CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income	$ 288,870	$ 234,215	$ 187,064
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:
Provision for policy losses and other claims	491,092	450,023	530,356
Depreciation and amortization	85,596	85,597	74,916
Amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts on debt securities, net	28,403	24,579	26,782
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation	(9,526)	(6,856)	(6,202)
Net realized investment losses (gains)	6,547	(30,067)	(9,211)
Share-based compensation	24,339	19,302	22,301
Equity in earnings of affiliates, net	(7,800)	16,545	(5,316)
Dividends from equity method investments	9,601	5,002	11,552
Changes in assets and liabilities excluding effects of acquisitions and noncash transactions:
Claims paid, including assets acquired, net of recoveries	(476,492)	(469,750)	(479,310)
Net change in income tax accounts	52,543	45,872	2,589
(Increase) decrease in accounts and accrued income receivable	(7,477)	(9,950)	23,645
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued liabilities	36,679	(15,003)	5,318
Increase in deferred revenue	5,519	10,333	20,102
Other, net	23,429	795	(26,114)
Cash provided by operating activities	551,323	360,637	378,472
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Net cash effect of acquisitions/dispositions	(26,682)	(163,320)	(5,837)
Net (increase) decrease in deposits with banks	(4,392)	4,211	4,747
Purchases of debt and equity securities	(2,123,817)	(1,969,009)	(1,532,710)
Proceeds from sales of debt and equity securities	630,914	928,386	621,255
Proceeds from maturities of debt securities	655,078	373,969	488,684
Net change in other investments	1,077	8,025	6,443
Net proceeds from sale of loans receivable		42,284
Net paydowns on loans receivable		23,926	33,597
Capital expenditures	(123,697)	(97,222)	(87,142)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	17,099	12,058	5,807
Cash used for investing activities	(974,420)	(836,692)	(465,156)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Net change in deposits	366,301	647,857	281,739
Net proceeds from issuance of debt		594,477	249,144
Repayment of debt	(5,244)	(325,110)	(168,205)
Net activity related to noncontrolling interests	(741)	(682)	(1,894)
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation	9,526	6,856	6,202
Net proceeds in connection with share-based compensation plans	5,042	3,601	1,736
Purchase of Company shares			(64,606)
Cash dividends	(108,524)	(89,939)	(51,324)
Cash provided by financing activities	266,360	837,060	252,792
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(6,022)	(5,762)	(1,800)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(162,759)	355,243	164,308
Cash and cash equivalents—Beginning of year	1,190,080	834,837	670,529
Cash and cash equivalents—End of year	1,027,321	1,190,080	834,837
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:
Interest	29,212	17,327	10,827
Premium taxes	57,367	58,148	54,629
Income taxes, less refunds of $2,546, $13,925 and $1,329	$ 89,062	$ 72,028	$ 120,313