Deferred policy acquisition costs (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs Disclosures [Abstract]

Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs

The following table presents the amounts of policy acquisition costs deferred and amortized for the years ended:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2018			2017			2016
	(in thousands)
Balance, beginning of year	$	11,775		$	10,150		$	(1,696	)
Policy acquisition costs deferred:
Direct commissions	40,546			32,927			28,027
Ceding commissions	(11,239		)	(9,984		)	(9,213		)
Other underwriting and policy acquisition costs	3,141			2,827			2,999
Policy acquisition costs deferred	32,448			25,770			21,813
Amortization of net policy acquisition costs	(29,422		)	(24,145		)	(9,967		)
Balance, end of year	$	14,801		$	11,775		$	10,150