14. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Ground Leases

The Company currently owns eight operating self-storage properties and two self-storage properties currently under development that are subject to ground leases, and two other operating self-storage properties that have portions of land that are subject to ground leases. The Company recorded ground rent expense of approximately $3.4 million, $2.7 million, and $2.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Total future minimum rental payments under non-cancelable ground leases are as follows:


	Ground Lease
	Amount
	(in thousands)

2018	$	2,500
2019		2,670
2020		2,743
2021		2,812
2022		2,971
2023 and thereafter		119,343
	$	133,039

Development Commitments

The Company has development agreements for the construction of six new self-storage properties (see note 4), which will require payments of approximately $82.7 million, due in installments upon completion of certain construction milestones, during 2018 and 2019.

Litigation

The Company is involved in claims from time to time, which arise in the ordinary course of business. In accordance with applicable accounting guidance, management establishes an accrued liability for litigation when those matters present loss contingencies that are both probable and reasonably estimable. In such cases, there may be exposure to loss in excess of those amounts accrued. The estimated loss, if any, is based upon currently available information and is subject to significant judgment, a variety of assumptions, and known and unknown uncertainties. In the opinion of management, the Company has made adequate provisions for potential liabilities, arising from any such matters, which are included in Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. However, litigation is inherently unpredictable, and the costs and other effects of pending or future litigation, governmental investigations, legal and administrative cases and proceedings (whether civil or criminal), settlements, judgments and investigations, claims, and changes in any such matters, could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, and operating results.

On July 13, 2015, a putative class action was filed against the Company in the Federal District Court of New Jersey seeking to obtain declaratory, injunctive and monetary relief for a class of New Jersey consumers based upon alleged violations by the Company of the New Jersey Truth in Customer Contract, Warranty and Notice Act and the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act. On December 15, 2017, the court granted preliminary approval of a settlement for the class action. The settlement and associated expenses, which were previously reserved for, did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.

Insurance Recovery

As a result of hurricanes that occurred during the third quarter of 2017, the Company incurred damage at certain stores located in Florida and Texas. During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company recorded $1.1 million in charges based on the damage assessment and terms of the deductibles under the insurance policies, inclusive of its $0.1 million portion of the charge taken by HHF. These charges are comprised of $0.3 million in net book value write-offs related to damaged assets and $0.8 million in estimated deductibles related to costs incurred for repairs and cleanup. The Company has comprehensive insurance coverage and, after receipt of $0.3 million in October 2017, recorded a receivable of $1.0 million as of December 31, 2017 for the remaining anticipated insurance recoveries which is included in Other assets within the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. To the extent that insurance proceeds, which are on a replacement cost basis, ultimately exceed the net book value of the damaged assets, a gain will be recognized in the period in which all contingencies related to the insurance claim have been resolved. The estimated charges for the insurance deductibles and asset write-offs are included in Property operating expenses and Depreciation and amortization, respectively within the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. The Company’s portion of the charge taken by HHF is included in Equity in losses of real estate ventures within the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.