COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

Self insurance

We are primarily self-insured for workers’ compensation and employee health care liability costs. Self-insurance liabilities for workers’ compensation are determined based upon a valuation performed by an actuarial firm. The estimate of future workers’ compensation liabilities incorporates loss development and an estimate associated with incurred but not yet reported claims. These claims are discounted. Self-insurance liabilities for employee health costs are determined actuarially based upon claims filed and estimated claims incurred but not yet reported. These claims are not discounted.

Indemnities and Guarantees

We are a party to contracts in which we agree to indemnify third parties for certain liabilities that arise out of or relate to the subject matter of the contract. In some cases, this indemnity extends to related liabilities arising out of the negligence of the indemnified parties, but usually excludes any liabilities caused by gross negligence or willful misconduct of the indemnified parties. We cannot estimate the potential amount of future payments under these agreements until events arise that would trigger the liability.

Additionally, in connection with certain sales of assets and divestitures of businesses, we have agreed to indemnify the buyer and related parties for certain losses or liabilities incurred by the buyer or such related parties with respect to (1) the representations and warranties made to the buyer by us in connection with the sales and (2) liabilities related to the pre-closing operations of the assets sold. Indemnities related to pre-closing operations generally include environmental liabilities, tax liabilities and other liabilities not assumed by the buyer.

Indemnities related to the pre-closing operations of sold assets normally do not represent added liabilities for us, but simply serve to protect the buyer from potential liability associated with the obligations that existed (known and unknown) at the time of the sale. We record accruals for those pre-closing obligations that are considered probable and estimable. We have not accrued any additional amounts as a result of the indemnity agreements summarized below as we believes the fair value of the guarantees are not material.


•	In connection with various sales of our timberlands, we have agreed to indemnify various buyers with respect to losses resulting from breaches of limited representations and warranties contained in these agreements. These indemnities generally are capped at a maximum potential liability and have an unspecified duration.


•	In connection with the sale by LP Canada Pulp Ltd (LPCP) of its pulp mill in Chetwynd, BC, Canada to Tembec, Ltd in October 2002, we provided an indemnity of unspecified duration provided by LPCP for liabilities arising out of pre-closing operations. These indemnities, which do not extend to environmental liabilities, are capped at C$15.0 million in the aggregate.


•	In connection with the mill exchange by LP Canada of its non-operating OSB mill in Chambord, Quebec to Norbord in November 2016, we provided an indemnity for liabilities arising out of pre-closing operations. These indemnities are capped at C$5.0 million in aggregate.

We also have various other indemnities that are individually and in the aggregate immaterial.

We will record a liability related to specific indemnification when future payment is probable and the amount is estimable.

Operating Leases

We lease certain office, manufacturing, warehousing and other plant sites and equipment. The leases generally provide for the lessee to pay taxes, maintenance, insurance and certain other operating costs of the leased properties.

At December 31, 2018, future minimum commitments are as follows:



Dollar amounts in millions
Year ended December 31,
2019	$	8.4
2020	7.3
2021	4.6
2022	1.8
2023	—
2024 and thereafter	—
Total	$	22.1

Rental expense for operating leases amounted to $15.1 million, $12.5 million and $11.0 million in 2018, 2017 and 2016.