Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net (loss) income	$ (11,096)	$ 6,984
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization expense	4,103	3,527
Deferred federal income taxes	(2,737)	(1,034)
Realized gains on investments	(3,177)	(5,757)
Change in ceded unearned premiums	6,819	(2,523)
Change in premiums receivable	(10,283)	(5,653)
Change in accounts receivable	2,515	370
Change in deferred policy acquisition costs	(2,762)	(2,389)
Change in unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses	29,344	39,166
Change in unearned premiums	9,493	13,129
Change in unearned revenue	(43)	(51)
Change in accrued agent profit sharing	137	(18)
Change in reinsurance recoverable	(1,117)	(9,676)
Change in reinsurance payable	(940)	(2,140)
Change in current federal income tax recoverable/payable	(2,888)	(4,386)
Change in accrued ceding commission payable	(3,092)	(4,368)
Change in all other liabilities	(4,299)	(1,310)
Change in all other assets	5,031	5,063
Net cash provided by operating activities	15,008	28,934
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment	(1,799)	(1,155)
Net transfers into restricted cash	1,097	(533)
Payment for acquisition of subsidiaries, net of cash received	(13,334)
Purchases of investment securities	(234,994)	(157,332)
Maturities, sales and redemptions of investment securities	229,796	99,919
Net cash used in investing activities	(19,234)	(59,101)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net repayments of notes payable	(410)
Proceeds from exercise of employee stock options	99	25
Purchase of treasury shares	(6,401)
Distribution to non-controlling interest	(165)	(144)
Net cash used in financing activities	(6,877)	(119)
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(11,103)	(30,286)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	60,519	112,270
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	49,416	81,984
Supplemental cash flow information:
Interest paid	3,468	3,442
Income taxes (received) paid	(3,381)	7,564
Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing activities:
Change in receivable for securities related to investment disposals that settled after the balance sheet date	2,204	42
Change in payable for securities related to investment purchases that settled after the balance sheet date	$ 3,284	$ 11,590