<HTML><HEAD>
<TITLE>8-K</TITLE>
</HEAD>
 <BODY BGCOLOR="WHITE">


<Center><DIV STYLE="width:8.5in" align="left">
 <P STYLE="line-height:1.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P>
<P STYLE="line-height:3.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:4pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:18pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>UNITED STATES </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:18pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Washington, D.C. 20549 </B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center>
<P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:18pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>FORM <FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">8-K</FONT> </B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center>
<P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>CURRENT
REPORT </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Pursuant to Section&nbsp;13 or 15(d) </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): December 28, 2018 </B></P>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center> <P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:22pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>THE HANOVER INSURANCE GROUP, INC. </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) </B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center>
<P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:8pt" ALIGN="center">


<TR>
<TD WIDTH="34%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="32%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="32%"></TD></TR>


<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:8pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Delaware<BR></B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(State or other jurisdiction</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>of incorporation)</B></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">1-13754</FONT><BR></B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(Commission<BR>File Number)</B></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">04-3263626</FONT><BR></B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(IRS Employer<BR>Identification No.)</B></P></TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" ALIGN="center">


<TR>
<TD WIDTH="50%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="48%"></TD></TR>


<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:8pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>440 Lincoln Street<BR></B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Worcester, Massachusetts<BR></B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(Address of principal executive offices)</B></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>06153<BR></B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(Zip Code)</B></P></TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Registrant&#146;s telephone number, including area code: (508)
<FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">855-1000</FONT> </B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center>
<P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Check the appropriate box below
if the Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">8-K</FONT> filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the Registrant under any of the following provisions: </P>
<P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#9744;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="left">Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) </P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#9744;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="left">Soliciting material pursuant to Rule <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">14a-12</FONT> under the Exchange Act (17
CFR <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">240.14a-12)</FONT> </P></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#9744;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Pre-commencement</FONT> communications pursuant to Rule <FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">14d-2(b)</FONT> under the Exchange Act (17 CFR <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">240.14d-2(b))</FONT> </P></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#9744;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Pre-commencement</FONT> communications pursuant to Rule <FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">13e-4(c)</FONT> under the Exchange Act (17 CFR <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">240.13e-4(c))</FONT> </P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule&nbsp;405 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.405) or <FONT
STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Rule&nbsp;12b-2</FONT> under the Exchange Act (17 CFR <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">240.12b-2).</FONT> </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Emerging growth
company&nbsp;&nbsp;&#9744; </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period
for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section&nbsp;13(a) of the Exchange Act.&nbsp;&nbsp;&#9744; </P> <P STYLE="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<P STYLE="line-height:1.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="line-height:3.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P>
</DIV></Center>


<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
<HR  SIZE="3" style="COLOR:#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">


<Center><DIV STYLE="width:8.5in" align="left">

<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="9%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><B>Item&nbsp;1.01</B></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="left"><B>Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement. </B></P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">On December&nbsp;30, 2018, The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. (the &#147;<B>Company</B>&#148;) entered into an accelerated share repurchase
agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, London Branch (the &#147;<B>Dealer</B>&#148;) to repurchase an aggregate of $250.0&nbsp;million of the Company&#146;s common stock (the &#147;<B>ASR Agreement</B>&#148;). The Company will
acquire the shares under the ASR Agreement as part of its Share Repurchase Program (as defined in Item 8.01). </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Pursuant to the terms of
the ASR Agreement, on January&nbsp;2, 2019, the Company paid $250.0&nbsp;million to the Dealer and received an initial delivery of 1,790,831 shares of the Company&#146;s common stock from the Dealer, which is approximately 80% of the total number of
shares of the Company&#146;s common stock expected to be repurchased under the ASR Agreement. At settlement, the Dealer may be required to deliver additional shares of common stock to the Company or, under certain circumstances, the Company may be
required to deliver shares of its common stock or may elect to make a cash payment to the Dealer, based generally on the average of the daily volume-weighted average prices of the Company&#146;s common stock during the term of the ASR Agreement. The
ASR Agreement contains provisions customary for agreements of this type, including provisions for adjustments to the transaction terms, the circumstances generally under which the ASR Agreement may be accelerated, extended or terminated early by the
Dealer and various acknowledgments, representations and warranties made by the parties to one another. Final settlement of the ASR Agreement is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2019. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The foregoing description of the ASR Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to such agreement, which is filed herewith as Exhibit
10.1 and is incorporated herein by reference. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The information in Item 2.01 with respect to the Supplemental Agreement (as defined below)
is incorporated herein by reference. </P> <P STYLE="font-size:18pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="9%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><B>Item&nbsp;1.02</B></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="left"><B>Termination of a Material Definitive Agreement. </B></P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">On December&nbsp;28, 2018, the Amended and Restated Guaranty Agreement (the &#147;<B>Guaranty Agreement</B>&#148;), dated October&nbsp;27,
2017, between the Company and Lloyds Bank plc, was terminated in connection with the consummation of the Transaction (as defined below). Under the Guaranty Agreement, the Company had provided a guaranty for the benefit of Chaucer to support the
Amendment and Restatement Agreement with Amended and Restated Standby Letter of Credit Facility Agreement, dated October&nbsp;27, 2017, among Chaucer Holdings Limited, Chaucer Corporate Capital (No. 3) Limited, the lenders party thereto from time to
time, Lloyds and ING Bank N.V., London Branch, which Chaucer supplied to support Chaucer&#146;s Funds at Lloyds&#146; requirement. </P> <P STYLE="font-size:18pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="9%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><B>Item&nbsp;2.01</B></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="left"><B>Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets. </B></P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">On December&nbsp;28, 2018, pursuant to the Agreement for the Sale and Purchase of Shares in the Capital of The Hanover Insurance International
Holdings Limited (&#147;<B>Chaucer</B>&#148;), Chaucer Insurance Company Designated Activity Company (&#147;<B>Chaucer Dublin</B>&#148;) and Hanover Australia HoldCo Pty Ltd. (&#147;<B>Hanover Australia</B>&#148;), dated September&nbsp;13, 2018, by
and among the Company and China Reinsurance (Group) Corporation (the &#147;<B>Buyer</B>&#148;) (the &#147;<B>SPA</B>&#148;), the Company sold to the Buyer one hundred percent (100%) of its ownership interest (the &#147;<B>Chaucer Shares</B>&#148;)
in Chaucer (the &#147;<B>Transaction</B>&#148;). The Transaction did not include the sale of Chaucer Dublin or Hanover Australia which are pending final regulatory approvals. The SPA contemplated that sales of Chaucer Dublin and Hanover Australia
could occur in separate closings. The sale of these two entities is expected to close in the first quarter of 2019, at which time the Company expects to receive proceeds of $27.8&nbsp;million and $13.2&nbsp;million for Chaucer Dublin and Hanover
Australia, respectively. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">At the effective time of the Transaction, the Company received from the Buyer initial cash consideration of
$779.0&nbsp;million. In addition, the Company expects to receive from Buyer (i)&nbsp;an aggregate of $41.0&nbsp;million upon the sale of Chaucer Dublin and Hanover Australia, and (ii)&nbsp;up to an additional $45.0&nbsp;million in contingent
consideration, which may be adjusted downward depending on the amount of catastrophe losses suffered by Chaucer for catastrophes occurring during 2018, measured at June&nbsp;30, 2019. To the extent Chaucer&#146;s catastrophe losses exceed 10% of the
net premiums earned by Chaucer in 2018, the contingent consideration will be reduced on a <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap"><FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">dollar-for-dollar</FONT></FONT> basis. </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">2 </P>

</DIV></Center>


<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
<HR  SIZE="3" style="COLOR:#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">


<Center><DIV STYLE="width:8.5in" align="left">
 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">In connection with the consummation of the Transaction, on December&nbsp;28, 2018, the
Company and Buyer entered into a Supplemental Agreement relating to the SPA (the &#147;<B>Supplemental Agreement</B>&#148;).&nbsp;The Supplemental Agreement provides for the delayed sale and purchase of Chaucer Dublin and Hanover Australia on or
before March&nbsp;31, 2019, or such other date that the parties agree, on or before December&nbsp;31, 2019.&nbsp;The Supplemental Agreement also makes certain conforming edits to the SPA provisions relating to the delayed sale of these entities, and
in the event the sales are not consummated between the Company and Buyer by December&nbsp;31, 2019, provides for cooperation in any subsequent wind-down, <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">run-off</FONT> or sale of the entities to a third party. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The foregoing description of the SPA, the Supplemental Agreement and the Transaction does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its
entirety by reference to the (i)&nbsp;SPA, which was filed as Exhibit 2.1 to the Company&#146;s Current Report on Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">8-K</FONT> filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September&nbsp;13, 2018, and
(ii)&nbsp;Supplemental Agreement which is filed herewith as Exhibit 2.1, each of which are incorporated herein by reference. </P> <P STYLE="font-size:18pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="9%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><B>Item&nbsp;2.03</B></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="left"><B>Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an
<FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">Off-Balance</FONT> Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant. </B></P></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; margin-left:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The information with respect
to the ASR Agreement in Item 1.01 is incorporated herein by reference. </P> <P STYLE="font-size:18pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="9%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><B>Item&nbsp;8.01</B></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="left"><B>Other Events. </B></P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">On December&nbsp;30, 2018, the Board of Directors of the Company (the &#147;<B>Board</B>&#148;) declared a special cash dividend (the
&#147;<B>Special Dividend</B>&#148;) of $4.75 per share of the Company&#146;s common stock. The Special Dividend, which will result in an aggregate payment of approximately $200.0&nbsp;million to the Company&#146;s stockholders, will be paid on
January 25, 2019 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on January&nbsp;10, 2019. The Special Dividend will be funded from the proceeds from the sale of the Chaucer Shares pursuant to the consummation of the Transaction. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">On December&nbsp;30, 2018, the Board terminated the Company&#146;s existing share repurchase program, initially approved in October 2007, and
adopted a new share repurchase program authorizing an aggregate of $600&nbsp;million in share repurchases (the &#147;<B>Share Repurchase Program</B>&#148;). In addition to the shares to be repurchased pursuant to the ASR Agreement, repurchases under
the Share Repurchase Program may be made at the Company&#146;s discretion from time to time using open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions, accelerated repurchase programs or other transactions. The Share Repurchase Program has no
time limit and does not obligate the Company to make any repurchases. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">On December&nbsp;30, 2018, the Board authorized and directed the
repayment of the principal amount outstanding ($125 million) and associated <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">pre-payment</FONT> fees (approximately $20.0&nbsp;million, <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">after-tax)</FONT> due under that certain Federal
Home Loan Bank of Boston (&#147;<B>FHLB</B>&#148;) Agreement for Advances, Collateral Pledge, and Security Agreement dated September&nbsp;11, 2009. It is expected that such amounts will be paid during the first week of January 2019. The principal
amount due FHLB under this agreement was fully collateralized. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">On December&nbsp;30, 2018, the Company issued a press release announcing
the consummation of the Transaction, the execution of the ASR Agreement, the declaration of the Special Dividend, the new Share Repurchase Program authorization, and the repayment of the FHLB debt. A copy of the press release is furnished as Exhibit
99.1. </P> <P STYLE="font-size:18pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="9%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><B>Item&nbsp;9.01</B></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="left"><B>Financial Statements and Exhibits. </B></P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">(a)</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="left">Not applicable. </P></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">(b)</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="left">Pro forma financial information. </P></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The unaudited pro forma financial information required by this Item 9.01(b) with respect to the Transaction is filed as Exhibit 99.2 and is
incorporated herein by reference. </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">3 </P>

</DIV></Center>


<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
<HR  SIZE="3" style="COLOR:#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">


<Center><DIV STYLE="width:8.5in" align="left">

<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">(c)</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="left">Not applicable. </P></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR style = "page-break-inside:avoid">
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">(d)</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="left">Exhibits. </P></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="100%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" ALIGN="center">


<TR>
<TD></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="3%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="88%"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:8pt">
<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000; display:table-cell; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman; ">Exhibit&nbsp;No.</P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" NOWRAP ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE=" margin-top:0pt ; margin-bottom:0pt; border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000; display:table-cell; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman; " ALIGN="center">Document</P></TD></TR>


<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP>Exhibit&nbsp;2.1</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><A HREF="d681712dex21.htm">Supplemental Agreement relating to the SPA by and between The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. and China Reinsurance (Group) Corporation, dated December&nbsp;28, 2018.</A></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP>Exhibit&nbsp;10.1</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><A HREF="d681712dex101.htm">Form of Accelerated Share Repurchase Confirmation between The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. and JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, London Branch, dated December&nbsp;30, 2018.</A></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP>Exhibit 99.1</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><A HREF="d681712dex991.htm">Press release dated December&nbsp;30, 2018.</A></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="8"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="8" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP>Exhibit 99.2</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><A HREF="d681712dex992.htm">Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Financial Statements.</A></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">4 </P>

</DIV></Center>


<p Style='page-break-before:always'>
<HR  SIZE="3" style="COLOR:#999999" WIDTH="100%" ALIGN="CENTER">


<Center><DIV STYLE="width:8.5in" align="left">
 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>SIGNATURES </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">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 hereunto duly authorized. </P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><DIV ALIGN="right">
<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" WIDTH="40%" BORDER="0" STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">


<TR>
<TD WIDTH="12%"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1%"></TD>
<TD WIDTH="87%"></TD></TR>


<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" COLSPAN="3">THE HANOVER INSURANCE GROUP, INC.</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top">By:</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" STYLE=" BORDER-BOTTOM:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" STYLE="BORDER-BOTTOM:1px solid #000000">/s/ J. Kendall Huber</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top">Name:</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">J. Kendall Huber</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="page-break-inside:avoid ; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt">
<TD VALIGN="top">Title:</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Asst. Secretary</TD></TR>
</TABLE></DIV> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Date: January&nbsp;2, 2019 </P>
</DIV></Center>

</BODY></HTML>
[{"type": "8-K", "sequence": "1", "filename": "d681712d8k.htm", "description": "8-K", "secsgml_size_bytes": 31084}]
{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "HANOVER INSURANCE GROUP, INC.", "cik": "0000944695", "assigned-sic": "6331", "irs-number": "043263626", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "8-K", "act": "34", "file-number": "001-13754", "film-number": "19503156"}, "business-address": {"street1": "440 LINCOLN ST", "city": "WORCESTER", "state": "MA", "zip": "01653", "phone": "5088551000"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "440 LINCOLN ST", "city": "WORCESTER", "state": "MA", "zip": "01653"}, "former-company": {"former-conformed-name": "ALLMERICA FINANCIAL CORP", "date-changed": "19950501"}}
8-K
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
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): December 28, 2018
THE HANOVER INSURANCE GROUP, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
1-13754
(Commission
File Number)
04-3263626
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
440 Lincoln Street
Worcester, Massachusetts
(Address of principal executive offices)
06153
(Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (508)
855-1000
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:
☐
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
☐
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule
14a-12
under the Exchange Act (17
CFR
240.14a-12)
☐
Pre-commencement
communications pursuant to Rule
14d-2(b)
under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
240.14d-2(b))
☐
Pre-commencement
communications pursuant to Rule
13e-4(c)
under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
240.13e-4(c))
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.405) or
Rule 12b-2
under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
240.12b-2).
Emerging growth
company  ☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period
for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ☐
Item 1.01
Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.
On December 30, 2018, The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. (the "
Company
") entered into an accelerated share repurchase
agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, London Branch (the "
Dealer
") to repurchase an aggregate of $250.0 million of the Company's common stock (the "
ASR Agreement
"). The Company will
acquire the shares under the ASR Agreement as part of its Share Repurchase Program (as defined in Item 8.01).
Pursuant to the terms of
the ASR Agreement, on January 2, 2019, the Company paid $250.0 million to the Dealer and received an initial delivery of 1,790,831 shares of the Company's common stock from the Dealer, which is approximately 80% of the total number of
shares of the Company's common stock expected to be repurchased under the ASR Agreement. At settlement, the Dealer may be required to deliver additional shares of common stock to the Company or, under certain circumstances, the Company may be
required to deliver shares of its common stock or may elect to make a cash payment to the Dealer, based generally on the average of the daily volume-weighted average prices of the Company's common stock during the term of the ASR Agreement. The
ASR Agreement contains provisions customary for agreements of this type, including provisions for adjustments to the transaction terms, the circumstances generally under which the ASR Agreement may be accelerated, extended or terminated early by the
Dealer and various acknowledgments, representations and warranties made by the parties to one another. Final settlement of the ASR Agreement is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2019.
The foregoing description of the ASR Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to such agreement, which is filed herewith as Exhibit
10.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.
The information in Item 2.01 with respect to the Supplemental Agreement (as defined below)
is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 1.02
Termination of a Material Definitive Agreement.
On December 28, 2018, the Amended and Restated Guaranty Agreement (the "
Guaranty Agreement
"), dated October 27,
2017, between the Company and Lloyds Bank plc, was terminated in connection with the consummation of the Transaction (as defined below). Under the Guaranty Agreement, the Company had provided a guaranty for the benefit of Chaucer to support the
Amendment and Restatement Agreement with Amended and Restated Standby Letter of Credit Facility Agreement, dated October 27, 2017, among Chaucer Holdings Limited, Chaucer Corporate Capital (No. 3) Limited, the lenders party thereto from time to
time, Lloyds and ING Bank N.V., London Branch, which Chaucer supplied to support Chaucer's Funds at Lloyds' requirement.
Item 2.01
Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets.
On December 28, 2018, pursuant to the Agreement for the Sale and Purchase of Shares in the Capital of The Hanover Insurance International
Holdings Limited ("
Chaucer
"), Chaucer Insurance Company Designated Activity Company ("
Chaucer Dublin
") and Hanover Australia HoldCo Pty Ltd. ("
Hanover Australia
"), dated September 13, 2018, by
and among the Company and China Reinsurance (Group) Corporation (the "
Buyer
") (the "
SPA
"), the Company sold to the Buyer one hundred percent (100%) of its ownership interest (the "
Chaucer Shares
")
in Chaucer (the "
Transaction
"). The Transaction did not include the sale of Chaucer Dublin or Hanover Australia which are pending final regulatory approvals. The SPA contemplated that sales of Chaucer Dublin and Hanover Australia
could occur in separate closings. The sale of these two entities is expected to close in the first quarter of 2019, at which time the Company expects to receive proceeds of $27.8 million and $13.2 million for Chaucer Dublin and Hanover
Australia, respectively.
At the effective time of the Transaction, the Company received from the Buyer initial cash consideration of
$779.0 million. In addition, the Company expects to receive from Buyer (i) an aggregate of $41.0 million upon the sale of Chaucer Dublin and Hanover Australia, and (ii) up to an additional $45.0 million in contingent
consideration, which may be adjusted downward depending on the amount of catastrophe losses suffered by Chaucer for catastrophes occurring during 2018, measured at June 30, 2019. To the extent Chaucer's catastrophe losses exceed 10% of the
net premiums earned by Chaucer in 2018, the contingent consideration will be reduced on a
dollar-for-dollar
basis.
2
In connection with the consummation of the Transaction, on December 28, 2018, the
Company and Buyer entered into a Supplemental Agreement relating to the SPA (the "
Supplemental Agreement
"). The Supplemental Agreement provides for the delayed sale and purchase of Chaucer Dublin and Hanover Australia on or
before March 31, 2019, or such other date that the parties agree, on or before December 31, 2019. The Supplemental Agreement also makes certain conforming edits to the SPA provisions relating to the delayed sale of these entities, and
in the event the sales are not consummated between the Company and Buyer by December 31, 2019, provides for cooperation in any subsequent wind-down,
run-off
or sale of the entities to a third party.
The foregoing description of the SPA, the Supplemental Agreement and the Transaction does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its
entirety by reference to the (i) SPA, which was filed as Exhibit 2.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form
8-K
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 13, 2018, and
(ii) Supplemental Agreement which is filed herewith as Exhibit 2.1, each of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Item 2.03
Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an
Off-Balance
Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant.
The information with respect
to the ASR Agreement in Item 1.01 is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 8.01
Other Events.
On December 30, 2018, the Board of Directors of the Company (the "
Board
") declared a special cash dividend (the
"
Special Dividend
") of $4.75 per share of the Company's common stock. The Special Dividend, which will result in an aggregate payment of approximately $200.0 million to the Company's stockholders, will be paid on
January 25, 2019 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on January 10, 2019. The Special Dividend will be funded from the proceeds from the sale of the Chaucer Shares pursuant to the consummation of the Transaction.
On December 30, 2018, the Board terminated the Company's existing share repurchase program, initially approved in October 2007, and
adopted a new share repurchase program authorizing an aggregate of $600 million in share repurchases (the "
Share Repurchase Program
"). In addition to the shares to be repurchased pursuant to the ASR Agreement, repurchases under
the Share Repurchase Program may be made at the Company's discretion from time to time using open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions, accelerated repurchase programs or other transactions. The Share Repurchase Program has no
time limit and does not obligate the Company to make any repurchases.
On December 30, 2018, the Board authorized and directed the
repayment of the principal amount outstanding ($125 million) and associated
pre-payment
fees (approximately $20.0 million,
after-tax)
due under that certain Federal
Home Loan Bank of Boston ("
FHLB
") Agreement for Advances, Collateral Pledge, and Security Agreement dated September 11, 2009. It is expected that such amounts will be paid during the first week of January 2019. The principal
amount due FHLB under this agreement was fully collateralized.
On December 30, 2018, the Company issued a press release announcing
the consummation of the Transaction, the execution of the ASR Agreement, the declaration of the Special Dividend, the new Share Repurchase Program authorization, and the repayment of the FHLB debt. A copy of the press release is furnished as Exhibit
99.1.
Item 9.01
Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(a)
Not applicable.
(b)
Pro forma financial information.
The unaudited pro forma financial information required by this Item 9.01(b) with respect to the Transaction is filed as Exhibit 99.2 and is
incorporated herein by reference.
3
(c)
Not applicable.
(d)
Exhibits.
Exhibit No.
Document
Exhibit 2.1
Supplemental Agreement relating to the SPA by and between The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. and China Reinsurance (Group) Corporation, dated December 28, 2018.
Exhibit 10.1
Form of Accelerated Share Repurchase Confirmation between The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. and JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, London Branch, dated December 30, 2018.
Exhibit 99.1
Press release dated December 30, 2018.
Exhibit 99.2
Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Financial Statements.
4
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 hereunto duly authorized.
THE HANOVER INSURANCE GROUP, INC.
By:
/s/ J. Kendall Huber
Name:
J. Kendall Huber
Title:
Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Asst. Secretary
Date: January 2, 2019