Investments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Gross unrealized gains and losses and fair value of investments classified as held-to-maturity
Fixed maturity securities-held-to-maturity	$ 620,682	$ 646,048
Gross Unrealized Gains	43,052	40,573
Gross Unrealized Losses	(817)	(1,379)
Fair Value	662,917	685,242
States and political subdivision [Member]
Gross unrealized gains and losses and fair value of investments classified as held-to-maturity
Fixed maturity securities-held-to-maturity	419,483	441,273
Gross Unrealized Gains	30,344	29,026
Gross Unrealized Losses	(128)	(360)
Fair Value	449,699	469,939
Corporate bonds [Member]
Gross unrealized gains and losses and fair value of investments classified as held-to-maturity
Fixed maturity securities-held-to-maturity	94,831	92,682
Gross Unrealized Gains	1,706	1,539
Gross Unrealized Losses	(28)	(130)
Fair Value	96,509	94,091
Commercial mortgage-backed securities [Member]
Gross unrealized gains and losses and fair value of investments classified as held-to-maturity
Fixed maturity securities-held-to-maturity	51,540	51,550
Gross Unrealized Gains	5,584	4,195
Fair Value	57,124	55,745
U.S. agency-based mortgage-backed securities [Member]
Gross unrealized gains and losses and fair value of investments classified as held-to-maturity
Fixed maturity securities-held-to-maturity	39,013	46,096
Gross Unrealized Gains	3,741	4,162
Gross Unrealized Losses	(10)	(44)
Fair Value	42,744	50,214
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. Government agencies [Member]
Gross unrealized gains and losses and fair value of investments classified as held-to-maturity
Fixed maturity securities-held-to-maturity	11,042	9,141
Gross Unrealized Gains	1,649	1,634
Gross Unrealized Losses	(4)
Fair Value	12,687	10,775
Asset-backed securities [Member]
Gross unrealized gains and losses and fair value of investments classified as held-to-maturity
Fixed maturity securities-held-to-maturity	4,773	5,306
Gross Unrealized Gains	28	17
Gross Unrealized Losses	(647)	(845)
Fair Value	$ 4,154	$ 4,478

For an unclassified balance sheet, this item represents investments in debt securities which are categorized as held-to-maturity. The held-to-maturity category is for those securities that the entity has the positive intent and ability to hold until maturity.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)

-Number 43

-Section A

-Paragraph 5

-Chapter 3

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 115

-Paragraph 17

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 115

-Paragraph 10

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 320

-SubTopic 10

-Section 25

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7534914&loc=d3e22054-111558

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 115

-Paragraph 9

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 115

-Paragraph 19

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 115

-Paragraph 8

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 115

-Paragraph 11

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)

-Number 43

-Section A

-Paragraph 4

-Chapter 3

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 115

-Paragraph 7

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 12: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.6)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

+ Details

- Definition

This item represents the aggregate fair value of investments in debt securities as of the balance sheet date and which are categorized as held-to-maturity.

+ References+ Details

- Definition

As of the balance sheet date, the excess of fair value over carrying value (amortized cost) of a debt security categorized as held-to-maturity, exclusive of dividend or interest income recognized but not yet received and exclusive of any write-downs for other-than-temporary impairment. Such item represents the gross unrecognized holding gain.

+ References+ Details

- Definition

As of the balance sheet date, the excess of carrying value (amortized cost) over fair value of a debt security categorized as held-to-maturity, exclusive of dividend or interest income recognized but not yet received and exclusive of any write-downs for other-than-temporary impairment. Such item represents the gross unrecognized holding loss.

+ References+ Details