Document and Entity Information Document and Entity Information Statement [Table] Statement [Line Items] Document Type Amendment Flag Document Period End Date Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Current Fiscal Year End Date Entity Filer Category Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Consolidated Balance Sheets Assets Abstract ASSETS Fixed maturities trading (amortized cost $2,654,342; $2,673,079) Fixed maturities trading (amortized cost $2,496,686; $2,617,656) Equity securities trading (cost $322,103; $308,941) Equity securities trading (cost $381,967; $336,757) Trading Securities, Unclassified, Equity, Total Short-term investments (cost $162,278; $156,126) Short-term investments (cost $139,242; $143,378) Short-term Investments, Total Investments, Total Investments Total investments Cash End of year Beginning of the year Cash Cash Receivables: Premiums Premiums Receivable, at Carrying Value, Total Accrued investment income Accrued Investment Income Receivable, Total Other Receivables Other Total receivables Total receivables Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs, Assets Deferred policy acquisition costs Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs, Total Deferred policy acquisition costs Fixed assets, net Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Ending Balance Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Beginning Balance Fixed assets, net Current income taxes Deferred income taxes Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Total Goodwill Goodwill, Ending Balance Goodwill, Beginning Balance Goodwill, Total Other intangible assets, net Other intangible assets, net Other assets Other Assets, Total Assets Total assets Liabilities And Stockholders Equity Abstract LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Liability For Claims And Claims Adjustment Expense Property Casualty Liability Losses and loss adjustment expenses Unearned premiums Unearned Premiums, Total Notes Payable, Assets Notes payable Notes payable Accounts payable and accrued expenses Accounts payable and accrued expenses Accrued Income Taxes, Current Current income taxes Other liabilities Other Liabilities, Total Total Liabilities Total liabilities Commitments And Contingencies 2009 Commitments and contingencies Shareholders' equity: Common stock without par value or stated value:Authorized 70,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 0; 54,776,958 Common Stock, Value, Issued, Ending Balance Common Stock, Value, Issued, Beginning Balance Authorized 70,000 shares; issued and outstanding 54,800; 54,777 Common Stock, Value, Issued, Total Common stock without par value or stated value: Authorized 70,000 shares; issued and outstanding 54,822; 54,803 Additional paid -in capital Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock, Ending Balance Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock, Beginning Balance Additional paid-in capital Accumulated other comprehensive loss Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Beginning Balance Accumulated other comprehensive loss Retained Earnings Accumulated Deficit Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Ending Balance Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Beginning Balance Retained earnings Retained earnings Total shareholders' equity End of year Beginning of year Total shareholders' equity Total liabilities and shareholders' equity Total liabilities and shareholders' equity Amortized cost on fixed maturity trading investments Amortized Cost On Fixed Maturity Trading Investments Amortized cost on fixed maturities trading investments Cost - Equity Security Trading Investments Cost Equity Security Trading Investments Cost - equity security trading investments Cost - Short-term investments Cost Short Term Investments Cost - Short-term Investments Common Stock Number Of Shares Par Value And Other Disclosures Abstract Common Stock Common stock, shares authorized Common stock, shares issued Common Stock, Shares Issued, Total Common stock, shares outstanding Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding, Ending Balance Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding, Beginning Balance Consolidated Statements of Operations Revenues: Net premiums earned Premiums Earned, Net, Property and Casualty, Total Net investment income Interest and Dividend Income, Operating, Total Net realized investment (gains) losses Net realized investment (gains) losses Net realized investment gains (losses) Net realized investment gains (losses) Other Income Other Other Income, Total Revenues Total revenues Expenses: Policyholder Benefits And Claims Incurred Net Losses and loss adjustment expenses Losses and loss adjustment expenses Policy acquisition costs Deferred Policy Acquisition Cost, Amortization Expense, Total Other operating expenses Other Cost and Expense, Operating, Total Interest Interest Total expenses Total expenses Income (loss) before income taxes Income before income taxes Income tax expense Income tax expense (benefit) Income tax expense (benefit) Net income Net income Net income Net income (loss) Net income per share: Earnings Per Share Basic Basic Basic Earnings Per Share Diluted Diluted Diluted Earnings Per Share, Basic, Other Disclosures [Abstract] Weighted average shares outstanding: Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic Basic Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic, Total Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted Diluted Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted, Total Dividends declared per share Dividends declared per share Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax: (Losses) gains on hedging instrument Gains (losses) on hedging instrument Losses on hedging instrument Other comprehensive (loss) income , before tax Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax Income tax benefit related to losses on hedging instrument Income tax expense (benefit) related to gains (losses) on hedging instrument Income tax benefit related to losses on hedging instrument Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax Portion Attributable To Parent Comprehensive income, net of tax Comprehensive income (loss), net of tax Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization Depreciation and amortization Bond (accretion) amortization, net Bond amortization (accretion), net Excess tax benefit from exercise of stock options Excess tax benefit from exercise of stock options Tax benefit on sales of incentive stock options (Increase) decrease in premiums receivable Decrease (increase) in premiums receivable (Decrease) Increase in current and deferred income taxes Decrease in current and deferred income taxes (Increase) decrease in current and deferred income taxes Decrease in current and deferred income taxes (Increase) Decrease in deferred policy acquisition costs (Increase) decrease in deferred policy acquisition costs Decrease in unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses Decrease in unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses Increase (decrease) in unearned premiums Increase in unearned premiums Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued expenses Increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued expenses Increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses Share Based Compensation Share-based compensation expense Share-based compensation Share-based compensation Decrease in other payables Decrease in other payables Increase (decrease) in other payables Increase Decrease In Other Operating Liabilities Other, net Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Liabilities, Total Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Net cash provided by operating activities CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES Payments To Acquire Available For Sale Securities Debt Fixed maturities available-for-sale in nature: Purchases Fixed maturities available-for-sale in nature: Purchases Proceeds From Sale Of Available For Sale Securities Debt Sales Calls or maturities Calls Payments to Acquire Marketable Securities [Abstract] Equity securities available-for-sale in nature: Purchases Purchases Sales Net increase (decrease) in payable for securities Net increase in payable for securities Proceeds From Sale Of Short Term Investments Net decrease in short-term investments Purchase of fixed assets Purchase of fixed assets Purchase of fixed assets Sale and write-off of fixed assets Sale and write-off of fixed assets Other, net Other, net Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Net cash provided by investing activities CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES Dividends paid to shareholders Dividends paid to shareholders Excess Tax Benefit From Share Based Compensation Financing Activities Excess tax benefit from exercise of stock options Proceeds from stock options exercised Proceeds of stock options exercised Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Net cash used in financing activities Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) Net increase in cash Cash: SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW DISCLOSURE Interest paid Interest Paid, Total Income taxes paid Income taxes (received) paid Net Realized Losses Gains From Sale Of Investments Net realized gains from sale of investments Gain (Loss) on Sale of Investments, Total Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract] General Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements Disclosure Text Block General Recently Issued Accounting Standards Description of New Accounting Pronouncements Not yet Adopted [Text Block] Recently Issued Accounting Standards Fair Value Of Financial Instruments Fair Value Disclosures Text Block Fair Value Of Financial Instruments Fair value of financial instruments Fair Value Option [Abstract] Fair Value Option Fair Value Option Text Block Fair Value Option Fair Value Measurement Fair Value Measurement Inputs Disclosure Text Block Fair Value Measurement Derivative Financial Instruments Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosure Text Block Derivative Financial Instruments Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure Text Block Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets Share-Based Compensation Comprehensive Income Net Of Tax Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest Share-Based Compensation Income Taxes Income Tax Disclosure Text Block Income Taxes Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract] Contingencies Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure Text Block Contingencies Consolidation and Basis of Presentation [Policy Text Block] Consolidation And Basis Of Presentation Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block] Use Of Estimates Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block] Earnings Per Share Estimated Fair Values of Financial Instruments [Table Text Block] Estimated Fair Values of Financial Instruments [Table Text Block] Estimated Fair Values Of Financial Instruments Schedule of Gains (Losses) Due to Changes in Fair Value [Table Text Block] Schedule of Gains (Losses) Due to Changes in Fair Value [Table Text Block] Gains (Losses) Due To Changes In Fair Value Schedule of Assets and Liabilities Measured At Fair Value on a Recurring Basis Valuation Techniques [Table Text Block] Schedule Of Assets And Liabilities Measured At Fair Value On A Recurring Basis Valuation Techniques Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Table Text Block] Schedule Of Changes In Fair Value Of Level 3 Financial Assets And Liabilities Held At Fair Value Schedule of Gain or Loss on the Hedged Item in the Same Line Item, Other Revenue, as the Offsetting Loss or Gain on the Related Interest Rate Swaps [Table Text Block] Schedule Of Gain Or Loss On Hedged Item In Same Line Item Other Revenue As Offsetting Loss Or Gain On Related Interest Rate Swaps Table Text Block Schedule Of Gain Or Loss On The Hedged Item In The Same Line Item, Other Revenue, As The Offsetting Loss Or Gain On The Related Interest Rate Swaps Schedule of Derivative Instruments in Statement of Financial Position, Fair Value [Text Block] Summary Of Location And Amounts Of Derivative Fair Values In The Consolidated Balance Sheets Schedule of Derivative Gains and Losses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations [Table Text Block] Schedule Of Derivative Gains And Losses In Consolidated Statements Of Operations Table Text Block Schedule Of Derivative Gains And Losses In The Statements Of Operations Schedule of Intangible Assets and Goodwill [Table Text Block] Schedule Of Components Of Other Intangible Assets Schedule of Expected Amortization Expense [Table Text Block] Schedule Of Estimated Future Amortization Expense Related To Intangible Assets Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount Potential common shares Schedule of Fair Value, Off-balance Sheet Risks [Table] Assets Sold under Agreements to Repurchase [Axis] Assets Sold under Agreements to Repurchase, Type [Domain] Loan [Member] Senior Notes [Member] Credit Facility [Member] Credit Facility [Member] Secured Debt Secured notes Secured Debt, Total Unsecured Debt Unsecured note Unsecured Debt, Total Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping [Table] Fair Value, Off-balance Sheet Risks by Financial Instrument [Axis] Fair Value, Off-balance Sheet Risks, Financial Instruments [Domain] Investments [Member] Interest Rate Swap Agreements [Member] Secured Notes [Member] Unsecured Note [Member] Investments, Fair Value Disclosure Investments, fair value Derivative Financial Instruments, Assets, Fair Value Disclosure Asset Derivatives, Hedging derivatives Non-hedging derivatives Financial instruments at fair value, assets Derivative Financial Instruments, Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure Interest rate swap agreements Equity Contracts Financial Instruments Liabilities Fair Value Disclosure Equity Contracts Financial Instruments Liabilities Fair Value Disclosure Equity contracts Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure Notes Schedule of Fair Value of Separate Accounts by Major Category of Investment [Table] Schedule of Fair Value of Separate Accounts by Major Category of Investment [Axis] Schedule of Fair Value of Separate Accounts by Major Category of Investment, Category [Domain] Fixed Maturity Securities [Member] Equity Securities [Member] Short-Term Investments [Member] Fair Value, Option, Changes in Fair Value, Gain (Loss) Gains (losses) due to changes in fair value Fair Value Measurement [Table] Fair Value Measurement [Table] Range [Axis] Range [Domain] Minimum [Member] Percentage of unadjusted fair value obtained Percentage of unadjusted fair value obtained Percentage of specific unadjusted broker quotes obtained Percentage of specific unadjusted broker quotes obtained Number of knowledgeable outside security brokers consulted to determine fair value. Number of knowledgeable outside security brokers consulted to determine fair value This element represents a certain statement of financial position asset caption which represents a class of assets, or which may include an individual asset, measured at fair value on a recurring basis. Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Assets at fair value Total assets at fair value The amount of the transfers of assets or liabilities into or out of Levels 1, 2, and 3. Fair Value, Transfers Between Levels One, Two, and Three, Amount Transfers between Levels 1, 2, and 3 of the fair value hierarchy Fair value, nonfinancial assets and liabilities measured on nonrecurring basis. Fair value, nonfinancial assets and liabilities measured on nonrecurring basis Nonrecurring measurements of nonfinancial assets or nonfinancial liabilities Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Table] Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Disclosure Items [Axis] Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Disclosure Items [Domain]