Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	$ 304,611	$ 583,411	$ 279,354
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Net realized gains	(32,518)	(588,515)	(64,222)
Net unrealized (gains) losses on equity securities	(64,787)	121,037	(65,258)
Depreciation	8,545	7,981	7,394
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)	7,710	(49,639)	18,927
Other items, net	24,947	(20,467)	14,141
Change in:
Accrued investment income	(2,803)	(3,754)	(1,379)
Premiums and reinsurance balances receivable (net of direct write-offs and commutations)	(31,705)	(22,222)	7,349
Reinsurance balances payable	10,407	18,249	586
Funds held	302	11,371	8,026
Ceded unearned premiums	26,200	(7,541)	(17,428)
Reinsurance balances recoverable on unpaid losses and settlement expenses	(17,260)	(132,003)	(164,357)
Deferred policy acquisition costs	(18,707)	(24,306)	(15,128)
Accrued expenses	14,011	(3,405)	22,349
Unpaid losses and settlement expenses	130,388	272,082	293,506
Unearned premiums	107,241	104,641	94,058
Current income taxes payable	7,285	(6,619)	4,047
Changes in investment in unconsolidated investees:
Undistributed earnings	(9,610)	(9,853)	(37,060)
Net cash provided by operating activities	464,257	250,448	384,905
Purchase of:
Fixed income securities, available-for-sale	(662,070)	(2,053,359)	(733,811)
Equity securities	(55,652)	(45,007)	(140,721)
Property and equipment	(5,913)	(5,889)	(8,310)
Equity method investee		(3,819)	(8,978)
Other	(10,786)	(5,704)	(11,428)
Proceeds from sale of:
Fixed income securities - available-for-sale	50,135	53,300	63,811
Equity securities	51,881	62,212	180,256
Equity method investee	14,284	686,666
Property and equipment	27	375
Other	817	2,659	7,605
Proceeds from call or maturity of:
Fixed income securities - available-for-sale	504,168	1,393,674	376,750
Net purchase of short-term investments	(98,694)	(36,229)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(211,803)	48,879	(274,826)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Proceeds from issuance of debt	100,000		50,000
Repayment of debt	(200,000)
Proceeds from stock option exercises	1,245	(465)	1,838
Cash dividends paid	(140,093)	(364,848)	(135,330)
Net cash used in financing activities	(238,848)	(365,313)	(83,492)
Net increase (decrease) in cash	13,606	(65,986)	26,587
Cash at the beginning of the period	22,818	88,804	62,217
Cash at end of year	$ 36,424	$ 22,818	$ 88,804