Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY (USED BY) OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Total	$ 42,130	$ 133,314	$ 30,522
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities	28,604	(30,998)	(164,724)
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net change in cash from
Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) on Disposal of Discontinued Operation, Net of Tax	0	110,337	0
Gain on sale of subsidiary to joint venture	0	0	9,940
Gain on disposition of assets	0	0	5,053
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs, Amortization Expense	340	319	3,524
Gain (Loss) on Investments, Excluding Other than Temporary Impairments	2,539	4,502	3,094
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Portion Recognized in Earnings, Net	0	1,475	228
Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments	1,846	62	405
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction	1,920	1,831	2,313
Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	(9,746)	4,445	614
Other Noncash Income (Expense)	(6,535)	(7,809)	(6,724)
Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital
Proceeds from (Payments for) Trading Securities, Short-term	0	3,727	5,356
Increase (Decrease) in Insurance Liabilities	(90,065)	(120,064)	(18,907)
Increase (Decrease) in Premiums Receivable	(20,946)	(26,179)	6,447
Increase (Decrease) in Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs	353	296	(26,774)
Increase (Decrease) in Reinsurance Recoverable	(59,692)	(42,787)	202,617
Change in premium and claim funds	(6,844)	(3,094)	1,891
Increase (Decrease) in Income Taxes Payable, Net of Income Taxes Receivable	(5,979)	(9,146)	3,386
Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Assets and Liabilities, Net	(725)	11,571	(4,189)
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities
Payments for (Proceeds from) Short-term Investments	(6,849)	6,870	0
Proceeds from (Payments for) Securities Purchased under Agreements to Resell	18,693	(677)	(11,495)
Proceeds from Sale of Available-for-sale Securities, Equity	0	3,577	11,986
Payments to Acquire Available-for-sale Securities, Equity	0	0	6,601
Proceeds from Sale of Available-for-sale Securities, Debt	193,930	410,983	629,376
Proceeds from Maturities, Prepayments and Calls of Available-for-sale Securities	28,355	47,285	42,630
Payments to Acquire Available-for-sale Securities, Debt	210,694	486,398	521,417
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired	12,323	0	(511)
Proceeds from Divestiture of Businesses, Net of Cash Divested	0	135,736	4,518
Proceeds from Sale of Other Assets, Investing Activities	0	0	8,000
Payments for (Proceeds from) Policy Loans	0	(1)	(10,629)
Proceeds from Sales of and Distributions from Other Investments	5,246	4,210	1,000
Payments to Acquire Other Investments	602	4,371	0
Other investing activities	1,854	4,601	809
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities	27,600	98,875	168,328
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities
Payments for repurchases of common stock	46,401	3,522	1,820
Cash paid in acquisitions of noncontrolling interests	0	18,111	1,734
Net Change Annuities and Investment Certificates	(1,736)	1,898	(2,306)
Repayments of debt	0	42,935	2,617
Dividends paid	1,928	1,553	1,392
Payments Related to Tax Withholding for Share-based Compensation	1,659	0	0
Proceeds from (Payments for) Other Financing Activities	(25)	(815)	353
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities	(51,749)	(65,038)	(9,516)
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease)	4,455	2,839	(5,912)
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value, Including Discontinued Operations, Beginning Balance	22,010	19,171	25,083
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value, Including Discontinued Operations, Ending Balance	$ 26,465	$ 22,010	$ 19,171