Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Premiums:
Life insurance	$ 43,804	$ 42,773
Accident and health insurance	328	390
Property insurance	1,249	1,276
Net investment income	12,739	11,731
Realized investment gains (losses), net	1,263	(1,796)
Other income	198	151
Total revenue	59,581	54,525
Insurance benefits paid or provided:
Claims and surrenders	21,724	19,005
Increase in future policy benefit reserves	14,536	15,726
Policyholders' dividends	1,304	1,549
Total insurance benefits paid or provided	37,564	36,280
Commissions	9,925	9,468
Other general expenses	10,156	9,174
Capitalization of deferred policy acquisition costs	(6,901)	(6,264)
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs	7,375	6,631
Amortization of cost of customer relationships acquired	519	545
Total benefits and expenses	58,638	55,834
Income before federal income tax	943	(1,309)
Federal income tax (benefit) expense	(1,113)	1,082
Net income (loss)	2,056	(2,391)
Unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities:
Unrealized holding gains arising during period	5,137	11,333
Reclassification adjustments for losses included in net income	(152)	1,796
Unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities, net	4,985	13,129
Income tax expense on unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities	1,745	4,595
Other comprehensive income	3,240	8,534
Comprehensive income	$ 5,296	$ 6,143
Common Stock Class A [Member]
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.04	$ (0.05)
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	0.04	(0.05)
Common Stock Class B [Member]
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	0.02	(0.02)
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.02	$ (0.02)