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 2018 Annual Report.



	Quarter ended March 31,
($ in thousands)	2019			2018
Premiums written:
Direct	$	766,394		714,234
Assumed	6,555			6,271
Ceded	(100,002		)	(95,945	)
Net	$	672,947		624,560
Premiums earned:
Direct	$	728,037		683,733
Assumed	6,562			6,124
Ceded	(102,026		)	(98,029	)
Net	$	632,573		591,828
Loss and loss expenses incurred:
Direct	$	424,657		420,916
Assumed	5,265			8,004
Ceded	(43,343		)	(43,979	)
Net	$	386,579		384,941

Ceded premiums and losses related to our participation in the National Flood Insurance Program ("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 March 31,
($ in thousands)	2019			2018
Ceded premiums written	$	(60,013	)	(56,669	)
Ceded premiums earned	(62,263		)	(58,991	)
Ceded loss and loss expenses incurred	(13,686		)	(15,719	)