The Paid Development method estimates ultimate losses by reviewing paid loss patterns and applying them to accident years with further expected changes in paid loss. Selection of the paid loss pattern requires analysis of several factors including the impact of inflation on claims costs, the rate at which claims professionals make claim payments and close claims, the impact of judicial decisions, the impact of underwriting changes, the impact of large claim payments and other factors. Claim cost inflation itself requires evaluation of changes in the cost of repairing or replacing property, changes in the cost of medical care, changes in the cost of wage replacement, judicial decisions, legislative changes and other factors. Because this method assumes that losses are paid at a consistent rate, changes in any of these factors can impact the results. Since the method does not rely on case reserves, it is not directly influenced by changes in the adequacy of case reserves.
Corporate and other operating expenses consist of outside legal fees, other professional fees, directors’ fees, management fees & advisory fees, salaries and benefits for holding company personnel, development costs for new products, and taxes incurred which are not directly related to operations. Corporate and other operating expenses were $29.8 million, $25.7 million, and $17.3 million during the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively. The increase in 2018 as compared to 2017 is primarily due to an increase in professional fees. The increase in 2017 as compared to 2016 is primarily due to incurring a $11.0 million advisory fee related to the redemption and other services performed, whereas, 2016 included cost incurred in connection with the re-domestication in 2016 of $4.2 million.
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Global Indemnity Limited (the Company) as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, shareholders' equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018, and the related notes and financial statement schedules listed in the Index at Item 15 (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at December 31, 2018 and 2017, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
In connection with the redomestication to the Cayman Islands, each A ordinary share of Global Indemnity plc was cancelled and replaced with one A ordinary share of Global Indemnity Limited and each B ordinary share of Global Indemnity plc was cancelled and replaced with one B ordinary share of Global Indemnity Limited. The Global Indemnity Limited A ordinary shares trade on the NASDAQ Global Select Market (“NASDAQ”) under the ticker symbol GBLI, the same symbol under which Global Indemnity plc’s A ordinary shares were previously listed.
A valuation allowance is provided when it is more likely than not that some portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The deferred tax asset balance is analyzed regularly by management. This assessment requires significant judgment and considers, among other matters, the nature, frequency and severity of current and cumulative losses, forecasts of future profitability, the duration of carryforward periods, and tax planning strategies and/or actions. Management believes that it is more likely than not that the results of future operations can generate sufficient taxable income to realize the remaining deferred income tax assets, and accordingly, the Company has not established any valuation allowances.
The following tables present the changes in accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax, by component for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017:
The sources of net investment income for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016 were as follows:
As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the carrying value and fair value of the 7.75% Subordinated Notes due 2045 are net of unamortized debt issuance cost of $3.3 million and $3.4 million, respectively.
General Liability: A $1.3 million reduction in reserve categories excluding construction defect. Lower than expected claims severity was the primary driver of the favorable development, mainly in the 2002 through 2004, 2006 through 2010,
In 2014, the Company entered into a $50 million commitment to purchase an alternative investment vehicle which is comprised of European non-performing loans. As of December 31, 2018, the Company has funded $35.8 million of this commitment leaving $14.2 million as unfunded.