Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 8,245	$ 3,848	$ (10,833)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization expense	4,300	4,421	5,064
Deferred federal income taxes	(257)	(2,851)	(2,895)
Net realized gains	(10,540)	(1,943)	(3,633)
Share-based payments expense	352	380	709
Change in ceded unearned premiums	(22,577)	(2,941)	6,034
Change in premiums receivable	(4,474)	(13,170)	(3,842)
Change in accounts receivable	728	836	2,347
Change in deferred policy acquisition costs	2,325	(2,357)	(1,621)
Change in unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses	69,224	16,471	33,088
Change in unearned premiums	22,801	16,398	4,801
Change in reinsurance recoverable	(24,848)	(9,236)	227
Change in reinsurance balances payable	13,268	4,191	(246)
Change in current federal income tax (recoverable) payable	(799)	8,256	(2,470)
Change in all other liabilities	(6,551)	5,396	(5,707)
Change in all other assets	17,141	5,983	3,587
Net cash provided by operating activities	68,338	33,682	24,610
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment, net	(673)	(107)	(1,586)
Acquisitions of subsidiaries, net of cash received			(13,334)
Net transfers (into) from restricted cash	(3,483)	665	(4,095)
Purchases of investment securities	(222,399)	(167,626)	(265,684)
Maturities, sales and redemptions of investment securities	214,738	148,968	280,918
Net cash used in investing activities	(11,817)	(18,100)	(3,781)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Activity under revolving credit facility, net		(2,577)	1,250
Repayment of notes payable of acquired subsidiary			(1,660)
Redemption of non-controlling interest		(1,700)
Distribution to non-controlling interest		(281)	(165)
Payment of contingent consideration		(350)
Proceeds from exercise of employee stock options			99
Purchase of treasury shares			(6,401)
Net cash used in financing activities		(4,908)	(6,877)
Increase in cash and cash equivalents	56,521	10,674	13,952
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	85,145	74,471	60,519
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	141,666	85,145	74,471
Supplemental cash flow information:
Interest paid	(4,599)	(4,656)	(4,620)
Income taxes (paid) recovered	(3,891)	5,879	3,589
Supplemental schedule of non-cash activities:
Change in receivable for securities related to investment disposals that settled after the balance sheet date	(1,317)	2,614	(402)
Change in payable for securities related to investment purchases that settled after the balance sheet date	$ 206	$ (203)	$ (2,290)