Title insurance policies are long-duration contracts with the majority of the claims reported to the Company within the first few years following the issuance of the policy. Generally, 70% to 80% of claim amounts become known in the first six years of the policy life, and the majority of IBNR reserves relate to the six most recent policy years. Changes in expected ultimate losses and corresponding loss rates for recent policy years are considered likely and could result in a material adjustment to the IBNR reserves. Based on historical experience, management believes a 50 basis point change to the loss rates for the most recent policy years, positive or negative, is reasonably likely given the long duration nature of a title insurance policy. For example, if the expected ultimate losses for each of the last six policy years increased or decreased by 50 basis points, the resulting impact on the Company’s IBNR reserve would be an increase or decrease, as the case may be, of $103.2 million. A material change in expected ultimate losses and corresponding loss rates for older policy years is also possible, particularly for policy years with loss ratios exceeding historical norms. The estimates made by management in determining the appropriate level of IBNR reserves could ultimately prove to be materially different from actual claims experience.
In May 2015, the FASB issued updated disclosure guidance related to short-duration contracts issued by insurance entities. The updated guidance is intended to increase the transparency of significant estimates made in measuring liabilities for unpaid claims and claim adjustment expenses and to provide additional insight into an insurance entity’s ability to underwrite and anticipate costs associated with claims. The updated guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015 and for interim periods within annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted. Except for the disclosure requirements, the Company does not expect the adoption of this guidance to impact its consolidated financial statements.
Net investment income increased $1.6 million, or 21.4%, in 2015 from 2014 and was essentially flat in 2014 when compared to 2013. The increase in 2015 from 2014 was primarily attributable to higher interest income from the investment portfolio due to a higher average yield and higher average balances in the specialty insurance segment’s debt securities portfolio in 2015 when compared to 2014.
Accounts and accrued income receivable, less allowances of $31,552 and $34,662
In April 2015, the FASB issued updated guidance intended to simplify, and provide consistency to, the presentation of debt issuance costs. The new standard requires that debt issuance costs be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. The updated guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
The Company’s defined benefit pension plan is a noncontributory, qualified plan with benefits based on an employee’s compensation and years of service. The defined benefit pension plan was closed to new entrants effective December 31, 2001 and amended to “freeze” all benefit accruals as of April 30, 2008.
The following table presents the fair value of the Company’s defined benefit pension plan assets as of December 31, 2015 and 2014:
The Company also guarantees the obligations of certain of its subsidiaries. These obligations are included in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2015 and 2014.
Revenues from external customers allocated between domestic and foreign operations, by segment, for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, are as follows: