CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands	Common stock [Member]	Paid-in capital [Member]	Treasury stock [Member]	Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) [Member]	Accumulated deficit [Member]	Total
Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	$ 205,047	$ 1,135,296	$ (104,959)	$ (48,163)	$ (990,281)
Net income (loss)					(60,555)	(60,555)
Change in unrealized investment gains and losses, net (note 7)	0	0	0	(108,073)	0	(108,073)
Common stock issuance (note 14)	135,000	528,392	0	0	0
Reissuance of treasury stock, net	0	(7,892)	40,524	0	(34,487)
Equity compensation	0	3,009	0	0	0
Benefit plan adjustments						0
Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustment	0	0	0	(12,196)	0	(12,196)
Balance at Jun. 30, 2013	340,047	1,658,805	(64,435)	(168,432)	(1,085,323)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	340,047	1,661,269	(64,435)	(117,726)	(1,074,617)	744,538
Net income (loss)					105,504	105,504
Change in unrealized investment gains and losses, net (note 7)	0	0	0	84,099	0	84,099
Reissuance of treasury stock, net	0	(6,680)	31,498	0	(29,790)
Equity compensation	0	4,072	0	0	0
Benefit plan adjustments	0	0	0	(3,466)	0	3,466
Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustment	0	0	0	1,840	0	1,840
Balance at Jun. 30, 2014	$ 340,047	$ 1,658,661	$ (32,937)	$ (35,253)	$ (998,903)	$ 931,615