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Commitments And Contingencies
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020
Commitments And Contingencies [Abstract]  
Commitments And Contingencies Note 6. Commitments and Contingencies

We carry insurance policies on insurable risks at levels that we believe to be appropriate, including workers’ compensation, automobile and general liability risks. We purchase insurance policies from third-party insurance carriers, which typically incorporate significant deductibles or self-insured retentions. We are responsible for all claims that fall below the retention limits, exceed our coverage limits or are otherwise not covered by our insurance policies. In determining our accrual for self-insured claims, we use historical claims experience to establish both the current year accrual and the underlying provision for future losses. This actuarially determined provision and related accrual include known claims, as well as incurred but not reported claims. We adjust our estimate of accrued self-insured claims when required to reflect changes based on factors such as changes in health care costs, accident frequency and claim severity.

In the normal course of business, we periodically enter into agreements that incorporate indemnification provisions. While the maximum amount to which we may be exposed under such agreements cannot be estimated, we do not expect these guarantees and indemnifications to have a material effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

A reconciliation of beginning and ending accrued self-insured claims, which are included in Accrued liabilities—Self-insured claims and related expenses and Other long-term obligations, primarily self-insured claims on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position, net of insurance recoverables, which are included in Prepaid expenses and other assets and Other assets on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position, is presented as follows:

Accrued

Self-insured

(In millions)

Claims, Net

Balance as of December 31, 2019

$

111

Provision for self-insured claims

13

Cash payments

(8)

Balance as of March 31, 2020

$

116

Balance as of December 31, 2018

$

111

Provision for self-insured claims

8

Cash payments

(6)

Balance as of March 31, 2019

$

113

Termite damage claims include circumstances when a customer notifies us that they have experienced damage to their property and we reach an agreement to remediate that damage (a “Non-litigated Claim”); and circumstances when we do not reach an agreement with a customer to remediate the damage and that customer initiates litigation or arbitration proceedings (a “Litigated Claim”). We have certain liabilities with respect to existing or potential claims, lawsuits and other proceedings, including Litigated Claims. We accrue for these liabilities when it is probable that future costs will be incurred and such costs can be reasonably estimated. Any resulting adjustments, which could be material, are recorded in the period the adjustments are identified.

During the fourth quarter of the year ended December 31, 2019, we recorded a change in estimate of our reserve for termite damages for Litigated Claims and Non-Litigated Claims in the amount of $53 million.

A reconciliation of beginning and ending accrued Litigated Claims, which are included in Accrued liabilities—Other and Other long-term obligations, primarily self-insured claims on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position, and Non-Litigated Claims, which are included in Accrued liabilities—Self-insured claims and related expenses on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position, is presented as follows:

Accrued

Termite Damage

(In millions)

Claims

Balance as of December 31, 2019

$

80

Provision for termite damage claims

12

Cash payments

(11)

Balance as of March 31, 2020

$

81

Balance as of December 31, 2018

$

28

Provision for termite damage claims

6

Cash payments

(11)

Balance as of March 31, 2019

$

24

On December 16, 2016, the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Justice filed a civil complaint in the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands related to a fumigation incident in a matter styled Government of the United States Virgin Islands v. The ServiceMaster Company, LLC, The Terminix International Company Limited Partnership, and Terminix International USVI, LLC. The amount and extent of any potential penalties, fines sanctions, costs and damages that the federal or other governmental authorities may yet impose, investigation or other costs and reputational harm, as well as the impact of any additional civil, criminal or other claims or judicial, administrative or regulatory proceedings resulting from or related to the U.S. Virgin Islands fumigation matter, which could be material, is not currently known, and any such further penalties, fines, sanctions, costs or damages would not be covered under our general liability insurance policies.

In addition to the matters discussed above, in the ordinary course of conducting business activities, we and our subsidiaries become involved in judicial, administrative and regulatory proceedings involving both private parties and governmental authorities. These proceedings include insured and uninsured matters that are brought on an individual, collective, representative and class action basis, or other proceedings involving regulatory, employment, general and commercial liability, automobile liability, wage and hour, environmental and other matters. We have entered into settlement agreements in certain cases, including with respect to putative

collective and class actions, which are subject to court or other approvals, and which require compliance with the terms of the agreements. If one or more of our settlements are not finally approved and implemented, we could have additional or different exposure, which could be material. Subject to the paragraphs above, we do not expect any of these proceedings to have a material effect on our reputation, business, financial position, results of operations or cash flows; however, we can give no assurance that the results of any such proceedings will not materially affect our reputation, business, financial position, results of operations and cash flows.