Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Fixed income:
Available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost - $1,596,227 in 2016 and $1,518,156 in 2015)	$ 1,605,209	$ 1,538,110
Equity securities available-for-sale, at fair value (cost - $187,573 in 2016 and $202,437 in 2015)	369,219	375,424
Short-term investments, at cost which approximates fair value	5,015	6,262
Other invested assets	24,115	20,666
Cash	18,269	11,081
Total investments and cash	2,021,827	1,951,543
Accrued investment income	14,593	14,878
Premiums and reinsurance balances receivable, net of allowances for uncollectible amounts of $15,981 in 2016 and $14,898 in 2015	126,387	143,662
Ceded unearned premium	52,173	52,833
Reinsurance balances recoverable on unpaid losses and settlement expenses, net of allowances for uncollectible amounts of $10,699 in 2016 and $11,885 in 2015	288,224	297,844
Deferred policy acquisition costs	73,147	69,829
Property and equipment, at cost, net of accumulated depreciation of $41,999 in 2016 and $38,447 in 2015	54,606	47,102
Investment in unconsolidated investees	72,240	70,784
Goodwill and intangibles	64,371	71,294
Other assets	10,065	15,696
TOTAL ASSETS	2,777,633	2,735,465
Liabilities:
Unpaid losses and settlement expenses	1,139,337	1,103,785
Unearned premiums	433,777	422,094
Reinsurance balances payable	17,928	37,556
Funds held	72,742	54,254
Income taxes - deferred	64,494	63,993
Bonds payable, long-term debt	148,741	148,554
Accrued expenses	51,992	55,742
Other liabilities	25,050	26,018
TOTAL LIABILITIES	1,954,061	1,911,996
Shareholders' Equity
Common stock ($1 par value, authorized 100,000,000 shares, issued 66,874,911 shares in 2016 and 66,474,342 shares in 2015, and outstanding 43,944,697 shares in 2016 and 43,544,128 shares in 2015)	66,875	66,474
Paid-in capital	229,779	221,345
Accumulated other comprehensive earnings	122,610	123,774
Retained earnings	797,307	804,875
Deferred compensation	11,496	10,647
Less: Treasury shares at cost (22,930,214 shares in 2016 and 2015)	(404,495)	(403,646)
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY	823,572	823,469
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY	$ 2,777,633	$ 2,735,465