Schedule V - Valuation And Qualifying Accounts (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Balance at Beginning of Year	$ 54,316	$ 63,951	$ 68,422
Charged to Costs and Expenses	(6,947)	665	4,939
Charged to Other Accounts	(92)	(1,238)	(600)
Deductions	2,583	9,062	8,810
Balance at End of Year	44,694	54,316	63,951
Valuation allowance for foreign NOL deferred tax carryforward
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Balance at Beginning of Year	13,218	18,164	16,474
Charged to Costs and Expenses	(689)	(4,946)	1,690
Charged to Other Accounts	0	0	0
Deductions	0	0	0
Balance at End of Year	12,529	13,218	18,164
Valuation allowance for mortgage loans on real estate
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Balance at Beginning of Year	2,582	3,399	4,482
Charged to Costs and Expenses	(278)	(816)	(1,086)
Charged to Other Accounts	0	0	3
Deductions	0	1	0
Balance at End of Year	2,304	2,582	3,399
Valuation allowance for uncollectible agents balances
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Balance at Beginning of Year	13,747	15,698	19,822
Charged to Costs and Expenses	170	(206)	(1,894)
Charged to Other Accounts	(72)	(59)	52
Deductions	55	1,686	2,282
Balance at End of Year	13,790	13,747	15,698
Valuation allowance for uncollectible accounts
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Balance at Beginning of Year	13,949	15,870	16,824
Charged to Costs and Expenses	4,273	6,633	6,229
Charged to Other Accounts	(20)	(1,179)	(655)
Deductions	2,432	7,375	6,528
Balance at End of Year	15,770	13,949	15,870
Valuation allowance for reinsurance recoverables
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Balance at Beginning of Year	10,820	10,820	10,820
Charged to Costs and Expenses	(10,423)	0	0
Charged to Other Accounts	0	0	0
Deductions	96	0	0
Balance at End of Year	$ 301	$ 10,820	$ 10,820