Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Investments available-for-sale:
Fixed maturity securities at fair value	$ 832,643	$ 750,250
Short-term investments, at fair value	38,606	60,207
Cash and cash equivalents	38,199	38,307
Accrued investment income	6,668	7,174
Premiums receivable	35,566	32,470
Ceded unearned premiums	22,337	24,380
Reinsurance recoverables	185,097	198,014
Deferred acquisition costs	25,556	22,142
Other assets	56,526	52,064
Liabilities:
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses	666,392	649,641
Unearned premiums	141,083	128,981
Ceded premiums payable	12,689	11,496
Funds held	63,101	55,917
Other liabilities	15,002	17,501
Shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	5,000,000	5,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued
Preferred stock, shares outstanding
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	30,000,000	30,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	10,375,259	10,386,519
Common stock, shares outstanding	10,375,259	10,386,519
Variable Interest Entity
Investments available-for-sale:
Fixed maturity securities at fair value	5,971	5,419
Short-term investments, at fair value	2,323	3,083
Cash and cash equivalents	1,260	759
Accrued investment income	52	54
Premiums receivable	881	1,116
Ceded unearned premiums	201	286
Reinsurance recoverables	478	4,291
Deferred acquisition costs	(496)	(38)
Other assets	331	0
Liabilities:
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses	5,992	9,710
Unearned premiums	747	945
Ceded premiums payable	327	434
Funds held	167	248
Other liabilities	$ 0	$ 427