Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

ProAssurance Corporation (ProAssurance, PRA or the Company), a Delaware corporation, is an insurance holding company primarily for wholly owned specialty property and casualty insurance entities including an entity that is the majority capital provider to Syndicate 1729 at Lloyd's of London. Risks insured are primarily liability risks located within the United States. As described in more detail in Note 15, ProAssurance operates in four reportable segments: Specialty P&C, Workers' Compensation, Lloyd's Syndicate, and Corporate.

Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of ProAssurance Corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. Investments in entities where ProAssurance holds a greater than minor interest but does not hold a controlling interest are accounted for using the equity method. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation. ProAssurance subsidiaries located in the U.K. are reported on a quarter delay due to timing issues regarding the availability of information, except there is no delay related to subsidiary investments managed in the U.S. as that information is available on an earlier schedule.

Basis of Presentation

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, revenues and expenses, and disclosures related to these amounts at the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Recognition of Revenues

Insurance premiums are recognized as revenues pro rata over the terms of the policies, which are principally one year in duration.

Credit Losses

ProAssurance's premium and agency receivables are exposed to credit losses, but to-date have not experienced any significant amount of credit losses.

Earned But Unbilled Premiums

Workers’ compensation premiums are determined based upon the payroll of the insured, the applicable premium rates and, where applicable, an experience based modification factor. An audit of the policyholders’ records is conducted after policy expiration to make a final determination of applicable premiums. Audit premium due from or due to a policyholder as a result of an audit is reflected in net premiums earned when billed. ProAssurance tracks, by policy, the amount of additional premium billed in final audit invoices as a percentage of payroll exposure and uses this information to estimate the probable additional amount that it has earned, but not yet billed, as of the balance sheet date. Changes to the EBUB estimate are included in Net premiums earned in the period recognized.

Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses

ProAssurance establishes its reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses ("reserve for losses" or "reserve") based on estimates of the future amounts necessary to pay claims and expenses associated with the investigation and settlement of claims. The reserve for losses is determined on the basis of individual claims and payments thereon as well as actuarially determined estimates of future losses based on past loss experience, available industry data and projections as to future claims frequency, severity, inflationary trends, judicial trends, legislative changes and settlement patterns.

Management establishes the reserve for losses after taking into consideration a variety of factors including the conclusions reached by internal actuaries, premium rates, claims frequency, historical paid and incurred loss development trends, the effect of inflation, general economic trends, the legal and political environment, and the reports received from consulting actuaries. Internal actuaries perform an in-depth review of the reserve for losses at least semi-annually using the loss and exposure data of ProAssurance subsidiaries. Management engages consulting actuaries to review subsidiary loss and exposure data and provide reports to Management regarding the adequacy of reserves.

Estimating casualty insurance reserves, and particularly long-tailed insurance reserves, is a complex process. Long-tailed insurance is characterized by the extended period of time between collecting the premium for insuring a risk and the ultimate payment of losses. For a high proportion of the risks insured or reinsured by ProAssurance the period of time required to resolve a claim is often five years or more, and claims may be subject to litigation. Estimating losses for these long-tailed claims requires ProAssurance to make and revise judgments and assessments regarding multiple uncertainties over an extended period of time. As a result, reserve estimates may vary significantly from the eventual outcome. Reserve estimates and the assumptions on which these estimates are predicated are regularly reviewed and updated as new information becomes available. Any adjustments necessary are reflected in then current operations. Due to the size of ProAssurance’s reserve for losses, even a small percentage adjustment to these estimates could have a material effect on earnings in the period in which the adjustment is made, as was the case in 2015, 2014 and 2013.

The effect of adjustments made to reinsured losses is mitigated by the corresponding adjustment that is made to reinsurance recoveries. Thus, in any given year, ProAssurance may make significant adjustments to gross losses that have little effect on its net losses.

Reinsurance Receivables

ProAssurance enters into reinsurance agreements whereby other insurance entities agree to assume a portion of the risk associated with certain policies issued by ProAssurance. In return, ProAssurance agrees to pay a premium to the reinsurer. ProAssurance uses reinsurance to provide capacity to write larger limits of liability, to provide reimbursement for losses incurred under the higher limit coverages we offer, to provide protection against losses in excess of policy limits, and as a mechanism for providing custom insurance solutions.

Receivable from reinsurers on paid losses and loss adjustment expenses is the estimated amount of losses already paid that will be recoverable from reinsurers. Receivable from reinsurers on unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses is the estimated amount of future loss payments that will be recoverable from reinsurers. Reinsurance recoveries are the portion of losses incurred during the period that are estimated to be allocable to reinsurers. Premiums ceded are the estimated premiums that will be due to reinsurers with respect to premiums earned and losses incurred during the period.

These estimates are based upon management’s estimates of ultimate losses and the portion of those losses that are allocable to reinsurers under the terms of the related reinsurance agreements. Given the uncertainty of the ultimate amounts of losses, these estimates may vary significantly from the eventual outcome. Management regularly reviews these estimates and any adjustments necessary are reflected in the period in which the estimate is changed. Due to the size of the receivable from reinsurers, even a small adjustment to the estimates could have a material effect on ProAssurance’s results of operations for the period in which the change is made.

Reinsurance contracts do not relieve ProAssurance from its obligations to policyholders. ProAssurance continually monitors its reinsurers to minimize its exposure to significant losses from reinsurer insolvencies. Any amount determined to be uncollectible is written off in the period in which the uncollectible amount is identified.

Investments

Fair Values

Fair values of investment securities are primarily provided by independent pricing services. The pricing services provide an exchange traded price, if available, or provide an estimated price determined using multiple observable inputs, including exchange traded prices for similar assets. Management reviews valuations of securities obtained from the pricing services for accuracy based upon the specifics of the security, including class, maturity, credit rating, durations, collateral, and comparable markets for similar securities. Multiple observable inputs are not available for certain of our investments, including municipal bonds and corporate debt not actively traded, and investments in LPs/LLCs. Management values these municipal bonds and corporate debt either using a single non-binding broker quote or pricing models that utilize market based assumptions that have limited observable inputs. Management values certain investments in LPs/LLCs based on the NAV of the interest held, as provided by the fund.

Fixed Maturities and Equity Securities

Fixed maturities and equity securities are considered as either available-for-sale or trading securities.

Available-for-sale securities are carried at fair value, determined as described above. Exclusive of OTTI losses, discussed in a separate section that follows, unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities are included, net of related tax effects, in Shareholders’ Equity as a component of AOCI.

Investment income includes amortization of premium and accretion of discount related to available-for-sale debt securities acquired at other than par value. Debt securities and mandatorily redeemable preferred stock with maturities beyond one year when purchased are classified as fixed maturities.

Trading portfolio securities are carried at fair value, determined as described above, with the holding gains and losses included in realized investment gains and losses in the current period.

Short-term Investments

Short-term investments, which have a maturity at purchase of one year or less, are primarily comprised of investments in U.S. Treasury obligations, commercial paper and money market funds. All balances are reported at amortized cost, which approximates fair value.

Other Investments

Investments in LPs/LLCs where ProAssurance has virtually no influence over the operating and financial policies of an investee are accounted for using the cost method. Under the cost method, investments are valued at cost, with investment income recognized when received.

Investments in convertible bond securities are carried at fair value as permitted by the accounting guidance for hybrid financial instruments, with changes in fair value recognized in income as a component of Net realized investment gains (losses) during the period of change. Interest on convertible bond securities is recorded on an accrual basis based on contractual interest rates and is included in Net investment income.

Investment in Unconsolidated Subsidiaries

Investments in LPs/LLCs where ProAssurance is deemed to have influence because it holds a greater than a minor interest are accounted for using the equity method. Under the equity method, the recorded basis of the investment is adjusted each period for the investor’s pro rata share of the investee’s income or loss. Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries include tax credit partnerships accounted for using the equity method, whereby ProAssurance’s proportionate share of income or loss is included in investment income. Tax credits received from the partnerships are recognized in the period received as a reduction to current tax expenses.

Business Owned Life Insurance

ProAssurance owns life insurance contracts on certain management employees. The life insurance contracts are carried at their current cash surrender value. Changes in the cash surrender value are included in income in the current period as investment income. Death proceeds from the contracts are recorded when the proceeds become payable under the policy terms.

Realized Gains and Losses

Realized investment gains and losses are recognized on the specific identification basis.

Other-than-temporary Impairments

ProAssurance evaluates its available-for-sale investment securities, which at December 31, 2015 and 2014 consisted entirely of fixed maturity securities, on at least a quarterly basis for the purpose of determining whether declines in fair value below recorded cost basis represent other-than-temporary impairment. We consider an OTTI to have occurred:


•	if there is intent to sell the security


•	if it is more likely than not that the security will be required to be sold before full recovery of its amortized cost basis


•	if the entire amortized basis of the security is not expected to be recovered.

The assessment of whether the amortized cost basis of a security, particularly an asset-backed debt security, is expected to be recovered requires management to make assumptions regarding various matters affecting future cash flows. The choice of assumptions is subjective and requires the use of judgment; actual credit losses experienced in future periods may differ from management’s estimates of those credit losses. Methodologies used to estimate the present value of expected cash flows are:

•

For non-structured fixed maturities (U.S. Treasury securities, obligations of U.S. Government and government agencies and authorities, obligations of states, municipalities and political subdivisions, and corporate debt) the estimate of expected cash flows is determined by projecting a recovery value and a recovery time frame and assessing whether further principal and interest will be received. ProAssurance considers various factors in projecting recovery values and recovery time frames, including the following:


•	third party research and credit rating reports;


•	the current credit standing of the issuer, including credit rating downgrades, whether before or after the balance sheet date;


•	internal assessments and the assessments of external portfolio managers regarding specific circumstances surrounding an investment, which indicate the investment is more or less likely to recover its amortized cost than other investments with a similar structure;


•	failure of the issuer of the security to make scheduled interest or principal payments;

•

For structured securities (primarily asset-backed securities), ProAssurance estimates the present value of the security’s cash flows using the effective yield of the security at the date of acquisition (or the most recent implied rate used to accrete the security if the implied rate has changed as a result of a previous impairment or changes in expected cash flows). ProAssurance considers the most recently available six-month averages of the levels of delinquencies, defaults, severities, and prepayments for the collateral (loans) underlying the securitization or, if historical data is not available, sector based assumptions, to estimate expected future cash flows of these securities.

Exclusive of securities where there is an intent to sell or where it is not more likely than not that the security will be required to be sold before recovery of its amortized cost basis, OTTI for debt securities is separated into a credit component and a non-credit component. The credit component of an OTTI is the difference between the security’s amortized cost basis and the present value of its expected future cash flows, while the non-credit component is the remaining difference between the security’s fair value and the present value of expected future cash flows. The credit component of the OTTI is recognized in earnings while the non-credit component is recognized in OCI.

Investments in tax credit partnerships are evaluated for OTTI by considering both qualitative and quantitative factors which include: whether the current expected cash flows from the investment, primarily tax benefits, are less than those expected at the time the investment was acquired, and ProAssurance's ability and intent to hold the investment until the recovery of its carrying value.

Investments in LPs/LLCs other than tax credit partnerships are evaluated for impairment by comparing ProAssurance’s carrying value to net asset value of ProAssurance’s interest as reported by the LP/LLC. Additionally, Management considers the performance of the LP/LLC relative to the market and its stated objectives, cash flows expected from the interest, and the audited financial statements of the LP/LLC, if available.

ProAssurance recognizes OTTI, exclusive of non-credit OTTI, in earnings as a part of net realized investment gains (losses). In subsequent periods, any measurement of gain, loss or impairment is based on the revised amortized basis of the security. Non-credit OTTI on debt securities and declines in fair value of available-for-sale securities not considered to be other-than-temporary are recognized in OCI.

Asset-backed debt securities that have been impaired due to credit or are below investment grade quality are accounted for under the effective yield method. Under the effective yield method estimates of cash flows expected over the life of asset-backed securities are then used to recognize income on the investment balance for subsequent accounting periods.

Foreign Currency

The functional currency of all ProAssurance foreign subsidiaries is the U.S. Dollar

Cash and Cash Equivalents

For purposes of the consolidated balance sheets and statements of cash flows, ProAssurance considers all demand deposits and overnight investments to be cash equivalents.

Restricted Cash

Restricted cash represents cash balances which are not available for immediate or general use. Restricted cash activity in 2014 and 2013 related entirely to a collateral deposit which supported our Lloyd's Syndicate segment.

Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs; Ceding Commission Income

Costs that vary with and are directly related to the successful production of new and renewal premiums (primarily premium taxes, commissions and underwriting salaries) are deferred to the extent they are recoverable against unearned premiums and are amortized as related premiums are earned. Unearned ceding commission income is reported as an offset to DPAC. Ceding commission earned is reported as an offset to DPAC amortization.

Income Taxes/Deferred Taxes

ProAssurance files a consolidated federal income tax return. Tax-related interest and penalties are recognized as components of tax expense.

ProAssurance evaluates tax positions taken on tax returns and recognizes positions in the financial statements when it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon resolution with a taxing authority. If recognized, the benefit is measured as the largest amount of benefit that has a greater than fifty percent probability of being realized. Uncertain tax positions are reviewed each period by considering changes in facts and circumstances, such as changes in tax law, interactions with taxing authorities and developments in case law, and adjustments would be made if considered necessary. No such adjustments were made during the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 or 2013. Adjustments to unrecognized tax benefits may affect income tax expense and the settlement of uncertain tax positions may require the use of cash.

Deferred federal income taxes arise from the recognition of temporary differences between the basis of assets and liabilities determined for financial reporting purposes and the basis determined for income tax purposes. ProAssurance’s temporary differences principally relate to loss reserves, unearned premium, compensation accruals, intangibles, DPAC, unrealized investment gains (losses), and basis differentials in fixed assets and investments. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the enacted tax rates expected to be in effect when such benefits are realized. ProAssurance reviews its deferred tax assets quarterly for impairment. If management determines that it is more likely than not that some or all of a deferred tax asset will not be realized, a valuation allowance is recorded to reduce the carrying value of the asset. In assessing the need for a valuation allowance, management is required to make certain judgments and assumptions about the future operations of ProAssurance based on historical experience and information as of the measurement date regarding reversal of existing temporary differences, carryback capacity, future taxable income, including its capital and operating characteristics, and tax planning strategies.

Changes in tax laws and rates could also affect recorded deferred tax assets and liabilities in the future. Management is not aware of any such changes that would have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows or financial position.

Real Estate

Real Estate balances are reported at cost or, for properties acquired in business combinations, estimated fair value on the date of acquisition, less accumulated depreciation. Real estate principally consists of properties in use as corporate offices. Depreciation is computed over the estimated useful lives of the related property using the straight-line method. Excess office capacity is leased or made available for lease; rental income is included in other income and real estate expenses are included in underwriting, policy acquisition and operating expenses.

Intangible Assets

Intangible assets with definite lives, primarily consist of agency and policyholder relationships, are amortized over the estimated useful life of the asset; those with indefinite lives, primarily state licenses, are not amortized. All intangible assets are evaluated for impairment on an annual basis.

Goodwill

Goodwill is recognized in conjunction with acquisitions as the excess of the purchase consideration for the acquisition over the fair value of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The fair value of identifiable assets and liabilities, and thus goodwill, is subject to redetermination within a measurement period of up to one year following completion of an acquisition.

ProAssurance evaluates the carrying value of goodwill at the reporting unit level annually as of October 1st. For ProAssurance, reporting units are consistent with the reportable segments identified in Note 15. If, at any time during the year, events occur or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value below the carrying value, an additional evaluation of goodwill is made.

ProAssurance is permitted to conduct a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is necessary to perform a two-step quantitative goodwill impairment test but periodically elects to perform a quantitative impairment assessment. A quantitative goodwill impairment test for both the Specialty P&C and Workers' Compensation units was performed as of October 1, 2015.

In the first step of the quantitative impairment test, the fair value of each reporting unit is compared to its carrying amount. In the 2015 evaluation, Management determined the fair value of each ProAssurance reporting unit using an equal weighting of fair values derived from the income approach and the market approach. Under the income approach, Management estimated the fair value of a reporting unit based on the present value of estimated future cash flows. Cash flow projections were based on Management's estimates of revenue growth rates and operating margins, taking into consideration industry and market conditions. The discount rate used was based on the weighted average cost of capital adjusted for the relevant risk associated with business specific characteristics and the uncertainty related to the reporting unit's ability to execute on the projected cash flows. Under the market approach, Management estimated the fair value based on market multiples of revenue and earnings derived from comparable publicly traded companies with operating and investment characteristics similar to the reporting unit. Management weighted the fair values derived from the market approach depending on the level of comparability of these publicly traded companies to the reporting unit.

Estimating the fair value of a reporting unit is judgmental in nature and involved the use of significant estimates and assumptions by Management. These estimates and assumptions included revenue growth rates and operating margins used to calculate projected future cash flows, risk adjusted discount rates, future economic and market conditions and the determination of appropriate comparable publicly traded companies. In addition, Management made certain judgments and assumptions in allocating shared assets and liabilities to individual reporting units to determine the carrying amount of each reporting unit.

If the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds the carrying amount of the net assets assigned to that reporting unit, goodwill is not impaired and no further testing is required. If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then the second step of the goodwill impairment test is performed which measures the amount of impairment loss, if any. In the second step, the reporting unit's assets, including any unrecognized intangible assets, liabilities and non-controlling interests are measured at fair value in a hypothetical analysis to calculate the implied fair value of goodwill for the reporting unit in the same manner as if the reporting unit was being acquired in a business combination. If the implied fair value of the reporting unit's goodwill is less than its carrying amount, the difference is recorded as an impairment loss.

As of October 1, 2015, the most recent evaluation date, Management concluded that the fair value of each ProAssurance reporting unit exceeded the carrying value of the reporting unit, and deemed it unnecessary to perform further testing for impairment.

Treasury Shares

Treasury Stock

Treasury shares are reported at cost, and are reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as an unallocated reduction of total equity.

Share-Based Payments

Compensation cost for share-based payments is measured based on the grant-date fair value of the award, recognized over the period in which the employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award. Excess tax benefits (tax deductions realized in excess of the compensation costs recognized for the exercise of the awards, multiplied by the incremental tax rate) are reported as financing cash inflows.

Subsequent Events

ProAssurance evaluates events that occurred subsequent to December 31, 2015, for recognition or disclosure in its Consolidated Financial Statements.

Accounting Changes Adopted and Not Yet Adopted

Accounting Changes Adopted

Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity

Effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2014, the FASB issued guidance which changes the requirements for reporting discontinued operations. Under the new guidance, reporting entities are required to report disposals of business components only if the disposal represents a strategic shift in the entity’s operations that will have a major effect on the entity’s operations and financial results. The new guidance expands disclosure requirements for reported discontinued operations and requires disclosure of pre-tax profit or loss attributable to significant disposals that are not reported as discontinued operations. ProAssurance adopted the guidance effective January 1, 2015. Adoption of the guidance had no effect on ProAssurance’s results of operations or financial position.

Disclosures for Investments in Certain Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value per Share (or Its Equivalent)

Effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, the FASB issued guidance which removed the requirement to categorize within the fair value hierarchy all investments for which fair value is measured using the net asset value per share practical expedient. The guidance also revised disclosure requirements for investments measured or eligible to be measured at fair value using the net asset value per share practical expedient. ProAssurance adopted the guidance as of June 30, 2015 as early adoption is permitted. Adoption of the guidance had no effect on ProAssurance's results of operations or financial position as it affected disclosures only.

Accounting Changes Not Yet Adopted

Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could Be Achieved after the Requisite Service Period

Effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, the FASB issued guidance for share-based payments in which the terms of the award provide that a performance target can be achieved after completion of the requisite service period. The new guidance provides that compensation cost for such awards should be recognized in the period in which it becomes probable that the performance target will be achieved and should represent the compensation cost attributable to the period(s) for which the requisite service has already been rendered. ProAssurance plans to adopt the guidance beginning January 1, 2016. Adoption of the guidance is expected to have no effect on ProAssurance’s results of operations or financial position as ProAssurance has no awards with performance targets extending beyond the requisite service period.

Revenue from Contracts with Customers

Effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, the FASB issued guidance related to revenue from contracts with customers. The core principle of the new guidance is that revenue should be recognized to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. ProAssurance plans to adopt the guidance beginning January 1, 2018. As the majority of ProAssurance's revenues come from insurance contracts which fall under the scope of other FASB standards, adoption of the guidance is expected to have no material effect on ProAssurance’s results of operations or financial position.

Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity's Ability to Continue as a Going Concern

Effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2016 and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016, the FASB issued guidance that establishes principles and definitions related to management's evaluation of whether there is substantial doubt about the organization's ability to continue as a going concern. For each interim and annual reporting period, the new guidance requires management to evaluate the organization's ability to meet its obligations as they are due within one year of the date the financial statements are issued and requires disclosure when there is substantial doubt regarding the organization's ability to continue as a going concern. ProAssurance plans to adopt the guidance on its effective date. Adoption is expected to have no effect on ProAssurance’s results of operations or financial position.

Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs

Effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, the FASB issued guidance related to the presentation of debt issuance costs. The new guidance requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. Related guidance issued by the SEC permits issuance costs associated with line-of-credit arrangements to be presented as an asset and subsequently amortized proportionally over the term of the arrangement. ProAssurance plans to adopt the guidance beginning January 1, 2016. Adoption of the guidance is not expected to have a material effect on ProAssurance’s results of operations or financial position.

Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis

Effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, the FASB issued additional guidance regarding the consolidation of legal entities such as limited partnerships, limited liability corporations, and securitization structures (collateralized debt obligations, collateralized loan obligations, and mortgage-backed security transactions). The new standard modifies the evaluation of whether or not entities are VIEs and the consolidation analysis of entities involved with VIEs, particularly those having fee arrangements and related party relationships. ProAssurance is in the process of evaluating the effect, if any, of the new guidance on its results of operations and financial position and plans to adopt the guidance beginning January 1, 2016. Adoption of the guidance is not expected to have a material effect on ProAssurance’s results of operations or financial position.

Customer’s Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement

Effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, the FASB issued additional guidance regarding accounting for cloud computing arrangements. Under the new guidance, customers participating in cloud computing arrangements that include a software license should account for the software license element of the arrangement consistent with the acquisition of other software licenses. Customers should account for cloud computing arrangements that do not include a software license as a service contract, following existing guidance for service contracts. ProAssurance is in the process of evaluating the effect that the use of the new method would have on its results of operations and financial position and plans to adopt the guidance beginning January 1, 2016. Adoption of the guidance is not expected to have a material effect on ProAssurance’s results of operations or financial position.

Disclosures about Short-Duration Contracts

Effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015 and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, the FASB issued guidance that requires insurance entities that issue short-duration contracts to provide detailed disclosures relative to the reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses in annual reporting periods and a roll-forward of the reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses in interim reporting periods. The guidance also requires disclosures regarding significant changes in the methodologies and assumptions used to calculate the reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses, including reasons for and the effects of such changes. ProAssurance plans to adopt the guidance beginning January 1, 2016. Adoption of the guidance is not expected to have a material effect on ProAssurance's results of operations or financial position as it affects disclosures only.

Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments

Effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015 and interim periods within those fiscal years, the FASB issued guidance that requires an acquirer to recognize adjustments to estimated amounts that are identified during the measurement period in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined. An acquirer must also record, in the same period’s financial statements, the effect on earnings of changes in depreciation, amortization, or other income effects, if any, as a result of the change to the estimated amounts, calculated as if the accounting had been completed at the acquisition date. The amendments also require an entity to present separately on the face of the income statement or disclose in the notes the portion of the amount recorded in current-period earnings by line item that would have been recorded in previous reporting periods if the adjustment to the estimated amounts had been recognized as of the acquisition date. ProAssurance plans to adopt the guidance beginning January 1, 2016. Adoption of the guidance is not expected to have a material effect on ProAssurance’s results of operations or financial position.

Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities

Effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those fiscal years, the FASB issued guidance that requires equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting, or those that result in consolidation of the investee) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. The new guidance also specifies that an entity use the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes and present financial assets and liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset. Other provisions of the new guidance include: revised disclosure requirements related to the presentation in comprehensive income of changes in the fair value of liabilities; elimination, for public companies, of disclosure requirements relative to the method(s) and significant assumptions underlying fair values disclosed for financial instruments measured at amortized cost; and simplified impairment assessments for equity investments without readily determinable fair values. ProAssurance plans to adopt the guidance beginning January 1, 2018. Adoption of the guidance is not expected to have a material effect on ProAssurance’s results of operations or financial position.