Reserve for Loss and Loss Expense

The table below provides a roll forward of reserve for loss and loss expense balances:



	Quarter ended March 31,
($ in thousands)	2019			2018
Gross reserve for loss and loss expense, at beginning of year	$	3,893,868		3,771,240
Less: reinsurance recoverable on unpaid loss and loss expense, at beginning of year	537,388			585,855
Net reserve for loss and loss expense, at beginning of year	3,356,480			3,185,385
Incurred loss and loss expense for claims occurring in the:
Current year	397,253			388,801
Prior years	(10,674		)	(3,860	)
Total incurred loss and loss expense	386,579			384,941
Paid loss and loss expense for claims occurring in the:
Current year	73,964			79,345
Prior years	246,168			248,738
Total paid loss and loss expense	320,132			328,083
Net reserve for loss and loss expense, at end of period	3,422,927			3,242,243
Add: Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid loss and loss expense, at end of period	543,582			549,837
Gross reserve for loss and loss expense at end of period	$	3,966,509		3,792,080

Prior year development in First Quarter 2019 of $10.7 million was primarily driven by favorable casualty development of $8.0 million in our workers compensation line of business and $2.0 million in our general liability line of business.

Prior year development in First Quarter 2018 of $3.9 million included $8.0 million of favorable casualty development and $4.1 million of unfavorable property development. The favorable casualty reserve development included $16.0 million in our workers compensation line of business, partially offset by unfavorable development of $8.0 million in our commercial automobile line of business.