Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Fixed income:
Available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost - $1,431,049 in 2013 and $1,294,350 in 2012)	$ 1,440,052	$ 1,378,582
Held-to-maturity, at amortized cost (fair value - $687 in 2013 and $11,868 in 2012)	651	11,728
Trading, at fair value (amortized cost - $0 in 2013 and $6 in 2012)		7
Equity securities available-for-sale, at fair value (cost - $218,848 in 2013 and $240,287 in 2012)	418,654	375,788
Short-term investments, at cost which approximates fair value	23,232	30,462
Cash	39,469	44,314
Total investments and cash	1,922,058	1,840,881
Accrued investment income	15,710	14,403
Premiums and reinsurance balances receivable, net of allowances for uncollectible amounts of $13,328 in 2013 and $13,470 in 2012	152,509	139,355
Ceded unearned premiums	60,407	73,192
Reinsurance balances recoverable on unpaid losses and settlement expenses, net of allowances for uncollectible amounts of $14,239 in 2013 and $14,834 in 2012	354,924	359,884
Deferred policy acquisition costs, net	61,508	52,344
Property and equipment, at cost, net of accumulated depreciation of $41,491 in 2013 and $45,603 in 2012	40,261	27,987
Investment in unconsolidated investee	49,793	52,128
Goodwill and intangibles	74,876	76,113
Other assets	8,264	8,345
Total assets	2,740,310	2,644,632
Liabilities:
Unpaid losses and settlement expenses	1,129,433	1,158,483
Unearned premiums	392,081	369,346
Reinsurance balances payable	47,334	43,959
Funds held	61,656	56,633
Income taxes - deferred	57,801	55,566
Accrued expenses	59,596	49,933
Other liabilities	13,861	14,349
Total liabilities	1,911,344	1,848,269
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock ($1 par value, authorized 100,000,000 shares, issued 65,912,638 shares in 2013 and 65,455,462 shares in 2012, and outstanding 42,982,424 shares in 2013 and 42,525,248 shares in 2012)	65,913	65,455
Paid in capital	208,705	202,535
Accumulated other comprehensive earnings, net of tax	136,027	143,170
Retained earnings	811,320	778,202
Deferred compensation	11,562	11,106
Treasury stock, at cost (22,930,214 shares in 2013 and 2012)	(404,561)	(404,105)
Total shareholders' equity	828,966	796,363
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	2,740,310	2,644,632
Debt, notes payable due 2023
Liabilities:
Notes payable	149,582
Debt, notes payable due 2014
Liabilities:
Notes payable		$ 100,000