Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	$ 126,255	$ 103,346	$ 126,598
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities
Net realized investment gains	(22,036)	(25,372)	(17,036)
Depreciation	3,765	3,145	3,177
Other items, net	13,104	7,732	(9,144)
Change in:
Accrued investment income	(1,307)	(538)	2,577
Premiums and reinsurance balances receivable (net of direct write-offs and commutations)	(13,154)	(14,859)	14,303
Reinsurance balances payable	3,375	(6,902)	27,010
Funds held	5,023	(53,922)	78,483
Ceded unearned premium	12,785	(11,563)	2,025
Reinsurance balances recoverable on unpaid losses	4,960	(6,079)	358
Deferred policy acquisition costs	(9,164)	(239)	(1,041)
Accrued expenses	9,663	(8,950)	(17,619)
Unpaid losses and settlement expenses	(29,050)	7,769	(95,616)
Unearned premiums	22,735	28,079	8,593
Income taxes
Current	5,966	14,536	(1,440)
Deferred	6,065	3,781	7,464
Stock option excess tax benefit	(6,310)	(1,471)	(4,210)
Changes in investment in unconsolidated investees:
Undistributed earnings	(10,915)	(8,853)	(6,497)
Dividends received	13,200	6,600
Net proceeds from trading portfolio activity	6		6
Net cash provided by operating activities	134,966	36,240	117,991
Purchase of:
Fixed income, held-to-maturity		(25,078)	(209,300)
Fixed income, available-for-sale	(545,899)	(632,955)	(450,813)
Equity securities, available-for-sale	(31,010)	(34,113)	(87,346)
Short-term investments, net		(6,597)
Property and equipment	(25,407)	(18,521)	(5,382)
Acquisition of CBIC, net of cash acquired			(120,767)
Acquisition of Rockbridge Underwriting Agency		(15,500)
Other		(400)
Proceeds from sale of:
Fixed income, available-for-sale	173,694	181,338	383,664
Equity securities, available-for-sale	73,982	78,315	40,092
Short-term investments, net	7,230		15,922
Property and equipment	9,368	3,913	1,424
Other	400
Proceeds from call or maturity of:
Fixed income, held-to-maturity	11,090	273,816	258,493
Fixed income, available-for-sale	224,620	248,134	261,654
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(101,932)	52,352	87,641
Cash flows from financing activities:
Stock option excess tax benefit	6,310	1,471	4,210
Proceeds from stock option exercises	318	6,104	8,821
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes	149,571
Payment on senior notes	(99,504)
Debt issue costs paid	(1,437)
Treasury shares purchased			(6,624)
Cash dividends paid	(93,137)	(133,037)	(130,855)
Net cash used in financing activities	(37,879)	(125,462)	(124,448)
Net increase (decrease) in cash	(4,845)	(36,870)	81,184
Cash at beginning of year	44,314	81,184
Cash at end of year	$ 39,469	$ 44,314	$ 81,184