Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Underwriting, Acquisition and Insurance Expenses [Abstract]

Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses

Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses

Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses consist of the following:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2017			2016			2015
	(in thousands)
Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses incurred:
Direct commissions	$	31,001		$	26,715		$	25,241
Ceding commissions	(9,799		)	(20,568		)	(42,081		)
Other operating expenses	22,944			22,404			19,649
Total	$	44,146		$	28,551		$	2,809

Other operating expenses within underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses included salaries, employee benefits and bonus expense of $17.7 million, $18.7 million and $15.5 million, for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.