Reinsurance (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Reinsurance [Abstract]

Approximate effects of reinsurance on the financial statement accounts

	Years ended December 31,
	2012			2011			2010
	(dollars in thousands)
Net written premiums:
Direct	$	260,692		$	241,180		$	234,158
Assumed		58,552			57,365			43,404
Ceded		(63,884	)		(57,927	)		(54,322	)
Net	$	255,360		$	240,618		$	223,240
Net earned premiums:
Direct	$	249,810		$	241,428		$	231,419
Assumed		60,756			51,047			40,872
Ceded		(56,700	)		(59,596	)		(71,558	)
Net	$	253,866		$	232,879		$	200,733
Losses and loss adjustment expenses incurred:
Direct	$	200,218		$	152,592		$	136,140
Assumed		39,276			48,699			26,038
Ceded		(67,796	)		(31,924	)		(41,883	)
Net	$	171,698		$	169,367		$	120,295
Unpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses:
Direct	$	597,238		$	570,835		$	568,740
Assumed		128,007			109,366			80,901
Ceded		(185,649	)		(173,267	)		(196,590	)
Net	$	539,596		$	506,934		$	453,051