Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ (14,526)	$ (1,583)	$ 13,535
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash provided by operating activities:
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs	52,200	48,633	44,653
Policy acquisition costs deferred	(48,460)	(48,670)	(47,015)
Provision for depreciation and amortization	8,634	6,901	5,277
Loss on disposal of fixed assets	16
Compensation cost on restricted shares of common stock	4,036	4,532	4,117
Compensation cost on stock options	665	892	686
Net realized (gain) loss on investments	(1,051)	(15,425)	429
Expense (benefit) for deferred income taxes	(5,346)	2,259	(2,754)
Goodwill impairment		1,527
Changes in certain assets and liabilities:
Unpaid loss and loss adjustment expense	77,125	89,029	59,863
Other assets and other liabilities	(4,544)	1,227	2,230
Reinsurance recoverables, net of reinsurance withheld	(37,768)	(18,176)	(11,652)
Income taxes recoverable	(1,074)	(6,975)	(3,273)
Accrued investment income	98	(351)	(680)
Unearned premiums, net of deferred premiums and premiums receivable	(2,439)	(7,130)	2,816
Net cash provided by operating activities	27,566	56,690	68,250
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of investments	(154,171)	(489,598)	(182,483)
Sales of investments	90,030	388,237	54,934
Maturities and redemptions of investments	56,022	54,248	51,828
Purchases of property and equipment	(1,558)	(2,657)	(2,083)
Net cash used in investing activities	(9,677)	(49,770)	(77,804)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from exercise of stock options		26	47
Minimum tax withholdings on restricted stock vestings	(898)	(588)	(473)
Stockholder dividends paid	(4,451)	(3,300)
Proceeds from grants of restricted shares of common stock	5	4	4
Net cash used in financing activities	(5,344)	(3,858)	(422)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	12,545	3,062	(9,976)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	15,958	12,896	22,872
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	28,503	15,958	12,896
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow activities:
Federal income taxes paid (recovered)	(4,470)		8,500
Receivable from sales of investments	2,000
Interest paid on surplus notes	523	527	623
Statements of Cash Flows [Member]
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash provided by operating activities:
Expense (benefit) for deferred income taxes	$ (5,346)	$ 2,259	$ (2,736)