Fair Value Measurements (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]

Assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis

	As of December 31, 2012 Fair Value Measurements Using (dollars in thousands)
	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Total
Fixed maturity securities:
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. Government corporations and agencies	$	31,032	$	25,509	$	—	$	56,541
States of the U.S. and political subdivisions of the states		—		46,164		—		46,164
Corporate securities		—		340,729		—		340,729
Mortgage-backed securities		—		248,240		—		248,240
Commercial mortgage-backed securities		—		63,215		—		63,215
Asset-backed securities		—		74,688		—		74,688
Total fixed maturity securities		31,032		798,545		—		829,577
Equity securities		5,151		—		6,706		11,857
Short term investments		76,502		—		—		76,502
Trading securities		990		11,722		—		12,712
Total	$	113,675	$	810,267	$	6,706	$	930,648

	As of December 31, 2011
	Fair Value Measurements Using
	(dollars in thousands)
	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets		Significant Other Observable Inputs		Significant Unobservable Inputs
	(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)		Total
Fixed maturity securities:
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. Government corporations and agencies	$	24,065	$	39,025	$	—	$	63,090
States of the U.S. and political subdivisions of the states		—		32,257		—		32,257
Corporate securities		—		326,926		—		326,926
Mortgage-backed securities		—		270,811		—		270,811
Commercial mortgage-backed securities		—		63,961		—		63,961
Asset-backed securities		—		58,954		—		58,954
Total fixed maturity securities		24,065		791,934		—		815,999
Equity securities		2,932		—		—		2,932
Short term investments		57,417		—		6,751		64,168
Trading securities		—		—		—		—
Total	$	84,414	$	791,934	$	6,751	$	883,099

Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)

Level 3 Financial Instruments	As of December 31, 2012 Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) (dollars in thousands) Equity Securities
Balance at December 31, 2011	$	6,751
Total gains (losses) realized (unrealized):
Included in earnings		—
Included in other comprehensive income		(45	)
Purchases		—
Sales		—
Issuance and settlements		—
Net transfers in (out of) Level 3		—
Balance at December 31, 2012	$	6,706
Change in net unrealized losses relating to assets still held at reporting date	$	(45	)

	As of December 31, 2011
	Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
	(dollars in thousands)
Level 3 Financial Instruments	Equity Securities
Balance at December 31, 2011	$	5,082
Total gains(losses) realized (unrealized):
Included in earnings		—
Included in other comprehensive income		(175	)
Purchases		1,844
Sales		—
Issuance and settlements		—
Net transfers in (out of) Level 3		—
Balance at December 31, 2012	$	6,751
Change in net unrealized losses relating to assets still held at reporting date	$	(175	)

Fair value of financial instruments

		December 31, 2012				December 31, 2011
	Level in Fair Value Hierarchy	Carrying Amount		Estimated Fair Value		Carrying Amount		Estimated Fair Value
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	Level 1	$	20,224	$	20,224	$	43,481	$	43,481
Fixed maturities	*	$	829,577	$	829,577	$	815,999	$	815,999
Equity securities	*	$	11,857	$	11,857	$	9,683	$	9,683
Short-term investments	*	$	76,502	$	76,502	$	57,417	$	57,417
Trading securities	*	$	12,712	$	12,712	$	—	$	—
Premiums receivable	Level 2	$	32,559	$	32,559	$	33,458	$	33,458
Reinsurance recoverable	Level 2	$	183,562	$	183,562	$	173,982	$	173,982
Liabilities:
Loans payable	Level 2	$	39,183	$	39,183	$	39,183	$	39,183

* See investment assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis summary within Note 6 for disclosure of levels for classes of these financial assets.