CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 35,718	$ 15,509
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation & amortization	3,635	2,978
Deferred income taxes	(9,313)	2,534
Net realized (gains) losses	(10,820)	(4,856)
Net other-than-temporary losses recognized in earnings	650	1,397
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Reinsurance recoverable on paid and unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses	12,813	6,618
Reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses	(2,723)	60,681
Prepaid reinsurance premiums	(60,689)	(13,496)
Unearned premiums	102,613	65,408
Premiums receivable	(95,335)	(61,570)
Deferred policy acquisition costs	2,703	(6,802)
Accrued investment income	317	700
Reinsurance balances payable	60,841	7,306
Current income taxes	5,066	(6,755)
Other	23,647	16,670
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	69,123	86,322
Fixed maturities
Redemptions and maturities	134,050	80,296
Sales	905,450	464,580
Purchases	(1,196,729)	(464,685)
Equity securities
Sales	4,346	2,107
Purchases	(5,553)	(70,636)
Change in payable for securities	65,299	10,223
Net change in short-term investments	(65,225)	(6,661)
Purchase of property and equipment	(2,872)	(2,624)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(161,234)	12,600
Financing activities:
Purchase of treasury stock		(73,676)
Proceeds of stock issued from employee stock purchase plan	672	822
Proceeds of stock issued from exercise of stock options	331	1,099
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	1,003	(71,755)
Increase (decrease) in cash	(91,108)	27,167
Cash at beginning of year	127,360	31,768
Cash at end of period	36,252	58,935
Supplemental cash information:
Income taxes paid, net	16,734	6,565
Interest paid	4,025	4,025
Issuance of stock to directors	$ 242	$ 210