Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Fixed maturity securities at fair value	$ 791,761	$ 815,999
Short-term investments, at fair value	131,936	57,417
Cash and cash equivalents	31,889	43,481
Accrued investment income	6,239	6,598
Premiums receivable	40,397	33,458
Ceded unearned premiums	28,459	22,710
Reinsurance recoverable	160,949	173,982
Deferred policy acquisition costs	26,619	24,421
Other assets	92,222	74,479
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses	683,011	680,201
Unearned premiums	148,993	135,059
Ceded premiums payable	16,808	11,425
Funds held	81,199	71,955
Other liabilities	19,634	14,029
Deferred income taxes	7,117
Preferred stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	5,000,000	5,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	30,000,000	30,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	9,878,589	10,209,419
Common stock, shares outstanding	9,878,589	10,209,419
VIE
Fixed maturity securities at fair value	6,419	4,623
Short-term investments, at fair value	5,713	3,723
Cash and cash equivalents	1,342	2,268
Accrued investment income	44	45
Premiums receivable	862	629
Ceded unearned premiums	424	166
Reinsurance recoverable	194	3,055
Deferred policy acquisition costs	1,317	(454)
Other assets	1,537	1,042
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses	4,907	7,412
Unearned premiums	5,192	623
Ceded premiums payable	1,100	296
Funds held	114	174
Other liabilities	0	0
Deferred income taxes	$ (21)	$ 0