3. Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs:
Policy acquisition costs deferred	$ 23,957	$ 30,841	$ 52,877	$ 66,988
Costs amortized to expenses:
Recurring costs	(31,775)	(24,257)	(56,627)	(56,383)
Realized investment gains (losses)	4,751	32	868	(125)
Offsets to net unrealized investment gains or losses included in AOCI	(18,445)	(11,436)	(27,183)	(16,113)
Other	955	2,569	2,734	6,428
Change in deferred policy acquisition costs	(20,557)	(2,251)	(27,331)	795
Deferred policy acquisition costs, beginning of period	517,278	521,910	524,052	518,864
Deferred policy acquisition costs, end of period	$ 496,721	$ 519,659	$ 496,721	$ 519,659