Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Fixed income
Available-for-sale, at fair value	$ 1,534,622	$ 1,440,052
Held-to-maturity, at amortized cost	650	651
Equity securities, at fair value	436,462	418,654
Short-term investments, at cost	18,489	23,232
Cash	27,234	39,469
Total investments and cash	2,017,457	1,922,058
Accrued investment income	15,229	15,710
Premiums and reinsurance balances receivable	203,499	152,509
Ceded unearned premium	72,396	60,407
Reinsurance balances recoverable on unpaid losses	339,104	354,924
Deferred policy acquisition costs	68,190	61,508
Property and equipment	42,935	40,261
Investment in unconsolidated investees	64,487	49,793
Goodwill and intangibles	74,407	74,876
Other assets	11,292	8,264
TOTAL ASSETS	2,908,996	2,740,310
Liabilities:
Unpaid losses and settlement expenses	1,127,073	1,129,433
Unearned premiums	444,453	392,081
Reinsurance balances payable	62,402	47,334
Funds held	59,398	61,656
Income taxes-deferred	81,963	57,801
Bonds payable, long-term debt	149,604	149,582
Accrued expenses	40,199	59,596
Other liabilities	24,509	13,861
TOTAL LIABILITIES	1,989,601	1,911,344
Shareholders' Equity
Common stock ($1 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized) (65,953,718 shares issued, 43,023,504 shares outstanding at 6/30/14) (65,912,638 shares issued, 42,982,424 shares outstanding at 12/31/13)	65,954	65,913
Paid-in capital	211,774	208,705
Accumulated other comprehensive earnings	173,698	136,027
Retained earnings	860,968	811,320
Deferred compensation	11,626	11,562
Less: Treasury shares at cost (22,930,214 shares at 6/30/14 and 12/31/13)	(404,625)	(404,561)
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY	919,395	828,966
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY	$ 2,908,996	$ 2,740,310