Commitments and Contingencies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies

(6)  Commitments and Contingencies

Rental expense primarily results from payments to truck owner-operators for use of their equipment and services on a month-to-month basis. The Company has also entered into longer term operating lease arrangements for tractors, trailers, office space, and other equipment and facilities.  In addition, the Company has entered into certain lease and terminal access contracts in order to provide tank storage and dock access for its crude oil marketing business.  Such contracts require certain minimum monthly payments for the term of the contracts.  Rental expense for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009 was $7,621,000, $5,870,000 and $6,898,000, respectively.  At December 31, 2011, commitments under long-term non-cancelable operating leases and terminal arrangements for the next five years and thereafter are payable as follows:   2012 - $3,059,000; 2013 - $2,148,000; 2014 - $1,468,000; 2015 - $1,201,000; 2016 $1,181,000 and $1,602,000 thereafter.

Under certain of the Company's automobile and workers' compensation insurance policies, the Company can either receive a return of premium paid or be assessed for additional premiums up to pre-established limits. Additionally under the policies in certain instances the risk of insured losses is shared with a group of similarly situated entities.  The Company has appropriately recognized estimated expenses and liabilities related to these policies for losses incurred but not reported to the Company or its insurance carrier of $1,285,000 and $2,125,911 as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

From time to time as incidental to its operations, the Company may become involved in various lawsuits and/or disputes.  Primarily as an operator of an extensive trucking fleet, the Company is a party to motor vehicle accidents, worker compensation claims and other items of general liability as would be typical for the industry. Management of the Company is presently unaware of any claims against the Company that are either outside the scope of insurance coverage, or that may exceed the level of insurance coverage, and could potentially represent a material adverse effect on the Company's financial position or results of operations.