Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Fixed income
Available-for-sale, at fair value	$ 1,432,969	$ 1,146,317
Held-to-maturity, at amortized cost	11,724	260,226
Trading, at fair value	7	7
Equity securities, at fair value	402,099	388,689
Short-term investments, at cost	82,202	23,865
Cash	31,301	81,184
Total investments and cash	1,960,302	1,900,288
Accrued investment income	13,071	13,865
Premiums and reinsurance balances receivable	158,871	124,496
Ceded unearned premium	73,082	61,629
Reinsurance balances recoverable on unpaid losses	336,612	353,805
Deferred policy acquisition costs	55,777	52,105
Property and equipment	25,218	20,104
Investment in unconsolidated investee	58,242	49,968
Goodwill and intangibles	59,780	60,482
Other assets	13,199	18,092
TOTAL ASSETS	2,754,154	2,654,834
Liabilities:
Unpaid losses and settlement expenses	1,134,593	1,150,714
Unearned premiums	384,414	341,267
Reinsurance balances payable	65,793	50,861
Funds held	57,604	110,555
Income taxes-deferred	63,553	37,867
Bonds payable, long-term debt	100,000	100,000
Accrued expenses	45,499	58,883
Other liabilities	8,329	12,053
TOTAL LIABILITIES	1,859,785	1,862,200
Shareholders' Equity
Common stock ($1 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized) (32,685,588 shares issued, 21,220,481 shares outstanding at 9/30/12) (32,627,244 shares issued, 21,162,137 shares outstanding at 12/31/11)	32,686	32,627
Paid-in capital	233,442	227,788
Accumulated other comprehensive earnings	155,038	117,325
Retained earnings	866,202	807,893
Deferred compensation	10,175	10,445
Less: Treasury shares at cost (11,465,107 shares at 9/30/12) (11,465,107 shares at 12/31/11)	(403,174)	(403,444)
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY	894,369	792,634
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY	$ 2,754,154	$ 2,654,834