10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

ý QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES  EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2017

OR

o TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from ________________to __________________

Commission File Number: 0-10956

EMC INSURANCE GROUP INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Iowa	42-6234555
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

717 Mulberry Street, Des Moines, Iowa	50309
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

(515) 345-2902

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

ý  Yes    o  No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

ý  Yes    o  No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

o	Large accelerated filer	ý	Accelerated filer	o	Non-accelerated filer
o	Smaller reporting company	o	Emerging growth company		(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

o  Yes    ý  No

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

Class	Outstanding at July 31, 2017
Common stock, $1.00 par value	21,350,055

TABLE OF CONTENTS

		PAGE
PART I	FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.	Financial Statements	3
Item 2.	Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	37
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	53
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	53
PART II	OTHER INFORMATION
Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	54
Item 6.	Exhibits	55
Signatures		56
Index to Exhibits		57

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

EMC INSURANCE GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

	June 30,   2017		December 31,   2016
($ in thousands, except share and per share amounts)	(Unaudited)
ASSETS
Investments:
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost $1,200,799 and $1,189,525)	$	1,225,128	$	1,199,699
Equity securities available-for-sale, at fair value (cost $148,148 and $147,479)	221,651		213,839
Other long-term investments	14,929		12,506
Short-term investments	36,135		39,670
Total investments	1,497,843		1,465,714
Cash	315		307
Reinsurance receivables due from affiliate	21,163		21,326
Prepaid reinsurance premiums due from affiliate	14,927		9,309
Deferred policy acquisition costs (affiliated $40,875 and $40,660)	41,044		40,939
Prepaid pension and postretirement benefits due from affiliate	11,709		12,314
Accrued investment income	10,901		11,050
Amounts receivable under reverse repurchase agreements	16,500		20,000
Accounts receivable	1,892		2,076
Income taxes recoverable	543		—
Goodwill	942		942
Other assets (affiliated $3,504 and $4,632)	4,618		4,836
Total assets	$	1,622,397	$	1,588,813

All affiliated balances presented above are the result of related party transactions with Employers Mutual.

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

3

EMC INSURANCE GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

	June 30,   2017		December 31,   2016
($ in thousands, except share and per share amounts)	(Unaudited)
LIABILITIES
Losses and settlement expenses (affiliated $704,790 and $685,533)	$	709,491	$	690,532
Unearned premiums (affiliated $255,588 and $243,682)	256,362		244,885
Other policyholders' funds (all affiliated)	12,465		13,068
Surplus notes payable to affiliate	25,000		25,000
Amounts due affiliate to settle inter-company transaction balances	4,826		11,222
Pension benefits payable to affiliate	3,751		4,097
Income taxes payable	—		2,359
Deferred income taxes	17,728		11,321
Other liabilities (affiliated $19,571 and $27,871)	20,292		32,987
Total liabilities	1,049,915		1,035,471
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common stock, $1 par value, authorized 30,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding, 21,327,147 shares in 2017 and 21,222,535 shares in 2016	21,327		21,223
Additional paid-in capital	121,351		119,054
Accumulated other comprehensive income	59,380		46,081
Retained earnings	370,424		366,984
Total stockholders' equity	572,482		553,342
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	1,622,397	$	1,588,813

All affiliated balances presented above are the result of related party transactions with Employers Mutual.

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

4

EMC INSURANCE GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Unaudited)

	Three months ended   June 30,
($ in thousands, except share and per share amounts)	2017			2016
REVENUES
Premiums earned (affiliated $148,460 and $145,101)	$	149,837		$	146,446
Net investment income	11,171			12,179
Net realized investment gains, excluding impairment losses on securities available-for-sale	4,120			1,904
Total "other-than-temporary" impairment losses on securities available-for-sale	(733		)	(270		)
Portion of "other-than-temporary" impairment losses on fixed maturity securities available-for-sale reclassified from other comprehensive income (before taxes)	—			—
Net impairment losses on securities available-for-sale	(733		)	(270		)
Net realized investment gains	3,387			1,634
Other income (loss) (affiliated $(49) and $145)	(245		)	77
Total revenues	164,150			160,336
LOSSES AND EXPENSES
Losses and settlement expenses (affiliated $107,223 and $103,008)	107,228			102,820
Dividends to policyholders (all affiliated)	2,416			3,495
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs (affiliated $27,185 and $27,210)	27,533			27,567
Other underwriting expenses (affiliated $18,870 and $17,549)	18,857			17,557
Interest expense (all affiliated)	85			85
Other expenses (affiliated $514 and $496)	802			725
Total losses and expenses	156,921			152,249
Income before income tax expense	7,229			8,087
INCOME TAX EXPENSE (BENEFIT)
Current	2,069			2,374
Deferred	(344		)	(415		)
Total income tax expense	1,725			1,959
Net income	$	5,504		$	6,128
Net income per common share - basic and diluted	$	0.26		$	0.29
Dividend per common share	$	0.21		$	0.19
Average number of common shares outstanding - basic and diluted	21,276,627			20,989,844

All affiliated balances presented above are the result of related party transactions with Employers Mutual.

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

5

EMC INSURANCE GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Unaudited)

	Six months ended June 30,
($ in thousands, except share and per share amounts)	2017			2016
REVENUES
Premiums earned (affiliated $292,071, and $286,816)	$	294,324		$	289,183
Net investment income	22,178			24,409
Net realized investment gains, excluding impairment losses on securities available-for-sale	3,493			1,250
Total "other-than-temporary" impairment losses on securities available-for-sale	(733		)	(701		)
Portion of "other-than-temporary" impairment losses on fixed maturity securities available-for-sale reclassified from other comprehensive income (before taxes)	—			—
Net impairment losses on securities available-for-sale	(733		)	(701		)
Net realized investment gains	2,760			549
Other income (loss) (affiliated $(320) and $268)	(655		)	66
Total revenues	318,607			314,207
LOSSES AND EXPENSES
Losses and settlement expenses (affiliated $201,994 and $188,266)	203,513			187,929
Dividends to policyholders (all affiliated)	5,138			7,348
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs (affiliated $53,780 and $53,328)	54,344			53,895
Other underwriting expenses (affiliated $38,283 and $34,520)	38,211			34,528
Interest expense (all affiliated)	169			169
Other expenses (affiliated $981 and $933)	1,563			1,374
Total losses and expenses	302,938			285,243
Income before income tax expense	15,669			28,964
INCOME TAX EXPENSE (BENEFIT)
Current	4,115			9,992
Deferred	(754		)	(1,810		)
Total income tax expense	3,361			8,182
Net income	$	12,308		$	20,782
Net income per common share - basic and diluted	$	0.58		$	0.99
Dividend per common share	$	0.42		$	0.38
Average number of common shares outstanding - basic and diluted	21,265,529			20,916,022

All affiliated balances presented above are the result of related party transactions with Employers Mutual.

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

6

EMC INSURANCE GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Unaudited)

	Three months ended   June 30,
($ in thousands)	2017			2016
Net income	$	5,504		$	6,128
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
Unrealized holding gains on investment securities, net of deferred income tax expense of $4,455 and $5,761	8,274			10,698
Reclassification adjustment for net realized investment gains included in net income, net of income tax expense of $(1,646) and $(1,071)	(3,056		)	(1,990		)
Reclassification adjustment for amounts amortized into net periodic pension and postretirement benefit income, net of deferred income tax expense of $(146) and $(129):
Net actuarial loss	240			270
Prior service credit	(513		)	(508		)
Total reclassification adjustment associated with affiliate's pension and postretirement benefit plans	(273		)	(238		)
Other comprehensive income	4,945			8,470
Total comprehensive income	$	10,449		$	14,598

	Six months ended   June 30,
($ in thousands)	2017			2016
Net income	$	12,308		$	20,782
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
Unrealized holding gains on investment securities, net of deferred income tax expense of $9,681 and $12,371	17,979			22,973
Reclassification adjustment for net realized investment gains included in net income, net of income tax expense of $(2,227) and $(1,361)	(4,135		)	(2,529		)
Reclassification adjustment for amounts amortized into net periodic pension and postretirement benefit income, net of deferred income tax expense of $(293) and $(265):
Net actuarial loss	479			549
Prior service credit	(1,024		)	(1,039		)
Total reclassification adjustment associated with affiliate's pension and postretirement benefit plans	(545		)	(490		)
Other comprehensive income	13,299			19,954
Total comprehensive income	$	25,607		$	40,736

All affiliated balances presented above are the result of related party transactions with Employers Mutual.

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

7

EMC INSURANCE GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

(Unaudited)

($ in thousands, except per share amounts)	Common stock			Additional paid-in capital			Accumulated other comprehensive income		Retained earnings			Total stockholders' equity
Balance at December 31, 2016	$	21,223		$	119,054		$	46,081	$	366,984		$	553,342
Issuance of common stock through stock plans	168			3,961								4,129
Repurchase of common stock	(64		)	(1,694		)						(1,758		)
Increase resulting from stock-based compensation expense				30								30
Other comprehensive income							13,299					13,299
Net income									12,308			12,308
Dividends paid to public stockholders ($0.42 per share)									(3,924		)	(3,924		)
Dividends paid to affiliate ($0.42 per share)									(4,944		)	(4,944		)
Balance at June 30, 2017	$	21,327		$	121,351		$	59,380	$	370,424		$	572,482

($ in thousands, except per share amounts)	Common stock			Additional paid-in capital			Accumulated other comprehensive income		Retained earnings			Total stockholders' equity
Balance at December 31, 2015	$	20,781		$	108,747		$	58,433	$	336,977		$	524,938
Issuance of common stock through stock plans	266			5,996								6,262
Repurchase of common stock	(17		)	(366		)						(383		)
Increase resulting from stock-based compensation expense				37								37
Other comprehensive income							19,954					19,954
Net income									20,782			20,782
Dividends paid to public stockholders ($0.38 per share)									(3,394		)	(3,394		)
Dividends paid to affiliate ($0.38 per share)									(4,473		)	(4,473		)
Balance at June 30, 2016	$	21,030		$	114,414		$	78,387	$	349,892		$	563,723

All affiliated balances presented above are the result of related party transactions with Employers Mutual.

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

8

EMC INSURANCE GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

	Six months ended   June 30,
($ in thousands)	2017			2016
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$	12,308		$	20,782
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Losses and settlement expenses (affiliated $19,257 and $15,152)	18,959			12,064
Unearned premiums (affiliated $11,906 and $8,829)	11,477			9,013
Other policyholders' funds due to affiliate	(603		)	2,866
Amounts due to/from affiliate to settle inter-company transaction balances	(6,396		)	3,434
Net pension and postretirement benefits due from affiliate	(579		)	(375		)
Reinsurance receivables due from affiliate	163			1,284
Prepaid reinsurance premiums due from affiliate	(5,618		)	(4,608		)
Commissions payable (affiliated $(4,895) and $(6,411))	(4,904		)	(6,472		)
Deferred policy acquisition costs (affiliated $(215) and $(789))	(105		)	(831		)
Accrued investment income	149			219
Current income tax	(2,902		)	3,489
Deferred income tax	(754		)	(1,810		)
Net realized investment gains	(2,760		)	(549		)
Other, net (affiliated $(2,247) and $103)	3,961			5,228
Total adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities	10,088			22,952
Net cash provided by operating activities	22,396			43,734
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchases of fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	(101,700		)	(180,471		)
Disposals of fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	81,762			178,454
Purchases of equity securities available-for-sale	(28,859		)	(33,014		)
Disposals of equity securities available-for-sale	36,098			28,787
Purchases of other long-term investments	(11,084		)	(5,920		)
Disposals of other long-term investments	857			198
Net (purchases) disposals of short-term investments	3,535			(29,286		)
Net receipts under reverse repurchase agreements	3,500			—
Net cash used in investing activities	(15,891		)	(41,252		)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Issuance of common stock through affiliate’s stock plans	4,129			6,262
Repurchase of common stock	(1,758		)	(383		)
Dividends paid to stockholders (affiliated $(4,944) and $(4,473))	(8,868		)	(7,867		)
Net cash used in financing activities	(6,497		)	(1,988		)
NET INCREASE IN CASH	8			494
Cash at the beginning of the year	307			224
Cash at the end of the quarter	$	315		$	718

All affiliated balances presented above are the result of related party transactions with Employers Mutual.

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

9

EMC INSURANCE GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION

EMC Insurance Group Inc., a majority owned subsidiary of Employers Mutual Casualty Company (Employers Mutual), is an insurance holding company with operations in property and casualty insurance and reinsurance.  The Company writes property and casualty insurance in both commercial and personal lines of insurance, with a focus on medium-sized commercial accounts.  The term “Company” is used interchangeably to describe EMC Insurance Group Inc. (Parent Company only) and EMC Insurance Group Inc. and its subsidiaries.

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the basis of U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X.  Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by GAAP for complete financial statements.  The Company has evaluated all subsequent events through the date the financial statements were issued.  In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation of the interim financial statements have been included.  The results of operations for the interim periods reported are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the year.  The consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2016 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date, but does not include all of the information and notes required by GAAP for complete financial statements.

In reading these financial statements, reference should be made to the Company’s 2016 Form 10-K or the 2016 Annual Report to Stockholders for more detailed footnote information.

2. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

An inter-company reinsurance program is in place between the Company's insurance subsidiaries in the property and casualty insurance segment and Employers Mutual. This reinsurance program is intended to reduce the volatility of the Company's quarterly results caused by excessive catastrophe and storm losses, and provide protection from both the frequency and severity of such losses. The reinsurance program consists of two semi-annual aggregate catastrophe excess of loss treaties. The first treaty is effective from January 1, 2017 through June 30, 2017, and has a retention of $20.0 million and a limit of $24.0 million. The total cost of this treaty is approximately $6.0 million. The second treaty is effective from July 1, 2017 through December 31, 2017, and has a retention of $15.0 million and a limit of $12.0 million. The total cost of this treaty is approximately $1.4 million. Losses and settlement expenses ceded to Employers Mutual under the 2017 program totaled $16.0 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, compared to $1.6 million ceded during the three and six months ended June 30, 2016. The terms of these treaties were the same in 2016 with the exception of the costs, which were $6.3 million during the first half of 2016 and $1.5 million during the second half of 2016. All catastrophe and storm losses assumed by the property and casualty insurance subsidiaries (net of applicable reinsurance recoveries from external reinsurance protections purchased by the pool participants) are subject to the terms of these treaties, and there is no co-participation provision.

An inter-company reinsurance program is also in place between the Company's reinsurance subsidiary and Employers Mutual. The reinsurance program consists of two treaties. The first is a per occurrence catastrophe excess of loss treaty with a retention of $10.0 million, a limit of $10.0 million, 20 percent co-participation, and no reinstatement. The total cost of this treaty is approximately $1.7 million. The second is an annual aggregate catastrophe excess of loss treaty with a retention of $20.0 million, a limit of $100.0 million, and 20 percent co-participation. The total cost of this treaty is approximately $3.2 million. Any losses recovered under the per occurrence treaty inure to the benefit of the aggregate treaty, and only catastrophic events with total losses greater than $500,000 are subject to the terms of the aggregate treaty. No recoveries were made under these treaties during the six months ended June 30, 2017 or 2016. The terms of these treaties were the same in 2016 with the exception of the costs, which were $2.0 million for the per occurrence treaty and $3.2 million for the annual aggregate.

The reinsurance subsidiary purchases additional reinsurance protection in peak exposure territories from external parties in which coverage is triggered when losses experienced by the insurance industry from a catastrophic event exceed a specified threshold. Any reinsurance recoveries received from external parties reduces the amount of losses ceded to Employers Mutual under the inter-company reinsurance program.

10

3. REINSURANCE

The effect of reinsurance on premiums written and earned, and losses and settlement expenses incurred, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 is presented below.  The classification of the assumed and ceded reinsurance amounts between affiliates and nonaffiliates is based on the participants in the underlying reinsurance agreements, and is intended to provide an understanding of the actual source of the reinsurance activities.  This presentation differs from the classifications used in the consolidated financial statements, where all amounts flowing through the pooling and quota share agreements and inter-company reinsurance programs with Employers Mutual are reported as “affiliated” balances.

	Three months ended June 30, 2017
($ in thousands)	Property and casualty insurance			Reinsurance			Total
Premiums written
Direct	$	93,392		$	—		$	93,392
Assumed from nonaffiliates	1,290			35,596			36,886
Assumed from affiliates	136,726			—			136,726
Ceded to nonaffiliates	(8,444		)	(5,830		)	(14,274		)
Ceded to affiliates	(96,373		)	(1,212		)	(97,585		)
Net premiums written	$	126,591		$	28,554		$	155,145
Premiums earned
Direct	$	95,376		$	—		$	95,376
Assumed from nonaffiliates	1,130			37,411			38,541
Assumed from affiliates	125,179			—			125,179
Ceded to nonaffiliates	(7,142		)	(2,549		)	(9,691		)
Ceded to affiliates	(98,356		)	(1,212		)	(99,568		)
Net premiums earned	$	116,187		$	33,650		$	149,837
Losses and settlement expenses incurred
Direct	$	72,811		$	—		$	72,811
Assumed from nonaffiliates	693			26,177			26,870
Assumed from affiliates	100,380			301			100,681
Ceded to nonaffiliates	(3,564		)	(757		)	(4,321		)
Ceded to affiliates	(88,812		)	(1		)	(88,813		)
Net losses and settlement expenses incurred	$	81,508		$	25,720		$	107,228

11

	Three months ended June 30, 2016
($ in thousands)	Property and casualty insurance			Reinsurance			Total
Premiums written
Direct	$	96,707		$	—		$	96,707
Assumed from nonaffiliates	1,252			37,527			38,779
Assumed from affiliates	128,283			—			128,283
Ceded to nonaffiliates	(5,847		)	(5,851		)	(11,698		)
Ceded to affiliates	(99,862		)	(1,270		)	(101,132		)
Net premiums written	$	120,533		$	30,406		$	150,939
Premiums earned
Direct	$	94,715		$	—		$	94,715
Assumed from nonaffiliates	1,135			37,680			38,815
Assumed from affiliates	119,665			—			119,665
Ceded to nonaffiliates	(5,874		)	(1,735		)	(7,609		)
Ceded to affiliates	(97,870		)	(1,270		)	(99,140		)
Net premiums earned	$	111,771		$	34,675		$	146,446
Losses and settlement expenses incurred
Direct	$	66,942		$	—		$	66,942
Assumed from nonaffiliates	784			21,379			22,163
Assumed from affiliates	85,822			365			86,187
Ceded to nonaffiliates	(3,526		)	(485		)	(4,011		)
Ceded to affiliates	(68,556		)	95			(68,461		)
Net losses and settlement expenses incurred	$	81,466		$	21,354		$	102,820

12

	Six months ended June 30, 2017
($ in thousands)	Property and casualty insurance			Reinsurance			Total
Premiums written
Direct	$	190,144		$	—		$	190,144
Assumed from nonaffiliates	2,209			69,101			71,310
Assumed from affiliates	261,526			—			261,526
Ceded to nonaffiliates	(16,577		)	(7,854		)	(24,431		)
Ceded to affiliates	(196,104		)	(2,425		)	(198,529		)
Net premiums written	$	241,198		$	58,822		$	300,020
Premiums earned
Direct	$	191,274		$	—		$	191,274
Assumed from nonaffiliates	2,145			72,100			74,245
Assumed from affiliates	247,276			—			247,276
Ceded to nonaffiliates	(13,626		)	(5,186		)	(18,812		)
Ceded to affiliates	(197,234		)	(2,425		)	(199,659		)
Net premiums earned	$	229,835		$	64,489		$	294,324
Losses and settlement expenses incurred
Direct	$	135,572		$	—		$	135,572
Assumed from nonaffiliates	1,445			47,417			48,862
Assumed from affiliates	177,122			665			177,787
Ceded to nonaffiliates	(4,965		)	(1,587		)	(6,552		)
Ceded to affiliates	(152,146		)	(10		)	(152,156		)
Net losses and settlement expenses incurred	$	157,028		$	46,485		$	203,513

13

	Six months ended June 30, 2016
($ in thousands)	Property and casualty insurance			Reinsurance			Total
Premiums written
Direct	$	191,693		$	—		$	191,693
Assumed from nonaffiliates	2,209			71,786			73,995
Assumed from affiliates	247,129			—			247,129
Ceded to nonaffiliates	(11,228		)	(7,831		)	(19,059		)
Ceded to affiliates	(198,003		)	(2,540		)	(200,543		)
Net premiums written	$	231,800		$	61,415		$	293,215
Premiums earned
Direct	$	187,551		$	—		$	187,551
Assumed from nonaffiliates	2,162			72,396			74,558
Assumed from affiliates	237,927			—			237,927
Ceded to nonaffiliates	(11,562		)	(2,890		)	(14,452		)
Ceded to affiliates	(193,861		)	(2,540		)	(196,401		)
Net premiums earned	$	222,217		$	66,966		$	289,183
Losses and settlement expenses incurred
Direct	$	107,996		$	—		$	107,996
Assumed from nonaffiliates	1,505			44,581			46,086
Assumed from affiliates	147,276			753			148,029
Ceded to nonaffiliates	(3,603		)	(1,392		)	(4,995		)
Ceded to affiliates	(109,610		)	423			(109,187		)
Net losses and settlement expenses incurred	$	143,564		$	44,365		$	187,929

Individual lines in the above tables are defined as follows:

• “Direct” represents business produced by the property and casualty insurance subsidiaries.

• “Assumed from nonaffiliates” for the property and casualty insurance subsidiaries represents their aggregate 30 percent pool participation percentage of involuntary business assumed by the pool participants pursuant to state law. For the reinsurance subsidiary, this line represents the reinsurance business assumed through the quota share agreement (including “fronting” activities initiated by Employers Mutual) and the business assumed outside the quota share agreement.

• “Assumed from affiliates” for the property and casualty insurance subsidiaries represents their aggregate 30 percent pool participation percentage of all the pool members’ direct business.  The amounts reported under the caption “Losses and settlement expenses incurred” also include claim-related services provided by Employers Mutual that are allocated to the property and casualty insurance subsidiaries and the reinsurance subsidiary.

• “Ceded to nonaffiliates” for the property and casualty insurance subsidiaries represents their aggregate 30 percent pool participation percentage of 1) the amounts ceded to nonaffiliated reinsurance companies in accordance with the terms of the reinsurance agreements providing protection to the pool and each of its participants, and 2) the amounts ceded on a mandatory basis to state organizations in connection with various programs.  For the reinsurance subsidiary, this line includes 1) reinsurance business that is ceded to other insurance companies in connection with “fronting” activities initiated by Employers Mutual, and 2) amounts ceded to purchase additional reinsurance protection in peak exposure territories from external parties.

• “Ceded to affiliates” for the property and casualty insurance subsidiaries represents the cession of their direct business to Employers Mutual under the terms of the pooling agreement and amounts ceded to Employers Mutual under the terms of the inter-company reinsurance program.  For the reinsurance subsidiary this line represents amounts ceded to Employers Mutual under the terms of the inter-company reinsurance program.

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4. LIABILITY FOR LOSSES AND SETTLEMENT EXPENSES

The following table sets forth a reconciliation of beginning and ending reserves for losses and settlement expenses of the Company.  Amounts presented are on a net basis, with a reconciliation of beginning and ending reserves to the gross amounts presented in the consolidated financial statements.

	Six months ended June 30,
($ in thousands)	2017			2016
Gross reserves at beginning of year	$	690,532		$	678,774
Re-valuation due to foreign currency exchange rates	(1,913		)	(2,475		)
Less ceded reserves at beginning of year	20,664			23,477
Net reserves at beginning of year	671,781			657,772
Incurred losses and settlement expenses related to:
Current year	216,710			203,800
Prior years	(13,197		)	(15,871		)
Total incurred losses and settlement expenses	203,513			187,929
Paid losses and settlement expenses related to:
Current year	66,662			57,389
Prior years	119,270			118,287
Total paid losses and settlement expenses	185,932			175,676
Net reserves at end of period	689,362			670,025
Plus ceded reserves at end of period	20,430			22,409
Re-valuation due to foreign currency exchange rates	(301		)	(1,596		)
Gross reserves at end of period	$	709,491		$	690,838

There is an inherent amount of uncertainty involved in the establishment of insurance liabilities.  This uncertainty is greatest in the current and more recent accident years because a smaller percentage of the expected ultimate claims have been reported, adjusted and settled compared to more mature accident years.  For this reason, carried reserves for these accident years reflect prudently conservative assumptions.  As the carried reserves for these accident years run off, the overall expectation is that, more often than not, favorable development will occur.  However, there is also the possibility that the ultimate settlement of liabilities associated with these accident years will show adverse development, and such adverse development could be substantial.

During the third quarter of 2016, management implemented a new reserving methodology for the determination of direct bulk reserves in the property and casualty insurance segment. The new methodology, which is referred to as the accident year ultimate estimate approach, better conforms to industry practices and provides increased transparency of the drivers of the property and casualty insurance segment's performance.

 Changes in reserve estimates are reflected in net income in the year such changes are recorded.  Following is an analysis of the reserve development the Company experienced during the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016.  Care should be exercised when attempting to analyze the financial impact of the reported development amounts because, as noted above, the overall expectation is that, more often than not, favorable development will occur as the prior accident years’ reserves run off.

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2017 Development

For the property and casualty insurance segment, the June 30, 2017 estimate of loss and settlement expense reserves for accident years 2016 and prior decreased $9.3 million from the estimate at December 31, 2016.  This decrease represents 1.9% of the December 31, 2016 gross carried reserves and is primarily attributed to reductions in prior year ultimate loss and settlement ratios for most lines of business except commercial auto liability. The other liability line of business was the largest contributor to favorable development. The ultimate loss and settlement ratios for accident years 2004 through 2016 were decreased slightly due to declines in expected ultimate claim frequency and/or severity. Due to increases in projected ultimate claim frequency and severity, the ultimate loss and settlement ratios in the commercial auto line of business were increased for accident years 2012 through 2016, producing adverse reserve development for that line of business. Prior years' asbestos settlement expense reserves in the other liability line of business increased during the first six months of 2017 in connection with the settlement of claims for past and future legal fees and losses on a multi-year asbestos exposure associated with a former insured.

For the reinsurance segment, the June 30, 2017 estimate of loss and settlement expense reserves for accident years 2016 and prior decreased $3.9 million from the estimate at December 31, 2016.  This decrease represents 1.9% of the December 31, 2016 gross carried reserves and is primarily attributed to prior year reserve releases in the casualty excess and property/casualty global excess contract types.

2016 Development

For the property and casualty insurance segment, the June 30, 2016 estimate of loss and settlement expense reserves for accident years 2015 and prior decreased $9.8 million from the estimate at December 31, 2015.  This decrease represented 2.0 percent of the December 31, 2015 gross carried reserves and was primarily attributed to better than expected outcomes for all lines of business except commercial auto liability and commercial property (workers' compensation, personal auto liability and other liability lines of business were the largest contributors to favorable development). Commercial auto liability experienced adverse development on both claims which had been reported in prior years and emerged incurred but not reported (IBNR) claims, while commercial property experienced adverse development on emerged IBNR claims. Prior years' asbestos loss and settlement expense reserves were also strengthened during the first quarter of 2016, producing some adverse reserve development in the other liability line of business.

For the reinsurance segment, the June 30, 2016 estimate of loss and settlement expense reserves for accident years 2015 and prior decreased $6.1 million from the estimate at December 31, 2015.  This decrease represented 3.1 percent of the December 31, 2015 gross carried reserves, with slightly less than half of the favorable development coming from the Mutual Reinsurance Bureau underwriting association (MRB), which included a decrease in bulk reserves.

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5. SEGMENT INFORMATION

The Company’s operations consist of a property and casualty insurance segment and a reinsurance segment.  The property and casualty insurance segment writes both commercial and personal lines of insurance, with a focus on medium-sized commercial accounts.  The reinsurance segment provides reinsurance for other insurers and reinsurers.  The segments are managed separately due to differences in the insurance products sold and the business environments in which they operate. Management evaluates the performance of its insurance segments using financial measurements based on Statutory Accounting Principles (SAP) instead of GAAP. Such measures include premiums written, premiums earned, statutory underwriting profit (loss), and investment results, as well as loss and loss adjustment expense ratios, trade underwriting expense ratios, and combined ratios.

Summarized financial information for the Company’s segments is as follows:

Three months ended June 30, 2017	Property and casualty insurance			Reinsurance			Parent company			Consolidated
($ in thousands)
Premiums earned	$	116,187		$	33,650		$	—		$	149,837
Underwriting profit (loss):
SAP underwriting profit (loss)	(8,892		)	218			—			(8,674		)
GAAP adjustments	3,282			(805		)	—			2,477
GAAP underwriting profit (loss)	(5,610		)	(587		)	—			(6,197		)
Net investment income	7,958			3,201			12			11,171
Net realized investment gains (losses)	3,738			(351		)	—			3,387
Other income (loss)	283			(528		)	—			(245		)
Interest expense	85			—			—			85
Other expenses	231			—			571			802
Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)	$	6,053		$	1,735		$	(559	)	$	7,229

Three months ended June 30, 2016	Property and casualty insurance			Reinsurance			Parent company			Consolidated
($ in thousands)
Premiums earned	$	111,771		$	34,675		$	—		$	146,446
Underwriting profit (loss):
SAP underwriting profit (loss)	(11,289		)	5,026			—			(6,263		)
GAAP adjustments	1,917			(647		)	—			1,270
GAAP underwriting profit (loss)	(9,372		)	4,379			—			(4,993		)
Net investment income	8,568			3,608			3			12,179
Net realized investment gains (losses)	1,018			616			—			1,634
Other income (loss)	162			(85		)	—			77
Interest expense	85			—			—			85
Other expenses	211			—			514			725
Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)	$	80		$	8,518		$	(511	)	$	8,087

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Six months ended June 30, 2017	Property and casualty insurance			Reinsurance			Parent company			Consolidated
($ in thousands)
Premiums earned	$	229,835		$	64,489		$	—		$	294,324
Underwriting profit (loss):
SAP underwriting profit (loss)	(11,486		)	3,465			—			(8,021		)
GAAP adjustments	2,275			(1,136		)	—			1,139
GAAP underwriting profit (loss)	(9,211		)	2,329			—			(6,882		)
Net investment income	15,973			6,184			21			22,178
Net realized investment gains (losses)	3,141			(381		)	—			2,760
Other income (loss)	444			(1,099		)	—			(655		)
Interest expense	169			—			—			169
Other expenses	410			—			1,153			1,563
Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)	$	9,768		$	7,033		$	(1,132	)	$	15,669
Assets	$	1,143,680		$	469,285		$	572,671		$	2,185,636
Eliminations	—			—			(562,914		)	(562,914		)
Reclassifications	(44		)	—			(281		)	(325		)
Total assets	$	1,143,636		$	469,285		$	9,476		$	1,622,397

Six months ended June 30, 2016	Property and casualty insurance			Reinsurance			Parent company			Consolidated
($ in thousands)
Premiums earned	$	222,217		$	66,966		$	—		$	289,183
Underwriting profit (loss):
SAP underwriting profit (loss)	(823		)	7,088			—			6,265
GAAP adjustments	56			(838		)	—			(782		)
GAAP underwriting profit (loss)	(767		)	6,250			—			5,483
Net investment income	17,339			7,065			5			24,409
Net realized investment gains (losses)	172			377			—			549
Other income (loss)	294			(228		)	—			66
Interest expense	169			—			—			169
Other expenses	368			—			1,006			1,374
Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)	$	16,501		$	13,464		$	(1,001	)	$	28,964
Year ended December 31, 2016
Assets	$	1,122,037		$	455,493		$	554,164		$	2,131,694
Eliminations	—			—			(540,249		)	(540,249		)
Reclassifications	—			(1,932		)	(700		)	(2,632		)
Total assets	$	1,122,037		$	453,561		$	13,215		$	1,588,813

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The following table displays the premiums earned for the property and casualty insurance segment and the reinsurance segment for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, by line of insurance.

	Three months ended June 30,				Six months ended June 30,
($ in thousands)	2017		2016		2017		2016
Property and casualty insurance segment
Commercial lines:
Automobile	$	29,014	$	27,409	$	57,046	$	54,336
Property	26,069		25,073		51,571		49,821
Workers' compensation	25,343		23,489		50,046		46,736
Other liability	24,254		24,139		48,382		47,809
Other	2,197		2,073		4,306		4,144
Total commercial lines	106,877		102,183		211,351		202,846
Personal lines	9,310		9,588		18,484		19,371
Total property and casualty insurance	$	116,187	$	111,771	$	229,835	$	222,217
Reinsurance segment
Pro rata reinsurance	$	12,016	$	15,468	$	22,451	$	29,109
Excess of loss reinsurance	21,634		19,207		42,038		37,857
Total reinsurance	$	33,650	$	34,675	$	64,489	$	66,966
Consolidated	$	149,837	$	146,446	$	294,324	$	289,183

6. INCOME TAXES

The actual income tax expense for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 differed from the “expected” income tax expense for those periods (computed by applying the United States federal corporate tax rate of 35 percent to income before income tax expense) as follows:

	Three months ended   June 30,						Six months ended   June 30,
($ in thousands)	2017			2016			2017			2016
Computed "expected" income tax expense	$	2,530		$	2,830		$	5,484		$	10,137
Increases (decreases) in tax resulting from:
Tax-exempt interest income	(761		)	(697		)	(1,466		)	(1,392		)
Dividends received deduction	(348		)	(349		)	(654		)	(774		)
Proration of tax-exempt interest and dividends received deduction	166			157			318			325
Other, net	138			18			(321		)	(114		)
Total income tax expense	$	1,725		$	1,959		$	3,361		$	8,182

The Company had no provision for uncertain income tax positions at June 30, 2017 or December 31, 2016.  The Company recognized no interest expense or other penalties related to U.S. federal or state income taxes during the three or six months ended June 30, 2017 or 2016.  It is the Company’s accounting policy to reflect income tax penalties as other expense, and interest as interest expense.

The Company files a U.S. federal income tax return, along with various state income tax returns.  The Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal and state income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2013.  

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7. EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT PLANS

The components of net periodic benefit cost (income) for Employers Mutual’s pension and postretirement benefit plans is as follows:

	Three months ended   June 30,						Six months ended   June 30,
($ in thousands)	2017			2016			2017			2016
Pension plans:
Service cost	$	3,708		$	3,545		$	7,568		$	7,185
Interest cost	2,800			2,544			5,595			5,069
Expected return on plan assets	(5,191		)	(4,840		)	(10,382		)	(9,680		)
Amortization of net actuarial loss	913			1,083			1,821			2,122
Amortization of prior service cost	5			7			10			15
Net periodic pension benefit cost	$	2,235		$	2,339		$	4,612		$	4,711
Postretirement benefit plans:
Service cost	$	340		$	318		$	681		$	636
Interest cost	570			554			1,140			1,108
Expected return on plan assets	(1,078		)	(1,056		)	(2,156		)	(2,112		)
Amortization of net actuarial loss	343			373			686			747
Amortization of prior service credit	(2,788		)	(2,834		)	(5,577		)	(5,669		)
Net periodic postretirement benefit income	$	(2,613	)	$	(2,645	)	$	(5,226	)	$	(5,290	)

Net periodic pension benefit cost allocated to the Company amounted to $670,000 and $683,000 for the three months and $1.4 million and $1.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.  Net periodic postretirement benefit income allocated to the Company amounted to $736,000 and $730,000 for the three months and $1.5 million and $1.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

The Company’s share of Employers Mutual’s remaining 2017 planned contribution to the pension plan, if made, will be approximately $2.7 million. No contributions will be made to the Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association (VEBA) trust in 2017.

8. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

On May 26, 2017, the Company registered 150,000 shares of the Company's common stock for use in the EMC Insurance Group Inc. 2017 Non-Employee Director Stock Plan (the "2017 Director Plan"). The 2017 Director Plan provides for the awarding of non-qualified stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units and other stock-based awards to non-employee directors of the Company. Employers Mutual also has several stock plans which utilize the common stock of the Company. Employers Mutual can provide the common stock required under its plans by: 1) using shares of common stock that it currently owns; 2) purchasing common stock in the open market; or 3) directly purchasing common stock from the Company at the current fair value. A portion of the compensation expense recognized by Employers Mutual (as the requisite service period for granted options and restricted stock awards is rendered) is allocated to the Company’s property and casualty insurance subsidiaries though their participation in the pooling agreement.

During the first quarter of 2017, Employers Mutual began issuing restricted stock units rather than restricted stock awards. In connection with this change, Employers Mutual will now acquire stock to fulfill its obligations to the recipients of the restricted stock units on the date they vest, rather than on the grant date of the awards.

Because of this change, an account Employers Mutual established to hold previously granted restricted stock awards until they vest contained excess shares of the Company's stock stemming from forfeitures and surrenders. During the first quarter of 2017, the Company repurchased 64,358 shares of stock from this unvested restricted stock account at an average cost of $27.31.

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The Company recognized compensation expense from these plans of $535,000 ($348,000 net of tax) and $187,000 ($122,000 net of tax) for the three months and $212,000 ($138,000 net of tax) and $324,000 ($211,000 net of tax) for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.  During the first six months of 2017, 2,000 shares of restricted stock were granted to non-employee directors of the Company, 116,288 restricted stock units were granted to eligible employees of Employers Mutual, 85,192 shares of restricted stock vested, and 130,926 options were exercised under the plans at a weighted average exercise price of $14.87.

9. DISCLOSURES ABOUT THE FAIR VALUES OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 are summarized in the tables below.

June 30, 2017	Carrying amounts		Estimated fair values
($ in thousands)
Assets:
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale:
U.S. treasury	$	7,915	$	7,915
U.S. government-sponsored agencies	236,732		236,732
Obligations of states and political subdivisions	339,961		339,961
Commercial mortgage-backed	58,832		58,832
Residential mortgage-backed	86,251		86,251
Other asset-backed	25,020		25,020
Corporate	470,417		470,417
Total fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	1,225,128		1,225,128
Equity securities available-for-sale:
Common stocks:
Financial services	38,121		38,121
Information technology	35,862		35,862
Healthcare	27,891		27,891
Consumer staples	16,693		16,693
Consumer discretionary	20,069		20,069
Energy	15,449		15,449
Industrials	24,509		24,509
Other	18,301		18,301
Non-redeemable preferred stocks	24,756		24,756
Total equity securities available-for-sale	221,651		221,651
Short-term investments	36,135		36,135
Liabilities:
Surplus notes	25,000		11,369

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December 31, 2016	Carrying amounts		Estimated fair values
($ in thousands)
Assets:
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale:
U.S. treasury	$	7,830	$	7,830
U.S. government-sponsored agencies	239,197		239,197
Obligations of states and political subdivisions	335,757		335,757
Commercial mortgage-backed	37,572		37,572
Residential mortgage-backed	96,434		96,434
Other asset-backed	26,393		26,393
Corporate	456,516		456,516
Total fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	1,199,699		1,199,699
Equity securities available-for-sale:
Common stocks:
Financial services	35,122		35,122
Information technology	30,542		30,542
Healthcare	24,707		24,707
Consumer staples	19,100		19,100
Consumer discretionary	22,321		22,321
Energy	19,071		19,071
Industrials	24,245		24,245
Other	18,384		18,384
Non-redeemable preferred stocks	20,347		20,347
Total equity securities available-for-sale	213,839		213,839
Short-term investments	39,670		39,670
Liabilities:
Surplus notes	25,000		11,228

The estimated fair values of fixed maturity and equity securities is based on quoted market prices, where available.  In cases where quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based on a variety of valuation techniques depending on the type of security.

Short-term investments generally include money market funds, U.S. Treasury bills and commercial paper.  Short-term investments are carried at fair value, which approximates cost, due to the highly liquid nature of the securities.   Short-term securities are classified as Level 1 fair value measurements when the fair values can be validated by recent trades.  When recent trades are not available, fair value is deemed to be the cost basis and the securities are classified as Level 2 fair value measurements.

The estimated fair value of the surplus notes is derived by discounting future expected cash flows at a rate deemed appropriate.  The discount rate was set at the average of current yields-to-maturity on several insurance company surplus notes that are traded in observable markets, adjusted upward by 50 basis points to reflect illiquidity and perceived risk premium differences. Other assumptions include a 25-year term (the surplus notes have no stated maturity date) and an interest rate that continues at the current 1.35 percent interest rate. The rate is typically adjusted every five years (next review due in 2018) and is based upon the then-current Federal Home Loan Bank borrowing rate for 5-year funds available to Employers Mutual.

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Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.  The following fair value hierarchy prioritizes inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value.

Level 1 -	Unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the Company has the ability to access.
Level 2 -	Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets; or valuations based on models where the significant inputs are observable (e.g., interest rates, yield curves, prepayment speeds, default rates, loss severities, etc.) or can be corroborated by observable market data.
Level 3 -	Prices or valuation techniques that require significant unobservable inputs because observable inputs are not available.  The unobservable inputs may reflect the Company’s own judgments about the assumptions that market participants would use.

The Company uses an independent pricing source to obtain the estimated fair values of a majority of its securities, subject to an internal validation.  The fair values are based on quoted market prices, where available.  This is typically the case for equity securities and money market funds, which are accordingly classified as Level 1 fair value measurements.  In cases where quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based on a variety of valuation techniques depending on the type of security.  Fixed maturity securities, non-redeemable preferred stocks and various short-term investments in the Company’s portfolio may not trade on a daily basis; however, observable inputs are utilized in their valuations, and these securities are therefore classified as Level 2 fair value measurements.  Following is a brief description of the various pricing techniques used by the independent pricing source for different asset classes.

• U.S. Treasury securities (including bonds, notes, and bills) are priced according to a number of live data sources, including active market makers and inter-dealer brokers.  Prices from these sources are reviewed based on the sources’ historical accuracy for individual issues and maturity ranges.

• U.S. government-sponsored agencies and corporate securities (including fixed-rate corporate bonds and medium-term notes) are priced by determining a bullet (non-call) spread scale for each issuer for maturities going out to forty years.  These spreads represent credit risk and are obtained from the new issue market, secondary trading, and dealer quotes.  An option adjusted spread model is incorporated to adjust spreads of issues that have early redemption features.  The final spread is then added to the U.S. Treasury curve.

• Obligations of states and political subdivisions are priced by tracking and analyzing actively quoted issues and reported trades, material event notices and benchmark yields.  Municipal bonds with similar characteristics are grouped together into market sectors, and internal yield curves are constructed daily for these sectors.  Individual bond evaluations are extrapolated from these sectors, with the ability to make individual spread adjustments for attributes such as discounts, premiums, alternative minimum tax, and/or whether or not the bond is callable.

• Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities are first reviewed for the appropriate pricing speed (if prepayable), spread, yield and volatility.  The securities are priced with models using spreads and other information solicited from market buy- and sell-side sources, including primary and secondary dealers, portfolio managers, and research analysts.  To determine a tranche’s price, first the benchmark yield is determined and adjusted for collateral performance, tranche level attributes and market conditions.  Then the cash flow for each tranche is generated (using consensus prepayment speed assumptions including, as appropriate, a prepayment projection based on historical statistics of the underlying collateral).  The tranche-level yield is used to discount the cash flows and generate the price.  Depending on the characteristics of the tranche, a volatility-driven, multi-dimensional single cash flow stream model or an option-adjusted spread model may be used.  When cash flows or other security structure or market information is not available, broker quotes may be used.

On a quarterly basis, the Company receives from its independent pricing service a list of fixed maturity securities, if any, that were priced solely from broker quotes.  For these securities, fair value may be determined using the broker quotes, or by the Company using similar pricing techniques as the Company’s independent pricing service.  Depending on the level of observable inputs, these securities would be classified as Level 2 or Level 3 fair value measurements.   At June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the Company had no securities priced solely from broker quotes.

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A small number of the Company’s securities are not priced by the independent pricing service.  Two of these are equity securities that are reported as Level 3 fair value measurements since no reliable observable inputs are used in their valuations.  The largest of these equity security holdings is in a privately placed non-redeemable convertible preferred stock investment in a start-up technology company that Employers Mutual is working closely with in its data analytics activities. Due to the recent purchase of this security in November, 2016, this security is currently carried at its acquisition cost, which is presumed to be equivalent to fair value. The other equity security, a much smaller holding, continues to be reported at the fair value obtained from the Securities Valuation Office (SVO) of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).  The SVO establishes a per share price for this security based on an annual review of that company’s financial statements, typically performed during the second quarter.  The other securities not priced by the Company’s independent pricing service consist of eight fixed maturity securities (nine at December 31, 2016). Two of these fixed maturity securities, classified as Level 3 fair value measurements, are corporate securities that convey premium tax benefits and are not publicly traded. The fair values for these securities are based on discounted cash flow analyses. The other fixed maturity securities are classified as Level 2 fair value measurements.  The fair values for these fixed maturity securities were obtained from either the SVO, the Company's investment custodian, or the Company's investment department using similar pricing techniques as the Company’s independent pricing service.

24

Presented in the tables below are the estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016.

June 30, 2017			Fair value measurements using
($ in thousands)	Total		Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1)		Significant other observable inputs (Level 2)		Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)
Financial instruments reported at fair value on recurring basis:
Assets:
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale:
U.S. treasury	$	7,915	$	—	$	7,915	$	—
U.S. government-sponsored agencies	236,732		—		236,732		—
Obligations of states and political subdivisions	339,961		—		339,961		—
Commercial mortgage-backed	58,832		—		58,832		—
Residential mortgage-backed	86,251		—		86,251		—
Other asset-backed	25,020		—		25,020		—
Corporate	470,417		—		469,577		840
Total fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	1,225,128		—		1,224,288		840
Equity securities available-for-sale:
Common stocks:
Financial services	38,121		38,118		—		3
Information technology	35,862		35,862		—		—
Healthcare	27,891		27,891		—		—
Consumer staples	16,693		16,693		—		—
Consumer discretionary	20,069		20,069		—		—
Energy	15,449		15,449		—		—
Industrials	24,509		24,509		—		—
Other	18,301		18,301		—		—
Non-redeemable preferred stocks	24,756		9,998		12,758		2,000
Total equity securities available-for-sale	221,651		206,890		12,758		2,003
Short-term investments	36,135		36,135		—		—
Financial instruments not reported at fair value:
Liabilities:
Surplus notes	11,369		—		—		11,369

25

December 31, 2016			Fair value measurements using
($ in thousands)	Total		Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1)		Significant other observable inputs (Level 2)		Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)
Financial instruments reported at fair value on recurring basis:
Assets:
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale:
U.S. treasury	$	7,830	$	—	$	7,830	$	—
U.S. government-sponsored agencies	239,197		—		239,197		—
Obligations of states and political subdivisions	335,757		—		335,757		—
Commercial mortgage-backed	37,572		—		37,572		—
Residential mortgage-backed	96,434		—		96,434		—
Other asset-backed	26,393		—		26,393		—
Corporate	456,516		—		455,534		982
Total fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	1,199,699		—		1,198,717		982
Equity securities available-for-sale:
Common stocks:
Financial services	35,122		35,119		—		3
Information technology	30,542		30,542		—		—
Healthcare	24,707		24,707		—		—
Consumer staples	19,100		19,100		—		—
Consumer discretionary	22,321		22,321		—		—
Energy	19,071		19,071		—		—
Industrials	24,245		24,245		—		—
Other	18,384		18,384		—		—
Non-redeemable preferred stocks	20,347		11,074		7,273		2,000
Total equity securities available-for-sale	213,839		204,563		7,273		2,003
Short-term investments	39,670		39,670		—		—
Financial instruments not reported at fair value:
Liabilities:
Surplus notes	11,228		—		—		11,228

26

Presented in the table below is a reconciliation of the assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016.  Any unrealized gains or losses on these securities are recognized in other comprehensive income (loss).  Any gains or losses from settlements, disposals or impairments of these securities are reported as realized investment gains or losses in net income.

($ in thousands)	Fair value measurements using significant unobservable (Level 3) inputs
Three months ended June 30, 2017	Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, corporate			Equity securities available-for-sale, financial services		Equity securities available-for-sale, non-redeemable preferred stocks		Total
Beginning balance	$	929		$	3	$	2,000	$	2,932
Settlements	(90		)	—		—		(90		)
Unrealized gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income (loss)	1			—		—		1
Balance at June 30, 2017	$	840		$	3	$	2,000	$	2,843
Six months ended June 30, 2017
Beginning balance	$	982		$	3	$	2,000	$	2,985
Settlements	(140		)	—		—		(140		)
Unrealized gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income (loss)	(2		)	—		—		(2		)
Balance at June 30, 2017	$	840		$	3	$	2,000	$	2,843

($ in thousands)	Fair value measurements using significant unobservable (Level 3) inputs
Three months ended June 30, 2016	Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, corporate			Equity securities available-for-sale, financial services		Equity securities available-for-sale, non-redeemable preferred stocks		Total
Beginning balance	$	1,271		$	3	$	—	$	1,274
Settlements	(84		)	—		—		(84		)
Unrealized gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income (loss)	4			—		—		4
Balance at June 30, 2016	$	1,191		$	3	$	—	$	1,194
Six months ended June 30, 2016
Beginning balance	$	1,329		$	3	$	—	$	1,332
Settlements	(145		)	—		—		(145		)
Unrealized gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income (loss)	7			—		—		7
Balance at June 30, 2016	$	1,191		$	3	$	—	$	1,194

There were no transfers into or out of Levels 1 or 2 during the six months ended June 30, 2017 or 2016.  It is the Company’s policy to recognize transfers between levels at the beginning of the reporting period.

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10. INVESTMENTS

Investments of the Company’s insurance subsidiaries are subject to the insurance laws of the state of their incorporation. These laws prescribe the kind, quality and concentration of investments that may be made by insurance companies.  In general, these laws permit investments, within specified limits and subject to certain qualifications, in federal, state and municipal obligations, corporate bonds, preferred and common stocks and real estate mortgages.  The Company believes that it is in compliance with these laws.

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of securities available-for-sale as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 are as follows.  All securities are classified as available-for-sale and are carried at fair value.

June 30, 2017	Amortized cost		Gross unrealized gains		Gross unrealized losses		Estimated fair values
($ in thousands)
Securities available-for-sale:
Fixed maturity securities:
U.S. treasury	$	7,853	$	62	$	—	$	7,915
U.S. government-sponsored agencies	243,258		249		6,775		236,732
Obligations of states and political subdivisions	320,598		19,711		348		339,961
Commercial mortgage-backed	59,214		683		1,065		58,832
Residential mortgage-backed	87,921		2,481		4,151		86,251
Other asset-backed	24,696		796		472		25,020
Corporate	457,259		13,825		667		470,417
Total fixed maturity securities	1,200,799		37,807		13,478		1,225,128
Equity securities:
Common stocks:
Financial services	25,852		12,415		146		38,121
Information technology	21,830		14,141		109		35,862
Healthcare	16,820		11,071		—		27,891
Consumer staples	10,894		5,843		44		16,693
Consumer discretionary	11,848		8,310		89		20,069
Energy	12,404		3,708		663		15,449
Industrials	12,267		12,255		13		24,509
Other	13,203		5,126		28		18,301
Non-redeemable preferred stocks	23,030		1,746		20		24,756
Total equity securities	148,148		74,615		1,112		221,651
Total securities available-for-sale	$	1,348,947	$	112,422	$	14,590	$	1,446,779

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December 31, 2016	Amortized cost		Gross unrealized gains		Gross unrealized losses		Estimated fair values
($ in thousands)
Securities available-for-sale:
Fixed maturity securities:
U.S. treasury	$	7,841	$	—	$	11	$	7,830
U.S. government-sponsored agencies	249,495		311		10,609		239,197
Obligations of states and political subdivisions	319,663		17,034		940		335,757
Commercial mortgage-backed	37,964		741		1,133		37,572
Residential mortgage-backed	102,307		1,435		7,308		96,434
Other asset-backed	26,592		732		931		26,393
Corporate	445,663		12,232		1,379		456,516
Total fixed maturity securities	1,189,525		32,485		22,311		1,199,699
Equity securities:
Common stocks:
Financial services	22,922		12,410		210		35,122
Information technology	19,832		10,739		29		30,542
Healthcare	16,092		8,700		85		24,707
Consumer staples	13,438		5,787		125		19,100
Consumer discretionary	14,812		7,672		163		22,321
Energy	14,276		4,873		78		19,071
Industrials	13,005		11,258		18		24,245
Other	13,071		5,345		32		18,384
Non-redeemable preferred stocks	20,031		483		167		20,347
Total equity securities	147,479		67,267		907		213,839
Total securities available-for-sale	$	1,337,004	$	99,752	$	23,218	$	1,413,538

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The following tables set forth the estimated fair values and gross unrealized losses associated with investment securities that were in an unrealized loss position as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, listed by length of time the securities were consistently in an unrealized loss position.

June 30, 2017	Less than twelve months				Twelve months or longer				Total
($ in thousands)	Fair values		Unrealized losses		Fair values		Unrealized losses		Fair values		Unrealized losses
Fixed maturity securities:
U.S. government-sponsored agencies	$	194,957	$	6,641	$	4,867	$	134	$	199,824	$	6,775
Obligations of states and political subdivisions	14,415		348		—		—		14,415		348
Commercial mortgage-backed	43,939		1,065		—		—		43,939		1,065
Residential mortgage-backed	13,671		426		18,491		3,725		32,162		4,151
Other asset-backed	7,336		123		6,516		349		13,852		472
Corporate	35,758		124		14,453		543		50,211		667
Total fixed maturity securities	310,076		8,727		44,327		4,751		354,403		13,478
Equity securities:
Common stocks:
Financial services	1,407		20		945		126		2,352		146
Information technology	2,313		109		—		—		2,313		109
Consumer staples	1,293		44		—		—		1,293		44
Consumer discretionary	1,280		89		—		—		1,280		89
Energy	3,635		474		1,027		189		4,662		663
Industrials	340		13		—		—		340		13
Other	2,252		28		—		—		2,252		28
Non-redeemable preferred stocks	—		—		1,980		20		1,980		20
Total equity securities	12,520		777		3,952		335		16,472		1,112
Total temporarily impaired securities	$	322,596	$	9,504	$	48,279	$	5,086	$	370,875	$	14,590

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December 31, 2016	Less than twelve months				Twelve months or longer				Total
($ in thousands)	Fair values		Unrealized losses		Fair values		Unrealized losses		Fair values		Unrealized losses
Fixed maturity securities:
U.S. treasury	$	7,830	$	11	$	—	$	—	$	7,830	$	11
U.S. government-sponsored agencies	202,900		10,609		—		—		202,900		10,609
Obligations of states and political subdivisions	43,777		940		—		—		43,777		940
Commercial mortgage-backed	21,695		1,133		—		—		21,695		1,133
Residential mortgage-backed	26,217		1,232		23,625		6,076		49,842		7,308
Other asset-backed	19,091		931		—		—		19,091		931
Corporate	82,657		1,273		8,625		106		91,282		1,379
Total fixed maturity securities	404,167		16,129		32,250		6,182		436,417		22,311
Equity securities:
Common stocks:
Financial services	1,462		12		908		198		2,370		210
Information technology	1,947		29		—		—		1,947		29
Healthcare	3,585		85		—		—		3,585		85
Consumer staples	2,427		125		—		—		2,427		125
Consumer discretionary	1,637		163		—		—		1,637		163
Energy	1,621		33		1,188		45		2,809		78
Industrials	779		18		—		—		779		18
Other	1,472		32		—		—		1,472		32
Non-redeemable preferred stocks	3,356		44		1,877		123		5,233		167
Total equity securities	18,286		541		3,973		366		22,259		907
Total temporarily impaired securities	$	422,453	$	16,670	$	36,223	$	6,548	$	458,676	$	23,218

Most of the fixed maturity securities that are in an unrealized loss position are considered investment grade by credit rating agencies. Because management does not intend to sell these securities, does not believe it will be required to sell these securities before recovery, and believes it will collect the amounts due on these securities, it was determined that these securities were not “other-than-temporarily” impaired at June 30, 2017.

No individual equity security accounted for a material amount of unrealized losses. Because the Company has the ability and intent to hold these securities for a reasonable amount of time to allow for recovery, it was determined that these securities were not “other-than-temporarily” impaired at June 30, 2017.

All of the Company’s preferred stock holdings that are in an unrealized loss position are perpetual preferred stocks.  The Company evaluates these perpetual preferred stocks with unrealized losses for “other-than-temporary” impairment similar to fixed maturity securities since they have debt-like characteristics such as periodic cash flows in the form of dividends and call features, are rated by rating agencies and are priced like other long-term callable fixed maturity securities.  There was no evidence of any credit deterioration in the issuers of the preferred stocks and the Company does not intend to sell these securities before recovery, nor does it believe it will be required to sell these securities before recovery; therefore, it was determined that these securities were not “other-than-temporarily” impaired at June 30, 2017.

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The amortized cost and estimated fair values of fixed maturity securities at June 30, 2017, by contractual maturity, are shown below.  Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations, with or without call or prepayment penalties.

($ in thousands)	Amortized cost		Estimated fair values
Securities available-for-sale:
Due in one year or less	$	67,465	$	68,242
Due after one year through five years	158,450		164,964
Due after five years through ten years	337,009		345,245
Due after ten years	488,531		499,403
Securities not due at a single maturity date	149,344		147,274
Totals	$	1,200,799	$	1,225,128

A summary of realized investment gains and (losses) is as follows:

	Three months ended June 30,						Six months ended June 30,
($ in thousands)	2017			2016			2017			2016
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale:
Gross realized investment gains	$	289		$	1,005		$	379		$	1,674
Gross realized investment losses	(880		)	—			(2,086		)	(299		)
Equity securities available-for-sale:
Gross realized investment gains	6,398			2,766			9,273			4,848
Gross realized investment losses	(372		)	(441		)	(471		)	(1,633		)
"Other-than-temporary" impairments	(733		)	(270		)	(733		)	(701		)
Other long-term investments, net	(1,315		)	(1,426		)	(3,602		)	(3,340		)
Totals	$	3,387		$	1,634		$	2,760		$	549

Gains and losses realized on the disposition of investments are included in net income.  The cost of investments sold is determined on the specific identification method using the highest cost basis first.  The Company did not have any outstanding cumulative credit losses on fixed maturity securities that have been recognized in earnings from “other-than-temporary” impairments during any of the reported periods. The amounts reported as “other-than-temporary” impairments on equity securities do not include any individually significant items. The net realized investment losses recognized on other long-term investments primarily represent changes in the carrying value of a limited partnership that is used solely to support an equity tail-risk hedging strategy.

11. CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

The Company and Employers Mutual and its other subsidiaries are parties to numerous lawsuits arising in the normal course of the insurance business.  The Company believes that the resolution of these lawsuits will not have a material adverse effect on its financial condition or its results of operations.  The companies involved have established reserves which are believed adequate to cover any potential liabilities arising out of all such pending or threatened proceedings.

32

The participants in the pooling agreement have purchased annuities from life insurance companies, under which the claimant is payee, to fund future payments that are fixed pursuant to specific claim settlement provisions.  The Company’s share of case loss reserves eliminated by the purchase of those annuities was $110,000 at December 31, 2016.  The Company had a contingent liability for the aggregate guaranteed amount of the annuities of $183,000 at December 31, 2016 should the issuers of those annuities fail to perform.  Although management is not able to verify the amount, the Company would likely have a similar contingent liability at June 30, 2017.  The probability of a material loss due to failure of performance by the issuers of these annuities is considered remote.

12. STOCK REPURCHASE PROGRAM

On November 3, 2011, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a $15.0 million stock repurchase program.  This program does not have an expiration date.  The timing and terms of the purchases are determined by management based on board approved parameters and market conditions, and are conducted in accordance with the applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Common stock repurchased under this program will be retired by the Company.  During the first six months of 2016, the Company repurchased 17,300 shares under this program at an average cost of $22.14.

13. ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

The Company has available-for-sale securities and receives an allocation of the actuarial losses and net prior service credits associated with Employers Mutual’s pension and postretirement benefit plans, both of which generate accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) amounts.  The following table reconciles, by component, the beginning and ending balances of accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax.

	Accumulated other comprehensive income by component
($ in thousands)	Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for- sale securities			Unrecognized pension and postretirement benefit obligations			Total
Balance at December 31, 2016	$	49,748		$	(3,667	)	$	46,081
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	17,979			—			17,979
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	(4,135		)	(545		)	(4,680		)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	13,844			(545		)	13,299
Balance at June 30, 2017	$	63,592		$	(4,212	)	$	59,380

33

The following tables display amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income and into net income during the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

($ in thousands)	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income
Accumulated other comprehensive income components	Three months ended   June 30, 2017			Six months ended   June 30, 2017			Affected line item in the consolidated statements of income
Unrealized gains on investments:
Reclassification adjustment for net realized investment gains included in net income	$	4,702		$	6,362		Net realized investment gains
Deferred income tax expense	(1,646		)	(2,227		)	Income tax expense, current
Net reclassification adjustment	3,056			4,135
Unrecognized pension and postretirement benefit obligations:
Reclassification adjustment for amounts amortized into net periodic pension and postretirement benefit income:
Net actuarial loss	(369		)	(737		)	(1)
Prior service credit	788			1,575			(1)
Total before tax	419			838
Deferred income tax expense	(146		)	(293		)	Income tax expense, current
Net reclassification adjustment	273			545
Total reclassification adjustment	$	3,329		$	4,680

(1) These reclassified components of accumulated other comprehensive income are included in the computation of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit income (see note 7, Employee Retirement Plans, for additional details).

34

($ in thousands)	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income
Accumulated other comprehensive income components	Three months ended June 30, 2016			Six months ended June 30, 2016			Affected line item in the consolidated statements of income
Unrealized gains on investments:
Reclassification adjustment for net realized investment gains included in net income	$	3,061		$	3,890		Net realized investment gains
Deferred income tax expense	(1,071		)	(1,361		)	Income tax expense, current
Net reclassification adjustment	1,990			2,529
Unrecognized pension and postretirement benefit obligations:
Reclassification adjustment for amounts amortized into net periodic pension and postretirement benefit income:
Net actuarial loss	(415		)	(844		)	(1)
Prior service credit	782			1,599			(1)
Total before tax	367			755
Deferred income tax expense	(129		)	(265		)	Income tax expense, current
Net reclassification adjustment	238			490
Total reclassification adjustment	$	2,228		$	3,019

(1) These reclassified components of accumulated other comprehensive income are included in the computation of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit income (see note 7, Employee Retirement Plans, for additional details).

14. NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS NOT YET ADOPTED

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) updated its guidance related to the Revenue from Contracts with Customers Topic 606 of the Accounting Standards Codification^TM (Codification or ASC).  The objective of this update (and other related following updates) is to improve the reporting of revenue by providing a more robust framework for addressing revenue issues, and improved disclosure requirements. Current revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP is comprised of broad revenue recognition concepts together with numerous revenue requirements for particular industries or transactions, which sometimes result in different accounting for economically similar transactions. This guidance is to be applied retrospectively to annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted as of the original effective date (annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016).  The Company will adopt this guidance during the first quarter of 2018. Since premium revenue from insurance contracts is excluded from the scope of this updated guidance, adoption is expected to have little or no impact on the consolidated financial condition or operating results of the Company. The Company's largest non-premium revenue items are service charges related to the billing of the pool participants' direct written premiums to policyholders, and commission income on excess and surplus lines business marketed by EMC Underwriters, LLC, both of which are included in "Other income" in the consolidated statements of income.

35

In January 2016, the FASB updated its guidance related to the Financial Instruments-Overall Subtopic 825-10 of the ASC.  The objective of this update is to enhance the reporting model for financial instruments to provide financial statement users with more decision-useful information. The major change in reporting from this update that will impact the Company is a requirement that equity investments (excluding those accounted for under the equity method of accounting or those that are consolidated) be measured at fair value, with changes in fair value recognized in net income. While all of the Company's equity investments are already measured at fair value (with the exception of those that are consolidated and those that are accounted for under the equity method of accounting), the Company currently classifies all of its investments in equity securities as available-for-sale, and as such, the changes in fair value are currently recognized in other comprehensive income rather than net income. This guidance is to be applied to annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with recognition of a cumulative-effect adjustment to the balance sheet as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption.  Early adoption is not permitted. The Company will adopt this guidance during the first quarter of 2018. Adoption is not expected to impact consolidated stockholders' equity, but is expected to introduce a material amount of volatility to the Company's consolidated net income.

In February 2016, the FASB issued updated guidance in Leases Topic 842 of the ASC, which supersedes the guidance in Leases Topic 840 of the ASC. The objective of this update is to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by requiring recognition of lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet, and disclosure of key information about leasing arrangements. This guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and is to be applied using a modified retrospective approach. Early adoption is permitted. The Company will adopt this guidance during the first quarter of 2019. Management continues to research this guidance, which thus far has lead management to a preliminary determination that lease costs allocated to the Company through the pooling and quota share agreements can not be attributed to a specified asset, and therefore do not meet the definition of a leased asset contained in the guidance. As a result, adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial condition or net income.

In June 2016, the FASB issued updated guidance in Financial Instruments-Credit Losses Topic 326 of the ASC. The objective of this update is to provide information about expected credit losses on financial instruments and other commitments to extend credit. Specifically, this updated guidance replaces the current incurred loss impairment methodology, that delays recognition of a loss until it is probable a loss has been incurred, with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses considering a broader range of reasonable and supportable information. This guidance covers financial assets that are not accounted for at fair value through net income, thus will not be applicable to the Company's equity investments upon implementation of the updated guidance described above for the Financial Instruments-Overall Subtopic 825-10. This guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019, and is to be applied with a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is effective (modified-retrospective approach). Early adoption is permitted, but only to fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company will adopt this guidance during the first quarter of 2020. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this guidance will have on the Company's consolidated financial condition and net income.

In March 2017, the FASB issued updated guidance in Compensation-Retirement Benefits Topic 715 of the ASC. The objective of this update is to improve the presentation of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit costs by disaggregating the components of these expenses (disclosing the service cost component separately from the other components) for income statement reporting. Also included in this update is a prohibition against including components of the net periodic pension and postretirement benefit costs, other than the service cost component, in any capitalized assets. This guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The portion of the guidance related to the income statement display of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit costs is to be applied retrospectively, while the prohibition against including these costs, other than the service cost component, in capitalized assets is to be applied prospectively. Early adoption is permitted. The Company will adopt this guidance during the first quarter of 2018. Adoption will not impact consolidated stockholders' equity initially; however, the prohibition against including components of the net periodic pension and postretirement benefit costs, other than the service cost component, in capitalized assets is expected to result in a relatively small change in the deferred policy acquisition cost asset starting March 31, 2018, which is expected to have an immaterial impact, net of tax, on consolidated stockholders' equity and net income from that which would otherwise be reported.

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EMC INSURANCE GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIALCONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

The term “Company” is used below interchangeably to describe EMC Insurance Group Inc. (Parent Company only) and EMC Insurance Group Inc. and its subsidiaries.  The following discussion and analysis of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 1 of this Form 10-Q, and the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations section of the Company’s 2016 Form 10-K.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides issuers the opportunity to make cautionary statements regarding forward-looking statements.  Accordingly, any forward-looking statement contained in this report is based on management’s current beliefs, assumptions and expectations of the Company’s future performance, taking all information currently available into account.  These beliefs, assumptions and expectations can change as the result of many possible events or factors, not all of which are known to management.  If a change occurs, the Company’s business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations, plans and objectives may vary materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements.  The risks and uncertainties that may affect the actual results of the Company include, but are not limited to, the following:

• catastrophic events and the occurrence of significant severe weather conditions;

• the adequacy of loss and settlement expense reserves;

• state and federal legislation and regulations;

• changes in the property and casualty insurance industry, interest rates or the performance of financial markets and the general economy;

• rating agency actions;

• “other-than-temporary” investment impairment losses; and

• other risks and uncertainties inherent to the Company’s business, including those discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Management intends to identify forward-looking statements when using the words “believe”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “project”, “may”, “intend”, “likely” or similar expressions.  Undue reliance should not be placed on these forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any obligation to update such statements or to announce publicly the results of any revisions that it may make to any forward-looking statements to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statements.

COMPANY OVERVIEW

The Company, a majority owned subsidiary of Employers Mutual Casualty Company (Employers Mutual), is an insurance holding company with operations that consist of a property and casualty insurance segment and a reinsurance segment. Management evaluates the performance of its insurance segments based upon underwriting profit (loss), which is calculated as premiums earned, less loss and settlement expenses and acquisition and other expenses. Additional information is presented in note 5 "Segment Information" of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q.

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Property and casualty insurance operations are conducted through three subsidiaries and represent the most significant segment of the Company’s business, totaling 78 percent of consolidated premiums earned during the first six months of 2017.  The property and casualty insurance operations are integrated with the property and casualty insurance operations of Employers Mutual through participation in a reinsurance pooling agreement.  Because the Company conducts its property and casualty insurance operations together with Employers Mutual through the reinsurance pooling agreement, the Company shares the same business philosophy, management, employees and facilities as Employers Mutual and offers the same types of insurance products.

Reinsurance operations are conducted through EMC Reinsurance Company and accounted for 22 percent of consolidated premiums earned during the first six months of 2017.  The principal business activity of EMC Reinsurance Company is to assume, through a quota share reinsurance agreement, 100 percent of Employers Mutual’s assumed reinsurance business, subject to certain exceptions.

An inter-company reinsurance program, consisting of two semi-annual aggregate catastrophe excess of loss treaties, is in place between the Company's insurance subsidiaries in the property and casualty insurance segment and Employers Mutual. The program is intended to reduce the volatility of the Company's quarterly results caused by excessive catastrophe and storm losses, and provide protection from both the frequency and severity of such losses. An inter-company reinsurance program is also in place between the Company's reinsurance subsidiary and Employers Mutual. This program also consists of two treaties, one being a per occurrence catastrophe excess of loss treaty and the other an annual aggregate catastrophe excess of loss treaty. The terms of all of these treaties are the same as 2016, with the exception of the costs. For detailed information regarding the inter-company reinsurance programs, see note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

The accounting policies and estimates considered by management to be critically important in the preparation and understanding of the Company’s financial statements and related disclosures are presented in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations section of the Company’s 2016 Form 10-K.

During the third quarter of 2016, management implemented a new reserving methodology for the determination of direct bulk reserves in the property and casualty insurance segment. The new methodology, which is referred to as the accident year ultimate estimate approach, better conforms to industry practices and will provide increased transparency of the drivers of the property and casualty insurance segment's performance. The drivers of the property and casualty insurance segment's performance for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 were not explicitly determined.

NON-GAAP INFORMATION

The Company prepares its financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). Management uses certain non-GAAP financial measures for evaluating the Company’s performance. These measures are considered non-GAAP financial measures under applicable Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rules because they are not displayed as separate line items in the consolidated financial statements or are not required to be disclosed in the notes to financial statements or, in some cases, include or exclude certain items not ordinarily included or excluded in the most comparable GAAP financial measure. The Company’s calculation of non-GAAP financial measures may differ from similar measures used by other companies, so investors should exercise caution when comparing the Company’s non-GAAP financial measures to the measures used by other companies. In this report, a non-GAAP financial measure known as the "underlying loss and settlement expense ratio" is utilized in describing the Company's results of operations with respect to the property and casualty insurance segment. The most directly comparable GAAP financial measure is reconciled to this non-GAAP financial measure under "Results of Operations" below.

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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Results of operations by segment and on a consolidated basis for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 are as follows:

	Three months ended June 30,						Six months ended June 30,
($ in thousands)	2017			2016			2017			2016
Property and casualty insurance
Premiums earned	$	116,187		$	111,771		$	229,835		$	222,217
Losses and settlement expenses	81,508			81,466			157,028			143,564
Acquisition and other expenses	40,289			39,677			82,018			79,420
Underwriting loss	$	(5,610	)	$	(9,372	)	$	(9,211	)	$	(767	)
GAAP ratios:
Loss and settlement expense ratio	70.2		%	72.9		%	68.3		%	64.6		%
Acquisition expense ratio	34.6		%	35.5		%	35.7		%	35.7		%
Combined ratio	104.8		%	108.4		%	104.0		%	100.3		%
Reconciliation of loss and settlement expense ratio to underlying loss and settlement expense ratio1:
Loss and settlement expense ratio	70.2		%	72.9		%	68.3		%	64.6		%
Catastrophe and storm losses	(8.8		)%	(14.8		)%	(8.7		)%	(9.0		)%
Reported favorable development experienced on prior years' reserves	0.7		%	5.4		%	4.1		%	4.4		%
Underlying loss and settlement expense ratio	62.1		%	63.5		%	63.7		%	60.0		%
Losses and settlement expenses:
Insured events of current year	$	82,358		$	87,455		$	166,341		$	153,351
Decrease in provision for insured events of prior years	(850		)	(5,989		)	(9,313		)	(9,787		)
Total losses and settlement expenses	$	81,508		$	81,466		$	157,028		$	143,564
Catastrophe and storm losses	$	10,214		$	16,576		$	20,000		$	20,000
Large losses2	N/A			$	10,000		N/A			$	13,035

¹ Property and casualty insurance segment's underlying loss and settlement expense ratio: The loss and settlement expense ratio is the ratio (expressed as a percentage) of losses and settlement expenses incurred to premiums earned, which management uses as a measure of underwriting profitability of the Company’s property and casualty insurance business. The underlying loss and settlement expense ratio is a non-GAAP financial measure which represents the loss and settlement expense ratio, excluding the impact of catastrophe and storm losses and development on prior years’ reserves. Management uses this ratio as an indicator of the property and casualty insurance segment’s underwriting discipline and performance for the current accident year. Management believes this ratio is useful for investors to understand the property and casualty insurance segment’s periodic earnings and variability of earnings caused by the unpredictable nature (i.e., the timing and amount) of catastrophe and storm losses and reported development on prior years’ reserves. While this measure is consistent with measures utilized by investors and analysts to evaluate performance, it is not intended as a substitute for the GAAP financial measure of loss and settlement expense ratio.

² Large losses are defined as reported current accident year losses greater than $500 for the EMC Insurance Companies' pool, excluding catastrophe and storm losses. Under the property and casualty insurance segment's prior bulk reserving methodology, large losses had a direct impact on earnings. Under the new bulk reserving methodology implemented during the third quarter of 2016, large losses are taken into consideration when establishing the current accident quarter/year ultimate estimates of losses, but there is no longer a direct relationship between large losses and earnings. As a result, it is no longer meaningful to report large losses separately.

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	Three months ended June 30,
	2017						2016
($ in thousands)	Premiums earned		Losses and settlement expenses		Loss and settlement expense ratio		Premiums earned		Losses and settlement expenses		Loss and settlement expense ratio
Property and casualty insurance
Commercial lines:
Automobile	$	29,014	$	23,744	81.8	%	$	27,409	$	24,684	90.1	%
Property	26,069		17,949		68.9	%	25,073		23,078		92.0	%
Workers' compensation	25,343		16,291		64.3	%	23,489		12,764		54.3	%
Other liability	24,254		14,319		59.0	%	24,139		11,313		46.9	%
Other	2,197		423		19.2	%	2,073		9		0.5	%
Total commercial lines	106,877		72,726		68.0	%	102,183		71,848		70.3	%
Personal lines	9,310		8,782		94.3	%	9,588		9,618		100.3	%
Total property and casualty insurance	$	116,187	$	81,508	70.2	%	$	111,771	$	81,466	72.9	%

	Six months ended June 30,
	2017						2016
($ in thousands)	Premiums earned		Losses and settlement expenses		Loss and settlement expense ratio		Premiums earned		Losses and settlement expenses			Loss and settlement expense ratio
Property and casualty insurance
Commercial lines:
Automobile	$	57,046	$	50,633	88.8	%	$	54,336	$	43,489		80.0	%
Property	51,571		35,488		68.8	%	49,821		35,460			71.2	%
Workers' compensation	50,046		30,065		60.1	%	46,736		26,170			56.0	%
Other liability	48,382		25,031		51.7	%	47,809		23,866			49.9	%
Other	4,306		330		7.7	%	4,144		(57		)	(1.4	)%
Total commercial lines	211,351		141,547		67.0	%	202,846		128,928			63.6	%
Personal lines	18,484		15,481		83.8	%	19,371		14,636			75.6	%
Total property and casualty insurance	$	229,835	$	157,028	68.3	%	$	222,217	$	143,564		64.6	%

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	Three months ended June 30,						Six months ended June 30,
($ in thousands)	2017			2016			2017			2016
Reinsurance
Premiums earned	$	33,650		$	34,675		$	64,489		$	66,966
Losses and settlement expenses	25,720			21,354			46,485			44,365
Acquisition and other expenses	8,517			8,942			15,675			16,351
Underwriting profit (loss)	$	(587	)	$	4,379		$	2,329		$	6,250
GAAP ratios:
Loss and settlement expense ratio	76.4		%	61.6		%	72.1		%	66.2		%
Acquisition expense ratio	25.3		%	25.8		%	24.3		%	24.5		%
Combined ratio	101.7		%	87.4		%	96.4		%	90.7		%
Losses and settlement expenses:
Insured events of current year	$	23,163		$	23,484		$	50,369		$	50,449
Increase (decrease) in provision for insured events of prior years	2,557			(2,130		)	(3,884		)	(6,084		)
Total losses and settlement expenses	$	25,720		$	21,354		$	46,485		$	44,365
Catastrophe and storm losses	$	4,909		$	5,741		$	8,497		$	8,481

	Three months ended June 30,
	2017						2016
($ in thousands)	Premiums earned		Losses and settlement expenses		Loss and settlement expense ratio		Premiums earned		Losses and settlement expenses		Loss and settlement expense ratio
Reinsurance
Pro rata reinsurance	$	12,016	$	7,674	63.9	%	$	15,468	$	6,256	40.4	%
Excess of loss reinsurance	21,634		18,046		83.4	%	19,207		15,098		78.6	%
Total reinsurance	$	33,650	$	25,720	76.4	%	$	34,675	$	21,354	61.6	%

	Six months ended June 30,
	2017						2016
($ in thousands)	Premiums earned		Losses and settlement expenses		Loss and settlement expense ratio		Premiums earned		Losses and settlement expenses		Loss and settlement expense ratio
Reinsurance
Pro rata reinsurance	$	22,451	$	13,820	61.6	%	$	29,109	$	16,132	55.4	%
Excess of loss reinsurance	42,038		32,665		77.7	%	37,857		28,233		74.6	%
Total reinsurance	$	64,489	$	46,485	72.1	%	$	66,966	$	44,365	66.2	%

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	Three months ended June 30,						Six months ended June 30,
($ in thousands, except per share amounts)	2017			2016			2017			2016
Consolidated
REVENUES
Premiums earned	$	149,837		$	146,446		$	294,324		$	289,183
Net investment income	11,171			12,179			22,178			24,409
Realized investment gains	3,387			1,634			2,760			549
Other income (loss)	(245		)	77			(655		)	66
	164,150			160,336			318,607			314,207
LOSSES AND EXPENSES
Losses and settlement expenses	107,228			102,820			203,513			187,929
Acquisition and other expenses	48,806			48,619			97,693			95,771
Interest expense	85			85			169			169
Other expense	802			725			1,563			1,374
	156,921			152,249			302,938			285,243
Income before income tax expense	7,229			8,087			15,669			28,964
Income tax expense	1,725			1,959			3,361			8,182
Net income	$	5,504		$	6,128		$	12,308		$	20,782
Net income per share	$	0.26		$	0.29		$	0.58		$	0.99
GAAP ratios:
Loss and settlement expense ratio	71.6		%	70.2		%	69.1		%	65.0		%
Acquisition expense ratio	32.5		%	33.2		%	33.2		%	33.1		%
Combined ratio	104.1		%	103.4		%	102.3		%	98.1		%
Losses and settlement expenses:
Insured events of current year	$	105,521		$	110,939		$	216,710		$	203,800
Increase (decrease) in provision for insured events of prior years	1,707			(8,119		)	(13,197		)	(15,871		)
Total losses and settlement expenses	$	107,228		$	102,820		$	203,513		$	187,929
Catastrophe and storm losses	$	15,123		$	22,317		$	28,497		$	28,481
Large losses2	N/A			$	10,000		N/A			$	13,035

² Large losses are defined as reported current accident year losses greater than $500 for the EMC Insurance Companies' pool, excluding catastrophe and storm losses. Under the property and casualty insurance segment's prior bulk reserving methodology, large losses had a direct impact on earnings. Under the new bulk reserving methodology implemented during the third quarter of 2016, large losses are taken into consideration when establishing the current accident quarter/year ultimate estimates of losses, but there is no longer a direct relationship between large losses and earnings. As a result, it is no longer meaningful to report large losses separately.

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Net income declined to $5.5 million ($0.26 per share) and $12.3 million ($0.58 per share) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 from $6.1 million ($0.29 per share) and $20.8 million ($0.99 per share) during the same periods in 2016.  The decline in results for the second quarter is primarily attributed to adverse development experienced on prior years' reserves (compared to favorable development in the second quarter of 2016), which more than offset a decline in catastrophe and storm losses. The decline in results reported for the six months reflects an increase in the property and casualty insurance segment's underlying loss and settlement expense ratio (which excludes the impact of catastrophe and storm losses and development on prior years' reserves). However, this increase in the underlying loss and settlement expense ratio does not reflect a decline in the performance of the underlying book of business. Rather, the increase is attributed to differences in how bulk reserves are calculated and allocated to the various accident years under the new and prior bulk reserving methodologies. Additional information on this issue is contained under the "Losses and settlement expenses" section of this discussion. Declines in net investment income during both the three and six month periods were largely offset by increases in realized investment gains.

The property and casualty insurance segment's underwriting results for the second quarter of 2017 reflect a decline in catastrophe and storm losses due to the $20 million cap on such losses for the first six months of the year under the semi-annual aggregate catastrophe excess of loss reinsurance treaty with Employers Mutual. Catastrophe and storm losses were also capped at $20 million in the first six months of 2016. Because this is an aggregate treaty that covers the first six months of the year, the distribution of catastrophe and storm losses between the first and second quarters is dictated by the amount of catastrophe and storm losses incurred during the first quarter of the year. The property and casualty insurance segment incurred a record amount of catastrophe and storm losses during the first quarter of 2017; therefore, a lower amount of catastrophe and storm losses were retained in the second quarter of 2017 than the second quarter of 2016 before the $20 million cap was reached.

Premium income

Premiums earned increased 2.3 percent and 1.8 percent to $149.8 million and $294.3 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 from $146.4 million and $289.2 million for the same periods in 2016.  Rate levels for both segments continue to be constrained by a high level of competition, especially for quality accounts with good loss experience. Average rate level increases continue to be slightly positive in the property and casualty insurance segment, while rate levels in the reinsurance segment stabilized somewhat during the January 1, 2017 renewal season, when approximately 70 percent of the business renews, after several years of declines.

Premiums earned in the property and casualty insurance segment increased 4.0 percent and 3.4 percent to $116.2 million and $229.8 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 from $111.8 million and $222.2 million for the same periods in 2016.  These increases are primarily attributed to growth in insured exposures, and to a lesser extent higher policy counts and small rate level increases on renewal business. New business premium (representing 16 percent of the pool participants’ direct premiums written) was approximately 16 percent higher than in the first half of 2016. Commercial lines new business continues to be in the desired range of growth, and accounted for most of the increase in total new business premium. Personal lines new business premium was up significantly, but is measured against a relatively small amount of new business premium in the first half of 2016. However, the increase in new business premium was not large enough to offset the premium decline associated with business that did not renew, resulting in an overall decline in personal lines premium. While management continues to seek growth in most territories, it is particularly focused on achieving growth outside of the core Midwest market, which will help diversify the pool participants' book of business geographically, while staying consistent with the industry and line of business mix of the existing book of business. Renewal business premium increased approximately four percent during the first half of 2017. After factoring in the continued implementation of some mandatory rate reductions on workers' compensation business in a few states, the overall rate change on renewal business was approximately one percent. Rate levels are expected to be mixed during the remainder of 2017, with the largest rate increases expected in the commercial auto line of business. Rate decreases are expected in the workers' compensation and general liability lines of business, and rates on most other lines of business are expected to be flat or increase slightly. The overall policy retention rate remained strong during the first half of 2017 at 86.0 percent (commercial lines at 87.1 percent and personal lines at 83.9 percent). These retention rates approximate those reported at the end of 2016.

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Premiums earned in the reinsurance segment decreased 3.0 percent and 3.7 percent to $33.7 million and $64.5 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 from $34.7 million and $67.0 million for the same periods in 2016. These decreases reflect MRB's withdrawal from non-standard automobile business, and declines in some casualty business that converted from a pro rata structure in 2016 to an excess of loss structure in 2017. The addition of some new business and growth on some existing accounts partially offset these declines in premium. The assumed reinsurance market continues to experience pricing pressure due to the influx of nontraditional capital and the lack of major catastrophic events, though pricing declines did moderate somewhat during the January 1, 2017 renewal season. Rate levels on excess of loss reinsurance business were largely unchanged on the January 1, 2017 renewals, which was an improvement from the declines experienced on the January 1, 2016 renewals. There was a moderate deterioration in the pricing of catastrophe reinsurance for the industry at the mid-year renewal cycle; however, the majority of the reinsurance segment's business (approximately 70 percent) renewed at January 1, 2017, and as a result this reduction in pricing is expected to have a limited impact on 2017 premiums. Management does not expect any significant rate level changes through the remainder of 2017.

Losses and settlement expenses

Losses and settlement expenses increased 4.3 percent and 8.3 percent to $107.2 million and $203.5 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 from $102.8 million and $187.9 million for the same periods in 2016.  The loss and settlement expense ratio increased to 71.6 percent and 69.1 percent for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 from 70.2 percent and 65.0 percent for the same periods in 2016.  The property and casualty insurance segment reported a decline in its loss and settlement expense ratio for the second quarter; however, both segments experienced an increase in their loss and settlement expense ratios for the six months. The actuarial analysis of the Company’s carried reserves at June 30, 2017 indicates that they are in the upper half of the range of reasonable reserves, and appear to be consistent with prior evaluations.

The loss and settlement expense ratio for the property and casualty insurance segment decreased to 70.2 percent for the three months ended June 30, 2017 from 72.9 percent for the same period in 2016, but increased to 68.3 percent for the six months ended June 30, 2017 from 64.6 percent for the same period in 2016.  The decline for the second quarter is primarily attributed to an increase in premiums earned, as losses and settlement expenses remained relatively consistent. The increase for the six months is generally attributed to an increase in the underlying loss and settlement expense ratio. As previously noted, the underlying loss and settlement expense ratio has been relatively consistent since the implementation of the new bulk reserving methodology in the third quarter of 2016, and actually declined 3.2 percentage points from the first quarter to the second quarter of 2017, despite the softening market. However, this ratio was 8.8 percentage points higher in the first quarter of 2017 than the first quarter of 2016, which resulted in a 3.7 percentage point increase for the six months (63.7 percent for the first six months of 2017 compared to 60.0 percent for the same period of 2016). This increase does not reflect a decline in the performance of the underlying book of business. Rather, the increase is attributed to differences in how bulk reserves are calculated and allocated to the various accident years under the new and prior bulk reserving methodologies. As a result, a comparison of the 2017 ratios to the 2016 ratios is not meaningful.

The prior bulk reserving methodology was focused on maintaining a consistent level of overall reserve adequacy. Bulk reserves were determined in total, and a separate process was used to allocate the bulk reserves to the various accident years. The implied ultimate accident year loss and settlement expense ratios produced by this allocation process were not explicitly determined, which, based on a recently completed analysis of first quarter 2016 results, allowed seasonal or other fluctuations in the underlying case loss reserves to impact the underlying loss and settlement expense ratios.

Under the new bulk reserving methodology, the underlying loss and settlement expense ratio is determined by the explicit accident year ultimate loss and settlement expense ratios established for each line of business by management. Because of this change in methodology, the quarterly underlying loss and settlement expense ratios are expected to be more consistent throughout the year than they were under the prior methodology.

The commercial auto and personal lines of business, which posted loss and settlement expense ratios of 88.8 percent and 83.8 percent, respectively, for the six months ended June 30, 2017, continue to underperform; however, the loss and settlement expense ratio for the commercial auto line of business did improve somewhat during the second quarter. Management continues to devote a significant amount of time and effort to the initiatives that have been undertaken to improve the performance of these lines of business.

Favorable development on the property and casualty insurance segment's prior years' reserves totaled $850,000 and $6.0 million for the three months and $9.3 million and $9.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The majority of the favorable development reported for the first six months of 2017 occurred in the other liability line of business. Included in the development amounts reported for the second quarter and first six months of 2017 are $1.8 million and $4.5 million, respectively, of adverse development experienced in the other liability line of business stemming from the settlement of claims for past and future legal fees and losses on a multi-year asbestos exposure associated with a former insured.

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The property and casualty insurance subsidiaries ceded $16.0 million of catastrophe and storm losses to Employers Mutual under the 2017 inter-company reinsurance program during the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, compared to $1.6 million during the same periods in 2016. As previously noted, the large amount of catastrophe and storm losses ceded during the second quarter of 2017 was a result of the record amount of catastrophe and storm losses incurred in the first quarter of 2017. Catastrophe and storm losses, net of the amounts ceded to Employers Mutual, accounted for 8.8 and 8.7 percentage points of the loss and settlement expense ratio for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, respectively, compared to 14.8 and 9.0 percentage points during the same periods in 2016. The most recent 10-year averages for these three and six month periods are 19.0 and 12.2 percentage points, respectively. The terms of the inter-company reinsurance program, including the pricing of the coverage, are reviewed annually by the Inter-Company Committees of the boards of directors of the Company and Employers Mutual.

The loss and settlement expense ratio for the reinsurance segment increased to 76.4 percent and 72.1 percent for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 from 61.6 percent and 66.2 percent for the same periods in 2016. The vast majority of the increase in the ratio for the second quarter is due to adverse development experienced on prior years' reserves during the second quarter of 2017 compared to favorable development during the same period of 2016. The adverse development during the second quarter of 2017 is mostly from casualty pro rata and ocean marine pro rata contracts, and is concentrated in accident year 2016. The increase in the ratio for the first six months of 2017 reflects a decline in the amount of favorable development experienced on prior years' reserves, as well as the occurrence of several large fire losses. The favorable reserve development reported for the first six months of 2017 includes $3.5 million of favorable development produced by the business generated through the activities of Employers Mutual's Home Office Reinsurance Assumed Department (also known as "HORAD"), primarily from prior year reserve releases in casualty excess and property/casualty global excess contract types. The remainder of the favorable reserve development for this period was produced by the MRB book of business. Catastrophe and storm losses accounted for 14.6 and 13.2 percentage points of the loss and settlement expense ratio for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, respectively, compared to 16.6 and 12.7 percentage points during the same periods in 2016. The most recent 10-year averages for these periods are 16.2 and 13.0 percentage points, respectively.

Acquisition and other expenses

Acquisition and other expenses increased 0.4 percent and 2.0 percent to $48.8 million and $97.7 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 from $48.6 million and $95.8 million for the same periods in 2016.  The acquisition expense ratio decreased to 32.5 percent for the three months ended June 30, 2017 from 33.2 percent for the same period in 2016, but was largely unchanged for the six months ended June 30, 2017, coming in at 33.2 percent compared to 33.1 percent for the same period in 2016.  Both segments contributed to the decrease in the ratio for the second quarter.

The acquisition expense ratio for the property and casualty insurance segment decreased to 34.6 percent for the three months ended June 30, 2017 from 35.5 percent for the same period in 2016, but was unchanged at 35.7 percent for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016. The decrease for the second quarter is primarily attributed to lower policyholder dividend expense associated with a couple of the pool participants' safety dividend groups. For the first six months of 2017, a decline in policyholder dividend expense was largely offset by higher salary expenses, an increase in costs associated with data analytics initiatives, and, to a lesser extent, an increase in agents' contingent commissions.

The acquisition expense ratio for the reinsurance segment decreased to 25.3 percent and 24.3 percent for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 from 25.8 percent and 24.5 percent for the same periods in 2016. These decreases primarily reflect a decline in contingent commission expense.

Investment results

Net investment income decreased 8.3 percent and 9.1 percent to $11.2 million and $22.2 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 from $12.2 million and $24.4 million for the same periods in 2016. These decreases primarily reflect an increase in the amortization of interest-only fixed maturity securities due to prepayments of the underlying collateral, and, for the six months, the receipt of approximately $480,000 of special dividends during the first quarter of 2016. Current interest rate levels remain below the average book yield of the fixed maturity portfolio, and will therefore likely continue to limit future growth in net investment income. The average coupon rate on the fixed maturity portfolio, excluding interest-only securities, has remained relatively steady at 3.8 percent over the past year.  The effective duration of the fixed maturity portfolio, excluding interest-only securities, decreased to 4.9 at June 30, 2017 from 5.2 at December 31, 2016. The Company’s equity portfolio produced dividend income of $1.6 million and $3.1 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, respectively, compared to $1.7 million and $3.8 million during the same periods in 2016.

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The Company had net realized investment gains of $3.4 million and $2.8 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 compared to $1.6 million and $549,000 during the same periods in 2016. The reported amounts include losses of $1.3 million and $3.6 million generated during the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 from declines in the carrying value of a limited partnership that the Company invests in to help protect the equity portfolio from a sudden and significant decline in value (an equity tail-risk hedging strategy). Losses on this limited partnership amounted to $1.4 million and $3.3 million, respectively, during the same periods in 2016. The Company recognized "other-than-temporary" impairment losses of $733,000 during the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, compared to $270,000 and $701,000 during the same periods in 2016. These impairment losses were recognized on securities held in the Company's equity portfolio.

Other income

Included in other income are foreign currency exchange gains and losses recognized on the reinsurance segment’s foreign currency denominated reinsurance business.  The reinsurance segment had foreign currency exchange losses of $529,000 and $1.1 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, compared to losses of $85,000 and $228,000 during the same periods in 2016.

Income tax

Income tax expense decreased 11.9 percent and 58.9 percent to $1.7 million and $3.4 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 from $2.0 million and $8.2 million for the same periods in 2016. The effective tax rates for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 were 23.9 percent and 21.4 percent, compared to 24.2 percent and 28.2 percent for the same periods in 2016. The primary contributors to the differences between these effective tax rates and the United States federal corporate tax rate of 35 percent are tax-exempt interest income earned and the dividends received deduction.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Liquidity

Liquidity is a measure of a company’s ability to generate sufficient cash flows to meet cash obligations.  The Company had positive cash flows from operations of $22.4 million and $43.7 million during the first six months of 2017 and 2016, respectively. The Company typically generates substantial positive cash flows from operations because cash from premium payments is generally received in advance of cash payments made to settle claims.  These positive cash flows provide the foundation of the Company’s asset/liability management program and are the primary driver of the Company’s liquidity.  The Company invests in high quality, liquid securities to match the anticipated payments of losses and settlement expenses of the underlying insurance policies.  Because the timing of the losses is uncertain, the majority of the portfolio is maintained in short to intermediate maturity securities that can be easily liquidated or that generate adequate cash flow to meet liabilities.

The Company is a holding company whose principal asset is its investment in its property and casualty insurance subsidiaries and its reinsurance subsidiary (“insurance subsidiaries”).  As a holding company, the Company is dependent upon cash dividends from its insurance subsidiaries to meet all its obligations, including cash dividends to stockholders and the funding of the Company’s stock repurchase program.  State insurance regulations restrict the maximum amount of dividends insurance companies can pay without prior regulatory approval.  The maximum amount of dividends that the insurance subsidiaries can pay to the Company in 2017 without prior regulatory approval is approximately $52.7 million.  The Company received $3.7 million and $1.4 million of dividends from its insurance subsidiaries and paid cash dividends to its stockholders totaling $8.9 million and $7.9 million during the first six months of 2017 and 2016, respectively.

The Company’s insurance subsidiaries must maintain adequate liquidity to ensure that their cash obligations are met; however, because of the property and casualty insurance subsidiaries’ participation in the pooling agreement and the reinsurance subsidiary’s participation in the quota share agreement, they do not have the daily liquidity concerns normally associated with an insurance company.  This is because under the terms of the pooling and quota share agreements, Employers Mutual receives all premiums and pays all losses and expenses associated with the insurance business produced by the pool participants and the assumed reinsurance business ceded to the Company’s reinsurance subsidiary, and then settles inter-company balances generated by these transactions with the participating companies on a monthly (pool participants) or quarterly (reinsurance subsidiary) basis.

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At the insurance subsidiary level, the primary sources of cash are premium income, investment income and proceeds from called or matured investments.  The principal outflows of cash are payments of claims, commissions, premium taxes, operating expenses, income taxes, dividends, interest and principal payments on debt, and investment purchases.  Cash outflows vary because of uncertainties regarding settlement dates for unpaid losses and the potential for large losses, either individually or in the aggregate.  Accordingly, the insurance subsidiaries maintain investment and reinsurance programs intended to provide adequate funds to pay claims without forced sales of investments.  The insurance subsidiaries also have the ability to borrow funds on a short-term basis (180 days) from Employers Mutual and its subsidiaries and affiliate under an Inter-Company Loan Agreement. In addition, Employers Mutual maintains access to a line of credit with the Federal Home Loan Bank that could be used to provide the insurance subsidiaries additional liquidity if needed.

The Company maintains a portion of its investment portfolio in relatively short-term and highly liquid investments to ensure the availability of funds to pay claims and expenses.  A variety of maturities are maintained in the Company’s investment portfolio to assure adequate liquidity.  The maturity structure of the fixed maturity portfolio is also established by the relative attractiveness of yields on short, intermediate and long-term securities.  The Company does not invest in non-investment grade debt securities.  Any non-investment grade securities held by the Company are the result of rating downgrades subsequent to their purchase.

The Company invests for the long term and generally purchases fixed maturity securities with the intent to hold them to maturity.  Despite this intent, the Company currently classifies fixed maturity securities as available-for-sale to provide flexibility in the management of its investment portfolio.  At June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the Company had net unrealized holding gains, net of deferred taxes, on its fixed maturity securities available-for-sale of $15.8 million and $6.6 million, respectively.  The fluctuation in the fair value of these investments is primarily due to changes in the interest rate environment during this time period, but also reflects fluctuations in risk premium spreads over U.S. Treasuries.  Since the Company intends to hold fixed maturity securities to maturity, such fluctuations in the fair value of these investments are not expected to have a material impact on the operations of the Company, as forced liquidations of investments are not anticipated. The Company closely monitors the bond market and makes appropriate adjustments in its portfolio as conditions warrant.

The majority of the Company’s assets are invested in fixed maturity securities.  These investments provide a substantial amount of investment income that supplements underwriting results and contributes to net earnings.  As these investments mature, or are called, the proceeds are reinvested at current interest rates, which may be higher or lower than those now being earned; therefore, more or less investment income may be available to contribute to net earnings.  Due to the prolonged low interest rate environment, proceeds from calls and maturities in recent years have been reinvested at lower yields, which has had a negative impact on investment income.

The Company held $14.9 million and $12.5 million in minority ownership interests in limited partnerships and limited liability companies at June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.  During the first six months of 2017 and 2016, the Company invested $5.8 million and $4.9 million, respectively, in a limited partnership that is designed to help protect the Company from a sudden and significant decline in the value of its equity portfolio. During the fourth quarter of 2016, the Company's reinsurance subsidiary invested approximately $6.6 million in a limited liability company as an investment that conveys renewable energy tax credits. After reductions for the utilization of tax credits and a $209,000 impairment loss during the fourth quarter of 2016, the carrying value of this investment was approximately $1.6 million and $2.0 million at June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. These investments are included in "other long-term investments" in the Company's financial statements, with the limited partnership carried under the equity method of accounting.

The Company participates in reverse repurchase arrangements, involving the purchase of investment securities from third-party sellers with the agreement that the purchased securities be sold back to the third-party sellers for agreed-upon prices at specified future dates. The third-party sellers are required to pledge collateral with a value greater than the amount of cash received in the transactions. In accordance with GAAP, the investment securities purchased under the reverse repurchase agreements are not reflected in the Company's consolidated balance sheets, but instead a receivable is recorded for the principal amount lent. The Company's receivable under reverse repurchase agreements was $16.5 million and $20.0 million at June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.

The Company’s cash balance was $315,000 and $307,000 at June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.

During the first six months of 2017, Employers Mutual made no contributions to its qualified pension plan or postretirement benefit plans.  The Company’s share of Employers Mutual’s 2017 planned contribution to its pension plan, if made, will be approximately $2.7 million. No contributions will be made to the postretirement benefit plans in 2017.

During the first six months of 2016, Employers Mutual made no contributions to its qualified pension plan or postretirement benefit plans.  The Company reimbursed Employers Mutual $2.7 million for its share of the total 2016 pension contribution (no contributions were made to the postretirement benefit plans during 2016).

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Capital Resources

Capital resources consist of stockholders’ equity and debt, representing funds deployed or available to be deployed to support business operations.  For the Company’s insurance subsidiaries, capital resources are required to support premium writings.  Regulatory guidelines suggest that the ratio of a property and casualty insurer’s annual net premiums written to its statutory surplus should not exceed three to one.  On an annualized basis, all of the Company’s property and casualty insurance subsidiaries were well under this guideline at June 30, 2017.

The Company’s insurance subsidiaries are required to maintain a certain minimum level of surplus on a statutory basis, and are subject to regulations under which the payment of dividends from statutory surplus is restricted and may require prior approval of their domiciliary insurance regulatory authorities.  The Company’s insurance subsidiaries are also subject to annual Risk Based Capital (RBC) requirements that may further impact their ability to pay dividends.  RBC requirements attempt to measure minimum statutory capital needs based upon the risks in a company’s mix of products and investment portfolio.  At December 31, 2016, the Company’s insurance subsidiaries had total adjusted statutory capital of $526.8 million, which is well in excess of the minimum risk-based capital requirement of $87.3 million.

The Company’s total cash and invested assets at June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 are summarized as follows:

	June 30, 2017
($ in thousands)	Amortized cost		Fair value		Percent of total fair value		Carrying value
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	$	1,200,799	$	1,225,128	81.8	%	$	1,225,128
Equity securities available-for-sale	148,148		221,651		14.8		221,651
Cash	315		315		—		315
Short-term investments	36,135		36,135		2.4		36,135
Other long-term investments	14,929		14,929		1.0		14,929
	$	1,400,326	$	1,498,158	100.0	%	$	1,498,158

	December 31, 2016
($ in thousands)	Amortized cost		Fair value		Percent of total fair value		Carrying value
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	$	1,189,525	$	1,199,699	81.8	%	$	1,199,699
Equity securities available-for-sale	147,479		213,839		14.6		213,839
Cash	307		307		—		307
Short-term investments	39,670		39,670		2.7		39,670
Other long-term investments	12,506		12,506		0.9		12,506
	$	1,389,487	$	1,466,021	100.0	%	$	1,466,021

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The amortized cost and estimated fair value of fixed maturity and equity securities at June 30, 2017 were as follows:

($ in thousands)	Amortized cost		Gross unrealized gains		Gross unrealized losses		Estimated fair values
Securities available-for-sale:
Fixed maturity securities:
U.S. treasury	$	7,853	$	62	$	—	$	7,915
U.S. government-sponsored agencies	243,258		249		6,775		236,732
Obligations of states and political subdivisions	320,598		19,711		348		339,961
Commercial mortgage-backed	59,214		683		1,065		58,832
Residential mortgage-backed	87,921		2,481		4,151		86,251
Other asset-backed	24,696		796		472		25,020
Corporate	457,259		13,825		667		470,417
Total fixed maturity securities	1,200,799		37,807		13,478		1,225,128
Equity securities:
Common stocks:
Financial services	25,852		12,415		146		38,121
Information technology	21,830		14,141		109		35,862
Healthcare	16,820		11,071		—		27,891
Consumer staples	10,894		5,843		44		16,693
Consumer discretionary	11,848		8,310		89		20,069
Energy	12,404		3,708		663		15,449
Industrials	12,267		12,255		13		24,509
Other	13,203		5,126		28		18,301
Non-redeemable preferred stocks	23,030		1,746		20		24,756
Total equity securities	148,148		74,615		1,112		221,651
Total securities available-for-sale	$	1,348,947	$	112,422	$	14,590	$	1,446,779

The Company’s property and casualty insurance subsidiaries have $25.0 million of surplus notes issued to Employers Mutual.  The interest rate on the surplus notes is 1.35 percent.  Reviews of the interest rate are conducted by the Inter-Company Committees of the boards of directors of the Company and Employers Mutual every five years, with the next review due in 2018.  Payments of interest and repayments of principal can only be made out of the applicable subsidiary’s statutory surplus and are subject to prior approval by the insurance commissioner of the respective states of domicile.  The surplus notes are subordinate and junior in right of payment to all obligations or liabilities of the applicable insurance subsidiaries.  Total interest expense incurred on these surplus notes was $169,000 during the first six months of 2017 and 2016.  During the first quarter of 2017, the Company’s property and casualty insurance subsidiaries paid Employers Mutual for the interest that had been accrued on the surplus notes during 2016.

As of June 30, 2017, the Company had no material commitments for capital expenditures.

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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

Employers Mutual collects from agents, policyholders and ceding companies all written premiums associated with the insurance business produced by the pool participants and the assumed reinsurance business ceded to the reinsurance subsidiary. Employers Mutual also collects from its reinsurers all losses and settlement expenses recoverable under the reinsurance contracts protecting the pool participants and, starting in 2016, the reinsurance subsidiary, as well as the fronting business ceded to the reinsurance subsidiary. Employers Mutual settles with the pool participants (monthly) and the reinsurance subsidiary (quarterly) the premiums written from these insurance policies and the paid losses and settlement expenses recoverable under the external reinsurance contracts, providing full credit for the premiums written and the paid losses and settlement expenses recoverable under the external reinsurance contracts generated during the period (not just the collected portion). Due to this arrangement, and since a significant portion of the premium balances are collected over the course of the underlying coverage periods, Employers Mutual carries a substantial receivable balance for insurance and reinsurance premiums in process of collection and, to a lesser extent, paid losses and settlement expenses recoverable from the external reinsurance companies.  Any of these receivable amounts that are ultimately deemed to be uncollectible are charged-off by Employers Mutual and the expense is charged to the reinsurance subsidiary or allocated to the pool members on the basis of pool participation.  As a result, the Company has off-balance sheet arrangements with an unconsolidated entity that results in credit-risk exposures (Employers Mutual’s insurance and reinsurance premium receivable balances, and paid loss and settlement expense recoverable amounts) that are not reflected in the Company’s financial statements.  The average annual expense for such charge-offs allocated to the Company over the past ten years is $362,000. Based on this historical data, this credit-risk exposure is not considered to be material to the Company’s results of operations or financial position and, accordingly, no loss contingency liability has been recorded.

Investment Impairments and Considerations

The Company recorded $733,000 of "other-than-temporary" investment impairment losses during the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, compared to $270,000 and $701,000 during the same periods in 2016. The impairment losses were recognized on securities held in the Company's equity portfolio.

At June 30, 2017, the Company had unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities as presented in the following table. The estimated fair value is based on quoted market prices, where available.  In cases where quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based on a variety of valuation techniques depending on the type of security.  None of these securities are considered to be in concentrations by either security type or industry.  The Company uses several factors to determine whether the carrying value of an individual security has been “other-than-temporarily” impaired.  Such factors include, but are not limited to, the security’s value and performance in the context of the overall markets, length of time and extent the security’s fair value has been below carrying value, key corporate events and, for fixed maturity securities, the amount of collateral available. Based on these factors, the absence of management’s intent to sell these securities prior to recovery or maturity, and the fact that management does not anticipate that it will be forced to sell these securities prior to recovery or maturity, it was determined that the carrying value of these securities were not “other-than-temporarily” impaired at June 30, 2017.  Risks and uncertainties inherent in the methodology utilized in this evaluation process include interest rate risk, equity price risk, and the overall performance of the economy, all of which have the potential to adversely affect the value of the Company’s investments. Should a determination be made at some point in the future that these unrealized losses are “other-than-temporary”, the Company’s earnings would be reduced by approximately $9.5 million, net of tax; however, the Company’s financial position would not be affected because unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities are reflected in the Company’s financial statements as a component of stockholders’ equity, net of deferred taxes.

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Following is a schedule of the length of time securities have continuously been in an unrealized loss position as of June 30, 2017.

	Less than twelve months				Twelve months or longer				Total
($ in thousands)	Fair values		Unrealized losses		Fair values		Unrealized losses		Fair values		Unrealized losses
Fixed maturity securities:
U.S. government-sponsored agencies	$	194,957	$	6,641	$	4,867	$	134	$	199,824	$	6,775
Obligations of states and political subdivisions	14,415		348		—		—		14,415		348
Commercial mortgage-backed	43,939		1,065		—		—		43,939		1,065
Residential mortgage-backed	13,671		426		18,491		3,725		32,162		4,151
Other asset-backed	7,336		123		6,516		349		13,852		472
Corporate	35,758		124		14,453		543		50,211		667
Total fixed maturity securities	310,076		8,727		44,327		4,751		354,403		13,478
Equity securities:
Common stocks:
Financial services	1,407		20		945		126		2,352		146
Information technology	2,313		109		—		—		2,313		109
Consumer staples	1,293		44		—		—		1,293		44
Consumer discretionary	1,280		89		—		—		1,280		89
Energy	3,635		474		1,027		189		4,662		663
Industrials	340		13		—		—		340		13
Other	2,252		28		—		—		2,252		28
Non-redeemable preferred stocks	—		—		1,980		20		1,980		20
Total equity securities	12,520		777		3,952		335		16,472		1,112
Total temporarily impaired securities	$	322,596	$	9,504	$	48,279	$	5,086	$	370,875	$	14,590

The Company does not purchase non-investment grade fixed maturity securities.  Any non-investment grade fixed maturity securities held are the result of rating downgrades that occurred subsequent to their purchase.  At June 30, 2017, the Company held $2.9 million of non-investment grade fixed maturity securities in a net unrealized gain position of $46,000.

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Following is a schedule of gross realized losses recognized in the first six months of 2017.  The schedule is aged according to the length of time the underlying securities were in an unrealized loss position.  

	Realized losses from sales						"Other-than- temporary" impairment losses		Total gross realized losses
($ in thousands)	Book value		Sales price		Gross realized losses
Fixed maturity securities:
Three months or less	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
Over three months to six months	2,330		2,086		244		—		244
Over six months to nine months	2,993		2,938		55		—		55
Over nine months to twelve months	547		391		156		—		156
Over twelve months	15,157		13,526		1,631		—		1,631
Subtotal, fixed maturity securities	21,027		18,941		2,086		—		2,086
Equity securities:
Three months or less	4,114		3,785		329		—		329
Over three months to six months	1,440		1,305		135		733		868
Over six months to nine months	57		50		7		—		7
Over nine months to twelve months	—		—		—		—		—
Over twelve months	—		—		—		—		—
Subtotal, equity securities	5,611		5,140		471		733		1,204
Total realized losses	$	26,638	$	24,081	$	2,557	$	733	$	3,290

LEASES, COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

One of the Company’s property and casualty insurance subsidiaries leases office facilities in Bismarck, North Dakota with lease terms expiring in 2024.  Employers Mutual has entered into various leases for branch and service office facilities with lease terms expiring through 2026.  All of these lease costs are included as expenses under the pooling agreement.  The Company’s contractual obligations as of June 30, 2017 did not change materially from those presented in the Company’s 2016 Form 10-K.

The participants in the pooling agreement are subject to guaranty fund assessments by states in which they write business.  Guaranty fund assessments are used by states to pay policyholder liabilities of insolvent insurers domiciled in those states.  Many states allow assessments to be recovered through premium tax offsets.  The Company has accrued estimated guaranty fund assessments of $896,000 and $851,000 as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. Premium tax offsets of $1.0 million and $1.0 million, which are related to prior guarantee fund payments and current assessments, have been accrued as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.  The guaranty fund assessments are expected to be paid over the next two years and the premium tax offsets are expected to be realized within ten years of the payments.  The participants in the pooling agreement are also subject to second-injury fund assessments, which are designed to encourage employers to employ workers with pre-existing disabilities.  The Company had accrued estimated second-injury fund assessments of $2.0 million and $1.9 million as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.  The second-injury fund assessment accruals are based on projected loss payments.  The periods over which the assessments will be paid is not known.

The participants in the pooling agreement have purchased annuities from life insurance companies, under which the claimant is payee, to fund future payments that are fixed pursuant to specific claim settlement provisions.  Based on information provided by the life insurance companies on an annual basis, the Company’s share of case loss reserves eliminated by the purchase of those annuities was $110,000 at December 31, 2016.  The Company had a contingent liability for the aggregate guaranteed amount of the annuities of $183,000 at December 31, 2016 should the issuers of those annuities fail to perform. Although management is not able to verify the amount, the Company would likely have a similar contingent liability at June 30, 2017.  The probability of a material loss due to failure of performance by the issuers of these annuities is considered remote.

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ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The main objectives in managing the Company’s investment portfolios are to maximize after-tax investment return while minimizing risk, in order to provide maximum support for the underwriting operations.  Investment strategies are developed based upon many factors including the economic environment, business cycle, regulatory requirements, fluctuations in interest rates, underwriting results and consideration of other market risks.  Investment decisions are centrally managed by investment professionals and are supervised by the investment committees of the respective boards of directors for each of the Company’s subsidiaries.

Market risk represents the potential for loss due to adverse changes in the fair value of financial instruments, and is directly influenced by the volatility and liquidity in the markets in which the related underlying assets are traded.  The market risks of the financial instruments owned by the Company relate to the investment portfolio, which exposes the Company to interest rate (inclusive of credit spreads) and equity price risk and, to a lesser extent, credit quality and prepayment risk. Monitoring systems and analytical tools are in place to assess each of these elements of market risk; however, there can be no assurance that future changes in interest rates, creditworthiness of issuers, prepayment activity, liquidity available in the market and other general market conditions will not have a material adverse impact on the Company’s results of operations, liquidity or financial position.

Two categories of influences on market risk exist as it relates to financial instruments.  First are systematic aspects, which relate to the investing environment and are out of the control of the investment manager.  Second are non-systematic aspects, which relate to the construction of the investment portfolio through investment policies and decisions, and are under the direct control of the investment manager.  The Company is committed to controlling non-systematic risk through sound investment policies and diversification.

Further analysis of the components of the Company’s market risk (including interest rate risk, equity price risk, credit quality risk, and prepayment risk) can be found in the Company’s 2016 Form 10-K.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

The Company, under the supervision and with the participation of its management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s “disclosure controls and procedures” (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective in timely making known to them material information relating to the Company and the Company’s consolidated subsidiaries required to be disclosed in the Company’s reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act.

There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the second quarter ended June 30, 2017 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

53

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

The following table sets forth information regarding purchases of equity securities by the Company and affiliated purchasers for the three months ended June 30, 2017:

Period	(a) Total number of shares (or units) purchased1	(b) Average price paid per share (or unit)		(c) Total number of shares (or units) purchased as part of publicly announced plans or programs2	(d) Maximum number (or approximate dollar value) of shares (or units) that may yet be purchased under the plans or programs ($ in thousands)2,3
4/1/2017 - 4/30/2017	20	$	27.42	—	$	19,108
5/1/2017 - 5/31/2017	29	26.94		—	19,108
6/1/2017 - 6/30/2017	1,251	28.63		—	19,108
Total	1,300	$	28.58	—

¹ Consists of shares purchased in the open market to fulfill the Company's obligations under its dividend reinvestment and common stock purchase plan.

² On November 3, 2011, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a $15.0 million stock repurchase program.  This program does not have an expiration date.  A total of $14.6 million remains available in this plan for the purchase of additional shares.

³ On May 12, 2005, the Company announced that its parent company, Employers Mutual, had initiated a $15.0 million stock purchase program under which Employers Mutual may purchase shares of the Company’s common stock in the open market.  This purchase program does not have an expiration date; however, this program has been dormant while the Company’s repurchase programs have been in effect.  A total of $4.5 million remains in this program.

54

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

31.1	Certification of President, Chief Executive Officer and Treasurer as required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2	Certification of Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer as required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.1	Certification of President, Chief Executive Officer and Treasurer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.2	Certification of Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
101.INS	XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

55

EMC INSURANCE GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, on August 8, 2017.

EMC INSURANCE GROUP INC.

Registrant

/s/ Bruce G. Kelley

Bruce G. Kelley

President, Chief Executive Officer, Treasurer and Director

(Principal Executive Officer)

/s/ Mark E. Reese

Mark E. Reese

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

56

EMC INSURANCE GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

Exhibit number	Item
31.1*	Certification of President, Chief Executive Officer and Treasurer as required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2*	Certification of Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer as required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.1*	Certification of the President, Chief Executive Officer and Treasurer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.2*	Certification of the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
101.INS**	XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH**	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL**	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF**	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB**	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE**	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

*	Filed herewith
**	Furnished, not filed

57

EX-31.1

EXHIBIT 31.1

CERTIFICATIONS

I, Bruce G. Kelley, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this report on Form 10-Q of EMC Insurance Group Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a. Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b. Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c. Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d. Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a. All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b. Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Date: August 8, 2017

/s/  Bruce G. Kelley

Bruce G. Kelley, President,

Chief Executive Officer and Treasurer

EX-31.2

EXHIBIT 31.2

CERTIFICATIONS

I, Mark E. Reese, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this report on Form 10-Q of EMC Insurance Group Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a. Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b. Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c. Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d. Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a. All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b. Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Date: August 8, 2017

/s/  Mark E. Reese

Mark E. Reese, Senior Vice President

and Chief Financial Officer

EX-32.1

EXHIBIT 32.1

CERTIFICATION OF PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the accompanying Quarterly Report of EMC Insurance Group Inc. on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2017, the undersigned hereby certifies, in accordance with 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, in his capacity as an officer of EMC Insurance Group Inc. that:

(1) The report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and

(2) The information contained in this report fairly presents, in all material respects, the company’s financial condition and results of operations.

EMC INSURANCE GROUP INC.

Registrant

/s/  Bruce G. Kelley

Bruce G. Kelley, President,

Chief Executive Officer and Treasurer

Date: August 8, 2017

EX-32.2

EXHIBIT 32.2

CERTIFICATION OF SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the accompanying Quarterly Report of EMC Insurance Group Inc. on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2017, the undersigned hereby certifies, in accordance with 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, in his capacity as an officer of EMC Insurance Group Inc. that:

(1) The report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or15(d) of Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and

(2) The information contained in this report fairly presents, in all material respects, the company’s financial condition and results of operations.

EMC INSURANCE GROUP INC.

Registrant

/s/  Mark E. Reese

Mark E. Reese

Senior Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer

Date: August 8, 2017

XML

Document and Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jul. 31, 2017
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	EMC INSURANCE GROUP INC.
Entity Central Index Key	0000356130
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		21,350,055
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2017
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2017

XML

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Investments:
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost $1,200,799 and $1,189,525)	$ 1,225,128	$ 1,199,699
Equity securities available-for-sale, at fair value (cost $148,148 and $147,479)	221,651	213,839
Other long-term investments	14,929	12,506
Short-term investments	36,135	39,670
Total investments	1,497,843	1,465,714
Cash	315	307
Reinsurance receivables due from affiliate	21,163	21,326
Prepaid reinsurance premiums due from affiliate	14,927	9,309
Deferred policy acquisition costs (affiliated $40,875 and $40,660)	41,044	40,939
Prepaid pension and postretirement benefits due from affiliate	11,709	12,314
Accrued investment income	10,901	11,050
Amounts receivable under reverse repurchase agreements	16,500	20,000
Accounts receivable	1,892	2,076
Income taxes recoverable	543	0
Goodwill	942	942
Other assets (affiliated $3,504 and $4,632)	4,618	4,836
Total assets	1,622,397	1,588,813
LIABILITIES
Losses and settlement expenses (affiliated $704,790 and $685,533)	709,491	690,532
Unearned premiums (affiliated $255,588 and $243,682)	256,362	244,885
Other policyholders' funds (all affiliated)	12,465	13,068
Surplus notes payable to affiliate	25,000	25,000
Amounts due affiliate to settle inter-company transaction balances	4,826	11,222
Pension benefits payable to affiliate	3,751	4,097
Income taxes payable	0	2,359
Deferred income taxes	17,728	11,321
Other liabilities (affiliated $19,571 and $27,871)	20,292	32,987
Total liabilities	1,049,915	1,035,471
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common stock, $1 par value, authorized 30,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding, 21,327,147 shares in 2017 and 21,222,535 shares in 2016	21,327	21,223
Additional paid-in capital	121,351	119,054
Accumulated other comprehensive income	59,380	46,081
Retained earnings	370,424	366,984
Total stockholders' equity	572,482	553,342
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 1,622,397	$ 1,588,813

XML

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Investments:
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, amortized cost	$ 1,200,799	$ 1,189,525
Equity securities available-for-sale, cost	148,148	147,479
Deferred policy acquisition costs from affiliates	40,875	40,660
Affiliated other assets	3,504	4,632
LIABILITIES
Affiliated losses and settlement expenses	704,790	685,533
Unearned premiums from affiliates	255,588	243,682
Affiliated other liabilities	$ 19,571	$ 27,871
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 1	$ 1
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	30,000,000	30,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	21,327,147	21,222,535
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	21,327,147	21,222,535

XML

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
REVENUES
Premiums earned (affiliated $148,460, $145,101, $292,071 and $286,816)	$ 149,837	$ 146,446	$ 294,324	$ 289,183
Net investment income	11,171	12,179	22,178	24,409
Net realized investment gains, excluding impairment losses on securities available-for-sale	4,120	1,904	3,493	1,250
Total other-than-temporary impairment losses on securities available-for-sale	(733)	(270)	(733)	(701)
Portion of other-than-temporary impairment losses on fixed maturity securities available-for-sale reclassified from other comprehensive income (before taxes)	0	0	0	0
Net impairment losses on securities available-for-sale	(733)	(270)	(733)	(701)
Net realized investment gains	3,387	1,634	2,760	549
Other income (loss) (affiliated $(49), $145, $(320) and $268)	(245)	77	(655)	66
Total revenues	164,150	160,336	318,607	314,207
LOSSES AND EXPENSES
Losses and settlement expenses (affiliated $107,223, $103,008, $201,994 and $188,266)	107,228	102,820	203,513	187,929
Dividends to policyholders (all affiliated)	2,416	3,495	5,138	7,348
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs (affiliated $27,185, $27,210, $53,780 and $53,328)	27,533	27,567	54,344	53,895
Other underwriting expenses (affiliated $18,870, $17,549, $38,283 and $34,520)	18,857	17,557	38,211	34,528
Interest expense (all affiliated)	85	85	169	169
Other expenses (affiliated $514, $496, $981 and $933)	802	725	1,563	1,374
Total losses and expenses	156,921	152,249	302,938	285,243
Income before income tax expense	7,229	8,087	15,669	28,964
INCOME TAX EXPENSE (BENEFIT)
Current	2,069	2,374	4,115	9,992
Deferred	(344)	(415)	(754)	(1,810)
Total income tax expense	1,725	1,959	3,361	8,182
Net income	$ 5,504	$ 6,128	$ 12,308	$ 20,782
Net income per common share - basic and diluted	$ 0.26	$ 0.29	$ 0.58	$ 0.99
Dividend per common share	$ 0.21	$ 0.19	$ 0.42	$ 0.38
Average number of common shares outstanding - basic and diluted (in shares)	21,276,627	20,989,844	21,265,529	20,916,022

XML

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
REVENUES
Premiums earned, affiliated	$ 148,460	$ 145,101	$ 292,071	$ 286,816
Other income, affiliated	(49)	145	(320)	268
LOSSES AND EXPENSES
Losses and settlement expenses, affiliated	107,223	103,008	201,994	188,266
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs, affiliated	27,185	27,210	53,780	53,328
Other underwriting expenses, affiliated	18,870	17,549	38,283	34,520
Other expense, affiliated	$ 514	$ 496	$ 981	$ 933

XML

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Net income	$ 5,504	$ 6,128	$ 12,308	$ 20,782
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
Unrealized holding gains on investment securities, net of deferred income tax expense of $4,455, $5,761, $9,681 and $12,371	8,274	10,698	17,979	22,973
Reclassification adjustment for net realized investment gains included in net income, net of income tax expense of $(1,646), $(1,071), $(2,227) and $(1,361)	(3,056)	(1,990)	(4,135)	(2,529)
Reclassification adjustment for amounts amortized into net periodic pension and postretirement benefit income, net of deferred income tax expense of $(146), $(129), $(293) and $(265):
Net actuarial loss	240	270	479	549
Prior service credit	(513)	(508)	(1,024)	(1,039)
Total reclassification adjustment associated with affiliate's pension and postretirement benefit plans	(273)	(238)	(545)	(490)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	4,945	8,470	13,299	19,954
Total comprehensive income	$ 10,449	$ 14,598	$ 25,607	$ 40,736

XML

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on investment securities, deferred income tax expense (benefit)	$ 4,455	$ 5,761	$ 9,681	$ 12,371
Reclassification adjustment for net realized investment (gains) losses included in net income (loss), income tax (expense) benefit	(1,646)	(1,071)	(2,227)	(1,361)
Reclassification adjustment for amounts amortized into net periodic pension and postretirement benefit cost (income), deferred income tax (expense) benefit	$ (146)	$ (129)	$ (293)	$ (265)

XML

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]
Balance at Dec. 31, 2015	$ 524,938	$ 20,781	$ 108,747	$ 58,433	$ 336,977
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issuance of common stock through stock plans	6,262	266	5,996
Repurchase of common stock	(383)	(17)	(366)
Increase resulting from stock-based compensation expense	37		37
Other comprehensive income	19,954			19,954
Net income	20,782				20,782
Dividends paid to public stockholders	(3,394)				(3,394)
Dividends paid to affiliate	(4,473)				(4,473)
Balance at Jun. 30, 2016	563,723	21,030	114,414	78,387	349,892
Balance at Dec. 31, 2016	553,342	21,223	119,054	46,081	366,984
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issuance of common stock through stock plans	4,129	168	3,961
Repurchase of common stock	(1,758)	(64)	(1,694)
Increase resulting from stock-based compensation expense	30		30
Other comprehensive income	13,299			13,299
Net income	12,308				12,308
Dividends paid to public stockholders	(3,924)				(3,924)
Dividends paid to affiliate	(4,944)				(4,944)
Balance at Jun. 30, 2017	$ 572,482	$ 21,327	$ 121,351	$ 59,380	$ 370,424

XML

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Dividends paid to public stockholders (per share)	$ 0.42	$ 0.38
Dividends paid to affiliate (per share)	$ 0.42	$ 0.38

XML

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$ 12,308	$ 20,782
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Losses and settlement expenses (affiliated $19,257 and $15,152)	18,959	12,064
Unearned premiums (affiliated $11,906 and $8,829)	11,477	9,013
Other policyholders' funds due to affiliate	(603)	2,866
Amounts due to/from affiliate to settle inter-company transaction balances	(6,396)	3,434
Net pension and postretirement benefits due from affiliate	(579)	(375)
Reinsurance receivables due from affiliate	163	1,284
Prepaid reinsurance premiums due from affiliate	(5,618)	(4,608)
Commissions payable (affiliated $(4,895) and $(6,411))	(4,904)	(6,472)
Deferred policy acquisition costs (affiliated $(215) and $(789))	(105)	(831)
Accrued investment income	149	219
Current income tax	(2,902)	3,489
Deferred income tax	(754)	(1,810)
Net realized investment gains	(2,760)	(549)
Other, net (affiliated $(2,247) and $103)	3,961	5,228
Total adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities	10,088	22,952
Net cash provided by operating activities	22,396	43,734
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchases of fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	(101,700)	(180,471)
Disposals of fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	81,762	178,454
Purchases of equity securities available-for-sale	(28,859)	(33,014)
Disposals of equity securities available-for-sale	36,098	28,787
Purchases of other long-term investments	(11,084)	(5,920)
Disposals of other long-term investments	857	198
Net (purchases) disposals of short-term investments	3,535	(29,286)
Net receipts under reverse repurchase agreements	3,500	0
Net cash used in investing activities	(15,891)	(41,252)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Issuance of common stock through affiliate’s stock plans	4,129	6,262
Repurchase of common stock	(1,758)	(383)
Dividends paid to stockholders (affiliated $(4,944) and $(4,473))	(8,868)	(7,867)
Net cash used in financing activities	(6,497)	(1,988)
NET INCREASE IN CASH	8	494
Cash at the beginning of the year	307	224
Cash at the end of the quarter	$ 315	$ 718

XML

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Losses and settlement expenses, affiliated	$ 19,257	$ 15,152
Unearned premiums, affiliated	11,906	8,829
Commissions payable, affiliated	(4,895)	(6,411)
Deferred policy acquisition costs, affiliated	(215)	(789)
Other, net, affiliated	(2,247)	103
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Dividends paid to stockholders, affiliated	$ (4,944)	$ (4,473)

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BASIS OF PRESENTATION

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2017

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

BASIS OF PRESENTATION

BASIS OF PRESENTATION

EMC Insurance Group Inc., a majority owned subsidiary of Employers Mutual Casualty Company (Employers Mutual), is an insurance holding company with operations in property and casualty insurance and reinsurance.  The Company writes property and casualty insurance in both commercial and personal lines of insurance, with a focus on medium-sized commercial accounts.  The term “Company” is used interchangeably to describe EMC Insurance Group Inc. (Parent Company only) and EMC Insurance Group Inc. and its subsidiaries.

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the basis of U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X.  Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by GAAP for complete financial statements.  The Company has evaluated all subsequent events through the date the financial statements were issued.  In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation of the interim financial statements have been included.  The results of operations for the interim periods reported are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the year.  The consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2016 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date, but does not include all of the information and notes required by GAAP for complete financial statements.

In reading these financial statements, reference should be made to the Company’s 2016 Form 10-K or the 2016 Annual Report to Stockholders for more detailed footnote information.

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TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2017

Related Party Transactions [Abstract]

TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

An inter-company reinsurance program is in place between the Company's insurance subsidiaries in the property and casualty insurance segment and Employers Mutual. This reinsurance program is intended to reduce the volatility of the Company's quarterly results caused by excessive catastrophe and storm losses, and provide protection from both the frequency and severity of such losses. The reinsurance program consists of two semi-annual aggregate catastrophe excess of loss treaties. The first treaty is effective from January 1, 2017 through June 30, 2017, and has a retention of $20.0 million and a limit of $24.0 million. The total cost of this treaty is approximately $6.0 million. The second treaty is effective from July 1, 2017 through December 31, 2017, and has a retention of $15.0 million and a limit of $12.0 million. The total cost of this treaty is approximately $1.4 million. Losses and settlement expenses ceded to Employers Mutual under the 2017 program totaled $16.0 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, compared to $1.6 million ceded during the three and six months ended June 30, 2016. The terms of these treaties were the same in 2016 with the exception of the costs, which were $6.3 million during the first half of 2016 and $1.5 million during the second half of 2016. All catastrophe and storm losses assumed by the property and casualty insurance subsidiaries (net of applicable reinsurance recoveries from external reinsurance protections purchased by the pool participants) are subject to the terms of these treaties, and there is no co-participation provision.

An inter-company reinsurance program is also in place between the Company's reinsurance subsidiary and Employers Mutual. The reinsurance program consists of two treaties. The first is a per occurrence catastrophe excess of loss treaty with a retention of $10.0 million, a limit of $10.0 million, 20 percent co-participation, and no reinstatement. The total cost of this treaty is approximately $1.7 million. The second is an annual aggregate catastrophe excess of loss treaty with a retention of $20.0 million, a limit of $100.0 million, and 20 percent co-participation. The total cost of this treaty is approximately $3.2 million. Any losses recovered under the per occurrence treaty inure to the benefit of the aggregate treaty, and only catastrophic events with total losses greater than $500,000 are subject to the terms of the aggregate treaty. No recoveries were made under these treaties during the six months ended June 30, 2017 or 2016. The terms of these treaties were the same in 2016 with the exception of the costs, which were $2.0 million for the per occurrence treaty and $3.2 million for the annual aggregate.

The reinsurance subsidiary purchases additional reinsurance protection in peak exposure territories from external parties in which coverage is triggered when losses experienced by the insurance industry from a catastrophic event exceed a specified threshold. Any reinsurance recoveries received from external parties reduces the amount of losses ceded to Employers Mutual under the inter-company reinsurance program.

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REINSURANCE

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2017

Reinsurance Disclosures [Abstract]

REINSURANCE

REINSURANCE

The effect of reinsurance on premiums written and earned, and losses and settlement expenses incurred, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 is presented below.  The classification of the assumed and ceded reinsurance amounts between affiliates and nonaffiliates is based on the participants in the underlying reinsurance agreements, and is intended to provide an understanding of the actual source of the reinsurance activities.  This presentation differs from the classifications used in the consolidated financial statements, where all amounts flowing through the pooling and quota share agreements and inter-company reinsurance programs with Employers Mutual are reported as “affiliated” balances.

	Three months ended June 30, 2017
($ in thousands)	Property and casualty insurance			Reinsurance			Total
Premiums written
Direct	$	93,392		$	—		$	93,392
Assumed from nonaffiliates	1,290			35,596			36,886
Assumed from affiliates	136,726			—			136,726
Ceded to nonaffiliates	(8,444		)	(5,830		)	(14,274		)
Ceded to affiliates	(96,373		)	(1,212		)	(97,585		)
Net premiums written	$	126,591		$	28,554		$	155,145
Premiums earned
Direct	$	95,376		$	—		$	95,376
Assumed from nonaffiliates	1,130			37,411			38,541
Assumed from affiliates	125,179			—			125,179
Ceded to nonaffiliates	(7,142		)	(2,549		)	(9,691		)
Ceded to affiliates	(98,356		)	(1,212		)	(99,568		)
Net premiums earned	$	116,187		$	33,650		$	149,837
Losses and settlement expenses incurred
Direct	$	72,811		$	—		$	72,811
Assumed from nonaffiliates	693			26,177			26,870
Assumed from affiliates	100,380			301			100,681
Ceded to nonaffiliates	(3,564		)	(757		)	(4,321		)
Ceded to affiliates	(88,812		)	(1		)	(88,813		)
Net losses and settlement expenses incurred	$	81,508		$	25,720		$	107,228

	Three months ended June 30, 2016
($ in thousands)	Property and casualty insurance			Reinsurance			Total
Premiums written
Direct	$	96,707		$	—		$	96,707
Assumed from nonaffiliates	1,252			37,527			38,779
Assumed from affiliates	128,283			—			128,283
Ceded to nonaffiliates	(5,847		)	(5,851		)	(11,698		)
Ceded to affiliates	(99,862		)	(1,270		)	(101,132		)
Net premiums written	$	120,533		$	30,406		$	150,939
Premiums earned
Direct	$	94,715		$	—		$	94,715
Assumed from nonaffiliates	1,135			37,680			38,815
Assumed from affiliates	119,665			—			119,665
Ceded to nonaffiliates	(5,874		)	(1,735		)	(7,609		)
Ceded to affiliates	(97,870		)	(1,270		)	(99,140		)
Net premiums earned	$	111,771		$	34,675		$	146,446
Losses and settlement expenses incurred
Direct	$	66,942		$	—		$	66,942
Assumed from nonaffiliates	784			21,379			22,163
Assumed from affiliates	85,822			365			86,187
Ceded to nonaffiliates	(3,526		)	(485		)	(4,011		)
Ceded to affiliates	(68,556		)	95			(68,461		)
Net losses and settlement expenses incurred	$	81,466		$	21,354		$	102,820

	Six months ended June 30, 2017
($ in thousands)	Property and casualty insurance			Reinsurance			Total
Premiums written
Direct	$	190,144		$	—		$	190,144
Assumed from nonaffiliates	2,209			69,101			71,310
Assumed from affiliates	261,526			—			261,526
Ceded to nonaffiliates	(16,577		)	(7,854		)	(24,431		)
Ceded to affiliates	(196,104		)	(2,425		)	(198,529		)
Net premiums written	$	241,198		$	58,822		$	300,020
Premiums earned
Direct	$	191,274		$	—		$	191,274
Assumed from nonaffiliates	2,145			72,100			74,245
Assumed from affiliates	247,276			—			247,276
Ceded to nonaffiliates	(13,626		)	(5,186		)	(18,812		)
Ceded to affiliates	(197,234		)	(2,425		)	(199,659		)
Net premiums earned	$	229,835		$	64,489		$	294,324
Losses and settlement expenses incurred
Direct	$	135,572		$	—		$	135,572
Assumed from nonaffiliates	1,445			47,417			48,862
Assumed from affiliates	177,122			665			177,787
Ceded to nonaffiliates	(4,965		)	(1,587		)	(6,552		)
Ceded to affiliates	(152,146		)	(10		)	(152,156		)
Net losses and settlement expenses incurred	$	157,028		$	46,485		$	203,513

	Six months ended June 30, 2016
($ in thousands)	Property and casualty insurance			Reinsurance			Total
Premiums written
Direct	$	191,693		$	—		$	191,693
Assumed from nonaffiliates	2,209			71,786			73,995
Assumed from affiliates	247,129			—			247,129
Ceded to nonaffiliates	(11,228		)	(7,831		)	(19,059		)
Ceded to affiliates	(198,003		)	(2,540		)	(200,543		)
Net premiums written	$	231,800		$	61,415		$	293,215
Premiums earned
Direct	$	187,551		$	—		$	187,551
Assumed from nonaffiliates	2,162			72,396			74,558
Assumed from affiliates	237,927			—			237,927
Ceded to nonaffiliates	(11,562		)	(2,890		)	(14,452		)
Ceded to affiliates	(193,861		)	(2,540		)	(196,401		)
Net premiums earned	$	222,217		$	66,966		$	289,183
Losses and settlement expenses incurred
Direct	$	107,996		$	—		$	107,996
Assumed from nonaffiliates	1,505			44,581			46,086
Assumed from affiliates	147,276			753			148,029
Ceded to nonaffiliates	(3,603		)	(1,392		)	(4,995		)
Ceded to affiliates	(109,610		)	423			(109,187		)
Net losses and settlement expenses incurred	$	143,564		$	44,365		$	187,929

Individual lines in the above tables are defined as follows:

• “Direct” represents business produced by the property and casualty insurance subsidiaries.

• “Assumed from nonaffiliates” for the property and casualty insurance subsidiaries represents their aggregate 30 percent pool participation percentage of involuntary business assumed by the pool participants pursuant to state law. For the reinsurance subsidiary, this line represents the reinsurance business assumed through the quota share agreement (including “fronting” activities initiated by Employers Mutual) and the business assumed outside the quota share agreement.

• “Assumed from affiliates” for the property and casualty insurance subsidiaries represents their aggregate 30 percent pool participation percentage of all the pool members’ direct business.  The amounts reported under the caption “Losses and settlement expenses incurred” also include claim-related services provided by Employers Mutual that are allocated to the property and casualty insurance subsidiaries and the reinsurance subsidiary.

• “Ceded to nonaffiliates” for the property and casualty insurance subsidiaries represents their aggregate 30 percent pool participation percentage of 1) the amounts ceded to nonaffiliated reinsurance companies in accordance with the terms of the reinsurance agreements providing protection to the pool and each of its participants, and 2) the amounts ceded on a mandatory basis to state organizations in connection with various programs.  For the reinsurance subsidiary, this line includes 1) reinsurance business that is ceded to other insurance companies in connection with “fronting” activities initiated by Employers Mutual, and 2) amounts ceded to purchase additional reinsurance protection in peak exposure territories from external parties.

• “Ceded to affiliates” for the property and casualty insurance subsidiaries represents the cession of their direct business to Employers Mutual under the terms of the pooling agreement and amounts ceded to Employers Mutual under the terms of the inter-company reinsurance program.  For the reinsurance subsidiary this line represents amounts ceded to Employers Mutual under the terms of the inter-company reinsurance program.

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LIABILITY FOR LOSSES AND SETTLEMENT EXPENSES

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2017

Liability for Future Policy Benefits and Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Abstract]

LIABILITY FOR LOSSES AND SETTLEMENT EXPENSES

LIABILITY FOR LOSSES AND SETTLEMENT EXPENSES

The following table sets forth a reconciliation of beginning and ending reserves for losses and settlement expenses of the Company.  Amounts presented are on a net basis, with a reconciliation of beginning and ending reserves to the gross amounts presented in the consolidated financial statements.

	Six months ended June 30,
($ in thousands)	2017			2016
Gross reserves at beginning of year	$	690,532		$	678,774
Re-valuation due to foreign currency exchange rates	(1,913		)	(2,475		)
Less ceded reserves at beginning of year	20,664			23,477
Net reserves at beginning of year	671,781			657,772
Incurred losses and settlement expenses related to:
Current year	216,710			203,800
Prior years	(13,197		)	(15,871		)
Total incurred losses and settlement expenses	203,513			187,929
Paid losses and settlement expenses related to:
Current year	66,662			57,389
Prior years	119,270			118,287
Total paid losses and settlement expenses	185,932			175,676
Net reserves at end of period	689,362			670,025
Plus ceded reserves at end of period	20,430			22,409
Re-valuation due to foreign currency exchange rates	(301		)	(1,596		)
Gross reserves at end of period	$	709,491		$	690,838

There is an inherent amount of uncertainty involved in the establishment of insurance liabilities.  This uncertainty is greatest in the current and more recent accident years because a smaller percentage of the expected ultimate claims have been reported, adjusted and settled compared to more mature accident years.  For this reason, carried reserves for these accident years reflect prudently conservative assumptions.  As the carried reserves for these accident years run off, the overall expectation is that, more often than not, favorable development will occur.  However, there is also the possibility that the ultimate settlement of liabilities associated with these accident years will show adverse development, and such adverse development could be substantial.

During the third quarter of 2016, management implemented a new reserving methodology for the determination of direct bulk reserves in the property and casualty insurance segment. The new methodology, which is referred to as the accident year ultimate estimate approach, better conforms to industry practices and provides increased transparency of the drivers of the property and casualty insurance segment's performance.

 Changes in reserve estimates are reflected in net income in the year such changes are recorded.  Following is an analysis of the reserve development the Company experienced during the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016.  Care should be exercised when attempting to analyze the financial impact of the reported development amounts because, as noted above, the overall expectation is that, more often than not, favorable development will occur as the prior accident years’ reserves run off.

2017 Development

For the property and casualty insurance segment, the June 30, 2017 estimate of loss and settlement expense reserves for accident years 2016 and prior decreased $9.3 million from the estimate at December 31, 2016.  This decrease represents 1.9% of the December 31, 2016 gross carried reserves and is primarily attributed to reductions in prior year ultimate loss and settlement ratios for most lines of business except commercial auto liability. The other liability line of business was the largest contributor to favorable development. The ultimate loss and settlement ratios for accident years 2004 through 2016 were decreased slightly due to declines in expected ultimate claim frequency and/or severity. Due to increases in projected ultimate claim frequency and severity, the ultimate loss and settlement ratios in the commercial auto line of business were increased for accident years 2012 through 2016, producing adverse reserve development for that line of business. Prior years' asbestos settlement expense reserves in the other liability line of business increased during the first six months of 2017 in connection with the settlement of claims for past and future legal fees and losses on a multi-year asbestos exposure associated with a former insured.

For the reinsurance segment, the June 30, 2017 estimate of loss and settlement expense reserves for accident years 2016 and prior decreased $3.9 million from the estimate at December 31, 2016.  This decrease represents 1.9% of the December 31, 2016 gross carried reserves and is primarily attributed to prior year reserve releases in the casualty excess and property/casualty global excess contract types.

2016 Development

For the property and casualty insurance segment, the June 30, 2016 estimate of loss and settlement expense reserves for accident years 2015 and prior decreased $9.8 million from the estimate at December 31, 2015.  This decrease represented 2.0 percent of the December 31, 2015 gross carried reserves and was primarily attributed to better than expected outcomes for all lines of business except commercial auto liability and commercial property (workers' compensation, personal auto liability and other liability lines of business were the largest contributors to favorable development). Commercial auto liability experienced adverse development on both claims which had been reported in prior years and emerged incurred but not reported (IBNR) claims, while commercial property experienced adverse development on emerged IBNR claims. Prior years' asbestos loss and settlement expense reserves were also strengthened during the first quarter of 2016, producing some adverse reserve development in the other liability line of business.

For the reinsurance segment, the June 30, 2016 estimate of loss and settlement expense reserves for accident years 2015 and prior decreased $6.1 million from the estimate at December 31, 2015.  This decrease represented 3.1 percent of the December 31, 2015 gross carried reserves, with slightly less than half of the favorable development coming from the Mutual Reinsurance Bureau underwriting association (MRB), which included a decrease in bulk reserves.

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SEGMENT INFORMATION

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2017

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

SEGMENT INFORMATION

SEGMENT INFORMATION

The Company’s operations consist of a property and casualty insurance segment and a reinsurance segment.  The property and casualty insurance segment writes both commercial and personal lines of insurance, with a focus on medium-sized commercial accounts.  The reinsurance segment provides reinsurance for other insurers and reinsurers.  The segments are managed separately due to differences in the insurance products sold and the business environments in which they operate. Management evaluates the performance of its insurance segments using financial measurements based on Statutory Accounting Principles (SAP) instead of GAAP. Such measures include premiums written, premiums earned, statutory underwriting profit (loss), and investment results, as well as loss and loss adjustment expense ratios, trade underwriting expense ratios, and combined ratios.

Summarized financial information for the Company’s segments is as follows:

Three months ended June 30, 2017	Property and casualty insurance			Reinsurance			Parent company			Consolidated
($ in thousands)
Premiums earned	$	116,187		$	33,650		$	—		$	149,837
Underwriting profit (loss):
SAP underwriting profit (loss)	(8,892		)	218			—			(8,674		)
GAAP adjustments	3,282			(805		)	—			2,477
GAAP underwriting profit (loss)	(5,610		)	(587		)	—			(6,197		)
Net investment income	7,958			3,201			12			11,171
Net realized investment gains (losses)	3,738			(351		)	—			3,387
Other income (loss)	283			(528		)	—			(245		)
Interest expense	85			—			—			85
Other expenses	231			—			571			802
Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)	$	6,053		$	1,735		$	(559	)	$	7,229

Three months ended June 30, 2016	Property and casualty insurance			Reinsurance			Parent company			Consolidated
($ in thousands)
Premiums earned	$	111,771		$	34,675		$	—		$	146,446
Underwriting profit (loss):
SAP underwriting profit (loss)	(11,289		)	5,026			—			(6,263		)
GAAP adjustments	1,917			(647		)	—			1,270
GAAP underwriting profit (loss)	(9,372		)	4,379			—			(4,993		)
Net investment income	8,568			3,608			3			12,179
Net realized investment gains (losses)	1,018			616			—			1,634
Other income (loss)	162			(85		)	—			77
Interest expense	85			—			—			85
Other expenses	211			—			514			725
Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)	$	80		$	8,518		$	(511	)	$	8,087

Six months ended June 30, 2017	Property and casualty insurance			Reinsurance			Parent company			Consolidated
($ in thousands)
Premiums earned	$	229,835		$	64,489		$	—		$	294,324
Underwriting profit (loss):
SAP underwriting profit (loss)	(11,486		)	3,465			—			(8,021		)
GAAP adjustments	2,275			(1,136		)	—			1,139
GAAP underwriting profit (loss)	(9,211		)	2,329			—			(6,882		)
Net investment income	15,973			6,184			21			22,178
Net realized investment gains (losses)	3,141			(381		)	—			2,760
Other income (loss)	444			(1,099		)	—			(655		)
Interest expense	169			—			—			169
Other expenses	410			—			1,153			1,563
Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)	$	9,768		$	7,033		$	(1,132	)	$	15,669
Assets	$	1,143,680		$	469,285		$	572,671		$	2,185,636
Eliminations	—			—			(562,914		)	(562,914		)
Reclassifications	(44		)	—			(281		)	(325		)
Total assets	$	1,143,636		$	469,285		$	9,476		$	1,622,397

Six months ended June 30, 2016	Property and casualty insurance			Reinsurance			Parent company			Consolidated
($ in thousands)
Premiums earned	$	222,217		$	66,966		$	—		$	289,183
Underwriting profit (loss):
SAP underwriting profit (loss)	(823		)	7,088			—			6,265
GAAP adjustments	56			(838		)	—			(782		)
GAAP underwriting profit (loss)	(767		)	6,250			—			5,483
Net investment income	17,339			7,065			5			24,409
Net realized investment gains (losses)	172			377			—			549
Other income (loss)	294			(228		)	—			66
Interest expense	169			—			—			169
Other expenses	368			—			1,006			1,374
Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)	$	16,501		$	13,464		$	(1,001	)	$	28,964
Year ended December 31, 2016
Assets	$	1,122,037		$	455,493		$	554,164		$	2,131,694
Eliminations	—			—			(540,249		)	(540,249		)
Reclassifications	—			(1,932		)	(700		)	(2,632		)
Total assets	$	1,122,037		$	453,561		$	13,215		$	1,588,813

The following table displays the premiums earned for the property and casualty insurance segment and the reinsurance segment for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, by line of insurance.

	Three months ended June 30,				Six months ended June 30,
($ in thousands)	2017		2016		2017		2016
Property and casualty insurance segment
Commercial lines:
Automobile	$	29,014	$	27,409	$	57,046	$	54,336
Property	26,069		25,073		51,571		49,821
Workers' compensation	25,343		23,489		50,046		46,736
Other liability	24,254		24,139		48,382		47,809
Other	2,197		2,073		4,306		4,144
Total commercial lines	106,877		102,183		211,351		202,846
Personal lines	9,310		9,588		18,484		19,371
Total property and casualty insurance	$	116,187	$	111,771	$	229,835	$	222,217
Reinsurance segment
Pro rata reinsurance	$	12,016	$	15,468	$	22,451	$	29,109
Excess of loss reinsurance	21,634		19,207		42,038		37,857
Total reinsurance	$	33,650	$	34,675	$	64,489	$	66,966
Consolidated	$	149,837	$	146,446	$	294,324	$	289,183

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INCOME TAXES

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2017

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

INCOME TAXES

INCOME TAXES

The actual income tax expense for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 differed from the “expected” income tax expense for those periods (computed by applying the United States federal corporate tax rate of 35 percent to income before income tax expense) as follows:

	Three months ended   June 30,						Six months ended   June 30,
($ in thousands)	2017			2016			2017			2016
Computed "expected" income tax expense	$	2,530		$	2,830		$	5,484		$	10,137
Increases (decreases) in tax resulting from:
Tax-exempt interest income	(761		)	(697		)	(1,466		)	(1,392		)
Dividends received deduction	(348		)	(349		)	(654		)	(774		)
Proration of tax-exempt interest and dividends received deduction	166			157			318			325
Other, net	138			18			(321		)	(114		)
Total income tax expense	$	1,725		$	1,959		$	3,361		$	8,182

The Company had no provision for uncertain income tax positions at June 30, 2017 or December 31, 2016.  The Company recognized no interest expense or other penalties related to U.S. federal or state income taxes during the three or six months ended June 30, 2017 or 2016.  It is the Company’s accounting policy to reflect income tax penalties as other expense, and interest as interest expense.

The Company files a U.S. federal income tax return, along with various state income tax returns.  The Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal and state income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2013.

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EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT PLANS

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2017

Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]

EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT PLANS

EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT PLANS

The components of net periodic benefit cost (income) for Employers Mutual’s pension and postretirement benefit plans is as follows:

	Three months ended   June 30,						Six months ended   June 30,
($ in thousands)	2017			2016			2017			2016
Pension plans:
Service cost	$	3,708		$	3,545		$	7,568		$	7,185
Interest cost	2,800			2,544			5,595			5,069
Expected return on plan assets	(5,191		)	(4,840		)	(10,382		)	(9,680		)
Amortization of net actuarial loss	913			1,083			1,821			2,122
Amortization of prior service cost	5			7			10			15
Net periodic pension benefit cost	$	2,235		$	2,339		$	4,612		$	4,711
Postretirement benefit plans:
Service cost	$	340		$	318		$	681		$	636
Interest cost	570			554			1,140			1,108
Expected return on plan assets	(1,078		)	(1,056		)	(2,156		)	(2,112		)
Amortization of net actuarial loss	343			373			686			747
Amortization of prior service credit	(2,788		)	(2,834		)	(5,577		)	(5,669		)
Net periodic postretirement benefit income	$	(2,613	)	$	(2,645	)	$	(5,226	)	$	(5,290	)

Net periodic pension benefit cost allocated to the Company amounted to $670,000 and $683,000 for the three months and $1.4 million and $1.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.  Net periodic postretirement benefit income allocated to the Company amounted to $736,000 and $730,000 for the three months and $1.5 million and $1.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

The Company’s share of Employers Mutual’s remaining 2017 planned contribution to the pension plan, if made, will be approximately $2.7 million. No contributions will be made to the Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association (VEBA) trust in 2017.

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STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2017

Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

On May 26, 2017, the Company registered 150,000 shares of the Company's common stock for use in the EMC Insurance Group Inc. 2017 Non-Employee Director Stock Plan (the "2017 Director Plan"). The 2017 Director Plan provides for the awarding of non-qualified stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units and other stock-based awards to non-employee directors of the Company. Employers Mutual also has several stock plans which utilize the common stock of the Company. Employers Mutual can provide the common stock required under its plans by: 1) using shares of common stock that it currently owns; 2) purchasing common stock in the open market; or 3) directly purchasing common stock from the Company at the current fair value. A portion of the compensation expense recognized by Employers Mutual (as the requisite service period for granted options and restricted stock awards is rendered) is allocated to the Company’s property and casualty insurance subsidiaries though their participation in the pooling agreement.

During the first quarter of 2017, Employers Mutual began issuing restricted stock units rather than restricted stock awards. In connection with this change, Employers Mutual will now acquire stock to fulfill its obligations to the recipients of the restricted stock units on the date they vest, rather than on the grant date of the awards.

Because of this change, an account Employers Mutual established to hold previously granted restricted stock awards until they vest contained excess shares of the Company's stock stemming from forfeitures and surrenders. During the first quarter of 2017, the Company repurchased 64,358 shares of stock from this unvested restricted stock account at an average cost of $27.31.

The Company recognized compensation expense from these plans of $535,000 ($348,000 net of tax) and $187,000 ($122,000 net of tax) for the three months and $212,000 ($138,000 net of tax) and $324,000 ($211,000 net of tax) for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.  During the first six months of 2017, 2,000 shares of restricted stock were granted to non-employee directors of the Company, 116,288 restricted stock units were granted to eligible employees of Employers Mutual, 85,192 shares of restricted stock vested, and 130,926 options were exercised under the plans at a weighted average exercise price of $14.87.

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DISCLOSURES ABOUT THE FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2017

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

DISCLOSURES ABOUT THE FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

DISCLOSURES ABOUT THE FAIR VALUES OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 are summarized in the tables below.

June 30, 2017	Carrying amounts		Estimated fair values
($ in thousands)
Assets:
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale:
U.S. treasury	$	7,915	$	7,915
U.S. government-sponsored agencies	236,732		236,732
Obligations of states and political subdivisions	339,961		339,961
Commercial mortgage-backed	58,832		58,832
Residential mortgage-backed	86,251		86,251
Other asset-backed	25,020		25,020
Corporate	470,417		470,417
Total fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	1,225,128		1,225,128
Equity securities available-for-sale:
Common stocks:
Financial services	38,121		38,121
Information technology	35,862		35,862
Healthcare	27,891		27,891
Consumer staples	16,693		16,693
Consumer discretionary	20,069		20,069
Energy	15,449		15,449
Industrials	24,509		24,509
Other	18,301		18,301
Non-redeemable preferred stocks	24,756		24,756
Total equity securities available-for-sale	221,651		221,651
Short-term investments	36,135		36,135
Liabilities:
Surplus notes	25,000		11,369

December 31, 2016	Carrying amounts		Estimated fair values
($ in thousands)
Assets:
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale:
U.S. treasury	$	7,830	$	7,830
U.S. government-sponsored agencies	239,197		239,197
Obligations of states and political subdivisions	335,757		335,757
Commercial mortgage-backed	37,572		37,572
Residential mortgage-backed	96,434		96,434
Other asset-backed	26,393		26,393
Corporate	456,516		456,516
Total fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	1,199,699		1,199,699
Equity securities available-for-sale:
Common stocks:
Financial services	35,122		35,122
Information technology	30,542		30,542
Healthcare	24,707		24,707
Consumer staples	19,100		19,100
Consumer discretionary	22,321		22,321
Energy	19,071		19,071
Industrials	24,245		24,245
Other	18,384		18,384
Non-redeemable preferred stocks	20,347		20,347
Total equity securities available-for-sale	213,839		213,839
Short-term investments	39,670		39,670
Liabilities:
Surplus notes	25,000		11,228

The estimated fair values of fixed maturity and equity securities is based on quoted market prices, where available.  In cases where quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based on a variety of valuation techniques depending on the type of security.

Short-term investments generally include money market funds, U.S. Treasury bills and commercial paper.  Short-term investments are carried at fair value, which approximates cost, due to the highly liquid nature of the securities.   Short-term securities are classified as Level 1 fair value measurements when the fair values can be validated by recent trades.  When recent trades are not available, fair value is deemed to be the cost basis and the securities are classified as Level 2 fair value measurements.

The estimated fair value of the surplus notes is derived by discounting future expected cash flows at a rate deemed appropriate.  The discount rate was set at the average of current yields-to-maturity on several insurance company surplus notes that are traded in observable markets, adjusted upward by 50 basis points to reflect illiquidity and perceived risk premium differences. Other assumptions include a 25-year term (the surplus notes have no stated maturity date) and an interest rate that continues at the current 1.35 percent interest rate. The rate is typically adjusted every five years (next review due in 2018) and is based upon the then-current Federal Home Loan Bank borrowing rate for 5-year funds available to Employers Mutual.

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.  The following fair value hierarchy prioritizes inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value.

Level 1 -	Unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the Company has the ability to access.
Level 2 -	Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets; or valuations based on models where the significant inputs are observable (e.g., interest rates, yield curves, prepayment speeds, default rates, loss severities, etc.) or can be corroborated by observable market data.
Level 3 -	Prices or valuation techniques that require significant unobservable inputs because observable inputs are not available.  The unobservable inputs may reflect the Company’s own judgments about the assumptions that market participants would use.

The Company uses an independent pricing source to obtain the estimated fair values of a majority of its securities, subject to an internal validation.  The fair values are based on quoted market prices, where available.  This is typically the case for equity securities and money market funds, which are accordingly classified as Level 1 fair value measurements.  In cases where quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based on a variety of valuation techniques depending on the type of security.  Fixed maturity securities, non-redeemable preferred stocks and various short-term investments in the Company’s portfolio may not trade on a daily basis; however, observable inputs are utilized in their valuations, and these securities are therefore classified as Level 2 fair value measurements.  Following is a brief description of the various pricing techniques used by the independent pricing source for different asset classes.

• U.S. Treasury securities (including bonds, notes, and bills) are priced according to a number of live data sources, including active market makers and inter-dealer brokers.  Prices from these sources are reviewed based on the sources’ historical accuracy for individual issues and maturity ranges.

• U.S. government-sponsored agencies and corporate securities (including fixed-rate corporate bonds and medium-term notes) are priced by determining a bullet (non-call) spread scale for each issuer for maturities going out to forty years.  These spreads represent credit risk and are obtained from the new issue market, secondary trading, and dealer quotes.  An option adjusted spread model is incorporated to adjust spreads of issues that have early redemption features.  The final spread is then added to the U.S. Treasury curve.

• Obligations of states and political subdivisions are priced by tracking and analyzing actively quoted issues and reported trades, material event notices and benchmark yields.  Municipal bonds with similar characteristics are grouped together into market sectors, and internal yield curves are constructed daily for these sectors.  Individual bond evaluations are extrapolated from these sectors, with the ability to make individual spread adjustments for attributes such as discounts, premiums, alternative minimum tax, and/or whether or not the bond is callable.

• Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities are first reviewed for the appropriate pricing speed (if prepayable), spread, yield and volatility.  The securities are priced with models using spreads and other information solicited from market buy- and sell-side sources, including primary and secondary dealers, portfolio managers, and research analysts.  To determine a tranche’s price, first the benchmark yield is determined and adjusted for collateral performance, tranche level attributes and market conditions.  Then the cash flow for each tranche is generated (using consensus prepayment speed assumptions including, as appropriate, a prepayment projection based on historical statistics of the underlying collateral).  The tranche-level yield is used to discount the cash flows and generate the price.  Depending on the characteristics of the tranche, a volatility-driven, multi-dimensional single cash flow stream model or an option-adjusted spread model may be used.  When cash flows or other security structure or market information is not available, broker quotes may be used.

On a quarterly basis, the Company receives from its independent pricing service a list of fixed maturity securities, if any, that were priced solely from broker quotes.  For these securities, fair value may be determined using the broker quotes, or by the Company using similar pricing techniques as the Company’s independent pricing service.  Depending on the level of observable inputs, these securities would be classified as Level 2 or Level 3 fair value measurements.   At June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the Company had no securities priced solely from broker quotes.

A small number of the Company’s securities are not priced by the independent pricing service.  Two of these are equity securities that are reported as Level 3 fair value measurements since no reliable observable inputs are used in their valuations.  The largest of these equity security holdings is in a privately placed non-redeemable convertible preferred stock investment in a start-up technology company that Employers Mutual is working closely with in its data analytics activities. Due to the recent purchase of this security in November, 2016, this security is currently carried at its acquisition cost, which is presumed to be equivalent to fair value. The other equity security, a much smaller holding, continues to be reported at the fair value obtained from the Securities Valuation Office (SVO) of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).  The SVO establishes a per share price for this security based on an annual review of that company’s financial statements, typically performed during the second quarter.  The other securities not priced by the Company’s independent pricing service consist of eight fixed maturity securities (nine at December 31, 2016). Two of these fixed maturity securities, classified as Level 3 fair value measurements, are corporate securities that convey premium tax benefits and are not publicly traded. The fair values for these securities are based on discounted cash flow analyses. The other fixed maturity securities are classified as Level 2 fair value measurements.  The fair values for these fixed maturity securities were obtained from either the SVO, the Company's investment custodian, or the Company's investment department using similar pricing techniques as the Company’s independent pricing service.

Presented in the tables below are the estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016.

June 30, 2017			Fair value measurements using
($ in thousands)	Total		Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1)		Significant other observable inputs (Level 2)		Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)
Financial instruments reported at fair value on recurring basis:
Assets:
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale:
U.S. treasury	$	7,915	$	—	$	7,915	$	—
U.S. government-sponsored agencies	236,732		—		236,732		—
Obligations of states and political subdivisions	339,961		—		339,961		—
Commercial mortgage-backed	58,832		—		58,832		—
Residential mortgage-backed	86,251		—		86,251		—
Other asset-backed	25,020		—		25,020		—
Corporate	470,417		—		469,577		840
Total fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	1,225,128		—		1,224,288		840
Equity securities available-for-sale:
Common stocks:
Financial services	38,121		38,118		—		3
Information technology	35,862		35,862		—		—
Healthcare	27,891		27,891		—		—
Consumer staples	16,693		16,693		—		—
Consumer discretionary	20,069		20,069		—		—
Energy	15,449		15,449		—		—
Industrials	24,509		24,509		—		—
Other	18,301		18,301		—		—
Non-redeemable preferred stocks	24,756		9,998		12,758		2,000
Total equity securities available-for-sale	221,651		206,890		12,758		2,003
Short-term investments	36,135		36,135		—		—
Financial instruments not reported at fair value:
Liabilities:
Surplus notes	11,369		—		—		11,369

December 31, 2016			Fair value measurements using
($ in thousands)	Total		Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1)		Significant other observable inputs (Level 2)		Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)
Financial instruments reported at fair value on recurring basis:
Assets:
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale:
U.S. treasury	$	7,830	$	—	$	7,830	$	—
U.S. government-sponsored agencies	239,197		—		239,197		—
Obligations of states and political subdivisions	335,757		—		335,757		—
Commercial mortgage-backed	37,572		—		37,572		—
Residential mortgage-backed	96,434		—		96,434		—
Other asset-backed	26,393		—		26,393		—
Corporate	456,516		—		455,534		982
Total fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	1,199,699		—		1,198,717		982
Equity securities available-for-sale:
Common stocks:
Financial services	35,122		35,119		—		3
Information technology	30,542		30,542		—		—
Healthcare	24,707		24,707		—		—
Consumer staples	19,100		19,100		—		—
Consumer discretionary	22,321		22,321		—		—
Energy	19,071		19,071		—		—
Industrials	24,245		24,245		—		—
Other	18,384		18,384		—		—
Non-redeemable preferred stocks	20,347		11,074		7,273		2,000
Total equity securities available-for-sale	213,839		204,563		7,273		2,003
Short-term investments	39,670		39,670		—		—
Financial instruments not reported at fair value:
Liabilities:
Surplus notes	11,228		—		—		11,228

Presented in the table below is a reconciliation of the assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016.  Any unrealized gains or losses on these securities are recognized in other comprehensive income (loss).  Any gains or losses from settlements, disposals or impairments of these securities are reported as realized investment gains or losses in net income.

($ in thousands)	Fair value measurements using significant unobservable (Level 3) inputs
Three months ended June 30, 2017	Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, corporate			Equity securities available-for-sale, financial services		Equity securities available-for-sale, non-redeemable preferred stocks		Total
Beginning balance	$	929		$	3	$	2,000	$	2,932
Settlements	(90		)	—		—		(90		)
Unrealized gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income (loss)	1			—		—		1
Balance at June 30, 2017	$	840		$	3	$	2,000	$	2,843
Six months ended June 30, 2017
Beginning balance	$	982		$	3	$	2,000	$	2,985
Settlements	(140		)	—		—		(140		)
Unrealized gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income (loss)	(2		)	—		—		(2		)
Balance at June 30, 2017	$	840		$	3	$	2,000	$	2,843

($ in thousands)	Fair value measurements using significant unobservable (Level 3) inputs
Three months ended June 30, 2016	Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, corporate			Equity securities available-for-sale, financial services		Equity securities available-for-sale, non-redeemable preferred stocks		Total
Beginning balance	$	1,271		$	3	$	—	$	1,274
Settlements	(84		)	—		—		(84		)
Unrealized gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income (loss)	4			—		—		4
Balance at June 30, 2016	$	1,191		$	3	$	—	$	1,194
Six months ended June 30, 2016
Beginning balance	$	1,329		$	3	$	—	$	1,332
Settlements	(145		)	—		—		(145		)
Unrealized gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income (loss)	7			—		—		7
Balance at June 30, 2016	$	1,191		$	3	$	—	$	1,194

There were no transfers into or out of Levels 1 or 2 during the six months ended June 30, 2017 or 2016.  It is the Company’s policy to recognize transfers between levels at the beginning of the reporting period.

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INVESTMENTS

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2017

Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]

INVESTMENTS

INVESTMENTS

Investments of the Company’s insurance subsidiaries are subject to the insurance laws of the state of their incorporation. These laws prescribe the kind, quality and concentration of investments that may be made by insurance companies.  In general, these laws permit investments, within specified limits and subject to certain qualifications, in federal, state and municipal obligations, corporate bonds, preferred and common stocks and real estate mortgages.  The Company believes that it is in compliance with these laws.

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of securities available-for-sale as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 are as follows.  All securities are classified as available-for-sale and are carried at fair value.

June 30, 2017	Amortized cost		Gross unrealized gains		Gross unrealized losses		Estimated fair values
($ in thousands)
Securities available-for-sale:
Fixed maturity securities:
U.S. treasury	$	7,853	$	62	$	—	$	7,915
U.S. government-sponsored agencies	243,258		249		6,775		236,732
Obligations of states and political subdivisions	320,598		19,711		348		339,961
Commercial mortgage-backed	59,214		683		1,065		58,832
Residential mortgage-backed	87,921		2,481		4,151		86,251
Other asset-backed	24,696		796		472		25,020
Corporate	457,259		13,825		667		470,417
Total fixed maturity securities	1,200,799		37,807		13,478		1,225,128
Equity securities:
Common stocks:
Financial services	25,852		12,415		146		38,121
Information technology	21,830		14,141		109		35,862
Healthcare	16,820		11,071		—		27,891
Consumer staples	10,894		5,843		44		16,693
Consumer discretionary	11,848		8,310		89		20,069
Energy	12,404		3,708		663		15,449
Industrials	12,267		12,255		13		24,509
Other	13,203		5,126		28		18,301
Non-redeemable preferred stocks	23,030		1,746		20		24,756
Total equity securities	148,148		74,615		1,112		221,651
Total securities available-for-sale	$	1,348,947	$	112,422	$	14,590	$	1,446,779

December 31, 2016	Amortized cost		Gross unrealized gains		Gross unrealized losses		Estimated fair values
($ in thousands)
Securities available-for-sale:
Fixed maturity securities:
U.S. treasury	$	7,841	$	—	$	11	$	7,830
U.S. government-sponsored agencies	249,495		311		10,609		239,197
Obligations of states and political subdivisions	319,663		17,034		940		335,757
Commercial mortgage-backed	37,964		741		1,133		37,572
Residential mortgage-backed	102,307		1,435		7,308		96,434
Other asset-backed	26,592		732		931		26,393
Corporate	445,663		12,232		1,379		456,516
Total fixed maturity securities	1,189,525		32,485		22,311		1,199,699
Equity securities:
Common stocks:
Financial services	22,922		12,410		210		35,122
Information technology	19,832		10,739		29		30,542
Healthcare	16,092		8,700		85		24,707
Consumer staples	13,438		5,787		125		19,100
Consumer discretionary	14,812		7,672		163		22,321
Energy	14,276		4,873		78		19,071
Industrials	13,005		11,258		18		24,245
Other	13,071		5,345		32		18,384
Non-redeemable preferred stocks	20,031		483		167		20,347
Total equity securities	147,479		67,267		907		213,839
Total securities available-for-sale	$	1,337,004	$	99,752	$	23,218	$	1,413,538

The following tables set forth the estimated fair values and gross unrealized losses associated with investment securities that were in an unrealized loss position as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, listed by length of time the securities were consistently in an unrealized loss position.

June 30, 2017	Less than twelve months				Twelve months or longer				Total
($ in thousands)	Fair values		Unrealized losses		Fair values		Unrealized losses		Fair values		Unrealized losses
Fixed maturity securities:
U.S. government-sponsored agencies	$	194,957	$	6,641	$	4,867	$	134	$	199,824	$	6,775
Obligations of states and political subdivisions	14,415		348		—		—		14,415		348
Commercial mortgage-backed	43,939		1,065		—		—		43,939		1,065
Residential mortgage-backed	13,671		426		18,491		3,725		32,162		4,151
Other asset-backed	7,336		123		6,516		349		13,852		472
Corporate	35,758		124		14,453		543		50,211		667
Total fixed maturity securities	310,076		8,727		44,327		4,751		354,403		13,478
Equity securities:
Common stocks:
Financial services	1,407		20		945		126		2,352		146
Information technology	2,313		109		—		—		2,313		109
Consumer staples	1,293		44		—		—		1,293		44
Consumer discretionary	1,280		89		—		—		1,280		89
Energy	3,635		474		1,027		189		4,662		663
Industrials	340		13		—		—		340		13
Other	2,252		28		—		—		2,252		28
Non-redeemable preferred stocks	—		—		1,980		20		1,980		20
Total equity securities	12,520		777		3,952		335		16,472		1,112
Total temporarily impaired securities	$	322,596	$	9,504	$	48,279	$	5,086	$	370,875	$	14,590

December 31, 2016	Less than twelve months				Twelve months or longer				Total
($ in thousands)	Fair values		Unrealized losses		Fair values		Unrealized losses		Fair values		Unrealized losses
Fixed maturity securities:
U.S. treasury	$	7,830	$	11	$	—	$	—	$	7,830	$	11
U.S. government-sponsored agencies	202,900		10,609		—		—		202,900		10,609
Obligations of states and political subdivisions	43,777		940		—		—		43,777		940
Commercial mortgage-backed	21,695		1,133		—		—		21,695		1,133
Residential mortgage-backed	26,217		1,232		23,625		6,076		49,842		7,308
Other asset-backed	19,091		931		—		—		19,091		931
Corporate	82,657		1,273		8,625		106		91,282		1,379
Total fixed maturity securities	404,167		16,129		32,250		6,182		436,417		22,311
Equity securities:
Common stocks:
Financial services	1,462		12		908		198		2,370		210
Information technology	1,947		29		—		—		1,947		29
Healthcare	3,585		85		—		—		3,585		85
Consumer staples	2,427		125		—		—		2,427		125
Consumer discretionary	1,637		163		—		—		1,637		163
Energy	1,621		33		1,188		45		2,809		78
Industrials	779		18		—		—		779		18
Other	1,472		32		—		—		1,472		32
Non-redeemable preferred stocks	3,356		44		1,877		123		5,233		167
Total equity securities	18,286		541		3,973		366		22,259		907
Total temporarily impaired securities	$	422,453	$	16,670	$	36,223	$	6,548	$	458,676	$	23,218

Most of the fixed maturity securities that are in an unrealized loss position are considered investment grade by credit rating agencies. Because management does not intend to sell these securities, does not believe it will be required to sell these securities before recovery, and believes it will collect the amounts due on these securities, it was determined that these securities were not “other-than-temporarily” impaired at June 30, 2017.

No individual equity security accounted for a material amount of unrealized losses. Because the Company has the ability and intent to hold these securities for a reasonable amount of time to allow for recovery, it was determined that these securities were not “other-than-temporarily” impaired at June 30, 2017.

All of the Company’s preferred stock holdings that are in an unrealized loss position are perpetual preferred stocks.  The Company evaluates these perpetual preferred stocks with unrealized losses for “other-than-temporary” impairment similar to fixed maturity securities since they have debt-like characteristics such as periodic cash flows in the form of dividends and call features, are rated by rating agencies and are priced like other long-term callable fixed maturity securities.  There was no evidence of any credit deterioration in the issuers of the preferred stocks and the Company does not intend to sell these securities before recovery, nor does it believe it will be required to sell these securities before recovery; therefore, it was determined that these securities were not “other-than-temporarily” impaired at June 30, 2017.

The amortized cost and estimated fair values of fixed maturity securities at June 30, 2017, by contractual maturity, are shown below.  Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations, with or without call or prepayment penalties.

($ in thousands)	Amortized cost		Estimated fair values
Securities available-for-sale:
Due in one year or less	$	67,465	$	68,242
Due after one year through five years	158,450		164,964
Due after five years through ten years	337,009		345,245
Due after ten years	488,531		499,403
Securities not due at a single maturity date	149,344		147,274
Totals	$	1,200,799	$	1,225,128

A summary of realized investment gains and (losses) is as follows:

	Three months ended June 30,						Six months ended June 30,
($ in thousands)	2017			2016			2017			2016
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale:
Gross realized investment gains	$	289		$	1,005		$	379		$	1,674
Gross realized investment losses	(880		)	—			(2,086		)	(299		)
Equity securities available-for-sale:
Gross realized investment gains	6,398			2,766			9,273			4,848
Gross realized investment losses	(372		)	(441		)	(471		)	(1,633		)
"Other-than-temporary" impairments	(733		)	(270		)	(733		)	(701		)
Other long-term investments, net	(1,315		)	(1,426		)	(3,602		)	(3,340		)
Totals	$	3,387		$	1,634		$	2,760		$	549

Gains and losses realized on the disposition of investments are included in net income.  The cost of investments sold is determined on the specific identification method using the highest cost basis first.  The Company did not have any outstanding cumulative credit losses on fixed maturity securities that have been recognized in earnings from “other-than-temporary” impairments during any of the reported periods. The amounts reported as “other-than-temporary” impairments on equity securities do not include any individually significant items. The net realized investment losses recognized on other long-term investments primarily represent changes in the carrying value of a limited partnership that is used solely to support an equity tail-risk hedging strategy.

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CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2017

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

The Company and Employers Mutual and its other subsidiaries are parties to numerous lawsuits arising in the normal course of the insurance business.  The Company believes that the resolution of these lawsuits will not have a material adverse effect on its financial condition or its results of operations.  The companies involved have established reserves which are believed adequate to cover any potential liabilities arising out of all such pending or threatened proceedings.

The participants in the pooling agreement have purchased annuities from life insurance companies, under which the claimant is payee, to fund future payments that are fixed pursuant to specific claim settlement provisions.  The Company’s share of case loss reserves eliminated by the purchase of those annuities was $110,000 at December 31, 2016.  The Company had a contingent liability for the aggregate guaranteed amount of the annuities of $183,000 at December 31, 2016 should the issuers of those annuities fail to perform.  Although management is not able to verify the amount, the Company would likely have a similar contingent liability at June 30, 2017.  The probability of a material loss due to failure of performance by the issuers of these annuities is considered remote.

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STOCK REPURCHASE PROGRAM

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2017

Equity [Abstract]

STOCK REPURCHASE PROGRAM

STOCK REPURCHASE PROGRAM

On November 3, 2011, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a $15.0 million stock repurchase program.  This program does not have an expiration date.  The timing and terms of the purchases are determined by management based on board approved parameters and market conditions, and are conducted in accordance with the applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Common stock repurchased under this program will be retired by the Company.  During the first six months of 2016, the Company repurchased 17,300 shares under this program at an average cost of $22.14.

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ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2017

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

The Company has available-for-sale securities and receives an allocation of the actuarial losses and net prior service credits associated with Employers Mutual’s pension and postretirement benefit plans, both of which generate accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) amounts.  The following table reconciles, by component, the beginning and ending balances of accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax.

	Accumulated other comprehensive income by component
($ in thousands)	Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for- sale securities			Unrecognized pension and postretirement benefit obligations			Total
Balance at December 31, 2016	$	49,748		$	(3,667	)	$	46,081
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	17,979			—			17,979
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	(4,135		)	(545		)	(4,680		)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	13,844			(545		)	13,299
Balance at June 30, 2017	$	63,592		$	(4,212	)	$	59,380

The following tables display amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income and into net income during the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

($ in thousands)	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income
Accumulated other comprehensive income components	Three months ended   June 30, 2017			Six months ended   June 30, 2017			Affected line item in the consolidated statements of income
Unrealized gains on investments:
Reclassification adjustment for net realized investment gains included in net income	$	4,702		$	6,362		Net realized investment gains
Deferred income tax expense	(1,646		)	(2,227		)	Income tax expense, current
Net reclassification adjustment	3,056			4,135
Unrecognized pension and postretirement benefit obligations:
Reclassification adjustment for amounts amortized into net periodic pension and postretirement benefit income:
Net actuarial loss	(369		)	(737		)	(1)
Prior service credit	788			1,575			(1)
Total before tax	419			838
Deferred income tax expense	(146		)	(293		)	Income tax expense, current
Net reclassification adjustment	273			545
Total reclassification adjustment	$	3,329		$	4,680

(1) These reclassified components of accumulated other comprehensive income are included in the computation of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit income (see note 7, Employee Retirement Plans, for additional details).

($ in thousands)	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income
Accumulated other comprehensive income components	Three months ended June 30, 2016			Six months ended June 30, 2016			Affected line item in the consolidated statements of income
Unrealized gains on investments:
Reclassification adjustment for net realized investment gains included in net income	$	3,061		$	3,890		Net realized investment gains
Deferred income tax expense	(1,071		)	(1,361		)	Income tax expense, current
Net reclassification adjustment	1,990			2,529
Unrecognized pension and postretirement benefit obligations:
Reclassification adjustment for amounts amortized into net periodic pension and postretirement benefit income:
Net actuarial loss	(415		)	(844		)	(1)
Prior service credit	782			1,599			(1)
Total before tax	367			755
Deferred income tax expense	(129		)	(265		)	Income tax expense, current
Net reclassification adjustment	238			490
Total reclassification adjustment	$	2,228		$	3,019

(1) These reclassified components of accumulated other comprehensive income are included in the computation of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit income (see note 7, Employee Retirement Plans, for additional details).

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NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS NOT YET ADOPTED

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2017

New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]

NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS NOT YET ADOPTED

NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS NOT YET ADOPTED

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) updated its guidance related to the Revenue from Contracts with Customers Topic 606 of the Accounting Standards Codification^TM (Codification or ASC).  The objective of this update (and other related following updates) is to improve the reporting of revenue by providing a more robust framework for addressing revenue issues, and improved disclosure requirements. Current revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP is comprised of broad revenue recognition concepts together with numerous revenue requirements for particular industries or transactions, which sometimes result in different accounting for economically similar transactions. This guidance is to be applied retrospectively to annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted as of the original effective date (annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016).  The Company will adopt this guidance during the first quarter of 2018. Since premium revenue from insurance contracts is excluded from the scope of this updated guidance, adoption is expected to have little or no impact on the consolidated financial condition or operating results of the Company. The Company's largest non-premium revenue items are service charges related to the billing of the pool participants' direct written premiums to policyholders, and commission income on excess and surplus lines business marketed by EMC Underwriters, LLC, both of which are included in "Other income" in the consolidated statements of income.

In January 2016, the FASB updated its guidance related to the Financial Instruments-Overall Subtopic 825-10 of the ASC.  The objective of this update is to enhance the reporting model for financial instruments to provide financial statement users with more decision-useful information. The major change in reporting from this update that will impact the Company is a requirement that equity investments (excluding those accounted for under the equity method of accounting or those that are consolidated) be measured at fair value, with changes in fair value recognized in net income. While all of the Company's equity investments are already measured at fair value (with the exception of those that are consolidated and those that are accounted for under the equity method of accounting), the Company currently classifies all of its investments in equity securities as available-for-sale, and as such, the changes in fair value are currently recognized in other comprehensive income rather than net income. This guidance is to be applied to annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with recognition of a cumulative-effect adjustment to the balance sheet as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption.  Early adoption is not permitted. The Company will adopt this guidance during the first quarter of 2018. Adoption is not expected to impact consolidated stockholders' equity, but is expected to introduce a material amount of volatility to the Company's consolidated net income.

In February 2016, the FASB issued updated guidance in Leases Topic 842 of the ASC, which supersedes the guidance in Leases Topic 840 of the ASC. The objective of this update is to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by requiring recognition of lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet, and disclosure of key information about leasing arrangements. This guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and is to be applied using a modified retrospective approach. Early adoption is permitted. The Company will adopt this guidance during the first quarter of 2019. Management continues to research this guidance, which thus far has lead management to a preliminary determination that lease costs allocated to the Company through the pooling and quota share agreements can not be attributed to a specified asset, and therefore do not meet the definition of a leased asset contained in the guidance. As a result, adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial condition or net income.

In June 2016, the FASB issued updated guidance in Financial Instruments-Credit Losses Topic 326 of the ASC. The objective of this update is to provide information about expected credit losses on financial instruments and other commitments to extend credit. Specifically, this updated guidance replaces the current incurred loss impairment methodology, that delays recognition of a loss until it is probable a loss has been incurred, with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses considering a broader range of reasonable and supportable information. This guidance covers financial assets that are not accounted for at fair value through net income, thus will not be applicable to the Company's equity investments upon implementation of the updated guidance described above for the Financial Instruments-Overall Subtopic 825-10. This guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019, and is to be applied with a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is effective (modified-retrospective approach). Early adoption is permitted, but only to fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company will adopt this guidance during the first quarter of 2020. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this guidance will have on the Company's consolidated financial condition and net income.

In March 2017, the FASB issued updated guidance in Compensation-Retirement Benefits Topic 715 of the ASC. The objective of this update is to improve the presentation of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit costs by disaggregating the components of these expenses (disclosing the service cost component separately from the other components) for income statement reporting. Also included in this update is a prohibition against including components of the net periodic pension and postretirement benefit costs, other than the service cost component, in any capitalized assets. This guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The portion of the guidance related to the income statement display of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit costs is to be applied retrospectively, while the prohibition against including these costs, other than the service cost component, in capitalized assets is to be applied prospectively. Early adoption is permitted. The Company will adopt this guidance during the first quarter of 2018. Adoption will not impact consolidated stockholders' equity initially; however, the prohibition against including components of the net periodic pension and postretirement benefit costs, other than the service cost component, in capitalized assets is expected to result in a relatively small change in the deferred policy acquisition cost asset starting March 31, 2018, which is expected to have an immaterial impact, net of tax, on consolidated stockholders' equity and net income from that which would otherwise be reported.

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REINSURANCE (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2017

Reinsurance Disclosures [Abstract]

Schedule of reinsurance transactions for insurance companies

The effect of reinsurance on premiums written and earned, and losses and settlement expenses incurred, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 is presented below.  The classification of the assumed and ceded reinsurance amounts between affiliates and nonaffiliates is based on the participants in the underlying reinsurance agreements, and is intended to provide an understanding of the actual source of the reinsurance activities.  This presentation differs from the classifications used in the consolidated financial statements, where all amounts flowing through the pooling and quota share agreements and inter-company reinsurance programs with Employers Mutual are reported as “affiliated” balances.

	Three months ended June 30, 2017
($ in thousands)	Property and casualty insurance			Reinsurance			Total
Premiums written
Direct	$	93,392		$	—		$	93,392
Assumed from nonaffiliates	1,290			35,596			36,886
Assumed from affiliates	136,726			—			136,726
Ceded to nonaffiliates	(8,444		)	(5,830		)	(14,274		)
Ceded to affiliates	(96,373		)	(1,212		)	(97,585		)
Net premiums written	$	126,591		$	28,554		$	155,145
Premiums earned
Direct	$	95,376		$	—		$	95,376
Assumed from nonaffiliates	1,130			37,411			38,541
Assumed from affiliates	125,179			—			125,179
Ceded to nonaffiliates	(7,142		)	(2,549		)	(9,691		)
Ceded to affiliates	(98,356		)	(1,212		)	(99,568		)
Net premiums earned	$	116,187		$	33,650		$	149,837
Losses and settlement expenses incurred
Direct	$	72,811		$	—		$	72,811
Assumed from nonaffiliates	693			26,177			26,870
Assumed from affiliates	100,380			301			100,681
Ceded to nonaffiliates	(3,564		)	(757		)	(4,321		)
Ceded to affiliates	(88,812		)	(1		)	(88,813		)
Net losses and settlement expenses incurred	$	81,508		$	25,720		$	107,228

	Three months ended June 30, 2016
($ in thousands)	Property and casualty insurance			Reinsurance			Total
Premiums written
Direct	$	96,707		$	—		$	96,707
Assumed from nonaffiliates	1,252			37,527			38,779
Assumed from affiliates	128,283			—			128,283
Ceded to nonaffiliates	(5,847		)	(5,851		)	(11,698		)
Ceded to affiliates	(99,862		)	(1,270		)	(101,132		)
Net premiums written	$	120,533		$	30,406		$	150,939
Premiums earned
Direct	$	94,715		$	—		$	94,715
Assumed from nonaffiliates	1,135			37,680			38,815
Assumed from affiliates	119,665			—			119,665
Ceded to nonaffiliates	(5,874		)	(1,735		)	(7,609		)
Ceded to affiliates	(97,870		)	(1,270		)	(99,140		)
Net premiums earned	$	111,771		$	34,675		$	146,446
Losses and settlement expenses incurred
Direct	$	66,942		$	—		$	66,942
Assumed from nonaffiliates	784			21,379			22,163
Assumed from affiliates	85,822			365			86,187
Ceded to nonaffiliates	(3,526		)	(485		)	(4,011		)
Ceded to affiliates	(68,556		)	95			(68,461		)
Net losses and settlement expenses incurred	$	81,466		$	21,354		$	102,820

	Six months ended June 30, 2017
($ in thousands)	Property and casualty insurance			Reinsurance			Total
Premiums written
Direct	$	190,144		$	—		$	190,144
Assumed from nonaffiliates	2,209			69,101			71,310
Assumed from affiliates	261,526			—			261,526
Ceded to nonaffiliates	(16,577		)	(7,854		)	(24,431		)
Ceded to affiliates	(196,104		)	(2,425		)	(198,529		)
Net premiums written	$	241,198		$	58,822		$	300,020
Premiums earned
Direct	$	191,274		$	—		$	191,274
Assumed from nonaffiliates	2,145			72,100			74,245
Assumed from affiliates	247,276			—			247,276
Ceded to nonaffiliates	(13,626		)	(5,186		)	(18,812		)
Ceded to affiliates	(197,234		)	(2,425		)	(199,659		)
Net premiums earned	$	229,835		$	64,489		$	294,324
Losses and settlement expenses incurred
Direct	$	135,572		$	—		$	135,572
Assumed from nonaffiliates	1,445			47,417			48,862
Assumed from affiliates	177,122			665			177,787
Ceded to nonaffiliates	(4,965		)	(1,587		)	(6,552		)
Ceded to affiliates	(152,146		)	(10		)	(152,156		)
Net losses and settlement expenses incurred	$	157,028		$	46,485		$	203,513

	Six months ended June 30, 2016
($ in thousands)	Property and casualty insurance			Reinsurance			Total
Premiums written
Direct	$	191,693		$	—		$	191,693
Assumed from nonaffiliates	2,209			71,786			73,995
Assumed from affiliates	247,129			—			247,129
Ceded to nonaffiliates	(11,228		)	(7,831		)	(19,059		)
Ceded to affiliates	(198,003		)	(2,540		)	(200,543		)
Net premiums written	$	231,800		$	61,415		$	293,215
Premiums earned
Direct	$	187,551		$	—		$	187,551
Assumed from nonaffiliates	2,162			72,396			74,558
Assumed from affiliates	237,927			—			237,927
Ceded to nonaffiliates	(11,562		)	(2,890		)	(14,452		)
Ceded to affiliates	(193,861		)	(2,540		)	(196,401		)
Net premiums earned	$	222,217		$	66,966		$	289,183
Losses and settlement expenses incurred
Direct	$	107,996		$	—		$	107,996
Assumed from nonaffiliates	1,505			44,581			46,086
Assumed from affiliates	147,276			753			148,029
Ceded to nonaffiliates	(3,603		)	(1,392		)	(4,995		)
Ceded to affiliates	(109,610		)	423			(109,187		)
Net losses and settlement expenses incurred	$	143,564		$	44,365		$	187,929

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LIABILITY FOR LOSSES AND SETTLEMENT EXPENSES (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2017

Liability for Future Policy Benefits and Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Abstract]

Schedule of reconciliation of beginning and ending reserves for losses and settlement expenses

The following table sets forth a reconciliation of beginning and ending reserves for losses and settlement expenses of the Company.  Amounts presented are on a net basis, with a reconciliation of beginning and ending reserves to the gross amounts presented in the consolidated financial statements.

	Six months ended June 30,
($ in thousands)	2017			2016
Gross reserves at beginning of year	$	690,532		$	678,774
Re-valuation due to foreign currency exchange rates	(1,913		)	(2,475		)
Less ceded reserves at beginning of year	20,664			23,477
Net reserves at beginning of year	671,781			657,772
Incurred losses and settlement expenses related to:
Current year	216,710			203,800
Prior years	(13,197		)	(15,871		)
Total incurred losses and settlement expenses	203,513			187,929
Paid losses and settlement expenses related to:
Current year	66,662			57,389
Prior years	119,270			118,287
Total paid losses and settlement expenses	185,932			175,676
Net reserves at end of period	689,362			670,025
Plus ceded reserves at end of period	20,430			22,409
Re-valuation due to foreign currency exchange rates	(301		)	(1,596		)
Gross reserves at end of period	$	709,491		$	690,838

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SEGMENT INFORMATION (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2017

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Summarized financial information for segments

Summarized financial information for the Company’s segments is as follows:

Three months ended June 30, 2017	Property and casualty insurance			Reinsurance			Parent company			Consolidated
($ in thousands)
Premiums earned	$	116,187		$	33,650		$	—		$	149,837
Underwriting profit (loss):
SAP underwriting profit (loss)	(8,892		)	218			—			(8,674		)
GAAP adjustments	3,282			(805		)	—			2,477
GAAP underwriting profit (loss)	(5,610		)	(587		)	—			(6,197		)
Net investment income	7,958			3,201			12			11,171
Net realized investment gains (losses)	3,738			(351		)	—			3,387
Other income (loss)	283			(528		)	—			(245		)
Interest expense	85			—			—			85
Other expenses	231			—			571			802
Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)	$	6,053		$	1,735		$	(559	)	$	7,229

Three months ended June 30, 2016	Property and casualty insurance			Reinsurance			Parent company			Consolidated
($ in thousands)
Premiums earned	$	111,771		$	34,675		$	—		$	146,446
Underwriting profit (loss):
SAP underwriting profit (loss)	(11,289		)	5,026			—			(6,263		)
GAAP adjustments	1,917			(647		)	—			1,270
GAAP underwriting profit (loss)	(9,372		)	4,379			—			(4,993		)
Net investment income	8,568			3,608			3			12,179
Net realized investment gains (losses)	1,018			616			—			1,634
Other income (loss)	162			(85		)	—			77
Interest expense	85			—			—			85
Other expenses	211			—			514			725
Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)	$	80		$	8,518		$	(511	)	$	8,087

Six months ended June 30, 2017	Property and casualty insurance			Reinsurance			Parent company			Consolidated
($ in thousands)
Premiums earned	$	229,835		$	64,489		$	—		$	294,324
Underwriting profit (loss):
SAP underwriting profit (loss)	(11,486		)	3,465			—			(8,021		)
GAAP adjustments	2,275			(1,136		)	—			1,139
GAAP underwriting profit (loss)	(9,211		)	2,329			—			(6,882		)
Net investment income	15,973			6,184			21			22,178
Net realized investment gains (losses)	3,141			(381		)	—			2,760
Other income (loss)	444			(1,099		)	—			(655		)
Interest expense	169			—			—			169
Other expenses	410			—			1,153			1,563
Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)	$	9,768		$	7,033		$	(1,132	)	$	15,669
Assets	$	1,143,680		$	469,285		$	572,671		$	2,185,636
Eliminations	—			—			(562,914		)	(562,914		)
Reclassifications	(44		)	—			(281		)	(325		)
Total assets	$	1,143,636		$	469,285		$	9,476		$	1,622,397

Six months ended June 30, 2016	Property and casualty insurance			Reinsurance			Parent company			Consolidated
($ in thousands)
Premiums earned	$	222,217		$	66,966		$	—		$	289,183
Underwriting profit (loss):
SAP underwriting profit (loss)	(823		)	7,088			—			6,265
GAAP adjustments	56			(838		)	—			(782		)
GAAP underwriting profit (loss)	(767		)	6,250			—			5,483
Net investment income	17,339			7,065			5			24,409
Net realized investment gains (losses)	172			377			—			549
Other income (loss)	294			(228		)	—			66
Interest expense	169			—			—			169
Other expenses	368			—			1,006			1,374
Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)	$	16,501		$	13,464		$	(1,001	)	$	28,964
Year ended December 31, 2016
Assets	$	1,122,037		$	455,493		$	554,164		$	2,131,694
Eliminations	—			—			(540,249		)	(540,249		)
Reclassifications	—			(1,932		)	(700		)	(2,632		)
Total assets	$	1,122,037		$	453,561		$	13,215		$	1,588,813

Summary of net premiums earned by line of insurance

The following table displays the premiums earned for the property and casualty insurance segment and the reinsurance segment for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, by line of insurance.

	Three months ended June 30,				Six months ended June 30,
($ in thousands)	2017		2016		2017		2016
Property and casualty insurance segment
Commercial lines:
Automobile	$	29,014	$	27,409	$	57,046	$	54,336
Property	26,069		25,073		51,571		49,821
Workers' compensation	25,343		23,489		50,046		46,736
Other liability	24,254		24,139		48,382		47,809
Other	2,197		2,073		4,306		4,144
Total commercial lines	106,877		102,183		211,351		202,846
Personal lines	9,310		9,588		18,484		19,371
Total property and casualty insurance	$	116,187	$	111,771	$	229,835	$	222,217
Reinsurance segment
Pro rata reinsurance	$	12,016	$	15,468	$	22,451	$	29,109
Excess of loss reinsurance	21,634		19,207		42,038		37,857
Total reinsurance	$	33,650	$	34,675	$	64,489	$	66,966
Consolidated	$	149,837	$	146,446	$	294,324	$	289,183

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INCOME TAXES (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2017

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Reconciliation of income tax expense (benefit)

The actual income tax expense for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 differed from the “expected” income tax expense for those periods (computed by applying the United States federal corporate tax rate of 35 percent to income before income tax expense) as follows:

	Three months ended   June 30,						Six months ended   June 30,
($ in thousands)	2017			2016			2017			2016
Computed "expected" income tax expense	$	2,530		$	2,830		$	5,484		$	10,137
Increases (decreases) in tax resulting from:
Tax-exempt interest income	(761		)	(697		)	(1,466		)	(1,392		)
Dividends received deduction	(348		)	(349		)	(654		)	(774		)
Proration of tax-exempt interest and dividends received deduction	166			157			318			325
Other, net	138			18			(321		)	(114		)
Total income tax expense	$	1,725		$	1,959		$	3,361		$	8,182

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EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT PLANS (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2017

Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]

Components of net periodic benefit cost

The components of net periodic benefit cost (income) for Employers Mutual’s pension and postretirement benefit plans is as follows:

	Three months ended   June 30,						Six months ended   June 30,
($ in thousands)	2017			2016			2017			2016
Pension plans:
Service cost	$	3,708		$	3,545		$	7,568		$	7,185
Interest cost	2,800			2,544			5,595			5,069
Expected return on plan assets	(5,191		)	(4,840		)	(10,382		)	(9,680		)
Amortization of net actuarial loss	913			1,083			1,821			2,122
Amortization of prior service cost	5			7			10			15
Net periodic pension benefit cost	$	2,235		$	2,339		$	4,612		$	4,711
Postretirement benefit plans:
Service cost	$	340		$	318		$	681		$	636
Interest cost	570			554			1,140			1,108
Expected return on plan assets	(1,078		)	(1,056		)	(2,156		)	(2,112		)
Amortization of net actuarial loss	343			373			686			747
Amortization of prior service credit	(2,788		)	(2,834		)	(5,577		)	(5,669		)
Net periodic postretirement benefit income	$	(2,613	)	$	(2,645	)	$	(5,226	)	$	(5,290	)

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DISCLOSURES ABOUT THE FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2017

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Summary of carrying amount and estimated fair value of financial instruments

The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 are summarized in the tables below.

June 30, 2017	Carrying amounts		Estimated fair values
($ in thousands)
Assets:
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale:
U.S. treasury	$	7,915	$	7,915
U.S. government-sponsored agencies	236,732		236,732
Obligations of states and political subdivisions	339,961		339,961
Commercial mortgage-backed	58,832		58,832
Residential mortgage-backed	86,251		86,251
Other asset-backed	25,020		25,020
Corporate	470,417		470,417
Total fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	1,225,128		1,225,128
Equity securities available-for-sale:
Common stocks:
Financial services	38,121		38,121
Information technology	35,862		35,862
Healthcare	27,891		27,891
Consumer staples	16,693		16,693
Consumer discretionary	20,069		20,069
Energy	15,449		15,449
Industrials	24,509		24,509
Other	18,301		18,301
Non-redeemable preferred stocks	24,756		24,756
Total equity securities available-for-sale	221,651		221,651
Short-term investments	36,135		36,135
Liabilities:
Surplus notes	25,000		11,369

December 31, 2016	Carrying amounts		Estimated fair values
($ in thousands)
Assets:
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale:
U.S. treasury	$	7,830	$	7,830
U.S. government-sponsored agencies	239,197		239,197
Obligations of states and political subdivisions	335,757		335,757
Commercial mortgage-backed	37,572		37,572
Residential mortgage-backed	96,434		96,434
Other asset-backed	26,393		26,393
Corporate	456,516		456,516
Total fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	1,199,699		1,199,699
Equity securities available-for-sale:
Common stocks:
Financial services	35,122		35,122
Information technology	30,542		30,542
Healthcare	24,707		24,707
Consumer staples	19,100		19,100
Consumer discretionary	22,321		22,321
Energy	19,071		19,071
Industrials	24,245		24,245
Other	18,384		18,384
Non-redeemable preferred stocks	20,347		20,347
Total equity securities available-for-sale	213,839		213,839
Short-term investments	39,670		39,670
Liabilities:
Surplus notes	25,000		11,228

Summary of assets and liabilities measured on recurring and non-recurring basis

Presented in the tables below are the estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016.

June 30, 2017			Fair value measurements using
($ in thousands)	Total		Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1)		Significant other observable inputs (Level 2)		Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)
Financial instruments reported at fair value on recurring basis:
Assets:
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale:
U.S. treasury	$	7,915	$	—	$	7,915	$	—
U.S. government-sponsored agencies	236,732		—		236,732		—
Obligations of states and political subdivisions	339,961		—		339,961		—
Commercial mortgage-backed	58,832		—		58,832		—
Residential mortgage-backed	86,251		—		86,251		—
Other asset-backed	25,020		—		25,020		—
Corporate	470,417		—		469,577		840
Total fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	1,225,128		—		1,224,288		840
Equity securities available-for-sale:
Common stocks:
Financial services	38,121		38,118		—		3
Information technology	35,862		35,862		—		—
Healthcare	27,891		27,891		—		—
Consumer staples	16,693		16,693		—		—
Consumer discretionary	20,069		20,069		—		—
Energy	15,449		15,449		—		—
Industrials	24,509		24,509		—		—
Other	18,301		18,301		—		—
Non-redeemable preferred stocks	24,756		9,998		12,758		2,000
Total equity securities available-for-sale	221,651		206,890		12,758		2,003
Short-term investments	36,135		36,135		—		—
Financial instruments not reported at fair value:
Liabilities:
Surplus notes	11,369		—		—		11,369

December 31, 2016			Fair value measurements using
($ in thousands)	Total		Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1)		Significant other observable inputs (Level 2)		Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)
Financial instruments reported at fair value on recurring basis:
Assets:
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale:
U.S. treasury	$	7,830	$	—	$	7,830	$	—
U.S. government-sponsored agencies	239,197		—		239,197		—
Obligations of states and political subdivisions	335,757		—		335,757		—
Commercial mortgage-backed	37,572		—		37,572		—
Residential mortgage-backed	96,434		—		96,434		—
Other asset-backed	26,393		—		26,393		—
Corporate	456,516		—		455,534		982
Total fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	1,199,699		—		1,198,717		982
Equity securities available-for-sale:
Common stocks:
Financial services	35,122		35,119		—		3
Information technology	30,542		30,542		—		—
Healthcare	24,707		24,707		—		—
Consumer staples	19,100		19,100		—		—
Consumer discretionary	22,321		22,321		—		—
Energy	19,071		19,071		—		—
Industrials	24,245		24,245		—		—
Other	18,384		18,384		—		—
Non-redeemable preferred stocks	20,347		11,074		7,273		2,000
Total equity securities available-for-sale	213,839		204,563		7,273		2,003
Short-term investments	39,670		39,670		—		—
Financial instruments not reported at fair value:
Liabilities:
Surplus notes	11,228		—		—		11,228

Reconciliation of assets measured at fair value on recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs

Presented in the table below is a reconciliation of the assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016.  Any unrealized gains or losses on these securities are recognized in other comprehensive income (loss).  Any gains or losses from settlements, disposals or impairments of these securities are reported as realized investment gains or losses in net income.

($ in thousands)	Fair value measurements using significant unobservable (Level 3) inputs
Three months ended June 30, 2017	Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, corporate			Equity securities available-for-sale, financial services		Equity securities available-for-sale, non-redeemable preferred stocks		Total
Beginning balance	$	929		$	3	$	2,000	$	2,932
Settlements	(90		)	—		—		(90		)
Unrealized gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income (loss)	1			—		—		1
Balance at June 30, 2017	$	840		$	3	$	2,000	$	2,843
Six months ended June 30, 2017
Beginning balance	$	982		$	3	$	2,000	$	2,985
Settlements	(140		)	—		—		(140		)
Unrealized gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income (loss)	(2		)	—		—		(2		)
Balance at June 30, 2017	$	840		$	3	$	2,000	$	2,843

($ in thousands)	Fair value measurements using significant unobservable (Level 3) inputs
Three months ended June 30, 2016	Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, corporate			Equity securities available-for-sale, financial services		Equity securities available-for-sale, non-redeemable preferred stocks		Total
Beginning balance	$	1,271		$	3	$	—	$	1,274
Settlements	(84		)	—		—		(84		)
Unrealized gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income (loss)	4			—		—		4
Balance at June 30, 2016	$	1,191		$	3	$	—	$	1,194
Six months ended June 30, 2016
Beginning balance	$	1,329		$	3	$	—	$	1,332
Settlements	(145		)	—		—		(145		)
Unrealized gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income (loss)	7			—		—		7
Balance at June 30, 2016	$	1,191		$	3	$	—	$	1,194

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INVESTMENTS (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2017

Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]

Reconciliation of available-for-sale securities from cost basis to fair value

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of securities available-for-sale as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 are as follows.  All securities are classified as available-for-sale and are carried at fair value.

June 30, 2017	Amortized cost		Gross unrealized gains		Gross unrealized losses		Estimated fair values
($ in thousands)
Securities available-for-sale:
Fixed maturity securities:
U.S. treasury	$	7,853	$	62	$	—	$	7,915
U.S. government-sponsored agencies	243,258		249		6,775		236,732
Obligations of states and political subdivisions	320,598		19,711		348		339,961
Commercial mortgage-backed	59,214		683		1,065		58,832
Residential mortgage-backed	87,921		2,481		4,151		86,251
Other asset-backed	24,696		796		472		25,020
Corporate	457,259		13,825		667		470,417
Total fixed maturity securities	1,200,799		37,807		13,478		1,225,128
Equity securities:
Common stocks:
Financial services	25,852		12,415		146		38,121
Information technology	21,830		14,141		109		35,862
Healthcare	16,820		11,071		—		27,891
Consumer staples	10,894		5,843		44		16,693
Consumer discretionary	11,848		8,310		89		20,069
Energy	12,404		3,708		663		15,449
Industrials	12,267		12,255		13		24,509
Other	13,203		5,126		28		18,301
Non-redeemable preferred stocks	23,030		1,746		20		24,756
Total equity securities	148,148		74,615		1,112		221,651
Total securities available-for-sale	$	1,348,947	$	112,422	$	14,590	$	1,446,779

December 31, 2016	Amortized cost		Gross unrealized gains		Gross unrealized losses		Estimated fair values
($ in thousands)
Securities available-for-sale:
Fixed maturity securities:
U.S. treasury	$	7,841	$	—	$	11	$	7,830
U.S. government-sponsored agencies	249,495		311		10,609		239,197
Obligations of states and political subdivisions	319,663		17,034		940		335,757
Commercial mortgage-backed	37,964		741		1,133		37,572
Residential mortgage-backed	102,307		1,435		7,308		96,434
Other asset-backed	26,592		732		931		26,393
Corporate	445,663		12,232		1,379		456,516
Total fixed maturity securities	1,189,525		32,485		22,311		1,199,699
Equity securities:
Common stocks:
Financial services	22,922		12,410		210		35,122
Information technology	19,832		10,739		29		30,542
Healthcare	16,092		8,700		85		24,707
Consumer staples	13,438		5,787		125		19,100
Consumer discretionary	14,812		7,672		163		22,321
Energy	14,276		4,873		78		19,071
Industrials	13,005		11,258		18		24,245
Other	13,071		5,345		32		18,384
Non-redeemable preferred stocks	20,031		483		167		20,347
Total equity securities	147,479		67,267		907		213,839
Total securities available-for-sale	$	1,337,004	$	99,752	$	23,218	$	1,413,538

Estimated fair value and gross unrealized losses associated with investment securities

The following tables set forth the estimated fair values and gross unrealized losses associated with investment securities that were in an unrealized loss position as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, listed by length of time the securities were consistently in an unrealized loss position.

June 30, 2017	Less than twelve months				Twelve months or longer				Total
($ in thousands)	Fair values		Unrealized losses		Fair values		Unrealized losses		Fair values		Unrealized losses
Fixed maturity securities:
U.S. government-sponsored agencies	$	194,957	$	6,641	$	4,867	$	134	$	199,824	$	6,775
Obligations of states and political subdivisions	14,415		348		—		—		14,415		348
Commercial mortgage-backed	43,939		1,065		—		—		43,939		1,065
Residential mortgage-backed	13,671		426		18,491		3,725		32,162		4,151
Other asset-backed	7,336		123		6,516		349		13,852		472
Corporate	35,758		124		14,453		543		50,211		667
Total fixed maturity securities	310,076		8,727		44,327		4,751		354,403		13,478
Equity securities:
Common stocks:
Financial services	1,407		20		945		126		2,352		146
Information technology	2,313		109		—		—		2,313		109
Consumer staples	1,293		44		—		—		1,293		44
Consumer discretionary	1,280		89		—		—		1,280		89
Energy	3,635		474		1,027		189		4,662		663
Industrials	340		13		—		—		340		13
Other	2,252		28		—		—		2,252		28
Non-redeemable preferred stocks	—		—		1,980		20		1,980		20
Total equity securities	12,520		777		3,952		335		16,472		1,112
Total temporarily impaired securities	$	322,596	$	9,504	$	48,279	$	5,086	$	370,875	$	14,590

December 31, 2016	Less than twelve months				Twelve months or longer				Total
($ in thousands)	Fair values		Unrealized losses		Fair values		Unrealized losses		Fair values		Unrealized losses
Fixed maturity securities:
U.S. treasury	$	7,830	$	11	$	—	$	—	$	7,830	$	11
U.S. government-sponsored agencies	202,900		10,609		—		—		202,900		10,609
Obligations of states and political subdivisions	43,777		940		—		—		43,777		940
Commercial mortgage-backed	21,695		1,133		—		—		21,695		1,133
Residential mortgage-backed	26,217		1,232		23,625		6,076		49,842		7,308
Other asset-backed	19,091		931		—		—		19,091		931
Corporate	82,657		1,273		8,625		106		91,282		1,379
Total fixed maturity securities	404,167		16,129		32,250		6,182		436,417		22,311
Equity securities:
Common stocks:
Financial services	1,462		12		908		198		2,370		210
Information technology	1,947		29		—		—		1,947		29
Healthcare	3,585		85		—		—		3,585		85
Consumer staples	2,427		125		—		—		2,427		125
Consumer discretionary	1,637		163		—		—		1,637		163
Energy	1,621		33		1,188		45		2,809		78
Industrials	779		18		—		—		779		18
Other	1,472		32		—		—		1,472		32
Non-redeemable preferred stocks	3,356		44		1,877		123		5,233		167
Total equity securities	18,286		541		3,973		366		22,259		907
Total temporarily impaired securities	$	422,453	$	16,670	$	36,223	$	6,548	$	458,676	$	23,218

Amortized cost and estimated fair value of fixed maturity securities

The amortized cost and estimated fair values of fixed maturity securities at June 30, 2017, by contractual maturity, are shown below.  Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations, with or without call or prepayment penalties.

($ in thousands)	Amortized cost		Estimated fair values
Securities available-for-sale:
Due in one year or less	$	67,465	$	68,242
Due after one year through five years	158,450		164,964
Due after five years through ten years	337,009		345,245
Due after ten years	488,531		499,403
Securities not due at a single maturity date	149,344		147,274
Totals	$	1,200,799	$	1,225,128

Summary of realized investment gains and (losses)

A summary of realized investment gains and (losses) is as follows:

	Three months ended June 30,						Six months ended June 30,
($ in thousands)	2017			2016			2017			2016
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale:
Gross realized investment gains	$	289		$	1,005		$	379		$	1,674
Gross realized investment losses	(880		)	—			(2,086		)	(299		)
Equity securities available-for-sale:
Gross realized investment gains	6,398			2,766			9,273			4,848
Gross realized investment losses	(372		)	(441		)	(471		)	(1,633		)
"Other-than-temporary" impairments	(733		)	(270		)	(733		)	(701		)
Other long-term investments, net	(1,315		)	(1,426		)	(3,602		)	(3,340		)
Totals	$	3,387		$	1,634		$	2,760		$	549

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ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2017

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]

Schedule of beginning and ending balances of accumulated other comprehensive income

The following table reconciles, by component, the beginning and ending balances of accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax.

	Accumulated other comprehensive income by component
($ in thousands)	Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for- sale securities			Unrecognized pension and postretirement benefit obligations			Total
Balance at December 31, 2016	$	49,748		$	(3,667	)	$	46,081
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	17,979			—			17,979
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	(4,135		)	(545		)	(4,680		)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	13,844			(545		)	13,299
Balance at June 30, 2017	$	63,592		$	(4,212	)	$	59,380

Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

The following tables display amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income and into net income during the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

($ in thousands)	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income
Accumulated other comprehensive income components	Three months ended   June 30, 2017			Six months ended   June 30, 2017			Affected line item in the consolidated statements of income
Unrealized gains on investments:
Reclassification adjustment for net realized investment gains included in net income	$	4,702		$	6,362		Net realized investment gains
Deferred income tax expense	(1,646		)	(2,227		)	Income tax expense, current
Net reclassification adjustment	3,056			4,135
Unrecognized pension and postretirement benefit obligations:
Reclassification adjustment for amounts amortized into net periodic pension and postretirement benefit income:
Net actuarial loss	(369		)	(737		)	(1)
Prior service credit	788			1,575			(1)
Total before tax	419			838
Deferred income tax expense	(146		)	(293		)	Income tax expense, current
Net reclassification adjustment	273			545
Total reclassification adjustment	$	3,329		$	4,680

(1) These reclassified components of accumulated other comprehensive income are included in the computation of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit income (see note 7, Employee Retirement Plans, for additional details).

($ in thousands)	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income
Accumulated other comprehensive income components	Three months ended June 30, 2016			Six months ended June 30, 2016			Affected line item in the consolidated statements of income
Unrealized gains on investments:
Reclassification adjustment for net realized investment gains included in net income	$	3,061		$	3,890		Net realized investment gains
Deferred income tax expense	(1,071		)	(1,361		)	Income tax expense, current
Net reclassification adjustment	1,990			2,529
Unrecognized pension and postretirement benefit obligations:
Reclassification adjustment for amounts amortized into net periodic pension and postretirement benefit income:
Net actuarial loss	(415		)	(844		)	(1)
Prior service credit	782			1,599			(1)
Total before tax	367			755
Deferred income tax expense	(129		)	(265		)	Income tax expense, current
Net reclassification adjustment	238			490
Total reclassification adjustment	$	2,228		$	3,019

(1) These reclassified components of accumulated other comprehensive income are included in the computation of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit income (see note 7, Employee Retirement Plans, for additional details).

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TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES (Details) - Affiliated Entity [Member] $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($) Plan	Jun. 30, 2017 USD ($) Plan	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) Plan	Jun. 30, 2016 USD ($) Plan	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($) Plan	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) Plan
Property and casualty insurance [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Number of reinsurance program treaties | Plan			1	1	1	1	2	2
Property and casualty insurance [Member] | Annual Aggregate Catastrophe Excess of Loss [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Catastrophe claims, retention amount			$ 15,000	$ 20,000	$ 15,000	$ 20,000
Affiliated reinsurance contract first layer limit			12,000	24,000	12,000	24,000
Dollar amount of cost of affiliated reinsurance contract			$ 1,400	6,000	$ 1,500	6,300
Ceded losses and settlement expenses incurred	$ 16,000	$ 1,600		16,000		1,600
Reinsurance [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Number of reinsurance program treaties | Plan							2	2
Reinsurance [Member] | Per Occurrence Catastrophe Excess of Loss [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Catastrophe claims, retention amount							$ 10,000	$ 10,000
Affiliated reinsurance contract first layer limit							$ 10,000	$ 10,000
First layer excess of loss coinsurance percentage (in hundreths)							20.00%	20.00%
Dollar amount of cost of affiliated reinsurance contract							$ 1,700	$ 2,000
Ceded losses and settlement expenses incurred	0	0		0		0
Reinsurance [Member] | Annual Aggregate Catastrophe Excess of Loss [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Catastrophe claims, retention amount							20,000	20,000
Affiliated reinsurance contract first layer limit							$ 100,000	$ 100,000
First layer excess of loss coinsurance percentage (in hundreths)							20.00%	20.00%
Dollar amount of cost of affiliated reinsurance contract							$ 3,200	$ 3,200
Catastrophe event minimum amount							$ 500	$ 500
Ceded losses and settlement expenses incurred	$ 0	$ 0		$ 0		$ 0

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REINSURANCE (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Premiums written
Net premiums written	$ 155,145	$ 150,939	$ 300,020	$ 293,215
Premiums earned
Net premiums earned	149,837	146,446	294,324	289,183
Losses and settlement expenses incurred
Net losses and settlement expenses incurred	107,228	102,820	203,513	187,929
Affiliated Entity [Member]
Premiums written
Assumed	136,726	128,283	261,526	247,129
Ceded	(97,585)	(101,132)	(198,529)	(200,543)
Premiums earned
Assumed	125,179	119,665	247,276	237,927
Ceded	(99,568)	(99,140)	(199,659)	(196,401)
Losses and settlement expenses incurred
Assumed	100,681	86,187	177,787	148,029
Ceded	(88,813)	(68,461)	(152,156)	(109,187)
Non Affiliated Entity [Member]
Premiums written
Direct	93,392	96,707	190,144	191,693
Assumed	36,886	38,779	71,310	73,995
Ceded	(14,274)	(11,698)	(24,431)	(19,059)
Premiums earned
Direct	95,376	94,715	191,274	187,551
Assumed	38,541	38,815	74,245	74,558
Ceded	(9,691)	(7,609)	(18,812)	(14,452)
Losses and settlement expenses incurred
Direct	72,811	66,942	135,572	107,996
Assumed	26,870	22,163	48,862	46,086
Ceded	$ (4,321)	$ (4,011)	$ (6,552)	$ (4,995)
Property and casualty insurance [Member]
Reinsurance Transactions For Insurance Companies, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Percentage of pool participation (in hundredths)	30.00%	30.00%	30.00%	30.00%
Premiums written
Net premiums written	$ 126,591	$ 120,533	$ 241,198	$ 231,800
Premiums earned
Net premiums earned	116,187	111,771	229,835	222,217
Losses and settlement expenses incurred
Net losses and settlement expenses incurred	81,508	81,466	157,028	143,564
Property and casualty insurance [Member] | Affiliated Entity [Member]
Premiums written
Assumed	136,726	128,283	261,526	247,129
Ceded	(96,373)	(99,862)	(196,104)	(198,003)
Premiums earned
Assumed	125,179	119,665	247,276	237,927
Ceded	(98,356)	(97,870)	(197,234)	(193,861)
Losses and settlement expenses incurred
Assumed	100,380	85,822	177,122	147,276
Ceded	(88,812)	(68,556)	(152,146)	(109,610)
Property and casualty insurance [Member] | Non Affiliated Entity [Member]
Premiums written
Direct	93,392	96,707	190,144	191,693
Assumed	1,290	1,252	2,209	2,209
Ceded	(8,444)	(5,847)	(16,577)	(11,228)
Premiums earned
Direct	95,376	94,715	191,274	187,551
Assumed	1,130	1,135	2,145	2,162
Ceded	(7,142)	(5,874)	(13,626)	(11,562)
Losses and settlement expenses incurred
Direct	72,811	66,942	135,572	107,996
Assumed	693	784	1,445	1,505
Ceded	(3,564)	(3,526)	(4,965)	(3,603)
Reinsurance [Member]
Premiums written
Net premiums written	28,554	30,406	58,822	61,415
Premiums earned
Net premiums earned	33,650	34,675	64,489	66,966
Losses and settlement expenses incurred
Net losses and settlement expenses incurred	25,720	21,354	46,485	44,365
Reinsurance [Member] | Affiliated Entity [Member]
Premiums written
Assumed	0	0	0	0
Ceded	(1,212)	(1,270)	(2,425)	(2,540)
Premiums earned
Assumed	0	0	0	0
Ceded	(1,212)	(1,270)	(2,425)	(2,540)
Losses and settlement expenses incurred
Assumed	301	365	665	753
Ceded	(1)	95	(10)	423
Reinsurance [Member] | Non Affiliated Entity [Member]
Premiums written
Direct	0	0	0	0
Assumed	35,596	37,527	69,101	71,786
Ceded	(5,830)	(5,851)	(7,854)	(7,831)
Premiums earned
Direct	0	0	0	0
Assumed	37,411	37,680	72,100	72,396
Ceded	(2,549)	(1,735)	(5,186)	(2,890)
Losses and settlement expenses incurred
Direct	0	0	0	0
Assumed	26,177	21,379	47,417	44,581
Ceded	$ (757)	$ (485)	$ (1,587)	$ (1,392)

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LIABILITY FOR LOSSES AND SETTELEMT EXPENSES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Reconciliation of beginning and ending reserves for losses and settlement expenses [Roll Forward]
Gross reserves at beginning of year	$ 690,532	$ 678,774
Re-evaluation due to foreign currency exchange rates	(1,913)	(2,475)
Less ceded reserves at beginning of year	20,664	23,477
Net reserves at beginning of year	671,781	657,772
Incurred losses and settlement expenses related to:
Current year	216,710	203,800
Prior years	(13,197)	(15,871)
Total incurred losses and settlement expenses	203,513	187,929
Paid losses and settlement expenses related to:
Current year	66,662	57,389
Prior years	119,270	118,287
Total paid losses and settlement expenses	185,932	175,676
Net reserves at end of period	689,362	670,025
Plus ceded reserves at end of period	20,430	22,409
Re-evaluation due to foreign currency exchange rates	(301)	(1,596)
Gross reserves at end of period	709,491	690,838
Property and casualty insurance [Member]
Incurred losses and settlement expenses related to:
Prior years	$ (9,300)	$ (9,800)
Percentage change in loss and settlement expense reserves for prior accident years (in hundredths)	(1.90%)	(2.00%)
Reinsurance [Member]
Incurred losses and settlement expenses related to:
Prior years	$ (3,900)	$ (6,100)
Percentage change in loss and settlement expense reserves for prior accident years (in hundredths)	(1.90%)	(3.10%)

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SEGMENT INFORMATION - Summarized financial information by segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Reconciliation of operating profit loss from segment to consolidated
Premiums earned	$ 149,837	$ 146,446	$ 294,324	$ 289,183
SAP underwriting profit (loss)	(8,674)	(6,263)	(8,021)	6,265
GAAP adjustments	2,477	1,270	1,139	(782)
GAAP underwriting profit (loss)	(6,197)	(4,993)	(6,882)	5,483
Net investment income	11,171	12,179	22,178	24,409
Net realized investment gains (losses)	3,387	1,634	2,760	549
Other income (loss)	(245)	77	(655)	66
Interest expense	85	85	169	169
Other expenses	802	725	1,563	1,374
Income before income tax expense	7,229	8,087	15,669	28,964
Reconciliation of assets from segment to consolidated
Assets	2,185,636		2,185,636		$ 2,131,694
Eliminations	(562,914)		(562,914)		(540,249)
Reclassifications	(325)		(325)		(2,632)
Total assets	1,622,397		1,622,397		1,588,813
Property and casualty insurance [Member]
Reconciliation of operating profit loss from segment to consolidated
Premiums earned	116,187	111,771	229,835	222,217
SAP underwriting profit (loss)	(8,892)	(11,289)	(11,486)	(823)
GAAP adjustments	3,282	1,917	2,275	56
GAAP underwriting profit (loss)	(5,610)	(9,372)	(9,211)	(767)
Net investment income	7,958	8,568	15,973	17,339
Net realized investment gains (losses)	3,738	1,018	3,141	172
Other income (loss)	283	162	444	294
Interest expense	85	85	169	169
Other expenses	231	211	410	368
Income before income tax expense	6,053	80	9,768	16,501
Reconciliation of assets from segment to consolidated
Assets	1,143,680		1,143,680		1,122,037
Eliminations	0		0		0
Reclassifications	(44)		(44)		0
Total assets	1,143,636		1,143,636		1,122,037
Reinsurance [Member]
Reconciliation of operating profit loss from segment to consolidated
Premiums earned	33,650	34,675	64,489	66,966
SAP underwriting profit (loss)	218	5,026	3,465	7,088
GAAP adjustments	(805)	(647)	(1,136)	(838)
GAAP underwriting profit (loss)	(587)	4,379	2,329	6,250
Net investment income	3,201	3,608	6,184	7,065
Net realized investment gains (losses)	(351)	616	(381)	377
Other income (loss)	(528)	(85)	(1,099)	(228)
Interest expense	0	0	0	0
Other expenses	0	0	0	0
Income before income tax expense	1,735	8,518	7,033	13,464
Reconciliation of assets from segment to consolidated
Assets	469,285		469,285		455,493
Eliminations	0		0		0
Reclassifications	0		0		(1,932)
Total assets	469,285		469,285		453,561
Parent company [Member]
Reconciliation of operating profit loss from segment to consolidated
Premiums earned	0	0	0	0
SAP underwriting profit (loss)	0	0	0	0
GAAP adjustments	0	0	0	0
GAAP underwriting profit (loss)	0	0	0	0
Net investment income	12	3	21	5
Net realized investment gains (losses)	0	0	0	0
Other income (loss)	0	0	0	0
Interest expense	0	0	0	0
Other expenses	571	514	1,153	1,006
Income before income tax expense	(559)	$ (511)	(1,132)	$ (1,001)
Reconciliation of assets from segment to consolidated
Assets	572,671		572,671		554,164
Eliminations	(562,914)		(562,914)		(540,249)
Reclassifications	(281)		(281)		(700)
Total assets	$ 9,476		$ 9,476		$ 13,215

XML

SEGMENT INFORMATION - Net premiums earned by segment and lines of insurance (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Premiums earned	$ 149,837	$ 146,446	$ 294,324	$ 289,183
Property and casualty insurance [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Premiums earned	116,187	111,771	229,835	222,217
Property and casualty insurance [Member] | Commercial Lines [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Premiums earned	106,877	102,183	211,351	202,846
Property and casualty insurance [Member] | Commercial Lines [Member] | Automobile Insurance L O B [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Premiums earned	29,014	27,409	57,046	54,336
Property and casualty insurance [Member] | Commercial Lines [Member] | Property Insurance L O B [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Premiums earned	26,069	25,073	51,571	49,821
Property and casualty insurance [Member] | Commercial Lines [Member] | Workers' Compensation [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Premiums earned	25,343	23,489	50,046	46,736
Property and casualty insurance [Member] | Commercial Lines [Member] | Other Liability [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Premiums earned	24,254	24,139	48,382	47,809
Property and casualty insurance [Member] | Commercial Lines [Member] | Other Insurance L O B [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Premiums earned	2,197	2,073	4,306	4,144
Property and casualty insurance [Member] | Personal Lines [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Premiums earned	9,310	9,588	18,484	19,371
Reinsurance [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Premiums earned	33,650	34,675	64,489	66,966
Reinsurance [Member] | Assumed Pro Rata [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Premiums earned	12,016	15,468	22,451	29,109
Reinsurance [Member] | Assumed Excess of Loss [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Premiums earned	$ 21,634	$ 19,207	$ 42,038	$ 37,857

XML

INCOME TAXES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Income tax expense (benefit) reconciliation [Abstract]
United States federal corporate tax rate (in hundredths)	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
Computed expected income tax expense	$ 2,530	$ 2,830	$ 5,484	$ 10,137
Increases (decreases) in tax resulting from:
Tax-exempt interest income	(761)	(697)	(1,466)	(1,392)
Dividends received deduction	(348)	(349)	(654)	(774)
Proration of tax-exempt interest and dividends received deduction	166	157	318	325
Other, net	138	18	(321)	(114)
Total income tax expense	1,725	$ 1,959	3,361	$ 8,182
Provision for uncertain tax positions	$ 0		$ 0		$ 0

XML

EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT PLANS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Pension plans [Member] | Emc Insurance Companies [Member]
Components of net periodic benefit cost [Abstract]
Service cost	$ 3,708	$ 3,545	$ 7,568	$ 7,185
Interest cost	2,800	2,544	5,595	5,069
Expected return on plan assets	(5,191)	(4,840)	(10,382)	(9,680)
Amortization of net actuarial loss	913	1,083	1,821	2,122
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)	5	7	10	15
Net periodic benefit cost (income)	2,235	2,339	4,612	4,711
Pension plans [Member] | EMC Insurance Group, Inc. [Member]
Components of net periodic benefit cost [Abstract]
Net periodic benefit cost (income)	670	683	1,400	1,400
Entity's share of estimated contributions to employee benefit plan			2,700
Postretirement benefit plans [Member] | Emc Insurance Companies [Member]
Components of net periodic benefit cost [Abstract]
Service cost	340	318	681	636
Interest cost	570	554	1,140	1,108
Expected return on plan assets	(1,078)	(1,056)	(2,156)	(2,112)
Amortization of net actuarial loss	343	373	686	747
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)	(2,788)	(2,834)	(5,577)	(5,669)
Net periodic benefit cost (income)	(2,613)	(2,645)	(5,226)	(5,290)
Postretirement benefit plans [Member] | EMC Insurance Group, Inc. [Member]
Components of net periodic benefit cost [Abstract]
Net periodic benefit cost (income)	$ (736)	$ (730)	(1,500)	$ (1,500)
Entity's share of estimated contributions to employee benefit plan			$ 0

XML

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock repurchased and retired during period, shares			64,358	17,300
Average cost per share of stock repurchased			$ 27.31	$ 22.14
Recognized compensation expense	$ 535	$ 187	$ 212	$ 324
Recognized compensation expense, net of tax	$ 348	$ 122	$ 138	$ 211
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of restricted stock shares vested during period (in shares)			85,192
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of restrticted stock awards or units granted during period (in shares)			116,288
Stock Option [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options exercised during period (in shares)			130,926
Weighted average exercise price of options exercised during period (in dollars per share)			$ 14.87
Non-Employee Director [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of restrticted stock awards or units granted during period (in shares)			2,000
EMC Insurance Group Inc Non-Employee Director 2017 Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Registered shares (in shares)	150,000		150,000

XML

DISCLOSURES ABOUT THE FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Details) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017 USD ($) Security	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) Security
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 1,446,779	$ 1,413,538
Short-term investments	36,135	39,670
Liabilities [Abstract]
Surplus notes	$ 25,000	$ 25,000
Period for surplus notes included in assumptions	25 years	25 years
Current interest rate on surplus notes	1.35%	1.35%
Upward adjustment to fair value input discount rate (percent)	0.50%	0.50%
Period after which rate is adjusted	5 years	5 years
Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Number of broker quoted securities | Security	0	0
Number of securities not priced by independent pricing service | Security	8	9
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 1,225,128	$ 1,199,699
US Treasury Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	7,915	7,830
US Government-sponsored Enterprises Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	236,732	239,197
US States and Political Subdivisions Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	339,961	335,757
Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	58,832	37,572
Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	86,251	96,434
Collateralized Debt Obligations [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	25,020	26,393
Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	470,417	456,516
Equity Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	221,651	213,839
Common stocks Financial services [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	38,121	35,122
Common stocks Information technology [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	35,862	30,542
Common stocks Healthcare [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	27,891	24,707
Common stocks Consumer staples [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	16,693	19,100
Common stocks Consumer discretionary [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	20,069	22,321
Common stocks Energy [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	15,449	19,071
Common stocks Industrials [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	24,509	24,245
Common stocks Other [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	18,301	18,384
Nonredeemable Preferred Stock [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	24,756	20,347
Carrying amount [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Short-term investments	36,135	39,670
Liabilities [Abstract]
Surplus notes	25,000	25,000
Carrying amount [Member] | Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	1,225,128	1,199,699
Carrying amount [Member] | US Treasury Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	7,915	7,830
Carrying amount [Member] | US Government-sponsored Enterprises Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	236,732	239,197
Carrying amount [Member] | US States and Political Subdivisions Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	339,961	335,757
Carrying amount [Member] | Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	58,832	37,572
Carrying amount [Member] | Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	86,251	96,434
Carrying amount [Member] | Collateralized Debt Obligations [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	25,020	26,393
Carrying amount [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	470,417	456,516
Carrying amount [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	221,651	213,839
Carrying amount [Member] | Common stocks Financial services [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	38,121	35,122
Carrying amount [Member] | Common stocks Information technology [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	35,862	30,542
Carrying amount [Member] | Common stocks Healthcare [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	27,891	24,707
Carrying amount [Member] | Common stocks Consumer staples [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	16,693	19,100
Carrying amount [Member] | Common stocks Consumer discretionary [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	20,069	22,321
Carrying amount [Member] | Common stocks Energy [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	15,449	19,071
Carrying amount [Member] | Common stocks Industrials [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	24,509	24,245
Carrying amount [Member] | Common stocks Other [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	18,301	18,384
Carrying amount [Member] | Nonredeemable Preferred Stock [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	24,756	20,347
Estimated fair value [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Short-term investments	36,135	39,670
Liabilities [Abstract]
Surplus notes	11,369	11,228
Estimated fair value [Member] | Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	1,225,128	1,199,699
Estimated fair value [Member] | US Treasury Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	7,915	7,830
Estimated fair value [Member] | US Government-sponsored Enterprises Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	236,732	239,197
Estimated fair value [Member] | US States and Political Subdivisions Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	339,961	335,757
Estimated fair value [Member] | Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	58,832	37,572
Estimated fair value [Member] | Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	86,251	96,434
Estimated fair value [Member] | Collateralized Debt Obligations [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	25,020	26,393
Estimated fair value [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	470,417	456,516
Estimated fair value [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	221,651	213,839
Estimated fair value [Member] | Common stocks Financial services [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	38,121	35,122
Estimated fair value [Member] | Common stocks Information technology [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	35,862	30,542
Estimated fair value [Member] | Common stocks Healthcare [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	27,891	24,707
Estimated fair value [Member] | Common stocks Consumer staples [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	16,693	19,100
Estimated fair value [Member] | Common stocks Consumer discretionary [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	20,069	22,321
Estimated fair value [Member] | Common stocks Energy [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	15,449	19,071
Estimated fair value [Member] | Common stocks Industrials [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	24,509	24,245
Estimated fair value [Member] | Common stocks Other [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	18,301	18,384
Estimated fair value [Member] | Nonredeemable Preferred Stock [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 24,756	$ 20,347

XML

DISCLOSURES ABOUT THE FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS, Recurring Measurement Inputs (Details) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2017 USD ($) Security	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) Security
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 1,446,779	$ 1,413,538
Short-term investments	36,135	39,670
Liabilities [Abstract]
Surplus notes	25,000	25,000
Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	1,225,128	1,199,699
US Treasury Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	7,915	7,830
US Government-sponsored Enterprises Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	236,732	239,197
US States and Political Subdivisions Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	339,961	335,757
Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	58,832	37,572
Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	86,251	96,434
Collateralized Debt Obligations [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	25,020	26,393
Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	470,417	456,516
Equity Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	221,651	213,839
Common stocks Financial services [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	38,121	35,122
Common stocks Information technology [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	35,862	30,542
Common stocks Healthcare [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	27,891	24,707
Common stocks Consumer staples [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	16,693	19,100
Common stocks Consumer discretionary [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	20,069	22,321
Common stocks Energy [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	15,449	19,071
Common stocks Industrials [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	24,509	24,245
Common stocks Other [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	18,301	18,384
Nonredeemable Preferred Stock [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	24,756	20,347
Recurring [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Short-term investments	36,135	39,670
Recurring [Member] | Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	1,225,128	1,199,699
Recurring [Member] | US Treasury Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	7,915	7,830
Recurring [Member] | US Government-sponsored Enterprises Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	236,732	239,197
Recurring [Member] | US States and Political Subdivisions Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	339,961	335,757
Recurring [Member] | Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	58,832	37,572
Recurring [Member] | Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	86,251	96,434
Recurring [Member] | Collateralized Debt Obligations [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	25,020	26,393
Recurring [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	470,417	456,516
Recurring [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	221,651	213,839
Recurring [Member] | Common stocks Financial services [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	38,121	35,122
Recurring [Member] | Common stocks Information technology [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	35,862	30,542
Recurring [Member] | Common stocks Healthcare [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	27,891	24,707
Recurring [Member] | Common stocks Consumer staples [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	16,693	19,100
Recurring [Member] | Common stocks Consumer discretionary [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	20,069	22,321
Recurring [Member] | Common stocks Energy [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	15,449	19,071
Recurring [Member] | Common stocks Industrials [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	24,509	24,245
Recurring [Member] | Common stocks Other [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	18,301	18,384
Recurring [Member] | Nonredeemable Preferred Stock [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	24,756	20,347
Recurring [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Short-term investments	36,135	39,670
Recurring [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member] | Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member] | US Treasury Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member] | US Government-sponsored Enterprises Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member] | US States and Political Subdivisions Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member] | Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member] | Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member] | Collateralized Debt Obligations [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	206,890	204,563
Recurring [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member] | Common stocks Financial services [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	38,118	35,119
Recurring [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member] | Common stocks Information technology [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	35,862	30,542
Recurring [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member] | Common stocks Healthcare [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	27,891	24,707
Recurring [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member] | Common stocks Consumer staples [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	16,693	19,100
Recurring [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member] | Common stocks Consumer discretionary [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	20,069	22,321
Recurring [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member] | Common stocks Energy [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	15,449	19,071
Recurring [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member] | Common stocks Industrials [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	24,509	24,245
Recurring [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member] | Common stocks Other [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	18,301	18,384
Recurring [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member] | Nonredeemable Preferred Stock [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	9,998	11,074
Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Short-term investments	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	1,224,288	1,198,717
Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | US Treasury Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	7,915	7,830
Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | US Government-sponsored Enterprises Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	236,732	239,197
Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | US States and Political Subdivisions Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	339,961	335,757
Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	58,832	37,572
Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	86,251	96,434
Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Collateralized Debt Obligations [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	25,020	26,393
Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	469,577	455,534
Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	12,758	7,273
Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Common stocks Financial services [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Common stocks Information technology [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Common stocks Healthcare [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Common stocks Consumer staples [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Common stocks Consumer discretionary [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Common stocks Energy [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Common stocks Industrials [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Common stocks Other [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Nonredeemable Preferred Stock [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	12,758	7,273
Recurring [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Short-term investments	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 840	$ 982
Number of securities categorized as Level 3 fair value measurements | Security	2	2
Recurring [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | US Treasury Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 0	$ 0
Recurring [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | US Government-sponsored Enterprises Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | US States and Political Subdivisions Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Collateralized Debt Obligations [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	840	982
Recurring [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 2,003	$ 2,003
Number of securities categorized as Level 3 fair value measurements | Security	2	2
Recurring [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Common stocks Financial services [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 3	$ 3
Recurring [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Common stocks Information technology [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Common stocks Healthcare [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Common stocks Consumer staples [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Common stocks Consumer discretionary [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Common stocks Energy [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Common stocks Industrials [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Common stocks Other [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Nonredeemable Preferred Stock [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	2,000	2,000
Not Reported At Fair Value [Member]
Liabilities [Abstract]
Surplus notes	11,369	11,228
Not Reported At Fair Value [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member]
Liabilities [Abstract]
Surplus notes	0	0
Not Reported At Fair Value [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Liabilities [Abstract]
Surplus notes	0	0
Not Reported At Fair Value [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Liabilities [Abstract]
Surplus notes	$ 11,369	$ 11,228

XML

DISCLOSURES ABOUT THE FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS, Unobservable Input Reconciliation (Details) - Recurring [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Reconciliation of assets measured at fair value on recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 2,932	$ 1,274	$ 2,985	$ 1,332
Settlements	(90)	(84)	(140)	(145)
Unrealized gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income (loss)	1	4	(2)	7
Balance at end of period	2,843	1,194	2,843	1,194
Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Reconciliation of assets measured at fair value on recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	929	1,271	982	1,329
Settlements	(90)	(84)	(140)	(145)
Unrealized gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income (loss)	1	4	(2)	7
Balance at end of period	840	1,191	840	1,191
Common stocks Financial services [Member]
Reconciliation of assets measured at fair value on recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	3	3	3	3
Settlements	0	0	0	0
Unrealized gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income (loss)	0	0	0	0
Balance at end of period	3	3	3	3
Nonredeemable Preferred Stock [Member]
Reconciliation of assets measured at fair value on recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	2,000	0	2,000	0
Settlements	0	0	0	0
Unrealized gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income (loss)	0	0	0	0
Balance at end of period	$ 2,000	$ 0	$ 2,000	$ 0

XML

INVESTMENTS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost	$ 1,348,947		$ 1,348,947		$ 1,337,004
Gross unrealized gains	112,422		112,422		99,752
Gross unrealized losses	14,590		14,590		23,218
Estimated fair values	1,446,779		1,446,779		1,413,538
Available for sale securities continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
Less than twelve months, Fair value	322,596		322,596		422,453
Less than twelve months, Unrealized losses	9,504		9,504		16,670
Twelve months or longer, Fair value	48,279		48,279		36,223
Twelve months or longer, Unrealized losses	5,086		5,086		6,548
Total, Fair value	370,875		370,875		458,676
Total, Unrealized losses	14,590		14,590		23,218
Amortized cost
Due in one year or less	67,465		67,465
Due after one year through five years	158,450		158,450
Due after five years through ten years	337,009		337,009
Due after ten years	488,531		488,531
Securities not due at a single maturity date	149,344		149,344
Totals	1,200,799		1,200,799		1,189,525
Estimated fair value
Due in one year or less	68,242		68,242
Due after one year through five years	164,964		164,964
Due after five years through ten years	345,245		345,245
Due after ten years	499,403		499,403
Securities not due at a single maturity date	147,274		147,274
Totals	1,225,128		1,225,128		1,199,699
Realized Investment Gains (Losses) [Abstract]
'Other-than-temporary' impairments	(733)	$ (270)	(733)	$ (701)
Net realized investment gains (losses)	3,387	1,634	2,760	549
Debt Securities [Member]
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost	1,200,799		1,200,799		1,189,525
Gross unrealized gains	37,807		37,807		32,485
Gross unrealized losses	13,478		13,478		22,311
Estimated fair values	1,225,128		1,225,128		1,199,699
Available for sale securities continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
Less than twelve months, Fair value	310,076		310,076		404,167
Less than twelve months, Unrealized losses	8,727		8,727		16,129
Twelve months or longer, Fair value	44,327		44,327		32,250
Twelve months or longer, Unrealized losses	4,751		4,751		6,182
Total, Fair value	354,403		354,403		436,417
Total, Unrealized losses	13,478		13,478		22,311
Realized Investment Gains (Losses) [Abstract]
Available-for-sale, Gross realized investment gains	289	1,005	379	1,674
Available-for-sale, Gross realized investment losses	(880)	0	(2,086)	(299)
US Treasury Securities [Member]
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost	7,853		7,853		7,841
Gross unrealized gains	62		62		0
Gross unrealized losses	0		0		11
Estimated fair values	7,915		7,915		7,830
Available for sale securities continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
Less than twelve months, Fair value					7,830
Less than twelve months, Unrealized losses					11
Twelve months or longer, Fair value					0
Twelve months or longer, Unrealized losses					0
Total, Fair value					7,830
Total, Unrealized losses					11
US Government-sponsored Enterprises Debt Securities [Member]
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost	243,258		243,258		249,495
Gross unrealized gains	249		249		311
Gross unrealized losses	6,775		6,775		10,609
Estimated fair values	236,732		236,732		239,197
Available for sale securities continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
Less than twelve months, Fair value	194,957		194,957		202,900
Less than twelve months, Unrealized losses	6,641		6,641		10,609
Twelve months or longer, Fair value	4,867		4,867		0
Twelve months or longer, Unrealized losses	134		134		0
Total, Fair value	199,824		199,824		202,900
Total, Unrealized losses	6,775		6,775		10,609
US States and Political Subdivisions Debt Securities [Member]
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost	320,598		320,598		319,663
Gross unrealized gains	19,711		19,711		17,034
Gross unrealized losses	348		348		940
Estimated fair values	339,961		339,961		335,757
Available for sale securities continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
Less than twelve months, Fair value	14,415		14,415		43,777
Less than twelve months, Unrealized losses	348		348		940
Twelve months or longer, Fair value	0		0		0
Twelve months or longer, Unrealized losses	0		0		0
Total, Fair value	14,415		14,415		43,777
Total, Unrealized losses	348		348		940
Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost	59,214		59,214		37,964
Gross unrealized gains	683		683		741
Gross unrealized losses	1,065		1,065		1,133
Estimated fair values	58,832		58,832		37,572
Available for sale securities continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
Less than twelve months, Fair value	43,939		43,939		21,695
Less than twelve months, Unrealized losses	1,065		1,065		1,133
Twelve months or longer, Fair value	0		0		0
Twelve months or longer, Unrealized losses	0		0		0
Total, Fair value	43,939		43,939		21,695
Total, Unrealized losses	1,065		1,065		1,133
Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost	87,921		87,921		102,307
Gross unrealized gains	2,481		2,481		1,435
Gross unrealized losses	4,151		4,151		7,308
Estimated fair values	86,251		86,251		96,434
Available for sale securities continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
Less than twelve months, Fair value	13,671		13,671		26,217
Less than twelve months, Unrealized losses	426		426		1,232
Twelve months or longer, Fair value	18,491		18,491		23,625
Twelve months or longer, Unrealized losses	3,725		3,725		6,076
Total, Fair value	32,162		32,162		49,842
Total, Unrealized losses	4,151		4,151		7,308
Collateralized Debt Obligations [Member]
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost	24,696		24,696		26,592
Gross unrealized gains	796		796		732
Gross unrealized losses	472		472		931
Estimated fair values	25,020		25,020		26,393
Available for sale securities continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
Less than twelve months, Fair value	7,336		7,336		19,091
Less than twelve months, Unrealized losses	123		123		931
Twelve months or longer, Fair value	6,516		6,516		0
Twelve months or longer, Unrealized losses	349		349		0
Total, Fair value	13,852		13,852		19,091
Total, Unrealized losses	472		472		931
Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost	457,259		457,259		445,663
Gross unrealized gains	13,825		13,825		12,232
Gross unrealized losses	667		667		1,379
Estimated fair values	470,417		470,417		456,516
Available for sale securities continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
Less than twelve months, Fair value	35,758		35,758		82,657
Less than twelve months, Unrealized losses	124		124		1,273
Twelve months or longer, Fair value	14,453		14,453		8,625
Twelve months or longer, Unrealized losses	543		543		106
Total, Fair value	50,211		50,211		91,282
Total, Unrealized losses	667		667		1,379
Equity Securities [Member]
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost	148,148		148,148		147,479
Gross unrealized gains	74,615		74,615		67,267
Gross unrealized losses	1,112		1,112		907
Estimated fair values	221,651		221,651		213,839
Available for sale securities continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
Less than twelve months, Fair value	12,520		12,520		18,286
Less than twelve months, Unrealized losses	777		777		541
Twelve months or longer, Fair value	3,952		3,952		3,973
Twelve months or longer, Unrealized losses	335		335		366
Total, Fair value	16,472		16,472		22,259
Total, Unrealized losses	1,112		1,112		907
Realized Investment Gains (Losses) [Abstract]
Available-for-sale, Gross realized investment gains	6,398	2,766	9,273	4,848
Available-for-sale, Gross realized investment losses	(372)	(441)	(471)	(1,633)
'Other-than-temporary' impairments	(733)	(270)	(733)	(701)
Common stocks Financial services [Member]
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost	25,852		25,852		22,922
Gross unrealized gains	12,415		12,415		12,410
Gross unrealized losses	146		146		210
Estimated fair values	38,121		38,121		35,122
Available for sale securities continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
Less than twelve months, Fair value	1,407		1,407		1,462
Less than twelve months, Unrealized losses	20		20		12
Twelve months or longer, Fair value	945		945		908
Twelve months or longer, Unrealized losses	126		126		198
Total, Fair value	2,352		2,352		2,370
Total, Unrealized losses	146		146		210
Common stocks Information technology [Member]
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost	21,830		21,830		19,832
Gross unrealized gains	14,141		14,141		10,739
Gross unrealized losses	109		109		29
Estimated fair values	35,862		35,862		30,542
Available for sale securities continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
Less than twelve months, Fair value	2,313		2,313		1,947
Less than twelve months, Unrealized losses	109		109		29
Twelve months or longer, Fair value	0		0		0
Twelve months or longer, Unrealized losses	0		0		0
Total, Fair value	2,313		2,313		1,947
Total, Unrealized losses	109		109		29
Common stocks Healthcare [Member]
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost	16,820		16,820		16,092
Gross unrealized gains	11,071		11,071		8,700
Gross unrealized losses	0		0		85
Estimated fair values	27,891		27,891		24,707
Available for sale securities continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
Less than twelve months, Fair value					3,585
Less than twelve months, Unrealized losses					85
Twelve months or longer, Fair value					0
Twelve months or longer, Unrealized losses					0
Total, Fair value					3,585
Total, Unrealized losses					85
Common stocks Consumer staples [Member]
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost	10,894		10,894		13,438
Gross unrealized gains	5,843		5,843		5,787
Gross unrealized losses	44		44		125
Estimated fair values	16,693		16,693		19,100
Available for sale securities continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
Less than twelve months, Fair value	1,293		1,293		2,427
Less than twelve months, Unrealized losses	44		44		125
Twelve months or longer, Fair value	0		0		0
Twelve months or longer, Unrealized losses	0		0		0
Total, Fair value	1,293		1,293		2,427
Total, Unrealized losses	44		44		125
Common stocks Consumer discretionary [Member]
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost	11,848		11,848		14,812
Gross unrealized gains	8,310		8,310		7,672
Gross unrealized losses	89		89		163
Estimated fair values	20,069		20,069		22,321
Available for sale securities continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
Less than twelve months, Fair value	1,280		1,280		1,637
Less than twelve months, Unrealized losses	89		89		163
Twelve months or longer, Fair value	0		0		0
Twelve months or longer, Unrealized losses	0		0		0
Total, Fair value	1,280		1,280		1,637
Total, Unrealized losses	89		89		163
Common stocks Energy [Member]
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost	12,404		12,404		14,276
Gross unrealized gains	3,708		3,708		4,873
Gross unrealized losses	663		663		78
Estimated fair values	15,449		15,449		19,071
Available for sale securities continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
Less than twelve months, Fair value	3,635		3,635		1,621
Less than twelve months, Unrealized losses	474		474		33
Twelve months or longer, Fair value	1,027		1,027		1,188
Twelve months or longer, Unrealized losses	189		189		45
Total, Fair value	4,662		4,662		2,809
Total, Unrealized losses	663		663		78
Common stocks Industrials [Member]
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost	12,267		12,267		13,005
Gross unrealized gains	12,255		12,255		11,258
Gross unrealized losses	13		13		18
Estimated fair values	24,509		24,509		24,245
Available for sale securities continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
Less than twelve months, Fair value	340		340		779
Less than twelve months, Unrealized losses	13		13		18
Twelve months or longer, Fair value	0		0		0
Twelve months or longer, Unrealized losses	0		0		0
Total, Fair value	340		340		779
Total, Unrealized losses	13		13		18
Common stocks Other [Member]
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost	13,203		13,203		13,071
Gross unrealized gains	5,126		5,126		5,345
Gross unrealized losses	28		28		32
Estimated fair values	18,301		18,301		18,384
Available for sale securities continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
Less than twelve months, Fair value	2,252		2,252		1,472
Less than twelve months, Unrealized losses	28		28		32
Twelve months or longer, Fair value	0		0		0
Twelve months or longer, Unrealized losses	0		0		0
Total, Fair value	2,252		2,252		1,472
Total, Unrealized losses	28		28		32
Nonredeemable Preferred Stock [Member]
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost	23,030		23,030		20,031
Gross unrealized gains	1,746		1,746		483
Gross unrealized losses	20		20		167
Estimated fair values	24,756		24,756		20,347
Available for sale securities continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
Less than twelve months, Fair value	0		0		3,356
Less than twelve months, Unrealized losses	0		0		44
Twelve months or longer, Fair value	1,980		1,980		1,877
Twelve months or longer, Unrealized losses	20		20		123
Total, Fair value	1,980		1,980		5,233
Total, Unrealized losses	20		20		$ 167
Other Long-term Investments [Member]
Realized Investment Gains (Losses) [Abstract]
Net realized investment gains (losses)	$ (1,315)	$ (1,426)	$ (3,602)	$ (3,340)

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CONTINGENT LIABILITIES (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Entity's share of case loss reserves, eliminated by the purchase of annuities	$ 110
Contingent liability for aggregate guaranteed amount of annuities	$ 183

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STOCK REPURCHASE PROGRAM (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Nov. 03, 2011
Equity [Abstract]
Authorized amount of stock repurchase program			$ 15,000
Stock repurchased and retired during period, shares	64,358	17,300
Average cost per share of stock repurchased	$ 27.31	$ 22.14

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ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Balance at December 31, 2016			$ 46,081
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications			17,979
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income			(4,680)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	$ 4,945	$ 8,470	13,299	$ 19,954
Balance at June 30, 2017	59,380		59,380
Unrealized Gains and (Losses) on Available-for-sale securities
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Balance at December 31, 2016			49,748
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications			17,979
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income			(4,135)
Other comprehensive income (loss)			13,844
Balance at June 30, 2017	63,592		63,592
Unrecognized pension and postretirement benefit obligations
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Balance at December 31, 2016			(3,667)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications			0
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income			(545)
Other comprehensive income (loss)			(545)
Balance at June 30, 2017	$ (4,212)		$ (4,212)

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ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - Reclassifications out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
		Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Net realized investment gains (losses)		$ 3,387	$ 1,634	$ 2,760	$ 549
Income tax expense, current		(2,069)	(2,374)	(4,115)	(9,992)
Total reclassification adjustment		3,329	2,228	4,680	3,019
Unrealized Gains and (Losses) on Available-for-sale securities | Reclassification Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Net realized investment gains (losses)		4,702	3,061	6,362	3,890
Income tax expense, current		(1,646)	(1,071)	(2,227)	(1,361)
Total reclassification adjustment		3,056	1,990	4,135	2,529
Unrecognized pension and postretirement benefit obligations | Reclassification Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Net actuarial loss	[1]	(369)	(415)	(737)	(844)
Prior service credit	[1]	788	782	1,575	1,599
Total before tax		419	367	838	755
Income tax expense, current		(146)	(129)	(293)	(265)
Total reclassification adjustment		$ 273	$ 238	$ 545	$ 490

[1] These reclassified components of accumulated other comprehensive income are included in the computation of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit income (see note 7, Employee Retirement Plans, for additional details).