Reinsurance and Catastrophes (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

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:



($ in thousands)	December 31,
	2018		2017
Reinsurance recoverables on reserves and unpaid claims
Property and Casualty
Reinsurance companies	$	33,754	$	6,696
State insurance facilities	55,971		50,713
Life and health	9,785		11,037
Total	$	99,510	$	68,446

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
Year Ended December 31, 2018
Premiums written and contract deposits ⁽¹⁾	$	1,255,557	$	28,773	$	8,259	$	1,235,043
Premiums and contract charges earned	841,147		28,837		5,023		817,333
Benefits, claims and settlement expenses	769,664		136,601		4,497		637,560

Year Ended December 31, 2017
Premiums written and contract deposits ⁽¹⁾	1,244,500		21,989		4,606		1,227,117
Premiums and contract charges earned	812,099		22,036		4,640		794,703
Benefits, claims and settlement expenses	588,621		10,472		4,157		582,306

Year Ended December 31, 2016
Premiums written and contract deposits ⁽¹⁾	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

____________________

⁽¹⁾

This measure is not based on accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (non-GAAP). An explanation of this non-GAAP measure is contained in the Glossary of Selected Terms included as an exhibit in the Company's reports filed with the SEC.