Commitments and Contingencies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]

17.Commitments and Contingencies:

We have several leases, primarily for office facilities and computer equipment, which expire in various years through 2032. Certain of these leases contain renewal options. Rental expense amounted to $3.1 million and $2.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017.

Future minimum lease payments under non-cancelable operating leases as of December 31, 2018 are as follows (in thousands):


Year
2019	$	2,269
2020		2,491
2021		2,172
2022		2,171
2023		1,885
2024 and thereafter		15,266
Total minimum lease payments	$	26,254

From time to time, assessments are levied on us by the guaranty association of the states where we offer our insurance products. Such assessments are made primarily to cover the losses of policyholders of insolvent or rehabilitated insurers. Since these assessments can generally be recovered through a reduction in future premium taxes paid, we capitalize the assessments that can be recovered as they are paid and amortize the capitalized balance against our premium tax expense. We did not pay an assessment during 2018. During 2017 we paid $36 thousand in assessments.

We are engaged in various legal proceedings in the ordinary course of business, none of which, either individually or in the aggregate, are believed likely to have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operations, in the opinion of management. The various legal proceedings to which we are a party are routine in nature and incidental to our business.