Other operating expenses for 2019 increased $1.3 million (0.9%), to $138.5 million compared to 2018. The increase was driven primarily by higher commission expenses as a result of premium written mix and higher salary and benefit expenses during 2019, partially offset by a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $3.2 million recorded in 2018, which did not recur in 2019. The expense ratio was 28.9% during 2019, compared to 28.7% for 2018. 

Federal income tax expense was $1.3 million for 2019 compared to a federal income tax benefit of $9.8 million in 2018. The effective tax rate for 2019 was 15.3% compared to 22.3% in 2018. The effective federal income tax rate in 2019 differed from the normal statutory rate primarily as a result of tax-exempt investment income and the dividends received deduction. 

As a result of the factors discussed above, net income for 2019 was $7.3 million compared to net loss of $34.1 million in 2018, a change of $41.4 million. 

## Critical Accounting Policies 

The Company's significant accounting policies that are material and/or subject to significant degrees of judgment are highlighted below. 

## Investment Valuation 

All marketable securities are included in the Company's balance sheets at current fair market value. 

Approximately 62% of the Company's assets are composed of investments at December 31, 2020. Approximately 93% of these investments are publicly-traded, owned directly and have readily-ascertainable market values. The remaining 7% of investments are composed primarily of mortgage loans and minority interests in several limited partnerships. These mortgage loans are originated and serviced by a third party of which the Company shares, on a pro-rata basis, in all related cash flows of the underlying mortgage loans. These limited partnerships are engaged in long-short equities, private equity, country-focused funds and real estate development as an alternative to direct equity investments. These partnerships do not have readily-determinable market values themselves. Rather, the values recorded are those provided to the Company by the respective partnerships based on the underlying assets of the limited partnerships. While a substantial portion of the underlying assets are publicly-traded securities, those which are not publicly-traded have been valued by the respective limited partnerships using their experience and judgment. 

Under Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") guidance, if a fixed income security is in an unrealized loss position and the Company has the intent to sell the security, or it is more likely than not that the Company will have to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, the decline in value is recorded within impairment losses on investments in the consolidated statements of operations. The new cost basis of the investment is the previously amortized cost basis less the impairment recognized. The new cost basis is not adjusted for any subsequent recoveries in fair value. For a fixed income security that the Company does not intend to sell or in cases where it is more likely than not that the Company will not have to sell the security, the Company separates the credit loss component of the impairment from the amount related to all other factors and reports the credit loss component within net realized gains (losses) on investments, excluding impairment losses in the consolidated statements of operations. The impairment related to all other factors (non-credit factors) is reported in other comprehensive income (loss). The allowance is adjusted for any additional credit losses and subsequent recoveries. Upon recognizing a credit loss, the cost basis is not adjusted. 

 The Company considers the extent to which fair value is below amortized cost in determining whether a credit-related loss exists. The Company also considers the credit quality rating of the security, focusing on those below investment grade, with emphasis on securities downgraded below investment grade. The credit loss is determined by comparing the net present value of projected future cash flows with the amortized cost basis of the fixed income security. The net present value is calculated by discounting the Company's best estimate of projected future cash flows at the appropriate effective interest rate. Additionally, the Company may conclude that a qualitative analysis is sufficient to support its conclusion that the present value of the expected cash flows equals or exceeds a security’s amortized cost. 

Equity securities are recorded at fair value, with unrealized net gains or losses reflected as a component of net unrealized gains (losses) on equity securities and limited partnership investments within the consolidated statements of operations. Realized gains and losses on disposals of equity securities are recorded on the trade date and included in net realized gains (losses) on investments, excluding impairment losses. 

The Company reports investment income due and accrued separately from available-for-sale fixed income securities and has elected not to measure an allowance for credit losses for investment income due and accrued. Investment income due and accrued is written off through net realized gains (losses) on investments, excluding impairment losses at the time the issuer defaults or is expected to default on payments. 

