UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

November 17, 2011

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)

 

WHITE MOUNTAINS INSURANCE GROUP, LTD.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Bermuda

 

1-8993

 

94-2708455

(State or other jurisdiction of

 

(Commission file

 

(I.R.S. Employer

incorporation or organization)

 

number)

 

Identification No.)

 

80 South Main Street, Hanover, New Hampshire 03755

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(603) 640-2200

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

o    Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

o    Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

o    Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

o    Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

 


 

ITEM 8.01      Other Events.

 

On November 17, 2011, the Board of Directors determined to suspend the share transfer restrictions applicable to 5-percent shareholders which are set forth in the Company’s Bye-law 62(3).  The Bye-law was adopted in May 2008 as a measure to protect the tax attributes of the Company from limitations that could follow a change in control of the Company.  With the completion of the sale of Esurance and Answer Financial in October, the potential economic cost of a limitation on the use of the tax attributes has declined to the point that the transfer restriction is not currently necessary.  The suspension will remain in effect until further public notice.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

WHITE MOUNTAINS INSURANCE GROUP, LTD.

DATED: November 18, 2011

By:

/s/    J. BRIAN PALMER

 

 

J. Brian Palmer

 

 

Vice President and

 

 

Chief Accounting Officer

 

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