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FAIR VALUE

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

4. FAIR VALUE

Fair Value Disclosures of Financial Instruments

The Company accounts for financial instruments at fair value or the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Fair value measurements are generally based upon observable and unobservable inputs. Observable inputs are based on market data from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect the Company’s view of market assumptions in the absence of observable market information. All assets and liabilities that are recorded at fair value are classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories:

•Level 1 — Quoted market prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets is defined as a market where transactions for the financial statement occur with sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis, or observable inputs;

•Level 2 — Quoted market prices for similar assets or liabilities and valuations, using models or other valuation techniques using observable market data. Significant other observable that can be corroborated by observable market data; and

•Level 3 — Instruments that use non-binding broker quotes or model driven valuations that do not have observable market data or those that are estimated based on an ownership interest to which a proportionate share of net assets is attributed.

If the inputs used to measure fair value fall within different levels of the hierarchy, the category level is based on the lowest priority level input that is significant to the fair value measurement of the instrument.

The Company’s financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis and the level of the fair value hierarchy of inputs used consisted of the following:


	December 31, 2020
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	(In thousands)
Debt securities - available-for-sale, at fair value:
United States government obligations and authorities	$	38,511	$	133,264	$	—	$	171,775
Obligations of states and political subdivisions	—		22,264		—		22,264
Corporate securities	—		266,528		—		266,528
International securities	—		27,643		—		27,643
Debt securities, at fair value	38,511		449,699		—		488,210

Equity securities, at fair value	1,881		1,276		—		3,157

Total investments, at fair value	$	40,392	$	450,975	$	—	$	491,367


	December 31, 2019
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	(In thousands)
Debt securities - available-for-sale, at fair value:
United States government obligations and authorities	$	83,764	$	110,429	$	—	$	194,193
Obligations of states and political subdivisions	—		24,020		—		24,020
Corporate securities	—		278,302		—		278,302
International securities	—		29,750		—		29,750
Debt securities, at fair value	83,764		442,501		—		526,265

Equity securities, at fair value	17,361		2,678		—		20,039

Total investments, at fair value	$	101,125	$	445,179	$	—	$	546,304

Held-to-maturity debt securities reported on the consolidated balance sheets at amortized cost and disclosed at fair value below (and in Note 5) and the level of fair value hierarchy of inputs used consisted of the following:


	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	(In thousands)
December 31, 2020	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
December 31, 2019	3,453		878		—		4,331

We measure the fair value of our securities based on assumptions used by market participants in pricing the security. The most appropriate valuation methodology is selected based on the specific characteristics of the security, and we consistently apply the valuation methodology to measure the security’s fair value. Our fair value measurement is based on a market approach that utilizes prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable securities. We review the third party pricing methodologies on a quarterly basis and validate the fair value prices to a separate independent data service and ensure there are no material differences. Additionally, market indicators, industry and economic events are monitored.

A summary of the significant valuation techniques and market inputs for each financial instrument carried at fair value includes the following:

•United States Government Obligations and Authorities: In determining the fair value for United States government securities in Level 1, the Company uses quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical or similar assets. In determining the fair value for United States government securities in Level 2, the Company uses the market approach utilizing primary valuation inputs including reported trades, dealer quotes for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active, benchmark yields, credit spreads, reference data and industry and economic events.

•Obligations of States and Political Subdivisions: In determining the fair value for state and municipal securities, the Company uses the market approach utilizing primary valuation inputs including reported trades, dealer quotes for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active, benchmark yields, credit spreads, reference data and industry and economic events.

•Corporate and International Securities: In determining the fair value for corporate securities the Company uses the market approach utilizing primary valuation inputs including reported trades, dealer quotes for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active, benchmark yields, credit spreads (for investment grade securities), observations of equity and credit default swap curves (for high-yield corporates), reference data and industry and economic events.

•Equity Securities: In determining the fair value for equity securities in Level 1, the Company uses quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical or similar assets. In determining the fair value for equity securities in Level 2, the Company uses the market approach utilizing primary valuation inputs including reported trades, dealer quotes for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active, benchmark yields, credit spreads, reference data and industry and economic events.

We did not have securities trading in less liquid or illiquid markets with limited or no pricing information, therefore we did not use unobservable inputs to measure fair value as of December 31, 2020 and 2019. Additionally, we did not have any assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, and we noted no significant changes in our valuation methodologies between those periods.

There were no changes to the Company's valuation methodology and the Company is not aware of any events or circumstances that would have a significant adverse effect on the carrying value of its assets and liabilities measured at fair value as of December 31, 2020 and 2019. There were no transfers between the fair value hierarchy levels during the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information.

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