Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Operating activities
Net income	$ 24,125	$ 34,606	$ 47,563
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation	1,015	1,028	1,164
Net amortization/accretion of investments	6,660	4,989	4,013
Deferred income taxes	(1,555)	(2,123)	5,842
Net realized gains on investments	(2,228)	(2,449)	(2,033)
Loss/(gain) on sale of asset	32	(16)	24
Share-based compensation	471	2,325	1,364
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Premiums receivable	1,395	28,952	4,997
Accrued interest receivable	(1,816)	(539)	82
Deferred policy acquisition costs and deferred charges	(1,539)	821	2,512
Other assets	(2,008)	(9,268)	(7,979)
Reserve for loss and loss adjustment expenses	6,010	(2,451)	3,362
Unearned premiums	7,205	(11,006)	(14,600)
Reinsurance balances	140	(13,248)	(14,116)
Amounts held for others and policyholder deposits	5,355	6,082	4,954
Accounts payable and other liabilities	447	7,141	(9,851)
Net cash provided by operating activities	43,709	44,844	27,298
Investing activities
Purchases of investments held-to-maturity	(86,669)	(68,095)	(105,928)
Purchases of investments available-for-sale	(120,637)	(36,936)
Purchases of short-term investments	(87,460)	(89,427)	(80,478)
Proceeds from sale of investments held-to-maturity			1,240
Proceeds from maturities of investments held-to-maturity	97,863	66,021	114,099
Proceeds from sales and maturities of investments available-for-sale	36,329	30,157	12,229
Proceeds from sales and maturities of short-term investments	118,759	64,813	26,035
Purchases of property and equipment	(1,128)	(3,206)	(1,017)
Proceeds from sales of property and equipment		16	3
Net cash used in investing activities	(42,943)	(36,657)	(33,817)
Financing activities
Proceeds from stock option exercise	3,339	1,455	295
Tax benefit from share-based payments	1,043	238	46
Purchase of treasury stock common	(10,268)	(12,102)
Redemption of Subordinate Debt Security	(10,310)
Net cash used in financing activities	(16,196)	(10,409)	(25,534)
Change in cash and cash equivalents	(15,430)	(2,222)	(32,053)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	60,966	63,188	95,241
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	45,536	60,966	63,188
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information
Interest paid	1,412	1,547	1,931
Income taxes paid	1,000	6,256	18,817
Series C Preferred Stock [Member]
Financing activities
Redemption of preferred stock			(5,175)
Series D Preferred Stock [Member]
Financing activities
Redemption of preferred stock			$ (20,700)