Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Operating activities:
Net income	$ 82,726	$ 81,057	$ 95,329
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation & amortization	5,429	5,386	4,915
Share-based compensation	17,624	14,997	11,507
Deferred income taxes	(5,755)	7,004	16,881
Net realized (gains) losses	(9,186)	(8,373)	(12,812)
Net other-than-temporary losses recognized in earnings	150	1,698	0
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Reinsurance recoverable on paid and unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses	(2,835)	43,822	(42,024)
Reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses	87,083	43,010	114,563
Prepaid reinsurance premiums	19,211	5,264	10,344
Unearned premiums	66,668	54,509	52,380
Premiums receivable	(30,070)	65,863	(17,455)
Deferred policy acquisition costs	(27,677)	(12,531)	(12,445)
Accrued investment income	(1,314)	(1,210)	(925)
Reinsurance balances payable	1,568	(45,124)	(14,716)
Current income taxes	(1,988)	(8,072)	(582)
Other	22,593	(19,676)	17,532
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	224,227	227,624	222,492
Fixed maturities
Redemptions and maturities	275,706	180,876	210,674
Sales	446,666	376,522	362,136
Purchases	(962,419)	(648,059)	(864,902)
Equity securities
Sales	54,798	96,405	54,900
Purchases	(92,329)	(215,405)	(83,845)
Change in payable for securities	(1,517)	1,851	(7,814)
Purchase of other invested assets	(1,960)
Net change in short-term investments	73,541	(38,468)	117,740
Purchase of property and equipment	(3,918)	(3,577)	(8,359)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(211,432)	(249,855)	(219,470)
Financing activities:
Proceeds of stock issued from employee stock purchase plan	1,840	1,352	1,067
Proceeds of stock issued from exercise of stock options		29	153
Dividends paid	(3,930)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(2,090)	1,381	1,220
Effect of exchange rate on cash	(15,963)
Change in cash	(5,258)	(20,850)	4,242
Cash at beginning of year	69,901	90,751	86,509
Cash at end of period	64,643	69,901	90,751
Supplemental cash information:
Income taxes paid, net	34,830	35,447	27,066
Interest paid	15,238	15,238	15,703
Issuance of stock to directors	$ 633	$ 563	$ 438