REINSURANCE (Details 2) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013 item	Dec. 31, 2012
REINSURANCE
Prepaid reinsurance premiums and recoverables on paid and unpaid losses and settlement expenses	$ 362,100,000
Percentage of reinsurance recoverables due from companies with financial strength ratings of "A" or better by A.M. Best and S&P rating services	95.00%
Number of top reinsurers	10
Net reinsurance balances recoverable
Reinsurer Exposure	362,086,000
Percent of Total Net Reinsurer Exposure	100.00%
Ceded Premium Written	176,873,000
Percent of Total Ceded Premium Written	100.00%
Reinsurance balances recoverable as a percentage of shareholder's equity, threshold for disclosure	2.00%
Amount of allowance for uncollectible amounts on paid recoverables	13,300,000	13,500,000
Reinsurance balances recoverable on unpaid losses and settlement expenses, allowances for uncollectible amounts	14,200,000	14,800,000
Threshold period for including reinsurance receivables in the allowance for uncollectible amounts	1 year
Crop reinsurance business
Net reinsurance balances recoverable
Premiums and reinsurance balances receivable beyond one year	29,400,000
Munich Re America / HSB | A.M. Best Rating, A+, Superior | S&P Rating, AA-, Very Strong
Net reinsurance balances recoverable
Reinsurer Exposure	60,256,000
Percent of Total Net Reinsurer Exposure	16.60%
Ceded Premium Written	23,544,000
Percent of Total Ceded Premium Written	13.30%
Endurance Re | A.M. Best Rating, A, Excellent | S&P Rating, A, Strong
Net reinsurance balances recoverable
Reinsurer Exposure	60,235,000
Percent of Total Net Reinsurer Exposure	16.60%
Ceded Premium Written	16,039,000
Percent of Total Ceded Premium Written	9.10%
Aspen UK Ltd. | A.M. Best Rating, A, Excellent | S&P Rating, A, Strong
Net reinsurance balances recoverable
Reinsurer Exposure	35,152,000
Percent of Total Net Reinsurer Exposure	9.70%
Ceded Premium Written	10,585,000
Percent of Total Ceded Premium Written	6.00%
Transatlantic Re | A.M. Best Rating, A, Excellent | S&P Rating, A+, Strong
Net reinsurance balances recoverable
Reinsurer Exposure	25,803,000
Percent of Total Net Reinsurer Exposure	7.10%
Ceded Premium Written	11,549,000
Percent of Total Ceded Premium Written	6.50%
Berkley Insurance Co. | A.M. Best Rating, A+, Superior | S&P Rating, A+, Strong
Net reinsurance balances recoverable
Reinsurer Exposure	24,060,000
Percent of Total Net Reinsurer Exposure	6.60%
Ceded Premium Written	7,658,000
Percent of Total Ceded Premium Written	4.30%
Axis Re | A.M. Best Rating, A+, Superior | S&P Rating, A+, Strong
Net reinsurance balances recoverable
Reinsurer Exposure	22,494,000
Percent of Total Net Reinsurer Exposure	6.20%
Ceded Premium Written	5,834,000
Percent of Total Ceded Premium Written	3.30%
Swiss Re /Westport Ins. Corp. | A.M. Best Rating, A+, Superior | S&P Rating, AA-, Very Strong
Net reinsurance balances recoverable
Reinsurer Exposure	21,268,000
Percent of Total Net Reinsurer Exposure	5.90%
Ceded Premium Written	5,958,000
Percent of Total Ceded Premium Written	3.40%
Allied World Re - US | A.M. Best Rating, A, Excellent | S&P Rating, A, Strong
Net reinsurance balances recoverable
Reinsurer Exposure	16,148,000
Percent of Total Net Reinsurer Exposure	4.50%
Ceded Premium Written	6,340,000
Percent of Total Ceded Premium Written	3.60%
Toa-Re | A.M. Best Rating, A+, Superior | S&P Rating, A+, Strong
Net reinsurance balances recoverable
Reinsurer Exposure	14,106,000
Percent of Total Net Reinsurer Exposure	3.90%
Ceded Premium Written	3,021,000
Percent of Total Ceded Premium Written	1.70%
Alterra Re - USA | A.M. Best Rating, A, Excellent | S&P Rating, A, Strong
Net reinsurance balances recoverable
Reinsurer Exposure	10,680,000
Percent of Total Net Reinsurer Exposure	2.90%
Ceded Premium Written	1,479,000
Percent of Total Ceded Premium Written	0.80%
All other reinsurers
Net reinsurance balances recoverable
Reinsurer Exposure	71,884,000
Percent of Total Net Reinsurer Exposure	20.00%
Ceded Premium Written	$ 84,866,000
Percent of Total Ceded Premium Written	48.00%