Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	$ 279,354	$ 157,091	$ 191,642
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Net realized gains	(64,222)	(17,885)	(17,520)
Net unrealized gains on equity securities	(65,258)	(32,101)	(78,090)
Depreciation	7,394	7,432	8,164
Deferred income tax expense	18,927	8,576	14,666
Other items, net	14,141	10,460	25,341
Change in:
Accrued investment income	(1,379)	(1,539)	(552)
Premiums and reinsurance balances receivable (net of direct write-offs and commutations)	7,349	(14,259)	(7,793)
Reinsurance balances payable	586	16,574	3,100
Funds held	8,026	(1,611)	11,049
Ceded unearned premiums	(17,428)	(19,832)	(22,482)
Reinsurance balances recoverable on unpaid losses and settlement expenses	(164,357)	(59,212)	(19,518)
Deferred policy acquisition costs	(15,128)	(3,381)	(110)
Accrued expenses	22,349	9,299	21,502
Unpaid losses and settlement expenses	293,506	175,697	113,004
Unearned premiums	94,058	46,173	43,708
Current income taxes payable	4,047	(2,665)	(1,434)
Changes in investment in unconsolidated investees:
Undistributed earnings	(37,060)	(20,233)	(20,960)
Dividends received		4,675	13,200
Net cash provided by operating activities	384,905	263,259	276,917
Purchase of:
Fixed income securities, available-for-sale	(733,811)	(518,362)	(539,726)
Equity securities	(140,721)	(77,863)	(89,486)
Property and equipment	(8,310)	(5,768)	(6,955)
Investment in equity method investee	(8,978)	(4,533)
Other	(11,428)	(12,851)	(22,751)
Proceeds from sale of:
Fixed income securities, available-for-sale	63,811	84,587	196,558
Equity securities	180,256	79,368	62,172
Other	7,605	4,328	2,502
Proceeds from call or maturity of:
Fixed income, available-for-sale	376,750	283,107	201,383
Net proceeds from sale of short-term investments			11,550
Net cash used in investing activities	(274,826)	(167,987)	(184,753)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	50,000
Proceeds from stock option exercises	1,838	8,648	9,490
Cash dividends paid	(135,330)	(87,906)	(85,591)
Net cash used in financing activities	(83,492)	(79,258)	(76,101)
Net increase in cash	26,587	16,014	16,063
Cash at beginning of year	62,217	46,203	30,140
Cash at end of year	$ 88,804	$ 62,217	$ 46,203