During the year ended December 31, 2019, we recorded a $15.6 million impairment charge on the goodwill related to the acquisition of Ariscom. Management’s fourth quarter of 2019 analysis of the European reporting unit, which includes Ariscom, reflected an implied fair value which was below the reporting unit’s carrying value. Additionally, the European reporting unit failed to meet its operating plan during 2019. As such, the goodwill impairment charge was recorded during the fourth quarter of 2019, and is included in the results of our International Operations reporting segment.
Property includes both property insurance and reinsurance products. Insurance products cover commercial properties primarily in North America with some international covers. Reinsurance covers underlying exposures located throughout the world, including the United States. These offerings include coverages for man-made and natural disasters.
Professional includes various professional lines products including errors & omissions, management liability (including directors and officers) and cyber liability coverages.
The increase in gross written and earned premiums for the year ended December 31, 2018 as compared to the same period in 2017 was driven by the continued investment in the teams that underwrite and support this line of business, as well as the introduction of new products.
The current accident year non-catastrophe loss ratio for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 were 59.0%, 58.3% and 58.4%, respectively. The deterioration in 2019 was driven by an increased level of property losses and, to a lesser extent, loss experience in certain liability lines. The current accident year non-catastrophe loss ratios were comparable for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017.
The decrease in gross written and earned premiums for the year ended December 31, 2018 as compared to the same period in 2017 was due to the aforementioned change in capital structure of Ariel Re and the resulting reduced participation in Syndicate 1910 from the use of certain third-party capital. Partially offsetting the decline in Ariel Re was gross written and earned premiums growth in Syndicate 1200 and our European operations. Syndicate 1200 growth was driven by marine and energy business, increases in political risks and prior year of account binder premium adjustments in cargo lines. European growth was driven by new business in the surety book, as well as the addition of ArgoGlobal SpA.
In December 2019, Argo Group U.S. received an ordinary dividend in the amount of $50.0 million in cash from Argonaut Insurance Company and $30.0 million in cash from Rockwood.
Recorded gross reserves for general liability were $2,506.4 million, with approximately 3% of that amount related to run-off asbestos and environmental exposures as of December 31, 2019. For general liability losses relating to ongoing operations, reported loss development patterns are a key assumption for this line of business. Historically, assumptions on reported loss development patterns have been impacted by, among other things, emergence of new types of claims (e.g., construction defect claims) or a shift in the mixture between smaller, more routine claims and larger, more complex claims. We have reviewed the historical variation in reported loss development patterns for general liability losses deriving from continuing operations. If the reported loss development patterns change by 15%, a change that we have experienced in the past and that management considers possible, the estimated net reserve could change by $140.0 million, in either direction.