Schedule V - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Opening Balance	$ 24,423	$ 30,219	$ 40,640
Additions - Charged to Expense	7,979	3,627	(4,103)
Deductions - Amounts Written Off	(5,991)	(9,423)	(6,318)
Ending Balance	26,411	24,423	30,219
Premiums and fees receivable
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Opening Balance	20,951	22,919	17,666
Additions - Charged to Expense	5,944	3,133	9,598
Deductions - Amounts Written Off	(5,449)	(5,101)	(4,345)
Ending Balance	21,446	20,951	22,919
Due from reinsurers
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Opening Balance	1,385	1,680	3,169
Additions - Charged to Expense	301	186	22
Deductions - Amounts Written Off	(542)	(481)	(1,511)
Ending Balance	1,144	1,385	1,680
Deferred federal and foreign income taxes
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Opening Balance	0
Additions - Charged to Expense	1,335
Deductions - Amounts Written Off	0
Ending Balance	1,335
Loan loss reserves
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Opening Balance	2,087	5,620	19,805
Additions - Charged to Expense	399	308	(13,723)
Deductions - Amounts Written Off	0	(3,841)	(462)
Ending Balance	$ 2,486	$ 2,087	$ 5,620

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Total of allowances and reserves, the valuation and qualifying accounts that are either netted against the cost of an asset (in order to value it at its carrying value) or that reflect a liability established to represent expected future costs.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 235

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 4

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e24092-122690

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 09

-Article 12

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