Investments (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Other than temporary impairment credit losses
Total other-than-temporary impairment loss	$ (6,922)	$ (378)	$ (6,443)
Portion recognized in other comprehensive income	(2,243)	47	(1,014)
Net other-than-temporary impairment loss recognized in earnings	(4,679)	(425)	(5,429)
Credit losses recognized in earnings with component in other comprehensive income
Balance at beginning of period	4,273	3,848
Securities previously impaired	2,447	425
Securities previously not impaired	2,232	0
Securities sold	(3,905)	0
Balance at end of period	$ 5,047	$ 4,273	$ 3,848

The cumulative amount of credit losses recognized in earnings related to debt securities held for which a portion of an other than temporary impairment (OTTI) was recognized in other comprehensive income (a component of shareholders' equity).

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The amount by which the fair value of an investment in debt and equity securities categorized as Available-for-sale is less than the amortized cost basis or carrying amount of that investment at the balance sheet date and the decline in fair value is deemed to be other than temporary, before considering whether or not such amount is recognized in earnings or other comprehensive income.

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- Definition

The amount of other than temporary impairment (OTTI) loss on a debt security, categorized as Available-for-sale, related to factors other than credit losses when the entity does not intend to sell the security and it is not more likely than not that the entity will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis. This amount, which includes the portion attributable to the noncontrolling interest, if any, is a portion of the deduction from the total impairment losses of investments (before taxes) presented on the income statement; this amount is also referred to as the amount incurred by the reporting entity or the consolidated entity.

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- Definition

The amount of other than temporary impairment losses on investments in debt and equity securities categorized as Available-for-sale which have been recognized in earnings during the period. Such impairment losses consist of other than temporary impairments (OTTI) on equity securities, credit losses on investments in debt securities, and when the entity intends to sell an impaired debt security or it is more likely than not that the entity will be required to sell the impaired debt security before recovery of its amortized cost basis.

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