CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Securities, available-for-sale, at fair value:
Fixed maturities (amortized cost, 2014 - $4,602,514; 2013 - $4,948,543)	$ 4,609,614	$ 4,863,925
Equity securities	3,055	2,894
Total investment portfolio	4,612,669	4,866,819
Cash and cash equivalents	197,882	332,692
Restricted cash and cash equivalents (note 2)	17,212	17,440
Accrued investment income	30,518	31,660
Prepaid reinsurance premiums (note 11)	47,623	36,243
Reinsurance recoverable on loss reserves (note 11)	57,841	64,085
Reinsurance recoverable on paid losses (note 11)	6,424	10,425
Premiums receivable	57,442	62,301
Home office and equipment, net	28,693	26,185
Deferred insurance policy acquisition costs	12,240	9,721
Profit commission receivable (note 11)	91,500	2,368
Other assets	106,390	141,451
Total assets	5,266,434	5,601,390
Liabilities:
Loss reserves (notes 9 and 11)	2,396,807	3,061,401
Premium deficiency reserve (note 10)	23,751	48,461
Unearned premiums	203,414	154,479
Senior notes (note 8)	61,918	82,773
Convertible senior notes (note 8)	845,000	845,000
Convertible junior debentures (note 8)	389,522	389,522
Other liabilities	309,119	275,216
Total liabilities	4,229,531	4,856,852
Contingencies (note 20)
Shareholders' equity (note 15):
Common stock (one dollar par value, shares authorized 1,000,000; shares issued 2014 and 2013 - 340,047; outstanding 2014 - 338,560; 2013 - 337,758)	340,047	340,047
Paid-in capital	1,663,592	1,661,269
Treasury stock (shares at cost 2014, - 1,487; 2013 - 2,289)	(32,937)	(64,435)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax (note 12)	(81,341)	(117,726)
Retained deficit	(852,458)	(1,074,617)
Total shareholders' equity	1,036,903	744,538
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$ 5,266,434	$ 5,601,390