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Commitments and Contingencies
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2021
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Commitments and Contingencies

9. Commitments and Contingencies

(a) The Pandemic

The Pandemic has significantly disrupted many aspects of society, as well as financial markets, and has caused widespread global economic dislocation. Although vaccine rollouts continue, Alleghany cannot reasonably estimate the duration or severity of the Pandemic, or the extent to which the related disruption may adversely impact its results of operations, financial position and cash flows, or those of its subsidiaries. Adverse impacts from the Pandemic in future periods may include realized and unrealized losses in Alleghany’s investment portfolio and receivables, increased underwriting losses at its reinsurance and insurance segments, and impairment losses on certain subsidiary goodwill and intangible assets.

(b) Legal Proceedings

Certain of Alleghany’s subsidiaries are parties to pending litigation and claims in connection with the ordinary course of their businesses. Each such subsidiary makes provisions for estimated losses to be incurred in such litigation and claims, including legal costs. In the opinion of management, such provisions are adequate, and management does not believe that any pending litigation will have a material adverse effect on Alleghany’s consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

(c) Leases

Alleghany and its subsidiaries lease certain facilities, land, furniture and equipment under long-term, non-cancelable lease agreements that expire at various dates in future years. Most of Alleghany’s leases relate to office facilities. Alleghany’s lease agreements do not contain any material restrictive covenants and substantially all are considered to be operating leases. Additional information about leases can be found in Note 12(b) to Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of the 2020 Form 10-K.

(d) Hotel Development Commitments

Commencing in 2020, Alleghany Capital invested $0.8 million in certain hotel development projects. The projects are conducted through certain limited liability entities, which are variable interest entities, to which Alleghany is not the primary beneficiary. As of March 31, 2021, Alleghany guaranteed up to $5.3 million of debt of these entities to certain third-party lenders, for which Alleghany receives a fee.