Reinsurance and Catastrophes (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

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,
	2016		2015
Reinsurance recoverables on reserves and unpaid claims
Property and Casualty
Reinsurance companies	$	10,239	$	9,026
State insurance facilities		50,960		41,306
Life and health		9,275		9,780
Total	$	70,474	$	60,112

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, 2016
Premiums written and contract deposits	$	1,280,903	$	22,728	$	4,324	$	1,262,499
Premiums and contract charges earned		777,651		22,826		4,321		759,146
Benefits, claims and settlement expenses		562,385		25,739		4,358		541,004

Year ended December 31, 2015
Premiums written and contract deposits		1,277,066		24,737		4,184		1,256,513
Premiums and contract charges earned		752,798		25,077		4,159		731,880
Benefits, claims and settlement expenses		508,904		16,221		3,681		496,364

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