Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Cash flow from operating activities:
Net earnings	$ 13,108	$ 14,124	$ 29,951
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Realized gains on sale of investments	(9,693)	(10,966)	(2,251)
Depreciation expense	3,304	2,898	2,736
Stock based compensation expense	2,059	2,318	2,058
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs, net	(574)	(2,279)	(5,914)
Amortization of investment premium	3,356	4,151	1,651
Deferred income taxes	6,827	(99)	(1,663)
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
Accrued investment income	211	576	(869)
Premiums receivable	3,597	(988)	(10,955)
Reinsurance recoverable	(9,581)	24,032	2,750
Ceded unearned premiums	(7,111)	1,670	17,236
Funds held	1,346	16,038	7,539
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses	42,908	30,560	33,197
Unearned premiums	8,678	6,078	4,792
Ceded premiums payable	164	(71)	566
Other Liabilities	(485)	(3,472)	412
Funds on deposit	(9,109)	(12,221)	7,145
Accrued premium	(8,918)	(10,941)	(8,298)
Other, net	(5,875)	500	(20,437)
Net cash provided by operating activities	34,212	61,908	59,646
Cash flow from investing activities:
Purchases of fixed maturities	(253,694)	(392,972)	(252,867)
Purchase of other investments	(3,444)
Purchase of equity securities	(4,168)	(2,500)
Proceeds from sale of fixed maturities	246,683	342,639	191,463
Proceeds from sale of equity securities		656	2,500
Consideration paid for acquired company	(10,824)
Decrease in short term investments	(16,532)	4,915	7,050
Purchases of fixed assets	(1,631)	(2,780)	(4,520)
Net cash used in investing activities	(43,610)	(50,042)	(56,374)
Cash flow from financing activities:
Shares repurchased to cover employment taxes	(168)	(289)	(148)
Proceeds from exercised stock options	96	614	1,107
Purchases of common stock pursuant to the Stock Repurchase Plan	(13,787)	(7,017)	(2,735)
Proceeds from unwind of Interest Rate Swaps			2,055
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(13,859)	(6,692)	279
Net (decrease) increase in cash & cash equivalents	(23,257)	5,174	3,551
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	43,481	38,307	34,756
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	20,224	43,481	38,307
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow:
Income taxes (refunded) paid (including $731, $0 and $0 from VIE)	783	(1,250)	(1,175)
Interest paid	$ 1,522	$ 1,498	$ 2,728