| Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation SDI is now a holding company and its consolidated financial statements include Turning Point and its consolidated subsidiaries. Turning Point is also a holding company which owns North Atlantic Trading Company, Inc. (“NATC”), and its subsidiaries and Turning Point Brands, LLC (“TPLLC”), and its subsidiaries. Except where the context indicates otherwise, references to Turning Point include Turning Point; NATC and its subsidiaries National Tobacco Company, L.P. (“NTC”), National Tobacco Finance, LLC (“NTFLLC”), North Atlantic Operating Company, Inc. (“NAOC”), North Atlantic Cigarette Company, Inc. (“NACC”), and RBJ Sales, Inc. (“RBJ”); and TPLLC and its subsidiaries Intrepid Brands, LLC (“Intrepid”), Vapor Beast, LLC (“VaporBeast,” f/k/a Smoke Free Technologies, Inc.), Vapor Shark, LLC, and its subsidiaries (collectively, “Vapor Shark,” f/k/a The Hand Media), Vapor Acquisitions Company, LLC (“Vapor Supply”), Vapor Finance, LLC (“VFIN”), and International Vapor Group, LLC and its subsidiaries (collectively, “IVG”). On January 15, 2019, Turning Point announced the formation of Nu-X Ventures, LLC (“Nu-X”), a subsidiary of TPLLC. Turning Point is a leading, independent provider of Other Tobacco Products (“OTP”) in the U.S and was the 6th largest competitor in terms of total OTP consumer units sold during 2018. Turning Point sells a wide range of products across the OTP spectrum; however, it does not sell cigarettes. Turning Point’s portfolio of brands includes some of the most widely recognized names in the OTP industry, such as Zig-Zag ® Beech-Nut ® Stoker’s ® Trophy ® VaporBeast ® Vapor Shark ® VaporFi ® Pillar General, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, owns 100% of Interboro Holdings which is a holding company and includes the accounts of its wholly-owned subsidiaries (collectively, “Interboro”) which consist of Interboro Management, Inc. (“Interboro Management”), Maidstone, formerly known as AutoOne Insurance Company (“AOIC”) and AIM Insurance Agency Inc. (“AIM”). Maidstone is domiciled in the State of New York and is a property and casualty insurance company which provides automobile insurance and was acquired by the Company on January 2, 2018. Standard Outdoor LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, and its subsidiaries (collectively, “Standard Outdoor”), consists of Standard Outdoor Southeast I LLC, Standard Outdoor Southeast II LLC and Standard Outdoor Southwest LLC. Standard Outdoor is an out-of-home advertising business with billboard structures located in Texas, Alabama, Georgia and Florida. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, its subsidiaries, all of which are wholly-owned, and the results of Vapor Shark from April 1, 2017, through June 30, 2017. All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated. Vapor Shark was a variable interest entity (“VIE”) for which Turning Point was considered the primary beneficiary due to an April 2017 management agreement in which Turning Point was granted the right to purchase equity of Vapor Shark. Turning Point did not own Vapor Shark during the second quarter of 2017; however, Vapor Shark’s financial results are included in the Company’s consolidated results as a VIE. On June 30, 2017, Turning Point exercised a warrant to purchase all of the issued and outstanding equity of Vapor Shark. Beginning June 30, 2017, Vapor Shark became a wholly owned subsidiary of Turning Point. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the dates of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates. As a result of the consummation of the Contribution and Exchange, the historical financial statements of Turning Point became the Company’s historical financial statements. Accordingly, the historical financial statements of Turning Point are included in the comparative prior periods. The operating results of SDI are included in these financial statements beginning on June 1, 2017. Certain prior years’ amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation. The changes did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated results of operations or cash flows in any of the periods presented. Noncontrolling Interests These consolidated financial statements reflect the application of Accounting Standards Codification Topic 810, Consolidations SDI acquired a 52.1% interest in Turning Point on June 1, 2017 through a reverse acquisition as described in Note 1. Amounts pertaining to the noncontrolling ownership interest held by third parties in the financial position and operating results of the Company are reported as noncontrolling interests in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. As of December 31, 2018, SDI has an ownership interest of 50.3% in Turning Point. Revenue Recognition Turning Point: A further requirement of ASU 2014-09 is for entities to disaggregate revenue recognized from contracts with customers into categories that depict how the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows are affected by economic factors. Turning Point’s management views business performance through segments that closely resemble the performance of major product lines. Thus, the primary, and most useful, disaggregation of Turning Point’s contract revenue for the decision-making purposes is the disaggregation by segment which can be found in Note 23. Segment Information. An additional disaggregation of contract revenue by sales channel can also be found within Note 23. Segment Information. Standard Outdoor: Standard Outdoo r Maidstone: Financial Services-Insurance Premiums Derivative Instruments Foreign Currency Forward Contracts: Interest Rate Swap Agreements: Shipping Costs The Company records shipping costs incurred as a component of selling, general and administrative expenses. Shipping costs incurred were approximately $15.1 million, $10.4 million and $6.5 million in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Research and Development and Quality Assurance Costs Research and development and quality assurance costs are expensed as incurred. These expenses, classified as selling, general and administrative expenses, were approximately $2.5 million, $2.3 million and $2.0 million in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Cash and Cash Equivalents The Company considers all highly liquid investments that have maturities of three months or less when acquired to be cash equivalents. Inventories Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined using the last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) method for approximately 49.1% of the inventories and first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) for the remaining inventories. Leaf tobacco is presented in current assets in accordance with standard industry practice, notwithstanding the fact that such tobaccos are carried longer than one year for the purpose of curing. Property, Plant and Equipment: Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment. Depreciation is provided using the straight-line method over the lesser of the estimated useful lives of the assets or the life of the leases for leasehold improvements (4 to 7 years for machinery, equipment and furniture, 10 to 15 years for leasehold improvements, 15 years for billboards and up to 15 years for buildings and building improvements). Expenditures for repairs and maintenance are charged to expense as incurred. The costs of major renewals and improvements are capitalized and depreciated over their estimated useful lives. Upon disposition of fixed assets, the costs and related accumulated depreciation amounts are relieved. Any resulting gain or loss is reflected in operations during the period of disposition. Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment when changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets: The Company follows the provisions of ASC 350, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other in accounting for goodwill and other intangible assets. Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are reviewed for impairment annually on December 31, or more frequently if certain indicators are present, in accordance with ASC 350-20-35 and ASC 350-30-35, respectively. If the carrying value of the goodwill or indefinite-life intangible asset exceeds its fair value, determined using the discounted cash flows method and the relief-from-royalty method, respectively, the goodwill or intangible asset is considered impaired. The carrying value of the goodwill or indefinite-life intangible asset would then be reduced to fair value. For goodwill, the determination of a reporting unit’s fair value involves, among other things, the Company’s market capitalization and application of the income approach, which includes developing forecasts of future cash flows and determining an appropriate discount rate. Based on the Company’s annual goodwill impairment testing, the estimated fair values of each of the Turning Point reporting units were substantially in excess of the respective carrying values at December 31, 2018. The Company had no such impairment of goodwill or other intangible assets during the year ended December 31, 2018. Refer to Note 10 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further details regarding the Company’s goodwill and other intangible assets as of December 31, 2018. The Company performed a qualitative assessment related to the goodwill at its insurance subsidiary, which was acquired on January 2, 2018. The Company recorded no impairment of goodwill or other intangible assets during the year ended December 31, 2018. Fair Value GAAP establishes a framework for measuring fair value. That framework provides a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy under GAAP are described below: Level 1 – Inputs to the valuation methodology are unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets at the measurement date. Level 2 – Inputs to the valuation methodology include: quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets; inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; and inputs derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means. Level 3 – Unobservable inputs which reflect management’s best estimate of what market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability at the measurement date. Retirement Plans The Company follows the provisions of ASC 715, Compensation – Retirement Benefits in accounting for its retirement plans, which requires an employer to (i) recognize in its statement of financial position the funded status of a benefit plan, measured as the difference between the fair value of plan assets and benefit obligations; (ii) recognize, net of tax, the gains or losses and prior service costs or credits that arise during the period but are not recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost; and (iii) measure defined benefit plan assets and obligations as of the date of the employer’s statement of financial position. Deferred Financing Costs Deferred financing costs are amortized over the terms of the related debt obligations using the effective interest method. Unamortized amounts are expensed upon extinguishment of the related borrowings. Deferred financing costs are presented as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability except for deferred financing costs relating to Turning Point’s revolving credit facility which are presented as an asset. Advertising and Promotion Advertising and promotion costs, including point of sale materials, are expensed as incurred and amounted to $5.6 million, $3.4 million and $3.9 million for the years ending December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Stock-Based Compensation The Company accounts for stock-based compensation using the fair value method, which requires that compensation costs related to employee share-based payment transactions are measured in the financial statements at the fair value on the date of grant and are recognized over the vesting period of the award. Risks and Uncertainties Manufacturers and sellers of tobacco products are subject to regulation at the federal, state, and local levels. Such regulations include, among others, labeling requirements, limitations on advertising, and prohibition of sales to minors. The trend in recent years has been toward increased regulation of the tobacco industry. There can be no assurance as to the ultimate content, timing, or effect of any regulation of tobacco products by any federal, state, or local legislative or regulatory body, nor can there be any assurance that any such legislation or regulation would not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. The tobacco industry has experienced and is experiencing significant product liability litigation. Most tobacco liability lawsuits have been brought against manufacturers and sellers of cigarettes for injuries allegedly caused by smoking or exposure to smoke. However, several lawsuits have been brought against manufacturers and sellers of smokeless products for injuries to health allegedly caused by use of smokeless products. Typically, such claims assert that use of smokeless products is addictive and causes oral cancer. Additionally, several lawsuits have been brought against manufacturers and distributors of NewGen products due to malfunctioning devices. There can be no assurance the Company will not sustain losses in connection with such lawsuits and that such losses will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. Master Settlement Agreement (MSA): Pursuant to the MSA and subsequent states’ statutes, a “cigarette manufacturer” (which is defined to also include MYO cigarette tobacco) has the option of either becoming a signatory to the MSA or opening, funding, and maintaining an escrow account, with sub-accounts on behalf of each settling state. The STMSA has no similar provisions. The MSA escrow accounts are governed by states’ statutes that expressly give the manufacturers the option of opening, funding, and maintaining an escrow account in lieu of becoming a signatory to the MSA. The statutes require companies who are not signatories to the MSA to deposit, on an annual basis, into qualified banks, escrow funds based on the number of cigarettes or cigarette equivalents, i.e., the pounds of MYO tobacco, sold. The purpose of these statutes is expressly stated to be to eliminate the cost disadvantage the settling manufacturers have as a result of entering into the MSA. Such companies are entitled to direct the investment of the escrowed funds and withdraw any appreciation, but cannot withdraw the principal for twenty-five years from the year of each annual deposit, except to withdraw funds deposited pursuant to an individual state’s escrow statute to pay a final judgment to that state’s plaintiffs in the event of such a final judgment against the company. Either option – becoming an MSA signatory or establishing an escrow account – is permissible. The Company chose to open and fund an MSA escrow account as its means of compliance. It is management’s opinion, due to the possibility of future federal or state regulations, though none have to date been enacted, that entering into one or both of the settlement agreements or establishing and maintaining an escrow account would not necessarily prevent future regulations from having a material adverse effect on the results of operations, financial position, and cash flows of the Company. Various states have enacted or proposed complementary legislation intended to curb the activity of certain manufacturers and importers of cigarettes that are selling into MSA states without signing the MSA or who have failed to properly establish and fund a qualifying escrow account. To the best of the Company’s knowledge, no such statute has been enacted which could inadvertently and negatively impact the Company, which has been, and is currently, fully compliant with all applicable laws, regulations, and statutes. However, there can be no assurance that the enactment of any such complementary legislation in the future will not have a material adverse effect on the results of operations, financial position, or cash flows of the Company. Pursuant to the MSA escrow account statutes, in order to be compliant with the MSA escrow requirements, companies selling products covered by the MSA are required to deposit such funds for each calendar year into a qualifying escrow account by April 15 of the following year. At December 31, 2018, the Company had on deposit approximately $32.1 million, the fair value of which was approximately $30.6 million. Inputs to the valuation methodology of the MSA escrow deposits are unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets at the measurement date. During 2018, less than $0.1 million relating to 2017 sales was deposited into this qualifying escrow account. The investment vehicles available to the Company are specified in the state escrow agreements and are limited to low-risk government securities. Effective April 1, 2009, the federal excise tax on MYO products was increased from $1.0969 per pound to $24.78 per pound of tobacco. With this significant increase in the federal excise tax, the Company discontinued its generic category of MYO. The Company’s The Company has chosen to invest a portion of the MSA escrow in U.S. Government securities including TIPS, Treasury Notes, and Treasury Bonds. These investments are classified as available-for-sale and carried at fair value. Realized losses are prohibited under the MSA; thus, any investment in an unrealized loss position will be held until the value is recovered, or until maturity. The following shows the fair value of the MSA escrow account as of December 31, 2018: December 31, 2018 2017 Cost Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Losses Estimated Fair Value Cost Gross Unrealized Losses Estimated Fair Value Cash and cash equivalents $ 2,361 $ - $ - $ 2,361 $ 3,602 $ - $ 3,602 Fair value level 2: U.S. Governmental agency obligations (unrealized gain position < 12 months) 1,193 9 - 1,202 - - - Fair value level 2: U.S. Governmental agency obligations (unrealized loss position < 12 months) 1,000 - (3 ) 997 722 (17 ) 705 Fair value level 2: U.S. Governmental agency obligations (unrealized loss position > 12 months) 27,519 - (1,529 ) 25,990 27,733 (1,214 ) 26,519 $ 32,073 $ 9 $ (1,532 ) $ 30,550 $ 32,057 $ (1,231 ) $ 30,826 The following schedule shows the maturities of the U.S. Governmental agency obligations: December 31, 2018 2017 Less than one year $ 1,499 $ - One to five years 13,591 7,114 five to ten years 11,152 17,662 Greater than ten years 3,470 3,679 Total U.S. Governmental agency obligations $ 29,712 $ 28,455 The following shows the amount of deposits by sales year for the MSA escrow account: Deposits as of Sales Year December 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 1999 $ 211 $ 211 2000 1,017 1,017 2001 1,673 1,673 2002 2,271 2,271 2003 4,249 4,249 2004 3,714 3,714 2005 4,552 4,552 2006 3,847 3,847 2007 4,167 4,167 2008 3,364 3,364 2009 1,619 1,626 2010 406 406 2011 193 193 2012 199 199 2013 173 173 2014 143 143 2015 101 101 2016 91 81 2017 83 70 Total $ 32,073 $ 32,057 Tobacco products, cigarette papers and cigarette tubes are subject to federal excise taxes. The following table outlines the federal excise tax rate by product category effective as of April 1, 2009: Product Category Cigarette and Tobacco Rates effective April 1, 2009 Cigarettes $1.0066 per pack Large Cigars 52.75% of manufacturer's price; cap of $0.4026 per cigar Little Cigars $1.0066 per pack Pipe Tobacco (including Shisha) $2.8311 per pound Chewing Tobacco $0.5033 per pound Snuff $1.51 per pound RYO/MYO and Cigar Wrappers $24.78 per pound Cigarette Papers $0.0315 per 50 papers Cigarette Tubes $0.063 per 50 tubes Any future enactment of increases in federal excise taxes on the Company’s products could have a material adverse effect on the results of operations or financial condition of the Company. The Company is unable to predict the likelihood of passage of future increases in federal excise taxes. As of December 31, 2018, federal excise taxes are not assessed on e-cigarettes and related products. As of December 31, 2018, California, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia have an excise tax on e-cigarettes. In addition, there are several local taxing jurisdictions with an excise tax on e-cigarettes. Several states have also implemented additional measures on e-cigarettes, such as licensing requirements. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”): cigars, pipe tobacco, e-cigarettes, vaporizers, and e-liquids as “deemed” tobacco products under the FSPTCA. The FDA assesses tobacco product user fees on six classes of regulated tobacco products and computes user fees using a methodology similar to the methodology used by the U.S Department of Agriculture to compute the Tobacco Transition Payment Program (“TTPP,” also known as the “Tobacco Buyout”) assessment. First, the total, annual, congressionally established user fee assessment is allocated among the various classes of tobacco products using the federal excise tax weighted market share of tobacco products subject to regulation. Then, the assessment for each class of tobacco products is divided among individual manufacturers and importers. Prior to October 1, 2016, these FDA user fees applied only to those products then regulated by the FDA. Effective October 1, 2016, the FDA began additionally applying FDA user fees to newly deemed tobacco products subject to FDA user fees as described above, i.e., cigars and pipe tobacco. On July 28, 2017, the FDA announced a new direction in regulating tobacco products, including the newly “deemed” markets such as cigars and vapor products. The FDA stated it intends to begin several new rulemaking processes, some of which will outline foundational rules governing the premarket application process for the deemed products, including Substantial Equivalence Applications and Premarket Tobacco Applications. Compliance and related costs could be significant and could increase the costs of operating in our NewGen segment. The original filing deadlines for newly “deemed” products on the market as of August 8, 2016, have been postponed until August 8, 2021, for “combustible” products (e.g., cigar and pipe) and August 8, 2022, for “non-combustible” products (e.g., vapor products). No other filing deadlines were altered. The FDA also acknowledged a “continuum of risk” among tobacco products (i.e., certain tobacco products pose a greater risk to individual and public health than others), that it intends to seek public comment on the role Consumer Product Safety Commission (“CPSC”): On July 26, 2016, the CPSC began requiring that e-liquid containers be packaged in child-resistant packaging, as outlined in the Poison Prevention Packaging Act. The Company is not able to predict whether additional packaging requirements will be necessary for our e-liquid products in the future. Fixed Maturity Securities Investments in fixed maturity securities including bonds, loan-backed and structured securities are classified as available-for-sale and reported at fair value. Significant changes in prevailing interest rates and other economic conditions may adversely affect the timing and amount of cash flows on fixed income investments, as well as their related fair values. Fixed maturities are recorded on a trade date basis. Amortization of bond premium and accretion of bond discount are calculated using the scientific method. Changes in fair values of these securities, after deferred income tax effects, are reflected as unrealized gains or losses in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Realized gains and losses from the sale of investments are calculated as of the trade date in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss and are based upon the specific identification of securities sold. Investment income consists of interest and is reported net of investment expenses. Prepayment assumptions are considered when determining the amortization of discount or premium for loan-backed and structured securities. An investment is considered impaired when the fair value of the investment is less than its cost or amortized cost. When an investment is impaired, the Company must make a determination as to whether the impairment is other than temporary (“OTTI”). With respect to an investment in an impaired fixed maturity security, OTTI occurs if the Company (a) intends to sell the fixed maturity security, (b) more likely than not will be required to sell the fixed maturity security before its anticipated recovery, or (c) it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due to the recovery of the entire cost basis of the security. The Company conducts a periodic review to identify and evaluate securities having OTTI, which include the above factors as well as the following: (1) the likelihood of the recoverability of principal and interest for fixed maturity securities (i.e., whether there is a credit loss); (2) the length of time and extent to which the fair value has been less than amortized cost for fixed maturity securities; and (3) the financial condition, near term and long-term prospects for the issuer, including the relevant industry conditions and trends, and implications of rating agency actions and offering prices. If the Company intends to sell the fixed maturity security, or will more likely than not be required to sell the fixed maturity security before the anticipated recovery, a loss in the entire amount of the impairment is reflected in net investment gains (losses) in net income (loss). If the Company determines that it is probable it will be unable to collect all amounts and the Company has no intent to sell the fixed maturity security, a credit loss is recognized in net investment gains (losses) in net income (loss) to the extent that the present value of expected cash flows is less than the amortized cost basis; any difference between fair value and the new amortized cost basis (net of the credit loss) is reflected in other comprehensive income (losses), net of applicable income taxes. Upon recognizing an OTTI, the new cost basis of the security is the previous amortized cost basis less the OTTI recognized in net investment gains (losses). The new cost basis is not adjusted for any subsequent recoveries in fair value; however, for fixed maturity securities, the difference between the new cost basis and expected cash flows is accreted to net investment gains (losses) over the remaining expected life of the investment. Equity Securities Unrealized holding gains and losses on equity securities are recorded in the statements of income. The Company had net unrealized holding losses on equity securities of $0.1 million, which were included in net investment income on the Company’s consolidated statements of income for the year ended December 31, 2018. Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs (“DAC”) Policy acquisition costs, which vary with and are directly related to the production of successful new business, are deferred. The costs deferred consist principally of commissions and policy issuance costs and are amortized into expense as the related premiums are earned. DAC asset at January 2, 2018 $ - Deferred expenses 5,097 Amortized expenses (2,818 ) DAC asset at December 31, 2018 $ 2,279 The Company, utilizing assumptions for future expected claims, premium rate increases and interest rates, reviews the recoverability of its DAC on a periodic basis. If the Company determines that the future gross profits of its in-force policies are not sufficient to recover its DAC the Company recognizes a premium deficiency by charging any unamortized DAC to expense to the extent required in order to eliminate the deficiency. If the premium deficiency exceeds the unamortized DAC, then a liability is accrued for the excess deficiency. The Company anticipates investment income as a factor in its premium deficiency reserve calculation. Premium Receivable Premiums and agents’ balances in the course of collection are reported at the amount management expects to collect from outstanding balances. Past due amounts are determined based on contractual terms. Maidstone provides an allowance for doubtful accounts based upon review of outstanding receivables and historical collection information Maidstone recorded an allowance for doubtful accounts of less than $0.1 million as of December 31, 2018. Investment Income Due and Accrued Investment income consists of interest, which is recognized on an accrual basis. Due and accrued income is not recorded on fixed maturity securities in default and on delinquent fixed maturities where collection of interest is improbable. As of December 31, 2018, no investment income amounts were excluded from the Company balances. Incurred Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses Incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses (“LAE”) are charged to operations as incurred. The liability for losses and LAE is based upon individual case estimates for reported claims and a factor for incurred but not reported (“IBNR”) claims. Losses, LAE and related liabilities are reported net of estimated salvage and subrogation. Inherent in the estimate of ultimate losses and LAE are expected trends in claim severity and frequency and other factors which may vary significantly as claims are settled; however, management believes that its aggregate provision for losses and LAE at December 31, 2018 is reasonable and adequate to meet the ultimate net cost of covered losses, but such provision is necessarily based on estimates and the ultimate net cost may vary significantly from such estimates. As adjustments to these estimates become necessary, such adjustments are reflected in current operations. Insurance Company Assessments Assessments from various state insurance departments are incurred by the insurance company in the normal course of business. Assessments based upon premium volumes are accrued during the year while non-premium assessments are expensed in the period they are reported to the insurance company. There were no significant assessments incurred during the year ended December 31, 2018. Reinsurance The Company accounts for reinsurance in accordance with the accounting guidance concerning the accounting and reporting for reinsurance of short-duration contracts. Management believes the Company’s reinsurance arrangements qualify for reinsurance accounting. Reinsurance premiums, losses, LAE and commissions are accounted for on a basis consistent with those used in accounting for the original policies issued and the terms of the reinsurance contracts. The Company relies on ceded reinsurance to limit its insurance risk. Reinstatement premiums for the Company’s insurance operations are recognized at the time a loss event occurs, where coverage limits for the remaining life of the contract are reinstated under pre-defined contract terms. The accrual of reinstatement premiums is based on an estimate of losses and LAE, which reflects management’s judgment. Amounts recoverable from reinsurers are estimated and recognized in a manner consistent with the claims liabilities arising from reinsured policies and incurred but not reported losses. In entering into reinsurance agreements, management considers a variety of factors including the creditworthiness of reinsurers. In preparing consolidated financial statements, management makes estimates of amounts recoverable from reinsurers, which include consid |
