Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Operating activities:
Net income	$ 63,466	$ 63,762	$ 25,597
Adjustments to reconcile net income to netcash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation & amortization	4,518	5,931	4,059
Deferred income taxes	277	(11,414)	6,224
Net realized (gains) losses	(22,939)	(41,074)	(11,996)
Net other-than-temporary losses recognized in earnings	2,393	858	1,985
Call premium on redemption of Senior Notes	17,895
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Reinsurance recoverable on paid and unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses	68,599	(40,185)	10,084
Reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses	(51,977)	14,369	98,879
Prepaid reinsurance premiums	(26,807)	(56,853)	(7,477)
Unearned premiums	72,199	109,778	69,602
Premiums receivable	(4,843)	(64,457)	(75,973)
Deferred policy acquisition costs	(6,002)	2,979	(8,815)
Accrued investment income	(1,279)	1,905	961
Reinsurance balances payable	1,439	57,114	2,865
Current income taxes	(12,051)	17,523	(17,226)
Other	31,987	36,503	19,569
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	136,875	96,739	118,338
Fixed maturities
Redemptions and maturities	237,627	188,282	166,657
Sales	648,335	1,319,404	666,976
Purchases	(899,930)	(1,711,080)	(803,568)
Equity securities
Sales	72,113	39,503	73,590
Purchases	(89,288)	(37,587)	(75,894)
Change in payable for securities	(46,414)	56,543	12,432
Net change in short-term investments	(142,214)	(31,568)	30,384
Purchase of property and equipment	(10,088)	(3,336)	(4,571)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(229,859)	(179,839)	66,006
Financing activities:
Net Proceeds from Debt Offering	263,278
Redemption of 7.0% Senior Notes Due May 1, 2016	(132,437)
Purchase of treasury stock			(90,866)
Proceeds of stock issued from employee stock purchase plan	821	672	945
Proceeds of stock issued from exercise of stock options	2,495	404	1,169
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	134,157	1,076	(88,752)
Increase (decrease) in cash	41,173	(82,024)	95,592
Cash at beginning of year	45,336	127,360	31,768
Cash at end of period	86,509	45,336	127,360
Supplemental cash information:
Income taxes paid, net	41,094	19,602	14,145
Interest paid	8,050	8,050	8,050
Issuance of stock to directors	$ 400	$ 242	$ 210