Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 63,762	$ 25,597	$ 69,578
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation & amortization	5,931	4,059	4,362
Deferred income taxes	(11,414)	6,224	17,189
Net realized (gains) losses	(41,074)	(11,996)	(41,319)
Net other-than-temporary losses recognized in earnings	858	1,985	1,080
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Reinsurance recoverable on paid and unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses	(40,185)	10,084	(17,359)
Reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses	14,369	98,879	67,701
Prepaid reinsurance premiums	(56,853)	(7,477)	5,298
Unearned premiums	109,778	69,602	(10,990)
Premiums receivable	(64,457)	(75,973)	4,415
Deferred policy acquisition costs	2,979	(8,815)	1,212
Accrued investment income	1,905	961	1,856
Reinsurance balances payable	57,114	2,865	7,450
Current income taxes	17,523	(17,226)	3,092
Other	36,503	19,569	4,656
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	96,739	118,338	118,221
Fixed maturities
Redemptions and maturities	188,282	166,657	206,461
Sales	1,319,404	666,976	1,191,796
Purchases	(1,711,080)	(803,568)	(1,439,725)
Equity securities
Sales	39,503	73,590	6,942
Purchases	(37,587)	(75,894)	(23,123)
Change in payable for securities	56,543	12,432	1,043
Net change in short-term investments	(31,568)	30,384	22,713
Purchase of property and equipment	(3,336)	(4,571)	(2,568)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(179,839)	66,006	(36,461)
Financing activities:
Purchase of treasury stock		(90,866)	(51,980)
Proceeds of stock issued from employee stock purchase plan	672	945	868
Proceeds of stock issued from exercise of stock options	404	1,169	611
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	1,076	(88,752)	(50,501)
Increase (decrease) in cash	(82,024)	95,592	31,259
Cash at beginning of year	127,360	31,768	509
Cash at end of period	45,336	127,360	31,768
Supplemental cash information:
Income taxes paid, net	19,602	14,145	6,398
Interest paid	8,050	8,050	8,050
Issuance of stock to directors	$ 242	$ 210	$ 190