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
Premiums earned	$ 251,015	$ 218,881	$ 250,896
Net investment income	26,340	26,242	28,014
Net realized gains on investments	2,228	2,449	2,033
Fee and other income	1,080	584	1,268
Total revenues	280,663	248,156	282,211
Expenses
Loss and loss adjustment expenses incurred	189,706	157,388	163,316
Underwriting and certain other operating costs	22,490	6,277	12,351
Commissions	18,507	16,350	18,418
Salaries and benefits	19,914	21,405	21,447
Interest expense	1,311	1,548	1,810
Policyholder dividends	1,464	834	770
Total expenses	253,392	203,802	218,112
Income before income taxes	27,271	44,354	64,099
Income tax expense	3,146	9,748	16,536
Net income	24,125	34,606	47,563
Redemption premium			(875)
Net income available to common shareholders	$ 24,125	$ 34,606	$ 46,688
Earnings per share
Basic	$ 1.32	$ 1.86	$ 2.33
Diluted	$ 1.29	$ 1.81	$ 2.28
Shares used in computing earnings per share
Basic	18,250,173	18,637,167	18,860,197
Diluted	18,700,982	19,095,320	19,268,295