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Significant Accounting Policies
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2011
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES


Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation
The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of The National Security Group, Inc. (the Company) and its wholly-owned subsidiaries:  National Security Insurance Company (NSIC), National Security Fire and Casualty Company (NSFC) and  NATSCO, Inc. (NATSCO).  NSFC includes a wholly-owned subsidiary - Omega One Insurance Company (Omega) .  The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP).  All significant intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated.  The financial information presented herein should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, which includes information and disclosures not presented herein.


Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Among the more significant estimates included in these financial statements are reserves for future policy benefits, liabilities for losses and loss adjustment expenses, reinsurance recoverable asset on associated loss and loss adjustment expense liabilities, deferred policy acquisition costs, deferred income tax assets and liabilities, assessments of other than temporary impairments on investments and accruals for contingencies.   Actual results could differ from those estimates.


Recently Issued Accounting Standards


Intangibles-Goodwill and Other
Effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2010, the FASB revised guidance related to goodwill impairment testing. The revised guidance clarifies that when evaluating goodwill associated with a reporting unit that has a zero or negative carrying value, an initial determination should be made as to whether it is more likely than not that the goodwill is impaired. When impairment is more likely than not, the goodwill is required to be tested for impairment. We adopted the guidance on January 1, 2011. Adoption did not have a material effect on our results of operations or financial position.


Fair Value Measurements
Effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2010, the FASB revised guidance to require additional disclosure about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements in the roll forward activity in Level 3 fair value measurements. We adopted the guidance on January 1, 2011; adoption did not have a material effect on our results of operations or financial position.


Accounting Changes Not Yet Adopted


Presentation of Comprehensive Income
Effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2011, the FASB revised guidance related to the way other comprehensive income (“OCI”) appears within the financial statements. Companies will be required to show net income, OCI and total comprehensive income in one continuous statement or in two separate but consecutive statements. Components of OCI may no longer be presented solely in the statement of changes in shareholders’ equity. Any reclassification between OCI and net income will be presented on the face of the financial statements. We do not expect the impact of this revised guidance to change reported net income or comprehensive income upon adoption in 2012.  


Fair Value Measurements
Effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2011, the FASB revised guidance related to fair value measurements and disclosures, all of which are to be applied prospectively. The new guidance increases disclosure requirements regarding valuation methods used to determine fair value measurements categorized as Level 3, as well as the sensitivity to change of those measurements, and requires additional disclosures regarding the consideration given to highest and best use in fair value measurements of nonfinancial assets. The guidance requires that when fair value measurements of items not carried at fair value are disclosed, the fair value measurements are to be categorized by level of fair value hierarchy. Additionally, the guidance also clarifies or revises certain fair value measurement principles related to the valuation of financial instruments managed within a portfolio, the valuation of instruments classified as a part of shareholders' equity, the appropriate application of the highest and best use valuation premise, and the consideration of premium and discounts in a fair value measurement.
THE NATIONAL SECURITY GROUP, INC.


NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
(Continued)


We are currently evaluating the impact of this revised guidance.  However, we do not expect a material effect on our results of operations or financial position upon adoption in 2012.


 
Accounting for Costs Associated with Acquiring or Renewing Insurance Contracts
Effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011, the FASB revised guidance regarding the interpretation of which costs relating to the acquisition of new or renewal insurance contracts qualify for deferral. The guidance permits deferral of qualifying costs associated only with successful contract acquisitions. The portion of internal selling agent and underwriter salary and benefit costs allocated to unsuccessful contracts, as well as advertising costs, are excluded. The guidance should be applied prospectively, but may be applied retrospectively for all prior periods. We are currently evaluating the impact of this revised guidance on our financial statements.  However, we do not expect a material effect on our results of operations or financial position upon adoption in 201