SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011 point	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011 point	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
RETROSPECTIVE ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
Reduction of deferred policy acquisition costs asset	$ (55,777,000)		$ (55,777,000)		$ (52,105,000)
Decrease in consolidated shareholders' equity	(894,369,000)		(894,369,000)		(792,634,000)
Accounting Standards Update 2010-26 | Restatement Adjustment
RETROSPECTIVE ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
Reduction of deferred policy acquisition costs asset					40,300,000
Decrease in consolidated shareholders' equity					26,200,000	22,200,000
Deferred income tax benefit					14,100,000
Reduction in book value per share (in dollars per share)					$ 1.24	$ 1.06
Increase (decrease) in policy acquisition costs	300,000	3,200,000	3,800,000	5,000,000
Increase to revised combined ratio		2.2		1.3
Increase (decrease) in net earnings		$ (2,100,000)		$ (3,200,000)
Increase (decrease) in net earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ (0.01)	$ (0.10)	$ (0.12)	$ (0.15)