Note 9 - Other Assets (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Other Assets [Table Text Block]

The following table shows the components of other assets for the periods indicated:

	December 31,
(In thousands)	2017		2016
Deposit with the IRS (Note 10)	$	88,557	$	88,557
Property and equipment (1) (2)	87,042		70,665
Company-owned life insurance	85,862		83,248
Loaned securities (Note 6)	27,964		—
Accrued investment income	31,389		29,255
Deferred policy acquisition costs	16,987		14,127
Reinsurance recoverables	8,492		7,368
Other	61,556		50,615
Total other assets	$	407,849	$	343,835

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(1) Property and equipment at cost, less accumulated depreciation of $106.0 million and $118.5 millionat December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Depreciation expense was $17.4 million, $11.7 million and $6.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 respectively.

(2) Includes $44.0 million and $49.7 million at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, related to our technology upgrade project and $15.5 million at December 31, 2017 of leasehold improvements related to our new corporate headquarters.