Schedule III. Supplementary Insurance Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Supplementary Insurance Information, by Segment [Line Items]
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs	$ 139,719		$ 150,092		$ 105,300
Future Policy Benefits, Losses, Claims and Loss Expenses	2,417,201		2,432,783		2,470,087
Unearned Premiums	378,725		340,464		311,650
Earned Premium Revenue	828,330		754,846		694,994
Investment Income, Net	104,609		112,799		111,905
Benefits, Claims, Losses and Settlement Expenses	572,866		496,439		502,801
Amortization of Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs	167,449		153,677		141,834	[1]
Other Underwriting Expenses	94,871		89,861		81,125
Interest on Policyholders' Accounts	30,245		35,163		41,409
Premiums Written	804,715	[2]	722,821		655,331
Amortization of the value of business acquired asset	0		0		1,673
Mercer Insurance Group [Member]
Supplementary Insurance Information, by Segment [Line Items]
Amortization of the value of business acquired asset					1,673
Property and Casualty Insurance [Member]
Supplementary Insurance Information, by Segment [Line Items]
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs	72,861		67,663		64,947
Future Policy Benefits, Losses, Claims and Loss Expenses	969,437		960,651		971,911
Unearned Premiums	378,635		340,387		311,561
Earned Premium Revenue	766,939		694,192		629,411
Investment Income, Net	44,236		46,332		41,879
Benefits, Claims, Losses and Settlement Expenses	509,811		437,354		439,137
Amortization of Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs	161,310		147,175		134,444	[1]
Other Underwriting Expenses	79,117		73,626		63,620
Interest on Policyholders' Accounts	0		0		0
Premiums Written	804,715		722,821		655,331
Amortization of the value of business acquired asset	0		0		1,673
Life Insurance [Member]
Supplementary Insurance Information, by Segment [Line Items]
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs	66,858		82,429		40,353
Future Policy Benefits, Losses, Claims and Loss Expenses	1,447,764	[3]	1,472,132	[3]	1,498,176	[3]
Unearned Premiums	90		77		89
Earned Premium Revenue	61,391		60,654		65,583
Investment Income, Net	60,373		66,467		70,026
Benefits, Claims, Losses and Settlement Expenses	63,055		59,085		63,664
Amortization of Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs	6,139		6,502		7,390	[1]
Other Underwriting Expenses	15,754		16,235		17,505
Interest on Policyholders' Accounts	30,245		35,163		41,409
Premiums Written	$ 0	[2]	$ 0	[2]	$ 0	[2]

[1] 2012 includes amortization of the value of business acquired asset that was recorded as a result of our acquisition of Mercer Insurance Group, Inc. totaling $1,673.

[2] Pursuant to Regulation S-X, premiums written does not apply to life insurance companies.

[3] Annuity deposits are included in future policy benefits, losses, claims and loss expenses.