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Commitments and Contingencies
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2013
Text Block [Abstract]  
Commitments and Contingencies
NOTE 9. Commitments and Contingencies
Polaris is subject to product liability claims in the normal course of business. In late 2012, Polaris purchased excess insurance coverage for catastrophic product liability claims for incidents occurring after the policy date. Polaris self-insures product liability claims before the policy date and up to the purchased catastrophic insurance coverage after the policy date. The estimated costs resulting from any losses are charged to operating expenses when it is probable a loss has been incurred and the amount of the loss is reasonably determinable. The Company utilizes historical trends and actuarial analysis tools, along with an analysis of current claims, to assist in determining the appropriate loss reserve levels. At June 30, 2013, the Company had an accrual of $19,717,000 for the probable payment of pending claims related to product liability litigation associated with Polaris products. This accrual is included as a component of other accrued expenses in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The Company is party to a lawsuit in which the Plaintiff alleges that she was injured in a 2008 accident involving a collision between a 2001 Polaris Virage personal watercraft and a boat. The trial for the lawsuit was in process as of this filing. Management continues to believe the claim is without merit and is aggressively defending against the action, but there can be no assurances that the ultimate outcome of the lawsuit will be favorable to the Company or that the defense of the suit or its outcome will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition. Management is unable to estimate the range of reasonably possible loss associated with this claim. The Company discontinued the manufacture of marine products in 2004.
Polaris is a defendant in lawsuits and subject to other claims arising in the normal course of business. In the opinion of management, it is unlikely that any legal proceedings pending against or involving Polaris will have a material adverse effect on Polaris’ financial position or results of operations.
As a component of certain past acquisition agreements, Polaris has committed to make additional payments to certain sellers contingent upon either the passage of time or certain financial performance criteria. Polaris initially records the fair value of each commitment as of the respective opening balance sheet, and each reporting period the fair value is evaluated, using level 3 inputs, with the change in value reflected in the consolidated statements of income. As of June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the fair value of contingent purchase price commitments was $13,659,000 and $12,701,000, respectively, recorded in other long-term liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets.