Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Operating activities
Net income	$ 28,945	$ 23,283	$ 29,717
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Change in accounts receivable and unearned premium	(2,721)	22,939	3,230
Change in accrued investment income	108	(307)	(234)
Change in reinsurance recoverable on paid losses	692	4,458	(2,785)
Change in losses and loss expenses reserves net of reinsurance	23,568	6,325	7,545
Change in other assets, other liabilities and current income taxes	(8,063)	(28,299)	(4,847)
Amortization of net policy acquisition costs	18,085	21,314	25,075
Net policy acquisition costs deferred	(17,813)	(20,495)	(25,019)
Provision for deferred income taxes (benefits)	2,838	(1,819)	1,640
Bond amortization	3,030	3,388	4,235
Loss on sale of property and equipment	63	18	474
Depreciation	5,521	5,037	4,797
Net realized (gains) losses on investments	(23,228)	1,261	(14,930)
Compensation expense related to restricted stock	1,343	1,094	1,262
Net cash provided by operating activities	32,368	38,197	30,160
Investing activities
Purchases of fixed maturities and equity securities	(400,670)	(342,592)	(288,283)
Purchases of limited partnership interests	0	(409)	(6,886)
Distributions from limited partnerships	1,462	4,494	1,752
Proceeds from maturities	78,691	161,706	98,714
Proceeds from sales of fixed maturities	199,790	117,338	167,406
Proceeds from sales of equity securities	88,773	53,270	19,263
Net sales of short-term investments	11,258	746	1,925
Purchases of property and equipment	(7,725)	(7,662)	(13,451)
Proceeds from disposals of property and equipment	1,059	277	693
Net cash used in investing activities	(27,362)	(12,832)	(18,867)
Financing activities
Dividends paid to shareholders	(15,803)	(15,003)	(14,947)
Drawings on line of credit	0	0	10,000
Net cash used in financing activities	(15,803)	(15,003)	(4,947)
Effect of foreign exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents	235	(1,456)	(1,011)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(10,562)	8,906	5,335
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	73,538	64,632	59,297
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$ 62,976	$ 73,538	$ 64,632