Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Revenues
Net premiums earned	$ 586,783	$ 469,473	$ 478,498
Investment income, net of investment expenses	109,494	111,685	106,075
Realized investment gains (losses)
Other-than-temporary impairment charges	(395)	(459)	(18,307)
Other realized gains, net	6,835	8,948	5,128
Total realized investment gains (losses)	6,440	8,489	(13,179)
Other income	2,291	1,425	799
Total Revenue	705,008	591,072	572,193
Benefits, Losses and Expenses
Losses and loss settlement expenses	430,389	309,796	382,494
Increase in liability for future policy benefits	32,567	27,229	23,897
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs	153,176	113,371	114,893
Other underwriting expenses	58,757	39,321	39,298
Disaster charges and other related expenses, net of recoveries	0	(16)	(1,335)
Interest on policyholders' accounts	42,834	42,988	41,652
Total Benefits, Losses and Expenses	717,723	532,689	600,899
Income (loss) before income taxes	(12,715)	58,383	(28,706)
Federal income tax expense (benefit)	(12,726)	10,870	(18,265)
Net income (loss)	$ 11	$ 47,513	$ (10,441)
Weighted average common shares outstanding	25,878,535	26,318,214	26,590,458
Basic earnings (loss) per share	$ 0.00	$ 1.81	$ (0.39)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share	$ 0.00	$ 1.80	$ (0.39)
Cash dividends declared per share	$ 0.60	$ 0.60	$ 0.60