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Commitments and Contingencies | 9 Months Ended
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Sep. 30, 2016
Commitments and Contingencies | Commitments and Contingencies Asbestos matters Our subsidiaries and numerous other companies are named as defendants in personal injury lawsuits based on alleged exposure to asbestos-containing materials. These cases typically involve product liability claims based primarily on allegations of manufacture, sale or distribution of industrial products that either contained asbestos or were attached to or used with asbestos-containing components manufactured by third-parties. Each case typically names between dozens to hundreds of corporate defendants. While we have observed an increase in the number of these lawsuits over the past several years, including lawsuits by plaintiffs with mesothelioma-related claims, a large percentage of these suits have not presented viable legal claims and, as a result, have been dismissed by the courts. Our historical strategy has been to mount a vigorous defense aimed at having unsubstantiated suits dismissed, and, where appropriate, settling suits before trial. Although a large percentage of litigated suits have been dismissed, we cannot predict the extent to which we will be successful in resolving lawsuits in the future. As of September 30, 2016, there were approximately 4,000 claims outstanding against our subsidiaries, of which approximately 3,500 relate to the Valves & Control business classified as held for sale. These amounts include adjustments for claims that are not actively being prosecuted. The amounts are not adjusted for claims that identify incorrect defendants or duplicate other actions. In addition, the amount does not include certain claims pending against third parties for which we have been provided an indemnification. Periodically, we perform an analysis with the assistance of outside counsel and other experts to update our estimated asbestos-related assets and liabilities. Our estimate of the liability and corresponding insurance recovery for pending and future claims and defense costs is based on our historical claim experience and estimates of the number and resolution cost of potential future claims that may be filed. Our legal strategy for resolving claims also impacts these estimates. Our estimate of asbestos-related insurance recoveries represents estimated amounts due to us for previously paid and settled claims and the probable reimbursements relating to our estimated liability for pending and future claims. In determining the amount of insurance recoverable, we consider a number of factors, including available insurance, allocation methodologies and the solvency and creditworthiness of insurers. Our estimated liability for asbestos-related claims was $231.2 million and $237.9 million as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively, and was recorded in Non-current liabilities held for sale in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets for pending and future claims and related defense costs. Our estimated receivable for insurance recoveries was $109.3 million and $111.0 million as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively, and was recorded in Non-current assets held for sale in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The amounts recorded by us for asbestos-related liabilities and insurance-related assets are based on our strategies for resolving our asbestos claims and currently available information as well as estimates and assumptions. Key variables and assumptions include the number and type of new claims filed each year, the average cost of resolution of claims, the resolution of coverage issues with insurance carriers, the amounts of insurance and the related solvency risk with respect to our insurance carriers, and the indemnifications we have provided to and received from third parties. Furthermore, predictions with respect to these variables are subject to greater uncertainty in the latter portion of the projection period. Other factors that may affect our liability and cash payments for asbestos-related matters include uncertainties surrounding the litigation process from jurisdiction to jurisdiction and from case to case, reforms of state or federal tort legislation and the applicability of insurance policies among subsidiaries. As a result, actual liabilities or insurance recoveries could be significantly higher or lower than those recorded if assumptions used in our calculations vary significantly from actual results. Environmental matters We are involved in or have retained responsibility and potential liability for environmental obligations and legal proceedings related to our current business and, including pursuant to certain indemnification obligations, related to certain formerly owned businesses. Our accruals for environmental matters are recorded on a site-by-site basis when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the liability can be reasonably estimated, based on current law and existing technologies. Based upon our experience, current information regarding known contingencies and applicable laws, we have recorded reserves for these environmental matters of $18.0 million and $22.8 million as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively, which relate primarily to the Valves & Controls business classified as held for sale. We do not anticipate these environmental conditions will have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. Warranties and guarantees In connection with the disposition of our businesses or product lines, we may agree to indemnify purchasers for various potential liabilities relating to the sold business, such as pre-closing tax, product liability, warranty, environmental, or other obligations. The subject matter, amounts and duration of any such indemnification obligations vary for each type of liability indemnified and may vary widely from transaction to transaction. Generally, the maximum obligation under such indemnifications is not explicitly stated and as a result, the overall amount of these obligations cannot be reasonably estimated. Historically, we have not made significant payments for these indemnifications. We believe that if we were to incur a loss in any of these matters, the loss would not have a material effect on our financial condition or results of operations. We recognize, at the inception of a guarantee, a liability for the fair value of the obligation undertaken in issuing the guarantee. We provide service and warranty policies on our products. Liability under service and warranty policies is based upon a review of historical warranty and service claim experience. Adjustments are made to accruals as claim data and historical experience warrant. The changes in the carrying amount of service and product warranties of continuing operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 were as follows:
In millions | September 30, 2016
Beginning balance | $ | 47.0 |
Service and product warranty provision | 43.9 |
Payments | (46.9 | )
Foreign currency translation | 0.2 |
Ending balance | $ | 44.2 |
Stand-by letters of credit, bank guarantees and bonds In certain situations, Tyco International Ltd., Pentair Ltd.'s former parent company ("Tyco"), guaranteed performance by the flow control business of Pentair Ltd. ("Flow Control") to third parties or provided financial guarantees for financial commitments of Pentair Ltd. In situations where Flow Control and Tyco were unable to obtain a release from these guarantees in connection with the spin-off of Pentair Ltd., we will indemnify Tyco for any losses it suffers as a result of such guarantees. In disposing of assets or businesses, we often provide representations, warranties and indemnities to cover various risks including unknown damage to the assets, environmental risks involved in the sale of real estate, liability to investigate and remediate environmental contamination at waste disposal sites and manufacturing facilities and unidentified tax liabilities and legal fees related to periods prior to disposition. We do not have the ability to reasonably estimate the potential liability due to the inchoate and unknown nature of these potential liabilities. However, we have no reason to believe that these uncertainties would have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. In the ordinary course of business, we are required to commit to bonds, letters of credit and bank guarantees that require payments to our customers for any non-performance. The outstanding face value of these instruments fluctuates with the value of our projects in process and in our backlog. In addition, we issue financial stand-by letters of credit primarily to secure our performance to third parties under self-insurance programs. As of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the outstanding value of bonds, letters of credit and bank guarantees totaled $337.0 million and $402.2 million, respectively, of which $179.7 million and $202.3 million, respectively, relate to the Valves & Controls business.

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