Commitments and Contingencies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies

16. Commitments and Contingencies:

We have several leases, primarily for office facilities and computer equipment, which expire in various years through 2022. Certain of these leases contain renewal options. Rental expense amounted to $2.3 million, $2.2 million and $2.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively.

Future minimum lease payments under non-cancelable operating leases as of December 31, 2014 are as follows (in thousands):

Year
2015	$	1,922
2016		1,887
2017		1,772
2018		1,494
2019		1,433
2020 and thereafter		2,432
Total minimum lease payments	$	10,940

From time to time, assessments are levied on us by the guaranty association of the states where we offer our insurance products. Such assessments are made primarily to cover the losses of policyholders of insolvent or rehabilitated insurers. Since these assessments can generally be recovered through a reduction in future premium taxes paid, we capitalize the assessments that can be recovered as they are paid and amortize the capitalized balance against our premium tax expense. We did not receive an assessment during 2014. We paid an assessment of $29 thousand in 2013.

We are engaged in legal proceedings in the ordinary course of business, none of which, either individually or in the aggregate, are believed likely to have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operations, in the opinion of management. The various legal proceedings to which we are a party are routine in nature and incidental to our business.