Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

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,
	2019			2018			2017
	(in thousands)
Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses incurred:
Direct commissions	$	48,382		$	36,885		$	31,001
Ceding commissions	(12,347		)	(10,448		)	(9,799		)
Other operating expenses	34,182			26,988			22,944
Total	$	70,217		$	53,425		$	44,146

Other operating expenses within underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses included salaries, employee benefits and bonus expense of $27.8 million, $19.7 million and $17.7 million, for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.