SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation The accompanying 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). In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of normal and recurring items, necessary for the fair presentation of the consolidated financial statements have been included. 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, 2017, which includes information and disclosures not presented herein. Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP 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 consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Among the more significant estimates included in these consolidated financial statements are reserves for future life insurance policy benefits, liabilities for losses and loss adjustment expenses, reinsurance recoverable associated with 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 these estimates. Earnings Per Share Earnings per share of common stock is based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during each year. The adjusted weighted average shares outstanding were 2,524,715 at September 30, 2018 and 2,519,798 at September 30, 2017. The Company did not have any dilutive securities as of September 30, 2018 and 2017. Reclassifications Certain 2017 amounts have been reclassified from the prior year consolidated financial statements to conform to the 2018 presentation. Concentration of Credit Risk The Company maintains cash balances which are generally held in non-interest bearing demand deposit accounts subject to FDIC insured limits of $250,000 per entity. At September 30, 2018, the net amount exceeding FDIC insured limits was $4,019,000 at three financial institutions. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts. Management of the Company reviews financial information of financial institutions on a quarterly basis and believes the Company is not exposed to any significant credit risk on cash and cash equivalents. Policy receivables are reported at unpaid balances. Policy receivables are generally offset by associated unearned premium liabilities and are not subject to significant credit risk. Receivables from agents, less provision for credit losses, are composed of balances due from independent agents. At September 30, 2018, the single largest balance due from one agent totaled $623,000. Reinsurance contracts do not relieve the Company of its obligations to policyholders. A failure of a reinsurer to meet its obligation could result in losses to the insurance subsidiaries. Allowances for losses on reinsurance recoverables are established if amounts are believed to be uncollectible. At September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, no amounts were deemed uncollectible. The Company, at least annually, evaluates the financial condition of all reinsurers and evaluates any potential concentrations of credit risk. At September 30, 2018, management does not believe the Company is exposed to any significant credit risk related to its reinsurance program. Accounting Changes Not Yet Adopted Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement In August 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued guidance to that removes, modifies and adds to the disclosure requirements related to fair value measurements. The guidance removes the requirements to disclose the amount and reasons for transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 assets, the policy for timing and transfers between levels and the valuation process for Level 3 fair value measurements. The guidance modifies disclosure requirements for investments in certain entities that calculate net asset value and clarifies the purpose of the measurement uncertainty disclosure. The guidance adds requirements to disclose changes in unrealized gains or losses included in other comprehensive income for recurring Level 3 fair value measurements and to disclose the range and weighted average used to develop significant unobservable inputs for Level 3 fair value measurements. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company does not expect the adoption to have a material impact on its financial position or results of operations. Targeted Improvements to the Accounting for Long-Duration Contracts In August 2018, the FASB issued guidance to improve the existing recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure requirements for long-duration contracts issued by an insurance entity. The guidance improves timeliness of recognizing changes in the liability for future policy benefits and modifies the rate used to discount future cash flows. The guidance will simplify and improve accounting for certain market-based options or guarantees associated with deposit type contracts and simplify the amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs. The guidance also introduces certain financial statement presentation requirements, as well as significant additional quantitative and qualitative disclosures. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020 and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this new guidance. Due to the nature and extent of the changes required to the Company’s life insurance operations, the adoption of this standard is expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements. Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting In June 2018, the FASB issued guidance to simplify the accounting for nonemployee share-based payment awards. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within that fiscal year The Company does not make any material share-based payments and does not expect the adoption to have a material impact on its financial position or results of operations. Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities In February 2018, the FASB issued guidance to address certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of financial instruments. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2018. The Company does not expect the adoption to have a material impact on its financial position or results of operations. Leases In February 2016, the FASB issued guidance that requires lessees (for capital and operating leases) to recognize the lease liability and right-of-use asset at the commencement date of the lease. Additional transition guidance was issued in 2018. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those years. The Company does not expect the adoption to have a material impact on its financial position or results of operations. Contingent Put and Call Options in Debt Instruments In March 2016, the FASB issued guidance that clarifies the requirements for assessing whether contingent call (put) options that can accelerate the payment of principal on debt instruments are clearly and closely related to their debt hosts. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those years. The Company does not expect the adoption to have a material impact on its financial position or results of operations. Financial Instruments - Credit Losses In June 2016, the FASB issued guidance that replaces the incurred loss impairment methodology in current GAAP with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform credit loss estimates. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those years. The Company does not expect the adoption to have a material impact on its financial position or results of operations. Receivables - Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs In March 2017, the FASB issued guidance that shortens the amortization period for certain callable debt securities held at a premium and requires the premium to be amortized to the earliest call date. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim reporting periods within those fiscal years. The Company does not expect the adoption of this new guidance to have a significant impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. Derivatives and Hedging In August 2017, the FASB issued guidance that amends and simplifies hedge accounting guidance in order to enable entities to better portray the economic results of their risk management activities. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those periods. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the standard on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. Recently Adopted Accounting Standards Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income In February 2018, the FASB issued guidance that allows a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The guidance eliminates the stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and improves the usefulness of information reported to financial statement users. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those periods. Early adoption is permitted. The Company adopted this guidance as of December 31, 2017. The adoption of this guidance resulted in a $435,000 reclassification to accumulated other comprehensive income from retained earnings related to stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Revenue from Contracts with Customers In May 2014, FASB issued guidance on a comprehensive new revenue recognition standard. This standard will not impact accounting for insurance contracts, leases, financial instruments and guarantees. For those contracts that are impacted by the new guidance, the guidance will require an entity to recognize revenue upon the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled to, in exchange for those goods or services. The guidance requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments and assets recognized from costs incurred to obtain or fulfill a contract. In August 2015, the FASB issued a deferral of the effective date by one year. This guidance is effective retrospectively for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those years. Early adoption of this standard is permitted only as of annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period. Insurance contracts are specifically scoped out of this new guidance. The Company does not have policy fees or any material services that may be subject to the new revenue recognition guidance. The Company adopted this guidance as of January 1, 2018. The adoption of this guidance did not have an impact on its condensed consolidated financial statements. Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities In January 2016, the FASB issued guidance that requires equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting or those that result in consolidation of the investee) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. The guidance requires entities to use the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes and requires separate presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset. The guidance eliminates the requirement for public companies to disclose the method(s) and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value that is required to be disclosed for financial instruments measured at amortized cost. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company adopted this guidance as of January 1, 2018. The adoption of this guidance resulted in a $2,107,000 reclassification to retained earnings from accumulated other comprehensive income related to accumulated unrealized gains on equity securities as well as recognition of a $45,000 loss, net of tax, related to the change in value of equity securities. Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments In August 2016, the FASB issued guidance that clarifies how certain cash receipts and cash payments shall be presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. This guidance addresses eight specific cash flow issues with the objective of reducing the existing diversity in practice. The guidance is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company adopted this guidance as of January 1, 2018. The adoption of this guidance did not have a significant impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. Compensation - Stock Compensation In May 2017, the FASB issued guidance to provide clarity and reduce diversity in practice as well as cost and complexity when there is a change in the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company adopted this guidance as of January 1, 2018. The adoption of this guidance did not have a significant impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation

The accompanying 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). In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of normal and recurring items, necessary for the fair presentation of the consolidated financial statements have been included. 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, 2017, which includes information and disclosures not presented herein.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP 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 consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Among the more significant estimates included in these consolidated financial statements are reserves for future life insurance policy benefits, liabilities for losses and loss adjustment expenses, reinsurance recoverable associated with 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 these estimates.

Earnings Per Share

Earnings per share of common stock is based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during each year. The adjusted weighted average shares outstanding were 2,524,715 at September 30, 2018 and 2,519,798 at September 30, 2017. The Company did not have any dilutive securities as of September 30, 2018 and 2017.

Reclassifications

Certain 2017 amounts have been reclassified from the prior year consolidated financial statements to conform to the 2018 presentation.

Concentration of Credit Risk

The Company maintains cash balances which are generally held in non-interest bearing demand deposit accounts subject to FDIC insured limits of $250,000 per entity. At September 30, 2018, the net amount exceeding FDIC insured limits was $4,019,000 at three financial institutions. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts. Management of the Company reviews financial information of financial institutions on a quarterly basis and believes the Company is not exposed to any significant credit risk on cash and cash equivalents.

Policy receivables are reported at unpaid balances. Policy receivables are generally offset by associated unearned premium liabilities and are not subject to significant credit risk. Receivables from agents, less provision for credit losses, are composed of balances due from independent agents. At September 30, 2018, the single largest balance due from one agent totaled $623,000.

Reinsurance contracts do not relieve the Company of its obligations to policyholders. A failure of a reinsurer to meet its obligation could result in losses to the insurance subsidiaries. Allowances for losses on reinsurance recoverables are established if amounts are believed to be uncollectible. At September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, no amounts were deemed uncollectible. The Company, at least annually, evaluates the financial condition of all reinsurers and evaluates any potential concentrations of credit risk. At September 30, 2018, management does not believe the Company is exposed to any significant credit risk related to its reinsurance program.

Accounting Changes Not Yet Adopted

Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement

In August 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued guidance to that removes, modifies and adds to the disclosure requirements related to fair value measurements. The guidance removes the requirements to disclose the amount and reasons for transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 assets, the policy for timing and transfers between levels and the valuation process for Level 3 fair value measurements. The guidance modifies disclosure requirements for investments in certain entities that calculate net asset value and clarifies the purpose of the measurement uncertainty disclosure. The guidance adds requirements to disclose changes in unrealized gains or losses included in other comprehensive income for recurring Level 3 fair value measurements and to disclose the range and weighted average used to develop significant unobservable inputs for Level 3 fair value measurements. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company does not expect the adoption to have a material impact on its financial position or results of operations.

Targeted Improvements to the Accounting for Long-Duration Contracts

In August 2018, the FASB issued guidance to improve the existing recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure requirements for long-duration contracts issued by an insurance entity. The guidance improves timeliness of recognizing changes in the liability for future policy benefits and modifies the rate used to discount future cash flows. The guidance will simplify and improve accounting for certain market-based options or guarantees associated with deposit type contracts and simplify the amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs. The guidance also introduces certain financial statement presentation requirements, as well as significant additional quantitative and qualitative disclosures. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020 and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this new guidance. Due to the nature and extent of the changes required to the Company’s life insurance operations, the adoption of this standard is expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting

In June 2018, the FASB issued guidance to simplify the accounting for nonemployee share-based payment awards. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within that fiscal year The Company does not make any material share-based payments and does not expect the adoption to have a material impact on its financial position or results of operations.

Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities

In February 2018, the FASB issued guidance to address certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of financial instruments. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2018. The Company does not expect the adoption to have a material impact on its financial position or results of operations.

Leases

In February 2016, the FASB issued guidance that requires lessees (for capital and operating leases) to recognize the lease liability and right-of-use asset at the commencement date of the lease. Additional transition guidance was issued in 2018. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those years. The Company does not expect the adoption to have a material impact on its financial position or results of operations.

Contingent Put and Call Options in Debt Instruments

In March 2016, the FASB issued guidance that clarifies the requirements for assessing whether contingent call (put) options that can accelerate the payment of principal on debt instruments are clearly and closely related to their debt hosts. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those years. The Company does not expect the adoption to have a material impact on its financial position or results of operations.

Financial Instruments - Credit Losses

In June 2016, the FASB issued guidance that replaces the incurred loss impairment methodology in current GAAP with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform credit loss estimates. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those years. The Company does not expect the adoption to have a material impact on its financial position or results of operations.

Receivables - Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs

In March 2017, the FASB issued guidance that shortens the amortization period for certain callable debt securities held at a premium and requires the premium to be amortized to the earliest call date. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim reporting periods within those fiscal years. The Company does not expect the adoption of this new guidance to have a significant impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Derivatives and Hedging

In August 2017, the FASB issued guidance that amends and simplifies hedge accounting guidance in order to enable entities to better portray the economic results of their risk management activities. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those periods. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the standard on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income

In February 2018, the FASB issued guidance that allows a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The guidance eliminates the stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and improves the usefulness of information reported to financial statement users. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those periods. Early adoption is permitted. The Company adopted this guidance as of December 31, 2017. The adoption of this guidance resulted in a $435,000 reclassification to accumulated other comprehensive income from retained earnings related to stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

Revenue from Contracts with Customers

In May 2014, FASB issued guidance on a comprehensive new revenue recognition standard. This standard will not impact accounting for insurance contracts, leases, financial instruments and guarantees. For those contracts that are impacted by the new guidance, the guidance will require an entity to recognize revenue upon the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled to, in exchange for those goods or services. The guidance requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments and assets recognized from costs incurred to obtain or fulfill a contract. In August 2015, the FASB issued a deferral of the effective date by one year. This guidance is effective retrospectively for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those years. Early adoption of this standard is permitted only as of annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period. Insurance contracts are specifically scoped out of this new guidance.

The Company does not have policy fees or any material services that may be subject to the new revenue recognition guidance. The Company adopted this guidance as of January 1, 2018. The adoption of this guidance did not have an impact on its condensed consolidated financial statements.

Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities

In January 2016, the FASB issued guidance that requires equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting or those that result in consolidation of the investee) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. The guidance requires entities to use the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes and requires separate presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset. The guidance eliminates the requirement for public companies to disclose the method(s) and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value that is required to be disclosed for financial instruments measured at amortized cost. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company adopted this guidance as of January 1, 2018. The adoption of this guidance resulted in a $2,107,000 reclassification to retained earnings from accumulated other comprehensive income related to accumulated unrealized gains on equity securities as well as recognition of a $45,000 loss, net of tax, related to the change in value of equity securities.

Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments

In August 2016, the FASB issued guidance that clarifies how certain cash receipts and cash payments shall be presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. This guidance addresses eight specific cash flow issues with the objective of reducing the existing diversity in practice. The guidance is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company adopted this guidance as of January 1, 2018. The adoption of this guidance did not have a significant impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Compensation - Stock Compensation

In May 2017, the FASB issued guidance to provide clarity and reduce diversity in practice as well as cost and complexity when there is a change in the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company adopted this guidance as of January 1, 2018. The adoption of this guidance did not have a significant impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.