XML 24 R13.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.7.0.1
Commitments and Contingencies
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2017
Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]  
Commitments and Contingencies
Note 7 – Commitments and Contingencies

The insurance industry has experienced a number of civil jury verdicts which have been returned against life and health insurers in the jurisdictions in which the Company does business involving the insurers' sales practices, alleged agent misconduct, failure to properly supervise agents, and other matters.  Some of the lawsuits have resulted in the award of substantial judgments against the insurer, including material amounts of punitive damages.  In some states, juries have substantial discretion in awarding punitive damages in these circumstances.  In the normal course of business, the Company is involved from time to time in various legal actions and other state and federal proceedings.  Management is of the opinion that the ultimate disposition of the matters will not have a materially adverse effect on the Company's results of operations or financial position.

Under the insurance guaranty fund laws in most states, insurance companies doing business in a participating state can be assessed up to prescribed limits for policyholder losses incurred by insolvent or failed insurance companies.  Although the Company cannot predict the amount of any future assessments, most insurance guaranty fund laws currently provide that an assessment may be excused or deferred if it would threaten an insurer's financial strength.  Mandatory assessments may be partially recovered through a reduction in future premium tax in some states. The Company does not believe such assessments will be materially different from amounts already provided for in the condensed consolidated financial statements, though the Company has no control over such assessments.

Within the Company's trading accounts, certain trading securities carried as liabilities represent securities sold short.  A gain, limited to the price at which the security was sold short, or a loss, potentially unlimited in size, will be recognized upon the termination of the short sale.  All trading securities were settled during the first quarter of 2017.

The following table represents the total funding commitments and the unfunded commitment as of March 31, 2017 related to certain investments:

  
Total Funding
  
Unfunded
 
  
Commitment
  
Commitment
 
RLF III, LLC
 
$
4,000,000
  
$
398,120
 
Sovereign’s Capital, LP Fund I
  
500,000
   
33,642
 
UGLIC, LLC
  
1,600,000
   
120,000
 
Sovereign's Capital, LP Fund II
  
1,000,000
   
546,064
 
Barton Springs Music, LLC
  
2,500,000
   
1,558,850
 
Master Mineral Holdings II, LP
  
4,122,167
   
1,788,786
 

During 2006, the Company committed to invest in RLF III, LLC ("RLF"), which makes land-based investments in undervalued assets. RLF makes capital calls as funds are needed for continued land purchases.

During 2012, the Company committed to invest in Sovereign's Capital, LP Fund I ("Sovereign's"), which invests in companies in emerging markets. Sovereign's makes capital calls to investors as funds are needed.

During 2014, the Company committed to invest in UGLIC, LLC, which purchases real estate tax receivables.  UGLIC, LLC makes capital calls as funds are needed for additional purchases.

During 2015, the Company committed to invest in Sovereign's Capital, LP Fund II ("Sovereign's II"), which invests in companies in emerging markets. Sovereign's II makes capital calls to investors as funds are needed.

During 2016, the Company made a commitment to invest in Barton Springs Music, LLC ("Barton"), which invests in music royalties.  Barton makes capital calls to its investors as funds are needed to acquire the royalty rights.

During 2016, the Company made a commitment to invest in Master Mineral Holdings II, LP ("MMH"), which purchases land for leasing opportunities to those looking to harvest natural resources.  MMH makes capital calls to its investors as funds are needed for continued land purchases.