Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Fixed income:
Available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost - $1,518,156 in 2015 and $1,448,204 in 2014)	$ 1,538,110	$ 1,495,087
Equity securities available-for-sale, at fair value (cost - $202,437 in 2015 and $193,535 in 2014)	375,424	410,642
Short-term investments, at cost which approximates fair value	6,262	16,339
Other invested assets	20,666	11,597
Cash	11,081	30,620
Total investments and cash	1,951,543	1,964,285
Accrued investment income	14,878	14,629
Premiums and reinsurance balances receivable, net of allowances for uncollectible amounts of $14,898 in 2015 and $14,245 in 2014	143,662	154,573
Ceded unearned premium	52,833	53,961
Reinsurance balances recoverable on unpaid losses and settlement expenses, net of allowances for uncollectible amounts of $11,885 in 2015 and $13,049 in 2014	297,844	335,106
Deferred policy acquisition costs, net	69,829	65,123
Property and equipment, at cost, net of accumulated depreciation of $38,447 in 2015 and $34,365 in 2014	47,102	42,549
Investment in unconsolidated investees	70,784	60,046
Goodwill and intangibles	71,294	72,695
Other assets	16,810	12,575
TOTAL ASSETS	2,736,579	2,775,542
Liabilities:
Unpaid losses and settlement expenses	1,103,785	1,121,040
Unearned premiums	422,094	401,412
Reinsurance balances payable	37,556	38,013
Funds held	54,254	51,481
Income taxes - deferred	63,993	82,285
Bonds payable, long-term debt	149,668	149,625
Accrued expenses	55,742	63,148
Other liabilities	26,018	23,476
TOTAL LIABILITIES	1,913,110	1,930,480
Shareholders' Equity
Common stock ($1 par value, authorized 100,000,000 shares, issued 66,474,342 shares in 2015 and 66,032,929 shares in 2014, and outstanding 43,544,128 shares in 2015 and 43,102,715 shares in 2014)	66,474	66,033
Paid-in capital	221,345	213,737
Accumulated other comprehensive earnings	123,774	171,383
Retained earnings	804,875	786,908
Deferred compensation	10,647	13,769
Treasury stock, at cost (22,930,214 shares in 2015 and 2014)	(403,646)	(406,768)
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY	823,469	845,062
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY	$ 2,736,579	$ 2,775,542