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Commitments and Contingencies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Commitments and Contingencies
Commitments and Contingencies
Product liability. Polaris is subject to product liability claims in the normal course of business. In 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 December 31, 2014, the Company had an accrual of $17,327,000 for the probable payment of pending claims related to continuing operations product liability litigation associated with Polaris products. This accrual is included as a component of other accrued expenses in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
As previously disclosed, the Company was party to a lawsuit in which the plaintiff was seriously injured in a 2008 accident involving a collision between a 2001 Polaris Virage personal watercraft and a boat. On July 23, 2013, a Los Angeles County jury returned an unfavorable verdict against the Company. The jury returned a verdict finding that the accident was caused by multiple actions, the majority of which was attributed to the negligence of the other boat driver, with the balance attributed to the reckless behavior of the driver of the Virage and the design of the Virage. The jury awarded approximately $21,000,000 in damages, of which Polaris' liability was $10,000,000. In the third quarter of 2013, the Company reported a loss from discontinued operations, net of tax, of $3,777,000 for an additional provision to accrue Polaris' portion of the jury award and legal fees. The amount was fully paid in 2013. In September 2004, the Company announced its decision to cease manufacturing marine products. Since then, any material financial results of that division have been recorded in discontinued operations.
Litigation. 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.
Contingent purchase price. 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 December 31, 2014 and 2013 the fair value of contingent purchase price commitments was $27,908,000 and $18,249,000, respectively, recorded in other long-term liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets.
 Leases. Polaris leases buildings and equipment under non-cancelable operating leases. Total rent expense under all operating lease agreements was $13,734,000, $10,656,000, and $10,349,000 for 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
A property lease agreement signed in 2013 for a manufacturing facility which Polaris began occupying in Opole, Poland commenced in February 2014. The Poland property lease is accounted for as a capital lease.
Future minimum annual lease payments under capital and operating leases with noncancelable terms in excess of one year as of December 31, 2014, are as follows (in thousands):
 
Capital
Leases
 
Operating
Leases
2015
$
3,915

 
$
9,576

2016
3,281

 
5,098

2017
2,903

 
3,326

2018
2,403

 
1,945

2019
2,203

 
1,173

Thereafter
23,639

 
1,403

Total future minimum lease obligation
$
38,344

 
$
22,521