CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net (loss) income	$ (10,763)	$ 7,439	$ 24,627
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization expense	5,064	4,751	4,105
Deferred federal income taxes	(2,857)	(1,018)	(1,535)
Realized gains on investments	(3,633)	(8,402)	(3,032)
Share-based payments expense	709	1,114	1,334
Change in ceded unearned premiums	6,034	(2,860)	(6,835)
Change in premiums receivable	(3,842)	(702)	(2,628)
Change in accounts receivable	2,347	(3,674)	1,215
Change in deferred policy acquisition costs	(1,729)	(887)	(1,268)
Change in unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses	33,088	49,942	19,735
Change in unearned premiums	4,801	6,229	18,084
Change in unearned revenue	(61)	(75)	(1,846)
Change in accrued agent profit sharing	(342)	(489)	(361)
Change in reinsurance recoverable	227	(12,424)	6,774
Change in reinsurance balances payable	(246)	(160)	3,281
Change in current federal income tax (recoverable) payable	(2,470)	(5,359)	1,962
Change in accrued ceding commission payable	(3,160)	(4,369)	(5)
Change in all other liabilities	(2,144)	2,893	(5,783)
Change in all other assets	3,587	4,411	3,874
Net cash provided by operating activities	24,610	36,360	61,698
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment	(1,586)	(1,775)	(1,263)
Acquisitions of subsidiaries, net of cash received	(13,334)	7,404	(7,246)
Net transfers (into) from restricted cash	(4,095)	(2,196)	3,930
Purchases of investment securities	(265,684)	(226,246)	(109,959)
Maturities, sales and redemptions of investment securities	280,918	134,821	112,548
Net cash used in investing activities	(3,781)	(87,992)	(1,990)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Activity under revolving credit facility, net	1,250		(1,417)
Repayment of notes payable of acquired subsidiary	(1,660)
Distribution to non-controlling interest	(165)	(144)	(20)
Proceeds from exercise of employee stock options	99	25	115
Purchase of treasury shares	(6,401)		(5,250)
Net cash used in financing activities	(6,877)	(119)	(6,572)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	13,952	(51,751)	53,136
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	60,519	112,270	59,134
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	74,471	60,519	112,270
Supplemental cash flow information:
Interest paid	(4,629)	(4,594)	(4,641)
Income taxes recovered (paid)	3,589	(7,202)	(8,202)
Supplemental schedule of non-cash activities:
Change in receivable for securities related to investment disposals that settled after the balance sheet date	(402)	(2,215)	983
Change in payable for securities related to investment purchases that settled after the balance sheet date	$ (2,290)	$ 2,474	$ (3,587)