Reinsurance Reinsurance

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2014

Insurance [Abstract]

Reinsurance [Text Block]

Reinsurance

The following is a summary of reinsurance financial information:

	For the Three Months
	Ended March 31,
(In thousands)	2014			2013
Written premiums:
Direct	$	1,565,188		$	1,400,412
Assumed	240,079			231,209
Ceded	(279,387		)	(254,655		)
Total net premiums written	$	1,525,880		$	1,376,966
Earned premiums:
Direct	$	1,381,572		$	1,240,562
Assumed	225,762			214,016
Ceded	(243,722		)	(222,459		)
Total net premiums earned	$	1,363,612		$	1,232,119
Ceded losses incurred	$	100,684		$	110,551

The Company reinsures a portion of its insurance exposures in order to reduce its net liability on individual risks and catastrophe losses. The Company also cedes premiums to state assigned risk plans and captive insurance companies. Estimated amounts due from reinsurers are reported net of reserves for uncollectible reinsurance of $1 million as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013.