Reinsurance and Catastrophes (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

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,
	2020		2019
Reinsurance recoverables on reserves and unpaid claims
Property and Casualty
Reinsurance companies	$	13,164	$	19,640
State insurance facilities	99,718		100,866
Life and health	9,568		8,707
Total	$	122,450	$	129,213

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 (1)		Assumed from Other Companies		Net Amount
Year Ended December 31, 2020
Premiums written and contract deposits (2)	$	1,369,897	$	20,388	$	9,830	$	1,359,339
Premiums and contract charges earned	949,525		28,757		9,929		930,697
Benefits, claims and settlement expenses	475,746		(86,184)		6,961		568,891

Year Ended December 31, 2019
Premiums written and contract deposits (2)	1,337,847		23,872		10,567		1,324,542
Premiums and contract charges earned	917,610		30,412		10,756		897,954
Benefits, claims and settlement expenses	633,874		56,325		7,519		585,068

Year Ended December 31, 2018
Premiums written and contract deposits (2)	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

(1) Excludes the annuity reinsurance agreement accounted for using the deposit method that is discussed in Note 5.

(2) 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.