Investments (Details 4) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
Realized net capital gains (losses) resulted from:
Total OTTI	$ (1,639,000)		$ (3,139,000)	$ (13,045,000)
Less: OTTI recognized in OCI				6,713,000
OTTI charged to earnings	(1,639,000)		(3,139,000)	(6,332,000)
Sales and redemptions of securities	9,774,000	6,257,000	69,384,000	25,701,000
Net foreign currency transaction gains (losses)	(8,901,000)	2,020,000	(11,599,000)	(12,981,000)
Realized net capital (losses) gains	(766,000)	8,277,000	54,646,000	6,388,000
Change in net unrealized appreciation of investments, before deferred income tax effect:
Available for sale securities carried at fair value	161,819,000	39,429,000	93,396,000	5,331,000
Fixed maturities
Realized net capital gains (losses) resulted from:
Realized net capital (losses) gains	9,365,000	2,753,000	8,652,000	1,016,000
Change in net unrealized appreciation of investments, before deferred income tax effect:
Fixed maturities held to maturity carried at amortized cost	13,799,000	12,266,000	10,033,000	11,495,000
Available for sale securities carried at fair value	162,234,000	90,778,000	128,291,000	64,509,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Gain (Loss), Net
Gross Realized Gains	10,300,000	6,500,000	12,200,000	13,300,000
Gross Realized Losses	(900,000)	(3,700,000)	(2,600,000)	(5,900,000)
Equities
Realized net capital gains (losses) resulted from:
Realized net capital (losses) gains	(1,231,000)	3,496,000	57,591,000	18,344,000
Change in net unrealized appreciation of investments, before deferred income tax effect:
Available for sale securities carried at fair value	(121,000)	(50,606,000)	(34,525,000)	(58,701,000)
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Gain (Loss), Net
Gross Realized Gains	700,000	4,300,000	62,100,000	19,700,000
Gross Realized Losses	(300,000)	(800,000)	(2,300,000)	(1,400,000)
Other:
Realized net capital gains (losses) resulted from:
Realized net capital (losses) gains	1,000	8,000	2,000	9,000
Other.
Change in net unrealized appreciation of investments, before deferred income tax effect:
Available for sale securities carried at fair value	$ (294,000)	$ (743,000)	$ (370,000)	$ (477,000)