Reinsurance (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Insurance [Abstract]

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: 

($ in thousands)	Gross Amount		Ceded to Other Companies		Assumed from Other Companies		Net Amount
Three months ended September 30, 2017
Premiums written and contract deposits	$	322,428	$	5,189	$	1,116	$	318,355
Premiums and contract charges earned	202,988		5,216		1,163		198,935
Benefits, claims and settlement expenses	135,508		1,831		1,218		134,895
Three months ended September 30, 2016
Premiums written and contract deposits	$	356,155	$	5,555	$	934	$	351,534
Premiums and contract charges earned	195,654		5,584		980		191,050
Benefits, claims and settlement expenses	139,114		4,642		1,238		135,710
Nine months ended September 30, 2017
Premiums written and contract deposits	$	940,063	$	16,342	$	2,980	$	926,701
Premiums and contract charges earned	603,794		16,415		2,996		590,375
Benefits, claims and settlement expenses	450,997		8,899		2,772		444,870
Nine months ended September 30, 2016
Premiums written and contract deposits	$	960,945	$	17,244	$	2,881	$	946,582
Premiums and contract charges earned	579,283		17,305		2,882		564,860
Benefits, claims and settlement expenses	422,352		21,748		3,027		403,631