Consolidated Statements Of Operations And Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
REVENUES:
Gross premiums written	$ 2,935,425	$ 2,738,664	$ 2,329,271
Premiums ceded	(613,350)	(618,183)	(491,448)
Net premiums written	2,322,075	2,120,481	1,837,823
Change in unearned premiums	(139,317)	(114,648)	(88,925)
Net premiums earned	2,182,758	2,005,833	1,748,898
Net investment income	176,874	157,564	167,141
Net realized investment gains	88,957	59,525	306,436
Other income	2,064	0	0
Total revenues	2,450,653	2,222,922	2,222,475
EXPENSES:
Net losses and loss expenses	1,199,190	1,123,242	1,139,264
Acquisition costs	295,122	252,673	205,722
General and administrative expenses	365,736	352,285	307,321
Other expense	8,578	0	0
Amortization of intangible assets	2,533	2,533	2,533
Interest expense	57,755	56,510	55,405
Foreign exchange loss	957	8,019	783
Total expenses	1,929,871	1,795,262	1,711,028
Income before income taxes	520,782	427,660	511,447
Income tax expense	30,523	9,780	18,440
NET INCOME	490,259	417,880	493,007
Other comprehensive loss:
Unrealized losses on investments arising during the year net of applicable deferred income tax benefit 2014: $0; 2013: $0; 2012: $(265)	0	0	(493)
Reclassification adjustment for net realized investment gains included in net income, net of applicable income tax	0	0	(13,991)
Other comprehensive loss	0	0	(14,484)
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	$ 490,259	$ 417,880	$ 478,523
PER SHARE DATA
Basic earnings per share	$ 5.03	$ 4.08	$ 4.56
Diluted earnings per share	$ 4.92	$ 3.98	$ 4.43
Weighted average common shares outstanding	97,538,319	102,464,715	108,171,435
Weighted average common shares and common share equivalents outstanding	99,591,773	104,865,834	111,209,655
Dividends paid per share	$ 0.784	$ 0.458	$ 0.625