CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 25,597	$ 69,578	$ 63,158
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation & amortization	4,059	4,362	4,551
Deferred income taxes	6,224	17,189	(2,285)
Net realized (gains) losses	(11,996)	(41,319)	(9,217)
Net other-than-temporary losses recognized in earnings	1,985	1,080	11,877
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Reinsurance recoverable on paid and unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses	10,084	(17,359)	42,781
Reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses	98,879	67,701	54,050
Prepaid reinsurance premiums	(7,477)	5,298	27,788
Unearned premiums	69,602	(10,990)	(8,872)
Premiums receivable	(75,973)	4,415	(20,447)
Deferred policy acquisition costs	(8,815)	1,212	(8,394)
Accrued investment income	961	1,856	(11)
Reinsurance balances payable	2,865	7,450	(42,808)
Current income taxes	(17,226)	3,092	(12,094)
Other	19,569	4,656	3,833
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	118,338	118,221	103,910
Fixed maturities
Redemptions and maturities	166,657	206,461	135,374
Sales	666,976	1,191,796	473,913
Purchases	(803,568)	(1,439,725)	(728,216)
Equity securities
Sales	73,590	6,942	18,899
Purchases	(75,894)	(23,123)	(21,947)
Change in payable for securities	12,432	1,043	(15,836)
Net change in short-term investments	30,384	22,713	47,821
Purchase of property and equipment	(4,571)	(2,568)	(2,781)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	66,006	(36,461)	(92,773)
Financing activities:
Purchase of treasury stock	(90,866)	(51,980)	(6,756)
Purchase of Senior notes			(7,000)
Proceeds of stock issued from employee stock purchase plan	945	868	727
Proceeds of stock issued from exercise of stock options	1,169	611	944
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(88,752)	(50,501)	(12,085)
Increase (decrease) in cash	95,592	31,259	(948)
Cash at beginning of year	31,768	509	1,457
Cash at end of period	127,360	31,768	509
Supplemental cash information:
Income taxes paid, net	14,145	6,398	37,089
Interest paid	8,050	8,050	8,355
Issuance of stock to directors	$ 210	$ 190	$ 210