OPERATING SEGMENT INFORMATION (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
OPERATING SEGMENT INFORMATION
Ownership percentage in Maui Jim Inc.	40.00%								40.00%
REVENUES
Segment totals before income taxes	$ 168,396	$ 163,702	$ 154,553	$ 144,151	$ 147,764	$ 149,943	$ 141,584	$ 137,280	$ 630,802	$ 576,571	$ 538,452
Net investment income	13,432	13,598	12,847	12,886	14,491	14,221	14,826	15,293	52,763	58,831	63,681
Realized gains	3,611	10,999	3,742	3,684	9,139	5,481	(664)	11,416	22,036	25,372	17,036
Consolidated revenue									705,601	660,774	619,169
INSURANCE EXPENSES
Loss and settlement expenses									259,801	271,645	200,084
Policy acquisition costs									210,651	196,362	183,868
Other insurance expenses									53,557	44,971	44,312
Insurance expenses									524,009	512,978	428,264
NET EARNINGS (LOSSES)
Net underwriting income									106,793	63,593	110,188
Net investment income	13,432	13,598	12,847	12,886	14,491	14,221	14,826	15,293	52,763	58,831	63,681
Realized gains	3,611	10,999	3,742	3,684	9,139	5,481	(664)	11,416	22,036	25,372	17,036
General corporate expense and interest on debt									(16,841)	(13,917)	(13,816)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated investee									10,915	8,853	6,497
Earnings before income taxes	40,812	55,309	43,576	35,969	28,575	36,480	36,568	41,109	175,666	142,732	183,586
Income tax expense									49,411	39,386	56,988
Net earnings	33,859	37,647	29,902	24,847	25,097	25,463	24,748	28,038	126,255	103,346	126,598
Casualty
REVENUES
Segment totals before income taxes									324,022	267,697	236,198
INSURANCE EXPENSES
Loss and settlement expenses									148,860	144,106	85,091
Policy acquisition costs									93,463	76,765	67,495
Other insurance expenses									26,107	21,387	22,215
NET EARNINGS (LOSSES)
Net underwriting income									55,592	25,439	61,397
Property
REVENUES
Segment totals before income taxes									200,141	202,402	203,660
INSURANCE EXPENSES
Loss and settlement expenses									96,271	115,707	101,969
Policy acquisition costs									58,650	60,070	57,878
Other insurance expenses									17,616	14,933	13,481
NET EARNINGS (LOSSES)
Net underwriting income									27,604	11,692	30,332
Surety
REVENUES
Segment totals before income taxes									106,639	106,472	98,594
INSURANCE EXPENSES
Loss and settlement expenses									14,670	11,832	13,024
Policy acquisition costs									58,538	59,527	58,495
Other insurance expenses									9,834	8,651	8,616
NET EARNINGS (LOSSES)
Net underwriting income									$ 23,597	$ 26,462	$ 18,459