Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
Net income (loss)	$ 11	$ 47,513	$ (10,441)
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities
Net accretion of bond premium	11,638	4,727	2,951
Depreciation and amortization	5,583	2,872	3,533
Stock-based compensation expense	1,829	1,787	2,084
Realized investment (gains) losses	(6,440)	(8,489)	13,179
Net cash flows from trading investments	(1,993)	(585)	(2,492)
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)	(6,288)	977	(10,858)
Changes in:
Accrued investment income	499	(280)	(848)
Premiums receivable	(12,067)	2,997	6,839
Deferred policy acquisition costs	11,709	2,340	2,804
Reinsurance receivables	(23,649)	(5,795)	19,339
Prepaid reinsurance premiums	1,684	87	(114)
Income taxes receivable/payable	(6,310)	10,425	(1,223)
Other assets	9,970	2,228	1,851
Funds on deposit for Hurricane Katrina litigation	0	0	29,026
Future policy benefits and losses, claims and loss settlement expenses	67,302	30,134	45,474
Unearned premiums	16,401	(5,669)	(10,956)
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	3,504	(12,382)	10,054
Deferred income taxes	(82)	(1,177)	(275)
Other, net	1,130	(494)	482
Total adjustments	74,420	23,703	110,850
Net cash provided by operating activities	74,431	71,216	100,409
Cash Flows From Investing Activities
Proceeds from sale of available-for-sale investments	39,496	3,402	13,432
Proceeds from call and maturity of held-to-maturity investments	2,243	3,278	5,600
Proceeds from call and maturity of available-for-sale investments	563,515	471,499	348,581
Proceeds from short-term and other investments	4,741	4,353	31,937
Purchase of available-for-sale investments	(595,162)	(567,499)	(502,392)
Purchase of short-term and other investments	(3,357)	(7,653)	(16,672)
Net purchases and sales of property and equipment	(14,048)	(2,091)	(10,575)
Acquisition of property and casualty company, net of cash acquired	(172,620)	0	0
Net cash used in investing activities	(175,192)	(94,711)	(130,089)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
Deposits to investment and universal life contracts	170,678	141,614	264,994
Withdrawals from investment and universal life contracts	(119,716)	(106,972)	(136,597)
Borrowings of short-term debt	124,900	0	0
Repayment of short-term debt	(82,900)	0	0
Payment of cash dividends	(15,507)	(15,774)	(15,951)
Repurchase of common stock	(12,433)	(6,280)	(1,545)
Issuance of common stock	208	98	26
Tax impact from issuance of common stock	1	14	23
Net cash provided by financing activities	65,231	12,700	110,950
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	(35,530)	(10,795)	81,270
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	180,057	190,852	109,582
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 144,527	$ 180,057	$ 190,852