CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 7,904	$ (7,893)
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation & amortization	1,054	976
Deferred income taxes	(6,217)	(1,253)
Net realized (gains) losses	(1,842)	1,389
Net other-than-temporary losses recognized in earnings	154	241
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Reinsurance recoverable on paid and unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses	(16,397)	(21,796)
Reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses	30,326	45,092
Prepaid reinsurance premiums	(8,054)	(6,483)
Unearned premiums	68,705	47,076
Premiums receivable	(90,071)	(62,762)
Deferred policy acquisition costs	(6,017)	(8,666)
Accrued investment income	(36)	(460)
Reinsurance balances payable	21,965	25,720
Current income taxes	7,154	(3,240)
Other	7,743	5,351
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	16,371	13,292
Fixed maturities
Redemptions and maturities	47,523	56,672
Sales	273,529	42,106
Purchases	(371,071)	(67,478)
Equity securities
Sales
Purchases	(2,055)	(24)
Change in payable for securities	35,881	(8,378)
Net change in short-term investments	(80,757)	(14,713)
Purchase of property and equipment	(1,586)	(1,326)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(98,536)	6,859
Financing activities:
Purchase of treasury stock		(13,052)
Proceeds of stock issued from employee stock purchase plan	313	124
Proceeds of stock issued from exercise of stock options		293
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	313	(12,635)
Increase (decrease) in cash	(81,852)	7,516
Cash at beginning of year	127,360	31,768
Cash at end of period	45,508	39,284
Supplemental cash information:
Income taxes paid, net	1,519	476
Interest paid
Issuance of stock to directors	$ 242	$ 210