Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Revenues:
Direct premiums	$ 597,130	$ 577,458
Ceded premiums	(395,333)	(397,540)
Net premiums	201,797	179,918
Commissions and fees	128,821	132,835
Investment income net of investment expenses	25,392	23,648
Interest expense on surplus note	(4,154)	(2,475)
Net investment income	21,238	21,173
Realized investment gains (losses), including other-than- temporary impairment losses	(783)	1,284
Other, net	11,889	9,636
Total revenues	362,962	344,846
Benefits and expenses:
Benefits and claims	90,977	82,500
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs	43,129	36,213
Sales commissions	66,643	68,457
Insurance expenses	33,311	34,348
Insurance commissions	4,147	3,190
Interest expense	7,173	8,676
Other operating expenses	47,370	44,653
Total benefits and expenses	292,750	278,037
Income before income taxes	70,212	66,809
Income taxes	25,036	23,408
Net income	$ 45,176	$ 43,401
Earnings per share:
Basic earnings per share	$ 0.92	$ 0.82
Diluted earnings per share	$ 0.92	$ 0.82
Weighted-average shares used in computing earnings per share:
Basic	48,550	52,643
Diluted	48,574	52,691
Supplemental disclosures:
Total impairment losses	$ (2,027)	$ (237)
Net impairment losses recognized in earnings	(2,027)	(237)
Other net realized investment gains (losses)	1,244	1,521
Realized investment gains (losses), including other-than- temporary impairment losses	$ (783)	$ 1,284
Dividends declared per share	$ 0.17	$ 0.16