POLICY ACQUISITION COSTS (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Policy acquisition costs deferred and amortized to income
Deferred policy acquisition costs (DAC), beginning of year	$ 52,344	$ 52,105	$ 40,242
VOBA*, CBIC - Acquisition date			10,822
Deferred:
Direct commissions	134,770	129,765	116,206
Premium taxes	10,442	9,528	8,725
Ceding commissions	(20,186)	(29,010)	(24,721)
Net deferred	125,026	110,283	100,210
Amortized	115,862	110,044	99,169
DAC/VOBA*, end of year	61,508	52,344	52,105
Policy acquisition costs:
Amortized to expense - DAC	115,442	107,482	91,499
Amortized to expense - VOBA	420	2,562	7,670
Period costs:
Ceding commission - contingent	(2,126)	(1,940)	(2,207)
Other underwriting expenses	96,915	88,258	86,906
Total policy acquisition costs	$ 210,651	$ 196,362	$ 183,868