General Information (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Cumulative-Effect Adjustment [Abstract]

Schedule of New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Table Text Block]

	As originally
	reported		Change		As adjusted
December 31, 2011
Deferred policy acquisition costs	$	217,608	$	(27,975)	$	189,633
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (deferred income taxes)		675,174		(9,943)		665,231
Retained earnings		2,447,850		(18,032)		2,429,818
December 31, 2010
Retained earnings	$	2,257,895	$	(18,032)	$	2,239,863

Year ended December 31, 2011
Policy acquisition costs, net	$	328,134	$	(62,009)	$	266,125
Other operating expense		268,548		62,009		330,557
Year ended December 31, 2010
Policy acquisition costs, net	$	322,046	$	(66,910)	$	255,136
Other operating expense		256,004		66,910		322,914