Investment Information (Details - Fair Value Option) (USD $) In Thousands	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Summary of assets and liabilities accounted for using the fair value option:
Investments accounted for using the fair value option	$ 319,381	$ 219,173
Securities sold not yet purchased	(46,526)	(41,143)
TALF investments	392,455	402,449
TALF borrowings	(314,137)	(325,770)
Net assets accounted for using the fair value option	351,173	254,709
Fixed maturities [Member]
Summary of assets and liabilities accounted for using the fair value option:
Investments accounted for using the fair value option	122,866	124,969
Equity securities [Member]
Summary of assets and liabilities accounted for using the fair value option:
Investments accounted for using the fair value option	100,719	94,204
Other investments fair value option [Member]
Summary of assets and liabilities accounted for using the fair value option:
Investments accounted for using the fair value option	95,796	0
Other investments par	$ 100,250	$ 0