SEGMENT INFORMATION - Summarized financial information by segment (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Reconciliation of operating profit loss from segment to consolidated
Premiums earned	$ 133,080	$ 120,497
Underwriting profit (loss)	2,350	7,441
Net investment income (loss)	11,855	10,443
Realized investment gains	1,262	2,668
Other income	201	235
Interest expense	84	131
Other expenses	695	147
Income before income tax expense	14,889	20,509
Reconciliation of assets from segment to consolidated
Assets	1,865,903		1,821,398
Eliminations	(461,970)		(441,984)
Reclassifications	(2,630)		(481)
Total assets	1,401,303		1,378,933
Property and casualty insurance [Member]
Reconciliation of operating profit loss from segment to consolidated
Premiums earned	101,247	92,705
Underwriting profit (loss)	(475)	2,616
Net investment income (loss)	8,616	7,649
Realized investment gains	1,011	1,957
Other income	201	235
Interest expense	84	131
Other expenses	174	205
Income before income tax expense	9,095	12,121
Reconciliation of assets from segment to consolidated
Assets	984,021		978,746
Eliminations	0		0
Reclassifications	(1,563)		0
Total assets	982,458		978,746
Reinsurance [Member]
Reconciliation of operating profit loss from segment to consolidated
Premiums earned	31,833	27,792
Underwriting profit (loss)	2,825	4,825
Net investment income (loss)	3,243	2,797
Realized investment gains	251	711
Other income	0	0
Interest expense	0	0
Other expenses	167	(441)
Income before income tax expense	6,152	8,774
Reconciliation of assets from segment to consolidated
Assets	404,697		387,284
Eliminations	0		0
Reclassifications	0		0
Total assets	404,697		387,284
Parent company [Member]
Reconciliation of operating profit loss from segment to consolidated
Premiums earned	0	0
Underwriting profit (loss)	0	0
Net investment income (loss)	(4)	(3)
Realized investment gains	0	0
Other income	0	0
Interest expense	0	0
Other expenses	354	383
Income before income tax expense	(358)	(386)
Reconciliation of assets from segment to consolidated
Assets	477,185		455,368
Eliminations	(461,970)		(441,984)
Reclassifications	(1,067)		(481)
Total assets	$ 14,148		$ 12,903