Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 64,585	$ (13,853)	$ 59,354
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used for) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization, net	14,073	12,597	13,123
Provision (credit) for deferred income taxes	1,681	552	(602)
Net realized (gains) losses on investments	(5,559)	469	(197)
Net impairment losses on investments	798	796
Earnings from partnership investments	(3,185)	(2,387)	(878)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(9,129)	(3,035)	(6,228)
Accrued investment income	64	1,373	34
Receivable from reinsurers	(3,995)	(41,721)	(2,578)
Ceded unearned premiums	(5,363)	(3,584)	(1,738)
Deferred policy acquisition costs	(2,059)	(1,608)	(3,941)
Taxes recoverable	15,497	(15,497)
Other assets	348	(726)	(2,871)
Loss and loss adjustment expense reserves	6,344	71,965	26,998
Unearned premium reserves	16,072	11,600	19,778
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	14,068	(12,423)	(577)
Payable to reinsurers	1,955	3,894	559
Other liabilities	(7,371)	14,479	(2,667)
Net cash provided by operating activities	98,824	22,891	97,569
Cash flows from investing activities:
Fixed maturities purchased	(295,211)	(227,328)	(234,172)
Equity securities purchased	(30,060)	(26,658)	(27,665)
Other invested assets purchased	(5,248)	(4,824)	(4,976)
Proceeds from sales and paydowns of fixed maturities	99,682	150,932	153,701
Proceeds from maturities, redemptions, and calls of fixed maturities	99,883	110,189	52,253
Proceed from sales of equity securities	46,620	24,380	14,097
Proceeds from other invested assets redeemed	4,992	1,195
Fixed assets purchased	(4,910)	(4,041)	(1,760)
Net cash (used for) provided by investing activities	(84,252)	23,845	(48,522)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from stock options exercised	257	278	297
Excess tax (expense) benefit from stock options exercised	(6)	1	3
Dividends paid to shareholders	(42,265)	(41,976)	(39,302)
Acquisition of treasury stock			(23,467)
Net cash used for financing activities	(42,014)	(41,697)	(62,469)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	(27,442)	5,039	(13,422)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	47,494	42,455	55,877
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	20,052	47,494	42,455
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Federal and state income taxes	9,826	89	23,720
Interest	$ 75	$ 75	$ 75