER OF SHARES.

 

o   $ 825   o   $ 826   o   $ 827   o   $ 828   o   $ 829  
o   $ 830   o   $ 831   o   $ 832   o   $ 833   o   $ 834  
o   $ 835   o   $ 836   o   $ 837   o   $ 838   o   $ 839  
o   $ 840   o   $ 841   o   $ 842   o   $ 843   o   $ 844  
o   $ 845   o   $ 846   o   $ 847   o   $ 848   o   $ 849  
o   $ 850   o   $ 851   o   $ 852   o   $ 853   o   $ 854  
o   $ 855   o   $ 856   o   $ 857   o   $ 858   o   $ 859  
o   $ 860   o   $ 861   o   $ 862   o   $ 863   o   $ 864  
o   $ 865   o   $ 866   o   $ 867   o   $ 868   o   $ 869  
o   $ 870   o   $ 871   o   $ 872   o   $ 873   o   $ 874  
o   $ 875                                          


VOLUNTARY CORPORATE ACTIONS COY: WTM



ODD LOTS
(See Instruction 8)

        As described in Section 1 of the Offer to Purchase, under certain conditions, a shareholder owning beneficially or of record an aggregate of fewer than 100 Shares and who tenders all such Shares and satisfies the other requirements set forth in the Offer to Purchase, may have his or her Shares accepted for payment before any proration of other tendered Shares. This preference is not available to partial tenders, or to beneficial or record holders of an aggregate of 100 or more Shares, even if these holders have separate accounts representing fewer than 100 Shares. Accordingly, this section is to be completed only if Shares are being tendered by or on behalf of a person owning, beneficially or of record, an aggregate of fewer than 100 Shares. The undersigned either (check one box):

        In addition, the undersigned is tendering all such Shares either (check one box):


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NOTE: SIGNATURES MUST BE PROVIDED BELOW
PLEASE READ THE ACCOMPANYING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY

Ladies and Gentlemen:

        The undersigned hereby tenders to White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd., a company organized under the laws of Bermuda (the "Company"), the above-described Common Shares, par value $1.00 per share, of the Company (the "Shares"), at the price indicated in this Letter of Transmittal, net to the seller in cash, less any applicable withholding taxes and without interest, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase dated April 10, 2018 (the "Offer to Purchase"), receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, and in this Letter of Transmittal (which together, as they may be amended or supplemented from time to time, constitute the "Offer").

        Subject to, and effective upon, acceptance for payment for the Shares tendered herewith in accordance with the terms of the Offer (including, if the Offer is extended or amended, the terms or conditions of any such extension or amendment), the undersigned hereby sells, assigns and transfers to or upon the order of the Company all right, title and interest in and to all the Shares tendered hereby, or orders the registration of such Shares delivered by book-entry transfer, that are purchased pursuant to the Offer and hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints the Depositary for the Offer, Computershare Trust Company, N.A. (the "Depositary"), the true and lawful agent and attorney-in-fact of the undersigned with respect to such Shares, with full power of substitution (such power of attorney being deemed to be an irrevocable power coupled with an interest), to:

        The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that:


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        The undersigned understands that the purchase price will be the lowest price per Share (in increments of $1.00) not less than $825 (such price per Share or such other price that may be set forth in an amendment to the Offer referred to as the "Purchase Price") selected by the Company that will allow the Company to purchase the number of Shares sought in the Offer or, if a lesser number is properly tendered, all Shares that are properly tendered and not properly withdrawn, net to the seller in cash, less any applicable withholding taxes and without interest, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer, including the proration provisions thereof, and that the Company will promptly return all other Shares, including Shares not purchased because of proration.

        The undersigned understands that tenders of Shares pursuant to any one of the procedures described in Section 2 of the Offer to Purchase and in the instructions hereto will constitute a binding agreement between the undersigned and the Company upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer.

        The undersigned recognizes that, under certain circumstances set forth in the Offer to Purchase, the Company may terminate or amend the Offer or may not be required to accept for payment any of the Shares tendered herewith or may accept for payment, fewer than all the Shares tendered herewith in accordance with the priority and proration provisions described in Section 1 of the Offer to Purchase.

        All authority conferred or agreed to be conferred in this Letter of Transmittal shall survive the death or incapacity of the undersigned, and any obligation of the undersigned hereunder shall be binding upon the heirs, personal representatives, successors and assigns of the undersigned. Except as stated in the Offer, this tender is irrevocable.

        Unless otherwise indicated under "Special Payment Instructions", please issue the check for the aggregate Purchase Price and/or return or issue the certificate(s) evidencing any Shares not tendered or not accepted for payment in the name(s) of the registered holder(s) appearing under "Description of Shares Tendered". Similarly, unless otherwise indicated under "Special Delivery Instructions", please mail the check for the aggregate Purchase Price and/or the certificate(s) evidencing any Shares not tendered or not accepted for payment (and accompanying documents, as appropriate) to the address(es) of the registered holder(s) appearing under "Description of Shares Tendered". In the event that both the "Special Delivery Instructions" and the "Special Payment Instructions" are completed, please issue the check for the aggregate Purchase Price and/or issue or return the certificate(s) evidencing any Shares not tendered or accepted for payment in the name(s) of, and deliver said check and/or certificate(s) to, the person or persons so indicated. In the case of book-entry delivery of Shares, please credit the account maintained at DTC with any Shares not accepted for payment. The undersigned recognizes that the Company has no obligation pursuant to the "Special Payment Instructions" to transfer any Shares from the name(s) of the registered holder(s) thereof if the Company does not accept for payment any of the Shares so tendered.


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PLEASE READ THE ACCOMPANYING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY

     SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS
(See Instructions 4 and 9)
          SPECIAL PAYMENT INSTRUCTIONS
(See Instructions 1, 4, 5, 6, 8 and 9)
   
                 To be completed ONLY if the check for the aggregate Purchase Price of Shares purchased and/or certificates for Shares not tendered or not purchased are to be mailed to someone other than the undersigned or to the undersigned at an address other than that shown below the undersigned's signature.

Mail o check and/or o certificates to:
                      To be completed ONLY if the check for the aggregate Purchase Price of Shares purchased and/or certificates for Shares not tendered or not purchased are to be issued in the name of someone other than the undersigned.

Issue any (check and/or (certificates to:
   
                 Name        
 
                        (Please Print)    
    Name                        
 
         (Please Print)           Address        
 
                              
     Address                        
 
                         (Please Include Zip Code)    
                              
 
                     (Taxpayer Identification Number)    
                              
 
         (Please Include Zip Code)                    

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SIGN HERE
(See Instructions 1 and 5)
(Please complete Substitute Form W-9 below or appropriate W-8, as applicable)
By signing below, the undersigned expressly agrees to the terms and
conditions set forth above.

Signature(s) of Owner(s)    

 

Name(s)    
    (Please Print)

 

Capacity (full title)    

 

Address    

 

 

 
    (Include Zip Code)

 

Area Code and Telephone Number

 

Taxpayer Identification or Social Security Number
(See Instruction 11)

 

Dated    

 

 

 

        (Must be signed by registered holder(s) exactly as name(s) appear(s) on share certificate(s) or on a security position listing or by person(s) authorized to become registered holder(s) by certificates and documents transmitted herewith. If signature is by a trustee, executor, administrator, guardian, attorney-in-fact, agent, officer of a corporation or other person acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, please set forth full title. See Instruction 5.)

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SIGN HERE
(See Instructions 1 and 5)
(Please complete Substitute Form W-9 below or appropriate W-8, as applicable)
By signing below, the undersigned expressly agrees to the terms and
conditions set forth above.

Signature(s) of Owner(s)    

 

Name(s)    
    (Please Print)

 

Capacity (full title)    

 

Address    

 

 

 
    (Include Zip Code)

 

Area Code and Telephone Number

 

Taxpayer Identification or Social Security Number
(See Instruction 11)

 

Dated    

 

 

 

        (Must be signed by registered holder(s) exactly as name(s) appear(s) on share certificate(s) or on a security position listing or by person(s) authorized to become registered holder(s) by certificates and documents transmitted herewith. If signature is by a trustee, executor, administrator, guardian, attorney-in-fact, agent, officer of a corporation or other person acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, please set forth full title. See Instruction 5.)

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GUARANTEE OF SIGNATURE(S)
(See Instructions 1 and 5)

Authorized Signature    

 

Name(s)    
    (Please Print)

 

Title    

 

Name of Firm    

 

Address    
    (Include Zip Code)

 

Area Code and Telephone Number    

 

Dated    

 

 

 

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IMPORTANT TAX INFORMATION

        Under U.S. Federal income tax law, a shareholder whose tendered Shares are accepted for payment is required by law to provide the Depositary with such shareholder's correct taxpayer identification number ("TIN") on the Substitute Form W-9 below. If the Depositary is not provided with the correct TIN, the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") may subject the shareholder or other payee to a $250 penalty. In addition, payments that are made to such shareholder or other payee with respect to Shares purchased pursuant to the Offer may be subject to 24% backup withholding.

        Certain shareholders (including, among others, certain corporations and certain foreign individuals) are not subject to these backup withholding and reporting requirements and should indicate their status by writing "exempt" across the face of the Substitute Form W-9. In order for a foreign individual to qualify as an exempt recipient, the shareholder must submit a Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E or other applicable form, signed under penalties of perjury, attesting to that individual's exempt status. A Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E can be obtained from the Depositary. See the enclosed "Guidelines for Certification of Taxpayer Identification Number on Substitute Form W-9" for more instructions.

        If backup withholding applies, the Depositary is required to withhold 24% of any such payments to be made to the shareholder or other payee. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Rather, the tax liability of persons subject to backup withholding will be reduced by the amount of tax withheld. If backup withholding results in an overpayment of taxes, a refund may be obtained from the IRS, provided that the required information is timely given to the IRS.

        The box in Part 3 of the Substitute Form W-9 may be checked if the tendering shareholder has not been issued a TIN and has applied for a TIN or intends to apply for a TIN in the near future. If the box in Part 3 is checked, the shareholder or other payee must also complete the Certificate of Awaiting Taxpayer Identification Number below in order to avoid backup withholding. Notwithstanding that the box in Part 3 is checked and the Certificate of Awaiting Taxpayer Identification Number is completed, the Depositary will withhold 24% on all payments made prior to the time a properly certified TIN is provided to the Depositary.

        The shareholder is required to give the Depositary the TIN (e.g., social security number or employer identification number) of the record owner of the Shares or of the last transferee appearing on the transfers attached to, or endorsed on, the certificates evidencing the Shares. If the Shares are registered in more than one name or are not registered in the name of the actual owner, consult the enclosed "Guidelines for Certification of Taxpayer Identification Number on Substitute Form W-9" for additional guidance on which number to report.

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    PAYER'S NAME: Computershare Trust Company, N.A.        
    SUBSTITUTE
FORM
W-9
      Part 1—PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR TIN IN THE BOX AT RIGHT AND CERTIFY BY SIGNING AND DATING BELOW       Social Security Number(s)
  
OR
  

  
Employer Identification Number(s)
   
    Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service       Part 2—Certification—Under penalties of perjury, I certify that:
(1) the number shown on this form is my correct Taxpayer Identification Number (or I am waiting for a number to be issued to me);
(2) I am not subject to backup withholding because (a) I am exempt from backup withholding or (b) I have not been notified by the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") that I am subject to backup withholding as a result of a failure to report all interest or dividends or (c) the IRS has notified me that I am no longer subject to backup withholding; and
(3) I am a U.S. citizen or other U.S. person for U.S. Federal income tax purposes; and
(4) The FACTA code(s) entered on this form (if any) indicating that I am exempt from FACTA reporting is correct.
        
  
  

  
  
  
Part 3
—Awaiting TIN o

  
  

  
 
Part 4—Exempt payee code (if any)                              

  
  
  
Part 5—Exemption from FATCA reporting code (if any)                                   
    
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
    Payer's Request for Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN)       Certification instructions—You must cross out item (2) in Part 2 above if you have been notified by the IRS that you are subject to backup withholding because of under-reporting interest or dividends on your tax returns. However, if after being notified by the IRS that you were subject to backup withholding you received another notification from the IRS stating that you are no longer subject to backup withholding, do not cross out such item (2). If you are exempt from backup withholding, check the box in Part 4 above.    
    SIGN SIGNATURE OF U.S. PERSON
HERE DATE
       

YOU MUST COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING CERTIFICATE IF YOU CHECKED
THE BOX IN PART 3 OF SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9

CERTIFICATE OF AWAITING TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER

            I certify under penalties of perjury that a taxpayer identification number has not been issued to me, and either (a) I have mailed or delivered an application to receive a taxpayer identification number to the appropriate Internal Revenue Service Center or Social Security Administration Office or (b) I intend to mail or deliver such an application in the near future. I understand that if I do not provide a taxpayer identification number to Computershare Trust Company, N.A., 24% of all reportable payments made to me will be withheld, but will be refunded to me if I provide a certified taxpayer identification number within 60 days.

Signature

Date


NOTE:
FAILURE TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THIS SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 MAY RESULT IN BACKUP WITHHOLDING OF 24% OF ANY PAYMENTS MADE TO YOU PURSUANT TO THE OFFER. PLEASE REVIEW THE ENCLOSED GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

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GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER
IDENTIFICATION NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9

        Guidelines for Determining the Proper Identification Number to Give the PayerSocial Security numbers have nine digits separated by two hyphens: i.e., 000-00-0000. Employer identification numbers have nine digits separated by only one hyphen: i.e., 00-0000000. The table below will help determine the number to give the payer.

 
For this type of account
  Give the name and
  
SOCIAL SECURITY
  
number of:

 
1.   An individual's account   The individual
  Two or more individuals (joint account)   The actual owner of the account or, if combined funds, the first individual on the account1
3.   Custodian account of a minor (Uniform Gifts to Minors Act)   The minor2
4.   a.   The usual revocable savings trust (grantor is also trustee)   The grantor-trustee1
    b.   So-called trust account that is not a legal or valid trust under state law   The actual owner1
5.   Sole proprietorship or disregarded entity owned by an individual   The owner3
6.   Grantor trust filing under Optional Form 1099 Filing Method 1 (see Regulation section 1.671-4(b)(2)(i)(A))   The grantor*
 

 

 
For this type of account
  Give the name and
  
EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION
  
number of:

 
7.   Disregarded entity not owned by an individual   The owner
8.   A valid trust, estate, or pension trust   Legal entity4
9.   Corporation or LLC electing corporate status on Form 8832 or Form 2553   The corporation
10.   Association, club, religious, charitable, educational, or other tax- exempt organization   The organization
11.   Partnership or multi-member LLC   The partnership
12.   A broker or registered nominee   The broker or nominee
13.   Account with the Department of Agriculture in the name of a public entity (such as a state or local government, school district, or prison) that receives agricultural program payments   The public entity
14.   Grantor trust filing under the Form 1041 Filing Method or the Optional Form 1099 Filing Method 2 (see Regulation section 1.671-4(b)(2)(i)(B))   The trust
 
1.
List first and circle the name of the person whose number you furnish. If only one person on a joint account has an SSN, that person's number must be furnished.

2.
Circle the minor's name and furnish the minor's SSN.

3.
You must show your individual name and you may also enter your business or "doing business as" name on the "Business name/disregarded entity" name line. You may use either your SSN or EIN (if you have one), but the IRS encourages you to use your SSN.

4.
List first and circle the name of the legal trust, estate, or pension trust. (Do not furnish the TIN of the personal representative or trustee unless the legal entity itself is not designated in the account title.)

*
Note. Grantor must also provide a Form W-9 to trustee of trust.

        Note:    If no name is circled when more than one name is listed, the number will be considered to be that of the first name listed.

   

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        Resident Alien Individuals:    If you are a resident alien individual and you do not have and are not eligible to get an SSN, your TIN is your IRS individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN). Enter it in the social security number box. If you do not have an ITIN, see How to Obtain a TIN below.

How to Obtain a TIN

        If you don't have a taxpayer identification number or you don't know your number, obtain Form SS-5, Application for a Social Security Number Card, or Form SS-4, Application for Employer Identification Number, at the local office of the Social Security Administration or the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") and apply for a number. Resident alien individuals who are not eligible to get an SSN and need an ITIN should obtain Form W-7, Application for Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, from the IRS. You may obtain Form SS-4 and Form W-7 from the IRS's website at http://www.irs.gov.

Payees Exempt from Backup Withholding

        Payees exempt from backup withholding on all payments include the following:

        Other payees that may be exempt from backup withholding include:

        Payments of dividends and patronage dividends not generally subject to backup withholding include the following:

   

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        Payments of interest not generally subject to backup withholding include the following:

        Exempt payees described above should file Substitute Form W-9 to avoid possible erroneous backup withholding. FURNISH YOUR TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER, WRITE "EXEMPT" ON THE FACE OF THE FORM IN PART II, SIGN AND DATE THE FORM, AND RETURN IT TO THE PAYER.

        Certain payments, other than interest, dividends and patronage dividends that are not subject to information reporting are also not subject to backup withholding. For details, see the regulations under sections 6041, 6041A(a), 6045 and 6050A.

        Privacy Act Notice.—Section 6109 requires most recipients of dividend, interest or other payments to give their correct taxpayer identification numbers to payers who must report the payments to the IRS. The IRS uses the numbers for identification purposes and to help verify the accuracy of tax returns. Payers must be given the numbers whether or not recipients are required to file tax returns. Payers must generally withhold 24% (or such other rate specified by the Internal Revenue Code) of taxable interest, dividend and certain other payments to a payee who does not furnish a taxpayer identification number to a payer. Certain penalties may also apply.

Penalties

1.
Penalty for Failure to Furnish Taxpayer Identification Number.—If you fail to furnish your correct taxpayer identification number to a payer, you are subject to a penalty of $250 for each such failure unless your failure is due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect.

2.
Civil Penalty for False Information With Respect to Withholding.—If you make a false statement with no reasonable basis which results in no imposition of backup withholding, you are subject to a penalty of $500.

3.
Criminal Penalty for Falsifying Information.—Willfully falsifying certifications or affirmations may subject you to criminal penalties including fines and/or imprisonment.

        FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT YOUR TAX ADVISOR OR THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE.


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INSTRUCTIONS

Forming Part of the Terms and Conditions of the Offer

        1.    Guarantee of Signatures.    Signatures on this Letter of Transmittal must be guaranteed by a firm which is a member of the Securities Transfer Agent Medallion Program, the New York Stock Exchange Medallion Signature Program or the Stock Exchange Medallion Program (each, an "Eligible Institution"), except in cases where Shares are tendered (i) by a registered holder (which term, for purposes of this Letter of Transmittal, will include any participant in DTC whose name appears on a security position listing as the owner of the Shares) of Shares who has not completed either the box entitled "Special Payment Instructions" or the box entitled "Special Delivery Instructions" on this Letter of Transmittal or (ii) for the account of an Eligible Institution. Shareholders may also need to have any certificates they deliver endorsed or accompanied by a stock power, and the signatures on these documents also may need to be guaranteed. See Instruction 5.

        2.    Delivery of Letter of Transmittal and Shares; Guaranteed Delivery Procedures.    This Letter of Transmittal is to be used only if (a) certificates are to be forwarded with it to the Depositary or (b) delivery of Shares is to be made by book-entry transfer pursuant to the procedure set forth in Section 2 of the Offer to Purchase. Certificates for all physically delivered Shares, or a confirmation of a book-entry transfer of all Shares delivered electronically into the Depositary's account at DTC, together in each case with a properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal, with any required signature guarantees, and any other documents required by this Letter of Transmittal, must be received by the Depositary at one of its addresses set forth on the front page of this Letter of Transmittal before the Expiration Time (as defined in the Offer to Purchase). Delivery of documents to DTC does not constitute delivery to the Depositary.

        Shareholders whose certificates are not immediately available (or who cannot follow the procedures for book-entry transfer on a timely basis) or who cannot transmit this Letter of Transmittal and all other required documents to reach the Depositary before the Expiration Time, may nevertheless tender their Shares pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedure set forth in Section 2 of the Offer to Purchase. Pursuant to such procedure: (a) such tender must be made by or through an Eligible Institution, (b) the Depositary must receive by mail, express or overnight delivery, before the Expiration Time, a properly completed and duly executed Notice of Guaranteed Delivery substantially in the form the Company has provided with the Offer to Purchase and (c) the certificates for all tendered Shares in proper form for transfer (or confirmation of a book-entry transfer of all such Shares into the Depositary's account at DTC), together with a properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal and any other documents required by this Letter of Transmittal, must be received by the Depositary within two business days after the date of execution of such Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, all as provided in Section 2 of the Offer to Purchase.

        The method of delivery of all documents, including share certificates, this Letter of Transmittal and any other required documents, is at the option and risk of the tendering shareholder and delivery will be deemed made only when actually received by the Depositary (including, in the case of a book-entry transfer, by book-entry confirmation). If delivery is by mail, registered mail with return receipt requested, properly insured, is recommended. In all cases, sufficient time should be allowed to ensure timely delivery to the Depositary prior to the Expiration Time.

        No alternative, conditional or contingent tenders will be accepted, and no fractional Shares will be purchased. By executing this Letter of Transmittal, each tendering shareholder waives any right to receive any notice of the acceptance of such shareholder's tender.

        3.    Inadequate Space.    If the space provided in the box entitled "Description of Shares Tendered" is inadequate, the certificate numbers and/or the number of Shares should be listed on a separate signed schedule and attached to this Letter of Transmittal.


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        4.    Partial Tenders and Unpurchased Shares. (Not applicable to shareholders who deliver Shares by book-entry transfer).    If fewer than all the Shares evidenced by any certificate delivered to the Depositary are to be tendered, fill in the number of Shares that are to be tendered in the box entitled "Number of Shares Tendered". If such Shares are purchased, a new certificate for the remainder of the Shares evidenced by the old certificate(s) will be sent to and in the name of the registered holder(s) (unless otherwise specified by such holder(s) having completed either of the boxes entitled "Special Delivery Instructions" or "Special Payment Instructions" on this Letter of Transmittal) promptly following the expiration or termination of the Offer. All Shares represented by the certificate(s) listed and delivered to the Depositary will be deemed to have been tendered unless otherwise indicated.

        5.    Signatures on Letter of Transmittal; Share Powers; and Endorsements.    

(a)
If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder(s) of the Shares tendered herewith, the signature(s) must correspond exactly with the name(s) as written on the face of the certificates without any change whatsoever.

(b)
If any of the Shares tendered herewith are registered in the names of two or more joint owners, each such owner must sign this Letter of Transmittal.

(c)
If any of the Shares tendered herewith are registered in different names on different certificates, it will be necessary to complete, sign and submit as many separate Letters of Transmittal as there are different registrations of certificates.

(d)
If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder(s) of the Shares tendered herewith, no endorsements of certificates or separate share powers are required unless payment is to be made and/or certificates for Shares not tendered or not purchased are to be issued to a person other than the registered holder(s). If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by a person other than the registered holder(s) of the Shares tendered herewith, however, the certificates must be endorsed or accompanied by appropriate share powers, in either case, signed exactly as the name(s) of the registered holder(s) appear on the certificates for such Shares. Signatures on any such certificates or share powers must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution. See Instruction 1.

(e)
If this Letter of Transmittal or any share powers are signed, or any certificate is endorsed, by a trustee, executor, administrator, guardian, attorney-in-fact, agent, officer of a corporation or other person acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, such person should so indicate when signing and proper evidence satisfactory to the Company of the authority of such person so to act must be submitted.

        6.    Share Transfer Taxes.    The Company will pay any share transfer taxes with respect to the transfer and sale of Shares to it or its order pursuant to the Offer. If, however, payment of the aggregate Purchase Price is to be made to, or certificates for Shares not tendered or accepted for purchase are to be registered in the name of, any person other than the registered holder, or if tendered certificates are registered in the name of any person other than the person(s) signing this Letter of Transmittal, the amount of any share transfer taxes (whether imposed on the registered holder or such person) payable on account of the transfer to such person will be deducted from the aggregate Purchase Price unless satisfactory evidence of payment of such taxes or exemption therefrom is submitted.

        7.    Indication of Price at which Shares are Being Tendered.    If you want to tender your Shares you must properly complete the pricing section of this Letter of Transmittal, which is called "Price per Share at which Shares are Being Tendered". You must check either the box under "1. Shares Tendered at a Price Determined Pursuant to the Offer" or the box under "2. Shares Tendered at a Price Determined by the Shareholder". If both of such boxes are checked, or if neither of such boxes is checked, there is no valid tender of Shares. If you check the box under "2. Shares Tendered at a Price Determined by the Shareholder", you must additionally check one box in the section captioned "Price


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(in Dollars) per Share at which Shares are Being Tendered." corresponding to the price at which you want to tender your Shares; if more than one of such boxes is checked or if none of such boxes is checked, there is no valid tender of Shares. If you want to tender portions of your Shares at more than one price, you must complete a separate Letter of Transmittal for each price at which you tender Shares. However, the same Shares cannot be tendered at more than one price, unless such Shares were previously withdrawn as provided in Section 3 of the Offer to Purchase. By checking the box under "1. Shares Tendered at a Price Determined Pursuant to the Offer" instead of the box under "2. Shares Tendered at a Price Determined by the Shareholder", you are tendering Shares and are willing to accept the Purchase Price selected by the Company in accordance with the terms of the Offer. This action will maximize the chance of having the Company purchase your Shares (subject to the possibility of proration). You should understand that checking box under "1. Shares Tendered at a Price Determined Pursuant to the Offer" may lower the Purchase Price paid for all purchased Shares in the Offer and could result in the tendered Shares being purchased at the minimum price of $825.

        8.    Odd Lots.    As described in Sections 1 and 2 of the Offer to Purchase, if the number of Shares properly tendered at or below the Purchase Price and not properly withdrawn before the Expiration Time is greater than 500,000 (or such greater number of Shares as the Company may elect to purchase pursuant to the Offer, subject to applicable law), the Company, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer, will accept Shares for purchase first from all Shares properly tendered at or below the Purchase Price and not properly withdrawn before the Expiration Time by any shareholder who owns beneficially or of record an aggregate of fewer than 100 Shares and who tendered all Shares beneficially owned by such person (partial tenders of Shares will not qualify for this preference) and completed the box captioned "Odd Lots" in this Letter of Transmittal and, if applicable, on the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery. This preference will not be available unless the box above entitled "Odd Lots" is completed.

        9.    Irregularities.    All questions as to the price to be paid for the Shares to be accepted and the validity, form, eligibility (including time of receipt) and acceptance for payment of any tender of Shares will be determined by the Company in its reasonable discretion, which determination shall be final and binding on all parties. The Company reserves the absolute right to reject any and all tenders reasonably determined by it not to be in proper form or the acceptance for payment of which may, in the opinion of its counsel, be unlawful. The Company also reserves the absolute right to waive any condition of the Offer (except as provided in Section 8 of the Offer to Purchase) or any defect or irregularity in the tender of any particular Shares or any particular shareholder, whether or not similar defects or irregularities are waived in the case of other shareholders, and the Company's reasonable interpretation of the terms and conditions of the Offer (including these instructions) will be final and binding on all persons. No tender of Shares will be deemed to have been properly made until all defects and irregularities have been cured or waived to the satisfaction of the Company. The Company will not be liable for failure to waive any condition of the Offer, or any defect or irregularity in any tender of Shares. Neither the Company, nor any other person will be under any duty to give notification of any defects or irregularities in tenders or incur any liability for failure to give any such notification. The Company's reasonable interpretation of the terms of and conditions to the Offer, including this Letter of Transmittal and the instructions hereto, will be final and binding on all persons participating in the Offer. Any determination by the Company as to the validity, form, eligibility and acceptance of Shares for payment, or any interpretation by the Company as to the terms and conditions of the Offer, is subject to applicable law and, if challenged by shareholders in a lawsuit, to the judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction.

        10.    Special Payment and Delivery Instructions.    If the check for the aggregate Purchase Price of any Shares purchased is to be issued to, or any Shares not tendered or not purchased are to be returned in the name of, a person other than the person(s) signing this Letter of Transmittal or if the check or any certificates for Shares not tendered or not purchased are to be mailed to someone other than the person(s) signing this Letter of Transmittal or to the person(s) signing this Letter of Transmittal at an address other than that shown in the box entitled "Descriptions of Shares Tendered", the boxes entitled "Special Payment Instructions" and/or "Special Delivery Instructions" on this Letter of Transmittal should be completed.


VOLUNTARY CORPORATE ACTIONS COY: WTM


        11.    Request for Assistance or Additional Copies.    Requests for assistance or additional copies of the Offer to Purchase, this Letter of Transmittal or the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery may be directed to the Information Agent at its address, telephone numbers or email address set forth below.

        12.    Substitute Form W-9.    Except as provided above under "Important Tax Information", each tendering shareholder is required to provide the Depositary with a correct TIN on Substitute Form W-9 which is provided under "Important Tax Information" above. Failure to provide the information on the form may subject the tendering shareholder to a $250 penalty and a 24% Federal backup withholding tax may be imposed on the payments made to the shareholder or other payee with respect to Shares purchased pursuant to the Offer.

        13.    Non-U.S. Shareholder Withholding.    Non-U.S. shareholders should note that the 30% U.S. withholding tax generally applicable to distributions by U.S. corporations should not apply to the proceeds payable pursuant to the Offer (however, as indicated above under "Important Tax Information", U.S. Federal backup withholding tax may be applicable). Non-U.S. shareholders should not use Substitute Form W-9. Instead, non-U.S. shareholders must provide an appropriate form W-8 or suitable substitute.

        14.    Lost, Destroyed or Stolen Certificates.    If any certificate(s) for part or all of your shares has been lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated, you should contact Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as Depositary for the Company, at (877) 373-6374 (toll free in the United States and Canada) or (781) 575-2879 (outside the United States and Canada) to arrange for replacement of lost securities. This Letter of Transmittal and related documents cannot be processed until the procedures for replacing lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated certificates have been followed and the tender is deemed by the Depositary to be in proper form prior to the Expiration Time. You are urged to contact the Depositary immediately if you wish to tender Shares that you are unable to locate or have been destroyed. If you do not contact the Depositary promptly upon receipt of this Letter of Transmittal, you may not receive instructions for replacement in time to properly surrender your Shares for tender by the Expiration Time.

        The Letter of Transmittal, certificates for Shares and any other required documents should be sent or delivered by each shareholder of the Company or such shareholder's broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee to the Depositary at one of its addresses set forth below.


VOLUNTARY CORPORATE ACTIONS COY: WTM


The Depositary for the Offer is:

Computershare Trust Company, N.A.


By First Class, Registered or

 

By Express or Overnight Delivery:
Certified Mail:   Computershare Trust
Computershare Trust   Company, N.A., Depositary
Company, N.A., Depositary   c/o Voluntary Corporate Actions
c/o Voluntary Corporate Actions   250 Royall Street, Suite V
PO Box 43011   Canton, Massachusetts 02021
Providence, Rhode Island 02940-3011    

        DELIVERY OF THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL TO AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE WILL NOT CONSTITUTE A VALID BINDING DELIVERY TO THE DEPOSITARY.

        Any questions or requests for assistance or for additional copies of this Offer to Purchase, the Letter of Transmittal or the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery may be directed to the Information Agent. Shareholders may also contact their broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee for assistance concerning the Offer.

The Information Agent for the Offer is:

D.F. King & Co., Inc.

48 Wall Street, 22nd Floor
New York, NY 10005

Banks and Brokerage Firms Please Call Collect: (212) 269-5550

All Others Call Toll Free (800) 893-5865
Email: wtm@dfking.com

The Dealer Managers for the Offer are:

J.P. Morgan   Barclays

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
383 Madison Avenue
New York, New York 10179
Direct: (212) 622-4401
Toll-Free (877) 371-5947

 

Barclays Capital Inc.
745 Seventh Avenue
New York, NY 10019
Direct: (212) 526-0111
Toll Free: (800) 438-3242



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The Depositary for the Offer is: Computershare Trust Company, N.A.
VOLUNTARY CORPORATE ACTIONS COY: WTM
VOLUNTARY CORPORATE ACTIONS COY: WTM
VOLUNTARY CORPORATE ACTIONS COY: WTM
PRICE PER SHARE AT WHICH SHARES ARE BEING TENDERED (See Instruction 7)
CHECK ONLY THE BOX UNDER 1 OR 2 BELOW.
VOLUNTARY CORPORATE ACTIONS COY: WTM
ODD LOTS (See Instruction 8)
VOLUNTARY CORPORATE ACTIONS COY: WTM
NOTE: SIGNATURES MUST BE PROVIDED BELOW PLEASE READ THE ACCOMPANYING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY
VOLUNTARY CORPORATE ACTIONS COY: WTM
VOLUNTARY CORPORATE ACTIONS COY: WTM
PLEASE READ THE ACCOMPANYING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY
SIGN HERE (See Instructions 1 and 5) (Please complete Substitute Form W-9 below or appropriate W-8, as applicable) By signing below, the undersigned expressly agrees to the terms and conditions set forth above.
SIGN HERE (See Instructions 1 and 5) (Please complete Substitute Form W-9 below or appropriate W-8, as applicable) By signing below, the undersigned expressly agrees to the terms and conditions set forth above.
IMPORTANT TAX INFORMATION
GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9
VOLUNTARY CORPORATE ACTIONS COY: WTM
INSTRUCTIONS Forming Part of the Terms and Conditions of the Offer
VOLUNTARY CORPORATE ACTIONS COY: WTM
VOLUNTARY CORPORATE ACTIONS COY: WTM
VOLUNTARY CORPORATE ACTIONS COY: WTM
VOLUNTARY CORPORATE ACTIONS COY: WTM

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Exhibit (a)(1)(C)

        NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY

(Not to be used for Signature Guarantee)

WHITE MOUNTAINS INSURANCE GROUP, LTD.

        THE OFFER, PRORATION PERIOD AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE AT 12:00 MIDNIGHT, NEW YORK CITY TIME, AT THE END OF THE DAY ON MAY 7, 2018, UNLESS THE OFFER IS EXTENDED (SUCH TIME, AS IT MAY BE EXTENDED, THE "EXPIRATION TIME").

        As set forth in Section 2 of the Offer to Purchase (as defined below), this form must be used to accept the Offer (as defined below) if (1) certificates evidencing your tendered Common Shares of White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd. (the "Company"), par value of $1.00 per share (the "Shares"), are not immediately available or cannot be delivered to the Depositary before the Expiration Time (as defined in the Offer to Purchase), (2) the procedures for book-entry transfer described in Section 2 of the Offer to Purchase cannot be completed before the Expiration Time or (3) time will not permit all required documents to reach the Depositary before the Expiration Time. This form, signed and properly completed, may be delivered to Computershare Trust Company, N.A. (the "Depositary") by mail or overnight delivery or transmitted by email to the Depositary. See Section 2 of the Offer to Purchase.


The Depositary for the Offer is:

Computershare Trust Company, N.A.

By First Class, Registered or
Certified Mail:
Computershare Trust Company,
N.A., Depositary
c/o Voluntary Corporate Actions
PO Box 43011
Providence, Rhode Island
02940-3011
  By Express or Overnight Delivery:
Computershare Trust Company,
N.A., Depositary
c/o Voluntary Corporate Actions
250 Royall Street, Suite V
Canton, Massachusetts 02021

By email: canoticeofguarantee@computershare.com

        DELIVERY OF THIS NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY TO AN ADDRESS, OR TRANSMISSION OF INSTRUCTIONS VIA EMAIL, OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE, WILL NOT CONSTITUTE A VALID DELIVERY. DELIVERIES TO THE COMPANY, THE INFORMATION AGENT, THE DEALER MANAGERS, OR THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY ("DTC") WILL NOT BE FORWARDED TO THE DEPOSITARY AND WILL NOT CONSTITUTE VALID DELIVERY.

        THIS NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY IS NOT TO BE USED TO GUARANTEE SIGNATURES. IF A SIGNATURE ON A LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL IS REQUIRED TO BE GUARANTEED BY AN ELIGIBLE INSTITUTION (AS DEFINED IN THE OFFER TO PURCHASE) UNDER THE INSTRUCTIONS TO THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, SUCH SIGNATURE GUARANTEE MUST APPEAR IN THE APPLICABLE SPACE PROVIDED IN THE SIGNATURE BOX ON THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.


Ladies and Gentlemen:

        The undersigned hereby tenders to the Company, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in its Offer to Purchase dated April 10, 2018 (the "Offer to Purchase"), and in the related Letter of Transmittal (which together, as they may be amended or supplemented from time to time, constitute the "Offer"), receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the number (indicated herein) of the Shares, listed below at the price indicated below, pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth in Section 2 of the Offer to Purchase.


NUMBER OF SHARES TO BE TENDERED:                SHARES
Certificate Nos. (if available):

PRICE PER SHARE AT WHICH SHARES ARE BEING TENDERED
(See Instruction 7 of the Letter of Transmittal)

CHECK ONLY THE BOX UNDER 1 OR 2 BELOW. IF BOTH BOXES UNDER 1 OR 2 ARE CHECKED, OR IF NEITHER OF THE BOXES UNDER 1 OR 2 ARE CHECKED, THERE IS NO VALID TENDER OF SHARES.

1.     SHARES TENDERED AT A PRICE DETERMINED PURSUANT TO THE OFFER

o
By checking this box INSTEAD OF ONE OF THE BOXES UNDER 2 BELOW, the undersigned hereby tenders Shares and is willing to accept the purchase price determined pursuant to the Offer. This action will maximize the chance of having the Company purchase all of the Shares tendered by the undersigned (subject to the possibility of proration). You should understand that this election may lower the purchase price paid for all purchased Shares in the Offer and could result in the tendered Shares being purchased at the minimum price of $825 per Share.

—OR—

2.     SHARES TENDERED AT A PRICE DETERMINED BY SHAREHOLDER

o   $ 825   o   $ 826   o   $ 827   o   $ 828   o   $ 829  
o   $ 830   o   $ 831   o   $ 832   o   $ 833   o   $ 834  
o   $ 835   o   $ 836   o   $ 837   o   $ 838   o   $ 839  
o   $ 840   o   $ 841   o   $ 842   o   $ 843   o   $ 844  
o   $ 845   o   $ 846   o   $ 847   o   $ 848   o   $ 849  
o   $ 850   o   $ 851   o   $ 852   o   $ 853   o   $ 854  
o   $ 855   o   $ 856   o   $ 857   o   $ 858   o   $ 859  
o   $ 860   o   $ 861   o   $ 862   o   $ 863   o   $ 864  
o   $ 865   o   $ 866   o   $ 867   o   $ 868   o   $ 869  
o   $ 870   o   $ 871   o   $ 872   o   $ 873   o   $ 874  
o   $ 875                                          


ODD LOTS
(See Instruction 8 of the Letter of Transmittal)

        As described in Section 1 of the Offer to Purchase, under certain conditions, a shareholder owning beneficially or of record an aggregate of fewer than 100 Shares and who tenders all such Shares and satisfies the other requirements set forth in the Offer to Purchase, may have his or her Shares accepted for payment before any proration of other tendered Shares. This preference is not available to partial tenders, or to beneficial or record holders of an aggregate of 100 or more Shares, even if these holders have separate accounts representing fewer than 100 Shares. Accordingly, this section is to be completed only if Shares are being tendered by or on behalf of a person owning, beneficially or of record, an aggregate of fewer than 100 Shares. The undersigned either (check one box):

o
owns, whether beneficially or of record, an aggregate of fewer than 100 Shares and is tendering all such Shares; or

o
is a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company, or other nominee that (a) is tendering for the beneficial owner(s), Shares with respect to which it is the record holder, and (b) believes, based upon representations made to it by the beneficial owner(s), that each such person is the beneficial owner of an aggregate of fewer than 100 Shares and is tendering all such Shares.

        In addition, the undersigned is tendering all such Shares either (check one box):

o
at the Purchase Price, as the same will be determined by the Company in accordance with the terms of the Offer (persons checking this box should not check any box in the section captioned "Price (in Dollars) per Share at which Shares are Being Tendered"); or

o
at the price per Share indicated above in the section captioned "Price (in Dollars) per Share at which Shares are Being Tendered".

SIGN HERE
Name(s) of Record Holder(s):    
    (Please Type or Print)

 

Address(es):    
    (Include Zip Code)

 

Area Code and Telephone Number:    

 

Taxpayer ID No(s). or Social Security No(s).:    

 

Account Number (at The Depositary Trust Company):    

 

Date:    

 

Signature(s):    

If Shares will be tendered by book-entry transfer, check this box o and provide the following information:

Name of Tendering Institution:    

 

Account Number at Book-Entry Transfer Facility:    

 

Transaction Code Number:    


GUARANTEE
(Not to be used for signature guarantee)

        The undersigned, a financial institution that is a participant in the Securities Transfer Agent Medallion Program, the New York Stock Exchange Medallion Signature Program or the Stock Exchange Medallion Program, hereby guarantees (i) that the above-named person(s) has a net long position in the Shares being tendered within the meaning of Rule 14e-4 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (ii) that such tender of Shares complies with Rule 14e-4 and (iii) to deliver to the Depositary at one of its addresses set forth above certificate(s) for the Shares tendered hereby, in proper form for transfer, or a confirmation of the book-entry transfer of the Shares into the Depositary's account at The Depository Trust Company, together with a properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal, with any required signature guarantees, or an Agent's Message (as defined in the Offer to Purchase) in the case of a book-entry transfer, and any other required documents, within two business days after the date of receipt by the Depositary.

        The eligible institution that completes this form must communicate the guarantee to the Depositary and must deliver the Letter of Transmittal or an Agent's Message (as defined in the Offer to Purchase) and certificates for shares to the Depositary or complete the procedures for book-entry transfer deliveries within the time period set forth herein. Failure to do so could result in financial loss to such eligible institution.

     Name of Firm:           Address:    
 
    (Authorized Signature)           (Zip Code)    

  

 

Name:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Area Code and
Telephone No.

 

 

 

 
 
         (Please Print)                    

  

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dated:

 

 

 

 
 
                              

        THIS FORM IS NOT TO BE USED TO GUARANTEE SIGNATURES. IF A SIGNATURE ON A LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL IS REQUIRED TO BE GUARANTEED BY AN ELIGIBLE INSTITUTION UNDER THE INSTRUCTIONS THERETO, SUCH SIGNATURE GUARANTEE MUST APPEAR IN THE APPLICABLE SPACE PROVIDED IN THE SIGNATURE BOX ON THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.

        DO NOT SEND SHARE CERTIFICATES WITH THIS FORM. YOUR SHARE CERTIFICATES MUST BE SENT WITH THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.




QuickLinks

The Depositary for the Offer is: Computershare Trust Company, N.A.
NUMBER OF SHARES TO BE TENDERED: SHARES Certificate Nos. (if available)
PRICE PER SHARE AT WHICH SHARES ARE BEING TENDERED (See Instruction 7 of the Letter of Transmittal)
ODD LOTS (See Instruction 8 of the Letter of Transmittal)
GUARANTEE (Not to be used for signature guarantee)

Exhibit (a)(1)(D)

OFFER TO PURCHASE FOR CASH
by
WHITE MOUNTAINS INSURANCE GROUP, LTD.
of
UP TO 500,000 OF ITS COMMON SHARES
at a Purchase Price not greater than $875
or less than $825 per Share

        THE OFFER, PRORATION PERIOD AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE AT 12:00 MIDNIGHT, NEW YORK CITY TIME, AT THE END OF THE DAY ON May 7, 2018, UNLESS THE OFFER IS EXTENDED (SUCH TIME, AS IT MAY BE EXTENDED, THE "EXPIRATION TIME").

April 10, 2018

To Brokers, Dealers, Commercial Banks, Trust Companies and Other Nominees:

        We have been appointed by White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd., a company organized under the laws of Bermuda (the "Company"), to act as Dealer Managers in connection with its offer to purchase 500,000 of its outstanding common shares, par value $1.00 per share (the "Shares"), or such lesser number of Shares as are properly tendered and not properly withdrawn, at a purchase price not greater than $875 or less than $825 per Share, net to the seller in cash, less any applicable withholding taxes and without interest, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase dated April 10, 2018 (the "Offer to Purchase"), and in the related Letter of Transmittal (the "Letter of Transmittal" and, together with the Offer to Purchase, as they may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the "Offer"). The Company may elect, but is not obligated, to purchase additional Shares pursuant to the Offer. The Offer is not conditioned upon any minimum number of Shares being properly tendered but is subject to certain other conditions.

        The Company will determine a single per Share price, not greater than $875 or less than $825 per Share, that it will pay for the Shares properly tendered and not properly withdrawn pursuant to the Offer, taking into account the number of Shares so tendered and the prices specified by tendering shareholders. The Company will select the lowest purchase price (in increments of $1.00) that will allow it to purchase 500,000 Shares (or such lesser number as are properly tendered and not properly withdrawn) pursuant to the Offer. The Company will purchase all Shares properly tendered at prices at or below the purchase price and not properly withdrawn upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase and the related Letter of Transmittal, including the provisions relating to "odd lot" tenders and proration described in the Offer to Purchase. All Shares so purchased by the Company will be purchased at the same price regardless of whether the shareholder tendered at a lower price. In the event that more than 500,000 Shares are tendered in the Offer, the Company may exercise its right to increase the number of Shares sought in the Offer by an amount not exceeding 2% of its outstanding Shares without extending the Expiration Time. The Company also expressly reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to amend the Offer to purchase additional Shares, subject to applicable law. See Sections 1 and 14 of the Offer to Purchase. Shares tendered at prices in excess of the Purchase Price and Shares not purchased because of proration will be returned at the Company's expense to the shareholders who tendered such Shares promptly after the Expiration Time.

        Please contact your clients for whom you hold Shares registered in your name (or in the name of your nominee) or who hold Shares registered in their own names. Please bring the Offer to their attention as promptly as possible. No fees or commissions (other than fees paid by the Company to the Information Agent, the Depositary and the Dealer Managers as described in the Offer to Purchase) will be payable to brokers, dealers or other persons for soliciting tenders of Shares pursuant to the Offer. The Company will, however, upon request, reimburse you for customary mailing and handling expenses incurred by you in forwarding any of the enclosed materials to your clients. No shareholders will be required to pay transfer taxes on the transfer to the Company of Shares purchased pursuant to the Offer, subject to Instruction 6 of the Letter of Transmittal.


        For your information and for forwarding to your clients, we are enclosing the following documents:

        Shareholders must make their own decision as to whether to tender their Shares and, if so, how many Shares to tender and at what price or prices. Your clients should read carefully the information set forth or incorporated by reference in the Offer to Purchase and in the related Letter of Transmittal, including the Company's purpose for making the Offer.

        Certain conditions to the Offer are described in Section 8 of the Offer to Purchase. To be valid, all tenders must be in proper form as described in Section 2 of the Offer to Purchase.

        We urge you to contact your clients promptly. Please note that the Offer, the proration period and withdrawal rights will expire at 12:00 midnight, New York City time, at the end of the day on May 7, 2018, unless extended.

        Under no circumstances will interest be paid on the purchase price of the Shares regardless of any extension of, or amendment to, the Offer or any delay in paying for such Shares.

        None of the Company, our Board of Directors, the Dealer Managers, the Depositary or the Information Agent makes any recommendation as to whether any shareholder should tender Shares pursuant to the Offer or as to the purchase price or prices at which a shareholder may choose to tender them. Each of your clients must make their own decision after consulting with his or her own advisors whether to tender their Shares and, if so, how many Shares to tender and the price or prices at which they will tender them. In doing so, your clients should read carefully the information in the Offer, including the purposes and effects of the Offer.

        Additional copies of the enclosed material may be obtained from the undersigned. Any questions you may have with respect to the Offer should be directed to D.F. King & Co., Inc. at (212) 269-5550 or by email at wtm@dfking.com.

    Very truly yours,

 

 

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

 

 

Barclays Capital Inc.

        NOTHING CONTAINED HEREIN OR IN THE ENCLOSED DOCUMENTS SHALL RENDER YOU OR ANY OTHER PERSON THE AGENT OF THE COMPANY, THE DEPOSITARY, THE DEALER MANAGERS, THE INFORMATION AGENT OR ANY AFFILIATE OF THEM OR AUTHORIZE YOU OR ANY OTHER PERSON TO MAKE ANY STATEMENTS OR USE ANY MATERIAL ON BEHALF OF ANY OF THEM WITH RESPECT TO THE OFFER, OTHER THAN THE MATERIAL ENCLOSED HEREWITH AND THE STATEMENTS SPECIFICALLY CONTAINED IN SUCH MATERIAL.




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Exhibit (a)(1)(E)

        OFFER TO PURCHASE FOR CASH
by
WHITE MOUNTAINS INSURANCE GROUP, LTD.
of
UP TO 500,000 OF ITS COMMON SHARES
at a Purchase Price not greater than $875
or less than $825 per Share

        THE OFFER, PRORATION PERIOD AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE AT 12:00 MIDNIGHT, NEW YORK CITY TIME, AT THE END OF THE DAY ON MAY 7, 2018, UNLESS THE OFFER IS EXTENDED (SUCH TIME, AS IT MAY BE EXTENDED, THE "EXPIRATION TIME").

April 10, 2018

To Our Clients:

        Enclosed for your consideration is the Offer to Purchase dated April 10, 2018, (the "Offer to Purchase") of White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd., a company organized under the laws of Bermuda (the "Company"), and a related specimen Letter of Transmittal (the "Letter of Transmittal" and, together with the Offer to Purchase, as they may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the "Offer"), pursuant to which the Company is offering to purchase 500,000 of its outstanding common shares, par value $1.00 per share (the "Shares"), or such lesser number of Shares as are properly tendered and not properly withdrawn, at a purchase price not greater than $875 or less than $825 per Share, net to the seller in cash, less any applicable withholding taxes and without interest, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Offer. The Company may elect, but shall not be obligated, to purchase additional Shares pursuant to the Offer. The Offer to Purchase and a specimen Letter of Transmittal are being forwarded to you as the beneficial owner of Shares held by us in your account but not registered in your name. A tender of such Shares can be made only by us as the holder of record and only pursuant to your instructions. All capitalized terms used and not defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Offer to Purchase.

        The Company will determine a single per Share price, not greater than $875 or less than $825 per Share, net to the seller in cash, less any applicable withholding taxes and without interest, that it will pay for the Shares properly tendered and not properly withdrawn pursuant to the Offer, taking into account the number of Shares so tendered and the prices specified by tendering shareholders. The Company will select the lowest price not less than $825 (in increments of $1.00) (such price per Share referred to as the "Purchase Price") within the price range specified above that will allow it to purchase 500,000 Shares (or such lesser number as are properly tendered and not properly withdrawn) pursuant to the Offer. The Company will purchase all Shares properly tendered at prices at or below the Purchase Price and not properly withdrawn upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase and the related Letter of Transmittal, including the provisions relating to "odd lot" tenders and proration described in the Offer to Purchase. All Shares so purchased by the Company will be purchased at the same price regardless of whether the shareholder tendered at a lower price. In the event that more than 500,000 Shares are tendered in the Offer, the Company may exercise its right to increase the number of Shares sought in the Offer by an amount not exceeding 2% of its outstanding Shares without extending the Expiration Time. The Company also expressly reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to amend the Offer to purchase additional Shares, subject to applicable law. See Sections 1 and 14 of the Offer to Purchase. Shares tendered at prices in excess of the Purchase Price and Shares not purchased because of proration will be returned at the Company's expense to the shareholders who tendered such Shares promptly after the Expiration Time.

        If the number of Shares properly tendered and not properly withdrawn before the Expiration Time is less than or equal to 500,000 Shares (or such greater number of Shares as the Company may elect to purchase pursuant to the Offer, subject to applicable law), the Company will, on the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer, purchase at the purchase price selected by the Company all Shares so tendered.


        In the event that more than 500,000 Shares (or such greater number of Shares as the Company may elect to purchase pursuant to the Offer) are properly tendered at or below the Purchase Price and not properly withdrawn, the Company will accept Shares for purchase in the following order of priority, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer:

        Because of the "odd lot" priority and proration tender provisions described above, the Company may not purchase all Shares that you tender even if you tender them at or below the purchase price. See Section 1 of the Offer to Purchase.

        WE ARE THE HOLDER OF RECORD OF SHARES HELD FOR YOUR ACCOUNT. A TENDER OF SUCH SHARES CAN BE MADE ONLY BY US AS THE HOLDER OF RECORD AND PURSUANT TO YOUR INSTRUCTIONS. THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL IS FURNISHED TO YOU FOR YOUR INFORMATION ONLY AND CANNOT BE USED BY YOU TO TENDER YOUR SHARES HELD BY US FOR YOUR ACCOUNT. WE REQUEST INSTRUCTION AS TO WHETHER YOU WISH US TO TENDER ANY OR ALL OF THE SHARES HELD BY US FOR YOUR ACCOUNT UPON THE TERMS AND SUBJECT TO THE CONDITIONS SET FORTH IN THE OFFER TO PURCHASE AND THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.


        If you wish to have us tender any or all of your Shares, please so instruct us by completing, executing, detaching and returning to us the attached Instruction Form. If you authorize us to tender your Shares, we will tender all your Shares unless you specify otherwise on the attached Instruction Form.

        The method of delivery of this document is at the election and the risk of the tendering shareholders. If delivery is by mail, registered mail with return receipt requested, properly insured, is recommended. In all other cases, sufficient time should be allowed to ensure timely delivery.

        YOUR PROMPT ACTION IS REQUESTED. YOUR INSTRUCTION FORM SHOULD BE FORWARDED TO US IN AMPLE TIME TO PERMIT US TO SUBMIT THE TENDER ON YOUR BEHALF BEFORE THE EXPIRATION OF THE OFFER. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE OFFER AND PRORATION PERIOD AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE AT 12:00 MIDNIGHT, NEW YORK CITY TIME, AT THE END OF THE DAY ON MAY 7, 2018, UNLESS THE OFFER IS EXTENDED.

        The Offer is being made solely pursuant to the Offer to Purchase and the related Letter of Transmittal and is being made to all holders of the Shares. The Offer is not being made to (nor will tenders be accepted from or on behalf of) holders of Shares residing in any jurisdiction in which the making of the Offer or the acceptance thereof would not be in compliance with the securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdiction.


INSTRUCTION FORM WITH RESPECT TO
OFFER TO PURCHASE FOR CASH
by
WHITE MOUNTAINS INSURANCE GROUP, LTD.
of
UP TO 500,000 OF ITS COMMON SHARES
at a Purchase Price not greater than $875
or less than $825 per Share

        The undersigned acknowledge(s) receipt of your letter enclosing the Offer to Purchase dated April 10, 2018, and a specimen Letter of Transmittal relating to the Offer by White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd., a company organized under the laws of Bermuda (the "Company"), to purchase 500,000 of its common shares, par value $1.00 per share ("Shares"), or such lesser number of Shares as are properly tendered and not properly withdrawn, at a purchase price not greater than $875 or less than $825 per Share, net to the seller in cash, less any applicable withholding taxes and without interest.

        The undersigned hereby instructs you to tender to the Company the number of Shares indicated below (or, if no number is indicated below, all Shares) that are held by you for the account of the undersigned at the price indicated below, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase and in the related specimen Letter of Transmittal that you have furnished to the undersigned.

        In participating in the Offer, the undersigned acknowledges that: (1) the Offer is discretionary and may be extended, modified, suspended or terminated by the Company as provided in the Offer; (2) the undersigned is voluntarily participating in the Offer; (3) the future value of the Company's Shares is unknown and cannot be predicted with certainty; (4) the undersigned has consulted his, her or its tax and financial advisors with regard to how the Offer will impact his, her or its personal situation; (5) any foreign exchange obligations triggered by the undersigned's tender of Shares or the recipient of proceeds are solely his, her or its responsibility; and (6) regardless of any action that the Company takes with respect to any or all income/capital gains tax, social security or other similar tax-related items that are imposed on the undersigned ("Tax Items") related to the Offer and the disposition of Shares, the undersigned acknowledges that the ultimate liability for all Tax Items is and remains his, her or its sole responsibility. In that regard, the undersigned authorizes the Company to withhold, to the extent required by law, all applicable Tax Items legally payable by the undersigned.

        The undersigned consents to the collection, use and transfer, in electronic or other form, of the undersigned's personal data as described in this document by and among, as applicable, the Company, its subsidiaries, and third-party administrators for the exclusive purpose of implementing, administering and managing his, her or its participation in the Offer.

        The undersigned understands that the Company holds certain personal information about him, her or it, including, as applicable, but not limited to, the undersigned's name, home address and telephone number, date of birth, social security or insurance number or other identification number, nationality, any shares of stock held in the Company, details of all options or any other entitlement to shares outstanding in the undersigned's favor, for the purpose of implementing, administering and managing his, her or its stock ownership ("Data"). The undersigned understands that Data may be transferred to any third parties assisting in the implementation, administration and management of the Offer, that these recipients may be located in his, her or its country or elsewhere, and that the recipient's country may have different data privacy laws and protections than his, her or its country. The undersigned understands that he, she or it may request a list with the names and addresses of any potential recipients of the Data by contacting the Company. The undersigned authorizes the recipients to receive, possess, use, retain and transfer the Data, in electronic or other form, for the purposes of implementing, administering and managing his, her or its participation in the Offer, including any requisite transfer of such Data as may be required to a broker or other third party with whom the undersigned holds any shares of stock. The undersigned understands that Data will be held only as long


as is necessary to implement, administer and manage his, her or its participation in the Offer. The undersigned understands that he, she or it may, at any time, view Data, request additional information about the storage and processing of Data, require any necessary amendments to Data or refuse or withdraw the consents herein, in any case without cost, by contacting in writing the Company. The undersigned understands, however, that refusing or withdrawing his, her or its consent may affect his, her or its ability to participate in the Offer. For more information on the consequences of his, her or its refusal to consent or withdrawal of consent, the undersigned understands that he, she or it may contact the Company.

NUMBER OF SHARES TO BE TENDERED:                         SHARES*


*
Unless otherwise indicated it will be assumed that all of your Shares are to be tendered.


CHECK ONLY THE BOX UNDER 1 OR 2 BELOW. IF BOTH BOXES UNDER 1 OR 2 ARE CHECKED, OR IF NEITHER OF THE BOXES

UNDER 1 OR 2 ARE CHECKED, THERE IS NO VALID TENDER OF SHARES.
(See Instruction 7 of the Letter of Transmittal)

1.    SHARES TENDERED AT A PRICE DETERMINED PURSUANT TO THE OFFER

o

 

By checking this box INSTEAD ONE OF THE BOXES UNDER 2 BELOW, the undersigned hereby tenders Shares and is willing to accept the purchase price determined by the Company pursuant to the Offer. This action will maximize the chance of having the Company purchase all of the Shares tendered by the undersigned (subject to the possibility of proration). The undersigned understands that this election could result in the tendered shares being purchased at the minimum price of $825 per Share.

—OR—

2.    SHARES TENDERED AT A PRICE DETERMINED BY SHAREHOLDER

 

 

By checking ONE of the boxes below INSTEAD OF THE BOX UNDER 1 ABOVE, the undersigned hereby tenders Shares at the price checked the corresponding box in the section below captioned "Price (in Dollars) per Share at which Shares are Being Tendered". This action could result in none of the Shares being purchased if the purchase price for the Shares is less than the price checked. If the purchase price for the Shares is equal to or greater than the price checked, then the Shares purchased by the Company will be purchased at the purchase price. All Shares so purchased by the Company will be purchased at the same price regardless of whether the shareholder tendered at a lower price. A shareholder who wishes to tender Shares at more than one price must complete a separate Letter of Transmittal for each price at which Shares are being tendered. The same Shares cannot be tendered (unless previously withdrawn in accordance with the terms of the Offer) at more than one price.

 

 

PRICE (IN DOLLARS) PER SHARE AT WHICH SHARES ARE BEING TENDERED.

 

 

CHECK ONLY ONE BOX BELOW. IF MORE THAN ONE BOX BELOW IS CHECKED OR IF NO BOX BELOW IS CHECKED, THERE IS NO VALID TENDER OF SHARES.

 

o   $ 825   o   $ 826   o   $ 827   o   $ 828   o   $ 829  
o   $ 830   o   $ 831   o   $ 832   o   $ 833   o   $ 834  
o   $ 835   o   $ 836   o   $ 837   o   $ 838   o   $ 839  
o   $ 840   o   $ 841   o   $ 842   o   $ 843   o   $ 844  
o   $ 845   o   $ 846   o   $ 847   o   $ 848   o   $ 849  
o   $ 850   o   $ 851   o   $ 852   o   $ 853   o   $ 854  
o   $ 855   o   $ 856   o   $ 857   o   $ 858   o   $ 859  
o   $ 860   o   $ 861   o   $ 862   o   $ 863   o   $ 864  
o   $ 865   o   $ 866   o   $ 867   o   $ 868   o   $ 869  
o   $ 870   o   $ 871   o   $ 872   o   $ 873   o   $ 874  
o   $ 875                                          


ODD LOTS
(See Instruction 8 of the Letter of Transmittal)

        As described in Section 1 of the Offer to Purchase, under certain conditions, a shareholder owning beneficially or of record an aggregate of fewer than 100 Shares and who tenders all such Shares and satisfies the other requirements set forth in the Offer to Purchase, may have his or her Shares accepted for payment before any proration of other tendered Shares. This preference is not available to partial tenders, or to beneficial or record holders of an aggregate of 100 or more Shares, even if these holders have separate accounts representing fewer than 100 Shares. Accordingly, this section is to be completed only if Shares are being tendered by or on behalf of a person owning, beneficially or of record, an aggregate of fewer than 100 Shares. The undersigned either (check one box):

o
owns, whether beneficially or of record, an aggregate of fewer than 100 Shares and is tendering all such Shares.

        In addition, the undersigned is tendering all such Shares either (check one box):

o
at the Purchase Price, as the same will be determined by the Company in accordance with the terms of the Offer (persons checking this box should not check any box in the section captioned "Price (in Dollars) per Share at which Shares are Being Tendered"); or

o
at the price per Share indicated above in the section captioned "Price (in Dollars) per Share at which Shares are Being Tendered".


SIGN HERE

Name(s) of Record Holder(s):    
    (Please Type or Print)

 

Address(es):    

 

 

 
(Include Zip Code)

 

 

 

 

Area Code and Telephone Number:    

 

Taxpayer ID No(s). or Social Security No(s).:    

 

Date:    

 

Signature(s):    



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CHECK ONLY THE BOX UNDER 1 OR 2 BELOW. IF BOTH BOXES UNDER 1 OR 2 ARE CHECKED, OR IF NEITHER OF THE BOXES
UNDER 1 OR 2 ARE CHECKED, THERE IS NO VALID TENDER OF SHARES. (See Instruction 7 of the Letter of Transmittal)
ODD LOTS (See Instruction 8 of the Letter of Transmittal)
SIGN HERE

Exhibit (a)(1)(F)

 

This announcement is neither an offer to purchase nor a solicitation of an offer to sell shares of White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd. The Offer (as defined below) is made solely pursuant to the Offer to Purchase, dated April 10, 2018, and the related Letter of Transmittal and is being made to all holders of the Shares (as defined below). The Company (as defined below) is not aware of any U.S. State where the making of the Offer is prohibited by administrative or judicial action pursuant to any valid state statute. If the Company becomes aware of any valid state statute prohibiting the making of the Offer or the acceptance of Shares pursuant thereto, the Company will make a good faith effort to comply with any such state statute or seek to have such statute declared inapplicable to the Offer. If, after such good faith effort, the Company cannot comply with any such state statute, the Offer will not be made to (nor will tenders be accepted from or on behalf of) the holders of Shares in such state. In any jurisdiction where the securities, blue sky or other laws require the Offer to be made by a licensed broker or dealer, the Offer will be deemed to be made on behalf of the Company by one or more registered brokers or dealers licensed under the laws of such jurisdiction.

 

Notice of Offer to Purchase for Cash
by
White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd.
of
Up to 500,000 of its Common Shares
 at a Purchase Price not greater than $875

or less than $825 per Share

 

White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd., a company organized under the laws of Bermuda (the “Company”), is inviting its shareholders to tender their common shares, par value $1.00 per share (the “Shares”), to the Company, at a purchase price of not greater than $875 or less than $825 per Share, net to the seller in cash, less any applicable withholding taxes and without interest, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase dated April 10, 2018 (as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the “Offer to Purchase”), and in the related Letter of Transmittal, (the “Letter of Transmittal” which, together with the Offer to Purchase, as they may be amended or supplemented from time to time, constitute the “Offer”).  The Company will select the lowest price per Share (in increments of $1.00) (the “Purchase Price”) that will allow the Company to purchase the number of Shares sought in the Offer or, if a lesser number is properly tendered, all Shares that are properly tendered and not properly withdrawn.  All Shares acquired in the Offer will be acquired at the same price regardless of whether the shareholder tendered at a lower price.  However, because of the proration and “odd lot” priority provisions described in the Offer to Purchase, fewer than all of the Shares tendered at or below the Purchase Price may be purchased if more than the number of Shares the Company seeks are properly tendered and not properly withdrawn.  Shares tendered but not purchased in the Offer, including Shares tendered at or below the Purchase Price and Shares not purchased because of proration, will be returned to the tendering shareholders at the Company’s expense promptly after the expiration of the Offer. In the event that more than 500,000 Shares are tendered in the Offer, the Company may exercise its right to increase the number of Shares sought in the Offer by an amount not exceeding 2% of its outstanding Shares without extending the Expiration Time (as defined below). The Company also expressly reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to amend the Offer to purchase additional Shares, subject to applicable law.

 

The Offer is being made to utilize a portion of the Company’s undeployed capital and to provide shareholders liquidity.

 

THE OFFER, PRORATION PERIOD AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE
AT 12:00 MIDNIGHT, NEW YORK CITY TIME, AT THE END OF THE DAY ON MAY 7, 2018, UNLESS
THE OFFER IS EXTENDED (SUCH TIME, AS IT MAY BE EXTENDED, THE “EXPIRATION TIME”).

 

The Offer is not conditioned on any minimum number of Shares being tendered by shareholders but is subject to certain other conditions. See Section 8 of the Offer to Purchase.

 

The Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) has approved the Offer. However, none of the Company, the Board, the Dealer Managers, the Depositary or the Information Agent makes any recommendation as to whether any shareholder should tender or refrain from tendering Shares pursuant to the Offer, or as to the price or prices at which a shareholder may choose to tender Shares. Each shareholder

 



 

must make his or her own decision after consulting with his or her own advisors whether to tender Shares and, if so, how many Shares to tender and the price or prices at which such shareholder will tender them.  In doing so, shareholders should read carefully the information set forth or incorporated by reference in the Offer to Purchase and the related Letter of Transmittal, including the Company’s reasons for making the Offer. All of the Company’s directors and executive officers have advised the Company that they do not intend to tender Shares pursuant to the Offer, except for Robert L. Seelig, our Executive Vice President and General Counsel, who has advised us that, although no final decision has been made, he may tender up to 3,000 Shares that he beneficially owns pursuant to the Offer.

 

If more than 500,000 Shares (or such greater number of Shares as the Company may elect to purchase, subject to applicable law) are properly tendered at or below the Purchase Price and not properly withdrawn, we will purchase Shares in the following order of priority:

 

·                   First, we will purchase all “odd lots” of less than 100 Shares at the Purchase Price from shareholders who properly tender all of their Shares at or below the Purchase Price and who do not properly withdraw them before the Expiration Time; and

 

·                   Second, after purchasing all the “odd lots” that were properly tendered at or below the Purchase Price, we will purchase Shares at the Purchase Price from all other holders who properly tender Shares at or below the Purchase Price and who do not properly withdraw them before the Expiration Time, on a pro rata basis, with appropriate adjustments to avoid purchases of fractional Shares, until we have acquired the number of Shares that we have offered to purchase.

 

Therefore, we may not purchase all of the Shares that you tender even if you tender them at or below the Purchase Price.

 

In accordance with the instructions to the Letter of Transmittal, each shareholder desiring to tender Shares in the Offer must, on the Letter of Transmittal, check either (i) the box under “1. Shares Tendered at a Price Determined Pursuant to the Offer”, in which case such shareholder’s Shares will be deemed to be tendered at the minimum price of $825 per Share or (ii) one of the boxes under “2. Shares Tendered at a Price Determined by the Shareholder”, indicating the price at which Shares are being tendered. A tender of Shares will be proper if, and only if, one of these boxes is checked on the Letter of Transmittal. Any shareholder who wants to tender portions of his or her Shares at more than one price must complete a separate Letter of Transmittal for each price at which such shareholder tenders Shares.

 

Each shareholder desiring to tender Shares must follow the instructions and procedures described in Section 2 of the Offer to Purchase and in the Letter of Transmittal. Participants in the White Mountains Retirement Plan desiring to tender Shares must follow the separate instructions and procedures described in Section 2 of the Offer to Purchase (including an earlier deadline for delivering materials) and they must review separate instructions related to the White Mountains Retirement Plan enclosed with the Offer to Purchase.

 

Except as otherwise provided in Section 3 of the Offer to Purchase, a tender of Shares pursuant to the Offer is irrevocable.  Shares tendered pursuant to the Offer may be withdrawn at any time before the Expiration Time and, unless theretofore accepted for payment by the Company pursuant to the Offer, may also be withdrawn at any time after 12:00 midnight, New York City time, at the end of the day on May 7, 2018. See Section 3 of the Offer to Purchase.

 

For a withdrawal to be effective, a written notice of withdrawal must be timely received by Computershare Trust Company, N.A. (the “Depositary”) (at one of its addresses set forth on the back cover of the Offer to Purchase).  Any such notice of withdrawal must specify the name of the person who tendered the Shares to be withdrawn, the number of Shares to be withdrawn and, if different from that of the person who tendered such Shares, the name of the registered holder of such Shares.  A shareholder who has tendered Shares at more than one price must complete a separate notice of withdrawal for Shares tendered at each price. If certificates evidencing Shares to be withdrawn have been delivered or otherwise identified to the Depositary, then, prior to the physical release of such certificates, the serial numbers shown on such certificates must be submitted to the Depositary and the signature(s) on the notice of withdrawal must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution (as defined in Section 2 of the Offer to Purchase), unless such Shares have been tendered for the account of an Eligible Institution. If Shares have been tendered pursuant to the procedure for book-entry transfer as set forth in Section 2 of the Offer to

 



 

Purchase, any notice of withdrawal must specify the name and number of the account at The Depositary Trust Company (“DTC”) to be credited with the withdrawn Shares or must otherwise comply with DTC’s procedures.  Withdrawals of tenders of Shares may not be rescinded, and Shares properly withdrawn will thereafter be deemed not properly tendered for purposes of the Offer.  However, withdrawn Shares may be retendered by following the procedures described in Section 2 of the Offer to Purchase, at any time prior to the Expiration Time.

 

For purposes of the Offer, the Company will be deemed to have accepted for payment (and thereby purchased), subject to “odd lot” priority and proration, Shares properly tendered and not properly withdrawn as, if and when the Company gives oral or written notice to the Depositary, as agent for the tendering shareholders, of the Company’s acceptance for payment of such Shares pursuant to the Offer. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the offer, payment for Shares accepted for payment pursuant to the Offer will be made by deposit of the Purchase Price therefor with the Depositary, which will act as agent for tendering shareholders for the purpose of receiving payments from the Company and transmitting such payments to tendering shareholders whose Shares have been accepted for payment. In all cases, payment for Shares tendered and accepted for payment pursuant to the Offer will be made promptly, subject to possible delay in the event of proration, but only after timely receipt by the Depositary of (i) the certificates representing the Shares or timely confirmation of a book-entry transfer of such Shares into the Depositary’s account at DTC pursuant to the procedures set forth in Section 2 of the Offer to Purchase, (ii) the Letter of Transmittal, properly completed and duly executed, with any required signature guarantees or, in the case of a book-entry transfer, an Agent’s Message (as defined in Section 2 of the Offer to Purchase) in lieu of the Letter of Transmittal and (iii) any other documents required by the Letter of Transmittal.  Under no circumstances will the Company pay interest on the Purchase Price, including, but not limited to, by reason of any delay in making payment.

 

Subject to the terms and conditions of the Offer, the Company expressly reserves the right, in its sole discretion, at any time and from time to time, and regardless of whether or not any of the events set forth in Section 8 of the Offer to Purchase shall have occurred or shall be deemed by the Company to have occurred, to extend the period of time during which the Offer is open and thereby delay acceptance for payment of any Shares by giving oral or written notice of such extension to the Depositary and making a public announcement thereof.  During any such extension, all Shares previously tendered and not purchased or withdrawn will remain subject to the Offer, except to the extent that such Shares may be withdrawn as set forth in Section 3 of the Offer to Purchase.

 

Subject to compliance with applicable law, the Company further reserves the right, in its sole discretion, and regardless of whether or not any of the events set forth in Section 8 of the Offer to Purchase shall have occurred or shall be deemed by the Company to have occurred, to amend the Offer in any respect (including, without limitation, by decreasing or increasing the consideration offered in the Offer or by increasing or decreasing the number of Shares being sought in the Offer).  Amendments to the Offer may be made at any time, effected by public announcement thereof.  Such announcement, in the case of an extension, is to be issued no later than 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the next business day after the previously scheduled Expiration Time.

 

The receipt of cash pursuant to the Offer generally will be treated for United States Federal income tax purposes either (a) as a sale or exchange eligible for capital gain or loss treatment or (b) as a dividend.  Non-U.S. shareholders generally will not be subject to U.S. Federal income taxation on the receipt of cash pursuant to the Offer. Shareholders are strongly encouraged to read the Offer to Purchase, in particular, Sections 2 and 6 for additional information regarding the United States Federal income tax consequences of participating in the Offer and should consult their tax advisor.

 

All questions as to the form and validity (including time of receipt) of any notice of withdrawal will be determined by the Company in its reasonable discretion, which determination will be final and binding on all parties. None of the Company, the Depositary, the Information Agent or any other person will be under any duty to give notification of any defects or irregularities in any notice of withdrawal or incur any liability for failure to give any such notification.

 

The Offer to Purchase and the Letter of Transmittal contain important information that should be read before any decision is made with respect to the Offer.  These documents are being mailed to record holders of Shares and will be furnished to brokers, dealers, commercial banks, trust companies and similar persons whose names, or the names of whose nominees, appear on the Company’s shareholder list or, if applicable, who are listed

 



 

as participants in a clearing agency’s security position listing for subsequent transmittal to beneficial owners of Shares.

 

The information required to be disclosed by Rule 13e-4(d)(1) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is contained in the Offer to Purchase and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Any questions or requests for assistance may be directed to the Information Agent at its address and telephone number set forth below.  Requests for copies of the Offer to Purchase, Letter of Transmittal, Notice of Guaranteed Delivery or other tender offer materials may be directed to the Information Agent and such copies will be furnished promptly at the Company’s expense.  Shareholders may also contact their broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee for assistance concerning the Offer.

 

Except as set forth in Section 15 of the Offer to Purchase, the Company will not pay any fees or commissions to any broker, dealer or other person for soliciting tenders of Shares pursuant to the Offer.

 

The Information Agent for the Offer is:

 

D.F. King & Co., Inc.

 

48 Wall Street, 22nd Floor

New York, New York 10005

(212) 269-5550 (Call Collect)

or

Call Toll-Free (800) 893-5865

Email: wtm@dfking.com

 

The Depositary for the Offer is:

 

Computershare Trust Company, N.A.

 

By First Class, Registered or Certified
Mail:

Computershare Trust Company, N.A.,
Depositary
c/o Voluntary Corporate Actions
PO Box 43011
Providence, Rhode Island 02940-3011

 

For Delivery of Notice of
Guaranteed Delivery via
Facsimile:

(617) 360-6810 

To confirm receipt of FAX, call
(781) 575-2332

 

By Express or Overnight Delivery:
 Computershare Trust Company, N.A.,
Depositary
c/o Voluntary Corporate Actions
250 Royall Street, Suite V
Canton, Massachusetts 02021

 

The Dealer Managers for the Tender Offer are:

 

J.P. Morgan                                                                                                         Barclays

 

April 10, 2018

 




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Exhibit (a)(1)(G)

LOGO

April 10, 2018

Dear Fellow Shareholder:

        White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd. (the "Company") is offering to purchase 500,000 of its common shares, or such lesser number of its common shares as are properly tendered and not properly withdrawn, at a purchase price not greater than $875 or less than $825 per share, net to the seller in cash, less any applicable withholding taxes and without interest. The Company's common shares closed on the New York Stock Exchange at $806.17 per share on April 9, 2018, the last trading day before we announced the offer.

        The tender offer will be conducted as a "modified Dutch auction", pursuant to which we will select the single lowest per share price (in increments of $1.00) that will allow us to purchase the number of shares sought in the offer (or, if a lesser number is properly tendered, all shares that are properly tendered and not properly withdrawn). All shares acquired in the offer will be acquired at the same price regardless of whether the shareholder tendered at a lower price. However, because of the proration and "odd lot" priority provisions described in the enclosed Offer to Purchase, all of the shares tendered at or below the purchase price may not be purchased if more than the number of shares we seek are properly tendered. All shares tendered by you that we do not purchase will be returned to you at our expense promptly after the expiration of the offer.

        The offer is being made to utilize a portion of the Company's undeployed capital and to provide shareholders with added liquidity. The offer represents the opportunity for us to return capital to shareholders who elect to tender their shares. The offer will also afford to shareholders the opportunity to dispose of shares without the usual transaction costs associated with any market sale. Shareholders whose shares are not purchased in the offer will obtain an increase in their ownership interest in the Company and thus in the Company's future earnings and assets because shares purchased pursuant to the offer will be cancelled.

        The offer is explained in detail in the enclosed Offer to Purchase and Letter of Transmittal. If you want to tender your shares, the instructions for tendering shares are also explained in detail in the enclosed materials. This letter is only a summary, and I encourage you to read these materials carefully before making any decision with respect to the offer. The instructions on how to tender shares are explained in detail in the accompanying materials.

        OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAS APPROVED THE OFFER. HOWEVER, NONE OF THE COMPANY, OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS, THE DEALER MANAGERS, THE DEPOSITARY OR THE INFORMATION AGENT MAKES ANY RECOMMENDATION AS TO WHETHER ANY SHAREHOLDER SHOULD TENDER OR REFRAIN FROM TENDERING SHARES PURSUANT TO THE OFFER, OR AS TO THE PRICE OR PRICES AT WHICH A SHAREHOLDER MAY CHOOSE TO TENDER. YOU MUST MAKE YOUR OWN DECISION AFTER CONSULTING WITH YOUR ADVISORS WHETHER TO TENDER SHARES AND, IF SO, HOW MANY SHARES TO TENDER AND THE PRICE OR PRICES AT WHICH YOU WILL TENDER THEM. IN DOING SO, YOU SHOULD READ CAREFULLY THE INFORMATION SET FORTH OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THE OFFER TO PURCHASE AND IN THE RELATED LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, INCLUDING THE PURPOSES AND EFFECTS OF THE OFFER.


        The offer will expire at 12:00 midnight, New York City time, at the end of the day on May 7, 2018, unless the Company extends the offer. Questions and requests for assistance may be directed to D.F. King & Co., Inc., the information agent for the offer, at the address, telephone numbers or email address set forth on the back cover of the Offer to Purchase. You may request additional copies of the Offer to Purchase and other offer documents from the information agent at the telephone number and address on the back cover of the Offer to Purchase.

    Respectfully submitted,

 

 

/s/ G. MANNING ROUNTREE

G. Manning Rountree
Chief Executive Officer

        This communication is for information purposes only and does not constitute an offer to buy or the solicitation of an offer to sell shares of the Company's common stock. The Company's offer to buy the Company's common shares is being made only pursuant to the enclosed Offer to Purchase and the related materials dated April 10, 2018, as amended and supplemented from time to time. Shareholders should read the Offer to Purchase and the related materials carefully because they contain important information. You may also obtain a free copy of the tender offer statement on Schedule TO, the Offer to Purchase and other documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission at the Commission's website at www.sec.gov.

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Exhibit (a)(1)(H)


LETTER TO PARTICIPANTS IN THE
WHITE MOUNTAINS RETIREMENT PLAN

April 10, 2018

Dear Plan Participant:

        White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd., a company organized under the laws of Bermuda (the "Company"), is offering to purchase 500,000 of its common shares, par value $1.00 per share (the "Shares"), or such lesser number of Shares as are properly tendered and not properly withdrawn, at a purchase price not greater than $875 or less than $825 per Share, net to the seller in cash, less any applicable withholding taxes and without interest, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase (as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the "Offer to Purchase") and in the related Letter of Transmittal (which together, as they may be amended or supplemented from time to time, constitute the "Offer"), including the proration provisions described therein. The Shares closed on the New York Stock Exchange at $806.17 per share on April 9, 2018, the last trading day before we announced the Offer.

        The Offer will be conducted as a "modified Dutch auction", pursuant to which the Company will select the lowest price per Share (in increments of $1.00) (the "Purchase Price") that will allow the Company to purchase the number of Shares sought in the Offer or, if a lesser number is properly tendered, all Shares that are properly tendered and not properly withdrawn. All Shares acquired in the Offer will be acquired at the same price regardless of whether the shareholder tendered at a lower price. However, because of the proration and "odd lot" priority provisions described in the Offer to Purchase, fewer than all of the Shares tendered at or below the Purchase Price may be purchased if more than the number of Shares the Company seeks are properly tendered and not properly withdrawn. Shares tendered but not purchased in the Offer, including Shares tendered at or below the Purchase Price and Shares not purchased because of proration, will be returned to the tendering shareholders at the Company's expense promptly after the expiration of the Offer.

        A copy of each of the Offer to Purchase, the 401(k) Plan Participant Q&A, the 401(k) Plan Participant Election Form (the "Election Form") and the 401(k) Plan Participant Notice of Withdrawal (the "Notice of Withdrawal") is enclosed with this letter. You are urged to examine the Offer carefully.

        As a participant in the White Mountains Retirement Plan (the "Plan"), you have the right to instruct Hand Benefit & Trust Company, the Trustee of the Plan (the "Trustee") and White Mountains Capital, Inc., the Special Trustee over the non-Core Funds, including the Shares held in the Plan (the "Special Trustee") via communication with Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as agent (the "Agent") for the benefit of the Trustee and the Special Trustee, as to whether to tender any Shares allocated to your Plan account ("Plan Shares"). If, after reading the enclosed materials, you want to tender your Plan Shares, you must follow the instructions contained in this letter and fill out and sign the Election Form enclosed, and mail the form in the enclosed self-addressed envelope to the Agent in connection with the Offer. If you do not wish to use the enclosed envelope, you may also send your Election Form by express or overnight delivery to the Agent at Computershare Trust Company, N.A., c/o Voluntary Corporate Actions, 250 Royall Street, Suite V, Canton, Massachusetts 02021, or by first-class, registered or certified mail to the Agent at Computershare Trust Company, N.A., c/o Voluntary Corporate Actions, PO Box 43011, Providence, Rhode Island 02940-3011.

        If valid instructions to tender Plan Shares are not received by 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on May 2, 2018, the Plan Shares allocated to your Plan account will not be tendered unless the Company extends the Offer, in which case your instructions must be received by 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the date that is two (2) business days before the new expiration date. Please note that your instructions as to whether or not to tender will be kept confidential from the Company.

        If you elect to tender Plan Shares and such Plan Shares are accepted in the Offer, any proceeds received in respect of such Plan Shares will remain in the Plan and will be invested in the Plan's Qualified Default Investment Alternative, which is the Vanguard Target Retirement Fund closest to the year you will turn age 65. However, you may elect to redirect the proceeds to any other investment


fund under the Plan that is open for new investments at any time once the proceeds have been allocated to your account under the Plan.

        Whether you decide to tender your Plan Shares or not, all Plan Shares in the White Mountains Stock Fund (the "Stock Fund") in the Plan will be "frozen" for two business days. Transactions involving the Stock Fund in the Plan will not be permitted starting at 1:00 p.m. Eastern time on May 2, 2018, unless the Offer is extended or withdrawn prior to that time. If the Offer is extended, the Stock Fund will be "frozen" starting at 1:00 p.m. Eastern time on the date that is two business days before any new expiration date.

        If you choose to instruct the Trustee or the Special Trustee to tender your Plan Shares, certain transactions involving the Plan, including all withdrawals, distributions and transfers, will be prohibited until the earlier of such time as: (i) the Offer is terminated and all Plan Shares are returned to the Trustee and the Special Trustee or (ii) the Offer is consummated and the Plan Shares are purchased by the Company. These restrictions on transactions will apply only to Plan Shares tendered into the Offer and will not apply to any Plan Shares not tendered into the Offer. In the event that the Offer is extended, the restrictions on transactions involving the Plan will continue until the consummation or expiration of the Offer, as extended.

        You must direct the Trustee or the Special Trustee if you want to tender your Plan Shares and, if you direct the Trustee or the Special Trustee to tender your Plan Shares, you must indicate at which price or prices you want the Trustee or the Special Trustee to tender them. The Trustee or the Special Trustee will tender your Plan Shares only if specifically instructed to do so.

        If you do not respond using the enclosed Election Form, you will be deemed to have instructed the Trustee and the Special Trustee not to tender any of your Plan Shares under the Offer, and your Plan Shares will remain in your Plan account.

        If you are also a direct shareholder of the Company, you will receive under separate cover another copy (or copies) of the Offer documents which can be used to tender your directly held Shares if you choose to do so. Instructions with respect to tendering your directly held Shares will be set forth in those materials. Those Offer documents may not be used to direct the Trustee or the Special Trustee to tender or not to tender the Plan Shares allocable to your individual account under the Plan.

        Please note that the Trustee, the Special Trustee and the Plan are prohibited by law from selling Plan Shares to the Company for a price that is less than the prevailing market price of the Shares. Accordingly, if you elect to tender Plan Shares at a price that is lower than the closing price of the Shares on the date the Offer expires, the tender price you elect will be deemed to have been increased to the closest tender price that is not less than the closing price of the Shares on the New York Stock Exchange on the date the Offer expires. This could result in none of your Plan Shares being accepted for purchase by the Company. Similarly, if you elect to maximize the chance of having the Company purchase Plan Shares by instructing the Trustee or the Special Trustee to tender by checking Box 2 of the Election Form and writing a percentage on the "% at TBD" line on the Election Form and the closing price of the Shares on the New York Stock Exchange on the date the Offer expires is within the range of prices set forth on the Election Form, the tender price you elect will be deemed to have been increased to the closest tender price that is not less than the closing price of the Shares on the New York Stock Exchange on the date the Offer expires. If the closing price of the Shares on the date the Offer expires is greater than the maximum price available in the Offer, none of the Plan Shares will be tendered and your tender instruction will be deemed to have been withdrawn.

        You also may request that the Trustee or the Special Trustee withdraw any tender instruction you have previously submitted, as long as you do so prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on May 2, 2018, by delivering the Notice of Withdrawal to the Agent. The Notice of Withdrawal cannot be sent by facsimile. Any Notice of Withdrawal that is sent by facsimile to the Agent will not be considered valid. If you do not have a copy of the Notice of Withdrawal, you may also give your withdrawal instructions (which must contain the information set forth below) by letter to the Agent. If the Offer is extended and you wish to withdraw your previously submitted tender instruction, then you must ensure that the


Agent receives your Notice of Withdrawal or other withdrawal notice by 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the date that is two (2) business days before the new expiration date. The Notice of Withdrawal sent to the Agent must: (i) specify the name of the participant or beneficiary who has made the instruction that is being withdrawn and the participant's or beneficiary's social security number and (ii) be signed by the participant or beneficiary who signed the Election Form.

        If you wish to withdraw any tender instructions for Plan Shares, you must withdraw the tender instructions for all Plan Shares that have been submitted into the Offer. You may instruct the Trustee or the Special Trustee to re-tender any or all of these Plan Shares into the Offer by submitting a new Election Form by mail.

        For any Plan Shares that are tendered and purchased by the Company, the Company will pay cash to the Plan. Individual participants in the Plan will not, however, receive any cash tender proceeds directly. All such proceeds will remain in the Plan and may be withdrawn only in accordance with the terms of the Plan.

        None of the Trustee, the Special Trustee, the Agent, the Company, the Company's Board of Directors, Computershare Trust Company, N.A., which is acting as the depositary (in such capacity, the "Depositary"), J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Barclays Capital Inc., which are severally acting as the dealer managers or D.F. King & Co., Inc. ("D.F. King"), which is acting as the information agent (the "Information Agent"), makes any recommendation as to whether you should tender or refrain from tendering your Plan Shares or as to the price or prices at which you should tender your Plan Shares. You must make your own decision after consulting with your own advisors whether to tender your Plan Shares and, if so, how many Plan Shares to tender and the price or prices at which you may choose to tender your Plan Shares.

        If you have any questions about the Offer, you should contact D.F. King, the Information Agent for the Offer, toll-free at (800) 893-5865, collect at (212) 269-5550 or by email at wtm@dfking.com. Additionally, all tender offer materials are available online at www.sec.gov. If you have questions about your Plan account or questions about how to provide tender instructions to Hand Benefit & Trust Company or White Mountains Capital, Inc., please contact Benefit Plans Administrative Services, Inc. at (866) 401-5272 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Eastern time.

    White Mountains Capital, Inc.


QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH RESPECT TO
TENDER RIGHTS OF PARTICIPANTS IN
THE WHITE MOUNTAINS RETIREMENT PLAN

DESCRIPTION OF THE OFFER

1.
What is the Offer?

        White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd., a company organized under the laws of Bermuda (the "Company"), is offering to purchase 500,000 of its Common Shares, par value $1.00 per share (the "Shares"), or such lesser number of Shares as are properly tendered and not properly withdrawn, at a purchase price not greater than $875 or less than $825 per Share, net to the seller in cash, less any applicable withholding taxes and without interest, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase (as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the "Offer to Purchase") and in the related Letter of Transmittal (which together, as they may be amended or supplemented from time to time, constitute the "Offer"), including the proration provisions described therein. The Company will select the lowest price per Share (in increments of $1.00) (the "Purchase Price") that will allow the Company to purchase the number of Shares sought in the Offer or, if a lesser number is properly tendered, all Shares that are properly tendered and not properly withdrawn. All Shares acquired in the Offer will be acquired at the same price regardless of whether the shareholder tendered at a lower price. However, because of the proration and "odd lot" priority provisions described in the Offer to Purchase, fewer than all of the Shares tendered at or below the Purchase Price may be purchased if more than the number of Shares the Company seeks are properly tendered and not properly withdrawn. Shares tendered but not purchased in the Offer, including Shares tendered at or below the Purchase Price and Shares not purchased because of proration, will be returned to the tendering shareholders at the Company's expense promptly after the expiration of the Offer.

        Participants in the White Mountains Retirement Plan (the "Plan") who have equivalent Shares allocated to their Plan accounts (such Shares are referred to in this Q&A as "Plan Shares") may tender these Plan Shares by filling out and signing the Election Form enclosed, and mailing the form in the enclosed self-addressed envelope to Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as agent (the "Agent") for the benefit of Hand Benefit & Trust Company (the "Trustee") and White Mountains Capital, Inc. (the "Special Trustee"). If you do not wish to use the enclosed envelope, you may also send your Election Form by express or overnight delivery to the Agent at Computershare Trust Company, N.A., c/o Voluntary Corporate Actions, 250 Royall Street, Suite V, Canton, Massachusetts 02021, or by first-class, registered or certified mail to the Agent at Computershare Trust Company, N.A., c/o Voluntary Corporate Actions, PO Box 43011, Providence, Rhode Island 02940-3011.

        You should mail your completed Election Form to the Agent no later than 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on May 2, 2018, or, if the Offer is extended, by 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the date that is two (2) business days before the new expiration date.

        After the Offer expires, the Company will look at the prices chosen by shareholders for all Shares properly tendered and not withdrawn. The Company will then select the lowest Purchase Price (in increments of $1.00) within the price range specified above that will allow the Company to purchase 500,000 Shares, or such lesser number of Shares as are properly tendered and not properly withdrawn. All Shares that the Company acquires in the Offer will be acquired at the same Purchase Price regardless of whether the shareholder tendered at a lower price. The Company will purchase only Shares tendered at prices at or below the Purchase Price it determines. However, because of the "odd lot" priority and proration provisions described in the Offer to Purchase (which apply to Shares other than Plan Shares), the Company may not purchase all of the Shares tendered at or below the Purchase Price if, based on the Purchase Price it determines, more than 500,000 Shares are properly tendered and not properly withdrawn. Shares tendered but not purchased in the Offer will be returned to the tendering shareholders at the Company's expense promptly after the expiration of the Offer. See Section 2 of the Offer to Purchase.


        In the event that more than 500,000 Shares are tendered in the Offer, the Company may exercise its right to increase the number of Shares sought in the Offer by an amount not exceeding 2% of its outstanding Shares without extending the expiration date. The Company also expressly reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to amend the Offer to purchase additional Shares, subject to applicable law.

        If more than 500,000 Shares (or such greater number of Shares as we may elect to purchase, subject to applicable law) are properly tendered at or below the Purchase Price and not properly withdrawn, the Company will purchase Shares in the following order of priority:

        Therefore, the Company may not purchase all of the Shares that you tender even if you tender them at or below the Purchase Price.

        The terms and conditions of the Offer are fully described in the enclosed Offer to Purchase. Please read the Offer to Purchase carefully.

2.
What are my rights under the Offer?

        The Plan records indicate that Plan Shares are allocated to your account. You may tender some or all of these Plan Shares. Because the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"), requires that all Plan assets in most circumstances be held in trust, all of these Plan Shares are registered in the name of Hand Benefit & Trust Company. Consequently, the Trustee or the Special Trustee will actually tender your Plan Shares by aggregating all Plan participant instructions and completing the required letter of transmittal for all Plan participants, but only in accordance with your instructions as well as those of the other Plan participants.

        You must direct the Trustee or the Special Trustee if you want to tender your Plan Shares and, if you direct the Trustee or the Special Trustee to tender your Plan Shares, you must indicate at which price or prices you want the Trustee or the Special Trustee to tender them. The Trustee or the Special Trustee will tender your Plan Shares only if specifically instructed to do so. If you do not respond using the enclosed Election Form, you will be deemed to have instructed the Trustee and the Special Trustee not to tender any of your Plan Shares under the Offer, and your Plan Shares will remain in your Plan account.

        The Agent is acting on behalf of the Trustee and the Special Trustee in connection with the Offer.

        Plan Shares will not qualify for the "odd lot" preference described above and may not be conditionally tendered. See Section 1 of the Offer to Purchase for a description of the "odd lot" preference.

3.
Which documents did I receive in the Offer materials and what is the purpose of each document?

        The following materials are enclosed in this mailing:


4.
Will I need to comply with the Company's policy regarding pre-clearance of sales in order to tender my Plan Shares in the Offer?

        You will not need pre-clearance in order to tender your Plan Shares in the Offer.

5.
How do I direct the Plan Trustee or the Special Trustee?

        The only way to instruct the Trustee or the Special Trustee to tender your Plan Shares is by completing the Election Form as described, signing it and returning it to the Agent.

        If you choose to mail your Election Form to the Agent, you may do this by using the self-addressed envelope provided for this purpose. Alternatively, you may send your Election Form by first-class, registered or certified mail or express or overnight delivery to the Agent.

        The Agent must receive your Election Form before 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on May 2, 2018 (unless the Offer is extended, in which case such Election Form must be received by no later than 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the date that is two (2) business days before the new expiration date). If you send the Agent the Election Form, you must sign and complete the Election Form for your tender instruction to be valid.

        To validly direct the Trustee or the Special Trustee to Tender Plan Shares on your behalf by mailing the Election Form, you must:


        Please be precise in providing your instruction and please act promptly. Do not deliver your instructions to your Human Resources Department or Benefit Plans Administrative Services, Inc. ("BPAS").

        If you do not wish to tender any Plan Shares, take no action.

6.
Must I provide directions to the Trustee or the Special Trustee?

        You must respond to the Agent only if you wish the Trustee or the Special Trustee to tender any of your Plan Shares. If you do not wish to tender any of your Plan Shares, do nothing. If you do nothing, you will be deemed to have instructed the Trustee and the Special Trustee not to tender any of the Plan Shares held for your benefit. A failure to respond to this tender offer will be deemed as an instruction not to tender your Plan Shares.

7.
How many Plan Shares may I tender and how do I learn the number of Plan Shares held for my benefit in the Plan?

        You may tender a whole percentage (up to 100%) of the Plan Shares allocated to your Plan account as of the expiration date of the Offer, currently scheduled to occur on May 7, 2018 (unless it is extended). The number of Plan Shares held in your Plan account is calculated by dividing the value of your Plan account allocated to the White Mountains Stock Fund under the Plan by the New York Stock Exchange closing price of the Company's common shares on a particular day. You can view the actual number of Plan Shares held in your Plan account by logging on to the participant website at www.bpas.com or contacting BPAS at (866) 401-5272 for assistance.

        If you wish to tender portions of your Plan Shares at different prices, you must identify the whole percentage of your Plan Shares you wish to tender at each specific price at which you wish to instruct the Trustee or the Special Trustee to tender your Plan Shares.

8.
Why must I direct the tender of Plan Shares allocated to my Plan account by whole percentage, rather than designating a set number of Plan Shares?

        A whole percentage designation allows the Trustee or the Special Trustee to take into account transactions involving Plan Shares that might be effected after you complete and send your Election Form to the Agent, such as additional contributions to investment funds under the Plan that are open for new investments, exchanges or distributions of Plan Shares. The percentage designation allows the Trustee or the Special Trustee to tender your Plan Shares based on the actual number of Shares in your Plan account as of the date of such tender.

9.
What if I have Shares in my Plan account and hold Shares outside of the Plan?

        If you have Shares in the Plan and also own other Shares (either in your possession or held by a bank or brokerage firm, or otherwise) outside of the Plan, you will receive two or more sets of Offer materials. You should be careful to follow the different instructions that apply to tendering each kind of Shares.

10.
Who will know whether I tendered my Plan Shares?

        Your directions to the Agent for the benefit of the Trustee and the Special Trustee will be kept confidential. No employee, officer or director of the Company will learn of your instruction unless such disclosure is required by law.


11.
Can I change my mind and direct the Trustee or the Special Trustee to withdraw Plan Shares that I previously directed the Trustee or the Special Trustee to tender?

        Yes, but only if you perform all of the following steps:

        If you wish to withdraw any tender instructions for Plan Shares with respect to the Offer, you must withdraw the tender instructions for all Plan Shares that have been submitted into the Offer. You may instruct the Trustee or the Special Trustee to re-tender any or all of these Plan Shares into the Offer by submitting a new Election Form by mail to the Agent.

12.
Will the Company purchase all Plan Shares that I direct the Trustee or the Special Trustee to tender?

        The answer to this question depends on the total number of Shares properly tendered (and not properly withdrawn) by all tendering shareholders at or below the Purchase Price, and the price or prices at which you direct the Trustee to tender your Shares. If you tender your Plan Shares at a price above the Purchase Price determined by the Company pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Offer, the Company will not purchase your Plan Shares. If you tender your Plan Shares at or below the Purchase Price, then the Company will purchase your Plan Shares, subject to the "odd lot" priority and proration provisions of the Offer (which apply to Shares other than Plan Shares). See Q&A #1 for a description of how the "odd lot" priority provision and the proration process work.

        Please note that the Trustee, the Special Trustee and the Plan are prohibited by law from selling Plan Shares to the Company for a price that is less than the prevailing market price of the Shares. Accordingly, if you elect to tender Plan Shares at a price that is lower than the closing price of the Shares on the date the Offer expires, the tender price you elect will be deemed to have been increased to the closest tender price that is not less than the closing price of the Shares on the New York Stock Exchange on the date the Offer expires. This could result in none of your Plan Shares being accepted for purchase by the Company. Similarly, if you elect to maximize the chance of having the Company purchase Plan Shares by instructing the Trustee or the Special Trustee to tender by checking Box 2 of the Election Form and writing a percentage on the "% at TBD" line on the Election Form and the closing price of the Shares on the New York Stock Exchange on the date the Offer expires is within the range of prices set forth on the Election Form, the tender price you elect will be deemed to have been increased to the closest tender price that is not less than the closing price of the Shares on the New York Stock Exchange on the date the Offer expires. If the closing price of the Shares on the date the Offer expires is greater than the maximum price available in the Offer, none of the Plan Shares will be tendered and your tender instruction will be deemed to have been withdrawn.


        Plan Shares held in your Plan account that are tendered but not purchased by the Company will remain in your Plan account as if nothing had happened, subject to the rules and provisions governing the Plan.

13.
What if I have questions about the Offer relating to the Plan?

        If you have any questions about the Offer, please contact D.F. King, the Information Agent for the Offer, at (800) 893-5865 (toll free), collect at (212) 269-5550 or by email at wtm@dfking.com. Additionally, all tender offer materials are available online at www.sec.gov. If you have questions about your Plan account or questions about how to provide tender instructions to Hand Benefit & Trust Company or White Mountains Capital, Inc., please contact BPAS at (866) 401-5272 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Eastern time.

14.
How will I know if the Company has purchased my Plan Shares?

        The purchase will be reflected in your Plan account as a transfer of the tendered Plan Shares. The tender proceeds will not be in your account until six (6) to ten (10) business days after the Offer expires. At that time, you will be able to see the proceeds in your account on www.bpas.com, and they will be reflected on your next quarterly statement.


OPERATION OF THE PLAN DURING THE OFFER

15.
What happens to contributions to my Plan account that are made after May 2, 2018?

        Contributions made to your Plan account after May 2, 2018 will be allocated as usual, in accordance with the sources of the contributions and, where applicable, your investment directions in effect at the time of your contribution, including any direction to invest such contributions in Plan Shares. Contributions will continue to be allocated during the Offer, and all of the Plan Shares in your Plan account on May 7, 2018 at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, will be subject to the Offer, unless the Offer is extended, in which case only the Plan Shares in your Plan account at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date will be subject to the Offer.

16.
How will my Plan account be affected by the Offer?

        You will be temporarily unable to conduct certain Plan transactions involving Plan Shares in your Plan account prior to the expiration of Offer. Please review the Plan Letter (as defined below) for more information.

17.
What happens if I request a distribution, withdrawal or transfer following the announcement of the Offer, but before I instruct the Trustee or the Special Trustee to tender my Plan Shares?

        Distributions and withdrawals from the Plan and transfers into or out of your Plan account will be processed in accordance with normal procedures except for Plan Shares that you have instructed the Trustee or the Special Trustee to tender into the Offer. In addition, as explained in the Plan Letter, all Plan Shares will be temporarily frozen two business days prior to the expiration date of the Offer.

18.
Will I be taxed on any proceeds received in 2018 from the Shares that I tender from my Plan account?

        No. Because tender proceeds received from Plan Shares will be received by and held in your Plan, they will not be subject to current income taxes.


REINVESTMENT OF OFFER PROCEEDS

19.
How will the Plan invest the proceeds received from the Plan Shares that are tendered?

        If you elect to tender Plan Shares and such Plan Shares are accepted in the Offer, any proceeds received in respect of such Plan Shares will remain in the Plan and will be invested in the Plan's Qualified Default Investment Alternative, which is the Vanguard Target Retirement Fund closest to the year you will turn age 65. Once the proceeds are in your Plan account, you will be able to move such tender proceeds at your own discretion to other investment funds of your choosing within the Plan.



ELECTION FORM
White Mountains Retirement Plan (the "Plan")
Your election must be received no later than 5:00 p.m.,
New York City time, on May 2, 2018,
to be included in the tabulation, unless the Offer is extended.

        In accordance with the White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd. (the "Company") Offer to Purchase dated April 10, 2018 (the "Offer to Purchase"), a copy of which I have received, I hereby instruct Hand Benefit & Trust Company (the "Trustee") and White Mountains Capital, Inc. (the "Special Trustee") to tender or not to tender shares of the Company, par value $1.00 per share (the "Shares"), allocated to my Plan account ("Plan Shares") prior to the Expiration Date (as defined in the Offer to Purchase), as follows:


Note: The sum of the whole percentages you write in must not exceed 100%. If the sum of all such whole percentages exceeds 100%, none of the Plan Shares allocated to your account will be tendered.

        % at TBD           % at $825           % at $826
        % at $827           % at $828           % at $829
        % at $830           % at $831           % at $832
        % at $833           % at $834           % at $835
        % at $836           % at $837           % at $838
        % at $839           % at $840           % at $841
        % at $842           % at $843           % at $844
        % at $845           % at $846           % at $847
        % at $848           % at $849           % at $850
        % at $851           % at $852           % at $853
        % at $854           % at $855           % at $856
        % at $857           % at $858           % at $859
        % at $860           % at $861           % at $862
        % at $863           % at $864           % at $865
        % at $866           % at $867           % at $868
        % at $869           % at $870           % at $871
        % at $872           % at $873           % at $874
        % at $875        

   

VOLUNTARY CORPORATE ACTION COY: WTM T06—BPAS Plan


        You must direct the Trustee or the Special Trustee if you want to tender your Plan Shares and, if you direct the Trustee or the Special Trustee to tender your Plan Shares, you must indicate at which price or prices you want the Trustee or the Special Trustee to tender them. The Trustee or the Special Trustee will tender your Plan Shares only if the Trustee or the Special Trustee is specifically instructed to do so.

        If you do not submit this Election Form to the Agent, who is acting on behalf of the Trustee and the Special Trustee in connection with the Offer, you will be deemed to have instructed the Trustee and the Special Trustee not to tender any of your Plan Shares under the Offer, and your Plan Shares will remain in your Plan account.

        If you submit more than one Election Form, the Trustee and the Special Trustee will rely on the last instructions received from you. The later set of instructions will revoke all prior instructions given to the Trustee or the Special Trustee with respect to the Offer. Please see the letter from White Mountains Capital, Inc. to participants in the White Mountains Retirement Plan, dated April 10, 2018 (the "Plan Letter"), for additional information on revoking previously submitted instructions.



        Because you are designated a "named fiduciary" for tender offer purposes under your Plan account, the Trustee and the Special Trustee are required to follow your validly delivered instructions, provided they are in accordance with the terms of the Plan and are not inconsistent with the Trustee's and the Special Trustee's responsibilities under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"). By signing, dating and returning this instruction form, you accept this designation under the Plan as a "named fiduciary", and that the adjustment to your instructions described below may be made by the Trustee and the Special Trustee.

        Please note that the Trustee, the Special Trustee and the Plan are prohibited by law from selling Plan Shares to the Company for a price that is less than the prevailing market price of the Shares. Accordingly, if you elect to tender Plan Shares at a price that is lower than the closing price of the Shares on the date the Offer expires, the tender price you elect will be deemed to have been increased to the closest tender price that is not less than the closing price of the Shares on the New York Stock Exchange on the date the Offer expires. This could result in none of your Plan Shares being accepted for purchase by the Company. Similarly, if you elect to maximize the chance of having the Company purchase Plan Shares by instructing the Trustee to tender by checking Box 2 of the Election Form and writing a percentage on the "% at TBD" line on the Election Form and the closing price of the Shares on the New York Stock Exchange on the date the Offer expires is within the range of prices set forth on the Election Form, the tender price you elect will be deemed to have been increased to the closest tender price that is not less than the closing price of the Shares on the New York Stock Exchange on the date the Offer expires. If the closing price of the Shares on the date the Offer expires is greater than the maximum price available in the Offer, none of the Plan Shares will be tendered and your tender instruction will be deemed to have been withdrawn.

X    

Signature


Print Name
Dated:    
   
Incorrectly completed or unsigned forms will be discarded in the Offer.
Phone Number :    
   
To be used in the event the Agent needs to contact you regarding your Election.

   

VOLUNTARY CORPORATE ACTION COY: WTM T06—BPAS Plan



NOTICE OF WITHDRAWAL FROM THE TENDER OFFER

WHITE MOUNTAINS INSURANCE GROUP, LTD. TENDER OFFER
FOR PARTICIPANTS IN THE WHITE MOUNTAINS RETIREMENT PLAN

To:    Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as Agent:

        As a participant in the above-referenced Plan, I hereby instruct Hand Benefit & Trust Company, the trustee (the "Trustee"), and White Mountains Capital, Inc., the special trustee (the "Special Trustee"), of the White Mountains Retirement Plan, which holds the common shares of White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd., to withdraw from the Offer (as defined in the Offer to Purchase) all Plan Shares (as defined in the Letter from White Mountains Capital, Inc. to Participants in the White Mountains Retirement Plan, dated April 10, 2018 (the "Plan Letter")) that I previously instructed the Trustee or the Special Trustee to tender on my behalf, pursuant to the Offer (as defined in the Letter).



Signature

 


Date


Please print name clearly

 


Social Security Number

Address:

 

 


 

 


Daytime Phone Number


 

 

 


DO NOT USE THIS FORM TO TENDER YOUR PLAN SHARES.

ONLY USE THIS FORM TO WITHDRAW YOUR PREVIOUS TENDER OF
PLAN SHARES FROM THE OFFER.

Mail this withdrawal notice promptly to:

By First-Class, Registered or Certified Mail:   By Express or Overnight Delivery:

Computershare Trust Company, N.A.,
Depositary
c/o Voluntary Corporate Actions
PO Box 43011
Providence, Rhode Island 02940-3011

 

Computershare Trust Company, N.A.,
Depositary
c/o Voluntary Corporate Actions
250 Royall Street, Suite V
Canton, Massachusetts 02021

   

VOLUNTARY CORPORATE ACTION COY: WTM T06—BPAS Plan




QuickLinks

LETTER TO PARTICIPANTS IN THE WHITE MOUNTAINS RETIREMENT PLAN
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH RESPECT TO TENDER RIGHTS OF PARTICIPANTS IN THE WHITE MOUNTAINS RETIREMENT PLAN
DESCRIPTION OF THE OFFER
OPERATION OF THE PLAN DURING THE OFFER
REINVESTMENT OF OFFER PROCEEDS
ELECTION FORM White Mountains Retirement Plan (the "Plan") Your election must be received no later than 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on May 2, 2018, to be included in the tabulation, unless the Offer is extended.
Note: The sum of the whole percentages you write in must not exceed 100%. If the sum of all such whole percentages exceeds 100%, none of the Plan Shares allocated to your account will be tendered.
NOTICE OF WITHDRAWAL FROM THE TENDER OFFER WHITE MOUNTAINS INSURANCE GROUP, LTD. TENDER OFFER FOR PARTICIPANTS IN THE WHITE MOUNTAINS RETIREMENT PLAN
DO NOT USE THIS FORM TO TENDER YOUR PLAN SHARES. ONLY USE THIS FORM TO WITHDRAW YOUR PREVIOUS TENDER OF PLAN SHARES FROM THE OFFER. Mail this withdrawal notice promptly to

Exhibit (a)(1)(I)

 

On April 10, 2018 White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd. announced that it intends to commence a “modified Dutch auction” self-tender offer to purchase 500,000 of its common shares, or such lesser number of its common shares as are properly tendered and not properly withdrawn, at a purchase price of not greater than $875 or less than $825 per share.

 

As a holder of White Mountains common shares within the White Mountains Retirement Plan, you are eligible to participate in this tender offer and will be receiving a package of materials at your home address.

 

After reading the materials, if you are interested in participating in the tender offer, you must follow the instructions in the package, and submit your election form by May 2, 2018. If you do not wish to participate in the tender offer, you do not need to do anything; you do not need to return the election form. Please note that you will not need pre-clearance in order to tender any of your White Mountains common shares that are held within the White Mountains Retirement Plan in this tender offer.

 

In order to allow you additional time to consider this opportunity, we are attaching an advance copy of the letter and Q&As that you will receive at home.  Your election package will also contain other documents as well as a personalized Election Form.

 




Exhibit (a)(5)

 

 

PRESS RELEASE

 

CONTACT: Todd Pozefsky

(203) 458-5807

 

WHITE MOUNTAINS TO COMMENCE SELF-TENDER OFFER TO PURCHASE

UP TO 500,000 OF ITS COMMON SHARES

 

HAMILTON, Bermuda, April 10, 2018 — White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd. (NYSE: WTM) announced today that it intends to commence a “modified Dutch auction” self-tender offer to purchase 500,000 of its common shares, or such lesser number of its common shares as are properly tendered and not properly withdrawn, at a purchase price of not greater than $875 or less than $825 per share, net to the seller in cash. The tender offer is expected to commence on April 10, 2018 and expire at 12:00 midnight, New York City time, at the end of the day on May 7, 2018, unless extended.  White Mountains’s common shares closed on the New York Stock Exchange at $806.17 per share on April 9, 2018.

 

A “modified Dutch auction” self-tender offer allows shareholders to indicate how many shares and at what price within the Company’s specified range they wish to tender their shares. Based on the number of shares tendered and the prices specified by the tendering shareholders, the Company will determine the lowest price per share within the range that will enable it to purchase 500,000 shares, or such lesser number of shares that are properly tendered and not properly withdrawn. All shares purchased by the Company in the tender offer will be purchased at the same price regardless of whether the shareholder tendered at a lower price. The Company will not purchase shares below a price stipulated by a shareholder, and in some cases, may actually purchase shares at a price above a shareholder’s indication under the terms of the tender offer.

 

The tender offer will not be conditioned upon any minimum number of shares being tendered. The tender offer will be, however, subject to certain conditions as will be specified in the offer to purchase. Specific instructions and a complete explanation of the terms and conditions of the tender offer will be contained in the offer to purchase, the letter of transmittal and the related materials, which will be mailed to shareholders of record shortly after commencement of the tender offer.

 

Neither the Company nor its Board of Directors makes any recommendation as to whether any shareholder should participate or refrain from participating in the tender offer or as to the price or prices at which shareholders may choose to tender their shares in the tender offer.

 

D.F. King & Co., Inc. will serve as information agent for the tender offer.  Shareholders with questions, or who would like to receive additional copies of the tender offer documents when they are available, may call D.F. King & Co., Inc. at (800) 893-5865 (toll free) or email wtm@dfking.com. The dealer managers for the tender offer will be J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Barclays Capital Inc.

 



 

White Mountains is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “WTM” and the Bermuda Stock Exchange under the symbol “WTM-BH”.

 

TENDER OFFER STATEMENT

 

This press release is for informational purposes only and is not an offer to buy or the solicitation of an offer to sell any shares of the Company’s common shares. The solicitation and offer to buy the Company’s common shares will only be made pursuant to the offer to purchase and the related materials that the Company will send to its shareholders shortly after commencement of the tender offer. Shareholders should carefully read those materials when they are available because they will contain important information, including the various terms and conditions of the tender offer. Neither the Company nor its directors make any recommendation as to whether to tender shares or as to the price at which to tender them. Shareholders may obtain free copies, when available, of the offer to purchase, the letter of transmittal and the related materials that will be filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission at the commission’s website at www.sec.gov. Shareholders also may obtain a copy of these documents, without charge, from the Company’s website: www.whitemountains.com.  Shareholders are urged to read these materials carefully prior to making any decision with respect to the offer. Shareholders and investors who have questions or need assistance may call D.F. King & Co., Inc. at (800) 893-5865 (toll free) or email wtm@dfking.com.

 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This press release may contain “forward-looking statements”. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included or referenced in this press release which address activities, events or developments which White Mountains expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. The words “will”, “believe”, “intend”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “project”, “estimate”, “predict” and similar expressions are also intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, among others, statements with respect to White Mountains’s:

 

·                                  change in adjusted book value per share or return on equity;

 

·                                  business strategy;

 

·                                  financial and operating targets or plans;

 

·                                  incurred loss and loss adjustment expenses and the adequacy of its loss and loss adjustment expense reserves;

 

·                                  projections of revenues, income (or loss), earnings (or loss) per share, dividends, market share or other financial forecasts;

 

·                                  expansion and growth of its business and operations; and

 

·                                  future capital expenditures.

 

These statements are based on certain assumptions and analyses made by White Mountains in light of its experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors believed to be appropriate in the circumstances. However, whether actual results and developments will conform to its expectations and predictions is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations, including:

 

·                                  the risks that are described from time to time in White Mountains’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to White Mountains’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 filed February 28, 2018;

 

·                                  business opportunities (or lack thereof) that may be presented to it and pursued;

 



 

·                                  actions taken by ratings agencies from time to time, such as financial strength or credit ratings downgrades or placing ratings on negative watch;

 

·                                  the continued availability of capital and financing;

 

·                                  general economic, market or business conditions;

 

·                                  competitive forces, including the conduct of other insurers;

 

·                                  changes in domestic or foreign laws or regulations, or their interpretation, applicable to White Mountains, its competitors or its customers;

 

·                                  an economic downturn or other economic conditions adversely affecting its financial position; and

 

·                                  other factors, most of which are beyond White Mountains’s control.

 

Consequently, all of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements, and there can be no assurance that the actual results or developments anticipated by White Mountains will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, White Mountains or its business or operations. Except for our obligations under Rule 13e-4(c)(3) and Rule 13e-4(e)(3) of the Exchange Act to disclose any material changes in the information previously disclosed to shareholders or as otherwise required by law, the Company assumes no obligation to publicly update any such forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 




Exhibit (d)(6)

 

Execution Copy

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED SUPPLEMENTAL TRUST AGREEMENT

 

This Amended and Restated Supplemental Trust Agreement, dated as of August 14, 2017 (this “Supplemental Trust Agreement”), is entered into by and among BUILD AMERICA MUTUAL ASSURANCE COMPANY, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of New York (the “Beneficiary”), HG RE LTD., an exempted Bermuda limited company (the “Grantor”), and THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, a banking corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of New York (the “Trustee”), (the Grantor, the Beneficiary and the Trustee are hereinafter each sometimes referred to individually as a “Party” and collectively as the “Parties”).

 

RECITALS:

 

WHEREAS, this Supplemental Trust Agreement was originally entered into as of July 20, 2012; and

 

WHEREAS, the Grantor is the assignee of the original grantor under this Supplemental Trust Agreement: HGR Patton (Luxembourg) S.a r.l., United States of America Branch; and

 

WHEREAS, HG Re Ltd. (“HG Re”) and the Beneficiary have entered into that certain First Loss Reinsurance Treaty Agreement, dated as of July 20, 2012 (as it may be amended or restated in accordance with its terms, the “Reinsurance Agreement”); and

 

WHEREAS, the Grantor has created a trust account with the Trustee (the “Supplemental Trust Account”) for the purposes set forth in the Reinsurance Agreement and herein; and

 

WHEREAS, HG Re, the Beneficiary and the Trustee have entered into that certain Regulation 114 Trust Agreement, dated July 20, 2012 (as it may be amended or restated in accordance with its terms, the “Regulation 114 Trust Agreement”), pursuant to which HG Re has established the Regulation 114 Trust Account (as defined therein); and

 

WHEREAS, the Trustee has agreed to act as trustee hereunder, and to hold Assets in the Supplemental Trust Account in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Supplemental Trust Agreement;

 

WHEREAS, this Supplemental Trust Agreement is being amended and restated to reflect certain changes to the Assets deposited with the Trustee.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the premises and the promises and the mutual agreements hereinafter set forth, the Parties, intending to be legally bound, covenant and agree as follows:

 

SECTION 1.                                     Deposit of Assets into the Supplemental Trust Account.

 

(a)           The Grantor hereby establishes the Supplemental Trust Account with the Trustee for the sole use and benefit of the Beneficiary, under the terms set forth herein, in order to secure payment of amounts owed by HG Re to the Beneficiary under the Reinsurance Agreement.  The Trustee shall administer the Supplemental Trust Account in its name as Trustee for the sole use

 



 

and befit of the Beneficiary.  The Supplemental Trust Account shall be subject to withdrawal by the Beneficiary and the Grantor, respectively, solely as provided herein.  The Trustee hereby accepts the Supplemental Trust Account upon the terms set forth in this Supplemental Trust Agreement.

 

(b)           The Trustee will accept and credit to the Supplemental Trust Account all assets which from time to time are delivered to it for deposit in the Supplemental Trust Account by or on behalf of the Grantor or the Beneficiary (all such assets actually received in the Supplemental Trust Account are herein referred to individually as an “Asset” and collectively as the “Assets”).  The Trustee is authorized and shall have the power to receive such Assets and to hold, invest, reinvest and dispose of the same for the uses and purposes of and according to the provisions herein set forth.  All Assets shall be maintained by the Trustee in the Supplemental Trust Account separate and distinct from all other assets under the control of or on the books of the Trustee and shall be received and continuously kept in a safe place at the Trustee’s office within the United States of America.

 

(c)           The Grantor shall ensure that (i) any Assets transferred to the Trustee for deposit in the Supplemental Trust Account will be in such form that the Beneficiary, or the Trustee upon direction by the Beneficiary, may whenever necessary negotiate any such Assets, without consent or signature from the Grantor or any other person or entity in accordance with the terms of this Supplemental Trust Agreement, (ii) all Assets transferred to the Trustee for deposit in the Supplemental Trust Account will consist only of Eligible Assets and Surplus Notes, and (iii) each such Asset shall be at the time of transfer free and clear of all claims, liens, interests and encumbrances whatsoever (other than those arising under this Supplemental Trust Agreement).

 

(d)           Prior to depositing the Assets in the Supplemental Trust Account, and from time to time thereafter as required, the Grantor shall execute or cause the execution of assignments, endorsement in blank, or transfer legal title to the Trustee of all shares, obligations or other Assets requiring assignments, so that the Beneficiary, or the Trustee upon direction by the Beneficiary, may whenever necessary negotiate any such Assets, without the consent or signature from the Grantor or any other person or entity.  Any Assets received by the Trustee which are not in such proper negotiable form shall not be accepted by the Trustee and shall be returned to the Grantor as unacceptable. The Trustee may hold Assets of the Supplemental Trust Account in bearer form or in its own name or that of a nominee.

 

(e)           The Trustee shall have no responsibility to determine whether the Assets in the Supplemental Trust Account are sufficient to secure the Grantor’s obligations to the Beneficiary.  Furthermore, the Trustee shall have no responsibility whatsoever to determine whether Assets transferred to the Supplemental Trust Account constitute Eligible Assets.

 

SECTION 2.                                     Withdrawal or Transfer of Assets from the Supplemental Trust Account.

 

(a)           Without notice to the Grantor, the Beneficiary shall have the right, at any time and from time to time, to withdraw from the Supplemental Trust Account, subject only to written notice from the Beneficiary to the Trustee (the “Withdrawal Notice”), such Assets as are specified in such Withdrawal Notice.  The Withdrawal Notice shall also specify instruction to the Trustee as to how such specified Assets shall be delivered.  The Beneficiary may from time to

 

2



 

time designate a third party (the “Beneficiary Designee”) in a Withdrawal Notice to whom all or part of the Assets specified therein shall be delivered. The Beneficiary shall not be required to present any other statement or document in addition to a Withdrawal Notice in order to withdraw any Assets, except that the Beneficiary shall acknowledge receipt of any such Assets withdrawn upon request by the Trustee; nor is said right of withdrawal or any other provision of this Supplemental Trust Agreement subject to any conditions or qualifications not contained in this Supplemental Trust Agreement.

 

(b)           Upon receipt of a Withdrawal Notice, the Trustee shall immediately take any and all steps necessary to transfer absolutely and unequivocally all right, title and interest in the Assets specified in such Withdrawal Notice and shall deliver physical custody (or such other form as is necessary to complete the transfer) of such Assets to or for the account of the Beneficiary or the Beneficiary Designee, as applicable, as specified in such Withdrawal Notice.  The Trustee shall notify the Grantor and the Beneficiary within five (5) Business Days following each withdrawal from the Supplemental Trust Account.  The Trustee may rely on any Withdrawal Notice delivered by the Beneficiary without making any investigation of the Beneficiary’s authority to deliver it.

 

(c)           Without limitation of the foregoing provisions of this Section 2, the Grantor shall be permitted to withdraw Assets from the Supplemental Trust Account from time to time, subject only to written notice from the Grantor to the Trustee, provided that such written notice shall have been countersigned by the Beneficiary (the “Grantor Withdrawal Notice”), such Assets as are specified in such Grantor Withdrawal Notice.  The Grantor Withdrawal Notice shall also specify instruction to the Trustee as to how such specified Assets shall be delivered.  The Grantor may from time to time designate a third party (the “Grantor Designee”) in a Grantor Withdrawal Notice to whom all or part of the Assets specified therein shall be delivered.  The Grantor shall not be required to present any other statement or document in addition to a Grantor Withdrawal Notice in order to withdraw any Assets, except that the Grantor shall acknowledge receipt of any such Assets withdrawn upon request by the Trustee.

 

(d)           Subject to Sections 2 and 3 of this Supplemental Trust Agreement and subsection (e) below, the Trustee shall allow no substitution or withdrawal of any Asset from the Supplemental Trust Account in the absence of a Withdrawal Notice or a Grantor Withdrawal Notice.

 

(e)           Upon written notice to the Trustee from the Beneficiary, the Trustee shall transfer amounts held in the Supplemental Trust Account to the Regulation 114 Trust Account (the “Transfer Notice”).

 

SECTION 3.                                     Redemption, Investment and Substitution of Assets.

 

(a)           The Trustee shall surrender for payment all maturing Assets and all Assets called for redemption, deposit the principal amount of the proceeds of any such payment to the Supplemental Trust Account and give written notice to the Beneficiary and the Grantor of such action.

 

3



 

(b)           The Grantor may appoint an investment manager (in such capacity, the “Asset Manager”), to make investment decisions with regard to the Assets held by the Trustee in the Supplemental Trust Account.  The Grantor shall promptly notify the Trustee in writing of the termination of the appointment of the Asset Manager.  From time to time, the Grantor, or the Asset Manager, acting on behalf of Grantor, may instruct the Trustee to invest Assets in the Supplemental Trust Account (other than the Surplus Notes held therein) in Eligible Assets.  The Trustee agrees to follow any investment instructions from the Asset Manager and to execute and settle all such trades in the ordinary course.  The Grantor shall be responsible to ascertain whether investments are “Eligible Assets”.

 

(c)           From time to time, the Grantor may provide written instructions to the Trustee to direct the Trustee to substitute other Eligible Assets for Assets presently held in the Supplemental Trust Account; provided, however, that (i) such written instructions (A) certify that the fair market values of the assets being substituted equals or exceeds the fair market value of  the assets being withdrawn and (B) reference current information from an independent third-party pricing source that customarily values such assets, and (ii) the Beneficiary is promptly notified of said substitution and given a copy of said written instructions.  In the case of a substitution of Eligible Assets for Surplus Notes, the fair market value of the assets to be so transferred into the Supplemental Trust Account must be at least equal to the par value of the Surplus Notes to be removed, plus any accrued but unpaid interest thereon through the date of such removal, minus any such accrued but unpaid interest that was previously assigned pursuant to Section 14(g)(iii) of the Reinsurance Agreement.  The Trustee shall also follow any instructions regarding substitution of assets that are signed by both the Grantor and the Beneficiary.

 

(d)           When the Trustee is directed to deliver or receive Assets against payment, delivery will be made in accordance with generally accepted market practice.

 

SECTION 4.                                   Trust Income.

 

All payments of interest, dividends and other income in respect to the Assets in the Supplemental Trust Account shall be promptly deposited into the Supplemental Trust Account.

 

SECTION 5.                                     Right to Vote Assets.

 

The Trustee shall forward all annual and interim stockholder and other financial reports and all proxies and proxy materials relating to the Assets in the Supplemental Trust Account to the Grantor within a reasonable period of time following the Trustee’s receipt thereof.  The Grantor shall have the full and unqualified right to vote any shares of stock or other securities in the Supplemental Trust Account.

 

SECTION 6.                                     Additional Rights and Duties of the Trustee.

 

(a)           The Trustee shall be a bank which is a member of the Federal Reserve System of the United States of America or a New York State chartered bank or trust company and shall not be a parent, subsidiary or affiliate of the Grantor or the Beneficiary.

 

4



 

(b)           The Trustee shall be liable for its own negligence, willful misconduct or lack of good faith arising out of or in connection with the performance of its obligations in accordance with this Supplemental Trust Agreement.

 

(c)           The Trustee shall notify the Grantor and the Beneficiary in writing promptly, but in no event more than ten (10) calendar days, following each deposit into, or withdrawal from, the Supplemental Trust Account and shall notify the Grantor promptly of the receipt by the Trustee of any Withdrawal Notice or Transfer Notice.

 

(d)           The Trustee shall be under no obligation to determine whether or not any instructions given by the Grantor or the Beneficiary are contrary to any provision of law. It is understood and agreed that the Trustee’s duties are solely those set forth herein and that the Trustee shall have no duty to take any other action unless specifically agreed to by the Trustee in writing. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Trustee shall not have any duty to advise, manage, supervise or make recommendations with respect to the purchase, retention or sale of any Assets in the Supplemental Trust Account as to which a default in the payment of principal or interest has occurred or to be responsible for the consequences of insolvency or the legal inability of any broker, dealer, bank or other agent employed by the Grantor or Trustee with respect to the Assets except to the extent that the Trustee was negligent, engaged in willful misconduct or acted with a lack of good faith in the selection of any such person or entity.

 

(e)           The Trustee shall accept and open all mail directed to the Grantor or the Beneficiary in care of the Trustee.

 

(f)            The Trustee shall furnish to the Grantor and the Beneficiary a statement of all Assets in the Supplemental Trust Account upon the inception of the Supplemental Trust Account and at regular intervals no less frequently than at the end of each quarter thereafter.

 

(g)           The Trustee shall keep full and complete records of the administration of the Supplemental Trust Account in accordance with all applicable law.  Upon the request of the Grantor or the Beneficiary, the Trustee shall promptly permit the Grantor or the Beneficiary, their respective agents, employees, independent auditors and regulatory authorities to examine, audit, excerpt, transcribe and copy, during the Trustee’s normal business hours, any books, documents, papers and records relating to the Supplemental Trust Account or the Assets. Any out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Trustee in relation to any such audit shall be reimbursed by the Grantor and/or the Beneficiary, as the case may be.

 

(h)           Unless otherwise provided in this Supplemental Trust Agreement, the Trustee is authorized to follow and rely upon all instructions given by officers of the Grantor or the Beneficiary and by attorneys-in-fact acting under written authority furnished to the Trustee by the Grantor or the Beneficiary, including, without limitation, instructions given by letter, facsimile transmission or electronic media, if the Trustee believes such instructions to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or presented by the proper party or parties. In the absence of negligence, the Trustee shall not incur any liability to anyone resulting from actions taken by the Trustee in reliance in good faith on such instructions.  The Trustee shall not incur any liability in executing instructions (i) from any attorney-in-fact prior to receipt by it of notice of the

 

5



 

revocation of the written authority of the attorney-in-fact or (ii) from any officer of the Grantor or the Beneficiary.

 

(i)            The duties and obligations of the Trustee shall only be such as are specifically set forth in this Supplemental Trust Agreement, as it may from time to time be amended, and no implied duties or obligations shall be read into this Supplemental Trust Agreement against the Trustee.

 

(j)            No provision of this Supplemental Trust Agreement shall require the Trustee to take any action which, in the Trustee’s reasonable judgment, would result in any violation of this Supplemental Trust Agreement or any provision of law.

 

(k)           The Trustee may confer with counsel of its own choice in relation to matters arising under this Supplemental Trust Agreement.  The opinion of said counsel shall be full and complete authority and protection for the Trustee with respect to any action taken, suffered or omitted by it in good faith and in accordance with the opinion of said counsel, other than with respect to the withdrawal of Assets by the Beneficiary.

 

(l)            Except in the case of the Surplus Notes (which shall be maintained by the Trustee in certificated form), the Trustee may maintain the Assets in book-entry form with, and utilize the services of, any Federal Reserve Bank, The Depository Trust Company or similar such depositories (“Central Depositories”) as appropriate.  Assets may be held in the name of a nominee maintained by the Trustee or any Central Depository.

 

(m)          The Trustee shall be liable for (i) the safekeeping of the Assets and administering the Supplemental Trust Account in accordance with the provisions of this Supplemental Trust Agreement and (ii) its own negligence, willful misconduct or lack of good faith in performing its duties under this Supplemental Trust Agreement.  The Trustee shall exercise the standard of care with respect to the Assets that a professional trustee, engaged in the banking or trust company industry, having professional expertise in financial and securities processing transactions and custody would observe in such affairs.  The Trustee shall be liable for physical loss of or damage to Assets under its care, custody, possession or control or the care, custody, possession or control of its  subcustodians, other agents or nominee(s) selected by it, including but not limited to loss due to fire, burglary, robbery, theft or mysterious disappearance.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Trustee shall not be responsible for loss of or damage to Assets held in Central Depositories, including but not limited to loss due to fire, burglary, robbery, theft or mysterious disappearance.

 

(n)           Whenever in the administration of the Supplemental Trust Account created by this Supplemental Trust Agreement the Trustee shall deem it necessary or desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action thereunder, such matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may be deemed to be conclusively proved and established by a statement or certificate signed by or on behalf of Grantor and/or Beneficiary, as appropriate, and delivered to the Trustee and said statement or certificate shall be full warrant to the Trustee for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it on the faith thereof.

 

6


 

(o)           The Trustee shall execute and settle securities transactions by itself or by means of an agent or broker.  The Trustee shall not be responsible for any act or omission, or for the solvency, of any such agent or broker, unless in the case of agent(s), such agent(s) is selected by the Trustee, or in the case of brokers, such broker is negligently selected by the Trustee.

 

(p)           The Trustee is not required to make advances of cash, securities or any other property on behalf of the Supplemental Trust Account, or permit overdrafts in the Supplemental Trust Account in connection with the acquisition or disposition of Assets in the Supplemental Trust Account; provided, however, that if the Trustee is required by industry practice to make such advance or permit such an overdraft, such advance or overdraft shall be deemed a loan by the Trustee to the Grantor, which loan shall be payable on demand and shall bear interest at the Trustee’s customary rate for similar loans.  The Grantor shall be solely responsible for repayment of such loan and any interest thereon.

 

SECTION 7.                                     The Trustee’s Compensation; Expenses.

 

(a)           The Grantor shall pay the Trustee, as compensation for its services under this Supplemental Trust Agreement, a fee computed at rates determined by the Trustee from time to time and agreed to in writing to the Grantor. The Grantor shall pay or reimburse the Trustee for all of the Trustee’s expenses and disbursements in connection with its duties under this Supplemental Trust Agreement (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses), except any such expense or disbursement as may arise from the Trustee’s negligence, willful misconduct, lack of good faith or failure to administer the Supplemental Trust Account in accordance with the terms of this Supplemental Trust Agreement.  The Grantor also hereby indemnifies the Trustee for, and holds it harmless against, any loss, liability, costs or expenses (including reasonable attorney’s fees and expenses) incurred or made without negligence, willful misconduct or lack of good faith on the part of the Trustee, arising out of or in connection with the performance of its obligations in accordance with the provisions of this Supplemental Trust Agreement (which shall be the sole obligation of the Trustee), including any loss, liability, costs or expenses arising out of or in connection with the status of the Trustee and its nominee as the holder of record of the Assets. The Grantor hereby acknowledges that the foregoing indemnities shall survive the resignation of the Trustee or the termination of this Supplemental Trust Agreement.

 

(b)           No Assets shall be withdrawn from the Supplemental Trust Account or used in any manner for paying compensation to, or reimbursement of expenses or indemnification of, the Trustee.

 

SECTION 8.                                     Resignation or Removal of the Trustee.

 

(a)           The Trustee may resign at any time upon delivery of a written notice thereof to the Beneficiary and the Grantor effective not less than ninety (90) calendar days after receipt by the Beneficiary and the Grantor of such notice. The Trustee may be removed by the Grantor’s delivery to the Trustee and the Beneficiary of a written notice of removal, effective not less than ninety (90) calendar days after receipt by the Trustee and the Beneficiary of such notice. No such resignation or removal shall become effective until a successor trustee has been appointed and approved by the Beneficiary and the Grantor and all Assets in the Supplemental Trust Account

 

7



 

have been duly transferred to the successor trustee in accordance with paragraph (b) of this Section 8.

 

(b)           Upon receipt by the proper Parties of the Trustee’s notice of resignation or the Grantor’s notice of removal, as applicable, the Grantor and the Beneficiary shall appoint a successor trustee. Any successor trustee shall be a bank or trust company specified in Section 6(a) of this Supplemental Trust Agreement.  Upon the acceptance of the appointment as trustee hereunder by a successor trustee and the transfer to such successor trustee of all Assets in the Supplemental Trust Account, the resignation or removal of the trustee shall become effective. Thereupon, such successor trustee shall succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the resigning or removed trustee, and the resigning or removed trustee shall be discharged from any future duties and obligations under this Supplemental Trust Agreement, but the resigning or removed trustee shall continue after such resignation or removal to be entitled to the benefits of the indemnities provided herein for the Trustee.

 

SECTION 9.                                     Termination of the Supplemental Trust Account.

 

The Supplemental Trust Account and this Supplemental Trust Agreement shall be effective until terminated by the provision of sixty (60) calendar days’ advance written notice sent to the Trustee jointly by the Grantor and the Beneficiary.  Upon the termination of the Supplemental Trust Account, the Trustee shall, with the Beneficiary’s prior written consent, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed, transfer to the Grantor all of the Assets of the Supplemental Trust Account not previously withdrawn by the Beneficiary.

 

SECTION 10.                              Definitions.

 

Except as the context shall otherwise require, the following terms shall have the following meanings for purposes of this Supplemental Trust Agreement (the definitions to be applicable to both the singular and the plural forms of each term defined if both forms of such term are used in this Supplemental Trust Agreement):

 

Beneficiary” shall include any successor of the Beneficiary by operation of law, including, without limitation, any liquidator, rehabilitator, receiver or conservator.

 

Business Day” means any day other than a day on which banks in the State of New York or the Islands of Bermuda are permitted or required to be closed.

 

Eligible Assets” means cash (United States legal tender), certificates of deposit (issued by a United States bank and payable in United States legal tender), and investments of the type specified in Paragraphs (1), (2), (3), (8) and (10) of Subsection (a) of Section 1404 of the New York Insurance Law; provided, however, that such investments are issued by an institution that is not the parent, a subsidiary or an affiliate of either the Grantor or the Beneficiary and, provided further, that the investments comply with the investment guidelines attached hereto as Exhibit A, as the same may be amended from time to time upon written notice by the Beneficiary and the Grantor to the Trustee.

 

Person” means an individual, corporation, limited liability company, association, joint-stock company, business trust or other similar organization, partnership, joint venture, trust,

 

8



 

unincorporated organization or government or any agency, instrumentality or political subdivision thereof.

 

Surplus Notes” means the Beneficiary’s $503 million Surplus Notes due April 1, 2042.

 

SECTION 11.                              Governing Law.

 

This Supplemental Trust Agreement shall be subject to and governed by the laws of the State of New York, without regard to its conflict of laws provision and the Supplemental Trust Account created hereunder shall be administered in accordance with the laws of said state.

 

SECTION 12.                              Successors and Assigns.

 

This Supplemental Trust Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors, permitted assigns and legal representatives.  Neither this Supplemental Trust Agreement, nor any right or obligation hereunder, may be assigned by any Party without the prior written consent of the other Parties hereto.  Any assignment in violation of this Section 12 shall be void and shall have no force and effect.

 

SECTION 13.                              Severability.

 

All rights and restrictions contained herein may be exercised and shall be applicable and binding only to the extent that they do not violate any applicable laws and are intended to be limited to the extent necessary to render this Supplemental Trust Agreement legal, valid and enforceable. If any term of this Supplemental Trust Agreement, or part thereof, shall be held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, it is the intention of the Parties that the remaining terms hereof, or part thereof, shall constitute their agreement with respect to the subject matter hereof and all such remaining terms, or parts thereof, shall remain in full force and effect. To the extent legally permissible, any illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision of this Supplemental Trust Agreement shall be replaced by a valid provision which will implement the purpose of the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision.

 

SECTION 14.                              Entire Agreement.

 

This Supplemental Trust Agreement constitutes the entire agreement among the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and there are no understandings or agreements, conditions or qualifications relative to this Supplemental Trust Agreement which are not fully expressed in this Supplemental Trust Agreement.

 

SECTION 15.                              Amendments.

 

This Supplemental Trust Agreement may be modified or otherwise amended, and the observance of any term of this Supplemental Trust Agreement may be waived, only if such modification, amendment or waiver is in writing and signed by the Parties.

 

SECTION 16.                              Notices.

 

Unless otherwise specifically provided for in this Agreement, all notices, requests,

 

9



 

demands and other communications under this Supplemental Trust Agreement must be in writing and will be deemed to have been duly given or made as follows:  (a) if sent by registered or certified mail in the United States return receipt requested, upon receipt; (b) if sent by reputable overnight air courier, two Business Days after mailing; (c) if sent by facsimile transmission, with a copy mailed on the same day in the manner provided in (a) or (b) above, when transmitted and receipt is confirmed by telephone; or (d) if otherwise actually personally delivered, when delivered, and shall be delivered as follows:

 

If to the Grantor:

 

HG Re Ltd.

ATTN:  President

A.S. Cooper Building, 26 Reid Street

Hamilton HM 11

Bermuda

Telephone: (441) 278-3148

Fax: (441) 278-3145

Email: kevin.pearson@hgreltd.com

 

With a copy to:

HG Re Ltd.

ATTN:  President

A.S. Cooper Building, 26 Reid Street

Hamilton HM 11

Bermuda

Telephone: (441) 278-3148

Fax: (441) 278-3145

Email: kevin.pearson@hgreltd.com

 

and

 

White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd.

ATTN: General Counsel

80 South Main Street

Hanover, NH 03755

Telephone: (603) 640-2202

Fax: (603) 643-4592

Email: rseelig@whitemountains.com

 

If to the Beneficiary:

 

Build America Mutual Assurance Company

ATTN:  General Counsel

200 Liberty Street, 27th Floor

New York, NY  10281

Telephone: 212-365-7561

 

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Email: amakowski@buildamerica.com

 

If to the Trustee:

 

The Bank of New York Mellon

Mark Duncan

BNY Mellon Center, Room 151-1035

500 Grant Street

Pittsburgh, PA 15258

 

or to such other address or to such other Person as a Party may have last designated by notice to the other Parties.

 

SECTION 17.                              Headings.

 

The headings of the Sections have been inserted for convenience of reference only and shall not be deemed to constitute a part of this Supplemental Trust Agreement.

 

SECTION 18.                              Counterparts.

 

This Supplemental Trust Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, and all of such counterparts, taken together, shall evidence one and the same agreement. Delivery of a copy of this Supplemental Trust Agreement bearing an original signature by facsimile transmission or by electronic mail in “portable document format” form shall have the same effect as physical delivery of the paper document bearing the original signature.

 

SECTION 19.                              No Third Party Beneficiaries.

 

Except as otherwise expressly set forth in any provision of this Supplemental Trust Agreement, nothing in this Supplemental Trust Agreement is intended or shall be construed to give any Person, other than the Parties, any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Supplemental Trust Agreement or any provision contained herein.

 

[Remainder of page left intentionally blank]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amended and Restated Supplemental Trust Agreement to be executed and delivered by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized as of the date first above written.

 

 

 

 

HG RE LTD., as Grantor

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

BUILD AMERICA MUTUAL ASSURANCE COMPANY, as Beneficiary

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, as Trustee

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

12



 

EXHIBIT A

 

Investment Guidelines

 




Exhibit (d)(7)

 

Execution Copy

 

 

 

 

SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED

 

SURPLUS NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT

 

Between

 

BUILD AMERICA MUTUAL ASSURANCE COMPANY,
as Issuer

 

and

 

HG HOLDINGS LTD.

 

and

 

HG RE LTD.
as Purchasers

 

Dated August 14, 2017

 

 

 

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

Page

 

 

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

1

 

 

 

Section 1.01

Definitions

1

 

 

 

Section 1.02

Other Definitional Provisions

4

 

 

 

ARTICLE II

PURCHASE AND SALE OF SURPLUS NOTES

4

 

 

 

Section 2.01

Purchase and Sale of Surplus Notes

4

 

 

 

Section 2.02

Delivery and Payment

5

 

 

 

Section 2.03

Forms of Surplus Notes

5

 

 

 

ARTICLE III

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF REPAYMENT; MATURITY

5

 

 

 

Section 3.01

Interest

5

 

 

 

Section 3.02

Principal

6

 

 

 

Section 3.03

Payments by the Issuer

6

 

 

 

Section 3.04

Priority of Payment

6

 

 

 

Section 3.05

Pre-Payment

7

 

 

 

ARTICLE IV

REGISTRATION OF SURPLUS NOTES; TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE

7

 

 

 

Section 4.01

Surplus Note Register

7

 

 

 

Section 4.02

Exchanges and Transfers

7

 

 

 

ARTICLE V

PURCHASERS’ REPRESENTATIONS

7

 

 

 

Section 5.01

Investment Intent

7

 

 

 

ARTICLE VI

EVENTS OF DEFAULT

8

 

 

 

Section 6.01

Events of Default

8

 

 

 

Section 6.02

Remedies Upon an Event of Default

8

 

 

 

ARTICLE VII

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

8

 

 

 

Section 7.01

Representations and Warranties

8

 

 

 

ARTICLE VIII

COVENANTS OF THE ISSUER

9

 

 

 

Section 8.01

Covenants

9

 

 

 

ARTICLE IX

SUBORDINATION

10

 

 

 

Section 9.01

Subordination

10

 

 

 

ARTICLE X

REDEMPTION

10

 

 

 

Section 10.01

Redemption of Surplus Notes

10

 

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Section 10.02

Effect of Redemption Notice

10

 

 

 

Section 10.03

No Other Redemption

10

 

 

 

ARTICLE XI

MISCELLANEOUS

10

 

 

 

Section 11.01

Notices

10

 

 

 

Section 11.02

IRS Forms

10

 

 

 

Section 11.03

Amendments, Waivers

10

 

 

 

Section 11.04

Successors and Assigns; Third Party Beneficiaries

11

 

 

 

Section 11.05

Severability

11

 

 

 

Section 11.06

Binding Effect

11

 

 

 

Section 11.07

GOVERNING LAW; CONSENT TO JURISDICTION

11

 

 

 

Section 11.08

Execution in Counterparts

11

 

 

 

Section 11.09

Entire Agreement

11

 

 

 

Section 11.10

Limited Recourse

11

 

 

 

Section 11.11

Headings

12

 

SCHEDULES AND EXHIBITS

 

Schedule I

Notice Information

Exhibit A

Form of Surplus Note

 

ii



 

This SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED SURPLUS NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT, dated August 14, 2017 (the “Amendment Date”), is made by and between Build America Mutual Assurance Company, a New York mutual insurance company (together with its successors and assigns, the “Company” or the “Issuer”), HG Holdings Ltd., an exempted Bermuda limited company (together with its successors and assigns, the “Series 2012-A Purchaser”), and HG Re Ltd., an exempted Bermuda limited company (together with its successors and assigns, the “Series 2012-B Purchaser” and, together with the Series 2012-A Purchaser, the “Purchasers” and each a “Purchaser”).

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, the Issuer was formed as a mutual property and casualty insurance company to issue surety and financial guaranty insurance coverages; and

 

WHEREAS, in order to provide the Issuer with sufficient capital support to conduct its insurance business, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, (i) the Issuer desired to issue and sell to the Series 2012-A Purchaser, and the Series 2012-A Purchaser desired to purchase from the Issuer, surplus notes (the “Series 2012-A Notes”) in an aggregate principal amount of U.S. $203,000,000, and (ii) the Issuer desired to issue and sell to the Series 2012-B Purchaser, and the Series 2012-B Purchaser desired to purchase from the Issuer, surplus notes (the “Series 2012-B Notes”) in an aggregate principal amount of U.S. $300,000,000.

 

WHEREAS, the parties hereto previously amended and restated this agreement, in order to modify certain terms and provisions of this Agreement and the Series 2012-A Notes and Series 2012-B Notes (collectively, the “Original Notes”).

 

WHEREAS, the parties hereto now desire to further amend and restate this agreement, in order to arrange the consolidation of the Original Notes into a single series of surplus notes (the “Surplus Notes”) with aggregate principal amount of U.S. $503,000,000 while retaining all accrued liabilities and legal obligations of the Original Notes.  For purposes of the transactions specifically contemplated by this amendment and restatement, the terms “Purchaser” and “Purchasers” shall both be deemed to refer to HG Re Ltd. where appropriate.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, for full and fair consideration, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS

 

Section 1.01          Definitions.  The following capitalized terms shall have the following meanings:

 

Agreement” means this Second Amended and Restated Surplus Note Purchase Agreement, as the same may from time to time be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified in accordance with the terms hereof.

 

Applicable Interest Rate” means (i) for the period from July 17, 2012 to and including December 31, 2013, a per annum interest rate of 8.0%, (ii) during the Index Period, the Index Rate (which for the period from January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2014 was 3.13%, for the

 

1



 

period from January 1, 2015 through December 31, 2015 was 3.15%, for the period from January 1, 2016 through December 31, 2016 was 3.54%, and for the period from January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2017 is 3.78%), and (iii) at all times following the Index Period, a per annum fixed interest rate equal to the greater of (a) 8.0% or (b) the last Index Rate in effect prior to the Index Period Termination Date.

 

Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday or a Sunday or any day on which banking institutions, in New York, New York, or the Islands of Bermuda, are authorized or obligated by law, regulation or executive order to be closed.

 

Computation Date” means the first day following the December 15 preceding each Index Rate Reset Date on which the Federal Reserve Board makes available its H.15 weekly release on Selected Interest Rates (or equivalent releases).

 

Dollar” or “U.S.$” means a dollar or other equivalent unit in such coin or currency of the United States as at the time shall be legal tender for all debts, public and private.

 

Event of Default” has the meaning specified in Section 6.01 hereof.

 

Holder” means, with respect to any Surplus Note, the Person in whose name such Surplus Note is registered in the Surplus Note Register.

 

Index Period” means the period from January 1, 2014 to and including the Index Period Termination Date.

 

Index Period Termination Date” means (i) December 31, 2018 or (ii) December 31, 2021 if the Issuer elects to extend the Index Period pursuant to Section 3.01(d) hereof.

 

Index Rate” means, beginning on the Index Rate Effective Date, the US Treasury Rate plus 3.00%.

 

Index Rate Effective Date” means January 1, 2014.

 

Index Rate Reset Date” means January 1 of each year during the Index Period.  “Insolvency Event” means that (x) an involuntary bankruptcy, insolvency or similar proceeding shall be commenced or an involuntary petition shall be filed in a court of competent jurisdiction seeking (i) relief in respect of the Issuer or of all or substantially all of its property or assets under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law, (ii) the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator, rehabilitator, liquidator or similar official with respect to the Issuer or all or substantially all of its property or assets, or (iii) the winding-up, liquidation or dissolution of the Issuer, and any such proceeding or petition shall continue undismissed for a period of thirty (30) or more consecutive calendar days or an order or decree approving or ordering any of the foregoing shall be entered, or (y) the Issuer shall (i) voluntarily commence any proceeding or file any petition seeking relief (or take any similar or analogous action) under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law, (ii) consent to the institution of, or fail to contest in a timely and appropriate manner to, any proceeding or the filing of any petition described in clause (x) above, (iii) apply for or consent to the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator, rehabilitator, liquidator or similar

 

2



 

official with respect to the Issuer or all or substantially all of its property or assets, (iv) file an answer admitting the material allegations of a petition filed against it in any proceeding or petition described in clause (x) above, (v) make a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors, or (vi) become unable, admit in writing its inability, or fail generally to pay its debts or contractual obligations as they become due.

 

Issue Date” means, with respect to any Surplus Note, the date on which the Issuer issues such Surplus Note.

 

Maturity Date” means, with respect to any Surplus Notes, the date on which all outstanding unpaid principal on such Surplus Note becomes due and payable as therein or herein provided, whether at the Stated Maturity Date or by declaration of acceleration.

 

Payment Date” means, for any Quarterly Payment Date or the Maturity Date for which Regulatory Approval has been received pursuant to Section 3.03(a), the later of (i) five Business Days following the receipt of Regulatory Approval or (ii) said Quarterly Payment Date or the Maturity Date.

 

Person” means an individual, corporation (including a business trust), partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association, joint stock company, trust (including any beneficiary thereof), unincorporated association or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

 

Purchasers” has the meaning specified in the introduction to this Agreement.

 

Quarterly Payment Date” means each March 1, June 1, September 1 and December 1, commencing December 1, 2012, provided that if such day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day.

 

Record Date” means the date on which the Holders of any Surplus Note entitled to receive a payment with respect to principal or interest on the next succeeding Payment Date are determined, such date as to any Payment Date being five (5) Business Days prior to such Payment Date.

 

Regulatory Authority” means, with respect to the Issuer, the Superintendent of the New York State Department of Financial Services.

 

Regulatory Approval” means, with respect to any action by the Issuer, approval of the Superintendent of the New York State Department of Financial Services.

 

Series 2012-A Notes” means surplus notes of the Issuer denominated as Series 2012-A Notes in an aggregate principal amount of U.S.$203,000,000.

 

Series 2012-B Notes” means surplus notes of the Issuer denominated as Series 2012-B Notes in an aggregate principal amount of U.S.$300,000,000.

 

Series 2012-A Purchaser” has the meaning specified in the introduction to this Agreement.

 

3



 

Series 2012-B Purchaser” has the meaning specified in the introduction to this Agreement.

 

Stated Maturity Date” means April 1, 2042.

 

Superintendent” means the Superintendent of the New York State Department of Financial Services.

 

Supplemental Trust Agreement” means that certain Amended and Restated Supplemental Trust Agreement of even date herewith between the Company as beneficiary, HG Re Ltd. as grantor and The Bank of New York Mellon as trustee.

 

Surplus Note Register” has the meaning specified in Section 4.01 hereof.

 

Surplus Notes” has the meaning specified in the recitals hereof.

 

US Treasury Rate” means the mean average (rounded up to the nearest second decimal place if the third decimal place is 5 or greater, otherwise rounded down to the nearest second decimal place) of the daily yields, on each Federal Reserve Banks’ business day from and including November 1 to and including December 15, of United States Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year, as made available by the Federal Reserve Board in its H.15 weekly releases on Selected Interest Rates (or their equivalent, if the H.15 release is no longer available or applicable) (currently posted at http://www.federalreserve.gov/releases/h15/current/default.htm).  In the event that the foregoing is no longer available from the Federal Reserve Board, the Issuer will reasonably select a new source that provides comparable information needed to calculate the US Treasury Rate.  The Issuer will notify the Holders of such selection.

 

Wire Transfer” means the payment instructions given by the Purchaser or the Issuer, respectively, in connection with any Surplus Note payments.

 

Section 1.02          Other Definitional Provisions.

 

(a)           All terms defined in this Agreement shall have the defined meanings when used in any certificate or other document made or delivered pursuant hereto.

 

(b)           The words “hereof,” “herein” and “hereunder” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement; and Section and subsection references contained in this Agreement are references to Sections or subsections in or to this Agreement unless otherwise specified.

 

ARTICLE II
CONSOLIDATION OF ORIGINAL NOTES

 

Section 2.01          Consolidation of Original Notes.  Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, and in reliance on the covenants and agreements herein set forth, on the Amendment Date, in order to effect the consolidation of the Original Notes as

 

4



 

contemplated herein, the Issuer shall issue the Surplus Notes to the Purchaser and the Purchaser shall surrender all of its Series 2012-A Notes and 2012-B Notes in exchange therefor.  Following the issuance of the Surplus Notes, the Surplus Note Register shall reflect any and all interest previously accrued but not yet paid on the surrendered Original Notes through and including the Amendment Date as interest legally accrued and due on the Surplus Note, to be paid to the holders of the rights to receive such interest from time to time.

 

Section 2.02          Deleted.

 

Section 2.03          Forms of Surplus Notes.  The Surplus Notes shall be issued substantially in the form attached as Exhibit A hereto and shall be duly executed and delivered by the Issuer as hereinafter provided.

 

ARTICLE III
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF REPAYMENT; MATURITY

 

Section 3.01          Interest.

 

(a)           As of immediately prior to the Amendment Date, the aggregate amount of accrued and unpaid interest owing under the Original Notes was $      . As of the Issue Date of the Surplus Notes, $       (the “Carryover Interest Amount”) shall be legally accrued and owing under the Surplus Notes.  The parties agree that the right to receive the Carryover Accrued Interest is allocated as follows: $       to HG Holdings, Ltd. (in respect of interest accrued on the former Series A Surplus Notes), $        to HG Re Ltd. (in respect of previously-assigned rights to received interest accrued on the former Series B Surplus Notes), and $       to the HG Re Ltd. Supplemental Trust Account (as defined in the Supplemental Trust Agreement) (in respect of interest accrued on the former Series B Surplus Notes and not previously assigned).

 

(b)           In addition to the obligation to pay the Carryover Accrued Interest, the Surplus Notes shall bear interest at the Applicable Interest Rate on the outstanding principal amount of the Surplus Notes from the Amendment Date to but excluding the date that the applicable principal is repaid.

 

(c)           The Applicable Interest Rate for the Index Rate period in effect as of the Amendment Date (January 1, 2017 to and including December 31, 2017) is be 3.78%.  The Issuer shall calculate the Index Rate on each Computation Date, in the manner set forth in Exhibit B hereto, and promptly report to the Holders such rate, along with details supporting the calculation thereof.  Such rate shall become effective on the Index Rate Reset Date next succeeding the Computation Date and interest at such rate shall accrue each day during the related period, commencing on and including such Index Rate Reset Date to but excluding the next Index Rate Reset Date.  Interest shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.

 

(d)           Interest shall be due and payable as provided in Section 3.03(a), subject to the receipt of Regulatory Approval and the priority of payments set forth in Section 3.04.

 

 

5



 

At any time prior to November 30, 2018, the Issuer may elect to set the Index Period Termination Date to December 31, 2021.  If the Issuer so elects, the Issuer will provide written notice of the new Index Period Termination Date to the Holders no later than December 1, 2018.

 

Section 3.02          Principal.  Subject to the receipt of Regulatory Approval and the priority of payments set forth in Section 3.04, the principal of the Surplus Notes shall be due and payable on the Stated Maturity Date.

 

Section 3.03          Payments by the Issuer.

 

(a)           Unless Regulatory Approval has previously been obtained, not later than fifteen (15) calendar days prior to any Quarterly Payment Date or the Stated Maturity Date, the Issuer shall request Regulatory Approval to (i) make payments on the Surplus Notes in an amount equal to or greater than the accrued interest as of such Quarterly Payment Date and (ii) repay the principal of the Surplus Notes on the Stated Maturity Date, as applicable, and use its best efforts to obtain such approval.  To the extent Regulatory Approval is obtained, the Issuer shall make payment on the Surplus Notes in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. Interest unpaid on any Payment Date shall be deferred until Regulatory Approval is obtained for the payment of such interest, and no interest shall accrue on any such deferred interest.  Payment of any principal remaining outstanding as of the Stated Maturity Date shall be deferred until Regulatory Approval shall have been obtained for such payment.  Pursuant to Section 1307(b) of the New York Insurance Law, interest and principal shall be repaid only out of free and divisible surplus of the Issuer with the approval of the Superintendent whenever, in his judgment, the financial condition of the Issuer warrants. In the event of insolvency of the Issuer, unearned premiums shall be deemed to be part of its free and divisible surplus.

 

(b)           Principal that has not been paid on the Stated Maturity Date shall continue to accrue interest at the Applicable Interest Rate up to but excluding the date on which such amount is actually paid.

 

(c)           All payments required to be made by the Issuer with respect to this Article III shall be made:  (i) by Wire Transfer of immediately available funds not later than 1:00 p.m., New York City time, and (ii) to the account of the applicable Holders, or to such other account as such Holders may have most recently designated in writing for such purpose by notice to the Issuer.

 

(d)           The Issuer and any agent of the Issuer may treat the Person in whose name any Surplus Note is registered on the Surplus Note Register as the owner of such Surplus Note on the applicable Record Date for the purpose of receiving payments of principal and interest on such Surplus Note and on any other date for all other purposes whatsoever (whether or not such payment is overdue), and neither the Issuer nor any agent of the Issuer shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

 

Section 3.04          Priority of Payment.  As funds become available, they will be used on each Payment Date to make payments of outstanding principal of the Surplus Notes, plus any accrued interest thereon.  All payments in respect of accrued interest on the Surplus Notes shall

 

6



 

be paid to the holders of the rights to receive such interest pro rata in proportion to their rights as of the date of any such payment. The Issuer shall not make any payment of principal on any debt subordinated to the Surplus Notes until all interest due and all outstanding principal on all of the Surplus Notes has been paid.

 

Section 3.05          Pre-Payment.  Subject to the receipt of Regulatory Approval and the priority of payments set forth in Section 3.04, the Issuer may, at its sole option, pre-pay any or all of the principal on the Surplus Notes on any Quarterly Payment Date, upon five (5) Business Days’ prior written notice to the Holders in accordance with Section 10.01.

 

ARTICLE IV
REGISTRATION OF SURPLUS NOTES; TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE

 

Section 4.01          Surplus Note Register.  The Issuer shall keep a register (the “Surplus Note Register”) at its office in New York, New York, in which it shall provide for the registration of the Surplus Notes, the registration of transfers of the Surplus Notes and a record of all payments made of interest and principal.  Such Surplus Note Register shall be in written form or in any other form capable of being converted into written form within a reasonable time.  Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Surplus Note at the office of the Issuer and in compliance with the restrictions set forth in any legend appearing on any Surplus Note, the Issuer shall execute and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Surplus Notes of like terms.

 

Section 4.02          Exchanges and Transfers.  At the option of any Holder, Surplus Notes may be exchanged for one or more Surplus Notes to effectuate the division of any Surplus Notes held by the Holder into paid and unpaid portions and the surrender of the paid portion, upon surrender of the Surplus Notes to be exchanged at the office of the Issuer or such other office as the Issuer may designate for such purposes.  Whenever any Surplus Note is surrendered for exchange, the Issuer shall execute and deliver the Surplus Note that the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.  Any Surplus Notes issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of a Surplus Note shall be the valid obligations of the Issuer, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Agreement, as the Surplus Note surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.  Every Surplus Note presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange shall be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Issuer duly executed by the Holder thereof or its attorney duly authorized in writing.  No service charge shall be made to a purchaser for any registration of transfer or exchange of a Surplus Note, but the Issuer may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover the expenses of delivery (if any) not made by regular mail or any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.

 

ARTICLE V
PURCHASERS’ REPRESENTATIONS

 

Section 5.01          Investment Intent.  Each Purchaser represents that it is purchasing the Surplus Notes for its own account for investment and not with a view to the distribution thereof

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and has no present intention of selling, negotiating or otherwise disposing of the Surplus Notes, except for contributions to direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries.

 

ARTICLE VI
EVENTS OF DEFAULT

 

Section 6.01          Events of Default.  The occurrence of any of the following events shall constitute an “Event of Default” hereunder:

 

(a)           default is made in the payment of any installment of interest on the Surplus Notes when such interest becomes due and payable and such default continues for a period of 30 calendar days, provided that the Issuer has obtained Regulatory Approval for such interest payment in accordance with Section 3.03(a) hereof; or

 

(b)           default is made in the payment of the principal of the Surplus Notes when such principal becomes due and payable, provided that the Issuer has obtained Regulatory Approval for such principal payment in accordance with Section 3.03(a) hereof; or

 

(c)           an Insolvency Event; or

 

(d)           the Issuer fails to comply with the covenants set forth in Sections 8.01(b) or 8.01(c) within thirty (30) calendar days following receipt of written notice from a Holder of a breach of the applicable covenant; or

 

(e)           the Issuer violates the covenant set forth in Section 8.01(d).

 

Section 6.02          Remedies Upon an Event of Default.  Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, to the extent provided in any Regulatory Approval, and subject to the priority of payments set forth in Section 3.04, each Holder of a Surplus Note may give notice of such Event of Default to the Issuer, and demand payment of the entire outstanding principal amount of such Surplus Note, plus accrued interest, plus interest on such overdue principal at the Applicable Interest Rate, plus such further amounts as shall be necessary to cover the Holder’s costs and expenses of collection, including reasonable attorneys’ fees.

 

ARTICLE VII
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

Section 7.01          Representations and Warranties.  The Company hereby represents and warrants to the Purchasers:

 

(a)           The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly existing in good standing under the laws of the State of New York, and has the necessary power, capacity and authority to conduct its business as described in its Charter;

 

(b)           The Company has full power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and the certificates representing the Surplus Notes and to consummate the

 

8


 

transactions contemplated hereby and thereby and has taken all necessary corporate or other action to approve and authorize the same;

 

(c)                                  The Company is licensed as an insurance company in the State of New York;

 

(d)                                 The issuance of the Surplus Notes and compliance by the Company with all of the provisions of the Surplus Notes and this Agreement, and the consummation of the transactions herein and therein contemplated, will not conflict with or result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement, or other agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which the Company is bound or to which any of the property or assets of the Company is subject, or which affects the validity, performance or consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, nor will such action result in any violation of any statute or any order, rule or regulation of any court or insurance regulatory authority or other governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its properties; and

 

(e)                                  This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company.

 

ARTICLE VIII
COVENANTS OF THE ISSUER

 

Section 8.01                             Covenants.  So long as any amount shall remain owing by the Issuer under this Agreement or the Surplus Notes, the Issuer shall take the following actions:

 

(a)                                 Payment of Interest and Principal.  Subject to the receipt of Regulatory Approval, the Issuer shall duly and punctually pay the interest and principal on the Surplus Notes, in accordance with the terms hereof.

 

(b)                                 Reporting Requirements.

 

(i)                                     The Issuer shall publish and shall provide to the Holders annual audited statutory financial statements promptly after it has filed the same with the Regulatory Authority; and

 

(ii)                                  The Issuer shall provide to the Holders quarterly and annual unaudited statutory financial statements promptly after they have filed the same with the Regulatory Authority.

 

(c)                                  Limitation on Payments.  The Issuer shall request Regulatory Approval, and use reasonable best efforts to obtain such approval, as provided in Section 3.03(a) to make payment of interest or principal on the Surplus Notes.

 

(d)                                 Limitation on Additional Debt.  Until the full principal amount of the Surplus Notes and any interest incurred thereon has been paid to the Holders, the Issuer shall not issue any debt obligations (i) to which the Surplus Notes would be subordinated

 

9



 

or with which they would rank pari passu or (ii) the principal of which is payable, in whole or in part, prior to the payment in full of the principal of the Surplus Notes and interest incurred thereon.

 

ARTICLE IX
SUBORDINATION

 

Section 9.01                             Subordination.  The Issuer covenants and agrees, and the Holders by their acceptance of the Surplus Notes, likewise covenant and agree, that in the event of the liquidation of the Issuer pursuant to the New York Insurance Code, the payment of the principal and interest on the Surplus Notes shall be expressly subordinate and junior in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all policy obligations and all other liabilities of the Issuer other than any indebtedness that is expressly subordinate to the Surplus Notes, but prior to the distribution of assets to members.  Amounts distributable to the Holders of the Surplus Notes shall nevertheless be distributed in accordance with the priority of payments set forth in Section 3.04.

 

ARTICLE X
MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 10.01                      Notices.  Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone, all notices and other communications provided for herein shall be delivered by the following means:  (i) hand delivery, (ii) overnight courier service (e.g., FedEx or DHL); (iii) registered or certified U.S. mail, postage prepaid and return receipt requested; or (iv) facsimile transmission.  If any notice or other communication provided for herein is sent by any party by electronic e-mail it shall not be deemed to have been delivered to the addressee if the party sending such notice or communication receives a response from the intended addressee that he or she will not be able to retrieve e-mail due to vacation, other absence from the office, system failure or other reason.  All such notices shall be delivered to the parties as set forth on Schedule I hereof.  All notices and other communications given to any party hereto in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed to have been given on the date of receipt.

 

Section 10.02                      IRS Forms.                                   Each Holder, by its acceptance of a Surplus Note, agrees to provide a completed Form W-8 BEN, or other similar form required by the Internal Revenue Service, if requested by the Company, establishing that the interest paid on the Surplus Note is not subject to U.S. withholding tax.

 

Section 10.03                      Amendments, Waivers.

 

(a)                                 Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, no amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the parties hereto.

 

(b)                                 Each such amendment, waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given.  A failure or delay in exercising any right, power or privilege with respect to this Agreement will not be presumed to operate as a waiver, and a single or partial exercise of any right, power or

 

10



 

privilege will not be presumed to preclude any subsequent or further exercise of that right, power or privilege or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege.

 

Section 10.04                      Successors and Assigns; Third Party Beneficiaries.  The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors.  This Agreement shall not be transferred or assigned except as mutually agreed by the parties in writing.  Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted transferees) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.  In the event the Issuer consolidates or merges into another entity or transfers substantially all of its assets to another entity, the entity into which the Company consolidates or merges or to which the assets of the Issuer are transferred must assume the liability of the Company hereunder.

 

Section 10.05                      Severability.  Any provision of this Agreement held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability without affecting the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof; and the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate such provision in any other jurisdiction.

 

Section 10.06                      Binding Effect.  This Agreement shall remain in full force and effect until such time as all of the Surplus Notes issued to either Purchaser shall have been repaid in full and cancelled.

 

Section 10.07                      GOVERNING LAW.  THIS AGREEMENT SHALL IN ALL RESPECTS BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK AND APPLICABLE REGULATIONS ISSUED PURSUANT THERETO.

 

Section 10.08                      Execution in Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which when taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.  Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by telecopy shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.

 

Section 10.09                      Entire Agreement.  This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersedes any and all previous agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof.

 

Section 10.10                      Limited Recourse.  The obligation of the Issuer to pay the Surplus Notes shall not be part of the legal liabilities of the Issuer and shall not be a basis of any set-off but until the Surplus Notes are repaid, all statements published by the Issuer or filed with the Superintendent shall show, as a footnote, the amount then remaining unpaid.

 

Section 10.11                      Headings.  Article and Section headings used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and shall not affect the construction of, or be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.

 

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[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

12



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be executed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized, as of the first date written above.

 

 

 

BUILD AMERICA MUTUAL ASSURANCE COMPANY

 

as Issuer

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

HG HOLDINGS LTD.

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

HG RE LTD.

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

13



 

SCHEDULE I
to
Second Amended and Restated Surplus Note Purchase Agreement between Build America Mutual Assurance Company,
HG Holdings Ltd. and HG Re Ltd.

 

NOTICE INFORMATION

 

Address for Notices to Issuer:

 

Build America Mutual Assurance Company

ATTN:  General Counsel

200 Liberty St., 27th Floor

New York, NY  10281

Telephone: 212-365-7561

Email: amakowski@buildamerica.com

 

Address for Notices to the holder of the Surplus Note:

 

HG Re Ltd.

ATTN:  President

A.S. Cooper Building, 26 Reid Street Hamilton HM 11

Bermuda

Telephone: (441) 278-3148

Fax: (441) 278-3145

Email: kevin.pearson@hgreltd.com

 

With a copy to:

 

White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd.

ATTN: General Counsel

80 South Main Street

Hanover, NH 03755

Telephone: (603) 640-2202

Fax: (603) 643-4592

Email: rseelig@whitemountains.com

 



 

EXHIBIT A

 

FORM OF SURPLUS NOTE

 

August 14, 2017

 

Build America Mutual Assurance Company, a mutual insurance company duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of New York (the “Company”), for value received hereby promises to pay in cash to HG Re Ltd., or its assigns, on April 1, 2042, the outstanding balance of the principal sum of U.S.$503,000,000 (Five Hundred Three Million Dollars) plus interest thereon at the Applicable Interest Rate plus aggregate interest previously accrued in the amount of $       .  Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.  All principal and interest shall be paid at the principal corporate office of the Company or such other place, which shall be acceptable to the Company, as the holder hereof shall designate in writing to the Company, in collected and immediately available funds in lawful money of the United States of America.

 

Principal and interest shall be payable on the terms and conditions set forth below and as otherwise provided in the Second Amended and Restated Surplus Note Purchase Agreement pursuant to which this Surplus Note was issued (the “Agreement”).  This Surplus Note represents the consolidation of the Series 2012-A Surplus Notes and Series 2012-B Surplus Notes previously issued by the Company, and all the amounts accrued in respect thereof including interest, into a single series of Surplus Note, as set forth in the Agreement. The Applicable Interest Rate in effect from time to time will be determined in accordance with the terms of the Agreement.   Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning given them in the Agreement.

 

Other than contributions to direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries, this Surplus Note may not be sold, transferred or assigned, in whole or in part, unless it has been released from the trust account established pursuant to the Supplemental Trust Agreement dated as of July 17, 2012, among the Company, HG Re Ltd., an exempted Bermuda limited company and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee.

 

1.                                      No payment of principal or interest shall be permitted on this Surplus Note without Regulatory Approval.  The Company covenants that it shall use its best efforts to obtain such approvals as specified in the Agreement.

 

2.                                      Payment of principal and interest hereon shall be subject to the priority of payments set forth in the Agreement.  The Company hereby covenants it shall not make any payment of principal or interest on any debt subordinated to this Surplus Note until all outstanding principal and all interest due on this Surplus Note has been paid.

 

3.                                      Subject to the provisions of Paragraph 1 and 2 hereof, and as provided by and subject to the provisions of the Agreement, the Issuer may pre-pay principal on the Surplus Notes from time to time upon five (5) Business Days prior written notice to HG Re Ltd. or its assigns.

 



 

4.                                      To the extent that a payment of all or a portion of the principal of this Surplus Note or interest hereon is prohibited pursuant to the provisions of Paragraph 1 hereof, such prohibition shall not be considered to be a forgiveness of the indebtedness hereunder, and interest shall continue to be accrued and paid at the rate provided herein through the date of payment on any such unpaid principal (but not on interest the payment of which was prohibited pursuant to the provisions of Paragraph 1 hereof, during the period of such prohibition), and promptly (and in no event later than 30 calendar days) after the removal of any such prohibition the Company shall make payment of all amounts then past due and owing hereunder.

 

5.                                      Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, the Company will, upon demand by the holder of this Surplus Note, and subject to the provisions of Paragraph 1 hereof, pay to it the whole amount of the principal of this Surplus Note, plus accrued interest, with interest upon the overdue principal; and, in addition thereof, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including reasonable attorneys’ fees.

 

6.                                      In the event of the liquidation of the Company pursuant to the New York Code, the claims under this Surplus Note shall only be paid out of any assets remaining after the payment of all policy obligations and all other liabilities of the Company but before distribution of assets to members or to any holders of indebtedness expressly subordinated to the Surplus Notes.

 

7.                                      Except for the events described in Paragraphs 1 and 5 above, no provision of this Surplus Note shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and interest on this Surplus Note at the times, place and rate, and in the coin or currency, herein prescribed.  No provision of this Surplus Note shall extinguish ultimate liability for the payment of principal and interest hereunder.

 

8.                                      No payment obligation of the Company on this Surplus Note shall form a part of the Company’s legal liabilities, or be a basis of any setoff, until Regulatory Approval therefor has been received.  All statements published or filed with the Superintendent by the Company shall show the amount then remaining unpaid on the Company’s Surplus Notes as a special surplus account.  The obligation of the Company under this Surplus Note may not be offset or be subject to recoupment with respect to any liability or obligation owed to the Company.

 

9.                                      Each payment made hereunder will be made in accordance with Section 3.04 of the Agreement.

 

10.                               In the event that any payment of principal or interest on this Surplus Note is scheduled to be made on a day that is not a Business Day, then such payment shall be made on the next following Business Day and no additional interest shall accrue as a result of payment on such following Business Day.  For the purpose of this Paragraph 10, “Business Day” shall mean any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or any other day on which banking institutions in the State of New York are permitted or required by any applicable law to close.

 



 

11.                               No agreement or interest securing any obligation of the Company, whether existing on the date of this Surplus Note or subsequently entered into, shall apply to or secure the obligation of the Company under this Surplus Note.

 

12.                               In the event the Company consolidates or merges into another entity or transfers substantially all of its assets to another entity, the entity into which the Company consolidates or merges or to which the assets of the Company are transferred must assume the liability of the Company hereunder.

 

13.                               This Surplus Note shall in all respects be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York and applicable regulations issued pursuant thereto.

 

14.                               The Original Notes in their forms before the amendment and restatement of the Agreement are each marked as “superseded” and stapled to the rear of this Surplus Note.

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Surplus Note to be executed in its name and attested to by its authorized officer, and its corporate seal to be hereunto affixed, all as of the date first written above.

 

 

 

BUILD AMERICA MUTUAL ASSURANCE COMPANY

 

 

 

 

(CORPORATE SEAL)

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

Attest:

 

 

 

 



 

EXHIBIT B

 

Calculation of the Index Rate in effect from

January 1, 2014, to and including December 31, 2014