Schedule II - Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company: Cash Flow Statement of Parent Only (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Net income (loss)	$ 22,611	$ 14,766	$ 23,413
(Income) loss from discontinued operations, net of tax			256
Other adjustments to reconcile net income	7,010	4,951	2,329
Net change in cash from operating activities	(115,394)	27,885	4,495
Purchases of fixed maturities	(412,753)	(786,560)	(778,153)
Sales of fixed maturities	483,092	596,651	614,588
Distributions from other investments, net of additional investments	1,080	3,231	1,719
Other investing activites	(5,159)	(1,259)	(1,869)
Net change in cash from investing activities	122,867	(24,226)	4,577
Payments for repurchases of common stock	(1,244)	(1,011)	(1,591)
Cash paid in acquisitions of noncontrolling interests	(58)	(1,587)
Excess tax expense from expired stock options and vesting of restricted stock	(94)	(164)	(51)
Dividends paid	(1,681)	(777)	(767)
Other financing activities	2	(1,252)	(14)
Net change in cash from financing activities	(1,755)	3,142	(5,040)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	5,718	6,801	4,032
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	18,227	11,426	7,394
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	23,945	18,227	11,426
Parent Company
Net income (loss)	22,611	14,766	23,413
Income Loss from Consolidated Subsidiaries	(25,102)	(15,776)	(24,554)
(Income) loss from discontinued operations, net of tax			256
Other adjustments to reconcile net income	604	(1,470)	(640)
Increase (Decrease) in Other Noncurrent Assets and Liabilities, Net	(439)	1,828	368
Net change in cash from operating activities	(2,326)	(652)	(1,157)
Investments in and Advances to Consolidated Subsidiaries	5,109	2,264	1,762
Purchases of fixed maturities	(11,781)	(497)	(2,567)
Sales of fixed maturities	6,109	1,271	5,377
Distributions from other investments, net of additional investments	3,152	2,025	(659)
Other investing activites			(199)
Net change in cash from investing activities	2,589	5,063	3,714
Payments for repurchases of common stock	(941)	(911)	(1,591)
Cash paid in acquisitions of noncontrolling interests	(58)	(62)
Excess tax expense from expired stock options and vesting of restricted stock	(94)	(164)	(51)
Dividends paid	(1,681)	(777)	(767)
Other financing activities	2
Net change in cash from financing activities	(2,772)	(1,914)	(2,409)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	(2,509)	2,497	148
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	3,098	601	453
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 589	$ 3,098	$ 601