• Acquisition costs are the direct costs an insurer incurs to “purchase” a premium, such as commissions paid to a broker or front company. These costs should be expensed in the same proportion as the premiums to which they relate are earned. For a calendar year policy, acquisition costs are expensed on a straight-line basis each month and the amount to be expensed in future periods is recognized as a deferred acquisition cost (asset) on the balance sheet.