Reinsurance

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Reinsurance Disclosures [Abstract]

Reinsurance

Reinsurance

The following is a summary of reinsurance financial information:

	For the Three Months Ended
	March 31,
(Dollars in thousands)	2012			2011
Written premiums:
Direct	$	1,201,019		$	1,076,847
Assumed	200,507			193,011
Ceded	(198,000		)	(186,555		)
Total net premiums written	$	1,203,526		$	1,083,303
Earned premiums:
Direct	$	1,103,956		$	972,525
Assumed	179,518			161,870
Ceded	(183,823		)	(151,898		)
Total net premiums earned	$	1,099,651		$	982,497
Ceded losses incurred	$	85,277		$	114,825

The Company reinsures a portion of its exposures principally to reduce its net liability on individual risks and to protect against catastrophic losses. Estimated amounts due from reinsurers are reported net of reserves for uncollectible reinsurance of $3 million as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011.