Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	$ 64,179,000	$ 105,028,000	$ 114,920,000
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities
Net realized gains	(63,407,000)	(4,411,000)	(34,645,000)
Net unrealized losses on equity securities	98,735,000
Depreciation	7,042,000	6,944,000	6,430,000
Other items, net	6,171,000	16,368,000	17,699,000
Change in:
Accrued investment income	1,132,000	(573,000)	285,000
Premiums and reinsurance balances receivable (net of direct write-offs and commutations)	(18,225,000)	(7,964,000)	17,275,000
Reinsurance balances payable	967,000	3,696,000	(19,628,000)
Funds held	(2,251,000)	1,818,000	18,488,000
Ceded unearned premium	(13,246,000)	(5,755,000)	660,000
Reinsurance balances recoverable on unpaid losses	(63,008,000)	(13,767,000)	9,620,000
Deferred policy acquisition costs	(7,218,000)	(4,569,000)	(3,318,000)
Accrued expenses	(7,724,000)	856,000	(3,750,000)
Unpaid losses and settlement expenses	189,845,000	132,166,000	35,552,000
Unearned premiums	45,056,000	17,672,000	11,683,000
Income taxes
Current	5,725,000	(3,019,000)	12,573,000
Deferred	(20,515,000)	(29,741,000)	1,128,000
Stock option excess tax benefit			(9,576,000)
Changes in investment in unconsolidated investees:
Undistributed earnings	(16,056,000)	(17,224,000)	(10,833,000)
Dividends received	9,900,000	0	9,900,000
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Total	217,102,000	197,525,000	174,463,000
Purchase of:
Fixed income, available-for-sale	(725,675,000)	(430,727,000)	(557,067,000)
Equity securities	(115,921,000)	(20,719,000)	(36,335,000)
Short-term investments, net	(1,570,000)	(4,965,000)
Property and equipment	(6,087,000)	(9,238,000)	(16,155,000)
Acquisition of agency			(850,000)
Other	(18,754,000)	(19,112,000)	(7,722,000)
Proceeds from sale of:
Fixed income, available-for-sale	395,019,000	168,760,000	329,091,000
Proceeds from sale of equity securities	147,838,000	36,573,000	89,909,000
Short-term investments, net			2,564,000
Property and equipment	167,000	128,000	1,688,000
Subsidiary or agency		408,000
Other	3,394,000	2,063,000
Proceeds from call or maturity of:
Fixed income, available-for-sale	187,380,000	195,617,000	141,255,000
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities, Total	(134,209,000)	(81,212,000)	(53,622,000)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Stock option excess tax benefit			9,576,000
Proceeds from stock option exercises	6,076,000	3,502,000	(741,000)
Cash dividends paid	(83,100,000)	(113,813,000)	(122,488,000)
Net Cash Used in Financing Activities, Total	(77,024,000)	(110,311,000)	(113,653,000)
Net increase in cash	5,869,000	6,002,000	7,188,000
Cash at the beginning of the period	24,271,000	18,269,000	11,081,000
Cash at the end of the period	$ 30,140,000	$ 24,271,000	$ 18,269,000