CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 15,509	$ 52,240
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation & amortization	2,978	3,374
Deferred income taxes	2,534	15,789
Net realized (gains) losses	(4,856)	(21,653)
Net other-than-temporary losses recognized in earnings	1,397	904
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Reinsurance recoverable on paid and unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses	6,618	33,857
Reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses	60,681	6,641
Prepaid reinsurance premiums	(13,496)	6,097
Unearned premiums	65,408	12,409
Premiums receivable	(61,570)	(11,331)
Deferred policy acquisition costs	(6,802)	(3,856)
Accrued investment income	700	1,909
Reinsurance balances payable	7,306	(1,141)
Current income taxes	(6,755)	855
Other	16,670	18,022
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	86,322	114,116
Fixed maturities
Redemptions and maturities	80,296	157,330
Sales	464,580	372,971
Purchases	(464,685)	(467,704)
Equity securities
Sales	2,107	3,069
Purchases	(70,636)	(22,537)
Change in payable for securities	10,223	11,137
Net change in short-term investments	(6,661)	(87,690)
Purchase of property and equipment	(2,624)	(1,076)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	12,600	(34,500)
Financing activities:
Purchase of treasury stock	(73,676)	(50,272)
Proceeds of stock issued from employee stock purchase plan	822	868
Proceeds of stock issued from exercise of stock options	1,099	352
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(71,755)	(49,052)
Increase (decrease) in cash	27,167	30,564
Cash at beginning of year	31,768	509
Cash at end of period	58,935	31,073
Supplemental cash information:
Income taxes paid, net	6,565	5,596
Interest paid	4,025	4,025
Issuance of stock to directors	$ 210	$ 190