Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Fixed income:
Available-for-sale, at fair value	$ 1,545,530	$ 1,440,052
Held-to-maturity, at amortized cost	650	651
Equity securities, at fair value	419,022	418,654
Short-term investments, at cost	10,063	23,232
Other Investments	11,688
Cash	77,037	39,469
Total investments and cash	2,063,990	1,922,058
Accrued investment income	13,595	15,710
Premiums and reinsurance balances receivable	175,293	152,509
Ceded unearned premium	62,646	60,407
Reinsurance balances recoverable on unpaid losses	353,228	354,924
Deferred policy acquisition costs	68,372	61,508
Property and equipment	42,400	40,261
Investment in unconsolidated investee	67,250	49,793
Goodwill and intangibles	74,172	74,876
Other assets	12,537	8,264
TOTAL ASSETS	2,933,483	2,740,310
Liabilities:
Unpaid losses and settlement expenses	1,152,413	1,129,433
Unearned premiums	429,867	392,081
Reinsurance balances payable	37,683	47,334
Funds held	53,834	61,656
Income taxes - deferred	77,086	57,801
Bonds payable, long-term debt	149,615	149,582
Accrued expenses	52,392	59,596
Other liabilities	47,080	13,861
TOTAL LIABILITIES	1,999,970	1,911,344
Shareholders' Equity
Common stock ($1 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized) (65,957,258 shares issued, 43,027,044 shares outstanding at 9/30/14) (65,912,638 shares issued, 42,982,424 shares outstanding at 12/31/13)	65,957	65,913
Paid-in capital	212,733	208,705
Accumulated other comprehensive earnings	161,345	136,027
Retained earnings	886,477	811,320
Deferred compensation	11,687	11,562
Less: Treasury shares at cost (22,930,214 shares at 9/30/14 and 12/31/13)	(404,686)	(404,561)
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY	933,513	828,966
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY	$ 2,933,483	$ 2,740,310