Note 9 - Other Assets Schedule of Other Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Deposit with the IRS (Note 14)		$ 88,557	$ 88,557
Life Insurance, Corporate or Bank Owned, Amount		82,543	80,755
Property and Equipment, Owned, Net	[1]	46,802	27,248
Prepaid Reinsurance Premiums		40,491	57,291
Accrued investment income		25,620	20,022
Deferred policy acquisition costs		14,267	12,003
Reinsurance recoverables		11,044	28,119
Other Assets, Miscellaneous		45,096	43,869
Other assets		354,420	357,864
Property and Equipment, Owned, Accumulated Depreciation		$ 106,900	$ 100,200

[1] Property and equipment, at cost less accumulated depreciation of $106.9 million and $100.2 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.