Schedule 4 Reinsurance (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Life Insurance in Force [Member]
Reinsurance Premiums for Insurance Companies, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Direct amount	$ 977,492	$ 1,070,323	$ 1,207,109
Ceded to other companies	238,389	261,803	292,011
Assumed from other companies	0	0	0
Net amount	739,103	808,520	915,098
Percent of amount assumed to net
Earned Premium [Member]
Reinsurance Premiums for Insurance Companies, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Direct amount	2,396,756	2,308,810	2,284,396
Ceded to other companies	505,743	522,385	540,947
Assumed from other companies	351,612	340,745	298,475
Net amount	2,242,625	2,127,170	2,041,924
Percent of amount assumed to net	16.00%	16.00%	15.00%
Property, Liability and Casualty Insurance Segment [Member]
Reinsurance Premiums for Insurance Companies, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Direct amount	1,483,722	1,477,138	1,512,471
Ceded to other companies	446,891	473,270	493,540
Assumed from other companies	282,500	273,576	217,403
Net amount	1,319,331	1,277,444	1,236,334
Percent of amount assumed to net	21.00%	21.00%	18.00%
Accident and Health Insurance Segment [Member]
Reinsurance Premiums for Insurance Companies, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Direct amount	913,034	831,672	771,925
Ceded to other companies	58,852	49,115	47,407
Assumed from other companies	69,112	67,169	81,072
Net amount	$ 923,294	$ 849,726	$ 805,590
Percent of amount assumed to net	7.00%	8.00%	10.00%