Premiums for the years ended December 31 were as follows:


(in millions)	2012			2011			2010
Direct written premiums	$	1,428.6		$	1,261.3		$	1,283.2
Reinsurance ceded to other companies		(501.2	)		(473.0	)		(431.4	)
Reinsurance assumed from other companies		317.1			283.5			243.9

Net written premiums	$	1,244.5		$	1,071.8		$	1,095.7

Direct earned premiums	$	1,372.2		$	1,267.6		$	1,424.9
Reinsurance ceded to other companies		(487.0	)		(457.5	)		(465.0	)
Reinsurance assumed from other companies		301.3			271.9			251.7

Net earned premiums	$	1,186.5		$	1,082.0		$	1,211.6

Percentage of reinsurance assumed to net earned premiums		25.4	%		25.1	%		20.8	%