POLICY ACQUISITION COSTS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Policy acquisition costs deferred and amortized to income
Deferred policy acquisition costs (DAC), beginning of year	$ 77,716	$ 73,147	$ 69,829
Deferred:
Direct commissions	175,697	157,723	150,390
Premium taxes	12,654	11,651	11,759
Ceding commissions	(22,190)	(18,096)	(17,488)
Net deferred	166,161	151,278	144,661
Amortized	158,943	146,709	141,343
DAC/VOBA*, end of year	84,934	77,716	73,147
Policy acquisition costs:
Amortized to expense - DAC	158,943	146,709	141,343
Period costs:
Ceding commission - contingent	(2,241)	(3,575)	(1,524)
Other underwriting expenses	111,036	109,381	109,793
Total policy acquisition costs	$ 267,738	$ 252,515	$ 249,612