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Basis Of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2013
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract] |
Basis Of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies | Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Description of Business – Investors Title Company’s (the “Company”) primary business, and only reportable segment, is title insurance. The title insurance segment, through its two subsidiaries, Investors Title Insurance Company (“ITIC”) and National Investors Title Insurance Company (“NITIC”), is licensed to insure titles to residential, institutional, commercial and industrial properties. The Company issues title insurance policies primarily through approved attorneys from underwriting offices and through independent issuing agents in 22 states and the District of Columbia, primarily in the eastern half of the United States. The majority of the Company’s business is concentrated in Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation – The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts and operations of Investors Title Company and its subsidiaries, and have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”). Earnings attributable to the redeemable noncontrolling interest are recorded on the Consolidated Statements of Income for majority-owned subsidiaries. The redeemable noncontrolling interest representing the portion of equity not related to the Company’s ownership interest is recorded as redeemable equity in a separate section of the Consolidated Balance Sheets. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Reclassification – Certain 2012 and 2011 amounts in the accompanying unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements have been reclassified to conform to the 2013 classifications. These reclassifications had no effect on stockholders’ equity or net income as previously reported. Significant Accounting Policies – The significant accounting policies of the Company are summarized below. Cash and Cash Equivalents For the purpose of presentation in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, cash equivalents are highly liquid instruments with remaining original maturities of three months or less. The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents is a reasonable estimate of fair value due to the short-term maturity at purchase of these instruments. Investments in Securities Securities for which the Company has the intent and ability to hold to maturity are classified as held-to-maturity and reported at cost, adjusted for amortization of premiums or accretion of discounts, and other-than-temporary declines in fair value. Securities held principally for resale in the near term are classified as trading securities and recorded at fair values. Realized and unrealized gains and losses on trading securities are included in other income. Securities not classified as either trading or held-to-maturity are classified as available-for-sale and reported at fair value with unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, adjusted for other-than-temporary declines in fair value, reported as accumulated other comprehensive income. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, all investments in securities are classified as available-for-sale. Securities are regularly reviewed for differences between the cost and estimated fair value of each security for factors that may indicate that a decline in fair value is other-than-temporary. Some factors considered in evaluating whether or not a decline in fair value is other-than-temporary include the duration and extent to which the fair value has been less than cost and the Company’s ability and intent to retain the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for a recovery in value. Such reviews are inherently uncertain and the value of the investment may not fully recover or may decline in future periods resulting in a realized loss. Fair values of the majority of investments are based on quoted market prices. Realized gains and losses are determined on the specific identification method. Refer to Note 3 for further information regarding investments in securities and fair value. Short-term Investments Short-term investments are comprised of money market accounts which are invested in short-term funds, time deposits with banks and savings and loan associations, and other investments expected to have maturities or redemptions greater than three months and less than twelve months. The Company monitors any events or changes in circumstances that may have a significant adverse effect on the fair value of these investments. Other Investments Other investments consist primarily of investments in title insurance agencies structured as limited liability companies (“LLCs”), which are accounted for under the equity or cost methods of accounting. The aggregate cost of the Company’s cost method investments totaled $1,834,229 and $1,778,115 at December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. The Company monitors any events or changes in circumstances that may have had a significant adverse effect on the fair value of these investments and makes any necessary adjustments. Property Acquired in Settlement of Claims Property acquired in settlement of claims is held for sale and valued at the lower of cost or market. Adjustments to reported estimated realizable values and realized gains or losses on dispositions are recorded as increases or decreases in claim costs. Property and Equipment Property and equipment are recorded at cost and are depreciated principally under the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives (three to twenty-five years) of the respective assets. Maintenance and repairs are charged to operating expenses and improvements are capitalized. Reserves for Claims The total reserve for all reported and unreported losses the Company incurred through December 31, 2013 is represented by the reserves for claims. The Company’s reserves for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses are established using estimated amounts required to settle claims for which notice has been received (reported) and the amount estimated to be required to satisfy incurred claims of policyholders which may be reported in the future. Despite the variability of such estimates, management believes that the reserves are adequate to cover claim losses resulting from pending and future claims for policies issued through December 31, 2013. The Company continually reviews and adjusts its reserve estimates as necessary to reflect its loss experience and any new information that becomes available. Adjustments resulting from such reviews may be significant. Claims and losses paid are charged to the reserves for claims. Although claims losses are typically paid in cash, occasionally claims are settled by purchasing the interest of the insured or the claimant in the real property. When this event occurs, the acquiring company carries assets at the lower of cost or estimated realizable value, net of any indebtedness on the property. Income Taxes The Company makes certain estimates and judgments in determining income tax expense (benefit) for financial statement purposes. These estimates and judgments occur in the calculation of certain tax assets and liabilities which arise from differences in the timing of recognition of revenue and expense for tax and financial statement purposes. The Company provides for deferred income taxes (benefits) for the tax consequences in future years of temporary differences between the financial statements’ carrying values and the tax bases of assets and liabilities using currently enacted tax rates. The Company establishes valuation allowances if it believes that it is more likely than not that some or all of its deferred tax assets will not be realized. Refer to Note 8 for further information regarding income taxes. Premiums Written and Commissions to Agents Generally, title insurance premiums are recognized at the time of closing of the related real estate transaction, as the earnings process is then considered complete. Policies or commitments are issued upon receipt of final certificates or preliminary reports with respect to titles. Title insurance commissions earned by the Company’s agents, taxes and a provision for claims losses are recognized as expenses concurrent with recognition of related premium revenue. The Company’s premium revenues from certain agency operations include accruals based on estimates. These accruals estimate unreported agency premiums related to transactions which have settled as of the balance sheet date. Accruals for premiums from certain agencies are necessary because of the lag between policy effective dates and the reporting of these transactions to the Company by the agents. The lag time has historically been between 30 and 120 days, with the majority of agencies reporting within 60 to 90 days. The lag time is reviewed periodically to monitor accruals. The accrual of premium revenues is based on historical data that includes transactional volume, fluctuations in the real estate market and the mix between refinance and purchase transactions. There have been no material changes in historical estimates during the periods presented. Quarterly, the Company evaluates the collectability of receivables. Premiums not collected within 7 months are fully reserved. Write-offs of receivables have not been material to the Company. Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Company management continually evaluates the collectability of receivables and provides an allowance for doubtful accounts equal to estimated losses expected to be incurred in the collection of amounts receivable. Changes to the allowance for doubtful accounts are reflected within net premiums written in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Amounts are charged off in the period they are deemed to be uncollectible. Exchange Services Revenue Fees are recognized at the signing of a binding agreement and investment earnings are recognized as they are earned. Fair Values of Financial Instruments The carrying amounts reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, premium and fees receivable, accrued interest and dividends, accounts payable, commissions payable, reinsurance payable and current income taxes recoverable/payable approximate fair value due to the short-term nature of these assets and liabilities. Fair values for the majority of investment securities are based on quoted market prices. Auction rate securities (“ARS”) are valued using discounted cash flow models to determine the estimated fair value of these investments. Some of the inputs for determining the fair value of ARS are unobservable in the securities markets and are significant. Refer to Note 3 for further information regarding investments in securities and fair value. Comprehensive Income The Company’s accumulated other comprehensive income is comprised of unrealized holding gains/losses on available-for-sale securities, net of tax, and unrecognized prior service cost and unrealized gains/losses associated with postretirement benefit liabilities, net of tax. Accumulated other comprehensive income as of December 31, 2013 consists of $11,395,757 of unrealized holding gains on available-for-sale securities and $48,353 of unrecognized prior service cost and unrecognized actuarial losses associated with postretirement benefit liabilities. Accumulated other comprehensive income as of December 31, 2012 consists of $8,920,884 of unrealized holding gains on available-for-sale securities and $102,454 of unrecognized prior service cost and unrecognized actuarial losses associated with postretirement benefit liabilities. Share-Based Compensation The Company accounts for share-based compensation in accordance with the fair value based principles required by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”). Estimated compensation expense for awards outstanding at the effective date is recognized over their remaining service period using the compensation cost. Share-based compensation cost is generally measured at the grant date, based on the estimated fair value of the award, and is recognized as an expense over the employee’s requisite service period. As the share-based compensation expense recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Income is based on awards ultimately expected to vest, it has been reduced for estimated forfeitures. Forfeitures are estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. Other Intangible Assets The Company’s other intangible assets consist of a non-compete agreement and referral relationships resulting from an agency acquisition and are recorded at fair value. The referral relationships are amortized on a straight-line basis over the useful life and amortization of the non-compete contract will start at a future date when the related employment agreement is terminated. Intangible assets are reviewed and tested for impairment at least quarterly. Subsequent Events The Company has evaluated and concluded that there were no material subsequent events requiring adjustment or disclosure to its Consolidated Financial Statements. Recently Issued Accounting Standards In July 2013, the FASB updated guidance to eliminate diversity in practice relating to the financial statement presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, similar tax loss or a tax credit carryforward exists. The main provision of the update requires that an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to deferred tax assets for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss or a tax credit carryforward, except to the extent that a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward is not available at the reporting date to settle any additional income taxes that would result from disallowance of a tax position, or the tax law does not require the entity to use, and the entity does not intend to use, the deferred tax asset for such purpose, in which case the unrecognized tax benefit should be presented as a liability. For public entities, this update becomes effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013. Early adoption is permitted, and the Company elected to adopt this new guidance in the third quarter of 2013. This update did not have an impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations. In February 2013, the FASB updated guidance to improve the reporting of reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive income. The main provisions of this guidance require an entity to provide information about the amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income by component. In addition, an entity is required to present, either on the face of the statement where net income is presented or in the footnotes, the amount reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by the respective line items of net income if the amount is reclassified to net income in its entirety in the same reporting period. For other amounts that are not required to be reclassified in their entirety to net income, an entity is required to cross-reference to other disclosures providing additional detail about those amounts. The amendments do not change the requirements for reporting net income or other comprehensive income in financial statements. The Company complied with this update, and it did not have an impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations. Use of Estimates and Assumptions The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates and assumptions used. The more significant of these estimates and assumptions include the following: Claims – The Company’s reserves for claims are established using estimated amounts required to settle claims for which notice has been received (reported) and the amount estimated to be required to satisfy incurred claims of policyholders which may be reported in the future (incurred but not reported, or “IBNR”). A provision for estimated future claims payments is recorded at the time policy revenue is recorded as a percentage of premium income. By their nature, title claims can often be complex, vary greatly in dollar amounts, vary in number due to economic and market conditions such as an increase in mortgage foreclosures, and involve uncertainties as to ultimate exposure. In addition, some claims may require a number of years to settle and determine the final liability for indemnity and loss adjustment expense. The payment experience may extend for more than 20 years after the issuance of a policy. Events such as fraud, defalcation and multiple property defects can substantially and unexpectedly cause increases in estimates of losses. Due to the length of time over which claim payments are made and regularly occurring changes in underlying economic and market conditions, these estimates are subject to variability. Management considers factors such as the Company’s historical claims experience, case reserve estimates on reported claims, large claims, actuarial projections and other relevant factors in determining loss provision rates and the aggregate recorded expected liability for claims. In establishing reserves, actuarial projections are compared with recorded reserves to evaluate the adequacy of such recorded claims reserves and any necessary adjustments are then recorded in current operations. As the most recent claims experience develops and new information becomes available, the loss reserve estimate related to prior periods will change to more accurately reflect updated and improved emerging data. The Company reflects any adjustments to reserves in the results of operations in the period in which new information (principally claims experience) becomes available. The Company’s reserves for claims are established using estimated amounts required to settle claims for which notice has been received (reported) and the amount estimated to be required to satisfy incurred claims of policyholders which have been incurred but not reported (“IBNR”). During the third quarter of 2013 certain actuarial inputs were changed to provide a more refined IBNR reserve estimate. See Note 6 in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements for further information regarding this change in accounting estimate. Impairments – Securities are regularly evaluated and reviewed for differences between the cost and estimated fair value of each security for factors that may indicate that a decline in fair value is other-than-temporary. When, in the opinion of management, a decline in the fair value of an investment is considered to be other-than-temporary, such investment is written down to its fair value. Some factors considered in evaluating whether or not a decline in fair value is other-than-temporary include the duration and extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, the probability that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due under the contractual terms of the security; with respect to equity securities, whether the Company’s ability and intent to retain the investment for a period of time is sufficient to allow for a recovery in value; with respect to fixed maturity securities, whether the Company has the intent to sell or will more likely than not be required to sell a particular security before recovery in value; and the financial condition and prospects of the issuer (including credit ratings). These factors are reviewed quarterly and any material degradation in the prospect for recovery will be considered in the other-than-temporary impairment analysis. Such reviews are inherently uncertain and the value of the investment may not fully recover or may decline in future periods resulting in a realized loss. The fair values of the majority of the Company’s investments are based on quoted market prices from independent pricing services.

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