Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets Statement (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Investments
Fixed-maturities held to maturity—at amortized cost (fair value $2,769 and $2,748)	$ 2,667	$ 2,640
Fixed-maturities available for sale at fair value (amortized cost $103,484 and $120,757)	104,675	118,733
Equity securities available for sale—at fair value (cost $88,768 and $114,425)	111,251	128,424
Trading securities—at fair value (including variable interest entity (“VIE”) securities of $91,267 and $94,521)	4,168,846	4,211,059
Short-term investments at fair value (including VIE investments of $0 and $149,981)	1,145,617	1,261,703
Other invested assets—at cost	60,318	61,000
Total investments	5,593,374	5,783,559
Cash	31,784	35,589
Restricted cash	26,665	27,020
Deferred policy acquisition costs	107,941	139,906
Accrued investment income	34,260	32,262
Accounts and notes receivable	96,040	102,647
Property and equipment, at cost (less accumulated depreciation of $97,495 and $96,403)	10,333	11,044
Derivative assets (including VIE derivative assets of $1,672 and $1,602)	16,202	17,212
Deferred income taxes, net	15,975	15,975
Reinsurance recoverables	122,512	157,985
Receivable for securities sold	54,417	18,702
Other assets (including VIE other assets of $102,775 and $105,903)	339,018	314,864
Total assets	6,448,521	6,656,765
Liabilities
Unearned premiums	572,565	637,372
Reserve for losses and loss adjustment expenses (“LAE”)	3,316,364	3,310,902
Reserve for premium deficiency	3,624	3,644
Long-term debt	674,857	818,584
VIE debt—at fair value	255,234	228,240
Derivative liabilities (including VIE derivative liabilities of $18,261 and $19,501)	202,100	126,006
Payable for securities purchased	105,321	46,368
Accounts payable and accrued expenses (including VIE accounts payable of $465 and $530)	299,028	303,358
Total liabilities	5,429,093	5,474,474
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 14)
Stockholders’ equity
Common stock: par value $.001 per share; 325,000,000 shares authorized; 150,758,271 and 150,666,446 shares issued at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, repectively; 133,290,984 and 133,199,159 shares outstanding at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively	151	151
Treasury stock, at cost: 17,467,287 shares at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively	(892,052)	(892,052)
Additional paid-in capital	1,965,330	1,966,565
Retained earnings (deficit)	(73,005)	96,227
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	19,004	11,400
Total stockholders’ equity	1,019,428	1,182,291
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$ 6,448,521	$ 6,656,765