(14) Reinsurance The Company reinsures a portion of its exposures principally to reduce its net liability on individual risks and to protect against catastrophic losses. Estimated amounts due from reinsurers are reported net of reserves for uncollectible reinsurance of $946,965, $1,010,000 and $1,049,000 as of December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The Company reinsures a portion of its insurance exposures in order to reduce its net liability on individual risks and catastrophe losses. Reinsurance coverage and retentions vary depending on the line of business, location of the risk and nature of loss. The Company’s reinsurance purchases include the following: property reinsurance treaties that reduce exposure to large individual property losses and catastrophe events; casualty reinsurance treaties that reduce its exposure to large individual casualty losses, workers’ compensation catastrophe losses and casualty losses involving multiple claimants or insureds; and facultative reinsurance that reduces exposure on individual policies or risks for losses that exceed treaty reinsurance capacity. Depending on the operating unit, the Company purchases specific additional reinsurance to supplement the above programs. The following is a summary of reinsurance financial information: (In thousands) 2018 2017 2016 Written premiums: Direct $ 6,973,216 $ 6,726,029 $ 6,647,600 Assumed 729,278 750,934 896,101 Ceded (1,269,267) (1,216,455) (1,119,788) Total net written premiums $ 6,433,227 $ 6,260,508 $ 6,423,913 Earned premiums: Direct $ 6,851,795 $ 6,661,046 $ 6,492,240 Assumed 755,759 812,309 900,570 Ceded (1,236,049) (1,161,936) (1,099,462) Total net earned premiums $ 6,371,505 $ 6,311,419 $ 6,293,348 Ceded losses and loss expenses incurred $ 829,742 $ 601,769 $ 707,336 Ceded commission earned $ 268,037 $ 241,983 $ 201,957 92