3. FAIR VALUE DISCLOSURES

Fair value is defined as the price in the principal market that would be received for an asset to facilitate an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. We determined the fair value of certain financial instruments based on their underlying characteristics and relevant transactions in the marketplace. GAAP guidance requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The guidance also describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value.

The following are the levels of the fair value hierarchy and a brief description of the type of valuation inputs that are used to establish each level:

· Level 1 is applied to valuations based on readily available, unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets.

· Level 2 is applied to valuations based upon quoted prices for similar assets in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets in inactive markets; or valuations based on models where the significant inputs are observable (e.g. interest rates, yield curves, prepayment speeds, default rates, loss severities) or can be corroborated by observable market data.

· Level 3 is applied to valuations that are derived from techniques in which one or more of the significant inputs are unobservable. Financial assets are classified based upon the lowest level of significant input that is used to determine fair value.

As a part of the process to determine fair value, management utilizes widely recognized, third-party pricing sources to determine fair values. Management has obtained an understanding of the third-party pricing sources’ valuation methodologies and inputs. The following is a description of the valuation techniques used for financial assets that are measured at fair value, including the general classification of such assets pursuant to the fair value hierarchy.

Corporate, Agencies, and Municipal Bonds—The pricing vendor employs a multi-dimensional model which uses standard inputs including (listed in order of priority for use) benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, issuer spreads, two-sided markets, benchmark securities, market bids/offers and other reference data. The pricing vendor also monitors market indicators, as well as industry and economic events. All bonds valued using these techniques are classified as Level 2. All Corporate, Agencies, and Municipal securities are deemed Level 2.

Mortgage-backed Securities (MBS)/Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (CMO) and Asset-backed Securities (ABS)—The pricing vendor evaluation methodology includes principally interest rate movements and new issue data. Evaluation of the tranches (non-volatile, volatile, or credit sensitivity) is based on the pricing vendors’ interpretation of accepted modeling and pricing conventions. This information is then used to determine the cash flows for each tranche, benchmark yields, pre-payment assumptions and to incorporate collateral performance. To evaluate CMO volatility, an option adjusted spread model is used in combination with models that simulate interest rate paths to determine market price information. This process allows the pricing vendor to obtain evaluations of a broad universe of securities in a way that reflects changes in yield curve, index rates, implied volatility, mortgage rates, and recent trade activity. MBS/CMO and ABS with corroborated and observable inputs are classified as Level 2. All MBS/CMO and ABS holdings are deemed Level 2.

U.S. Treasury Bonds and Common Equity/ETF Securities—U.S. treasury bonds and exchange traded equities have readily observable price levels and are classified as Level 1 (fair value based on quoted market prices). All common stock holdings are deemed Level 1.

Preferred Stock—Preferred stocks do not have readily observable prices, but do have quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active; and inputs other than quoted prices are classificed as Level 2. All preferred stock holdings are deemed Level 2.

Due to the relatively short-term nature of cash, cash equivalents, and the mortgage on the home office, their carrying amounts are reasonable estimates of fair value. The surplus notes, leasehold obligations, and debt obligations reported under Note 5–Debt, are carried at face value and given that there is no readily available market for these to trade in, management believes that face value accurately reflects fair value. Cash and cash equivalents are classified as Level 1 of the hierarchy. The mortgage on the home office and the surplus notes are carried at Level 2 of the hierarchy.

Assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2017, are as summarized below:



			Significant
	Quoted in Active		Other		Significant
	Markets for		Observable		Unobservable
	Identical Assets		Inputs		Inputs
	(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)		Total
AFS securities
Fixed maturity securities
U.S. treasury	$	1,333,725	$	—	$	—	$	1,333,725
MBS/ABS/CMBS		—		31,518,662		—		31,518,662
Corporate		—		31,989,174		—		31,989,174
Municipal		—		24,763,512		—		24,763,512
Total fixed maturity securities		1,333,725		88,271,348		—		89,605,073
Equity securities
Common stocks		8,534,109		—		—		8,534,109
Preferred stocks		—		3,867,429		—		3,867,429
Total equity securities		8,534,109		3,867,429		—		12,401,538
Total AFS securities	$	9,867,834	$	92,138,777	$	—	$	102,006,611

Assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2016, are as summarized below:


			Significant
	Quoted in Active		Other		Significant
	Markets for		Observable		Unobservable
	Identical Assets		Inputs		Inputs
	(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)		Total
AFS securities
Fixed maturity securities
U.S. treasury	$	1,241,125	$	—	$	—	$	1,241,125
MBS/ABS/CMBS		—		19,677,200		—		19,677,200
Corporate		—		28,344,907		—		28,344,907
Municipal		—		14,870,791		—		14,870,791
Total fixed maturity securities		1,241,125		62,892,898		—		64,134,023
Equity securities
Common stocks		6,982,547		—		—		6,982,547
Preferred stocks		—		2,798,413		—		2,798,413
Total equity securities		6,982,547		2,798,413		—		9,780,960
Total AFS securities	$	8,223,672	$	65,691,311	$	—	$	73,914,983

As noted in the previous tables, the Company did not have any assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) as of December 31, 2017 and 2016. Additionally, there were no securities transferred in or out of levels 1 or 2 during the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016.