SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Schedule of summarized financial information of Maui Jim

(in millions)	2015		2014
Total assets	$	223.4	$	219.8
Total liabilities		90.0		107.6
Total equity		133.4		112.2

Schedule of goodwill and intangible assets

Goodwill and Intangible Assets
(in thousands)
Reporting Unit		2015		2014
Goodwill
Energy surety	$	25,706	$	25,706
Miscellaneous and contract surety		15,110		15,110
P&C package business		5,246		5,246
Medical professional liability		12,434		12,434
Total goodwill	$	58,496	$	58,496
Intangibles
State insurance licenses*	$	7,500	$	8,009
Definite lived intangibles		5,298		6,190
Total intangibles	$	12,798	$	14,199
Total goodwill and intangibles	$	71,294	$	72,695

Schedule of reconciliation of numerator and denominator of the basic and diluted earnings per share computations

			Weighted Average
	Income		Shares	Per Share
(in thousands, except per share data)	(Numerator)		(Denominator)	Amount
For the year ended December 31, 2015
Basic EPS
Income available to common shareholders	$	137,544	43,299	$	3.18
Stock options		—	832
Diluted EPS
Income available to common shareholders and assumed conversions	$	137,544	44,131	$	3.12
For the year ended December 31, 2014
Basic EPS
Income available to common shareholders	$	135,445	43,020	$	3.15
Stock options		—	799
Diluted EPS
Income available to common shareholders and assumed conversions	$	135,445	43,819	$	3.09
For the year ended December 31, 2013
Basic EPS
Income available to common shareholders	$	126,255	42,744	$	2.95
Stock options		—	770
Diluted EPS
Income available to common shareholders and assumed conversions	$	126,255	43,514	$	2.90

Schedule of changes in the balance of each component of accumulated other comprehensive earnings

Unrealized Gains/Losses on Available-for-Sale Securities	For the Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2015		2014		2013
Beginning balance	$	171,383	$	136,027	$	143,170
Other comprehensive earnings before reclassifications		(26,199)		57,081		7,723
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive earnings		(21,410)		(21,725)		(14,866)
Net current-period other comprehensive earnings (loss)	$	(47,609)	$	35,356	$	(7,143)
Ending balance	$	123,774	$	171,383	$	136,027

Schedule of effects of reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive earnings

Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Earnings
(in thousands)
Component of Accumulated	For the Year Ended December 31,						Affected line item in the
Other Comprehensive Earnings	2015		2014		2013		Statement of Earnings
Unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities	$	32,939	$	33,423	$	22,871	Netrealized investment gains
		—		—		—	Other-than-temporary impairment (OTTI) losses on investments
	$	32,939	$	33,423	$	22,871	Earnings before income taxes
		(11,529)		(11,698)		(8,005)	Income tax expense
	$	21,410	$	21,725	$	14,866	Net earnings