Schedule 4 Reinsurance (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Life insurance in force
Reinsurance Premiums for Insurance Companies, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Direct amount	$ 1,070,323	$ 1,207,109	$ 1,270,969
Ceded to other companies	261,803	292,011	346,985
Assumed from other companies	0
Net amount	808,520	915,098	923,984
Percent of amount assumed to net
Earned premium
Reinsurance Premiums for Insurance Companies, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Direct amount	2,308,810	2,284,396	2,265,500
Ceded to other companies	522,385	540,947	478,398
Assumed from other companies	340,745	298,475	250,133
Net amount	2,127,170	2,041,924	2,037,235
Percent of amount assumed to net	16.00%	15.00%	12.00%
Property and liability insurance
Reinsurance Premiums for Insurance Companies, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Direct amount	1,477,138	1,512,471	1,490,910
Ceded to other companies	473,270	493,540	428,968
Assumed from other companies	273,576	217,403	153,846
Net amount	1,277,444	1,236,334	1,215,788
Percent of amount assumed to net	21.00%	18.00%	13.00%
Accident and health insurance
Reinsurance Premiums for Insurance Companies, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Direct amount	831,672	771,925	774,590
Ceded to other companies	49,115	47,407	49,430
Assumed from other companies	67,169	81,072	96,287
Net amount	$ 849,726	$ 805,590	$ 821,447
Percent of amount assumed to net	8.00%	10.00%	12.00%

Amount of premiums assumed from other companies.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 17

-Article 12

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 235

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.12-17)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6588446&loc=d3e574992-122915

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