Estimated title losses (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Loss Contingency [Abstract]

Summary of estimated title losses

A summary of estimated title losses is as follows:

	2020		2019		2018
	(in $ thousands, except for loss ratios)
Balances at January 1	459,053		461,560		480,990
Provisions:
Current year	98,823		79,141		70,480
Previous policy years	16,401		5,282		1,034
Total provisions	115,224		84,423		71,514
Payments, net of recoveries:
Current year	(15,455)		(19,052)		(17,460)
Previous policy years	(66,540)		(71,956)		(65,246)
Total payments, net of recoveries	(81,995)		(91,008)		(82,706)
Effects of changes in foreign currency exchange rates	3,993		4,078		(8,238)
Balances at December 31	496,275		459,053		461,560
Loss ratios as a percentage of title operating revenues:
Current year provisions	4.5	%	4.3	%	3.8	%
Total provisions	5.3	%	4.6	%	3.9	%