INVESTMENTS (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Available-for-sale
Cost or Amortized Cost	$ 1,342,089	$ 1,085,728
Gross Unrealized Gains	91,154	64,234
Gross Unrealized Losses	(274)	(3,645)
Fair Value	1,432,969	1,146,317
Held-to-maturity
Amortized Cost/Carrying Value	11,724	260,226
Gross Unrecognized Gains	222	1,219
Gross Unrecognized Losses		(464)
Fair Value	11,946	260,981
U.S. Agencies
Available-for-sale
Cost or Amortized Cost	19,632	112,975
Gross Unrealized Gains	182	844
Fair Value	19,814	113,819
Held-to-maturity
Amortized Cost/Carrying Value	10,071	243,571
Gross Unrecognized Gains	135	1,085
Fair Value	10,206	244,656
Corporate
Available-for-sale
Cost or Amortized Cost	543,236	439,079
Gross Unrealized Gains	48,063	31,640
Gross Unrealized Losses	(229)	(3,619)
Fair Value	591,070	467,100
Held-to-maturity
Amortized Cost/Carrying Value		15,000
Gross Unrecognized Losses		(464)
Fair Value		14,536
Mortgage-backed
Available-for-sale
Cost or Amortized Cost	253,610	233,134
Gross Unrealized Gains	18,665	15,852
Fair Value	272,275	248,986
ABS/CMO
Available-for-sale
Cost or Amortized Cost	82,752	54,325
Gross Unrealized Gains	4,949	2,628
Fair Value	87,701	56,953
Non-U.S. govt. & agency
Available-for-sale
Cost or Amortized Cost	8,408	6,403
Gross Unrealized Gains	880	294
Fair Value	9,288	6,697
U.S. Government
Available-for-sale
Cost or Amortized Cost	16,359	15,721
Gross Unrealized Gains	393	459
Gross Unrealized Losses		(8)
Fair Value	16,752	16,172
States, political subdivisions, and revenues
Available-for-sale
Cost or Amortized Cost	418,092	224,091
Gross Unrealized Gains	18,022	12,517
Gross Unrealized Losses	(45)	(18)
Fair Value	436,069	236,590
Held-to-maturity
Amortized Cost/Carrying Value	1,653	1,655
Gross Unrecognized Gains	87	134
Fair Value	1,740	1,789
Equities
Available-for-sale
Cost or Amortized Cost	254,428	269,400
Gross Unrealized Gains	148,720	121,833
Gross Unrealized Losses	(1,049)	(2,544)
Fair Value	$ 402,099	$ 388,689

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This item represents the cost of debt and equity securities, which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading, net of adjustments including accretion, amortization, collection of cash, previous other-than-temporary impairments recognized in earnings (less any cumulative-effect adjustments recognized, as defined), and fair value hedge accounting adjustments, if any.

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- Definition

This element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission. This item represents Available-for-sale Securities which consist of all investments in certain debt and equity securities neither classified as trading or held-to-maturity securities. A debt security represents a creditor relationship with an enterprise. Debt securities include, among other items, US Treasury securities, US government securities, municipal securities, corporate bonds, convertible debt, commercial paper, and all securitized debt instruments. An equity security represents an ownership interest in an enterprise or the right to acquire or dispose of an ownership interest in an enterprise at fixed or determinable prices. Equity securities include, among other things, common stock, certain preferred stock, warrant rights, call options, and put options, but do not include convertible debt. An entity may opt to provide the reader with additional narrative text to better understand the nature of investments in debt and equity securities which are categorized as Available-for-sale.

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