Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Revenues
Direct premiums and escrow fees	$ 413,786	$ 361,094
Agent premiums	376,986	399,921
Information and other	155,760	150,758
Investment income	22,377	20,771
Net realized investment gains (losses)	456	(547)
Net other-than-temporary impairment ("OTTI") losses recognized in earnings:
Net OTTI losses recognized in earnings	(2,602)	(297)
Total revenues	966,763	931,700
Expenses
Personnel costs	305,279	283,302
Premiums retained by agents	302,164	319,987
Other operating expenses	189,150	190,390
Provision for policy losses and other claims	86,678	129,512
Depreciation and amortization	18,059	19,099
Premium taxes	10,848	9,043
Interest	3,035	3,816
Total expenses	915,213	955,149
Income (loss) before income taxes	51,550	(23,449)
Income tax expense (benefit)	20,441	(8,208)
Net income (loss)	31,109	(15,241)
Less: Net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(184)	94
Net income (loss) attributable to the Company	31,293	(15,335)
Net income (loss) per share attributable to the Company's stockholders (Note 9):
Basic	$ 0.30	$ (0.15)
Diluted	$ 0.29	$ (0.15)
Cash dividends per share	$ 0.08	$ 0.06
Weighted-average common shares outstanding (Note 9):
Basic	105,621	104,660
Diluted	107,480	104,660
Debt Securities [Member]
Net other-than-temporary impairment ("OTTI") losses recognized in earnings:
Total OTTI losses on debt securities	(240)	(124)
Portion of OTTI losses on debt securities recognized in other comprehensive loss	$ (2,362)	$ (173)