Reinsurance Reinsurance

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2015

Insurance [Abstract]

Reinsurance [Text Block]

Reinsurance

The following is a summary of reinsurance financial information:

	For the Three Months
	Ended March 31,
(In thousands)	2015			2014
Written premiums:
Direct	$	1,647,341		$	1,565,188
Assumed	204,464			240,079
Ceded	(276,403		)	(279,387		)
Total net premiums written	$	1,575,402		$	1,525,880
Earned premiums:
Direct	$	1,524,736		$	1,381,572
Assumed	203,342			225,762
Ceded	(256,065		)	(243,722		)
Total net premiums earned	$	1,472,013		$	1,363,612
Ceded losses incurred	$	118,391		$	100,684
Ceded commissions earned	$	43,651		$	37,170

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, 2015 and December 31, 2014.