Commitments and Contingent Liabilities Commitments and Contingent Liabilities

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2020

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingent Liabilities

Commitments and Contingent Liabilities:

(a) Legal Proceedings - Legal proceedings against the Company and its subsidiaries routinely arise in the normal course of business and usually pertain to claim matters related to insurance policies and contracts issued by its insurance subsidiaries. At June 30, 2020, the Company had no material non-claim litigation exposures in its consolidated business.

(b) Leases - Several of the Company’s subsidiaries maintain their offices in leased premises. A number of these leases provide for the payment of real estate taxes, insurance, and other operating expenses. In addition, many of the subsidiaries also lease equipment for use in their businesses. Substantially all of the Company’s leases are classified as operating leases. Effective January 1, 2019, the Company adopted new lease accounting guidance issued by the FASB which requires the balance sheet recognition of all leases with a term greater than 12 months. The Company’s adoption of this standard resulted in the establishment of a right of use asset ($226.9) and corresponding lease liability ($241.4) equal to the present value of future lease payments, reflected within sundry assets and liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet. Furthermore, the Company recognized $18.4, net of tax, in previously deferred gains associated with sale leaseback transactions as an adjustment to beginning retained earnings.