Investments (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011 months years	Dec. 31, 2010
Average remaining maturities for short-term available for sale investments, in months			5
Average remaining maturities for long-term available for sale investments, in years			8
Realized gains on the sales of available-for-sale investments			$ 400,000	$ 200,000
Realized losses on the sales of available-for-sale investments		0	1,800,000	2,400,000
Gross unrealized losses		1,936,000	1,504,000	1,936,000
Cost method investments		21,300,000	32,200,000	21,300,000
Cost-method Investments, Other than Temporary Impairment	3,500,000		3,500,000
AIG Capped Floater [Member]
Face value AIG Capped Floater	$ 50,000,000