Note 7 - Investments Gain (Loss) on Investments (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Fixed-maturities held to maturity	$ 37,000	$ 491,000	$ 295,000
Fixed-maturities available for sale	3,556,000	(52,473,000)	(7,661,000)
Equities available for sale	5,070,000	6,228,000	2,001,000
Trading securities	224,000,000	121,393,000	66,351,000
Short-term investments	7,000	(1,000)	(67,000)
Other invested assets	375,000	0	388,000
Net realized gains (losses) on investments	233,045,000	75,638,000	61,307,000
Unrealized gains (losses) on trading securities	(49,815,000)	126,539,000	78,637,000
Marketable Securities, Unrealized Gain (Loss)	1,658,000	0	0
Total gains (losses) on investments	184,888,000	202,177,000	139,944,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Transfers to Trading, Gross Gains			$ 3,100,000