Reinsurance and Catastrophes (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Reinsurance and Catastrophes and Statutory Surplus and Subsidiary Dividend Restrictions [Abstract]

Summary of reinsurance recoverable on unpaid insurance reserves

The total amounts of reinsurance recoverable on unpaid insurance reserves classified as assets and reported in Other Assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets were as follows:

	December 31,
		2014		2013
Reinsurance recoverables on reserves and unpaid claims
Property and casualty
Reinsurance companies	$	7,772	$	10,152
State insurance facilities		35,968		3,955
Life and health		9,592		10,395
Total	$	53,332	$	24,502

Effects of reinsurance on premiums and benefits

The effects of reinsurance on premiums written and contract deposits; premiums and contract charges earned; and benefits, claims and settlement expenses were as follows:

			Ceded to	Assumed
	Gross		Other	from Other	Net
	Amount		Companies	Companies	Amount
Year ended December 31, 2014
Premiums written and contract deposits	$	1,191,123	$27,144	$3,676	$	1,167,655
Premiums and contract charges earned		739,281	27,276	3,755		715,760
Benefits, claims and settlement expenses		504,550	39,236	3,112		468,426
Year ended December 31, 2013
Premiums written and contract deposits		1,120,852	30,115	3,456		1,094,193
Premiums and contract charges earned		717,494	29,990	3,434		690,938
Benefits, claims and settlement expenses		455,298	10,018	3,037		448,317
Year ended December 31, 2012
Premiums written and contract deposits		1,093,937	29,691	3,481		1,067,727
Premiums and contract charges earned		696,721	29,634	3,440		670,527
Benefits, claims and settlement expenses		457,332	12,177	3,095		448,250