Investments (Details - Investment Income) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Schedule of Investment Income, Reported Amounts, by Category [Line Items]
Investment Income Net	$ 155,500	$ 163,700	$ 158,300	$ 151,600	$ 160,800	$ 164,400	$ 174,500	$ 173,100	$ 629,148	$ 672,782	$ 596,071
[TradingSecuritiesMember]
Schedule of Investment Income, Reported Amounts, by Category [Line Items]
Investment Income Net									629,148	672,782	596,071
[TradingSecuritiesMember] | [FixedMaturitiesMember]
Schedule of Investment Income, Reported Amounts, by Category [Line Items]
Investment Income Net									561,576	580,258	559,330
[TradingSecuritiesMember] | [ShortTermInvestmentsCashAndCashEquivalentsMember]
Schedule of Investment Income, Reported Amounts, by Category [Line Items]
Investment Income Net									3,843	8,541	11,799
[TradingSecuritiesMember] | [FundsHeldAndOtherMember]
Schedule of Investment Income, Reported Amounts, by Category [Line Items]
Investment Income Net									49,502	52,794	32,793
[TradingSecuritiesMember] | [EquitySecuritiesMember]
Schedule of Investment Income, Reported Amounts, by Category [Line Items]
Investment Income Net									19,815	20,794	13,861
[TradingSecuritiesMember] | [FundsHeldDirectlyManagedInvestmentMember]
Schedule of Investment Income, Reported Amounts, by Category [Line Items]
Investment Income Net									37,919	51,775	17,766
[TradingSecuritiesMember] | [InvestmentExpensesMember]
Schedule of Investment Income, Reported Amounts, by Category [Line Items]
Investment Income Net									$ (43,507)	$ (41,380)	$ (39,478)