Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Cash flows from operating activities
Net earnings	$ 105,580	$ 161,072
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	19,899	25,433
Net realized capital (gains) losses	(63,888)	(87,023)
Other than temporary impairment losses	2,756	9,233
(Increase) decrease in other assets	15,427	12,280
(Increase) decrease in reinsurance receivable, net of reinsurance payable	19,114	53,221
(Increase) decrease in premium balances receivable	(6,064)	24,568
(Increase) decrease in ceded unearned premium reserves	(7,829)	3,724
(Increase) decrease in deferred acquisition costs	(4,659)	(293)
Increase (decrease) in other liabilities and current taxes	(26,315)	770
Increase (decrease) in unearned premiums	53,716	(5,398)
Increase (decrease) in loss and loss adjustment expenses	(575)	(132,153)
Net adjustments	1,582	(95,638)
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	107,162	65,434
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchases of investments	(1,161,233)	(1,746,763)
Sales of investments	797,298	1,332,233
Maturities of investments	263,932	304,787
Purchases of property and equipment	(5,274)	(4,807)
Net change in short-term investments	88,202	(150,844)
Acquisition of equity method investments		(20,000)
Other, net	(827)	60,751
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	(17,902)	(224,643)
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from issuance of Senior Notes		298,896
Debt issue costs paid		(2,846)
Treasury stock acquisitions	(76,410)	(66,553)
Tax benefit on stock based compensation	645	513
Other, net	243	132
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(75,522)	230,142
Net cash increase (decrease) in cash	13,738	70,933
Cash at beginning of period	76,741	32,526
Cash at end of period	90,479	103,459
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest	16,641
Income taxes paid (refunds received)	$ 34,362	$ 46,696