The amount that we record as our liability for loss and loss adjustment expenses is a major determinant of net income each year. As discussed in more detail below under the heading “Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses,” the amount that we have reserved is based on actuarial estimates which were prepared as of December 31, 2019. Based on data received from the ceding companies (the insurance companies whose policies we reinsure) our independent actuary produces a range of estimates with a “low,” “central” and “high” estimate of the loss and loss adjustment expenses. As of December 31, 2019, the range of actuarially determined liability
for loss and loss adjustment expense reserves was as follows: the low estimate was $11.4 million, the high estimate was $16.5 million, and the central estimate was $13.7 million. Due to our concerns about the severity and volatility of the type of business we reinsure and the length of time that it takes for claims to be reported and ultimately settled, we selected reserves of $13,966,044 as of December 31, 2019, which is marginally greater than the central estimate of our independent actuary.
We incurred operating and management expenses of $6,847,921 for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to $6,598,204 for the year ended December 31, 2018, an increase of $249,717 or 3.8%. The increase was primarily attributable to increased salaries and related costs associated with Protexure’s hiring of additional personnel during 2019.
The Company adopted the new leasing standard and the related amendments on January 1, 2019. The Company believes the most significant change relates to the recognition of new right of use assets and lease liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet for Protexure’s real estate operating lease. These assets and liabilities, which are included in the “Prepaid expenses and other assets” line and “Accrued expenses and other liabilities” line of the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, respectively, represent less than 1% of the Company’s total assets and total liabilities. The adoption did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, which amends the guidance on impairment of financial instruments and significantly changes how entities will measure credit losses for most financial assets and certain other instruments that are not measured at fair value through net income. The ASU will replace the existing “incurred loss” approach, with an “expected loss” model for instruments measured at amortized cost and require entities to record allowances for available-for-sale debt securities rather than reduce the carrying amount under the existing other-than temporary-impairment model. The ASU also simplifies the accounting model for purchased credit-impaired debt securities and loans. The Company’s insurance premium balances receivable are also more significant financial assets within the scope of ASU 2016-13. The guidance requires financial assets to be presented at the net amount expected to be collected. The tentative effective date for the ASU is January 1, 2023. We do not expect the adoption of this ASU to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
With the exception of Protexure, AmerInst and its other direct and indirect subsidiaries have no employees. Their operating activities, as well as certain management functions, are performed by contracted professional service providers. Citadel Management Bermuda Limited (formerly Cedar Management Limited) provides AmerInst and AMIC Ltd. certain management, administrative and operations services under the direction of AmerInst’s Board of Directors pursuant to an agreement. The agreement may be terminated by either party upon not more than 90 days nor less than 60 days prior written notice. Mr. Stuart Grayston, our President, was formerly a director and officer of Cedar Management Limited, and Mr. Thomas R. McMahon, our Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer, is a shareholder, officer, director and employee of Citadel Management Bermuda Limited. The Company paid Citadel Management Bermuda Limited $353,000 and $327,500 in fees during 2019 and 2018, respectively.
A summary of the status of the stock option plan as of December 31, 2018 is as follows: