PHILADELPHIA CONSOLIDATED HOLDING CORP
POS AM, 2000-08-07
FIRE, MARINE & CASUALTY INSURANCE
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<PAGE>   1


     As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 7, 2000
                                                  Registration No. 333-78127



                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549


                         POST EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 1
                                       TO
                                    FORM S-3
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                      UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933


                     PHILADELPHIA CONSOLIDATED HOLDING CORP.
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)


         PENNSYLVANIA                                 23-2202671
(State or other jurisdiction of         (I.R.S.  Employer Identification Number)
        incorporation)

                            ONE BALA PLAZA, SUITE 100
                              BALA CYNWYD, PA 19004
                                 (610) 617-7900
                               FAX: (610) 617-7600
                   (ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE
             NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF REGISTRANT'S PRINCIPAL
                               EXECUTIVE OFFICES)


                              MR. JAMES J. MAGUIRE,
                             CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
                                       OR
                         MR. CRAIG P. KELLER, SECRETARY
                            ONE BALA PLAZA, SUITE 100
                         BALA CYNWYD, PENNSYLVANIA 19004
                                 (610) 617-7900
                               FAX: (610) 617-7600
            (NAME, ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER,
                   INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)


                                   COPIES TO:


                           MICHAEL M. SHERMAN, ESQUIRE
                     WOLF, BLOCK, SCHORR AND SOLIS-COHEN LLP
                          1650 ARCH STREET - 22ND FLOOR
                      PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA 19103-2097
                                 (215) 977-2236
                               FAX: (215) 977-2334


         APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: from
time to time after the effective date of this registration statement.

         If the only securities being registered on this form are being offered
pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following
box. / /

         If any of the securities being registered on this form are to be
offered on a delayed or continuous basis

<PAGE>   2

pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities
offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check
the following box. /X/

         If this form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box
and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering. / /

         If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule
462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities
Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration
statement for the same offering. / /

         If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule
434, please check the following box. / /




         The Registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date
or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant
shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration
statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of
the Securities Act of 1933 or until the registration statement shall become
effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a),
may determine.


<PAGE>   3

THE INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT COMPLETE. WE MAY CHANGE THE
INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS. WE MAY NOT SELL THESE SECURITIES UNTIL THE
REGISTRATION STATEMENT FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION IS
EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT AN OFFER TO SELL THESE SECURITIES AND IT IS
NOT SOLICITING AN OFFER TO BUY THESE SECURITIES IN ANY STATE WHERE THE OFFER OR
SALE IS NOT PERMITTED.


                  Subject to completion, Dated August 7, 2000



PROSPECTUS

                                 200,000 SHARES

                     PHILADELPHIA CONSOLIDATED HOLDING CORP.

                           COMMON STOCK, NO PAR VALUE



         We may offer from time to time shares of our common stock to some or
all of our non-employee insurance agents, with whom we have written agency
agreements, under The Philadelphia Insurance Companies Stock Purchase Plan for
Preferred Agents. The purchase price under the plan for the common stock will be
85% of the market value of the common stock on the first day of the offering
period or the last day of the offering period, whichever is lower.



         For a period of two years after the first day of the offering period in
which a participant purchases shares of common stock under the plan, we have the
right to repurchase those shares if the participant attempts to transfer,
encumber or otherwise dispose of them, or if the plan participant is no longer a
party to any written agency agreement with us other than due to death or
disability. If we exercise this right, the repurchase price will be equal to the
lower of the purchase price that the plan participant paid for the shares or the
market value of the shares at the time of repurchase.



         Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq National Market of the Nasdaq
Stock Market Inc. under the symbol PHLY. On August 4, 2000, the last reported
sale price of the common stock on the Nasdaq National Market was $16.50 per
share.



         We will receive all of the proceeds of the sale of the common stock
offered in this prospectus, less expenses which are estimated at $51,000.



         INVESTING IN OUR COMMON STOCK INVOLVES RISKS WHICH ARE DESCRIBED IN THE
"RISK FACTORS" SECTION BEGINNING ON PAGE 6 OF THIS PROSPECTUS.



         NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES
COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THESE SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON THE
ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.



                     The date of this prospectus is          , 2000.


<PAGE>   4

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                         Page



SUMMARY...............................................................     3

RISK FACTORS..........................................................     6

THE PLAN .............................................................    11

FEDERAL INCOME TAX EFFECTS OF PLAN PARTICIPATION......................    16

USE OF PROCEEDS.......................................................    18

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION --
         INCORPORATION OF INFORMATION BY REFERENCE....................    18

SPECIAL NOTE ON FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS............................    19

LEGAL OPINIONS........................................................    19

EXPERTS  .............................................................    19



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                                     SUMMARY



INFORMATION ABOUT OUR BUSINESS


         Philadelphia Consolidated Holding Corp. was incorporated in
Pennsylvania in 1984 to serve as a holding company for its subsidiaries.


         We select and target industries and special areas of demand for
insurance products in which we believe we can grow our business by developing
insurance products that fill coverage needs unique to those industries and
areas. Then, through our subsidiaries, we design, market and sell property and
casualty insurance products that provide coverages and services that are
specific to these industries and special areas of demand but that are not
included in typical property and casualty policies. We use a "mixed" marketing
strategy. This means that we market our insurance products to the insured,
directly or through preferred agents, who are non-employee insurance agents with
whom we have written agency agreements, and also accept business from
independent insurance brokers.



         Our production underwriting organization consists of our marketing
staff and markets our products and services. It also reviews applications
against our general guidelines to determine whether the applicants meet the
guidelines before the applications are submitted to the underwriters in our home
office for a more detailed review. Our production underwriting organization
operates from offices located across the United States and includes
telemarketing staffs at our regional offices and our Philadelphia home office.


         We offer the following product lines:


         COMMERCIAL AUTOMOBILE AND EXCESS LIABILITY. We have provided commercial
automobile products to the leasing and rent-a-car industries for over 35 years.
We offer to the rent-a-car industry coverage for:



         -        the rent-a-car company's property;



         -        liability of the renter and the rent-a-car company; and



         -        physical damage on the rental vehicle.



         Additionally, we offer additional coverage at the rental car counter to
rent-a-car customers through arrangements with a number of the largest
rent-a-car companies. This additional coverage protects renters against
liability for bodily injury and property damage over the amount of statutory
coverage provided with the rental vehicle. This coverage also pays claims, up to
the coverage limit, without regard to the renter's personal automobile insurance
coverage.



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<PAGE>   6


         We also offer a full range of liability and physical damage coverages
to rent-a-car companies and their customers. For the renter, we offer both
liability coverage and physical damage coverage on the vehicle. For the leasing
company, we offer additional coverage over the initial layer of automobile and
liability insurance carried by the leasing company. This coverage protects the
leasing company if there is a loss when the initial coverage for which we are
primarily liable is absent or inadequate. We also offer the following products
to leasing companies:



         -        interim initial and physical damage coverage, which protects
                  the leasing company before and after the vehicle is delivered
                  to the renter;



         -        coverage that guarantees a stated minimum value of the leased
                  vehicle at the end of the lease; and



         -        guaranteed asset protection coverage which protects the
                  leasing company and renter for the difference between the
                  leased vehicle's actual cash value and the lease or loan net
                  value in instances where the vehicle is stolen or damaged
                  beyond repair.



         COMMERCIAL PACKAGE. We have provided commercial package policies that
combine numerous risk coverages in a single policy to several specialty markets
for more than 10 years. Our customers for these policies include:



         -        non-profit and social service organizations;



         -        health and fitness organizations;



         -        private and specialty training schools;



         -        condominium/homeowner association facilities;



         -        home health care operations; and



         -        day care facilities.



         SPECIALTY LINES. We have provided professional liability insurance for
approximately 10 years. We initially offered directors and officers liability
coverage to nonprofit tax exempt organizations. In 1996, we also introduced a
package of coverages in our Executive Safeguard(R) policy offered to public and
private companies. The coverages offered in the Executive Safeguard(R) policy
include:


         -        directors and officers liability;

         -        employment practices liability;



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<PAGE>   7


         -        liability for employee benefits plan administrators and other
                  persons who act for others in trust; and



         -        kidnap ransom.



         We currently are focused on broadening the target market for our
professional liability insurance by expanding our production underwriting
organization and introducing new products.



         During 1998, we added a variety of coverage enhancements to several of
our policies, including Executive Safeguard(R) and miscellaneous professional
and non-profit directors and officers liability. We also introduced two new
products, accountants and dentists professional liability.



         SPECIALTY PROPERTY AND INLAND MARINE LINE. In September 1998, we
introduced a new line of business with our specialty property and inland marine
underwriters. These underwriters specialize in:



         -        insuring large property risks for a wide range of businesses,
                  from shopping centers to hotels; and



         -        underwriting and providing marketing for all classes of inland
                  marine insurance, concentrating on the larger segments of
                  inland marine, including builder's risk and contractor's
                  equipment.



         MOBILE HOMEOWNERS AND PREFERRED HOMEOWNERS LINE. In July 1999, we
introduced a line of highly specialized mobile homeowners and preferred
homeowners personal property and casualty insurance policies.



         Preferred homeowners are homeowners who meet stricter underwriting
guidelines. We acquired this business line through a merger between one of our
subsidiaries and The Jerger Company, Inc.



PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES



         Our principal executive offices are located at One Bala Plaza, Suite
100, Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania, 19004 (telephone number: (610) 617-7900).


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                                  RISK FACTORS



WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO REPURCHASE SHARES FOR A PURCHASE PRICE THAT MAY BE LESS
THAN THE PURCHASE PRICE THAT THE PLAN PARTICIPANT PAID FOR THE SHARES IF A PLAN
PARTICIPANT ATTEMPTS TO TRANSFER, ENCUMBER OR OTHERWISE DISPOSE OF SHARES OR
CEASES TO BE A PARTY TO A WRITTEN AGENCY AGREEMENT WITH US, OTHER THAN DUE TO
DEATH OR DISABILITY, DURING THE TWO-YEAR RESTRICTED PERIOD.



         A plan participant may not sell, transfer, encumber or otherwise
dispose of shares of common stock that the plan participant purchases under the
plan for a period of two years after the first day of the offering period in
which the plan participant purchased the shares. If a plan participant purchases
shares under the plan, the plan participant will bear the economic risk of the
investment in the common stock for the entire two-year restricted period.



         If a plan participant attempts to sell, transfer, encumber or otherwise
dispose of shares during the two-year restricted period, (1) the attempted
transfer will be null and void and (2) we will have the right to repurchase the
shares for the lower of the market value of the shares on the date of repurchase
or the actual purchase price that the participant paid for the shares.



         In addition, if a plan participant ceases to be a party to a written
agency agreement with us, other than due to death or disability, we have the
right to repurchase any shares that the plan participant holds that are subject
to the two-year restricted period for the lower of the market value of the
shares at the time of repurchase or the actual purchase price that the plan
participant paid for the shares.



         If we repurchase a plan participant's shares as described above, the
plan participant will forfeit all rights to the shares. In addition, if the
market value of the shares on the day that we repurchase them is less than the
amount that the plan participant paid for the shares, the plan participant will
receive the lower amount and, as a result, will suffer an economic loss.



IF OUR INSURANCE COMPANY SUBSIDIARIES ARE UNABLE TO PAY DIVIDENDS OR MAKE LOANS
TO US, DUE TO GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS THAT APPLY TO INSURANCE COMPANIES OR FOR
ANY REASON, WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO CONTINUE OUR NORMAL BUSINESS OPERATIONS.



         We are a holding company. Our principal assets currently consist of all
or substantially all of the equity interests of our subsidiaries listed below:



         -        Philadelphia Indemnity Insurance Company;



         -        Philadelphia Insurance Company;



         -        Maguire Insurance Agency, Inc.;



         -        PCHC Investment Corp., a Delaware investment corporation;



         -        PCHC Financing I, a Delaware business trust;



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         -        Liberty American Insurance Group, Inc., formerly known as The
                  Jerger Company, Inc., an insurance holding company;



         -        MHIA Premium Finance Company;



         -        Mobile Homeowners Insurance Agencies, Inc.;



         -        Liberty American Insurance Company, formerly known as Mobile
                  United Property and Casualty Insurance Company, Inc.; and



         -        Mobile USA Insurance Company.



         Philadelphia Indemnity Insurance Company, Philadelphia Insurance
Company, Mobile United Property and Casualty Insurance Company, Inc. and Mobile
USA Insurance Company, Inc. are our insurance company subsidiaries. These
insurance company subsidiaries are companies that we own that are licensed to
issue insurance policies. Maguire Insurance Agency, Inc. is an underwriting
manager and Mobile Homeowners Insurance Agencies, Inc. is an insurance agency
that markets, underwrites and services mobile homeowners and preferred
homeowners insurance policies.



         Our primary sources of funds are dividends and payments from our
subsidiaries that we receive under tax allocation agreements. Government
regulations that apply to insurance companies restrict the ability of our
insurance company subsidiaries to pay dividends and make loans to us. The
accumulated profits of these subsidiaries from which dividends may be paid
totaled $82.7 million at December 31, 1999. Of this amount, these insurance
company subsidiaries may pay a total of about $22.2 million of dividends in 2000
without obtaining prior approval from the department of insurance for the state
in which they located. Further, creditors of any of our subsidiaries will have
the right to be paid in full the amounts they are owed if a subsidiary
liquidates its assets or undergoes a reorganization or other similar transaction
before we will have the right to receive any distribution of assets from the
subsidiary, unless we also are recognized as a creditor of the subsidiary. If we
are unable to receive distributions from our subsidiaries, we may not be able to
continue our normal business operations. At June 30, 2000, our subsidiaries had
total liabilities, excluding liabilities owed to us, of approximately $374.8
million.



IF RATING AGENCIES DOWNGRADE THE RATINGS OF OUR INSURANCE COMPANY SUBSIDIARIES,
WE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO COMPETE AS EFFECTIVELY WITH OUR COMPETITORS AND OUR
ABILITY TO SELL INSURANCE POLICIES MIGHT DECLINE; IN THAT EVENT OUR SALES AND
EARNINGS WOULD BE REDUCED.



         A.M. Best Company rates our insurance company subsidiaries "A+"
(Superior). According to A.M. Best Company, companies rated "A+" (Superior)
have, on balance, superior financial strength, operating performance and market
profile, when compared to the standards established by the A.M. Best Company,
and have a very strong ability to meet their ongoing obligations to
policyholders. Our insurance company subsidiaries also possess an "A" claims
paying ability rating by Standard & Poor's. According to Standard & Poor's,
insurers rated "A" offer good financial security for policyholders. We believe
that the ratings assigned by A.M.



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Best Company and Standard & Poor's are important factors in marketing our
products. If agencies downgrade our ratings in the future, it is likely that:



         -        we would not be able to compete as effectively with our
                  competitors; and



         -        our ability to sell insurance policies might decline.



If that happens, our sales and earnings would decrease.



IF OUR RESERVES FOR LOSSES AND COSTS RELATED TO ADJUSTMENT OF LOSSES ARE NOT
ADEQUATE, GOVERNMENT REGULATORS MAY REQUIRE THAT WE INCREASE OUR RESERVES WHICH
COULD RESULT IN REDUCTIONS IN NET INCOME AND POLICYHOLDER'S SURPLUS, AND A
DOWNGRADING OF RATINGS OF OUR INSURANCE COMPANY SUBSIDIARIES THAT COULD RESULT
IN DECREASED SALES.



         We establish reserves for losses and costs related to the adjustment of
losses under the insurance policies we write. We determine the amount of these
reserves based on our best estimate of the losses and costs we will incur on
existing insurance policies. We obtain periodic reviews by an actuary firm and
an annual statement of opinion from that firm on these reserves by independent
actuaries. While we believe that our reserves are adequate, we base these
reserves on assumptions about future events. The following factors may have a
substantial impact on our future loss experience:



         -        changes in inflation;



         -        the amounts of claims settlements;



         -        the manner in which we are required to structure settlement
                  payments;



         -        legislative activity; and



         -        legislative trends.



         Actual losses and the costs we incur related to the adjustment of
losses under insurance policies may be different from the amount of reserves we
establish. Government regulators will require that we increase our reserves if
they later determine that we understated our reserves. When we increase
reserves, our net income for the period will decrease by a corresponding amount.
In addition, strengthening reserves could cause a reduction in policyholders'
surplus and a downgrading of the ratings of our insurance company subsidiaries.
This in turn could hurt our ability to sell insurance policies.



IF WE ARE NOT ABLE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE REINSURANCE TO INSURE AGAINST A PORTION
OF OUR RISK, WE WILL HAVE TO BEAR MORE RISK AND COULD EXPERIENCE LOSSES.



         We purchase reinsurance coverage to insure against a portion of our
risk on policies we write directly. Reinsurance does not affect our direct
liability to our policyholders on the



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insurance policies we write. Instead, it provides us with coverage for a portion
of our obligations to pay the claims of our policyholders. If a reinsurer
becomes insolvent or is unable to make payments under the terms of its
reinsurance agreement with us, we will bear the losses covered by that
reinsurance agreement. Depending on the amount of risk that we are unable to
reinsure and the amount of claims we receive related to that risk, we could
experience losses.



YEAR 2000 READINESS DISCLOSURE; DUE TO YEAR 2000 ISSUES, THERE IS A RISK OF
INCREASED CLAIMS ON POLICIES WE WRITE THAT COULD RESULT IN LOSSES.



         Many computer programs written before the year 2000 used only two
digits, instead of four, to identify a year in the date field. These programs
were designed and developed without considering the impact of the change in the
century. If not corrected, many computer applications could fail or create
incorrect results on or after the Year 2000. The Year 2000 issue affects
computer and information technology systems, as well as non-information
technology systems that include embedded technology, such as micro-processors
and micro-controllers or micro-chips, that have date sensitive programs that may
not properly recognize the year 2000 or beyond.



         We issue professional liability coverage, including directors and
officers liability, and commercial insurance policies that provide coverage for
numerous risks. Our policy holders may claim that these policies cover losses
suffered by them as a result of Year 2000 issues. We write our professional
liability policies on a "claims made and reported" basis. Approximately 50% of
these policies that we sold since early 1997 specifically exclude from coverage
liability for Year 2000 problems. Almost all of our new or renewing professional
liability policies that provide coverage effective January 1, 1999 specifically
exclude coverage for Year 2000 liability. On occasion, for qualifying accounts,
our underwriters may remove the exclusion after they receive and review a
satisfactory additional application that provides information about the
applicant's Year 2000 risks, and other underwriting information. We believe that
we should not be held liable for claims arising from the Year 2000 issue under
our comprehensive general liability policies. However, we cannot determine
whether or to what extent courts may find liability for those claims. We could
experience losses if insureds are successful in bringing large Year 2000
coverage claims against us. Additionally, we could incur significant expense to
contest Year 2000 issue coverage claims, even if we prevail in our position.



CLAIMS RELATED TO CATASTROPHIC EVENTS COULD RESULT IN CATASTROPHE LOSSES THAT
COULD RESULT IN LOSSES.



         It is possible that a catastrophic event could greatly increase claims
under the insurance policies we write. This, in turn, could result in losses for
one or more of our insurance company subsidiaries. Catastrophes may result from
a variety of events or conditions, including hurricanes, windstorms,
earthquakes, hail and other severe weather conditions.



         We generally try to reduce our exposure to catastrophe losses through
underwriting and the purchase of catastrophe reinsurance. But, reinsurance may
not be sufficient to cover our actual losses. And, a number of states from time
to time have passed legislation that has had the effect of limiting the ability
of insurers to manage risk, such as legislation prohibiting an insurer from
withdrawing from catastrophe-prone areas. If we are unable to maintain adequate



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reinsurance or to withdraw from areas where we experience or expect significant
catastrophe-related claims, we could experience significant losses.



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                                    THE PLAN

         The following is a summary of the terms and conditions of the
Philadelphia Insurance Companies Stock Purchase Plan for Preferred Agents.


PURPOSE


         We established the plan in order to provide our preferred agents, as
defined below, with an opportunity to acquire our common stock at a discounted
purchase price. This is intended to encourage our preferred agents to own our
common stock and to align their interests with those of our other shareholders.


PLAN ADMINISTRATION


         The Board of Directors of Philadelphia Consolidated Holding Corp., or
any committee designated by the Board of Directors at its discretion, will
administer the plan. For purposes of this prospectus, "Committee" means the
committee designated to administer the plan by the Board of Directors, or the
Board of Directors itself in its capacity as administrator of the plan. The
Committee may hire an agent to perform custodial and record-keeping functions
for the plan, such as holding record title to shares of common stock purchased
by plan participants, maintaining an individual investment account for each
participant and providing annual status reports to participants about their
investment accounts.



         The Committee has the authority to interpret the plan, to issue rules
for administering the plan and to make all other determinations necessary or
appropriate for the administration of the plan, including the manner in which
participants must complete subscription agreements in order to participate in
the plan and limitations on numbers of shares of common stock available for
purchase in any offering period.



         For additional information about the plan and/or its administration,
participants may write or telephone:


                            Craig P. Keller

                            Senior Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer
                            and Chief Financial Officer

                            Philadelphia Consolidated Holding Corp.
                            One Bala Plaza, Suite 100
                            Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004
                            (610) 617-7900


SECURITIES TO BE OFFERED


         We will offer our common stock to eligible preferred agents under the
plan. A maximum of 200,000 shares of common stock is available for purchase
under the plan. We will adjust this maximum number proportionately if a stock
split or subdivision or stock dividend occurs.



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PREFERRED AGENTS WHO MAY PARTICIPATE IN THE PLAN


         A preferred agent will be eligible to participate in the plan during an
offering period provided the preferred agent is designated by the Committee as
an eligible participant for that offering period. The Committee has sole
discretion to decide whether a preferred agent is eligible to participate in an
offering period. However, a preferred agent will not be eligible to participate
in the plan if the preferred agent is serving, or has been elected to serve, as
(1) a member of the Board of Directors, (2) Chairman or Vice Chairman of the
Board of Directors, (3) President, Vice President, Secretary or Treasurer of
Philadelphia Consolidated, or (4) in any other position, regardless of title,
that obligates the individual to file reports under Section 16(a) of the
Exchange Act.



         A "preferred agent" is an individual or entity that is both:



         -        party to a written agency agreement with us and



         -        designated as a "preferred agent" by the President of
                  Philadelphia Consolidated.






PURCHASE OF COMMON STOCK UNDER THE PLAN



         ELECTION TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PLAN. The Committee may establish one or
more offering periods under the plan at any time and for any length of time the
Committee determines is appropriate. The Committee will provide eligible
preferred agents with notice of the dates of the offering period, the enrollment
period for the offering period and any other terms or conditions that must be
met in order for an eligible preferred agent to participate in the plan for that
offering period. We will deliver the notice to each eligible preferred agent as
soon as practicable on or after the first day of the offering period. Any
eligible preferred agent may elect to participate in the plan and purchase
common stock during an offering period by filing with the Committee during the
enrollment period a subscription agreement that specifies either the number of
shares of common stock or the dollar amount of common stock that the preferred
agent wishes to purchase for that offering period. While we intend to provide
each eligible preferred agent with the notice described above in this paragraph,
we have no obligation or liability to any otherwise eligible preferred agent who
does not receive a notice for any offering period including any obligation to
allow that preferred agent to participate in the offering for that offering
period.



         PURCHASE OF SHARES. Except as described below in "Revocation of
Election to Participate in the plan," each participant who has properly
submitted a subscription agreement for an offering period will be deemed to have
purchased on the last business day of the offering period the number of shares
of common stock specified in the participant's subscription agreement. The
Committee will hold the shares in a special investment account for the
participant until the two-year restricted period described below has passed. If
we pay cash dividends on our common stock, we will distribute to each
participant the cash dividends that are paid on the shares held in the
participant's investment account. We will hold in the investment account any
distributions that are in the nature of a stock split or distribution of stock
until the shares to which the stock split or distribution relate are themselves
distributed to the participant according to the plan. Shares delivered to
participants under the plan will be shares that currently are held in treasury
or are authorized but unissued.



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         PURCHASE PRICE OF COMMON STOCK PURCHASED UNDER THE PLAN. The purchase
price of shares of common stock purchased under the plan for any offering period
will be an amount that is equal to the lower of 85% of the Market Value, as
defined below, of the shares (1) on the first day of the offering period and (2)
on the last day of the offering period.



         "Market Value" on any date means the last reported sale price of the
shares reported on the Nasdaq National Market, or the closing price of the
shares on such other stock exchange as the common stock may be listed, on the
date in question as reported in The Wall Street Journal. If there is no closing
price reported, then the "Market Value" will mean the average between the
closing bid and asked prices for shares on the date in question as reported. If
there are no sales reports or bid or asked quotations, as the case may be, for
the date in question, the closest earlier date on which there were sales reports
or bid or asked quotations will be used. If the Committee determines, in its
discretion, that the valuation as described above in this paragraph does not
accurately reflect the value of the shares or if the shares are not then
publicly traded, the Committee will determine the Market Value of a share.



         PAYMENT OF PURCHASE PRICE. Each participant purchasing shares of common
stock under the plan will elect in the participant's subscription agreement to
pay for the shares to be purchased under the subscription agreement either by:



         -        paying in cash on or before the last day of the offering
                  period; or



         -        having amounts specified by the participant withheld from
                  commissions or other compensation that would otherwise have
                  been paid to the participant during the offering period.



There is no provision in the plan for changing the manner in which payments for
common stock are to be made.



         CASH ACCOUNTS. We will maintain any cash contributed by a participant
for the purpose of making purchases of shares of common stock under the plan,
whether through direct payment by the participant or through withholding from
commissions or other amounts otherwise payable to the participant, in a
non-interest bearing account for the participant until the funds are used to
purchase shares. We will maintain records of the cash that each participant
contributes (a participant's "Cash Account"). We have no obligation to hold
these funds in a separate account for a participant, and we will not pay
interest on any amounts in a participant's Cash Account. If a participant
revokes the participant's election to participate in the plan for an offering
period, we will pay to the participant any amounts accumulated in the
participant's Cash Account for that offering period, without interest, as soon
as practicable after the date of revocation. If the amount accumulated in a
participant's Cash Account for an offering period is more than the amount
required to purchase the number of shares for which the participant has
subscribed, we will pay to the participant the excess in the participant's Cash
Account over the amount used to purchase the common stock on the last day of the
offering period, without interest, as soon as practicable following the last day
of the offering period. Other than as described above, the plan does not provide
a way for a participant to withdraw contributions that have been made under the
plan.



                                       13
<PAGE>   16


         PARTICIPANT CONTRIBUTIONS. Participants do not contribute to the plan
except as they may elect in their subscription agreements. See "Payment of
Purchase Price" above.



         PURCHASE LIMITATIONS. No participant may purchase under the plan during
any three consecutive calendar years shares of common stock having an aggregate
value of more than $100,000. For purposes of this limitation, the value of
shares of common stock purchased under the plan will be equal to their Market
Value on the first day of the offering period in which they are purchased.



         REPORTS TO PARTICIPANTS. The Committee will prepare and deliver to
participants annually reports on the status of participants' investment
accounts.



REVOKING ELECTION TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PLAN



         A participant may revoke the participant's participation in the plan
for any offering period at any time up to and including the last day of the
offering period by providing us with written notice of the revocation. The
participant must provide this notice in accordance with any revocation notice
provisions that are then established by the Committee. In addition, if a
participant fails to pay the purchase price of shares of common stock for which
the participant has subscribed in full on or before the last day of the offering
period, the participant will be deemed to have revoked the participant's
participation for that offering period and will have no further rights to
purchase shares for that offering period. If a participant revokes the
participant's participation for an offering period, any cash that has been
accumulated in a Cash Account for the participant for that offering period will
be refunded to the participant, without interest, as soon as practicable
following our receipt of notice of revocation.


TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS ON SHARES OF COMMON STOCK PURCHASED UNDER THE PLAN


         A participant may not transfer shares of common stock that the
participant purchases under the plan for a restricted period of two years,
measured from the first day of the offering period in which the participant
purchases the shares. If a participant attempts to sell, transfer, make subject
to any lien, or otherwise dispose of shares before the end of this restricted
period, the attempted transfer, lien or other disposition will be null and void
and we will have the right, but not the obligation, to repurchase the shares for
the lower of the Market Value of the shares at the time of repurchase or the
actual purchase price that the participant paid for the shares. The participant
will forfeit all rights to those shares upon receipt of payment from us of the
repurchase price.



         If a participant ceases to be a party to any written agency agreement
with us for any reason other than due to death or disability, the participant
will be entitled to the participant's shares of common stock that have been held
beyond the two-year restricted period. We have the right, but not the
obligation, within 90 days after we receive notice that a participant has ceased
to be a party to any written agency agreement with us, to repurchase from the
participant any shares for which the restricted period has not passed for the
lower of the Market Value of the shares at the time of repurchase or the actual
purchase price that the participant paid for the shares.



                                       14
<PAGE>   17

VOTING OF SHARES HELD IN INVESTMENT ACCOUNT


         The Agent or, if there is no Agent, the Committee will vote all of a
participant's shares that are held in an investment account in accordance with
the participant's instructions.


OFFERING AND PLAN ADMINISTRATION EXPENSES


         Philadelphia Consolidated will pay all of the expenses associated with
the offering of shares of common stock under the plan and the administration of
the plan.


TRANSFER OF STOCK CERTIFICATES


         We will distribute to each participant certificates for the shares of
common stock that the participant purchased under the plan once the shares are
no longer subject to the two-year restricted period, if the participant has paid
the purchase price of the shares in full.


AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION OF THE PLAN


         The Board of Directors may amend the plan as it deems appropriate, from
time to time, and may terminate the plan at any time, at its discretion.



                                       15

<PAGE>   18

                FEDERAL INCOME TAX EFFECTS OF PLAN PARTICIPATION



The following discussion summarizes, as of the date of this prospectus, general
principles of federal income tax law applicable to the plan and the shares of
common stock acquired under the plan. Participants should consult their own tax
advisors concerning the tax consequences of participation in the plan and the
disposition of shares acquired under the plan, since federal tax laws are
subject to change, individual tax situations differ and the effect of state and
local taxation may be material.



         GENERAL. The plan is not intended to qualify as a "stock purchase plan"
under the applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
(the "Code") nor are contributions by participants in the plan tax deductible.
As a consequence, any preferred agent who participates in the plan will be
subject to tax on the amount of the participant's income that is used to
purchase shares under the plan (even if the income is withheld by Philadelphia
Consolidated) as ordinary compensation income, and will be subject to additional
amounts of ordinary compensation income attributable to the purchase of shares
under the plan at a discount. In general, whenever property is purchased by an
individual at a discount in connection with arrangements related to compensation
for services provided by that individual, the excess of the market value over
the purchase price of the property is treated as taxable compensation income
(that is taxed as additional ordinary income, and not as a capital gain). This
additional compensation income will generally be recognized at the time of the
purchase or at the time the property purchased ceases to be subject to a
substantial risk of forfeiture, whichever is later.



         Because the shares of common stock purchased under the plan are subject
to a restricted period, and are subject to repurchase at the lower of the
purchase price or then market value if a participant ceases to be a party to any
written agency agreement with us during the restricted period, the shares should
be viewed for federal income tax purposes as being subject to a substantial risk
of forfeiture. As a consequence, a participant will recognize as additional
compensation income the excess of the market value of the shares purchased as of
the date the restricted period ends over the amount paid for the shares. For
example, if a participant purchases $1,000 worth of shares under the plan during
an offering period that began on July 1, 2000, and continues to be a party to a
written agency agreement with us through July 1, 2002, the following tax
treatment would generally apply. If the participant paid $850 through
withholding from the participant's commissions during 2000, the participant's
income for 2000 will include the $850, even though this amount was never paid to
the participant in cash. No additional income would be recognized in 2000,
absent a special "83(b) election" (described below), as a result of the
purchase. If the market value of the shares purchased rises to $1,500 as of July
1, 2002, the participant will recognize additional compensation income for the
taxable year 2002 equal to $650 (that is, the $1,500 market value of the shares
reduced by the $850 paid for them).



         On a subsequent sale of the shares, the participant will be treated for
federal income tax purposes as though the participant had purchased the shares
for their market value (i.e., $1,500) on July 1, 2002. This will determine the
amount of gain or loss recognized on the sale, and will also establish the
beginning of the holding period applicable for purposes of determining the
maximum federal capital gains rate with respect to the gain realized on a sale
of the shares.



                                       16
<PAGE>   19

         ELECTION UNDER SECTION 83(b) OF THE CODE. A participant may make an
election under Section 83(b) of the Code (an "83(b) Election") which will cause
the participant to recognize immediately as of the date the purchase of shares
occurs an additional amount of ordinary income equal to the excess of the market
value of the shares as of that date over the price paid for them. If this
election is made, the market value of the shares purchased is determined by
disregarding the restrictions in the plan that otherwise cause the shares to be
subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture. In addition, if the shares are
repurchased, the participant will only be able to claim a loss if the repurchase
is at a price below the price actually paid (that is, if the repurchase price is
based on a market value for the shares that has dropped below the original
discounted purchase price). If the repurchase is at the original purchase price,
the participant will not be allowed any tax loss, even though income will have
been recognized as a result of the 83(b) Election.



         In order to make an 83(b) Election, a participant must file the
election no later than 30 days after the date the shares were purchased (that
is, the last day of the offering period), by filing a written statement with the
IRS office where the participant files the participant's returns, and a copy
with Philadelphia Consolidated. A copy of the filing must also be included in
the participant's tax return for the year of the purchase. The statement must
contain: the name, address and taxpayer identification number of the taxpayer, a
description of the shares purchased, the date of the purchase and the taxable
year for which the election is made, the nature of the restrictions on the
shares, the market value of the shares at the time of purchase, the purchase
price paid for the shares and a statement indicating that copies of the election
have been furnished to other persons as required. The statement must be signed
and must indicate that it is made under Section 83(b) of the Code. PARTICIPANTS
SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS ABOUT THE ADVISABILITY OF AND PROCEDURE
INVOLVED IN MAKING AN 83(b) ELECTION.



         The effect of an 83(b) Election may be illustrated as follows: Assume,
as above, that a participant purchases $1,000 worth of shares under the plan
with respect to an offering period that commenced on July 1, 1999. Assume that
the offering period ended on December 31, 2000 (the purchase date) and the
participant files an 83(b) Election within thirty days following the purchase
date. Assume also that the shares were worth $1,000 as of July 1, 2000 (fixing
the purchase price at $850), but rose in value to $1,100 as of December 31,
2000. The $850 which the participant paid for the shares through withholding
from his commissions between July 1 and December 31, 2000 will still be included
in the participant's income for 2000 even though this amount was never paid to
the participant in cash. In addition, as a consequence of electing to include
the bargain purchase amount in income for 2000, the participant's taxable income
will be increased by $250 (the excess of the $1,100 market value of the shares
purchased, over the $850 purchase price paid). If the participant continues to
be a party to a written agency agreement with us until July 1, 2002 and then
sells the shares for $1,500 on July 2, 2002, the participant will recognize a
capital gain of $400 (the excess of the $1,500 realized on the sale over the
$1,100 basis in the shares). This will be treated as a sale of property held
from December 31, 2000 through July 2, 2002, and would be treated as a long-term
capital gain in determining the maximum applicable federal tax rate. If,
however, the participant ceases to be a preferred agent before July 1, 2002 and
Philadelphia Consolidated repurchases the shares for $850 (the original purchase
price), the participant will not be permitted to recognize a loss as no loss is
permitted to be recognized under applicable tax rules for such a forfeiture.



                                       17
<PAGE>   20
                                 USE OF PROCEEDS


         We will use the net proceeds of the offering for general corporate
purposes unless we state otherwise in a supplement to this prospectus.



                     WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION --
                    INCORPORATION OF INFORMATION BY REFERENCE



         We file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and
other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any document we file at
the following public reference rooms maintained by the SEC at:


                  Judiciary Plaza                  7 World Trade Center
                  450 Fifth Street, N.W.                 13th Floor
                  Washington, D.C.  20549         New York, New York  10048


         You may obtain information on the operation of the SEC's public
reference rooms by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. Our SEC filings also are
available to the public from the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov.



         We have filed a registration statement on Form S-3 with the SEC to
register the shares offered by this prospectus. This prospectus is part of the
registration statement. However, this prospectus does not contain all the
information that you can find in the registration statement or the exhibits to
the registration statement. You should refer to the registration statement and
to the exhibits filed with the registration statement for additional information
about us, our consolidated subsidiaries and the shares.



         The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" the information we file
with them. This means that we may disclose information to you by referring you
to other documents we have filed with the SEC. The information that we
incorporate by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus. In
addition, information that we file with the SEC after the date of this
prospectus will automatically update and supersede the information in this
prospectus.



         We incorporate by reference in this prospectus all the documents listed
below and any filings we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or
15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this prospectus and before all the
shares of common stock offered by this prospectus have been sold or
de-registered:



         -        the annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
                  December 31, 1999;



         -        the quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended
                  March 31, 2000;



         -        the current report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 17,
                  2000; and



         -        the description of our common stock, no par value, that is
                  contained in Philadelphia Consolidated Holding Corp.'s
                  registration statement on Form 8-A/A,



                                       18
<PAGE>   21


                  dated September 13, 1993, including any amendments or reports
                  filed for the purpose of updating the description of the
                  shares.




         You may send a written request or call us to obtain without charge a
copy of the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus. We will not
send exhibits to these documents unless we specifically incorporated the
exhibits by reference in this prospectus. Make your request by calling or
writing to:



                    Craig P. Keller
                    Senior Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer
                      and Chief Financial Officer
                    Philadelphia Consolidated Holding Corp.
                    One Bala Plaza, Suite 100
                    Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004
                    (610) 617-7900



         You should rely only on the information that we have provided or
incorporated by reference in this prospectus. We have not authorized anyone else
to provide you with different information. You should assume that the
information in this prospectus, as well as information we previously filed with
the SEC and incorporated by reference, is accurate only as of the date on the
front cover of this prospectus. Our business, financial condition, results of
operations and prospects may have changed since then.


                   SPECIAL NOTE ON FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS


         Some of the information in this prospectus may contain forward-looking
statements. These statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking
phrases such as "will likely result," "may," "are expected to," "is
anticipated," "estimate," "projected," "intends to," or other similar words.
These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that
could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. We have
described some of these risks under "Risk Factors" in this prospectus. We have
included in this prospectus and in our other filings with the SEC additional
risks that may affect our future performance. You should keep in mind these risk
factors and other cautionary statements in this prospectus when considering
forward-looking statements.


                                 LEGAL OPINIONS


         Wolf, Block, Schorr and Solis-Cohen LLP will pass on the validity of
the shares of common stock offered in this prospectus.


                                     EXPERTS


         We have incorporated by reference in this prospectus the consolidated
financial statements of Philadelphia Consolidated Holding Corp. and its
subsidiaries as of December 31, 1999 and 1998 and for each of the three years in
the period ended December 31, 1999 in reliance on the report of
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent accountants, given on the authority of
that firm as experts in accounting and auditing.



                                       19
<PAGE>   22
                                     PART II

                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

ITEM 14.  OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION.


<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>
Securities and Exchange Commission
Registration Fee............................................  $ 1,393
*Accounting Fees and Expenses...............................    4,500
*Legal Fees and Expenses....................................   40,000
*Printing...................................................    3,000
*Miscellaneous..............................................    2,107

Total Expenses..............................................  $51,000
                                                              =======
</TABLE>


--------------
* Estimated for purposes of completing the information required pursuant to this
Item 14.

         Philadelphia Consolidated will pay all fees and expenses associated
with filing the Registration Statement.

ITEM 15.  INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.

         Subchapter D (Sections 1741 through 1750) of Chapter 17 the
Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law of 1988, as amended (the "BCL"), contains
provisions for mandatory and discretionary indemnification of a corporation's
directors, officers, employees and agents (collectively "Representatives"), and
related matters.

         Under Section 1741, subject to certain limitations, a corporation has
the power to indemnify Representatives under certain prescribed circumstances
against expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid
in settlement actually and reasonably incurred in connection with a threatened,
pending or completed action or proceeding, whether civil, criminal,
administrative or investigative, to which any of them is a party or threatened
to be made a party by reason of his or her being a Representative of the
corporation or serving at the request of the corporation as a Representative of
another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, if
he or she acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to
be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the corporation and, with
respect to any criminal proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or
her conduct was unlawful.

         Section 1742 provides for indemnification with respect to derivative
and corporate actions similar to that provided by Section 1741. However,
indemnification is not provided under Section 1742 in respect of any claim,
issue or matter as to which a Representative has been adjudged to be liable to
the corporation unless and only to the extent that the proper court determines
upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all
the circumstances of the case, a Representative is fairly and reasonably
entitled to indemnity for the expenses that the court deems proper.

         Section 1743 provides that indemnification against expenses is
mandatory to the extent that a Representative has been successful on the merits
or otherwise in defense of any such action or proceeding referred to in Section
1741 or 1742.

         Section 1744 provides that, unless ordered by a court, any
indemnification under Section 1741 or 1742 shall be made by the corporation only
as authorized in the specific case upon a
<PAGE>   23
determination that indemnification of a Representative is proper because the
Representative met the applicable standard of conduct. Section 1744 further
provides that such determination will be made by the board of directors by a
majority vote of a quorum consisting of directors not parties to the action or
proceeding; if a quorum is not obtainable or if obtainable and a majority vote
of a quorum of disinterested directors so directs, by independent legal counsel;
or by the shareholders.

         Section 1745 provides that expenses incurred by a Representative in
defending any action or proceeding referred to in Subchapter D of Chapter 17 of
the BCL may be paid by the corporation in advance of the final disposition of
such action or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the
Representative to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that
such Representative is not entitled to be indemnified by the corporation.

         Section 1746 provides generally that except in any case where the act
or failure to act giving rise to the claim for indemnification is determined by
a court to have constituted willful misconduct or recklessness, the
indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by Subchapter D of Chapter
17 of the BCL shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which a
Representative seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be
entitled under any bylaw, agreement, vote of shareholders or disinterested
directors or otherwise, both as to action in such Representative's official
capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding that office.

         Section 1747 grants a corporation the power to purchase and maintain
insurance on behalf of any Representative against any liability incurred by such
Representative in his or her capacity as a Representative, whether or not the
corporation would have the power to indemnify such Representative against that
liability under Subchapter D of Chapter 17 of the BCL.

         Sections 1748 and 1749 apply the indemnification and advancement of
expenses provisions contained in Subchapter D of Chapter 17 of the BCL to all
constituent corporations absorbed in a consolidation, merger or division, as
well as the surviving or new corporations surviving or resulting therefrom, and
to service as a representative of a corporation or an employee benefit plan.

         Section 1750 provides that the indemnification and advancement of
expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, Subchapter D of Chapter 17 of the
BCL shall, unless otherwise provided when authorized or ratified, continue as to
a person who has ceased to be a Representative and shall inure to the benefit of
the heirs and personal representative of such person.

         Section 9 of Article IV of Philadelphia Consolidated's By-Laws provides
indemnification to directors for all actions taken by them and for all failures
to take action to the fullest extent permitted by Pennsylvania law against all
expense, liability and loss reasonably incurred or suffered by them in
connection with any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding
(including, without limitation, an action, suit or proceeding by or in the right
of Philadelphia Consolidated), whether civil, criminal, administrative,
investigative or through arbitration. Section 9 of Article IV of the By-Laws
also permits Philadelphia Consolidated, by action of its board of directors, to
indemnify officers, employees and other persons to the same extent as directors.
The provisions of Section 9 of Article IV of the By-Laws relating to the
limitation of directors' liability, to indemnification and to the advancement of
expenses constitute a contract between Philadelphia Consolidated and each of its
directors which may be modified as to any director only with that director's
consent or as otherwise specifically provided in Section 9. Any repeal or
amendment of Section 9 of Article IV of the By-Laws which is adverse to any
director will apply to such director only on a prospective basis, and will not


                                        2
<PAGE>   24
reduce any limitation on the personal liability of a director of Philadelphia
Consolidated, or limit the rights of an indemnitee to indemnification or to the
advancement of expenses with respect to any action or failure to act occurring
prior to the time of such repeal or amendment. No repeal or amendment of the
By-Laws will affect any or all of Section 9 of Article IV so as either to reduce
the limitation of directors' liability or limit indemnification or the
advancement of expenses in any manner unless adopted by the unanimous vote of
the directors of Philadelphia Consolidated then serving or the affirmative vote
of shareholders entitled to cast not less than a majority of the votes that all
shareholders are entitled to cast in the election of directors.

         Section 9 of Article IV further permits Philadelphia Consolidated to
maintain insurance, at its expense, for the benefit of any person on behalf of
whom insurance is permitted to be purchased by Pennsylvania law against any such
expenses, liability or loss, whether or not Philadelphia Consolidated would have
the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss under
Pennsylvania or other law. Philadelphia Consolidated has purchased directors'
and officers' liability insurance.

         Section 3c of the Plan provides that service on the Committee
constitutes, for purposes of rights to indemnification by Philadelphia
Consolidated, service as a member of Board. Committee members are entitled,
under Section 3c, to indemnity from Philadelphia Consolidated and limitation of
liability to the fullest extent provided by applicable law, Philadelphia
Consolidated's Articles of Incorporation and/or Philadelphia Consolidated's
By-Laws in connection with or arising out of any action, suit or proceeding with
respect to the administration of the Plan in which a Committee member is
involved by reason of being or having been a member of the Committee, whether or
not the Committee member continues to be a member of the Committee at the time
of the action, suit or proceeding.

ITEM 17.  UNDERTAKINGS.

         (a)      The Undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

                  (1)      To file, during any period in which offers or sales
                  are being made, a post-effective amendment to this
                  Registration Statement:

                           (i) To include any prospectus required by Section
                  10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;

                           (ii) to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events
                  arising after the effective date of the Registration Statement
                  (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which,
                  individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental
                  change in the information set forth in the Registration
                  Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or
                  decrease in the volume of securities offered (if the total
                  dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which
                  was registered) and any deviation from the low or high and of
                  the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the
                  form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule
                  424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price
                  represent no more than 20 percent change in the maximum
                  aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of
                  Registration Fee" table in the effective registration
                  statement;

                           (iii) to include any material information with
                  respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed
                  in the Registration Statement or any material change to such
                  information in the Registration Statement;


                                        3
<PAGE>   25
                  provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do
                  not apply if the information required to be included in such
                  post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in
                  periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by
                  the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the
                  Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by
                  reference in this Registration Statement.

                  (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under
                  the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment
                  shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to
                  the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
                  securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
                  fide offering thereof.

                  (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective
                  amendment any of the securities registered which remain unsold
                  at the termination of the offering.

         (b) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the
Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit
plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934) that is incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement shall be
deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
the initial bona fide offering thereof.

         (h) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling
persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise,
the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and
Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed
in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the
Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling
person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or
proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, such Registrant will, unless in
the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent,
submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will
be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 ITEM 16.  EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.

         (a) Exhibits


                                        4
<PAGE>   26
     Exhibit No.                   Description
     -----------                   -----------

         3.1      Articles of Incorporation of Philadelphia Consolidated, as
                  amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 filed with
                  Philadelphia Consolidated's Form S-1 Registration Statement
                  under the Securities Act of 1933 (Registration No. 33-65958)).


         4.1      Philadelphia Insurance Companies Stock Purchase Plan for
                  Preferred Agents, As Amended and Restated Effective August 1,
                  2000.*



         4.2      Form of Subscription Agreement.**



         5.1      Opinion of Wolf, Block Schorr and Solis-Cohen LLP regarding
                  the legality of the securities being registered by
                  Philadelphia Consolidated hereby.**


         23.1     Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP related to the financial
                  statements of Philadelphia Consolidated Holding Corp.*


         23.2     Consent of Wolf, Block Schorr and Solis-Cohen LLP (included in
                  Exhibit 5.1).**



         24.1     Powers of attorney.**



-------------------------
 *Filed electronically herewith.
**Previously filed.



                                        5
<PAGE>   27
                                   SIGNATURES


         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933,
Philadelphia Consolidated Holding Corp. certifies that it has reasonable grounds
to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has
duly caused this Registration Statement, to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania on
August 7, 2000.


                                       PHILADELPHIA CONSOLIDATED HOLDING CORP.


                                       By: /s/ James J. Maguire
                                       ------------------------
                                       James J. Maguire
                                       Chairman of the Board of Directors and
                                       Chief Executive Officer






         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities indicated on August 7, 2000.



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Signature                                              Title
---------                                              -----
<S>                                       <C>
/s/ James J. Maguire                      Chairman of the Board of Directors,
----------------------------------        Chief Executive Officer and Director
James J. Maguire                          (Principal Executive Officer)

/s/ Craig P. Keller                       Senior Vice President, Secretary,
----------------------------------        Treasurer and Chief Financial
Craig P. Keller                           Officer (Principal Financial and
                                          Accounting Officer)

          *                               President, Chief Operating Officer
----------------------------------        and Director
James J. Maguire, Jr.

          *                               Executive Vice President and
----------------------------------        Director
Sean S. Sweeney

          *                               Director
----------------------------------
William J. Henrich, Jr.

          *                               Director
----------------------------------
Roger R. Larson

          *                               Director
----------------------------------
Paul R. Hertel, Jr.

          *                               Director
----------------------------------
Thomas J. McHugh

          *                               Director
----------------------------------
Michael J. Morris
</TABLE>



                                        6
<PAGE>   28

<TABLE>
<S>                                       <C>
          *                               Director
----------------------------------
Dirk Stuurop

          *                               Director
----------------------------------
J. Eustace Wolfington
</TABLE>



*By: /s/   Craig P. Keller
          ----------------------------
Craig P. Keller as attorney-in-
fact pursuant to the Powers of
Attorney previously filed as
Exhibit 24.1 to this Registration
Statement



                                        7
<PAGE>   29
                                  EXHIBIT INDEX



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
    Exhibit No.                               Description                                  Method of Filing
    -----------                               -----------                                  ----------------
<S>                   <C>                                                                  <C>
         3.1          Articles of Incorporation of Philadelphia Consolidated,
                      as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 filed
                      with Philadelphia Consolidated's Form S-1 Registration
                      Statement under the Securities Act of 1933 (Registration
                      No. 33-65958)).

         4.1          Philadelphia Insurance Companies Stock Purchase Plan                          *
                      for Preferred Agents As Amended and Restated Effective
                      August 1, 2000.

         4.2          Form of Subscription Agreement                                               **

         5.1          Opinion of Wolf, Block Schorr and Solis-Cohen LLP                            **
                      regarding the legality of the securities being registered
                      by Philadelphia Consolidated hereby.

        23.1          Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP related to the                          *
                      financial statements of Philadelphia Consolidated
                      Holding Corp.

        23.2          Consent of Wolf, Block Schorr and Solis-Cohen LLP                            **
                      (included in Exhibit 5.1).

        24.1          Powers of attorney.                                                          **
</TABLE>


* Filed electronically herewith.
**Previously filed.


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