CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Fixed maturities:
Securities held-to-maturity, fair value	$ 364,994	$ 389,679
Fixed maturities: Securities available-for-sale, amortized cost	894,942,793	909,582,782
Equity securities available-for-sale, at fair value	89,248,731	75,721,039
Affiliated deferred policy acquisition costs	44,143,760	37,584,448
Affiliated other assets	4,353,943	2,433,445
LIABILITIES
Affiliated losses and settlement expenses	596,866,878	553,125,183
Affiliated unearned premiums	196,010,325	167,896,119
Affiliated other liabilities	$ 14,993,243	$ 22,861,092
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 1	$ 1
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	20,000,000	20,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	12,870,541	12,927,678
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	12,870,541	12,927,678