Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income (loss)	$ 96,336	$ (512,672)	$ 247,937
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	72,240	82,390	79,056
Net realized investment (gains) losses	(101,014)	488,080	(111,658)
Net (gains) losses on sales of fixed assets	(5,879)	86	(17)
Loss on property held for sale	0	841	0
(Increase) decrease in premiums receivable	(35,615)	49,630	(26,670)
(Increase) decrease in reinsurance recoverables	(6,052)	19,105	3,488
Changes in current and deferred income taxes	60,945	(131,500)	(18,097)
Increase in deferred policy acquisition costs	(27,369)	(8,216)	(11,265)
Increase in loss and loss adjustment expense reserves	200,792	358,480	235,126
Increase in unearned premiums	190,021	25,840	113,926
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued expenses	23,162	(15,844)	(26,724)
Other, net	(14,579)	(3,631)	16,482
Net cash provided by operating activities	452,988	352,589	501,584
Fixed maturity securities available for sale in nature:
Purchases	(784,752)	(1,794,817)	(1,460,641)
Sales	276,805	856,291	336,201
Calls or maturities	294,309	480,023	518,557
Equity securities available for sale in nature:
Purchases	(1,356,493)	(1,042,913)	(958,008)
Sales	1,356,132	1,154,523	943,857
Changes in securities payable and receivable	(36,435)	22,124	8,327
(Increase) decrease in short-term investments	(48,446)	38,141	270,383
Purchases of fixed assets	(36,810)	(35,508)	(41,442)
Sales of fixed assets	29,876	3	27
Other, net	10,377	5,749	9,069
Net cash used in investing activities	(295,437)	(316,384)	(373,670)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Dividends paid to shareholders	(70,322)	(105,482)	(140,226)
Proceeds from stock options exercised	0	0	215
Payments on finance lease obligations	(1,102)	(1,504)	(825)
Proceeds from bank loan	175,000	25,000	0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	103,576	(81,986)	(140,836)
Net increase (decrease) in cash	261,127	(45,781)	(12,922)
Cash:
Beginning of year	289,776	335,557	348,479
End of year	550,903	289,776	335,557
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW DISCLOSURE
Interest paid	23,000	16,665	16,616
Income taxes paid (refunded), net	$ (57,853)	$ (26,542)	$ 69,467