4. Fair Value Measurements

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Notes to Financial Statements

4. Fair Value Measurements

The Company follows GAAP guidance regarding fair value measurements. The valuation technique used to fair value the financial instruments is the market approach which uses prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets.

This guidance establishes a three-level hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). If the inputs used to measure the assets or liabilities fall within different levels of the hierarchy, the classification is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement of the asset or liability. Classification of assets and liabilities within the hierarchy considers the markets in which the assets and liabilities are traded, including during period of market disruption, and the reliability and transparency of the assumptions used to determine fair value. The hierarchy requires the use of observable market data when available. The levels of the hierarchy and those investments included in each are as follows:

Level 1—Inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities traded in active markets. Included are those investments traded on an active exchange, such as the NASDAQ Global Select Market, U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government agencies, together with corporate debt securities that are generally investment grade.

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 markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability and market-corroborated inputs.  Municipal and corporate bonds, and residential mortgage-backed securities, that are traded in less active markets are classified as Level 2.  These securities are valued using market price quotations for recently executed transactions.

Level 3—Inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable for the asset or liability and are significant to the fair value measurement. Material assumptions and factors considered in pricing investment securities and other assets may include appraisals, projected cash flows, market clearing activity or liquidity circumstances in the security or similar securities that may have occurred since the prior pricing period.

The availability of observable inputs varies and is affected by a wide variety of factors. When the valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires significantly more judgment. The degree of judgment exercised by management in determining fair value is greatest for investments categorized as Level 3. For investments in this category, the Company considers prices and inputs that are current as of the measurement date. In periods of market dislocation, as characterized by current market conditions, the ability to observe prices and inputs may be reduced for many instruments. This condition could cause a security to be reclassified between levels.

The Company’s investments are allocated among pricing input levels at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 as follows:

	September 30, 2015
($ in thousands)	Level 1	Level 2	Level 3	Total
Fixed-maturity securities available-for-sale
Political subdivisions of
States, Territories and
Possessions	$                  -	$ 14,124,008	$                  -	$ 14,124,008
Corporate and other
bonds industrial and
miscellaneous	35,363,872	8,058,717	-	43,422,589
Residential mortgage backed securities	-	4,548,712	-	4,548,712
Total fixed maturities	35,363,872	26,731,437	-	62,095,309
Equity securities	9,493,292	-	-	9,493,292
Total investments	$ 44,857,164	$ 26,731,437	$                  -	$ 71,588,601

	December 31, 2014
($ in thousands)	Level 1	Level 2	Level 3	Total
Fixed-maturity investments available-for-sale
Political subdivisions of
States, Territories and
Possessions	$                  -	$ 14,244,439	$                  -	$ 14,244,439
Corporate and other
bonds industrial and
miscellaneous	29,257,850	7,618,570	-	36,876,420
Total fixed maturities	29,257,850	21,863,009	-	51,120,859
Equity investments	8,017,729	-	-	8,017,729
Total investments	$ 37,275,579	$ 21,863,009	$                  -	$ 59,138,588