(6)Dividends 2000 On September 5, 2000, a cash dividend of $.07 per share was declared to shareholders of record September 15, 2000 and paid September 26, 2000 in the amount of $773,993. On May 30, 2000, a cash dividend of $.07 per share was declared to shareholders of record June 16, 2000 and paid June 28, 2000 in the amount of $775,865. On February 18, 2000, a cash dividend of $.07 per share was declared to shareholders of record March 10, 2000 and paid March 23, 2000 in the amount of $788,776. 1999 On October 20, 1999, a cash dividend of $.07 per share was declared to shareholders of record December 9, 1999 and paid December 23, 1999 in the amount of $788,560. On July 23, 1999, a cash dividend of $.07 per share was declared to shareholders of record September 10, 1999 and paid September 24, 1999 in the amount of $788,751. On May 13, 1999, a cash dividend of $.07 per share was declared to shareholders of record June 11, 1999 and paid June 25, 1999 in the amount of $788,708. On February 26, 1999, a cash dividend of $.07 per share was declared to shareholders of record March 12, 1999 and paid March 26, 1999 in the amount of $785,999. (7)Investments Fixed maturities and equity securities are classified as available-for-sale and accordingly are carried at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses reported as a separate component of shareholders' investment, net of taxes. The cost of fixed maturities is adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts to maturity. Fixed maturities and equity securities deemed to have declines in value that are other than temporary are written down through the statement of income to carrying values equal to their estimated fair values. Investment real estate is carried at cost net of accumulated depreciation of $1,488,842, $1,173,643 and $1,047,699 as of September 30, 2000, December 31, 1999 and September 30, 1999, respectively. The real estate is depreciated over the estimated useful life of the asset. Cost of investments sold is determined under the specific identification method. (8)Contingent Liabilities The Company is a defendant in certain lawsuits involving complaints which demand damages and recoveries for claims and losses allegedly related to risks insured by the Company. In the opinion of management, such lawsuits are routine in that they result from the ordinary course of business in the insurance industry. The reserve for losses includes management's estimates of the probable ultimate cost of settling all losses involving lawsuits. |