ACQUISITION AND DISPOSITONS (Details) $ in Thousands				12 Months Ended
	Feb. 29, 2016 USD ($)	Mar. 04, 2015 USD ($)	Feb. 05, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) item	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)
Business acquisition
Amount of investment					$ 1,711	$ 5,301
Equity Method Investments				$ 72,240	70,784
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated investees				10,833	10,914	12,338
Reinsurance assumed				30,434	34,456	76,581
Cash consideration for purchase of agency				850
Proceeds from Divestiture of Interest in Consolidated Subsidiaries					7,500
PARENT COMPANY
Business acquisition
Equity Method Investments				62,604	62,650
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated investees				9,764	9,893	12,009
Associations Liability Insurance Agency, Inc [Member]
Business acquisition
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired	$ 1,200
Total business acquisition consideration	1,200
Cash consideration for purchase of agency	900
Present value of an earn-out agreement to be paid in future years	$ 300
Prime Holdings Insurance Services, Inc. (Prime)
Business acquisition
Amount of investment		$ 1,700	$ 5,300
Equity ownership interest (as a percent)		27.00%	20.00%
Equity Method Investments				9,600	8,100
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated investees				$ 1,100	$ 1,000	$ 300
Number of insurance subsidiaries | item				2
RIC
Business acquisition
Percentage of quota share reinsurance treaty, effective January 1, 2014					100.00%
Proceeds from Divestiture of Interest in Consolidated Subsidiaries					$ 7,500