United Fire (UFCS) 10-Q 5 Nov 13 2013 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Nov. 01, 2013
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-13	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'
Trading Symbol	'UFCS	'
Entity Registrant Name	'UNITED FIRE GROUP INC	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000101199	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Accelerated Filer	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	25,403,989

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Un

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fixed maturities	'	'
Held-to-maturity, at amortized cost (fair value $1,120 in 2013 and $1,681 in 2012)	$1,102	$1,655
Available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost $2,724,100 in 2013 and $2,657,800 in 2012)	2,769,082	2,808,078
Trading securities, at fair value (amortized cost $8,480 in 2013 and $12,645 in 2012)	9,977	13,353
Equity securities	'	'
Available-for-sale, at fair value (cost $70,951 in 2013 and $66,892 in 2012)	208,538	177,127
Trading securities, at fair value (cost $2,335 in 2013 and $1,772 in 2012)	2,464	2,018
Mortgage loans	4,477	4,633
Policy loans	6,361	6,671
Other long-term investments	34,876	30,028
Short-term investments	800	800
Total Investments	3,037,677	3,044,363
Cash and cash equivalents	86,691	107,466
Accrued investment income	29,064	30,375
Premiums receivable (net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $910 in 2013 and $866 in 2012)	233,747	188,289
Deferred policy acquisition costs	144,038	105,300
Property and equipment (primarily land and buildings, at cost, less accumulated depreciation of $35,888 in 2013 and $34,093 in 2012)	44,579	43,090
Reinsurance receivables and recoverables	100,821	114,399
Prepaid reinsurance premiums	3,438	2,963
Income taxes receivable	2,924	16,536
Goodwill and intangible assets	27,239	28,259
Other assets	13,479	13,613
TOTAL ASSETS	3,723,697	3,694,653
Future policy benefits and losses, claims and loss settlement expenses	'	'
Property and casualty insurance	978,174	971,911
Life insurance	1,472,209	1,498,176
Unearned premiums	354,136	311,650
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	168,738	164,111
Deferred income taxes	6,213	19,628
TOTAL LIABILITIES	2,979,470	2,965,476
Stockholders’ Equity	'	'
Common stock, $0.001 par value; authorized 75,000,000 shares; 25,401,314 and 25,227,463 shares issued and outstanding in 2013 and 2012, respectively	25	25
Additional paid-in capital	212,522	208,536
Retained earnings	462,132	425,428
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	69,548	95,188
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY	744,227	729,177
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY	$3,723,697	$3,694,653

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Un1

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (Parentheticals) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Balance Sheet Related Disclosures [Abstract]	'	'
Fixed maturities, held-to-maturity securities, fair value	$1,120	$1,681
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale securities, amortized cost	2,724,100	2,657,800
Fixed maturities, trading securities, amortized cost	8,480	12,645
Equity securities, available-for-sale securities, amortized cost	70,951	66,892
Equity securities, trading securities, amortized cost	2,335	1,772
Allowance for doubtful accounts	910	866
Property and equipment accumulated depreciation	$35,888	$34,093
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.00	$0.00
Common stock, shares authorized	75,000,000	75,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	25,401,314	25,227,463
Common stock, shares outstanding	25,401,314	25,227,463

Consolidated_Statements_of_Inc

Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Revenues	'	'	'	'
Net premiums earned	$194,219	$176,531	$557,403	$508,124
Investment income, net of investment expenses	27,278	28,665	82,761	86,560
Net realized investment gains (losses)	'	'	'	'
Other-than-temporary impairment charges	-139	0	-139	-4
All other net realized gains (includes reclassifications for net unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities of $617 and $6,270 in 2013; and $91 and $3,111 in 2012; previously included in accumulated other comprehensive income)	1,329	1,300	7,389	4,662
Total net realized investment gains	1,190	1,300	7,250	4,658
Other income	337	85	634	584
Total revenues	223,024	206,581	648,048	599,926
Benefits, Losses and Expenses	'	'	'	'
Losses and loss settlement expenses	131,168	119,756	349,073	318,006
Increase in liability for future policy benefits	8,415	9,815	26,520	28,309
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs	38,767	36,167	113,556	104,897
Other underwriting expenses (includes reclassifications for employee benefit costs of $1,915 and $4,400 in 2013; and $1,085 and $3,460 in 2012; previously included in accumulated other comprehensive income)	21,654	20,496	67,310	63,031
Interest on policyholders’ accounts	8,625	10,327	27,026	31,610
Total benefits, losses and expenses	208,629	196,561	583,485	545,853
Income before income taxes	14,395	10,020	64,563	54,073
Federal income tax expense (includes reclassifications of $455 and ($654) in 2013; and $348 and $124 in 2012; previously included in accumulated other comprehensive income)	2,670	1,290	14,949	11,443
Net income	11,725	8,730	49,614	42,630
Other comprehensive income (loss)	'	'	'	'
Change in net unrealized appreciation on investments	-282	19,404	-37,576	41,335
Change in liability for underfunded employee benefit plans	0	0	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax and reclassification adjustments	-282	19,404	-37,576	41,335
Income tax effect	107	-6,616	13,152	-14,290
Other comprehensive income (loss), after tax, before reclassification adjustments	-175	12,788	-24,424	27,045
Reclassification adjustment for net realized gains included in income	-617	-91	-6,270	-3,111
Reclassification adjustment for employee benefit costs included in expense	1,915	1,085	4,400	3,460
Total reclassification adjustments, before tax	1,298	994	-1,870	349
Income tax effect	-455	-348	654	-124
Total reclassification adjustments, after tax	843	646	-1,216	225
Comprehensive income	$12,393	$22,164	$23,974	$69,900
Weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)	25,359,196	25,423,191	25,301,432	25,468,293
Basic earnings per common share (in dollars per share)	$0.46	$0.34	$1.96	$1.67
Diluted earnings per common share (in dollars per share)	$0.45	$0.34	$1.94	$1.67
Cash dividends declared per common share (in dollars per share)	$0.18	$0.15	$0.51	$0.45

Consolidated_Statements_of_Inc1

Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (Parentheticals) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Reclassifications for unrealized net gains on available-for-sale securities	($617)	($91)	($6,270)	($3,111)
Reclassification adjustment for employee benefit costs included in expense	1,915	1,085	4,400	3,460
Reclassifications adjustments - tax	($455)	($348)	$654	($124)

Consolidated_Statement_of_Stoc

Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity (Unaudited) (USD $)		Total	Common Stocks [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax [Member]
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Balance, beginning of year at Dec. 31, 2012		$729,177	$25	$208,536	$425,428	$95,188
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]		'	'	'	'	'
Compensation expense and related tax benefit for stock-based award grants		'	'	1,010	'	'
Shares repurchased		'	0	-99	'	'
Shares issued for stock-based awards		'	0	3,075	'	'
Net income		49,614	'	'	49,614	'
Dividends on common stock ($0.51 per share)		'	'	'	-12,910	'
Change in net unrealized investment appreciation	[1]	'	'	'	'	-28,500
Change in liability for underfunded employee benefit plans	[2]	'	'	'	'	2,860
All other changes in stockholders’ equity accounts		-34,564	'	'	'	'
Balance, end of year at Sep. 30, 2013		$744,227	$25	$212,522	$462,132	$69,548
[1]	The change in net unrealized appreciation is net of reclassification adjustments and income taxes.
[2]	The change in liability for underfunded employee benefit plans is net of reclassification adjustments and income taxes.

Consolidated_Statements_of_Sto

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (Unaudited) (Parentheticals) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]	'
Shares repurchased during period (in shares)	3,577
Shares issued for stock-based awards (in shares)	177,428
Dividends on common stock, per share (in dollars per share)	$0.51

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Cash Flows From Operating Activities	'	'
Net income	$49,614	$42,630
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities	'	'
Net accretion of bond premium	11,715	10,909
Depreciation and amortization	4,120	5,989
Stock-based compensation expense	1,436	1,318
Net realized investment gains	-7,250	-4,658
Net cash flows from trading investments	3,836	-337
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)	-4,352	7,143
Changes in:	'	'
Accrued investment income	1,311	990
Premiums receivable	-45,458	-31,244
Deferred policy acquisition costs	-4,640	-4,345
Reinsurance receivables	13,578	-19,051
Prepaid reinsurance premiums	-475	3,029
Income taxes receivable	13,612	10,959
Other assets	134	4,575
Future policy benefits and losses, claims and loss settlement expenses	28,404	50,429
Unearned premiums	42,486	35,347
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	9,027	17,856
Deferred income taxes	4,743	-2,820
Other, net	-3,814	-3,373
Total adjustments	68,413	82,716
Net cash provided by operating activities	118,027	125,346
Cash Flows From Investing Activities	'	'
Proceeds from sale of available-for-sale investments	23,007	12,003
Proceeds from call and maturity of held-to-maturity investments	557	2,316
Proceeds from call and maturity of available-for-sale investments	370,531	433,619
Proceeds from short-term and other investments	2,569	3,791
Purchase of available-for-sale investments	-468,934	-557,257
Purchase of short-term and other investments	-3,475	-9,000
Net purchases and sales of property and equipment	-4,589	-1,391
Net cash used in investing activities	-80,334	-115,919
Policyholders’ account balances	'	'
Deposits to investment and universal life contracts	97,893	109,900
Withdrawals from investment and universal life contracts	-146,001	-106,978
Repayment of short-term debt	0	-45,000
Repayment of trust preferred securities	0	-15,626
Payment of cash dividends	-12,910	-11,455
Repurchase of common stock	-99	-2,900
Issuance of common stock	3,075	760
Tax impact from issuance of common stock	-426	-89
Net cash used in financing activities	-58,468	-71,388
Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents	-20,775	-61,961
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period	107,466	144,527
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period	$86,691	$82,566

Nature_of_Operations_and_Basis

Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation	'
	NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION
	Nature of Business
	United Fire Group, Inc. ("United Fire", the "Registrant", the "Company", "we", "us", or "our") and its consolidated subsidiaries and affiliates are engaged in the business of writing property and casualty insurance and life insurance and selling annuities through a network of independent agencies. We report our operations in two business segments: property and casualty insurance and life insurance. Our insurance company subsidiaries are licensed as a property and casualty insurer in 43 states and the District of Columbia, and as a life insurer in 37 states.
	Basis of Presentation
	The unaudited consolidated interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") for interim financial reporting and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Regulation S-X promulgated by the SEC. Certain financial information that is included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, including certain financial statement footnote disclosures, are not required by the rules and regulations of the SEC for interim financial reporting and have been condensed or omitted.
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The financial statement categories that are most dependent on management estimates and assumptions include: investments; deferred policy acquisition costs; reinsurance receivables and recoverables (for net realizable value); future policy benefits and losses, claims and loss settlement expenses; and pension and postretirement benefit obligations.
	In the preparation of the accompanying unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements, we have evaluated all material subsequent events or transactions that occurred after the balance sheet date through the date on which the financial statements were issued for potential recognition or disclosure.
	Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.
	Management of United Fire believes the accompanying unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements contain all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented. All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The results reported for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that may be expected for the year. The unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012. The review report of Ernst & Young LLP as of September 30, 2013 and for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 accompanies the unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part I, Item 1 "Financial Statements."
	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	For purposes of reporting cash flows, cash and cash equivalents include cash, money market accounts, and non-negotiable certificates of deposit with original maturities of three months or less.
	For the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, we made payments for income taxes totaling $10,117 and $11,363, respectively. We received tax refunds of $8,744 and $15,508, respectively, during the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012.
	For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013, we made no interest payments. For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2012, we made interest payments totaling $960. These payments exclude interest credited to policyholders’ accounts.
	Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs ("DAC")
	Certain costs associated with underwriting new business (primarily commissions, premium taxes and variable underwriting and policy issue expenses associated with successful acquisition efforts) are deferred. The following table is a summary of the components of DAC, including the related amortization recognized for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013.
		Property & Casualty			Life Insurance			Total
	Recorded asset at beginning of period	$	64,947		$	40,353		$	105,300
	Underwriting costs deferred	113,812			4,384			118,196
	Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs	(108,591		)	(4,965		)	(113,556		)
	Ending unamortized deferred policy acquisition costs	$	70,168		$	39,772		$	109,940
	Change in "shadow" deferred policy acquisition costs	—			34,098			34,098
	Recorded asset at end of period	$	70,168		$	73,870		$	144,038
	Property and casualty policy acquisition costs are deferred and amortized as premium revenue is recognized. The accounting method we follow in computing DAC limits the amount of such deferred costs to their estimated realizable value. This takes into account the premium to be earned, losses and loss settlement expenses to be incurred and certain other costs expected to be incurred as the premium is earned.
	For traditional life insurance policies, DAC is amortized to income over the premium-paying period in proportion to the ratio of the expected annual premium revenue to the expected total premium revenue. For non-traditional life policies, DAC is amortized over the anticipated terms in proportion to the ratio of the expected annual gross profits to the total expected gross profits. Expected premium revenue and gross profits are based on the same mortality and withdrawal assumptions used in determining future policy benefits. For non-traditional policies, changes in the amount or timing of expected gross profits result in adjustments to the cumulative amortization of these costs. The effect on amortization of DAC for revisions to estimated gross profits is reported in earnings in the period the estimated gross profits are revised.
	The effect on DAC that results from the assumed realization of unrealized gains (losses) on investments allocated to non-traditional life insurance business is recognized with an offset, or "shadow" DAC, to net unrealized investment appreciation as of the balance sheet date. The "shadow" DAC adjustment decreased the DAC asset by $4,597 and $38,695 at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.
	Income Taxes
	Deferred tax assets and liabilities are established based on differences between the financial statement bases of assets and liabilities and the tax bases of those same assets and liabilities, using the currently enacted statutory tax rates. Deferred income tax expense is measured by the year-to-year change in the net deferred tax asset or liability, except for certain changes in deferred tax amounts that affect stockholders’ equity and do not impact federal income tax expense.
	We reported a federal income tax expense of $14,949 and $11,443 for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Our effective tax rate is different than the federal statutory rate of 35.0% due principally to the effect of tax-exempt municipal bond interest income and non-taxable dividend income.
	We did not recognize any liability for unrecognized tax benefits at September 30, 2013 or December 31, 2012. In addition, we have not accrued for interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits. However, if interest and penalties would need to be accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits, such amounts would be recognized as a component of federal income tax expense.
	We file a consolidated federal income tax return. We also file income tax returns in various state jurisdictions. We are no longer subject to federal or state income tax examination for years before 2009. The Internal Revenue Service is conducting a routine examination of our income tax return for the 2011 tax year.
	Recently Issued Accounting Standards
	Adopted Accounting Standards in 2013
	Comprehensive Income
	In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued guidance that requires significant items that are reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI") to net income in their entirety in the same reporting period, to be reported to show the effect of the reclassifications on the respective line items of the statement where net income is presented. These reclassifications can be presented either on the face of the statement where net income is presented or in the notes to the financial statements. For items that are not reclassified to net income in their entirety in the same reporting period a cross reference to other disclosures currently required under GAAP is required in the notes to the financial statements. The new guidance also requires companies to report changes in the accumulated balances of each component of AOCI. This new guidance was effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2012. The Company adopted the new guidance effective January 1, 2013. The adoption of the new guidance affects presentation only and therefore had no impact on the Company's results of operations or financial position.
	Pending Adoption of Accounting Standards
	In July 2013, the FASB issued guidance on the financial statement presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists. This new guidance is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2013. The Company currently does not have any liability for unrecognized tax benefits. Therefore, the adoption of the new guidance in not expected to have an impact on the Company's financial position or results of operations.

Summary_of_Investments

Summary of Investments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Investments [Abstract]	'
Summary of Investments	'
	SUMMARY OF INVESTMENTS
	Fair Value of Investments
	A reconciliation of the amortized cost (cost for equity securities) to fair value of investments in held-to-maturity and available-for-sale fixed maturity and equity securities as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, is as follows:
	September 30, 2013
	Type of Investment	Cost or Amortized Cost				Gross Unrealized Appreciation				Gross Unrealized Depreciation				Fair Value
	HELD-TO-MATURITY
	Fixed maturities
	Bonds
	States, municipalities and political subdivisions	$	684			$	7			$	—			$	691
	Corporate bonds - financial services	200				—				—				200
	Mortgage-backed securities	218				11				—				229
	Total Held-to-Maturity Fixed Maturities	$	1,102			$	18			$	—			$	1,120
	AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
	Fixed maturities
	Bonds
	U.S. Treasury	$	35,882			$	551			$	86			$	36,347
	U.S. government agency	224,953				449				11,844				213,558
	States, municipalities and political subdivisions	699,796				36,302				9,138				726,960
	Foreign bonds	174,839				6,333				324				180,848
	Public utilities	224,874				8,620				947				232,547
	Corporate bonds
	Energy	154,915				4,802				858				158,859
	Industrials	242,348				6,783				2,257				246,874
	Consumer goods and services	176,217				4,544				1,099				179,662
	Health care	95,424				3,576				1,074				97,926
	Technology, media and telecommunications	130,972				2,968				3,203				130,737
	Financial services	241,319				8,921				763				249,477
	Mortgage-backed securities	23,641				308				269				23,680
	Collateralized mortgage obligations	294,759				2,393				10,067				287,085
	Asset-backed securities	3,827				358				—				4,185
	Redeemable preferred stocks	334				3				—				337
	Total Available-for-Sale Fixed Maturities	$	2,724,100			$	86,911			$	41,929			$	2,769,082
	Equity securities
	Common stocks
	Public utilities	$	7,231			$	8,543			$	41			$	15,733
	Energy	5,094				8,152				—				13,246
	Industrials	13,308				27,741				59				40,990
	Consumer goods and services	10,356				9,391				10				19,737
	Health care	7,920				13,767				—				21,687
	Technology, media and telecommunications	6,204				6,229				64				12,369
	Financial services	15,854				64,267				90				80,031
	Nonredeemable preferred stocks	4,984				5				244				4,745
	Total Available-for-Sale Equity Securities	$	70,951			$	138,095			$	508			$	208,538
	Total Available-for-Sale Securities	$	2,795,051			$	225,006			$	42,437			$	2,977,620
	December 31, 2012
	Type of Investment	Cost or Amortized Cost				Gross Unrealized Appreciation				Gross Unrealized Depreciation				Fair Value
	HELD-TO-MATURITY
	Fixed maturities
	Bonds
	States, municipalities and political subdivisions	$	1,185			$	11			$	—			$	1,196
	Corporate bonds - financial services	200				—				—				200
	Mortgage-backed securities	256				15				—				271
	Collateralized mortgage obligations	14				—				—				14
	Total Held-to-Maturity Fixed Maturities	$	1,655			$	26			$	—			$	1,681
	AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
	Fixed maturities
	Bonds
	U.S. Treasury	$	37,887			$	939			$	5			$	38,821
	U.S. government agency	45,566				429				67				45,928
	States, municipalities and political subdivisions	739,752				55,572				819				794,505
	Foreign bonds	207,359				11,863				62				219,160
	Public utilities	232,550				15,208				32				247,726
	Corporate bonds
Energy	169,973				9,758				—				179,731
Industrials	280,185				13,690				212				293,663
Consumer goods and services	193,313				9,813				151				202,975
Health care	115,654				7,111				80				122,685
Technology, media and telecommunications	123,660				6,909				198				130,371
Financial services	271,061				13,858				1,059				283,860
Mortgage-backed securities	27,940				888				21				28,807
Collateralized mortgage obligations	208,042				7,702				1,160				214,584
Asset-backed securities	4,480				406				—				4,886
Redeemable preferred stocks	378				—				2				376
Total Available-for-Sale Fixed Maturities	$	2,657,800			$	154,146			$	3,868			$	2,808,078
Equity securities
Common stocks
Public utilities	$	7,231			$	7,268			$	83			$	14,416
Energy	5,094				6,903				—				11,997
Industrials	13,031				19,827				174				32,684
Consumer goods and services	10,394				8,535				50				18,879
Health care	7,920				10,286				125				18,081
Technology, media and telecommunications	5,367				5,155				95				10,427
Financial services	15,701				52,936				145				68,492
Nonredeemable preferred stocks	2,154				25				28				2,151
Total Available-for-Sale Equity Securities	$	66,892			$	110,935			$	700			$	177,127
Total Available-for-Sale Securities	$	2,724,692			$	265,081			$	4,568			$	2,985,205
Maturities
The amortized cost and fair value of held-to-maturity, available-for-sale and trading fixed maturity securities at September 30, 2013, by contractual maturity, are shown in the following table. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. Asset-backed securities, mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations may be subject to prepayment risk and are therefore not categorized by contractual maturity.
	Held-To-Maturity								Available-For-Sale								Trading
September 30, 2013	Amortized Cost				Fair Value				Amortized Cost				Fair Value				Amortized Cost				Fair Value
Due in one year or less	$	570			$	572			$	257,096			$	261,686			$	1,828			$	1,972
Due after one year through five years	314				319				989,457				1,039,814				3,965				4,918
Due after five years through 10 years	—				—				830,883				844,061				—				—
Due after 10 years	—				—				324,437				308,571				2,687				3,087
Asset-backed securities	—				—				3,827				4,185				—				—
Mortgage-backed securities	218				229				23,641				23,680				—				—
Collateralized mortgage obligations	—				—				294,759				287,085				—				—
	$	1,102			$	1,120			$	2,724,100			$	2,769,082			$	8,480			$	9,977
Net Realized Investment Gains and Losses
Net realized gains (losses) on disposition of investments are computed using the specific identification method and are included in the computation of net income. A summary of the components of net realized investment gains (losses) is as follows:
	Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2013				2012				2013				2012
Net realized investment gains (losses)
Fixed maturities:
Held-to-maturity	$	—			$	11			$	—			$	11
Available-for-sale	626				91				2,531				2,414
Trading securities
Change in fair value	360				966				790				927
Sales	310				(64		)		608				313
Equity securities
Available-for-sale	(9		)		—				3,739				697
Trading securities
Change in fair value	(97		)		296				(116		)		296
Sales	—				—				38				—
Other long-term investments	—				—				(340		)		—
Total net realized investment gains	$	1,190			$	1,300			$	7,250			$	4,658
The proceeds and gross realized gains (losses) on the sale of available-for-sale securities are as follows:
	Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2013				2012				2013				2012
Proceeds from sales	$	17,036			$	—			$	23,007			$	12,003
Gross realized gains	213				—				451				472
Gross realized losses	(139		)		—				(139		)		(25		)
There were no sales of held-to-maturity securities during the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012.
Our investment portfolio includes trading securities with embedded derivatives. These securities, which are primarily convertible redeemable preferred debt securities, are recorded at fair value. Income or loss, including the change in the fair value of these trading securities, is recognized currently in earnings as a component of net realized investment gains and losses. Our portfolio of trading securities had a fair value of $12,441 and $15,371 at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
Pursuant to an agreement with one of our limited liability partnership investments, we are contractually committed through December 31, 2017 to make capital contributions upon request of the partnership. Our remaining potential contractual obligation was $1,950 at September 30, 2013.
Unrealized Appreciation
A summary of the changes in net unrealized investment appreciation during the reporting period is as follows:
	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2013				2012
Change in net unrealized investment appreciation
Available-for-sale fixed maturities	$	(105,296	)		$	29,205
Equity securities	27,352				19,873
Deferred policy acquisition costs	34,098				(10,854		)
Income tax effect	15,346				(13,270		)
Total change in net unrealized investment appreciation, net of tax	$	(28,500	)		$	24,954
We continually monitor the difference between our cost basis and the estimated fair value of our investments. Our accounting policy for impairment recognition requires other-than-temporary impairment ("OTTI") charges to be recorded when we determine that it is more likely than not that we will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the fixed maturity security or that the anticipated recovery in fair value of the equity security will not occur in a reasonable amount of time. Impairment charges on investments are recorded based on the fair value of the investments at the measurement date. Factors considered in evaluating whether a decline in value is other-than-temporary include: the length of time and the extent to which fair value has been less than cost; the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer; our intention to hold the investment; and the likelihood that we will be required to sell the investment.
The tables on the following pages summarize our fixed maturity and equity securities that were in an unrealized loss position at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012. The securities are presented by the length of time they have been continuously in an unrealized loss position. It is possible that we could recognize OTTI charges in future periods on securities held at September 30, 2013, if future events or information cause us to determine that a decline in fair value is other-than-temporary.
We have evaluated the near-term prospects of the issuers of our fixed maturity securities in relation to the severity and duration of the unrealized loss which resulted in the recognition of a $139 credit loss OTTI in our unaudited Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013. We believe the unrealized depreciation in value of other securities in our fixed maturity portfolio is primarily attributable to changes in market interest rates and not the credit quality of the issuer. We have no intent to sell and it is more likely than not that we will not be required to sell these securities until the fair value recovers to at least equal our cost basis or the securities mature.
We have evaluated the near-term prospects of the issuers of our equity securities in relation to the severity and duration of the unrealized loss, and unless otherwise noted, these losses do not warrant the recognition of an OTTI charge at September 30, 2013. Our largest unrealized loss greater than 12 months on an individual equity security at September 30, 2013 was $42. We have no intention to sell any of these securities prior to a recovery in value, but will continue to monitor the fair value reported for these securities as part of our overall process to evaluate investments for OTTI recognition.
September 30, 2013	Less than 12 months											12 months or longer											Total
Type of Investment	Number			Fair				Gross Unrealized				Number			Fair				Gross Unrealized Depreciation				Fair		Gross Unrealized Depreciation
	of Issues			Value				Depreciation				of Issues			Value								Value
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Fixed maturities
Bonds
U.S. Treasury	8			$	7,493			$	86			—			$	—			$	—			$	7,493	$	86
U.S. government agency	61			170,795				11,844				—			—				—				170,795		11,844
States, municipalities and political subdivisions	156			119,047				8,255				2			5,867				883				124,914		9,138
Foreign bonds	9			23,867				324				—			—				—				23,867		324
Public utilities	27			52,241				947				—			—				—				52,241		947
Corporate bonds
Energy	10			25,104				858				—			—				—				25,104		858
Industrials	27			71,118				2,257				—			—				—				71,118		2,257
Consumer goods and services	19			38,968				983				6			3,256				116				42,224		1,099
Health care	9			25,008				963				1			1,181				111				26,189		1,074
Technology, media and telecommunications	16			55,331				3,203				—			—				—				55,331		3,203
Financial services	6			17,773				699				2			6,513				64				24,286		763
Mortgage-backed securities	37			10,620				250				5			333				19				10,953		269
Collateralized mortgage obligations	100			198,380				8,637				13			26,367				1,430				224,747		10,067
Total Available-for-Sale Fixed Maturities	485			$	815,745			$	39,306			29			$	43,517			$	2,623			$	859,262	$	41,929
Equity securities
Common stocks
Public utilities	3			$	267			$	41			—			$	—			$	—			$	267	$	41
Industrials	—			—				—				3			140				59				140		59
Consumer goods and services	—			—				—				2			66				10				66		10
Technology, media and telecommunications	4			245				2				6			227				62				472		64
Financial services	1			47				19				3			206				71				253		90
Nonredeemable preferred stocks	3			3,425				183				2			1,170				61				4,595		244
Total Available-for-Sale Equity Securities	11			$	3,984			$	245			16			$	1,809			$	263			$	5,793	$	508
Total Available-for-Sale Securities	496			$	819,729			$	39,551			45			$	45,326			$	2,886			$	865,055	$	42,437
December 31, 2012	Less than 12 months											12 months or longer											Total
Type of Investment	Number			Fair				Gross Unrealized Depreciation				Number			Fair				Gross Unrealized Depreciation				Fair		Gross Unrealized Depreciation
	of Issues			Value								of Issues			Value								Value
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Fixed maturities
Bonds
U.S. Treasury	2			$	1,724			$	5			—			$	—			$	—			$	1,724	$	5
U.S. government agency	5			17,654				67				—			—				—				17,654		67
States, municipalities and political subdivisions	31			41,775				819				—			—				—				41,775		819
Foreign bonds	1			3,323				48				1			558				14				3,881		62
Public utilities	2			3,155				32				—			—				—				3,155		32
Corporate bonds
Industrials	4			12,194				109				1			2,897				103				15,091		212
Consumer goods and services	—			—				—				7			4,606				151				4,606		151
Health care	3			7,416				80				—			—				—				7,416		80
Technology, media and telecommunications	5			13,402				198				—			—				—				13,402		198
Financial services	2			1,005				1				24			24,693				1,058				25,698		1,059
Mortgage-backed securities	7			4,472				21				—			—				—				4,472		21
Collateralized mortgage obligations	27			74,702				1,004				1			29				156				74,731		1,160
Redeemable preferred stocks	2			376				2				—			—				—				376		2
Total Available-for-Sale Fixed Maturities	91			$	181,198			$	2,386			34			$	32,783			$	1,482			$	213,981	$	3,868
Equity securities
Common stocks
Public utilities	3			$	225			$	83			—			$	—			$	—			$	225	$	83
Industrials	4			482				52				9			621				122				1,103		174
Consumer goods and services	2			280				19				4			372				31				652		50
Health care	1			31				2				3			896				123				927		125
Technology, media and telecommunications	5			241				7				7			581				88				822		95
Financial services	1			47				19				7			1,109				126				1,156		145
Nonredeemable preferred stocks	—			—				—				2			1,203				28				1,203		28
Total Available-for-Sale Equity Securities	16			$	1,306			$	182			32			$	4,782			$	518			$	6,088	$	700
Total Available-for-Sale Securities	107			$	182,504			$	2,568			66			$	37,565			$	2,000			$	220,069	$	4,568

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru

Fair Value of Financial Instruments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	'
	FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
	We estimate the fair value of our financial instruments based on relevant market information or by discounting estimated future cash flows at estimated current market discount rates appropriate to the specific asset or liability.
	In most cases, we use quoted market prices to determine the fair value of fixed maturities, equity securities, trading securities and short-term investments. When quoted market prices do not exist, we base estimates of fair values on pricing or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement of the financial instrument. Such inputs may reflect management’s own assumptions about the assumptions a market participant would use in pricing the financial instrument.
	The fair value of our mortgage loans is determined by modeling performed by us based on the stated principal and coupon payments provided for in the loan agreement. These cash flows are then discounted using an appropriate risk-adjusted discount rate to determine the security's fair value, which is a Level 3 fair value measurement.
	The fair value of our policy loans is equivalent to carrying value, which is a reasonable estimate of fair value. We do not make policy loans for amounts in excess of the cash surrender value of the related policy. In all instances, the policy loans are fully collateralized by the related liability for future policy benefits for traditional insurance policies or by the policyholders’ account balance for non-traditional policies.
	Our other long-term investments consist primarily of our interests in limited liability partnerships that are recorded on the equity method of accounting. The values of the partnerships are determined by the fund managers primarily based on the fair value of the underlying investments held. In management’s opinion, these values represent a reasonable estimate of fair value.
	For cash and cash equivalents and accrued investment income, carrying value is a reasonable estimate of fair value due to the short-term nature of these financial instruments.
	Policy reserves are developed and recorded for deferred annuities, which is an interest-sensitive product, and income annuities. The fair value of the reserve liability for these annuity products is based upon an estimate of the discounted pretax cash flows that are forecast for the underlying business, which is a Level 3 fair value measurement. We base the discount rate on the current U.S. Treasury spot yield curve, which is then risk-adjusted for nonperformance risk and, for interest-sensitive business, market risk factors. The risk-adjusted discount rate is developed using interest rates that are available in the market and representative of the risks applicable to the underlying business.
	A summary of the carrying value and estimated fair value of our financial instruments at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 is as follows:
		September 30, 2013						December 31, 2012
		Fair Value			Carrying Value			Fair Value			Carrying Value
	Assets
	Investments
	Fixed maturities:
	Held-to-maturity securities	$	1,120		$	1,102		$	1,681		$	1,655
	Available-for-sale securities	2,769,082			2,769,082			2,808,078			2,808,078
	Trading securities	9,977			9,977			13,353			13,353
	Equity securities:
	Available-for-sale securities	208,538			208,538			177,127			177,127
	Trading securities	2,464			2,464			2,018			2,018
	Mortgage loans	4,278			4,477			5,037			4,633
	Policy loans	6,361			6,361			6,671			6,671
	Other long-term investments	34,876			34,876			30,028			30,028
	Short-term investments	800			800			800			800
	Cash and cash equivalents	86,691			86,691			107,466			107,466
	Accrued investment income	29,064			29,064			30,375			30,375
	Liabilities
	Policy reserves
	Annuity (accumulations) (1)	$	965,177		$	935,869		$	1,043,866		$	983,579
	Annuity (benefit payments)	137,358			93,695			139,213			93,701
	(1) Annuity accumulations represent deferred annuity contracts that are currently earning interest.
	Current accounting guidance on fair value measurements includes the application of a fair value hierarchy that requires us to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. Our financial instruments that are recorded at fair value are categorized into a three-level hierarchy, which is based upon the priority of the inputs to the valuation technique. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (i.e., Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (i.e., Level 3). If the inputs used to measure fair value fall within different levels of the hierarchy, the category level is based on the lowest priority level input that is significant to the fair value measurement of the financial instrument.
	Financial instruments recorded at fair value are categorized in the fair value hierarchy as follows:
	•	Level 1: Valuations are based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical financial instruments that we have the ability to access.
	•	Level 2: Valuations are based on quoted prices for similar financial instruments, other than quoted prices included in Level 1, in markets that are not active or on inputs that are observable either directly or indirectly for the full term of the financial instrument.
	•	Level 3: Valuations are based on pricing or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement of the financial instrument. Such inputs may reflect management’s own assumptions about the assumptions a market participant would use in pricing the financial instrument.
	Transfers between levels, if any, are recorded as of the beginning of the reporting period.
	To determine the fair value of the majority of our investments, we utilize prices obtained from independent, nationally recognized pricing services. We obtain one price for each security. When the pricing services cannot provide a determination of fair value for a specific security, we obtain non-binding price quotes from broker-dealers with whom we have had several years experience and who have demonstrated knowledge of the subject security. We request and utilize one broker quote per security.
	We validate the prices obtained from independent pricing services and brokers prior to their use for reporting purposes by evaluating their reasonableness on a monthly basis. Our validation process includes a review for unusual fluctuations. In our opinion, the pricing obtained at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 was reasonable.
	In order to determine the proper classification in the fair value hierarchy for each security where the price is obtained from an independent pricing service, we obtain and evaluate the vendors’ pricing procedures and inputs used to price the security, which include unadjusted quoted market prices for identical securities, such as a New York Stock Exchange closing price, and quoted prices for identical securities in markets that are not active. For fixed maturity securities, an evaluation of interest rates and yield curves observable at commonly quoted intervals, volatility, prepayment speeds, credit risks and default rates may also be performed. We have determined that these processes and inputs result in fair values and classifications consistent with the applicable accounting guidance on fair value measurements.
	We review our fair value hierarchy categorizations on a quarterly basis at which time the classification of certain financial instruments may change if the input observations have changed.
	The following tables present the categorization for our financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis in our Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012:
					Fair Value Measurements
	Description	September 30, 2013			Level 1			Level 2			Level 3
	AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
	Fixed maturities
	Bonds
	U.S. Treasury	$	36,347		$	—		$	36,347		$	—
	U.S. government agency	213,558			—			213,558			—
	States, municipalities and political subdivisions	726,960			—			726,172			788
	Foreign bonds	180,848			—			180,848			—
	Public utilities	232,547			—			232,547			—
	Corporate bonds
	Energy	158,859			—			158,859			—
	Industrials	246,874			—			243,778			3,096
	Consumer goods and services	179,662			—			178,171			1,491
	Health care	97,926			—			97,926			—
	Technology, media and telecommunications	130,737			—			130,737			—
	Financial services	249,477			—			237,113			12,364
	Mortgage-backed securities	23,680			—			23,680			—
	Collateralized mortgage obligations	287,085			—			287,085			—
	Asset-backed securities	4,185			—			1,979			2,206
	Redeemable preferred stocks	337			337			—			—
Total Available-for-Sale Fixed Maturities	$	2,769,082		$	337		$	2,748,800		$	19,945
Equity securities
Common stocks
Public utilities	$	15,733		$	15,733		$	—		$	—
Energy	13,246			13,246			—			—
Industrials	40,990			40,969			21			—
Consumer goods and services	19,737			19,737			—			—
Health care	21,687			21,687			—			—
Technology, media and telecommunications	12,369			12,369			—			—
Financial services	80,031			76,161			61			3,809
Nonredeemable preferred stocks	4,745			1,715			3,030			—
Total Available-for-Sale Equity Securities	$	208,538		$	201,617		$	3,112		$	3,809
Total Available-for-Sale Securities	$	2,977,620		$	201,954		$	2,751,912		$	23,754
TRADING
Bonds
Foreign bonds	$	1,262		$	—		$	1,262		$	—
Corporate bonds
Industrials	1,213			—			1,213			—
Consumer goods and services	111			—			111			—
Health care	969			—			969			—
Technology, media and telecommunications	2,595			—			2,595			—
Financial services	1,572			—			1,572			—
Redeemable preferred stocks	2,255			2,255			—			—
Equity securities
Energy	556			556			—			—
Health care	315			315			—			—
Nonredeemable preferred stocks	1,593			1,593			—			—
Total Trading Securities	$	12,441		$	4,719		$	7,722		$	—
Short-Term Investments	$	800		$	800		$	—		$	—
Money Market Accounts	$	26,652		$	26,652		$	—		$	—
Total Assets Measured at Fair Value	$	3,017,513		$	234,125		$	2,759,634		$	23,754
				Fair Value Measurements
Description	December 31, 2012			Level 1			Level 2			Level 3
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Fixed maturities
Bonds
U.S. Treasury	$	38,821		$	—		$	38,821		$	—
U.S. government agency	45,928			—			45,928			—
States, municipalities and political subdivisions	794,505			—			793,755			750
Foreign bonds	219,160			—			218,602			558
Public utilities	247,726			—			247,726			—
Corporate bonds
Energy	179,731			—			179,731			—
Industrials	293,663			—			290,766			2,897
Consumer goods and services	202,975			—			201,633			1,342
Health care	122,685			—			122,685			—
Technology, media and telecommunications	130,371			—			130,371			—
Financial services	283,860			—			271,991			11,869
Mortgage-backed securities	28,807			—			28,807			—
Collateralized mortgage obligations	214,584			—			214,584			—
Asset-backed securities	4,886			—			2,398			2,488
Redeemable preferred stocks	376			376			—			—
Total Available-for-Sale Fixed Maturities	$	2,808,078		$	376		$	2,787,798		$	19,904
Equity securities
Common stocks
Public utilities	$	14,416		$	14,416		$	—		$	—
Energy	11,997			11,997			—			—
Industrials	32,684			32,658			26			—
Consumer goods and services	18,879			18,879			—			—
Health care	18,081			18,081			—			—
Technology, media and telecommunications	10,427			10,427			—			—
Financial services	68,492			64,800			56			3,636
Nonredeemable preferred stocks	2,151			1,906			245			—
Total Available-for-Sale Equity Securities	$	177,127		$	173,164		$	327		$	3,636
Total Available-for-Sale Securities	$	2,985,205		$	173,540		$	2,788,125		$	23,540
TRADING
Bonds
Foreign bonds	$	1,379		$	—		$	1,379		$	—
Corporate bonds
Industrials	1,299			—			1,299			—
Consumer goods and services	1,532			—			1,532			—
Health care	1,824			—			1,824			—
Technology, media and telecommunications	2,250			—			2,250			—
Financial services	1,486			—			1,486			—
Redeemable preferred stocks	3,583			3,583			—			—
Equity securities - health care	303			303			—			—
Nonredeemable preferred stocks	1,715			1,715			—			—
Total Trading Securities	$	15,371		$	5,601		$	9,770		$	—
Short-Term Investments	$	800		$	800		$	—		$	—
Money Market Accounts	$	45,613		$	45,613		$	—		$	—
Total Assets Measured at Fair Value	$	3,046,989		$	225,554		$	2,797,895		$	23,540
The fair value of securities that are categorized as Level 1 is based on quoted market prices that are readily and regularly available.
The fair value of securities that are categorized as Level 2 is determined by management after reviewing market prices obtained from independent pricing services and brokers. Such estimated fair values do not necessarily represent the values for which these securities could have been sold at the reporting date. Our independent pricing services and brokers obtain prices from reputable pricing vendors in the marketplace. They continually monitor and review the external pricing sources, while actively participating to resolve any pricing issues that may arise.
For the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013, the change in our available-for-sale securities categorized as Level 1 and Level 2 is the result of investment purchases, which were made using funds held in our money market accounts, disposals and the change in unrealized gains on both fixed maturities and equity securities. There were no significant transfers of securities between Level 1 and Level 2 during the period.
Securities categorized as Level 3 include holdings in certain private placement fixed maturity and equity securities and certain other securities that were determined to be other-than-temporarily impaired in a prior period and for which an active market does not currently exist.
The fair value of our Level 3 private placement securities is determined by management relying on pricing received from our independent pricing services and brokers consistent with the process to estimate fair value for Level 2 securities. If we cannot obtain pricing from these sources, which occurs on a limited basis, management will perform an analysis of the contractual cash flows of the underlying security to estimate fair value.
The fair value of our Level 3 impaired securities was determined primarily based upon management’s assumptions regarding the timing and amount of future cash inflows. If a security has been written down or the issuer is in bankruptcy, management relies in part on outside opinions from rating agencies, our lien position on the security, general economic conditions and management’s expertise to determine fair value. We have the ability and the positive intent to hold securities until such time that we are able to recover all or a portion of our original investment. If there is no market for the impaired security at the balance sheet date, management will estimate the security’s fair value based on other securities in the market. Management will continue to monitor securities after the balance sheet date to confirm that their estimated fair value is reasonable.
The following table provides a summary of the changes in fair value of our Level 3 securities for the three-month period ended September 30, 2013:
	States, municipalities and political subdivisions			Foreign bonds			Corporate bonds			Asset-backed securities			Equities		Total
Balance at June 30, 2013	$	788		$	—		$	17,746		$	2,311		$	3,809	$	24,654
Realized gains (1)	—			—			—			18			—		18
Unrealized losses(1)	—			—			(533		)	(20		)	—		(553		)
Purchases	—			—			105			—			—		105
Disposals	—			—			(367		)	(103		)	—		(470		)
Balance at September 30, 2013	$	788		$	—		$	16,951		$	2,206		$	3,809	$	23,754
(1) Realized gains are recorded as a component of earnings whereas unrealized losses are recorded as a component of comprehensive income.
The following table provides a summary of the changes in fair value of our Level 3 securities for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013:
	States, municipalities and political subdivisions			Foreign bonds			Corporate bonds			Asset-backed securities			Equities		Total
Balance at December 31, 2012	$	750		$	558		$	16,108		$	2,488		$	3,636	$	23,540
Realized gains (1)	—			35			—			18			—		53
Unrealized gains(1)	103			13			1,554			—			—		1,670
Purchases	—			—			105			—			173		278
Disposals	(65		)	(606		)	(816		)	(300		)	—		(1,787		)
Balance at September 30, 2013	$	788		$	—		$	16,951		$	2,206		$	3,809	$	23,754
(1) Realized gains are recorded as a component of earnings, whereas unrealized gains are recorded as a component of comprehensive income.
The fixed maturities reported as disposals for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 relate to the receipt of principal on calls or sinking fund bonds, in accordance with the applicable indentures.

Employee_Benefits

Employee Benefits	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Employee Benefits	'
	EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
	Net Periodic Benefit Cost
	The components of the net periodic benefit cost for our pension and postretirement benefit plans are as follows:
		Pension Plan						Postretirement Benefit Plan
	Three Months Ended September 30,	2013			2012			2013		2012
	Net periodic benefit cost
	Service cost	$	1,575		$	1,777		$	1,401	$	496
	Interest cost	1,295			1,263			472		398
	Expected return on plan assets	(1,443		)	(1,341		)	—		—
	Amortization of prior service cost	—			2			—		(8		)
	Amortization of net loss	1,530			1,035			385		56
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	2,957		$	2,736		$	2,258	$	942
		Pension Plan						Postretirement Benefit Plan
	Nine Months Ended September 30,	2013			2012			2013		2012
	Net periodic benefit cost
	Service cost	$	4,725		$	3,846		$	2,906	$	1,488
	Interest cost	3,882			3,787			1,319		1,194
	Expected return on plan assets	(4,329		)	(4,023		)	—		—
	Amortization of prior service cost	—			5			—		(24		)
	Amortization of net loss	3,741			3,311			659		168
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	8,019		$	6,926		$	4,884	$	2,826
	Employer Contributions
	We previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 that we expected to contribute $7,000 to the pension plan in 2013. For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013, we contributed $7,000 to the pension plan. We anticipate that the total contribution in 2013 will not vary significantly from our expected contribution.

Stockbased_Compensation

Stock-based Compensation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]	'
Stock-based Compensation	'
	STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
	Non-qualified Employee Stock Award Plan
	The United Fire Group, Inc. 2008 Stock Plan (the “2008 Stock Plan”) authorized the issuance of restricted and unrestricted stock awards, stock appreciation rights, incentive stock options, and non-qualified stock options for up to 1,900,000 shares of United Fire common stock to employees, with 345,056 authorized shares remaining available for future issuance at September 30, 2013. The 2008 Stock Plan is administered by the Board of Directors, which determines those employees who will receive awards, when awards will be granted, and the terms and conditions of the awards. The Board of Directors may also take any action it deems necessary and appropriate for the administration of the 2008 Stock Plan. Pursuant to the 2008 Stock Plan, the Board of Directors may, at its sole discretion, grant awards to our employees.
	Options granted pursuant to the 2008 Stock Plan are granted to buy shares of United Fire's common stock at the market value of the stock on the date of grant. All outstanding option awards vest and are exercisable in installments of 20.0 percent of the number of shares covered by the option award each year from the grant date, unless the Board of Directors authorizes the acceleration of vesting. To the extent not exercised, vested option awards accumulate and are exercisable by the awardee, in whole or in part, in any subsequent year included in the option period, but not later than 10 years from the grant date. Restricted and unrestricted stock awards granted pursuant to the 2008 Stock Plan are granted at the market value of our common stock on the date of the grant. Restricted stock awards fully vest after five years from the date of issuance, unless accelerated upon the approval of the Board of Directors, at which time United Fire common stock will be issued to the awardee. All awards are generally granted free of charge to the eligible employees of United Fire as designated by the Board of Directors.
	The activity in the 2008 Stock Plan is displayed in the following table:
	Authorized Shares Available for Future Award Grants	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013			From Inception to September 30, 2013
	Beginning balance	568,746			1,900,000
	Number of awards granted	(238,517	)		(1,682,341	)
	Number of awards forfeited or expired	14,827			127,397
	Ending balance	345,056			345,056
	Number of option awards exercised	139,476			366,318
	Number of unrestricted stock awards granted	780			4,400
	Number of restricted stock awards vested	18,576			18,576
	Non-qualified Non-employee Director Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plan
	The United Fire Group, Inc. 2005 Non-qualified Non-Employee Director Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plan (the "Director Plan") authorizes the issuance of restricted stock awards and non-qualified stock options to purchase shares of United Fire’s common stock to non-employee directors. At September 30, 2013, we had 103,912 authorized shares available for future issuance.
	The Board of Directors has the authority to determine which non-employee directors receive awards, when options and restricted stock shall be granted, the option price, the option expiration date, the date of grant, the vesting schedule of options or whether the options shall be immediately vested, the terms and conditions of options and restricted stock (other than those terms and conditions set forth in the plan) and the number of shares of common stock to be issued pursuant to an option agreement or restricted stock agreement. The Board of Directors may also take any action it deems necessary and appropriate for the administration of the Director Plan.
	The activity in the Director Plan is displayed in the following table:
	Authorized Shares Available for Future Award Grants	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013			From Inception to September 30, 2013
	Beginning balance	130,012			300,000
	Number of awards granted	(26,100	)		(202,091	)
	Number of awards forfeited or expired	—			6,003
	Ending balance	103,912			103,912
	Number of option awards exercised	3,156			3,156
	Number of restricted stock awards vested	6,402			6,402
	Stock-Based Compensation Expense
	For the three-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, we recognized stock-based compensation expense of $618 and $402, respectively. For the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, we recognized stock-based compensation expense of $1,436 and $1,318, respectively.
	As of September 30, 2013, we had $3,613 in stock-based compensation expense that has yet to be recognized through our results of operations. We expect this compensation to be recognized over the remainder of 2013 and subsequent years according to the following table, except with respect to awards that are accelerated by the Board of Directors, in which case we will recognize any remaining compensation expense in the period in which the awards are accelerated.
	2013		$	346
	2014		1,224
	2015		993
	2016		569
	2017		423
	2018		58
	Total		$	3,613

Segment_Information

Segment Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Information	'
	SEGMENT INFORMATION
	We have two reportable business segments in our operations: property and casualty insurance and life insurance. The property and casualty insurance segment has six domestic locations from which it conducts its business. The life insurance segment operates from our home office. Because all of our insurance is sold domestically, we have no revenues allocable to foreign operations.
	We evaluate the two segments on the basis of both statutory accounting practices prescribed or permitted by our states of domicile and GAAP. We analyze results based on profitability (i.e., loss ratios), expenses, and return on equity. The basis we use to determine and analyze segments and to measure segment profit or loss have not changed from that reported in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.
	We have reconciled the following table for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 to the amounts reported in our unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements to adjust for intersegment eliminations.
		Property and Casualty Insurance			Life Insurance			Total
	Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
	Net premiums earned	$	178,553		$	15,789		$	194,342
	Investment income, net of investment expenses	11,679			15,587			27,266
	Net realized investment gains	816			374			1,190
	Other income	145			192			337
	Total reportable segment	$	191,193		$	31,942		$	223,135
	Intersegment eliminations	12			(123		)	(111		)
	Total revenues	$	191,205		$	31,819		$	223,024
	Net income	$	10,282		$	1,443		$	11,725
	Assets	$	1,977,120		$	1,746,577		$	3,723,697
	Invested assets	$	1,401,982		$	1,635,695		$	3,037,677
	Three Months Ended September 30, 2012
	Net premiums earned	$	161,232		$	15,412		$	176,644
	Investment income, net of investment expenses	11,093			17,614			28,707
	Net realized investment gains	1,214			86			1,300
	Other income (losses)	(19		)	104			85
	Total reportable segment	$	173,520		$	33,216		$	206,736
	Intersegment eliminations	(42		)	(113		)	(155		)
	Total revenues	$	173,478		$	33,103		$	206,581
	Net income	$	7,616		$	1,114		$	8,730
	Assets	$	1,923,407		$	1,814,403		$	3,737,810
	Invested assets	$	1,334,278		$	1,734,788		$	3,069,066
	We have reconciled the following table for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 to the amounts reported in our unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements to adjust for intersegment eliminations.
		Property and Casualty Insurance			Life Insurance			Total
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
	Net premiums earned	$	511,781		$	45,991		$	557,772
	Investment income, net of investment expenses	34,379			48,297			82,676
	Net realized investment gains	5,405			1,845			7,250
	Other income	229			405			634
	Total reportable segment	$	551,794		$	96,538		$	648,332
	Intersegment eliminations	85			(369		)	(284		)
	Total revenues	$	551,879		$	96,169		$	648,048
	Net income	$	44,207		$	5,407		$	49,614
	Assets	$	1,977,120		$	1,746,577		$	3,723,697
	Invested assets	$	1,401,982		$	1,635,695		$	3,037,677
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
	Net premiums earned	$	461,902		$	46,557		$	508,459
	Investment income, net of investment expenses	33,533			53,151			86,684
	Net realized investment gains	1,765			2,893			4,658
	Other income	177			407			584
	Total reportable segment	$	497,377		$	103,008		$	600,385
	Intersegment eliminations	(124		)	(335		)	(459		)
	Total revenues	$	497,253		$	102,673		$	599,926
	Net income	$	37,607		$	5,023		$	42,630
	Assets	$	1,923,407		$	1,814,403		$	3,737,810
	Invested assets	$	1,334,278		$	1,734,788		$	3,069,066

Earnings_Per_Common_Share

Earnings Per Common Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings Per Common Share	'
	EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE
	Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the reporting period. Diluted earnings per share gives effect to all dilutive common shares outstanding during the reporting period. The dilutive shares we consider in our diluted earnings per share calculation relate to our outstanding stock options and restricted stock awards.
	We determine the dilutive effect of our outstanding stock options using the “treasury stock” method. Under this method, we assume the exercise of all of the outstanding stock options whose exercise price is less than the weighted-average market value of our common stock during the reporting period. This method also assumes that the proceeds from the hypothetical stock option exercises are used to repurchase shares of our common stock at the weighted-average market value of the stock during the reporting period. The net of the assumed stock options exercised and assumed common shares repurchased represents the number of dilutive common shares, which we add to the denominator of the earnings per share calculation.
	The components of basic and diluted earnings per share were as follows for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012:
		Three Months Ended September 30,
	(In Thousands Except Share Data)	2013				2012
		Basic		Diluted		Basic		Diluted
	Net income	$	11,725	$	11,725	$	8,730	$	8,730
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding	25,359,196		25,359,196		25,423,191		25,423,191
	Add dilutive effect of restricted stock awards	—		59,849		—		56,608
	Add dilutive effect of stock options	—		152,576		—		46,863
	Weighted-average common shares for EPS calculation	25,359,196		25,571,621		25,423,191		25,526,662
	Earnings per common share	$	0.46	$	0.45	$	0.34	$	0.34
	Awards excluded from diluted EPS calculation(1)	—		646,226		—		719,563
	-1	Outstanding awards that are not "in-the-money" are excluded from the diluted earnings per share calculation because the effect of including them would have been anti-dilutive.
	The components of basic and diluted earnings per share were as follows for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012:
		Nine Months Ended September 30,
	(In Thousands Except Share Data)	2013				2012
		Basic		Diluted		Basic		Diluted
	Net income	$	49,614	$	49,614	$	42,630	$	42,630
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding	25,301,432		25,301,432		25,468,293		25,468,293
	Add dilutive effect of restricted stock awards	—		59,849		—		56,608
	Add dilutive effect of stock options	—		152,930		—		41,745
	Weighted-average common shares for EPS calculation	25,301,432		25,514,211		25,468,293		25,566,646
	Earnings per common share	$	1.96	$	1.94	$	1.67	$	1.67
	Awards excluded from diluted EPS calculation(1)	—		661,826		—		1,098,292
	-1	Outstanding awards that are not "in-the-money" are excluded from the diluted earnings per share calculation because the effect of including them would have been anti-dilutive.

Debt

Debt	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Debt	'
	DEBT
	In December 2011, United Fire entered into a credit agreement with a syndicate of financial institutions as lenders. KeyBank National Association is the administrative agent, lead arranger, sole book runner, swingline lender, and letter of credit issuer, and Bankers Trust Company is the syndication agent. The four-year credit agreement provides for a $100,000 unsecured revolving credit facility that includes a $20,000 letter of credit subfacility and a swing line subfacility of up to $5,000.
	On June 4, 2013, United Fire & Casualty Company, United Fire Group, Inc. and the syndicated lenders entered into an Assignment, Joinder, Assumption, and Release Agreement (the "Joinder Agreement") transferring the obligations under the credit agreement from United Fire & Casualty Company to United Fire Group, Inc. Effective with the execution of the Joinder Agreement, United Fire & Casualty Company was released from any further obligations under the credit agreement.
	During the term of this credit agreement, we have the right to increase the total credit facility from $100,000 up to $125,000 if no event of default has occurred and is continuing and certain other conditions are satisfied. The credit facility is available for general corporate purposes, including working capital, acquisitions and liquidity purposes. Any principal outstanding under the credit facility is due in full at maturity, on December 22, 2015. The interest rate is based on our monthly choice of either a base rate or the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus, in each case, a calculated margin amount. A commitment fee on each lender's unused commitment under the credit facility is also payable quarterly.
	The credit agreement contains customary representations, covenants and events of default, including certain covenants that limit or restrict our ability to engage in certain activities. Subject to certain exceptions, these activities include restricting our ability to sell or transfer assets or enter into a merger or consolidate with another company, grant certain types of security interests, incur certain types of liens, impose restrictions on subsidiary dividends, enter into leaseback transactions, or incur certain indebtedness. The credit agreement contains certain financial covenants including covenants that require us to maintain a minimum consolidated net worth, a debt to capitalization ratio and minimum stockholders' equity.
	There was no outstanding balance on the credit facility at September 30, 2013 and 2012. For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013, we did not incur any interest expense related to this credit facility. For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2012, we incurred $780 in interest expense related to this credit facility. We were in compliance with all covenants for the credit agreement at September 30, 2013.
	In connection with our acquisition of Mercer Insurance Group on March 28, 2011, we acquired three statutory trusts with outstanding issuances of trust preferred securities with a balance as of the acquisition date of $15,614. We redeemed two of the issuances totaling $8,035 during the three-month period ended March 31, 2012 and the remaining issuance in full in April 2012. We incurred $509 of interest expense related to these trust preferred securities for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2012.

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Equity [Abstract]	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'
	ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
	The following table shows the changes in the components of our accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, for the three-month period ended September 30, 2013:
					Liability for
		Net unrealized			underfunded
		appreciation			employee
		on investments			benefit costs			Total
	Balance as of June 30, 2013	$	116,173		$	(47,293	)	$	68,880
	Change in accumulated other comprehensive income before reclassifications	(175		)	—			(175		)
	Reclassification adjustments from accumulated other comprehensive income	(402		)	1,245			843
	Balance as of September 30, 2013	$	115,596		$	(46,048	)	$	69,548
	The following table shows the changes in the components of our accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013:
					Liability for
		Net unrealized			underfunded
		appreciation			employee
		on investments			benefit costs			Total
	Balance as of December 31, 2012	$	144,096		$	(48,908	)	$	95,188
	Change in accumulated other comprehensive income before reclassifications	(24,424		)	—			(24,424		)
	Reclassification adjustments from accumulated other comprehensive income	(4,076		)	2,860			(1,216		)
	Balance as of September 30, 2013	$	115,596		$	(46,048	)	$	69,548

Nature_of_Operations_and_Basis1

Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Basis of Presentation	'
	Basis of Presentation
	The unaudited consolidated interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") for interim financial reporting and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Regulation S-X promulgated by the SEC. Certain financial information that is included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, including certain financial statement footnote disclosures, are not required by the rules and regulations of the SEC for interim financial reporting and have been condensed or omitted.
Use of Estimates	'
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The financial statement categories that are most dependent on management estimates and assumptions include: investments; deferred policy acquisition costs; reinsurance receivables and recoverables (for net realizable value); future policy benefits and losses, claims and loss settlement expenses; and pension and postretirement benefit obligations.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	'
	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	For purposes of reporting cash flows, cash and cash equivalents include cash, money market accounts, and non-negotiable certificates of deposit with original maturities of three months or less.
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs	'
	Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs ("DAC")
	Certain costs associated with underwriting new business (primarily commissions, premium taxes and variable underwriting and policy issue expenses associated with successful acquisition efforts) are deferred.
Income Taxes	'
	Income Taxes
	Deferred tax assets and liabilities are established based on differences between the financial statement bases of assets and liabilities and the tax bases of those same assets and liabilities, using the currently enacted statutory tax rates. Deferred income tax expense is measured by the year-to-year change in the net deferred tax asset or liability, except for certain changes in deferred tax amounts that affect stockholders’ equity and do not impact federal income tax expense.
	We reported a federal income tax expense of $14,949 and $11,443 for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Our effective tax rate is different than the federal statutory rate of 35.0% due principally to the effect of tax-exempt municipal bond interest income and non-taxable dividend income.
	We did not recognize any liability for unrecognized tax benefits at September 30, 2013 or December 31, 2012. In addition, we have not accrued for interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits. However, if interest and penalties would need to be accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits, such amounts would be recognized as a component of federal income tax expense.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards	'
	Recently Issued Accounting Standards
	Adopted Accounting Standards in 2013
	Comprehensive Income
	In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued guidance that requires significant items that are reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI") to net income in their entirety in the same reporting period, to be reported to show the effect of the reclassifications on the respective line items of the statement where net income is presented. These reclassifications can be presented either on the face of the statement where net income is presented or in the notes to the financial statements. For items that are not reclassified to net income in their entirety in the same reporting period a cross reference to other disclosures currently required under GAAP is required in the notes to the financial statements. The new guidance also requires companies to report changes in the accumulated balances of each component of AOCI. This new guidance was effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2012. The Company adopted the new guidance effective January 1, 2013. The adoption of the new guidance affects presentation only and therefore had no impact on the Company's results of operations or financial position.
	Pending Adoption of Accounting Standards
	In July 2013, the FASB issued guidance on the financial statement presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists. This new guidance is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2013. The Company currently does not have any liability for unrecognized tax benefits. Therefore, the adoption of the new guidance in not expected to have an impact on the Company's financial position or results of operations.

Nature_of_Operations_and_Basis2

Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs	'
	The following table is a summary of the components of DAC, including the related amortization recognized for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013.
		Property & Casualty			Life Insurance			Total
	Recorded asset at beginning of period	$	64,947		$	40,353		$	105,300
	Underwriting costs deferred	113,812			4,384			118,196
	Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs	(108,591		)	(4,965		)	(113,556		)
	Ending unamortized deferred policy acquisition costs	$	70,168		$	39,772		$	109,940
	Change in "shadow" deferred policy acquisition costs	—			34,098			34,098
	Recorded asset at end of period	$	70,168		$	73,870		$	144,038

Summary_of_Investments_Tables

Summary of Investments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Investments [Abstract]	'
Fair Value of Investments	'
	A reconciliation of the amortized cost (cost for equity securities) to fair value of investments in held-to-maturity and available-for-sale fixed maturity and equity securities as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, is as follows:
	September 30, 2013
	Type of Investment	Cost or Amortized Cost				Gross Unrealized Appreciation				Gross Unrealized Depreciation				Fair Value
	HELD-TO-MATURITY
	Fixed maturities
	Bonds
	States, municipalities and political subdivisions	$	684			$	7			$	—			$	691
	Corporate bonds - financial services	200				—				—				200
	Mortgage-backed securities	218				11				—				229
	Total Held-to-Maturity Fixed Maturities	$	1,102			$	18			$	—			$	1,120
	AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
	Fixed maturities
	Bonds
	U.S. Treasury	$	35,882			$	551			$	86			$	36,347
	U.S. government agency	224,953				449				11,844				213,558
	States, municipalities and political subdivisions	699,796				36,302				9,138				726,960
	Foreign bonds	174,839				6,333				324				180,848
	Public utilities	224,874				8,620				947				232,547
	Corporate bonds
	Energy	154,915				4,802				858				158,859
	Industrials	242,348				6,783				2,257				246,874
	Consumer goods and services	176,217				4,544				1,099				179,662
	Health care	95,424				3,576				1,074				97,926
	Technology, media and telecommunications	130,972				2,968				3,203				130,737
	Financial services	241,319				8,921				763				249,477
	Mortgage-backed securities	23,641				308				269				23,680
	Collateralized mortgage obligations	294,759				2,393				10,067				287,085
	Asset-backed securities	3,827				358				—				4,185
	Redeemable preferred stocks	334				3				—				337
	Total Available-for-Sale Fixed Maturities	$	2,724,100			$	86,911			$	41,929			$	2,769,082
	Equity securities
	Common stocks
	Public utilities	$	7,231			$	8,543			$	41			$	15,733
	Energy	5,094				8,152				—				13,246
	Industrials	13,308				27,741				59				40,990
	Consumer goods and services	10,356				9,391				10				19,737
	Health care	7,920				13,767				—				21,687
	Technology, media and telecommunications	6,204				6,229				64				12,369
	Financial services	15,854				64,267				90				80,031
	Nonredeemable preferred stocks	4,984				5				244				4,745
	Total Available-for-Sale Equity Securities	$	70,951			$	138,095			$	508			$	208,538
	Total Available-for-Sale Securities	$	2,795,051			$	225,006			$	42,437			$	2,977,620
	December 31, 2012
	Type of Investment	Cost or Amortized Cost				Gross Unrealized Appreciation				Gross Unrealized Depreciation				Fair Value
	HELD-TO-MATURITY
	Fixed maturities
	Bonds
	States, municipalities and political subdivisions	$	1,185			$	11			$	—			$	1,196
	Corporate bonds - financial services	200				—				—				200
	Mortgage-backed securities	256				15				—				271
	Collateralized mortgage obligations	14				—				—				14
	Total Held-to-Maturity Fixed Maturities	$	1,655			$	26			$	—			$	1,681
	AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
	Fixed maturities
	Bonds
	U.S. Treasury	$	37,887			$	939			$	5			$	38,821
	U.S. government agency	45,566				429				67				45,928
	States, municipalities and political subdivisions	739,752				55,572				819				794,505
	Foreign bonds	207,359				11,863				62				219,160
	Public utilities	232,550				15,208				32				247,726
	Corporate bonds
	Energy	169,973				9,758				—				179,731
	Industrials	280,185				13,690				212				293,663
Consumer goods and services	193,313				9,813				151				202,975
Health care	115,654				7,111				80				122,685
Technology, media and telecommunications	123,660				6,909				198				130,371
Financial services	271,061				13,858				1,059				283,860
Mortgage-backed securities	27,940				888				21				28,807
Collateralized mortgage obligations	208,042				7,702				1,160				214,584
Asset-backed securities	4,480				406				—				4,886
Redeemable preferred stocks	378				—				2				376
Total Available-for-Sale Fixed Maturities	$	2,657,800			$	154,146			$	3,868			$	2,808,078
Equity securities
Common stocks
Public utilities	$	7,231			$	7,268			$	83			$	14,416
Energy	5,094				6,903				—				11,997
Industrials	13,031				19,827				174				32,684
Consumer goods and services	10,394				8,535				50				18,879
Health care	7,920				10,286				125				18,081
Technology, media and telecommunications	5,367				5,155				95				10,427
Financial services	15,701				52,936				145				68,492
Nonredeemable preferred stocks	2,154				25				28				2,151
Total Available-for-Sale Equity Securities	$	66,892			$	110,935			$	700			$	177,127
Total Available-for-Sale Securities	$	2,724,692			$	265,081			$	4,568			$	2,985,205
Maturities	'
	The amortized cost and fair value of held-to-maturity, available-for-sale and trading fixed maturity securities at September 30, 2013, by contractual maturity, are shown in the following table. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. Asset-backed securities, mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations may be subject to prepayment risk and are therefore not categorized by contractual maturity.
		Held-To-Maturity								Available-For-Sale								Trading
	September 30, 2013	Amortized Cost				Fair Value				Amortized Cost				Fair Value				Amortized Cost				Fair Value
	Due in one year or less	$	570			$	572			$	257,096			$	261,686			$	1,828			$	1,972
	Due after one year through five years	314				319				989,457				1,039,814				3,965				4,918
	Due after five years through 10 years	—				—				830,883				844,061				—				—
	Due after 10 years	—				—				324,437				308,571				2,687				3,087
	Asset-backed securities	—				—				3,827				4,185				—				—
	Mortgage-backed securities	218				229				23,641				23,680				—				—
	Collateralized mortgage obligations	—				—				294,759				287,085				—				—
		$	1,102			$	1,120			$	2,724,100			$	2,769,082			$	8,480			$	9,977
Net Realized Investment Gains and Losses	'
	A summary of the components of net realized investment gains (losses) is as follows:
		Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013				2012				2013				2012
	Net realized investment gains (losses)
	Fixed maturities:
	Held-to-maturity	$	—			$	11			$	—			$	11
	Available-for-sale	626				91				2,531				2,414
	Trading securities
	Change in fair value	360				966				790				927
	Sales	310				(64		)		608				313
	Equity securities
	Available-for-sale	(9		)		—				3,739				697
	Trading securities
	Change in fair value	(97		)		296				(116		)		296
	Sales	—				—				38				—
	Other long-term investments	—				—				(340		)		—
	Total net realized investment gains	$	1,190			$	1,300			$	7,250			$	4,658
Proceeds and Gross Realized Gains and Losses	'
	The proceeds and gross realized gains (losses) on the sale of available-for-sale securities are as follows:
		Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013				2012				2013				2012
	Proceeds from sales	$	17,036			$	—			$	23,007			$	12,003
	Gross realized gains	213				—				451				472
	Gross realized losses	(139		)		—				(139		)		(25		)
Unrealized Appreciation and Depreciation	'
	A summary of the changes in net unrealized investment appreciation during the reporting period is as follows:
		Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013				2012
	Change in net unrealized investment appreciation
	Available-for-sale fixed maturities	$	(105,296	)		$	29,205
	Equity securities	27,352				19,873
	Deferred policy acquisition costs	34,098				(10,854		)
	Income tax effect	15,346				(13,270		)
	Total change in net unrealized investment appreciation, net of tax	$	(28,500	)		$	24,954
Investments in Unrealized Loss Position	'
	September 30, 2013	Less than 12 months											12 months or longer											Total
	Type of Investment	Number			Fair				Gross Unrealized				Number			Fair				Gross Unrealized Depreciation				Fair		Gross Unrealized Depreciation
		of Issues			Value				Depreciation				of Issues			Value								Value
	AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
	Fixed maturities
	Bonds
	U.S. Treasury	8			$	7,493			$	86			—			$	—			$	—			$	7,493	$	86
	U.S. government agency	61			170,795				11,844				—			—				—				170,795		11,844
	States, municipalities and political subdivisions	156			119,047				8,255				2			5,867				883				124,914		9,138
	Foreign bonds	9			23,867				324				—			—				—				23,867		324
	Public utilities	27			52,241				947				—			—				—				52,241		947
	Corporate bonds
	Energy	10			25,104				858				—			—				—				25,104		858
	Industrials	27			71,118				2,257				—			—				—				71,118		2,257
	Consumer goods and services	19			38,968				983				6			3,256				116				42,224		1,099
	Health care	9			25,008				963				1			1,181				111				26,189		1,074
	Technology, media and telecommunications	16			55,331				3,203				—			—				—				55,331		3,203
	Financial services	6			17,773				699				2			6,513				64				24,286		763
	Mortgage-backed securities	37			10,620				250				5			333				19				10,953		269
	Collateralized mortgage obligations	100			198,380				8,637				13			26,367				1,430				224,747		10,067
	Total Available-for-Sale Fixed Maturities	485			$	815,745			$	39,306			29			$	43,517			$	2,623			$	859,262	$	41,929
	Equity securities
	Common stocks
	Public utilities	3			$	267			$	41			—			$	—			$	—			$	267	$	41
	Industrials	—			—				—				3			140				59				140		59
	Consumer goods and services	—			—				—				2			66				10				66		10
	Technology, media and telecommunications	4			245				2				6			227				62				472		64
	Financial services	1			47				19				3			206				71				253		90
	Nonredeemable preferred stocks	3			3,425				183				2			1,170				61				4,595		244
	Total Available-for-Sale Equity Securities	11			$	3,984			$	245			16			$	1,809			$	263			$	5,793	$	508
	Total Available-for-Sale Securities	496			$	819,729			$	39,551			45			$	45,326			$	2,886			$	865,055	$	42,437
	December 31, 2012	Less than 12 months											12 months or longer											Total
	Type of Investment	Number			Fair				Gross Unrealized Depreciation				Number			Fair				Gross Unrealized Depreciation				Fair		Gross Unrealized Depreciation
		of Issues			Value								of Issues			Value								Value
	AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
	Fixed maturities
	Bonds
	U.S. Treasury	2			$	1,724			$	5			—			$	—			$	—			$	1,724	$	5
	U.S. government agency	5			17,654				67				—			—				—				17,654		67
	States, municipalities and political subdivisions	31			41,775				819				—			—				—				41,775		819
	Foreign bonds	1			3,323				48				1			558				14				3,881		62
	Public utilities	2			3,155				32				—			—				—				3,155		32
	Corporate bonds
	Industrials	4			12,194				109				1			2,897				103				15,091		212
	Consumer goods and services	—			—				—				7			4,606				151				4,606		151
	Health care	3			7,416				80				—			—				—				7,416		80
	Technology, media and telecommunications	5			13,402				198				—			—				—				13,402		198
	Financial services	2			1,005				1				24			24,693				1,058				25,698		1,059
	Mortgage-backed securities	7			4,472				21				—			—				—				4,472		21
	Collateralized mortgage obligations	27			74,702				1,004				1			29				156				74,731		1,160
	Redeemable preferred stocks	2			376				2				—			—				—				376		2
	Total Available-for-Sale Fixed Maturities	91			$	181,198			$	2,386			34			$	32,783			$	1,482			$	213,981	$	3,868
	Equity securities
	Common stocks
	Public utilities	3			$	225			$	83			—			$	—			$	—			$	225	$	83
	Industrials	4			482				52				9			621				122				1,103		174
	Consumer goods and services	2			280				19				4			372				31				652		50
	Health care	1			31				2				3			896				123				927		125
	Technology, media and telecommunications	5			241				7				7			581				88				822		95
	Financial services	1			47				19				7			1,109				126				1,156		145
	Nonredeemable preferred stocks	—			—				—				2			1,203				28				1,203		28
	Total Available-for-Sale Equity Securities	16			$	1,306			$	182			32			$	4,782			$	518			$	6,088	$	700
	Total Available-for-Sale Securities	107			$	182,504			$	2,568			66			$	37,565			$	2,000			$	220,069	$	4,568

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru1

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Carrying Value and Estimated Fair Value of Financial Instruments	'
	A summary of the carrying value and estimated fair value of our financial instruments at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 is as follows:
		September 30, 2013						December 31, 2012
		Fair Value			Carrying Value			Fair Value			Carrying Value
	Assets
	Investments
	Fixed maturities:
	Held-to-maturity securities	$	1,120		$	1,102		$	1,681		$	1,655
	Available-for-sale securities	2,769,082			2,769,082			2,808,078			2,808,078
	Trading securities	9,977			9,977			13,353			13,353
	Equity securities:
	Available-for-sale securities	208,538			208,538			177,127			177,127
	Trading securities	2,464			2,464			2,018			2,018
	Mortgage loans	4,278			4,477			5,037			4,633
	Policy loans	6,361			6,361			6,671			6,671
	Other long-term investments	34,876			34,876			30,028			30,028
	Short-term investments	800			800			800			800
	Cash and cash equivalents	86,691			86,691			107,466			107,466
	Accrued investment income	29,064			29,064			30,375			30,375
	Liabilities
	Policy reserves
	Annuity (accumulations) (1)	$	965,177		$	935,869		$	1,043,866		$	983,579
	Annuity (benefit payments)	137,358			93,695			139,213			93,701
	(1) Annuity accumulations represent deferred annuity contracts that are currently earning interest.
Financial Instruments Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis	'
	The following tables present the categorization for our financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis in our Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012:
					Fair Value Measurements
	Description	September 30, 2013			Level 1			Level 2			Level 3
	AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
	Fixed maturities
	Bonds
	U.S. Treasury	$	36,347		$	—		$	36,347		$	—
	U.S. government agency	213,558			—			213,558			—
	States, municipalities and political subdivisions	726,960			—			726,172			788
	Foreign bonds	180,848			—			180,848			—
	Public utilities	232,547			—			232,547			—
	Corporate bonds
	Energy	158,859			—			158,859			—
	Industrials	246,874			—			243,778			3,096
	Consumer goods and services	179,662			—			178,171			1,491
	Health care	97,926			—			97,926			—
	Technology, media and telecommunications	130,737			—			130,737			—
	Financial services	249,477			—			237,113			12,364
	Mortgage-backed securities	23,680			—			23,680			—
	Collateralized mortgage obligations	287,085			—			287,085			—
	Asset-backed securities	4,185			—			1,979			2,206
	Redeemable preferred stocks	337			337			—			—
	Total Available-for-Sale Fixed Maturities	$	2,769,082		$	337		$	2,748,800		$	19,945
	Equity securities
	Common stocks
	Public utilities	$	15,733		$	15,733		$	—		$	—
	Energy	13,246			13,246			—			—
	Industrials	40,990			40,969			21			—
	Consumer goods and services	19,737			19,737			—			—
	Health care	21,687			21,687			—			—
	Technology, media and telecommunications	12,369			12,369			—			—
	Financial services	80,031			76,161			61			3,809
	Nonredeemable preferred stocks	4,745			1,715			3,030			—
	Total Available-for-Sale Equity Securities	$	208,538		$	201,617		$	3,112		$	3,809
	Total Available-for-Sale Securities	$	2,977,620		$	201,954		$	2,751,912		$	23,754
	TRADING
	Bonds
	Foreign bonds	$	1,262		$	—		$	1,262		$	—
	Corporate bonds
	Industrials	1,213			—			1,213			—
	Consumer goods and services	111			—			111			—
	Health care	969			—			969			—
	Technology, media and telecommunications	2,595			—			2,595			—
	Financial services	1,572			—			1,572			—
	Redeemable preferred stocks	2,255			2,255			—			—
	Equity securities
	Energy	556			556			—			—
	Health care	315			315			—			—
	Nonredeemable preferred stocks	1,593			1,593			—			—
	Total Trading Securities	$	12,441		$	4,719		$	7,722		$	—
	Short-Term Investments	$	800		$	800		$	—		$	—
	Money Market Accounts	$	26,652		$	26,652		$	—		$	—
	Total Assets Measured at Fair Value	$	3,017,513		$	234,125		$	2,759,634		$	23,754
					Fair Value Measurements
	Description	December 31, 2012			Level 1			Level 2			Level 3
	AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
	Fixed maturities
	Bonds
	U.S. Treasury	$	38,821		$	—		$	38,821		$	—
	U.S. government agency	45,928			—			45,928			—
	States, municipalities and political subdivisions	794,505			—			793,755			750
	Foreign bonds	219,160			—			218,602			558
	Public utilities	247,726			—			247,726			—
Corporate bonds
Energy	179,731			—			179,731			—
Industrials	293,663			—			290,766			2,897
Consumer goods and services	202,975			—			201,633			1,342
Health care	122,685			—			122,685			—
Technology, media and telecommunications	130,371			—			130,371			—
Financial services	283,860			—			271,991			11,869
Mortgage-backed securities	28,807			—			28,807			—
Collateralized mortgage obligations	214,584			—			214,584			—
Asset-backed securities	4,886			—			2,398			2,488
Redeemable preferred stocks	376			376			—			—
Total Available-for-Sale Fixed Maturities	$	2,808,078		$	376		$	2,787,798		$	19,904
Equity securities
Common stocks
Public utilities	$	14,416		$	14,416		$	—		$	—
Energy	11,997			11,997			—			—
Industrials	32,684			32,658			26			—
Consumer goods and services	18,879			18,879			—			—
Health care	18,081			18,081			—			—
Technology, media and telecommunications	10,427			10,427			—			—
Financial services	68,492			64,800			56			3,636
Nonredeemable preferred stocks	2,151			1,906			245			—
Total Available-for-Sale Equity Securities	$	177,127		$	173,164		$	327		$	3,636
Total Available-for-Sale Securities	$	2,985,205		$	173,540		$	2,788,125		$	23,540
TRADING
Bonds
Foreign bonds	$	1,379		$	—		$	1,379		$	—
Corporate bonds
Industrials	1,299			—			1,299			—
Consumer goods and services	1,532			—			1,532			—
Health care	1,824			—			1,824			—
Technology, media and telecommunications	2,250			—			2,250			—
Financial services	1,486			—			1,486			—
Redeemable preferred stocks	3,583			3,583			—			—
Equity securities - health care	303			303			—			—
Nonredeemable preferred stocks	1,715			1,715			—			—
Total Trading Securities	$	15,371		$	5,601		$	9,770		$	—
Short-Term Investments	$	800		$	800		$	—		$	—
Money Market Accounts	$	45,613		$	45,613		$	—		$	—
Total Assets Measured at Fair Value	$	3,046,989		$	225,554		$	2,797,895		$	23,540
Changes in Fair Value of Level 3 Securities	'
	The following table provides a summary of the changes in fair value of our Level 3 securities for the three-month period ended September 30, 2013:
		States, municipalities and political subdivisions			Foreign bonds			Corporate bonds			Asset-backed securities			Equities		Total
	Balance at June 30, 2013	$	788		$	—		$	17,746		$	2,311		$	3,809	$	24,654
	Realized gains (1)	—			—			—			18			—		18
	Unrealized losses(1)	—			—			(533		)	(20		)	—		(553		)
	Purchases	—			—			105			—			—		105
	Disposals	—			—			(367		)	(103		)	—		(470		)
	Balance at September 30, 2013	$	788		$	—		$	16,951		$	2,206		$	3,809	$	23,754
	(1) Realized gains are recorded as a component of earnings whereas unrealized losses are recorded as a component of comprehensive income.
	The following table provides a summary of the changes in fair value of our Level 3 securities for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013:
		States, municipalities and political subdivisions			Foreign bonds			Corporate bonds			Asset-backed securities			Equities		Total
	Balance at December 31, 2012	$	750		$	558		$	16,108		$	2,488		$	3,636	$	23,540
	Realized gains (1)	—			35			—			18			—		53
	Unrealized gains(1)	103			13			1,554			—			—		1,670
	Purchases	—			—			105			—			173		278
	Disposals	(65		)	(606		)	(816		)	(300		)	—		(1,787		)
	Balance at September 30, 2013	$	788		$	—		$	16,951		$	2,206		$	3,809	$	23,754
	(1) Realized gains are recorded as a component of earnings, whereas unrealized gains are recorded as a component of comprehensive income.

Employee_Benefits_Tables

Employee Benefits (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Net Periodic Benefit Cost	'
	The components of the net periodic benefit cost for our pension and postretirement benefit plans are as follows:
		Pension Plan						Postretirement Benefit Plan
	Three Months Ended September 30,	2013			2012			2013		2012
	Net periodic benefit cost
	Service cost	$	1,575		$	1,777		$	1,401	$	496
	Interest cost	1,295			1,263			472		398
	Expected return on plan assets	(1,443		)	(1,341		)	—		—
	Amortization of prior service cost	—			2			—		(8		)
	Amortization of net loss	1,530			1,035			385		56
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	2,957		$	2,736		$	2,258	$	942
		Pension Plan						Postretirement Benefit Plan
	Nine Months Ended September 30,	2013			2012			2013		2012
	Net periodic benefit cost
	Service cost	$	4,725		$	3,846		$	2,906	$	1,488
	Interest cost	3,882			3,787			1,319		1,194
	Expected return on plan assets	(4,329		)	(4,023		)	—		—
	Amortization of prior service cost	—			5			—		(24		)
	Amortization of net loss	3,741			3,311			659		168
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	8,019		$	6,926		$	4,884	$	2,826

Stockbased_Compensation_Tables

Stock-based Compensation (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]	'
Activity in Stock Award Plans	'
	The activity in the Director Plan is displayed in the following table:
	Authorized Shares Available for Future Award Grants	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013			From Inception to September 30, 2013
	Beginning balance	130,012			300,000
	Number of awards granted	(26,100	)		(202,091	)
	Number of awards forfeited or expired	—			6,003
	Ending balance	103,912			103,912
	Number of option awards exercised	3,156			3,156
	Number of restricted stock awards vested	6,402			6,402
	The activity in the 2008 Stock Plan is displayed in the following table:
	Authorized Shares Available for Future Award Grants	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013			From Inception to September 30, 2013
	Beginning balance	568,746			1,900,000
	Number of awards granted	(238,517	)		(1,682,341	)
	Number of awards forfeited or expired	14,827			127,397
	Ending balance	345,056			345,056
	Number of option awards exercised	139,476			366,318
	Number of unrestricted stock awards granted	780			4,400
	Number of restricted stock awards vested	18,576			18,576
Remaining Stock-Based Compensation Expense	'
	We expect this compensation to be recognized over the remainder of 2013 and subsequent years according to the following table, except with respect to awards that are accelerated by the Board of Directors, in which case we will recognize any remaining compensation expense in the period in which the awards are accelerated.
	2013		$	346
	2014		1,224
	2015		993
	2016		569
	2017		423
	2018		58
	Total		$	3,613

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information	'
	We have reconciled the following table for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 to the amounts reported in our unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements to adjust for intersegment eliminations.
		Property and Casualty Insurance			Life Insurance			Total
	Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
	Net premiums earned	$	178,553		$	15,789		$	194,342
	Investment income, net of investment expenses	11,679			15,587			27,266
	Net realized investment gains	816			374			1,190
	Other income	145			192			337
	Total reportable segment	$	191,193		$	31,942		$	223,135
	Intersegment eliminations	12			(123		)	(111		)
	Total revenues	$	191,205		$	31,819		$	223,024
	Net income	$	10,282		$	1,443		$	11,725
	Assets	$	1,977,120		$	1,746,577		$	3,723,697
	Invested assets	$	1,401,982		$	1,635,695		$	3,037,677
	Three Months Ended September 30, 2012
	Net premiums earned	$	161,232		$	15,412		$	176,644
	Investment income, net of investment expenses	11,093			17,614			28,707
	Net realized investment gains	1,214			86			1,300
	Other income (losses)	(19		)	104			85
	Total reportable segment	$	173,520		$	33,216		$	206,736
	Intersegment eliminations	(42		)	(113		)	(155		)
	Total revenues	$	173,478		$	33,103		$	206,581
	Net income	$	7,616		$	1,114		$	8,730
	Assets	$	1,923,407		$	1,814,403		$	3,737,810
	Invested assets	$	1,334,278		$	1,734,788		$	3,069,066
	We have reconciled the following table for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 to the amounts reported in our unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements to adjust for intersegment eliminations.
		Property and Casualty Insurance			Life Insurance			Total
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
	Net premiums earned	$	511,781		$	45,991		$	557,772
	Investment income, net of investment expenses	34,379			48,297			82,676
	Net realized investment gains	5,405			1,845			7,250
	Other income	229			405			634
	Total reportable segment	$	551,794		$	96,538		$	648,332
	Intersegment eliminations	85			(369		)	(284		)
	Total revenues	$	551,879		$	96,169		$	648,048
	Net income	$	44,207		$	5,407		$	49,614
	Assets	$	1,977,120		$	1,746,577		$	3,723,697
	Invested assets	$	1,401,982		$	1,635,695		$	3,037,677
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
	Net premiums earned	$	461,902		$	46,557		$	508,459
	Investment income, net of investment expenses	33,533			53,151			86,684
	Net realized investment gains	1,765			2,893			4,658
	Other income	177			407			584
	Total reportable segment	$	497,377		$	103,008		$	600,385
	Intersegment eliminations	(124		)	(335		)	(459		)
	Total revenues	$	497,253		$	102,673		$	599,926
	Net income	$	37,607		$	5,023		$	42,630
	Assets	$	1,923,407		$	1,814,403		$	3,737,810
	Invested assets	$	1,334,278		$	1,734,788		$	3,069,066

Earnings_Per_Common_Share_Tabl

Earnings Per Common Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Components of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share	'
	The components of basic and diluted earnings per share were as follows for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012:
		Three Months Ended September 30,
	(In Thousands Except Share Data)	2013				2012
		Basic		Diluted		Basic		Diluted
	Net income	$	11,725	$	11,725	$	8,730	$	8,730
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding	25,359,196		25,359,196		25,423,191		25,423,191
	Add dilutive effect of restricted stock awards	—		59,849		—		56,608
	Add dilutive effect of stock options	—		152,576		—		46,863
	Weighted-average common shares for EPS calculation	25,359,196		25,571,621		25,423,191		25,526,662
	Earnings per common share	$	0.46	$	0.45	$	0.34	$	0.34
	Awards excluded from diluted EPS calculation(1)	—		646,226		—		719,563
	-1	Outstanding awards that are not "in-the-money" are excluded from the diluted earnings per share calculation because the effect of including them would have been anti-dilutive.
	The components of basic and diluted earnings per share were as follows for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012:
		Nine Months Ended September 30,
	(In Thousands Except Share Data)	2013				2012
		Basic		Diluted		Basic		Diluted
	Net income	$	49,614	$	49,614	$	42,630	$	42,630
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding	25,301,432		25,301,432		25,468,293		25,468,293
	Add dilutive effect of restricted stock awards	—		59,849		—		56,608
	Add dilutive effect of stock options	—		152,930		—		41,745
	Weighted-average common shares for EPS calculation	25,301,432		25,514,211		25,468,293		25,566,646
	Earnings per common share	$	1.96	$	1.94	$	1.67	$	1.67
	Awards excluded from diluted EPS calculation(1)	—		661,826		—		1,098,292
	-1	Outstanding awards that are not "in-the-money" are excluded from the diluted earnings per share calculation because the effect of including them would have been anti-dilutive.

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv1

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Equity [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	'
	The following table shows the changes in the components of our accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, for the three-month period ended September 30, 2013:
					Liability for
		Net unrealized			underfunded
		appreciation			employee
		on investments			benefit costs			Total
	Balance as of June 30, 2013	$	116,173		$	(47,293	)	$	68,880
	Change in accumulated other comprehensive income before reclassifications	(175		)	—			(175		)
	Reclassification adjustments from accumulated other comprehensive income	(402		)	1,245			843
	Balance as of September 30, 2013	$	115,596		$	(46,048	)	$	69,548
	The following table shows the changes in the components of our accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013:
					Liability for
		Net unrealized			underfunded
		appreciation			employee
		on investments			benefit costs			Total
	Balance as of December 31, 2012	$	144,096		$	(48,908	)	$	95,188
	Change in accumulated other comprehensive income before reclassifications	(24,424		)	—			(24,424		)
	Reclassification adjustments from accumulated other comprehensive income	(4,076		)	2,860			(1,216		)
	Balance as of September 30, 2013	$	115,596		$	(46,048	)	$	69,548

Nature_of_Operations_and_Basis3

Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation (Narratives) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
			segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Number of business segments	'	'	2	'	'
Payment for income taxes	'	'	$10,117	$11,363	'
Federal tax refund received	'	'	8,744	15,508	'
Interest payment	'	'	0	960	'
Decrease to Deferred Acquisition Cost asset related to shadow DAC adjustment	4,597	'	4,597	'	38,695
Federal income tax expense (benefit)	$2,670	$1,290	$14,949	$11,443	'
Federal statutory rate	'	'	35.00%	35.00%	'
Property and Casualty Insurance [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Number of states in which we are licensed as insurer	43	'	43	'	'
Life Insurance [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Number of states in which we are licensed as insurer	37	'	37	'	'

Nature_of_Operations_and_Basis4

Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation (Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs) (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Movement Analysis of Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs [Roll Forward]	'	'
Recorded asset at beginning of period	$105,300	'
Underwriting costs deferred	118,196	'
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs	-113,556	'
Ending unamortized deferred policy acquisition costs	109,940	'
Change in shadow deferred policy acquisition costs	34,098	-10,854
Recorded asset at end of period	144,038	'
Property and Casualty Insurance [Member]	'	'
Movement Analysis of Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs [Roll Forward]	'	'
Recorded asset at beginning of period	64,947	'
Underwriting costs deferred	113,812	'
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs	-108,591	'
Ending unamortized deferred policy acquisition costs	70,168	'
Change in shadow deferred policy acquisition costs	0	'
Recorded asset at end of period	70,168	'
Life Insurance [Member]	'	'
Movement Analysis of Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs [Roll Forward]	'	'
Recorded asset at beginning of period	40,353	'
Underwriting costs deferred	4,384	'
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs	-4,965	'
Ending unamortized deferred policy acquisition costs	39,772	'
Change in shadow deferred policy acquisition costs	34,098	'
Recorded asset at end of period	$73,870	'

Summary_of_Investments_Fair_Va

Summary of Investments (Fair Value of Investments) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Held-to-maturity Securities, Debt Maturities [Abstract]	'	'
Cost or Amortized Cost	$1,102	$1,655
Held-to-Maturity, Fair Value	1,120	1,681
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]	'	'
Cost or Amortized Cost	2,795,051	2,724,692
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	225,006	265,081
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	42,437	4,568
Available-for-Sale, Fair Value	2,977,620	2,985,205
Fixed Maturities [Member]	'	'
Held-to-maturity Securities, Debt Maturities [Abstract]	'	'
Cost or Amortized Cost	1,102	1,655
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	18	26
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	0	0
Held-to-Maturity, Fair Value	1,120	1,681
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]	'	'
Cost or Amortized Cost	2,724,100	2,657,800
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	86,911	154,146
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	41,929	3,868
Available-for-Sale, Fair Value	2,769,082	2,808,078
U.S. Treasury [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]	'	'
Cost or Amortized Cost	35,882	37,887
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	551	939
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	86	5
Available-for-Sale, Fair Value	36,347	38,821
U.S. Government Agency [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]	'	'
Cost or Amortized Cost	224,953	45,566
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	449	429
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	11,844	67
Available-for-Sale, Fair Value	213,558	45,928
States, Municipalities and Political Subdivisions [Member]	'	'
Held-to-maturity Securities, Debt Maturities [Abstract]	'	'
Cost or Amortized Cost	684	1,185
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	7	11
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	0	0
Held-to-Maturity, Fair Value	691	1,196
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]	'	'
Cost or Amortized Cost	699,796	739,752
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	36,302	55,572
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	9,138	819
Available-for-Sale, Fair Value	726,960	794,505
Foreign Bonds [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]	'	'
Cost or Amortized Cost	174,839	207,359
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	6,333	11,863
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	324	62
Available-for-Sale, Fair Value	180,848	219,160
Public Utilities [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]	'	'
Cost or Amortized Cost	224,874	232,550
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	8,620	15,208
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	947	32
Available-for-Sale, Fair Value	232,547	247,726
Corporate Bonds [Member] | Energy [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]	'	'
Cost or Amortized Cost	154,915	169,973
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	4,802	9,758
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	858	0
Available-for-Sale, Fair Value	158,859	179,731
Corporate Bonds [Member] | Industrials [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]	'	'
Cost or Amortized Cost	242,348	280,185
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	6,783	13,690
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	2,257	212
Available-for-Sale, Fair Value	246,874	293,663
Corporate Bonds [Member] | Consumer Goods and Services [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]	'	'
Cost or Amortized Cost	176,217	193,313
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	4,544	9,813
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	1,099	151
Available-for-Sale, Fair Value	179,662	202,975
Corporate Bonds [Member] | Health Care [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]	'	'
Cost or Amortized Cost	95,424	115,654
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	3,576	7,111
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	1,074	80
Available-for-Sale, Fair Value	97,926	122,685
Corporate Bonds [Member] | Technology, Media and Telecommunications [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]	'	'
Cost or Amortized Cost	130,972	123,660
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	2,968	6,909
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	3,203	198
Available-for-Sale, Fair Value	130,737	130,371
Corporate Bonds [Member] | Financial Services [Member]	'	'
Held-to-maturity Securities, Debt Maturities [Abstract]	'	'
Cost or Amortized Cost	200	200
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	0	0
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	0	0
Held-to-Maturity, Fair Value	200	200
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]	'	'
Cost or Amortized Cost	241,319	271,061
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	8,921	13,858
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	763	1,059
Available-for-Sale, Fair Value	249,477	283,860
Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]	'	'
Held-to-maturity Securities, Debt Maturities [Abstract]	'	'
Cost or Amortized Cost	218	256
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	11	15
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	0	0
Held-to-Maturity, Fair Value	229	271
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]	'	'
Cost or Amortized Cost	23,641	27,940
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	308	888
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	269	21
Available-for-Sale, Fair Value	23,680	28,807
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations [Member]	'	'
Held-to-maturity Securities, Debt Maturities [Abstract]	'	'
Cost or Amortized Cost	'	14
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	'	0
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	'	0
Held-to-Maturity, Fair Value	'	14
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]	'	'
Cost or Amortized Cost	294,759	208,042
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	2,393	7,702
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	10,067	1,160
Available-for-Sale, Fair Value	287,085	214,584
Asset-Backed Securities [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]	'	'
Cost or Amortized Cost	3,827	4,480
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	358	406
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	0	0
Available-for-Sale, Fair Value	4,185	4,886
Redeemable Preferred Stocks [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]	'	'
Cost or Amortized Cost	334	378
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	3	0
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	0	2
Available-for-Sale, Fair Value	337	376
Equity Securities [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]	'	'
Cost or Amortized Cost	70,951	66,892
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	138,095	110,935
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	508	700
Available-for-Sale, Fair Value	208,538	177,127
Common Stocks [Member] | Public Utilities [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]	'	'
Cost or Amortized Cost	7,231	7,231
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	8,543	7,268
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	41	83
Available-for-Sale, Fair Value	15,733	14,416
Common Stocks [Member] | Energy [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]	'	'
Cost or Amortized Cost	5,094	5,094
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	8,152	6,903
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	0	0
Available-for-Sale, Fair Value	13,246	11,997
Common Stocks [Member] | Industrials [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]	'	'
Cost or Amortized Cost	13,308	13,031
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	27,741	19,827
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	59	174
Available-for-Sale, Fair Value	40,990	32,684
Common Stocks [Member] | Consumer Goods and Services [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]	'	'
Cost or Amortized Cost	10,356	10,394
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	9,391	8,535
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	10	50
Available-for-Sale, Fair Value	19,737	18,879
Common Stocks [Member] | Health Care [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]	'	'
Cost or Amortized Cost	7,920	7,920
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	13,767	10,286
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	0	125
Available-for-Sale, Fair Value	21,687	18,081
Common Stocks [Member] | Technology, Media and Telecommunications [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]	'	'
Cost or Amortized Cost	6,204	5,367
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	6,229	5,155
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	64	95
Available-for-Sale, Fair Value	12,369	10,427
Common Stocks [Member] | Financial Services [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]	'	'
Cost or Amortized Cost	15,854	15,701
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	64,267	52,936
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	90	145
Available-for-Sale, Fair Value	80,031	68,492
Nonredeemable Preferred Stocks [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]	'	'
Cost or Amortized Cost	4,984	2,154
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	5	25
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	244	28
Available-for-Sale, Fair Value	$4,745	$2,151

Summary_of_Investments_Maturit

Summary of Investments (Maturities) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Held-To-Maturity, Due in One Year or Less, Amortized Cost	$570	'
Held-To-Maturity, Due in One Year or Less, Fair Value	572	'
Available-For-Sale, Due in One Year or Less, Amortized Cost	257,096	'
Available-For-Sale, Due in One Year or Less, Fair Value	261,686	'
Trading, Due in One Year or Less, Amortized Cost	1,828	'
Trading, Due in One Year or Less, Fair Value	1,972	'
Held-To-Maturity, Due after One Year through Five Years, Amortized Cost	314	'
Held-To-Maturity, Due after One Year through Five Years, Fair Value	319	'
Available-For-Sale, Due after One Year through Five Years, Amortized Cost	989,457	'
Available-For-Sale, Due after One Year through Five Years, Fair Value	1,039,814	'
Trading, Due after One Year through Five Years, Amortized Cost	3,965	'
Trading, Due after One Year through Five Years, Fair Value	4,918	'
Held-To-Maturity, Due after Five Years through Ten Years, Amortized Cost	0	'
Held-To-Maturity, Due after Five Years through Ten Years, Fair Value	0	'
Available-For-Sale, Due after Five Years through Ten Years, Amortized Cost	830,883	'
Available-For-Sale, Due after Five Years through Ten Years, Fair Value	844,061	'
Trading, Due after Five Years through Ten Years, Amortized Cost	0	'
Trading, Due after Five Years through Ten Years, Fair Value	0	'
Held-To-Maturity, Due after Ten Years, Amortized Cost	0	'
Held-To-Maturity, Due after Ten Years, Fair Value	0	'
Available-For-Sale, Due after Ten Years, Amortized Cost	324,437	'
Available-For-Sale, Due after Ten Years, Fair Value	308,571	'
Trading, Due after Ten Years, Amortized Cost	2,687	'
Trading, Due after Ten Years, Fair Value	3,087	'
Held-To-Maturity, Amortized Cost	1,102	1,655
Held-to-Maturity, Fair Value	1,120	1,681
Available-For-Sale, Amortized Cost	2,795,051	2,724,692
Available-for-Sale, Fair Value	2,977,620	2,985,205
Trading, Amortized Cost	8,480	12,645
Trading Securities, Fair Value	9,977	13,353
Asset-Backed Securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Held-To-Maturity, Not Categorized by Contractual Maturity, Amortized Cost	0	'
Held-To-Maturity, Not Categorized by Contractual Maturity, Fair Value	0	'
Available-For-Sale, Not Categorized by Contractual Maturity, Amortized Cost	3,827	'
Available-For-Sale, Not Categorized by Contractual Maturity, Fair Value	4,185	'
Available-For-Sale, Amortized Cost	3,827	4,480
Available-for-Sale, Fair Value	4,185	4,886
Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Held-To-Maturity, Not Categorized by Contractual Maturity, Amortized Cost	218	'
Held-To-Maturity, Not Categorized by Contractual Maturity, Fair Value	229	'
Available-For-Sale, Not Categorized by Contractual Maturity, Amortized Cost	23,641	'
Available-For-Sale, Not Categorized by Contractual Maturity, Fair Value	23,680	'
Held-To-Maturity, Amortized Cost	218	256
Held-to-Maturity, Fair Value	229	271
Available-For-Sale, Amortized Cost	23,641	27,940
Available-for-Sale, Fair Value	23,680	28,807
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Held-To-Maturity, Not Categorized by Contractual Maturity, Amortized Cost	0	'
Held-To-Maturity, Not Categorized by Contractual Maturity, Fair Value	0	'
Available-For-Sale, Not Categorized by Contractual Maturity, Amortized Cost	294,759	'
Available-For-Sale, Not Categorized by Contractual Maturity, Fair Value	287,085	'
Held-To-Maturity, Amortized Cost	'	14
Held-to-Maturity, Fair Value	'	14
Available-For-Sale, Amortized Cost	294,759	208,042
Available-for-Sale, Fair Value	287,085	214,584
Fixed Maturities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Held-To-Maturity, Amortized Cost	1,102	1,655
Held-to-Maturity, Fair Value	1,120	1,681
Available-For-Sale, Amortized Cost	2,724,100	2,657,800
Available-for-Sale, Fair Value	$2,769,082	$2,808,078

Summary_of_Investments_Net_Rea

Summary of Investments (Net Realized Investment Gains and Losses) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net realized investment gains (losses)	$1,190	$1,300	$7,250	$4,658
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Proceeds from sales	17,036	0	23,007	12,003
Gross realized gains	213	0	451	472
Gross realized losses	-139	0	-139	-25
Fixed Maturities [Member] | Held-to-maturity [Member]	'	'	'	'
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net realized investment gains (losses)	0	11	0	11
Fixed Maturities [Member] | Available-for-sale [Member]	'	'	'	'
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net realized investment gains (losses)	626	91	2,531	2,414
Fixed Maturities [Member] | Trading Securities, Change in Fair Value [Member]	'	'	'	'
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net realized investment gains (losses)	360	966	790	927
Fixed Maturities [Member] | Trading Securities, Sales [Member]	'	'	'	'
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net realized investment gains (losses)	310	-64	608	313
Equity Securities [Member] | Available-for-sale [Member]	'	'	'	'
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net realized investment gains (losses)	-9	0	3,739	697
Equity Securities [Member] | Trading Securities, Change in Fair Value [Member]	'	'	'	'
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net realized investment gains (losses)	-97	296	-116	296
Equity Securities [Member] | Trading Securities, Sales [Member]	'	'	'	'
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net realized investment gains (losses)	0	0	38	0
Other Long-term Investments [Member]	'	'	'	'
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net realized investment gains (losses)	$0	$0	($340)	$0

Summary_of_Investments_Unreali

Summary of Investments (Unrealized Appreciation) (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments [Abstract]	'	'
Available-for-sale fixed maturities	($105,296)	$29,205
Equity securities	27,352	19,873
Deferred policy acquisition costs	34,098	-10,854
Income tax effect	15,346	-13,270
Total change in net unrealized investment appreciation, net of tax	($28,500)	$24,954

Summary_of_Investments_Investm

Summary of Investments (Investments in Unrealized Loss Position) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	issues	issues
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions, Less than Twelve Months, Number of Issues	496	107
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	$819,729	$182,504
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	39,551	2,568
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Number of Issues	45	66
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	45,326	37,565
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	2,886	2,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	865,055	220,069
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	42,437	4,568
Fixed Maturities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions, Less than Twelve Months, Number of Issues	485	91
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	815,745	181,198
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	39,306	2,386
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Number of Issues	29	34
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	43,517	32,783
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	2,623	1,482
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	859,262	213,981
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	41,929	3,868
U.S. Treasury [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions, Less than Twelve Months, Number of Issues	8	2
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	7,493	1,724
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	86	5
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Number of Issues	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	7,493	1,724
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	86	5
U.S. Government Agency [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions, Less than Twelve Months, Number of Issues	61	5
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	170,795	17,654
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	11,844	67
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Number of Issues	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	170,795	17,654
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	11,844	67
States, Municipalities and Political Subdivisions [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions, Less than Twelve Months, Number of Issues	156	31
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	119,047	41,775
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	8,255	819
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Number of Issues	2	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	5,867	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	883	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	124,914	41,775
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	9,138	819
Foreign Bonds [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions, Less than Twelve Months, Number of Issues	9	1
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	23,867	3,323
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	324	48
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Number of Issues	0	1
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	0	558
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	0	14
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	23,867	3,881
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	324	62
Public Utilities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions, Less than Twelve Months, Number of Issues	27	2
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	52,241	3,155
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	947	32
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Number of Issues	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	52,241	3,155
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	947	32
Corporate Bonds [Member] | Energy [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions, Less than Twelve Months, Number of Issues	10	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	25,104	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	858	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Number of Issues	0	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	0	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	0	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	25,104	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	858	'
Corporate Bonds [Member] | Industrials [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions, Less than Twelve Months, Number of Issues	27	4
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	71,118	12,194
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	2,257	109
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Number of Issues	0	1
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	0	2,897
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	0	103
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	71,118	15,091
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	2,257	212
Corporate Bonds [Member] | Consumer Goods and Services [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions, Less than Twelve Months, Number of Issues	19	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	38,968	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	983	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Number of Issues	6	7
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	3,256	4,606
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	116	151
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	42,224	4,606
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	1,099	151
Corporate Bonds [Member] | Health Care [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions, Less than Twelve Months, Number of Issues	9	3
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	25,008	7,416
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	963	80
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Number of Issues	1	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	1,181	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	111	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	26,189	7,416
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	1,074	80
Corporate Bonds [Member] | Technology, Media and Telecommunications [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions, Less than Twelve Months, Number of Issues	16	5
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	55,331	13,402
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	3,203	198
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Number of Issues	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	55,331	13,402
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	3,203	198
Corporate Bonds [Member] | Financial Services [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions, Less than Twelve Months, Number of Issues	6	2
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	17,773	1,005
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	699	1
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Number of Issues	2	24
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	6,513	24,693
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	64	1,058
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	24,286	25,698
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	763	1,059
Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions, Less than Twelve Months, Number of Issues	37	7
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	10,620	4,472
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	250	21
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Number of Issues	5	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	333	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	19	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	10,953	4,472
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	269	21
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions, Less than Twelve Months, Number of Issues	100	27
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	198,380	74,702
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	8,637	1,004
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Number of Issues	13	1
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	26,367	29
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	1,430	156
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	224,747	74,731
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	10,067	1,160
Redeemable Preferred Stocks [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions, Less than Twelve Months, Number of Issues	'	2
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	'	376
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	'	2
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Number of Issues	'	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	'	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	'	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	'	376
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	'	2
Equity Securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions, Less than Twelve Months, Number of Issues	11	16
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	3,984	1,306
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	245	182
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Number of Issues	16	32
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	1,809	4,782
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	263	518
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	5,793	6,088
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	508	700
Common Stocks [Member] | Public Utilities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions, Less than Twelve Months, Number of Issues	3	3
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	267	225
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	41	83
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Number of Issues	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	267	225
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	41	83
Common Stocks [Member] | Industrials [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions, Less than Twelve Months, Number of Issues	0	4
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	0	482
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	0	52
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Number of Issues	3	9
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	140	621
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	59	122
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	140	1,103
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	59	174
Common Stocks [Member] | Consumer Goods and Services [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions, Less than Twelve Months, Number of Issues	0	2
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	0	280
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	0	19
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Number of Issues	2	4
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	66	372
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	10	31
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	66	652
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	10	50
Common Stocks [Member] | Health Care [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions, Less than Twelve Months, Number of Issues	'	1
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	'	31
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	'	2
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Number of Issues	'	3
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	'	896
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	'	123
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	'	927
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	'	125
Common Stocks [Member] | Technology, Media and Telecommunications [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions, Less than Twelve Months, Number of Issues	4	5
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	245	241
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	2	7
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Number of Issues	6	7
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	227	581
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	62	88
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	472	822
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	64	95
Common Stocks [Member] | Financial Services [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions, Less than Twelve Months, Number of Issues	1	1
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	47	47
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	19	19
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Number of Issues	3	7
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	206	1,109
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	71	126
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	253	1,156
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	90	145
Nonredeemable Preferred Stocks [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions, Less than Twelve Months, Number of Issues	3	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	3,425	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	183	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Number of Issues	2	2
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	1,170	1,203
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	61	28
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	4,595	1,203
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	$244	$28

Summary_of_Investments_Narrati

Summary of Investments (Narratives) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Trading securities	$12,441	'	$12,441	'	$15,371
Remaining potential off-balance sheet contractual obligation	1,950	'	1,950	'	'
Other-than-temporary impairment charges	-139	0	-139	-4	'
Equity Securities [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Largest unrealized loss greater than 12 months on an individual security	$42	'	$42	'	'

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru2

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Carrying Value and Estimated Fair Value) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Investments	'		'
Held-to-maturity fixed maturities	$1,120		$1,681
Available-for-sale securities	2,977,620		2,985,205
Trading securities	12,441		15,371
Fair Value [Member]	'		'
Investments	'		'
Mortgage loans	4,278		5,037
Policy loans	6,361		6,671
Other long-term investments	34,876		30,028
Short-term investments	800		800
Cash and cash equivalents	86,691		107,466
Accrued investment income	29,064		30,375
Policy reserves	'		'
Annuity (accumulations)	965,177	[1]	1,043,866	[1]
Annuity (benefit payments)	137,358		139,213
Fair Value [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]	'		'
Investments	'		'
Held-to-maturity fixed maturities	1,120		1,681
Available-for-sale securities	2,769,082		2,808,078
Trading securities	9,977		13,353
Fair Value [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]	'		'
Investments	'		'
Available-for-sale securities	208,538		177,127
Trading securities	2,464		2,018
Carrying Value [Member]	'		'
Investments	'		'
Mortgage loans	4,477		4,633
Policy loans	6,361		6,671
Other long-term investments	34,876		30,028
Short-term investments	800		800
Cash and cash equivalents	86,691		107,466
Accrued investment income	29,064		30,375
Policy reserves	'		'
Annuity (accumulations)	935,869	[1]	983,579	[1]
Annuity (benefit payments)	93,695		93,701
Carrying Value [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]	'		'
Investments	'		'
Held-to-maturity fixed maturities	1,102		1,655
Available-for-sale securities	2,769,082		2,808,078
Trading securities	9,977		13,353
Carrying Value [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]	'		'
Investments	'		'
Available-for-sale securities	208,538		177,127
Trading securities	$2,464		$2,018
[1]	Annuity accumulations represent deferred annuity contracts that are currently earning interest.

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru3

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Financial Instruments Measured at Fair Value) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	$2,977,620	$2,985,205
Trading Securities	12,441	15,371
Fair Value [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	2,977,620	2,985,205
Trading Securities	12,441	15,371
Short- Term Investments	800	800
Money Market Accounts	26,652	45,613
Total Assets Measured at Fair Value	3,017,513	3,046,989
Level 1 [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	201,954	173,540
Trading Securities	4,719	5,601
Short- Term Investments	800	800
Money Market Accounts	26,652	45,613
Total Assets Measured at Fair Value	234,125	225,554
Level 2 [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	2,751,912	2,788,125
Trading Securities	7,722	9,770
Short- Term Investments	0	0
Money Market Accounts	0	0
Total Assets Measured at Fair Value	2,759,634	2,797,895
Level 3 [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	23,754	23,540
Trading Securities	0	0
Short- Term Investments	0	0
Money Market Accounts	0	0
Total Assets Measured at Fair Value	23,754	23,540
Fixed Maturities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	2,769,082	2,808,078
Fixed Maturities [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	2,769,082	2,808,078
Fixed Maturities [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	337	376
Fixed Maturities [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	2,748,800	2,787,798
Fixed Maturities [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	19,945	19,904
U.S. Treasury [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	36,347	38,821
U.S. Treasury [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	36,347	38,821
U.S. Treasury [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	0	0
U.S. Treasury [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	36,347	38,821
U.S. Treasury [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	0	0
U.S. Government Agency [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	213,558	45,928
U.S. Government Agency [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	213,558	45,928
U.S. Government Agency [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	0	0
U.S. Government Agency [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	213,558	45,928
U.S. Government Agency [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	0	0
States, Municipalities and Political Subdivisions [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	726,960	794,505
States, Municipalities and Political Subdivisions [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	726,960	794,505
States, Municipalities and Political Subdivisions [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	0	0
States, Municipalities and Political Subdivisions [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	726,172	793,755
States, Municipalities and Political Subdivisions [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	788	750
Foreign Bonds [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	180,848	219,160
Foreign Bonds [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	180,848	219,160
Trading Securities	1,262	1,379
Foreign Bonds [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	0	0
Trading Securities	0	0
Foreign Bonds [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	180,848	218,602
Trading Securities	1,262	1,379
Foreign Bonds [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	0	558
Trading Securities	0	0
Public Utilities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	232,547	247,726
Public Utilities [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	232,547	247,726
Public Utilities [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	0	0
Public Utilities [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	232,547	247,726
Public Utilities [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	0	0
Corporate Bonds [Member] | Energy [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	158,859	179,731
Corporate Bonds [Member] | Energy [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	158,859	179,731
Corporate Bonds [Member] | Energy [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	0	0
Corporate Bonds [Member] | Energy [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	158,859	179,731
Corporate Bonds [Member] | Energy [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	0	0
Corporate Bonds [Member] | Industrials [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	246,874	293,663
Corporate Bonds [Member] | Industrials [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	246,874	293,663
Trading Securities	1,213	1,299
Corporate Bonds [Member] | Industrials [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	0	0
Trading Securities	0	0
Corporate Bonds [Member] | Industrials [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	243,778	290,766
Trading Securities	1,213	1,299
Corporate Bonds [Member] | Industrials [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	3,096	2,897
Trading Securities	0	0
Corporate Bonds [Member] | Consumer Goods and Services [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	179,662	202,975
Corporate Bonds [Member] | Consumer Goods and Services [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	179,662	202,975
Trading Securities	111	1,532
Corporate Bonds [Member] | Consumer Goods and Services [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	0	0
Trading Securities	0	0
Corporate Bonds [Member] | Consumer Goods and Services [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	178,171	201,633
Trading Securities	111	1,532
Corporate Bonds [Member] | Consumer Goods and Services [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	1,491	1,342
Trading Securities	0	0
Corporate Bonds [Member] | Health Care [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	97,926	122,685
Corporate Bonds [Member] | Health Care [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	97,926	122,685
Trading Securities	969	1,824
Corporate Bonds [Member] | Health Care [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	0	0
Trading Securities	0	0
Corporate Bonds [Member] | Health Care [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	97,926	122,685
Trading Securities	969	1,824
Corporate Bonds [Member] | Health Care [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	0	0
Trading Securities	0	0
Corporate Bonds [Member] | Technology, Media and Telecommunications [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	130,737	130,371
Corporate Bonds [Member] | Technology, Media and Telecommunications [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	130,737	130,371
Trading Securities	2,595	2,250
Corporate Bonds [Member] | Technology, Media and Telecommunications [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	0	0
Trading Securities	0	0
Corporate Bonds [Member] | Technology, Media and Telecommunications [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	130,737	130,371
Trading Securities	2,595	2,250
Corporate Bonds [Member] | Technology, Media and Telecommunications [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	0	0
Trading Securities	0	0
Corporate Bonds [Member] | Financial Services [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	249,477	283,860
Corporate Bonds [Member] | Financial Services [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	249,477	283,860
Trading Securities	1,572	1,486
Corporate Bonds [Member] | Financial Services [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	0	0
Trading Securities	0	0
Corporate Bonds [Member] | Financial Services [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	237,113	271,991
Trading Securities	1,572	1,486
Corporate Bonds [Member] | Financial Services [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	12,364	11,869
Trading Securities	0	0
Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	23,680	28,807
Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	23,680	28,807
Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	0	0
Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	23,680	28,807
Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	0	0
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	287,085	214,584
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	287,085	214,584
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	0	0
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	287,085	214,584
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	0	0
Asset-Backed Securities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	4,185	4,886
Asset-Backed Securities [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	4,185	4,886
Asset-Backed Securities [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	0	0
Asset-Backed Securities [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	1,979	2,398
Asset-Backed Securities [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	2,206	2,488
Redeemable Preferred Stocks [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	337	376
Redeemable Preferred Stocks [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	337	376
Trading Securities	2,255	3,583
Redeemable Preferred Stocks [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	337	376
Trading Securities	2,255	3,583
Redeemable Preferred Stocks [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	0	0
Trading Securities	0	0
Redeemable Preferred Stocks [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	0	0
Trading Securities	0	0
Equity Securities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	208,538	177,127
Equity Securities [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	208,538	177,127
Equity Securities [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	201,617	173,164
Equity Securities [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	3,112	327
Equity Securities [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	3,809	3,636
Equity Securities [Member] | Energy [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Trading Securities	556	'
Equity Securities [Member] | Energy [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Trading Securities	556	'
Equity Securities [Member] | Energy [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Trading Securities	0	'
Equity Securities [Member] | Energy [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Trading Securities	0	'
Equity Securities [Member] | Health Care [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Trading Securities	315	303
Equity Securities [Member] | Health Care [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Trading Securities	315	303
Equity Securities [Member] | Health Care [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Trading Securities	0	0
Equity Securities [Member] | Health Care [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Trading Securities	0	0
Common Stocks [Member] | Public Utilities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	15,733	14,416
Common Stocks [Member] | Public Utilities [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	15,733	14,416
Common Stocks [Member] | Public Utilities [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	15,733	14,416
Common Stocks [Member] | Public Utilities [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	0	0
Common Stocks [Member] | Public Utilities [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	0	0
Common Stocks [Member] | Energy [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	13,246	11,997
Common Stocks [Member] | Energy [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	13,246	11,997
Common Stocks [Member] | Energy [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	13,246	11,997
Common Stocks [Member] | Energy [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	0	0
Common Stocks [Member] | Energy [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	0	0
Common Stocks [Member] | Industrials [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	40,990	32,684
Common Stocks [Member] | Industrials [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	40,990	32,684
Common Stocks [Member] | Industrials [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	40,969	32,658
Common Stocks [Member] | Industrials [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	21	26
Common Stocks [Member] | Industrials [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	0	0
Common Stocks [Member] | Consumer Goods and Services [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	19,737	18,879
Common Stocks [Member] | Consumer Goods and Services [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	19,737	18,879
Common Stocks [Member] | Consumer Goods and Services [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	19,737	18,879
Common Stocks [Member] | Consumer Goods and Services [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	0	0
Common Stocks [Member] | Consumer Goods and Services [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	0	0
Common Stocks [Member] | Health Care [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	21,687	18,081
Common Stocks [Member] | Health Care [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	21,687	18,081
Common Stocks [Member] | Health Care [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	21,687	18,081
Common Stocks [Member] | Health Care [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	0	0
Common Stocks [Member] | Health Care [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	0	0
Common Stocks [Member] | Technology, Media and Telecommunications [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	12,369	10,427
Common Stocks [Member] | Technology, Media and Telecommunications [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	12,369	10,427
Common Stocks [Member] | Technology, Media and Telecommunications [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	12,369	10,427
Common Stocks [Member] | Technology, Media and Telecommunications [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	0	0
Common Stocks [Member] | Technology, Media and Telecommunications [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	0	0
Common Stocks [Member] | Financial Services [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	80,031	68,492
Common Stocks [Member] | Financial Services [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	80,031	68,492
Common Stocks [Member] | Financial Services [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	76,161	64,800
Common Stocks [Member] | Financial Services [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	61	56
Common Stocks [Member] | Financial Services [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	3,809	3,636
Nonredeemable Preferred Stocks [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	4,745	2,151
Nonredeemable Preferred Stocks [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	4,745	2,151
Trading Securities	1,593	1,715
Nonredeemable Preferred Stocks [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	1,715	1,906
Trading Securities	1,593	1,715
Nonredeemable Preferred Stocks [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	3,030	245
Trading Securities	0	0
Nonredeemable Preferred Stocks [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	0	0
Trading Securities	$0	$0

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru4

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Level 3 Securities) (Details) (Recurring [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'		'
Beginning Balance	$24,654		$23,540
Realized gains	18	[1]	53	[2]
Unrealized losses	-553	[1]	1,670	[2]
Purchases	105		278
Disposals	-470		-1,787
Ending Balance	23,754		23,754
States, Municipalities and Political Subdivisions [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'		'
Beginning Balance	788		750
Realized gains	0	[1]	0	[2]
Unrealized losses	0	[1]	103	[2]
Purchases	0		0
Disposals	0		-65
Ending Balance	788		788
Foreign Bonds [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'		'
Beginning Balance	0		558
Realized gains	0	[1]	35	[2]
Unrealized losses	0	[1]	13	[2]
Purchases	0		0
Disposals	0		-606
Ending Balance	0		0
Corporate Bonds [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'		'
Beginning Balance	17,746		16,108
Realized gains	0	[1]	0	[2]
Unrealized losses	-533	[1]	1,554	[2]
Purchases	105		105
Disposals	-367		-816
Ending Balance	16,951		16,951
Asset-Backed Securities [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'		'
Beginning Balance	2,311		2,488
Realized gains	18	[1]	18	[2]
Unrealized losses	-20	[1]	0	[2]
Purchases	0		0
Disposals	-103		-300
Ending Balance	2,206		2,206
Equities [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'		'
Beginning Balance	3,809		3,636
Realized gains	0	[1]	0	[2]
Unrealized losses	0	[1]	0	[2]
Purchases	0		173
Disposals	0		0
Ending Balance	$3,809		$3,809
[1]	Realized gains are recorded as a component of earnings whereas unrealized losses are recorded as a component of comprehensive income.
[2]	Realized gains are recorded as a component of earnings, whereas unrealized gains are recorded as a component of comprehensive income.

Employee_Benefits_Details

Employee Benefits (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Pension Plan [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Net periodic benefit cost	'	'	'	'	'
Service cost	$1,575	$1,777	$4,725	$3,846	'
Interest cost	1,295	1,263	3,882	3,787	'
Expected return on plan assets	-1,443	-1,341	-4,329	-4,023	'
Amortization of prior service cost	0	2	0	5	'
Amortization of net loss	1,530	1,035	3,741	3,311	'
Net periodic benefit cost	2,957	2,736	8,019	6,926	'
Estimated 2013 pension plan contribution, disclosed in prior year 10K	'	'	'	'	7,000
Contribution by employer	'	'	7,000	'	'
Postretirement Benefit Plan [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Net periodic benefit cost	'	'	'	'	'
Service cost	1,401	496	2,906	1,488	'
Interest cost	472	398	1,319	1,194	'
Expected return on plan assets	0	0	0	0	'
Amortization of prior service cost	0	-8	0	-24	'
Amortization of net loss	385	56	659	168	'
Net periodic benefit cost	$2,258	$942	$4,884	$2,826	'

Stockbased_Compensation_Detail

Stock-based Compensation (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

64 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

64 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

64 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

64 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

105 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

105 Months Ended

In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Employee Stock Award Plan-2008 [Member]

Employee Stock Award Plan-2008 [Member]

Employee Stock Award Plan-2008 [Member]

Employee Stock Award Plan-2008 [Member]

Employee Stock Award Plan-2008 [Member]

Employee Stock Award Plan-2008 [Member]

Employee Stock Award Plan-2008 [Member]

Employee Stock Award Plan-2008 [Member]

Director Plan - 2005 [Member]

Director Plan - 2005 [Member]

Director Plan - 2005 [Member]

Director Plan - 2005 [Member]

Options Awards [Member]

Options Awards [Member]

Unrestricted Stock Awards [Member]

Unrestricted Stock Awards [Member]

Restricted Stock Awards [Member]

Restricted Stock Awards [Member]

Options Awards [Member]

Options Awards [Member]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of option awards vest and exercisable in installments

'

'

'

'

20.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Expiration period

'

'

'

'

'

'

'10 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Vesting period

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'5 years

'

'

'

'

'

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award Available for Grant [Roll Forward]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Beginning balance

'

'

'

'

568,746

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

130,012

'

'

'

Inception to Date, Beginning balance

'

'

'

'

'

1,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

300,000

'

'

Number of awards granted

'

'

'

'

-238,517

-1,682,341

'

'

-780

-4,400

'

'

-26,100

-202,091

'

'

Number of awards forfeited or expired

'

'

'

'

14,827

127,397

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

6,003

'

'

Ending balance

'

'

'

'

345,056

345,056

'

'

'

'

'

'

103,912

103,912

'

'

Number of option awards exercised

'

'

'

'

'

'

139,476

366,318

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,156

3,156

Number of restricted stock awards vested

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

18,576

18,576

'

'

6,402

6,402

Stock-based compensation expense

$618

$402

$1,436

$1,318

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock-Based Compensation Expense [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2013

346

'

346

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2014

1,224

'

1,224

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2015

993

'

993

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2016

569

'

569

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2017

423

'

423

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2018

58

'

58

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock-based compensation expense that has yet to be recognized

$3,613

'

$3,613

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Segment_Information_Details

Segment Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
			segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Number of business segments	'	'	2	'	'
Net premiums earned	$194,219	$176,531	$557,403	$508,124	'
Investment income, net of investment expenses	27,278	28,665	82,761	86,560	'
Net realized investment gains (losses)	1,190	1,300	7,250	4,658	'
Other income	337	85	634	584	'
Total revenues	223,024	206,581	648,048	599,926	'
Net income	11,725	8,730	49,614	42,630	'
Assets	3,723,697	3,737,810	3,723,697	3,737,810	3,694,653
Invested assets	3,037,677	3,069,066	3,037,677	3,069,066	3,044,363
Property and Casualty Insurance [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Number of business locations	6	'	6	'	'
Total revenues	191,205	173,478	551,879	497,253	'
Net income	10,282	7,616	44,207	37,607	'
Assets	1,977,120	1,923,407	1,977,120	1,923,407	'
Invested assets	1,401,982	1,334,278	1,401,982	1,334,278	'
Life Insurance [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	31,819	33,103	96,169	102,673	'
Net income	1,443	1,114	5,407	5,023	'
Assets	1,746,577	1,814,403	1,746,577	1,814,403	'
Invested assets	1,635,695	1,734,788	1,635,695	1,734,788	'
Operating Segments [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Net premiums earned	194,342	176,644	557,772	508,459	'
Investment income, net of investment expenses	27,266	28,707	82,676	86,684	'
Net realized investment gains (losses)	1,190	1,300	7,250	4,658	'
Other income	337	85	634	584	'
Total revenues	223,135	206,736	648,332	600,385	'
Operating Segments [Member] | Property and Casualty Insurance [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Net premiums earned	178,553	161,232	511,781	461,902	'
Investment income, net of investment expenses	11,679	11,093	34,379	33,533	'
Net realized investment gains (losses)	816	1,214	5,405	1,765	'
Other income	145	-19	229	177	'
Total revenues	191,193	173,520	551,794	497,377	'
Operating Segments [Member] | Life Insurance [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Net premiums earned	15,789	15,412	45,991	46,557	'
Investment income, net of investment expenses	15,587	17,614	48,297	53,151	'
Net realized investment gains (losses)	374	86	1,845	2,893	'
Other income	192	104	405	407	'
Total revenues	31,942	33,216	96,538	103,008	'
Intersegment Elimination [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	-111	-155	-284	-459	'
Intersegment Elimination [Member] | Property and Casualty Insurance [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	12	-42	85	-124	'
Intersegment Elimination [Member] | Life Insurance [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	($123)	($113)	($369)	($335)	'

Earnings_Per_Common_Share_Deta

Earnings Per Common Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012
Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Net income	$11,725		$8,730		$49,614		$42,630
Weighted-average common shares outstanding (in shares)	25,359,196		25,423,191		25,301,432		25,468,293
Weighted-average common share for EPS calculation (in shares)	25,571,621		25,526,662		25,514,211		25,566,646
Basic earnings per common share (in dollars per share)	$0.46		$0.34		$1.96		$1.67
Diluted earnings per common share (in dollars per share)	$0.45		$0.34		$1.94		$1.67
Awards excluded from diluted EPS calculation (in shares)	646,226	[1]	719,563	[1]	661,826	[1]	1,098,292	[1]
Restricted Stock Awards [Member]	'		'		'		'
Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Add dilutive effect of share-based awards outstanding (in shares)	59,849		56,608		59,849		56,608
Options Awards [Member]	'		'		'		'
Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Add dilutive effect of share-based awards outstanding (in shares)	152,576		46,863		152,930		41,745
[1]	Outstanding awards that are not "in-the-money" are excluded from the diluted earnings per share calculation because the effect of including them would have been anti-dilutive.

Debt_Details

Debt (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	'	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'
Credit agreement term	'4 years	'
Current borrowing capacity	$100,000,000	'
Maximum borrowing capacity	125,000,000	'
Interest expense incurred	0	780,000
Letter of Credit [Member]	'	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'
Maximum borrowing capacity	20,000,000	'
Swing Line of Credit [Member]	'	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'
Maximum borrowing capacity	$5,000,000	'

Debt_Trust_Preferred_Securitie

Debt (Trust Preferred Securities) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Mar. 28, 2011
	Trust Preferred Securities [Member]	Mercer Insurance Group [Member]	Mercer Insurance Group [Member]
	issues		Trust Preferred Securities [Member]
			issues
Financial Instruments Subject to Mandatory Redemption by Settlement Terms [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number of issuances assumed with our acquisition of Mercer Insurance Group	'	'	3
Outstanding balance of the Trust Preferred Securities assumed with our acquisition of Mercer Insurance Group	'	'	$15,614
Number of debt securities redeemed during period	2	'	'
Value of debt securities redeemed during period	8,035	'	'
Interest expense, trust preferred securities	'	$509	'

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Balance at beginning of period	$68,880	'	$95,188	'
Change in accumulated other comprehensive income before reclassifications	-175	12,788	-24,424	27,045
Reclassification adjustments from accumulated other comprehensive income	843	646	-1,216	225
Balance at end of period	69,548	'	69,548	'
Net unrealized appreciation on investments [Member]	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Balance at beginning of period	116,173	'	144,096	'
Change in accumulated other comprehensive income before reclassifications	-175	'	-24,424	'
Reclassification adjustments from accumulated other comprehensive income	-402	'	-4,076	'
Balance at end of period	115,596	'	115,596	'
Liability for underfunded employee benefit costs [Member]	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Balance at beginning of period	-47,293	'	-48,908	'
Change in accumulated other comprehensive income before reclassifications	0	'	0	'
Reclassification adjustments from accumulated other comprehensive income	1,245	'	2,860	'
Balance at end of period	($46,048)	'	($46,048)	'