Commitments and Contingencies

Legal proceedings

The Company and its subsidiaries are subject at times to various claims, lawsuits and proceedings relating principally to alleged errors or omissions in the placement of insurance, claims administration, and other business transactions arising in the ordinary course of business. Where appropriate, the Company vigorously defends such claims, lawsuits and proceedings. Some of these claims, lawsuits and proceedings seek damages, including consequential, exemplary or punitive damages, in amounts that could, if awarded, be significant. Most of the claims, lawsuits and proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business are covered by the insurance policy at issue. We account for such activity through the establishment of unpaid losses and LAE reserves. In accordance with accounting guidance, if it is probable that a liability has been incurred as of the date of the financial statements and the amount of loss is reasonably estimable; then an accrual for the costs to resolve these claims is recorded by the Company in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Periodic expenses related to the defense of such claims are included in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. On the basis of current information, the Company does not believe that there is a reasonable possibility that any material loss exceeding amounts already accrued, if any, will result from any of the claims, lawsuits and proceedings to which the Company is subject to, either individually, or in the aggregate.

Commitments

In 2010, the Company entered into an agreement with an unaffiliated party to design, develop, and implement a new policy administration, billing, and claims system for the Company. The scope of work and fee structure has changed over time. Currently, the agreement requires a minimum monthly payment of $30,000 with a fee schedule that is scalable with the premium volume, and expires on September 30, 2022.

Operating leases

The Company leases administrative office facilities, including its corporate headquarters, and office equipment under operating leases that expire at various dates through 2024. The Company has the option to extend its corporate headquarters lease for two additional five‑year periods. The Company recognizes rent expense on a straight‑line basis over the term of the lease. Rent expense under the operating leases totaled $961,000 in 2017, $915,000 in 2016, and $795,000 in 2015.

The future minimum rental payments under non-cancelable operating leases as of December 31, 2017, are as follows (in thousands):



Years Ending December 31,	Amount
2018	$	940
2019	865
2020	837
2021	726
2022	636
2023 and thereafter	1,079
Total future minimum rental payments	$	5,083