Note 6 - Investments Total Debt and Equity Securities (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010
Fixed maturities held to maturity
Total held to maturity amortized cost	$ 4,083,000		$ 10,773,000
Fair Value	4,248,000		11,416,000
Fixed maturities available for sale securities
Amortized cost	123,249,000		340,795,000
Equity securities available for sale
Amortized cost	159,959,000		160,242,000
Fair value	163,673,000		184,365,000
Total debt and equity securities
Amortized Cost	287,291,000		511,810,000
Fair Value	286,816,000		469,580,000
Gross Unrealized Gains	8,690,000		29,058,000
Gross Unrealized Losses	9,165,000		71,288,000
Debt Securities
Fixed maturities held to maturity
Total held to maturity amortized cost	4,083,000		10,773,000
Fair Value	4,248,000		11,416,000
Gross unrealized gains	174,000		662,000
Gross unrealized losses	9,000		19,000
Fixed maturities available for sale securities
Amortized cost	123,249,000		340,795,000
Fair value	118,895,000		273,799,000
Gross unrealized gains	3,895,000		4,208,000
Gross unrealized losses	8,249,000		71,204,000
US government and agency securities
Fixed maturities available for sale securities
Amortized cost	10,919,000		25,120,000
Fair value	13,592,000		27,742,000
Gross unrealized gains	2,673,000		2,622,000
Gross unrealized losses	0		0
State and municipal obligations
Fixed maturities held to maturity
Total held to maturity amortized cost	4,083,000		10,773,000
Fair Value	4,248,000		11,416,000
Gross unrealized gains	174,000		662,000
Gross unrealized losses	9,000		19,000
Fixed maturities available for sale securities
Amortized cost	88,093,000		269,185,000
Fair value	81,435,000		199,187,000
Gross unrealized gains	493,000		272,000
Gross unrealized losses	7,151,000		70,270,000
Corporate bonds and notes
Fixed maturities available for sale securities
Amortized cost	17,681,000		26,748,000
Fair value	16,952,000		26,206,000
Gross unrealized gains	340,000		334,000
Gross unrealized losses	1,069,000		876,000
RMBS
Fixed maturities available for sale securities
Amortized cost	1,994,000		11,952,000
Fair value	2,049,000		12,538,000
Gross unrealized gains	61,000		600,000
Gross unrealized losses	6,000		14,000
CMBS
Fixed maturities available for sale securities
Amortized cost	1,989,000		3,279,000
Fair value	2,000,000		3,310,000
Gross unrealized gains	34,000		70,000
Gross unrealized losses	23,000		39,000
Other ABS
Fixed maturities available for sale securities
Amortized cost	1,019,000		2,104,000
Fair value	1,184,000		2,226,000
Gross unrealized gains	165,000		127,000
Gross unrealized losses	0		5,000
Other investments
Fixed maturities available for sale securities
Amortized cost	1,554,000		2,407,000
Fair value	1,683,000		2,590,000
Gross unrealized gains	129,000		183,000
Gross unrealized losses	0		0
Equity securities
Equity securities available for sale
Amortized cost	159,959,000	[1]	160,242,000	[2]
Fair value	163,673,000	[1]	184,365,000	[2]
Gross unrealized gains	4,621,000	[1]	24,188,000	[2]
Gross unrealized losses	907,000	[1]	65,000	[2]
Equity Securities Additional Disclosure [Abstract]
Diversified Equity Mutual Funds	149,100,000		168,400,000
Preferred And Common Stocks	$ 14,600,000		$ 16,000,000

[1] Comprising broadly diversified domestic equity mutual funds ($149.1 million fair value at September 30, 2011) and various preferred and common stocks invested across numerous companies and industries ($14.6 million fair value at September 30, 2011).

[2] Comprising broadly diversified domestic equity mutual funds ($168.4 million fair value at December 31, 2010) and various preferred and common stocks invested across numerous companies and industries ($16.0 million fair value at December 31, 2010).