POLICY ACQUISITION COSTS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Policy acquisition costs deferred and amortized to income
Deferred policy acquisition costs (DAC), beginning of year	$ 65,123	$ 61,508	$ 52,344
Deferred:
Direct commissions	146,507	142,887	134,770
Premium taxes	11,087	10,727	10,442
Ceding commissions	(17,403)	(20,483)	(20,186)
Net deferred	140,191	133,131	125,026
Amortized	135,485	129,516	115,862
DAC/VOBA*, end of year	69,829	65,123	61,508
Policy acquisition costs:
Amortized to expense - DAC	135,485	129,346	115,442
Amortized to expense - VOBA		170	420
Period costs:
Ceding commission - contingent	(1,834)	(1,956)	(2,126)
Other underwriting expenses	107,427	101,723	96,915
Total policy acquisition costs	$ 241,078	$ 229,283	$ 210,651