Property and Casualty Unpaid Claims and Claim Expenses (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Claims and claim expense payments for claims occurring during:
Plus reinsurance recoverables	$ 24,502		$ 24,049
Property and casualty segment [Member]
Reconciliation of property and casualty unpaid claims and claim expenses
Gross reserves, beginning of year	274,542	[1]	281,080	[1]	301,622	[1]
Less reinsurance recoverables	13,705		11,463		12,225
Net reserves, beginning of year	260,837	[2]	269,617	[2]	289,397	[2]
Incurred claims and claim expenses:
Claims occurring in the current year	403,589		406,605		452,827
Decrease in estimated reserves for claims occurring in prior years	(17,988)	[3]	(17,175)	[3]	(10,310)	[3]
Total claims and claim expenses incurred	385,601	[4]	389,430	[4]	442,517	[4]
Claims and claim expense payments for claims occurring during:
Current year	265,831		271,286		314,759
Prior years	118,905		126,924		147,539
Total claims and claim expense payments	384,736		398,210		462,298
Net reserves, end of year	261,702	[2]	260,837	[2]	269,617	[2]
Plus reinsurance recoverables	14,107		13,705		11,463
Gross reserves, end of year	$ 275,809	[1]	$ 274,542	[1]	$ 281,080	[1]

[1] Unpaid claims and claim expenses as reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheets also include reserves for the life and annuity segments of $15,818, $14,853, $13,729 and $14,073 as of December 31, 2013, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively, in addition to property and casualty segment reserves.

[2] Reserves net of anticipated reinsurance recoverables.

[3] Shows the amounts by which the Company decreased its reserves in each of the periods indicated for claims occurring in previous periods to reflect subsequent information on such claims and changes in their projected final settlement costs. Also refer to the paragraphs below for additional information regarding the reserve development recorded in 2013, 2012 and 2011.

[4] Benefits, claims and settlement expenses as reported in the Consolidated Statements of Operations also include amounts for the life and annuity segments of $62,716, $58,820 and $59,917 for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, in addition to the property and casualty segment amounts.