Reserves (Summary Of Reserve Information Of Major Product Lines) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Reinsurance [Line Items]
Future Policy Benefits and Expenses	$ 9,483,672	$ 8,646,572
Unearned Premiums	6,529,675	6,662,672
Case Reserves	2,527,956	2,425,174
Incurred But Not Reported Reserves	1,170,650	964,197
Long Duration Contracts | Preneed funeral life insurance policies and investment-type annuity contracts
Reinsurance [Line Items]
Future Policy Benefits and Expenses	4,618,505	4,453,154
Unearned Premiums	4,872	185,863
Case Reserves	14,696	14,236
Incurred But Not Reported Reserves	6,456	5,901
Long Duration Contracts | Life insurance no longer offered
Reinsurance [Line Items]
Future Policy Benefits and Expenses	418,672	432,075
Unearned Premiums	570	565
Case Reserves	2,272	2,200
Incurred But Not Reported Reserves	1,301	2,690
Long Duration Contracts | Universal life and other products no longer offered
Reinsurance [Line Items]
Future Policy Benefits and Expenses	168,808	189,319
Unearned Premiums	136	125
Case Reserves	704	735
Incurred But Not Reported Reserves	1,959	3,110
Long Duration Contracts | FFG, LTC and other disposed businesses
Reinsurance [Line Items]
Future Policy Benefits and Expenses	4,153,741	3,440,947
Unearned Premiums	46,585	34,158
Case Reserves	881,514	740,704
Incurred But Not Reported Reserves	97,524	75,195
Long Duration Contracts | Medical
Reinsurance [Line Items]
Future Policy Benefits and Expenses	87,563	94,436
Unearned Premiums	7,254	10,454
Case Reserves	1,959	3,840
Incurred But Not Reported Reserves	7,886	9,799
Long Duration Contracts | All other
Reinsurance [Line Items]
Future Policy Benefits and Expenses	36,383	36,641
Unearned Premiums	382	475
Case Reserves	13,863	14,943
Incurred But Not Reported Reserves	9,803	8,422
Short Duration Contracts | Medical
Reinsurance [Line Items]
Future Policy Benefits and Expenses	0	0
Unearned Premiums	130,185	125,817
Case Reserves	137,370	68,869
Incurred But Not Reported Reserves	240,830	153,313
Short Duration Contracts | All other
Reinsurance [Line Items]
Future Policy Benefits and Expenses	0	0
Unearned Premiums	135,046	132,691
Case Reserves	5,375	3,203
Incurred But Not Reported Reserves	18,776	16,575
Short Duration Contracts | Group term life
Reinsurance [Line Items]
Future Policy Benefits and Expenses	0	0
Unearned Premiums	2,905	4,135
Case Reserves	169,006	169,972
Incurred But Not Reported Reserves	28,786	29,799
Short Duration Contracts | Group disability
Reinsurance [Line Items]
Future Policy Benefits and Expenses	0	0
Unearned Premiums	1,564	2,537
Case Reserves	1,127,068	1,156,693
Incurred But Not Reported Reserves	107,961	115,158
Short Duration Contracts | Dental
Reinsurance [Line Items]
Future Policy Benefits and Expenses	0	0
Unearned Premiums	4,013	5,140
Case Reserves	2,251	2,402
Incurred But Not Reported Reserves	17,037	17,461
Short Duration Contracts | Property and warranty
Reinsurance [Line Items]
Future Policy Benefits and Expenses	0	0
Unearned Premiums	2,386,719	2,514,356
Case Reserves	130,517	201,336
Incurred But Not Reported Reserves	546,979	437,888
Short Duration Contracts | Credit life and disability
Reinsurance [Line Items]
Future Policy Benefits and Expenses	0	0
Unearned Premiums	241,092	314,420
Case Reserves	34,581	39,419
Incurred But Not Reported Reserves	43,298	52,096
Short Duration Contracts | Extended service contracts
Reinsurance [Line Items]
Future Policy Benefits and Expenses	0	0
Unearned Premiums	3,568,352	3,331,936
Case Reserves	6,780	6,622
Incurred But Not Reported Reserves	$ 42,054	$ 36,790