Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Fixed income:
Available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost - $1,646,411 in 2017 and $1,596,227 in 2016)	$ 1,672,239	$ 1,605,209
Equity securities available-for-sale, at fair value (cost - $182,002 in 2017 and $187,573 in 2016)	400,492	369,219
Short-term investments, at cost which approximates fair value	9,980	5,015
Other invested assets	33,808	24,115
Cash	24,271	18,269
Total investments and cash	2,140,790	2,021,827
Accrued investment income	15,166	14,593
Premiums and reinsurance balances receivable, net of allowances for uncollectible amounts of $16,935 in 2017 and $15,981 in 2016	134,351	126,387
Ceded unearned premium	57,928	52,173
Reinsurance balances recoverable on unpaid losses and settlement expenses, net of allowances for uncollectible amounts of $10,014 in 2017 and $10,699 in 2016	301,991	288,224
Deferred policy acquisition costs	77,716	73,147
Property and equipment, at cost, net of accumulated depreciation of $47,676 in 2017 and $41,999 in 2016	55,849	54,606
Investment in unconsolidated investees	90,067	72,240
Goodwill and intangibles	59,302	64,371
Other assets	14,084	10,065
TOTAL ASSETS	2,947,244	2,777,633
Liabilities:
Unpaid losses and settlement expenses	1,271,503	1,139,337
Unearned premiums	451,449	433,777
Reinsurance balances payable	21,624	17,928
Funds held	74,560	72,742
Income taxes - deferred	53,768	64,494
Bonds payable, long-term debt	148,928	148,741
Accrued expenses	52,848	51,992
Other liabilities	18,966	25,050
TOTAL LIABILITIES	2,093,646	1,954,061
Shareholders' Equity
Common stock ($1 par value, authorized 100,000,000 shares, issued 67,078,569 shares in 2017 and 66,874,911 shares in 2016, and outstanding 44,148,355 shares in 2017 and 43,944,697 shares in 2016)	67,079	66,875
Paid-in capital	233,077	229,779
Accumulated other comprehensive earnings	157,919	122,610
Retained earnings	788,522	797,307
Deferred compensation	8,640	11,496
Less: Treasury shares at cost (22,930,214 shares in 2017 and 2016	(401,639)	(404,495)
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY	853,598	823,572
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY	$ 2,947,244	$ 2,777,633