Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income	$ 452,953	$ 11,467,179	$ 18,830,078
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	4,106,561	3,143,767	2,552,186
Net realized investment gains	(12,281,267)	(4,395,720)	(4,479,558)
Equity (income) loss	(2,023,127)	268,341	(471,097)
Changes in Assets and Liabilities:
Losses and loss expenses	59,088,943	14,904,770	23,789,568
Unearned premiums	39,665,100	21,762,781	12,807,490
Accrued expenses	(330,857)	718,956	(3,571,059)
Premiums receivable	(8,247,378)	(7,478,337)	(5,849,751)
Deferred policy acquisition costs	(1,979,376)	(1,601,400)	(3,302,898)
Deferred income taxes	(5,922,491)	(2,380,430)	(1,250,187)
Reinsurance receivable	(35,987,161)	(5,348,447)	(4,717,038)
Accrued investment income	652,133	(489,244)	452,796
Amounts due to/from affiliate	2,460,287	(887,190)	665,237
Reinsurance balances payable	899,017	(320,278)	994,610
Prepaid reinsurance premiums	(17,084,247)	(8,270,621)	(4,604,241)
Current income taxes	(1,713,483)	(368,145)	1,927,881
Other, net	(674,296)	1,278,821	323,491
Net adjustments	20,628,358	10,537,624	15,267,430
Net cash provided by operating activities	21,081,311	22,004,803	34,097,508
Purchase of fixed maturities:
Available for sale	(189,111,596)	(195,198,227)	(158,409,231)
Purchase of equity securities:	(23,857,802)	(59,191,998)	(39,163,607)
Sale of fixed maturities
Available for sale	122,873,102	72,092,788	62,668,210
Maturity of fixed maturities:
Held to maturity	5,888,236	8,649,275	25,617,925
Available for sale	53,763,701	80,116,222	48,363,915
Sale of equity securities	27,036,422	70,029,195	39,638,895
Payments to Sheboygan policyholders			(6,526,527)
Purchase of MICO	(7,207,471)	(35,088,228)
Net increase in investment in affiliates	(20,570,000)		(100,000)
Net purchase of property and equipment	(238,538)	(651,160)	(941,020)
Net sales of short-term investments	314,583	16,052,089	15,852,054
Net cash used in investing activities	(31,109,363)	(43,190,044)	(12,999,386)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Issuance of common stock	1,460,543	1,199,422	1,386,037
Cash dividends paid	(11,874,367)	(11,405,268)	(10,997,571)
Purchase of treasury stock	(1,537,587)	(145,687)	(393,644)
Payments on line of credit	(3,617,371)
Borrowings under line of credit	22,500,000	34,955,088
Net cash provided by financing activities	6,931,218	24,603,555	(10,005,178)
Net (decrease) increase in cash	(3,096,834)	3,418,314	11,092,944
Cash at beginning of year	16,342,212	12,923,898	1,830,954
Cash at end of year	$ 13,245,378	$ 16,342,212	$ 12,923,898