Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Operating activities:
Net income	$ 81,057	$ 95,329	$ 63,466
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation & amortization	5,386	4,915	4,518
Deferred income taxes	7,004	16,881	4,658
Net realized (gains) losses	(8,373)	(12,812)	(22,939)
Net other-than-temporary losses recognized in earnings	1,698	0	2,393
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	43,822	(42,024)	68,599
Reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses	43,010	114,563	(51,977)
Prepaid reinsurance premiums	5,264	10,344	(26,807)
Unearned premiums	54,509	52,380	72,199
Premiums receivable	65,863	(17,455)	(4,843)
Deferred policy acquisition costs	(12,531)	(12,445)	(6,002)
Accrued investment income	(1,210)	(925)	(1,279)
Reinsurance balances payable	(45,124)	(14,716)	1,439
Current income taxes	(8,072)	(582)	(16,432)
Other	(4,679)	29,039	31,987
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	227,624	222,492	136,875
Fixed maturities
Redemptions and maturities	180,876	210,674	237,627
Sales	376,522	362,136	648,335
Purchases	(648,059)	(864,902)	(899,930)
Equity securities
Sales	96,405	54,900	72,113
Purchases	(215,405)	(83,845)	(89,288)
Change in payable for securities	1,851	(7,814)	(46,414)
Net change in short-term investments	(38,468)	117,740	(142,214)
Purchase of property and equipment	(3,577)	(8,359)	(10,088)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(249,855)	(219,470)	(229,859)
Financing activities:
Net proceeds from debt offering			263,278
Redemption of 7.0% Senior notes due May 1, 2016			(132,437)
Proceeds of stock issued from employee stock purchase plan	1,352	1,067	821
Proceeds of stock issued from exercise of stock options	29	153	2,495
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	1,381	1,220	134,157
Increase (decrease) in cash	(20,850)	4,242	41,173
Cash at beginning of year	90,751	86,509	45,336
Cash at end of period	69,901	90,751	86,509
Supplemental cash information:
Income taxes paid, net	35,447	27,066	41,094
Interest paid	15,238	15,703	8,050
Issuance of stock to directors	$ 563	$ 438	$ 400