Reinsurance

The following table contains a listing of direct, assumed, and ceded reinsurance amounts for premiums written, premiums earned, and loss and loss expenses incurred for the periods indicated. For more information concerning reinsurance, refer to

Note 8. “Reinsurance” in Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.” of our 2017 Annual Report.



	Quarter ended June 30,					Six Months ended June 30,
($ in thousands)	2018			2017		2018			2017
Premiums written:
Direct	$	753,363		706,408		$	1,467,597		1,390,228
Assumed	6,536			6,488		12,807			12,179
Ceded	(104,651		)	(99,082	)	(200,596		)	(189,889	)
Net	$	655,248		613,814		$	1,279,808		1,212,518
Premiums earned:
Direct	$	696,723		654,588		$	1,380,456		1,301,316
Assumed	6,612			6,063		12,736			11,842
Ceded	(98,499		)	(92,621	)	(196,528		)	(184,274	)
Net	$	604,836		568,030		$	1,196,664		1,128,884
Loss and loss expenses incurred:
Direct	$	391,014		389,550		$	811,930		731,672
Assumed	2,364			7,766		10,368			12,203
Ceded	(27,050		)	(55,757	)	(71,029		)	(84,844	)
Net	$	366,328		341,559		$	751,269		659,031

Ceded premiums and losses related to our participation in the NFIP, under which 100% of our flood premiums, losses, and loss expenses are ceded to the NFIP, are as follows:



Ceded to NFIP	Quarter ended June 30,					Six Months ended June 30,
($ in thousands)	2018			2017		2018			2017
Ceded premiums written	$	(66,341	)	(63,808	)	$	(123,010	)	(120,142	)
Ceded premiums earned	(60,143		)	(57,655	)	(119,134		)	(114,932	)
Ceded loss and loss expenses incurred	(10,261		)	(15,140	)	(25,980		)	(21,681	)