Reinsurance

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2019

The Company recognizes the cost of reinsurance premiums over the contract periods for such premiums in proportion to the insurance protection provided. Amounts recoverable from reinsurers for unpaid claims and claim settlement expenses, including estimated amounts for unsettled claims, claims incurred but not yet reported and policy benefits, are estimated in a manner consistent with the insurance liability associated with the policy. The effects of reinsurance on premiums written and contract deposits; premiums and contract charges earned; and benefits, claims and settlement expenses were as follows:



($ in thousands)	Gross Amount		Ceded to Other Companies ⁽¹⁾		Assumed from Other Companies		Net Amount
Three months ended June 30, 2019
Premiums written and contract deposits⁽²⁾	$	314,897	$	6,028	$	2,822	$	311,691
Premiums and contract charges earned	213,415		8,155		2,836		208,096
Benefits, claims and settlement expenses	153,436		2,797		2,053		152,692

Three months ended June 30, 2018
Premiums written and contract deposits⁽²⁾	$	305,864	$	5,483	$	1,341	$	301,722
Premiums and contract charges earned	209,892		5,505		1,223		205,610
Benefits, claims and settlement expenses	170,459		3,330		1,149		168,278

Six months ended June 30, 2019
Premiums written and contract deposits ⁽²⁾	$	613,990	$	11,876	$	4,971	$	607,085
Premiums and contract charges earned	426,671		13,977		5,187		417,881
Benefits, claims and settlement expenses	295,488		7,089		3,677		292,076

Six months ended June 30, 2018
Premiums written and contract deposits⁽²⁾	$	594,680	$	10,997	$	2,047	$	585,730
Premiums and contract charges earned	417,629		11,033		2,012		408,608
Benefits, claims and settlement expenses	322,427		12,344		1,757		311,840

________________


⁽¹⁾	Excludes the annuity reinsurance agreement accounted for under the deposit method that is discussed in Note 6.

⁽²⁾

This measure is not based on accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (non-GAAP). An explanation of this non-GAAP measure is contained in the Glossary of Selected Terms included as an exhibit in the Company's reports filed with the SEC.