Note 7 - Investments Investment Income (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Schedule of Investment Income, Reported Amounts, by Category [Line Items]
Investment Income, Gross	$ 171,370	$ 186,159	$ 221,483
Investment Income, Investment Expense	(7,850)	(7,399)	(7,293)
Investment Income, Net	163,520	178,760	214,190
Fixed Maturities [Member]
Schedule of Investment Income, Reported Amounts, by Category [Line Items]
Investment Income, Gross	155,183	174,204	208,755
Equity Securities [Member]
Schedule of Investment Income, Reported Amounts, by Category [Line Items]
Investment Income, Gross	11,559	7,623	6,973
Short-term Investments [Member]
Schedule of Investment Income, Reported Amounts, by Category [Line Items]
Investment Income, Gross	611	1,576	4,289
Other Aggregated Investments [Member]
Schedule of Investment Income, Reported Amounts, by Category [Line Items]
Investment Income, Gross	$ 4,017	$ 2,756	$ 1,466