Consolidated Statements Of Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Revenues:
Direct premiums and escrow fees	$ 2,041,740	$ 1,634,177	$ 1,663,498
Agent premiums	1,709,905	1,491,943	1,517,704
Information and other	645,023	621,483	628,962
Investment income	88,181	82,153	94,262
Net realized investment gains (losses)	60,536	(114)	10,209
Net other-than-temporary impairment ("OTTI") losses recognized in earnings:
Net OTTI losses recognized in earnings	(3,564)	(9,068)	(8,023)
Total revenues	4,541,821	3,820,574	3,906,612
Expenses:
Personnel costs	1,334,866	1,178,368	1,206,683
Premiums retained by agents	1,370,193	1,195,282	1,222,274
Other operating expenses	836,319	761,878	811,372
Provision for policy losses and other claims	397,717	420,136	320,874
Depreciation and amortization	74,950	76,889	80,642
Premium taxes	51,304	45,663	37,780
Interest	9,066	12,065	14,881
Total expenses	4,074,415	3,690,281	3,694,506
Income before income taxes	467,406	130,293	212,106
Income taxes	165,678	51,714	83,150
Net income	301,728	78,579	128,956
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	687	303	1,127
Net income attributable to the Company	301,041	78,276	127,829
Net income per share attributable to the Company's stockholders:
Basic	$ 2.83	$ 0.74	$ 1.22
Diluted	$ 2.77	$ 0.73	$ 1.20
Cash dividends declared per share	$ 0.36	$ 0.24	$ 0.18
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:
Basic	106,307	105,197	104,134
Diluted	108,542	106,914	106,177
Equity Securities [Member]
Net other-than-temporary impairment ("OTTI") losses recognized in earnings:
Total OTTI losses on securities			(1,722)
Debt Securities [Member]
Net other-than-temporary impairment ("OTTI") losses recognized in earnings:
Total OTTI losses on securities	(1,757)	(12,748)	(8,497)
Portion of OTTI losses on debt securities recognized in other comprehensive loss	$ (1,807)	$ 3,680	$ 2,196