Represents the pretax earnings contributed by the acquiree entity.

No definition available.

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- Definition

Represents the number of regional branch offices operated by the acquiree.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Represents the number of contractors served by the acquiree.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Represents the number of insurance agents and brokers served by the acquiree.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Represents the details pertaining to percentage of unearned premium (UEP) acquired earned as revenue.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

The amount of acquisition cost of a business combination allocated to an identifiable intangible asset, net of related amortization.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Represents the details pertaining to unearned premium (UEP) acquired.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Represents the details pertaining to valuation of insurance policies in force, including value of business acquired.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Amount of cash paid to acquire the entity.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 141R

-Paragraph 68

-Subparagraph f(1)

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 141

-Paragraph 51

-Subparagraph d

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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- Definition

The amount of acquisition cost of a business combination allocated to an identifiable intangible asset that will be amortized.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 141

-Paragraph 51

-Subparagraph e

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 141

-Paragraph 52

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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- Definition

Amount of goodwill arising from a business combination, which is the excess of the cost of the acquired entity over the amounts assigned to assets acquired and liabilities assumed.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 141

-Paragraph 52

-Subparagraph c

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 141

-Paragraph 53

-Subparagraph d

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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- Definition

Total consideration paid and payable by direct policyholders for insurance contracts sold by the Entity during the period. This amount does not include premium assumed from or ceded to other insurers.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 17

-Article 12

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 113

-Paragraph 27

-Subparagraph a, b

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 605

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (b),(c)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6486672&loc=d3e27261-158547

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- Definition

This item represents investment income derived from investments in debt and equity securities consisting of interest income earned from investments in debt securities and on cash and cash equivalents, dividend income from investments in equity securities, and income or expense derived from the amortization of investment related discounts or premiums, respectively, net of related investment expenses. This item does not include realized or unrealized gains or losses on the sale or holding of investments in debt and equity securities required to be included in earnings for the period or for other than temporary losses related to investments in debt and equity securities which are included in realized losses in the period recognized, and does not include investment income from real or personal property, such as rental income.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name FASB Staff Position (FSP)

-Number FAS115-1/124-1

-Paragraph 13, 14, 15, 16

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 115

-Paragraph 14, 16

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.8)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6880815&loc=d3e20235-122688

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.9)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6880815&loc=d3e20235-122688

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.7(a),(b))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6880815&loc=d3e20235-122688

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- Definition

Amount of provision in the period for claims incurred in prior reporting periods and related claims settlement costs.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Financial Reporting Release (FRR)

-Number 403

-Paragraph 04

-Subparagraph b

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 40

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6482485&loc=d3e14764-158437

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-Publisher AICPA

-Name Statement of Position (SOP)

-Number 94-5

-Paragraph 11

-Subparagraph b

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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- Definition

The difference between the price paid by the public and the contract price less the related expenses. A broker-dealer may underwrite a security offering by contracting to buy the issue either at a fixed price or a price based on selling the offering on a best-effort basis.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Audit and Accounting Guide (AAG)

-Number AAG-BRD

-Paragraph 9, 51, 58

-IssueDate 2006-05-01

-Chapter 4

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 225

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-04.13(b))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879574&loc=d3e536633-122882

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 940

-SubTopic 605

-Section 05

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6476344&loc=d3e44274-110985

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ACQUISITION (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended			3 Months Ended
ACQUISITION (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012 Casualty	Sep. 30, 2011 Casualty	Sep. 30, 2012 Casualty	Sep. 30, 2011 Casualty	Sep. 30, 2012 Surety	Sep. 30, 2011 Surety	Sep. 30, 2012 Surety	Sep. 30, 2011 Surety	Sep. 30, 2012 Contractors Bonding and Insurance Company office	Sep. 30, 2012 Contractors Bonding and Insurance Company office	Apr. 28, 2011 Contractors Bonding and Insurance Company	Sep. 30, 2012 Contractors Bonding and Insurance Company Minimum person	Sep. 30, 2012 Contractors Bonding and Insurance Company Casualty	Sep. 30, 2012 Contractors Bonding and Insurance Company Surety
Business acquisition
Business acquisition consideration paid in cash															$ 135,900,000
Number of contractors served by the acquiree																30,000
Number of insurance agents and brokers served by the acquiree																4,000
Number of regional branch offices operated by the acquiree													12	12
Amount of goodwill resulting from acquisition															20,400,000
Amount of separately identifiable intangible assets resulting from acquisition															14,500,000
Amount of separately identifiable intangible assets resulting from acquisition, net of related amortization													13,200,000	13,200,000
Premiums written													14,400,000				8,400,000	6,000,000
Pretax earnings contributed													5,100,000
Underwriting income	18,530,000	21,524,000	55,094,000	84,561,000	10,806,000	22,265,000	22,409,000	53,645,000	8,034,000	1,072,000	21,368,000	15,263,000	4,100,000	8,900,000
Net investment income													1,000,000	3,100,000
Valuation of insurance policies in force, including value of business acquired													800,000	800,000	10,800,000
Unearned premium (UEP) acquired													1,500,000	1,500,000	29,500,000
Percentage of unearned premium (UEP) acquired earned as revenue													95.00%	95.00%
Favorable reserve development on prior years' loss reserves													$ 4,200,000