Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

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,
	2018			2017			2016
	(in thousands)
Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses incurred:
Direct commissions	$	36,885		$	31,001		$	26,715
Ceding commissions	(10,448		)	(9,799		)	(20,568		)
Other operating expenses	26,988			22,944			22,404
Total	$	53,425		$	44,146		$	28,551

Other operating expenses within underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses included salaries, employee benefits and bonus expense of $19.7 million, $17.7 million and $18.7 million, for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.