Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Investments
Held-to-maturity, at amortized cost (fair value $4,161 in 2011 and $6,422 in 2010)	$ 4,143	$ 6,364
Available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost $2,562,786 in 2011 and $2,178,666 in 2010)	2,697,248	2,278,429
Equity securities, at fair value (cost $68,559 in 2011 and $54,139 in 2010)	159,451	149,706
Trading securities, at fair value (amortized cost $13,429 in 2011 and $12,322 in 2010)	13,454	12,886
Mortgage loans	4,829	6,497
Policy loans	7,209	7,875
Other long-term investments	20,574	20,041
Short-term investments	1,100	1,100
Total Investments	2,908,008	2,482,898
Cash and cash equivalents	144,527	180,057
Accrued investment income	32,219	28,977
Premiums receivable (net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $825 in 2011 and $1,001 in 2010)	172,348	124,459
Deferred policy acquisition costs	106,654	87,524
Property and equipment (primarily land and buildings, at cost, less accumulated depreciation of $35,248 in 2011 and $33,397 in 2010)	45,644	21,554
Reinsurance receivables and recoverables	128,574	46,731
Prepaid reinsurance premiums	6,191	1,586
Income taxes receivable	26,742	17,772
Goodwill and intangible assets	30,801	430
Other assets	17,216	15,451
TOTAL ASSETS	3,618,924	3,007,439
Liabilities
Future policy benefits and losses, claims and loss settlement expenses - Property and casualty insurance	945,051	603,090
Life insurance	1,476,281	1,389,331
Unearned premiums	288,991	200,341
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	138,210	78,439
Deferred income taxes	13,624	19,814
Debt	45,000	0
Trust preferred securities	15,626	0
TOTAL LIABILITIES	2,922,783	2,291,015
Stockholders' Equity
Common stock, $0.001 par value; authorized 75,000,000 shares; 25,505,350 and 26,195,552 shares issued and outstanding in 2011 and 2010, respectively	25	26
Additional paid-in-capital	213,045	223,439
Retained earnings	400,485	415,981
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	82,586	76,978
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	696,141	716,424
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	$ 3,618,924	$ 3,007,439