Note 9 - Other Assets (Notes)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Other Assets Disclosure [Text Block]

Other Assets

The following table shows the components of other assets for the periods indicated:

	December 31,
(In thousands)	2016		2015
Deposit with the IRS (Note 10)	$	88,557	$	88,557
Company-owned life insurance	83,248		82,543
Property and equipment (1) (2)	70,665		46,802
Accrued investment income	29,255		25,620
Deferred policy acquisition costs	14,127		14,267
Reinsurance recoverables	7,368		11,044
Other	50,615		45,096
Total other assets	$	343,835	$	313,929

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(1) Property and equipment at cost, less accumulated depreciation of $118.5 million and $106.9 millionat December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Depreciation expense was $11.7 million, $6.7 million and $4.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 respectively.

(2) Includes $49.7 million and $35.9 million in 2016 and 2015, respectively, related to our technology upgrade project.