United Fire (UFCS) 10-Q 5 May 15 2015 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	1-May-15
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-15
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Trading Symbol	UFCS
Entity Registrant Name	UNITED FIRE GROUP INC
Entity Central Index Key	101199
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		25,018,898

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fixed maturities
Held-to-maturity, at amortized cost (fair value $370 in 2015 and $404 in 2014)	$366	$397
Available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost $2,727,434 in 2015 and $2,773,566 in 2014)	2,817,955	2,843,079
Trading securities, at fair value (amortized cost $14,495 in 2015 and $14,363 in 2014)	16,793	16,862
Equity securities
Available-for-sale, at fair value (cost $72,238 in 2015 and $71,651 in 2014)	243,551	245,843
Trading securities, at fair value (cost $3,445 in 2015 and $3,708 in 2014)	3,746	4,066
Mortgage loans	4,141	4,199
Policy loans	5,792	5,916
Other long-term investments	47,059	50,424
Short-term investments	175	175
Total investments	3,139,578	3,170,961
Cash and cash equivalents	111,320	90,574
Accrued investment income	27,009	25,989
Premiums receivable (net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $746 in 2015 and $618 in 2014)	268,956	249,030
Deferred policy acquisition costs	139,141	139,719
Property and equipment (primarily land and buildings, at cost, less accumulated depreciation of $42,811 in 2015 and $41,492 in 2014)	49,705	49,247
Reinsurance receivables and recoverables	83,383	86,810
Prepaid reinsurance premiums	3,927	3,632
Goodwill and intangible assets	26,086	26,278
Other assets	15,146	14,449
TOTAL ASSETS	3,864,251	3,856,689
Future policy benefits and losses, claims and loss settlement expenses
Property and casualty insurance	975,468	969,437
Life insurance	1,419,310	1,447,764
Unearned premiums	398,260	378,725
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	189,791	212,577
Income taxes payable	8,802	5,012
Deferred income taxes	28,387	25,759
TOTAL LIABILITIES	3,020,018	3,039,274
Stockholders’ Equity
Common stock, $0.001 par value; authorized 75,000,000 shares; 25,006,049 and 25,019,415 shares issued and outstanding in 2015 and 2014, respectively	25	25
Additional paid-in capital	202,306	202,676
Retained earnings	542,223	523,541
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	99,679	91,173
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY	844,233	817,415
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY	$3,864,251	$3,856,689

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parentheticals) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Balance Sheet Related Disclosures [Abstract]
Fixed maturities, held-to-maturity securities, fair value	$370	$404
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale securities, amortized cost	2,727,434	2,773,566
Equity securities, trading securities, fair value	14,495	14,363
Equity securities, available-for-sale securities, amortized cost	72,238	71,651
Equity securities, trading securities, amortized cost	3,445	3,708
Allowance for doubtful accounts	746	618
Property and equipment accumulated depreciation	$42,811	$41,492
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	25,006,049	25,019,415
Common stock, shares outstanding	25,006,049	25,019,415

Consolidated_Statements_of_Inc

Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Revenues
Net premiums earned	$213,171	$193,341
Investment income, net of investment expenses	24,363	26,762
Net realized investment gains (includes reclassifications for net unrealized investment gains on available-for-sale securities of $1,895 in 2015 and $1,482 in 2014; previously included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss))	887	2,194
Other income	63	607
Total revenues	238,484	222,904
Benefits, Losses and Expenses
Losses and loss settlement expenses	126,409	125,237
Increase in liability for future policy benefits	7,623	7,821
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs	42,472	39,534
Other underwriting expenses (includes reclassifications for employee benefit costs of $1,867 in 2015 and $768 in 2014; previously included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss))	23,534	26,428
Interest on policyholders’ accounts	6,615	7,987
Total benefits, losses and expenses	206,653	207,007
Income before income taxes	31,831	15,897
Federal income tax expense (includes reclassifications of ($10) in 2015 and ($250) in 2014; previously included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss))	8,152	2,566
Net income	23,679	13,331
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Change in net unrealized appreciation on investments	13,114	24,069
Change in liability for underfunded employee benefit plans	0	0
Other comprehensive income, before tax and reclassification adjustments	13,114	24,069
Income tax effect	-4,590	-8,425
Other comprehensive income, after tax, before reclassification adjustments	8,524	15,644
Reclassification adjustment for net realized investment gains included in income	-1,895	-1,482
Reclassification adjustment for employee benefit costs included in expense	1,867	768
Total reclassification adjustments, before tax	-28	-714
Income tax effect	10	250
Total reclassification adjustments, after tax	-18	-464
Comprehensive income	$32,185	$28,511
Weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)	24,990,470	25,372,280
Basic earnings per common share (in dollars per share)	$0.95	$0.53
Diluted earnings per common share (in dollars per share)	$0.94	$0.52

Consolidated_Statements_of_Inc1

Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (Parentheticals) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Statement [Abstract]
Reclassifications for unrealized net gains on available-for-sale securities	$1,895	$1,482
Reclassification adjustment for employee benefit costs included in expense	1,867	768
Reclassifications adjustments - tax	$10	$250

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, 2014		$817,415	$25	$202,676	$523,541	$91,173
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Shares repurchased			0	-1,083
Compensation expense and related tax benefit for stock-based award grants				360
Shares issued for stock-based awards			0	353
Net income		23,679			23,679
Dividends on common stock ($0.20 per share)					-4,997
Change in net unrealized investment appreciation	[1]					7,292
Change in liability for underfunded employee benefit plans	[2]					1,214
All other changes in stockholders’ equity accounts		3,139
Balance, end of period at Mar. 31, 2015		$844,233	$25	$202,306	$542,223	$99,679
[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 $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Stock repurchased (in shares)	37,637
Shares issued for stock-based awards (in shares)	24,271
Dividends on common stock, per share (in dollars per share)	$0.20

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
Net income	$23,679	$13,331
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities
Net accretion of bond premium	3,702	3,701
Depreciation and amortization	1,618	2,295
Stock-based compensation expense	553	437
Net realized investment gains	-887	-2,194
Net cash flows from trading investments	510	-5,673
Deferred income tax benefit	-1,519	-1,559
Changes in:
Accrued investment income	-1,020	-763
Premiums receivable	-19,926	-17,789
Deferred policy acquisition costs	-6,333	-2,124
Reinsurance receivables	3,427	2,170
Prepaid reinsurance premiums	-295	-470
Income taxes receivable	0	1,786
Other assets	-697	2,324
Future policy benefits and losses, claims and loss settlement expenses	8,726	19,648
Unearned premiums	19,535	20,318
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	-20,919	-17,785
Income taxes payable	3,790	1,948
Deferred income taxes	-433	-72
Other, net	342	-1,038
Total adjustments	-9,826	5,160
Net cash provided by operating activities	13,853	18,491
Cash Flows From Investing Activities
Proceeds from sale of available-for-sale investments	5,017	0
Proceeds from call and maturity of held-to-maturity investments	31	11
Proceeds from call and maturity of available-for-sale investments	172,825	103,480
Proceeds from short-term and other investments	3,450	764
Purchase of available-for-sale investments	-133,920	-131,989
Purchase of short-term and other investments	-1,560	-1,152
Net purchases and sales of property and equipment	-1,881	-2,860
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	43,962	-31,746
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
Deposits to investment and universal life contracts	36,099	49,281
Withdrawals from investment and universal life contracts	-67,248	-55,882
Payment of cash dividends	-4,997	-4,567
Repurchase of common stock	-1,083	0
Issuance of common stock	353	823
Tax impact from issuance of common stock	-193	70
Net cash used in financing activities	-37,069	-10,275
Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents	20,746	-23,530
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period	90,574	92,193
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period	$111,320	$68,663

Nature_of_Operations_and_Basis

Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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, 2014. The review report of Ernst & Young LLP as of March 31, 2015 and for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 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 three-month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, we made payments for income taxes totaling $6,508 and $1,007, respectively. We did not receive a tax refund during the three-month period ended March 31, 2015. We received a tax refund of $615 during the three-month period ended March 31, 2014.
	For the three-month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, we made no interest payments (excluding 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 three-month period ended March 31, 2015.
		Property & Casualty Insurance			Life Insurance			Total
	Recorded asset at beginning of period	$	72,861		$	66,858		$	139,719
	Underwriting costs deferred	47,326			1,479			48,805
	Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs	(40,809		)	(1,663		)	(42,472		)
	Ending unamortized deferred policy acquisition costs	$	79,378		$	66,674		$	146,052
	Change in "shadow" deferred policy acquisition costs	—			(6,911		)	(6,911		)
	Recorded asset at end of period	$	79,378		$	59,763		$	139,141
	Property and casualty insurance policy acquisition costs deferred are amortized as premium revenue is recognized. The method followed 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 expected to be incurred and certain other costs expected to be incurred as the premium is earned. With the completion of the Mercer Insurance Group integration, we determined it was the appropriate time to review our DAC models. After reviewing our DAC model at March 31, 2015, we enhanced our property & casualty insurance segment DAC model by updating our aggregation of certain lines of business in a manner consistent with how the policies are currently being marketed and managed. The impact of these updates to the model resulted in a decrease to other underwriting expenses of $48 and an increase to the DAC asset of $728 for the three-month period ended March 31, 2015 as compared to what we would have recognized had we not updated our model.
	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. Expected premium revenue and gross profits are based on the same mortality and withdrawal assumptions used in determining future policy benefits. These assumptions are not revised after policy issuance unless the recorded DAC asset is deemed to be unrecoverable from future expected profits.
	For non-traditional life insurance 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. 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 $20,294 and $13,383 at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, 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 $8,152 and $2,566 for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Our effective tax rate is different than the federal statutory rate of 35.0 percent due principally to the effect of tax-exempt municipal bond interest income and non-taxable dividend income.
	The Company performs a quarterly review of its tax position and makes a determination of whether it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained upon examination. If based on review, it appears not more likely than not that the position will be sustained, the Company will calculate any unrecognized tax benefits and, if necessary, calculate and accrue any related interest and penalties. We did not recognize any liability for unrecognized tax benefits at March 31, 2015 or December 31, 2014. 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.
	Subsequent Events
	In the preparation of the accompanying financial statements, the Company has 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 in the Company's financial statements.
	Recently Issued Accounting Standards
	Accounting Standards Adopted in 2015
	Troubled Debt Restructuring
	In August 2014, the FASB issued updated guidance on the accounting for creditors who are holding receivables with troubled debt restructuring, specifically related to the classification of certain government guaranteed mortgage loans that are in foreclosure. The objective of this update is to provide greater consistency and transparency by addressing the classification of certain foreclosed mortgage loans guaranteed through government programs. The guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2014. The Company adopted the guidance on January 1, 2015. The adoption of the new guidance had no impact on the Company's financial position or results of operations.
	Discontinued Operations
	In April 2014, the FASB issued new guidance on reporting discontinued operations and disclosures of disposals of components of an entity. The new guidance raises the threshold for a disposal to qualify as a discontinued operation and requires new disclosures of both discontinued operations and certain other disposals that do not meet the definition of a discontinued operation. It is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2014. The Company adopted the guidance on January 1, 2015. The adoption of the new guidance had no impact on the Company's financial position or results of operations.
	Pending Adoption of Accounting Standards
	Other Internal Use Software
	In April 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued guidance which clarifies customer's accounting for fees paid for cloud computing arrangements. The new guidance provides guidance to customers about whether a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license or whether the arrangement is considered a service contract. The new guidance is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The Company will adopt the new guidance on January 1, 2016 and is currently evaluating its accounting for cloud computing arrangements and the impact on the Company's financial position and results of operations.
	Debt Issuance Costs
	In April 2015, the FASB issued new guidance on the presentation of debt issuance costs. The new guidance requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the debt liability. The new guidance is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The Company will adopt the new guidance on January 1, 2016 and is currently evaluating the impact on the Company's financial position and results of operations.
	Consolidation
	In February 2015, the FASB issued amendments to the consolidation analysis that a reporting entity performs to determine whether it should consolidate certain legal entities. Specifically, the new guidance modifies the evaluation of whether limited partnerships and similar legal entities are variable interest entities ("VIE"), eliminates the presumption that a general partner should consolidate a limited partnership and affects the consolidation analysis of reporting entities that have VIE's, particularly those with fee arrangements and related party relationships. The new guidance is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The Company will adopt the new guidance on January 1, 2016 and is currently evaluating the impact on the Company's financial position and results of operations.
	Going Concern
	In August 2014, the FASB issued new guidance on the disclosure of uncertainties about an entity's ability to continue as a going concern. The new guidance requires management to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about the entity's ability to continue as a going concern and, if so, to disclose the fact and what the entity's plans are to alleviate that doubt. The guidance is effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2016 and interim periods within annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company will adopt the guidance on January 1, 2016. Management currently does not expect the adoption of the new guidance to have an impact on the Company's financial position or results of operations.
	Share Based Payments
	In June 2014, the FASB issued new guidance on the accounting for share based payments when the terms of an award provide that a performance target could be achieved after the requisite service period. The new guidance requires a performance target that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the service period, be treated as a performance condition. The guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The amendments can be applied prospectively or retrospectively and early adoption is permitted. The Company will adopt the guidance on January 1, 2016 and is currently evaluating the impact on the Company's financial position and results of operations.
	Revenue Recognition
	In May 2014, the FASB issued comprehensive new guidance on revenue recognition which supersedes nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance under GAAP. The new guidance requires a company to recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The standard creates a five-step model that requires companies to exercise judgment when considering the terms of the contract(s) and all relevant facts and circumstances. Insurance contracts are not within the scope of this new guidance. The new guidance is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company will adopt the guidance on January 1, 2017 and is currently evaluating the impact on the Company's financial position and results of operations and considering which transition method it will use in implementing the new guidance.

Summary_of_Investments

Summary of Investments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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 March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, is as follows:
	March 31, 2015
	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	$	55			$	1			$	—		$	56
	Corporate bonds - financial services	200				—				—			200
	Mortgage-backed securities	111				3				—			114
	Total Held-to-Maturity Fixed Maturities	$	366			$	4			$	—		$	370
	AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
	Fixed maturities:
	Bonds
	U.S. Treasury	$	20,790			$	287			$	6		$	21,071
	U.S. government agency	301,686				5,287				582			306,391
	States, municipalities and political subdivisions	765,100				30,327				722			794,705
	Foreign bonds	125,431				4,724				468			129,687
	Public utilities	210,251				8,490				228			218,513
	Corporate bonds
	Energy	117,526				3,554				467			120,613
	Industrials	205,678				7,967				1,656			211,989
	Consumer goods and services	172,644				6,253				175			178,722
	Health care	89,689				4,025				29			93,685
	Technology, media and telecommunications	130,242				4,650				345			134,547
	Financial services	221,491				10,252				1			231,742
	Mortgage-backed securities	16,243				610				11			16,842
	Collateralized mortgage obligations	345,805				10,813				2,321			354,297
	Asset-backed securities	4,858				293				—			5,151
	Total Available-for-Sale Fixed Maturities	$	2,727,434			$	97,532			$	7,011		$	2,817,955
	Equity securities:
	Common stocks
	Public utilities	$	7,231			$	11,913			$	62		$	19,082
	Energy	5,625				7,949				7			13,567
	Industrials	13,284				33,888				162			47,010
	Consumer goods and services	10,308				13,189				1			23,496
	Health care	7,920				22,039				—			29,959
	Technology, media and telecommunications	6,207				6,931				28			13,110
	Financial services	16,679				75,500				43			92,136
	Nonredeemable preferred stocks	4,984				207				—			5,191
	Total Available-for-Sale Equity Securities	$	72,238			$	171,616			$	303		$	243,551
	Total Available-for-Sale Securities	$	2,799,672			$	269,148			$	7,314		$	3,061,506
	December 31, 2014
	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	$	55			$	—			$	—		$	55
	Corporate bonds - financial services	200				—				—			200
	Mortgage-backed securities	142				7				—			149
	Total Held-to-Maturity Fixed Maturities	$	397			$	7			$	—		$	404
	AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
	Fixed maturities:
	Bonds
	U.S. Treasury	$	25,856			$	168			$	52		$	25,972
	U.S. government agency	349,747				4,347				2,422			351,672
	States, municipalities and political subdivisions	748,632				30,395				742			778,285
	Foreign bonds	136,487				4,132				446			140,173
	Public utilities	206,366				6,479				488			212,357
	Corporate bonds
	Energy	135,068				2,858				793			137,133
	Industrials	211,256				6,373				2,154			215,475
	Consumer goods and services	172,623				4,702				324			177,001
Health care	86,017				3,228				210			89,035
Technology, media and telecommunications	131,465				3,863				799			134,529
Financial services	215,095				8,574				87			223,582
Mortgage-backed securities	17,121				483				46			17,558
Collateralized mortgage obligations	335,092				7,003				4,806			337,289
Asset-backed securities	2,741				277				—			3,018
Total Available-for-Sale Fixed Maturities	$	2,773,566			$	82,882			$	13,369		$	2,843,079
Equity securities:
Common stocks
Public utilities	$	7,231			$	13,103			$	44		$	20,290
Energy	5,094				8,623				—			13,717
Industrials	13,284				32,299				124			45,459
Consumer goods and services	10,294				13,295				275			23,314
Health care	7,920				22,436				—			30,356
Technology, media and telecommunications	6,207				7,846				58			13,995
Financial services	16,637				77,077				51			93,663
Nonredeemable preferred stocks	4,984				72				7			5,049
Total Available-for-Sale Equity Securities	$	71,651			$	174,751			$	559		$	245,843
Total Available-for-Sale Securities	$	2,845,217			$	257,633			$	13,928		$	3,088,922
Maturities
The amortized cost and fair value of held-to-maturity, available-for-sale and trading fixed maturity securities at March 31, 2015, 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
March 31, 2015	Amortized Cost				Fair Value				Amortized Cost			Fair Value				Amortized Cost				Fair Value
Due in one year or less	$	55			$	56			$	242,924		$	245,549			$	2,246			$	2,846
Due after one year through five years	200				200				815,499			854,281				7,361				7,914
Due after five years through 10 years	—				—				853,096			882,432				1,998				2,499
Due after 10 years	—				—				449,009			459,403				2,890				3,534
Asset-backed securities	—				—				4,858			5,151				—				—
Mortgage-backed securities	111				114				16,243			16,842				—				—
Collateralized mortgage obligations	—				—				345,805			354,297				—				—
	$	366			$	370			$	2,727,434		$	2,817,955			$	14,495			$	16,793
Net Realized Investment Gains and Losses
Net realized gains 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 is as follows:
	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2015				2014
Net realized investment gains (losses)
Fixed maturities:
Available-for-sale	$	991			$	647
Trading securities
Change in fair value	(201		)		300
Sales	516				235
Equity securities:
Available-for-sale	904				835
Trading securities
Change in fair value	(56		)		177
Sales	46				—
Other long-term investments	(1,313		)		—
Total net realized investment gains	$	887			$	2,194
The proceeds and gross realized gains on the sale of available-for-sale securities are as follows:
	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2015				2014
Proceeds from sales	$	5,017			$	—
Gross realized gains	973				—
Gross realized losses	—				—
There were no sales of held-to-maturity securities during the three-month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.
Our investment portfolio includes trading securities with embedded derivatives. These securities are primarily convertible securities which 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. Our portfolio of trading securities had a fair value of $20,539 and $20,928 at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.
Funding Commitment
Pursuant to an agreement with one of our limited liability partnership investments, we are contractually committed through December 31, 2023 to make capital contributions upon request of the partnership. Our remaining potential contractual obligation was $10,270 at March 31, 2015.
Unrealized Appreciation
A summary of the changes in net unrealized investment appreciation during the reporting period is as follows:
	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2015				2014
Change in net unrealized investment appreciation
Available-for-sale fixed maturities	$	21,008			$	28,563
Available-for-sale equity securities	(2,879		)		2,945
Deferred policy acquisition costs	(6,911		)		(8,920		)
Income tax effect	(3,926		)		(7,907		)
Total change in net unrealized investment appreciation, net of tax	$	7,292			$	14,681
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 March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014. 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 March 31, 2015, 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, and unless otherwise noted, these losses did not warrant the recognition of an OTTI charge at March 31, 2015 or at March 31, 2014. 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 to 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 March 31, 2015. Our largest unrealized loss greater than 12 months on an individual equity security at March 31, 2015 was $49. 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.
March 31, 2015	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	2			$	3,428			$	1		2			$	1,663			$	5			$	5,091	$	6
U.S. government agency	16			40,258				216			7			22,085				366				62,343		582
States, municipalities and political subdivisions	49			55,259				510			15			10,927				212				66,186		722
Foreign bonds	6			13,685				468			—			—				—				13,685		468
Public utilities	5			8,581				81			3			2,111				147				10,692		228
Corporate bonds
Energy	6			12,156				261			3			7,211				206				19,367		467
Industrials	8			18,037				161			2			6,536				1,495				24,573		1,656
Consumer goods and services	4			12,273				170			4			2,517				5				14,790		175
Health care	2			7,052				4			2			3,895				25				10,947		29
Technology, media and telecommunications	1			3,194				8			2			9,187				337				12,381		345
Financial services	1			2,204				1			—			—				—				2,204		1
Mortgage-backed securities	4			168				11			—			—				—				168		11
Collateralized mortgage obligations	14			20,680				268			39			83,994				2,053				104,674		2,321
Total Available-for-Sale Fixed Maturities	118			$	196,975			$	2,160		79			$	150,126			$	4,851			$	347,101	$	7,011
Equity securities:
Common stocks
Public utilities	3			$	246			$	62		—			$	—			$	—			$	246	$	62
Energy	1			179				7			—			—				—				179		7
Industrials	3			237				112			2			63				50				300		162
Consumer goods and services	—			—				—			2			16				1				16		1
Technology, media and telecommunications	7			521				17			2			229				11				750		28
Financial services	1			194				43			—			—				—				194		43
Total Available-for-Sale Equity Securities	15			$	1,377			$	241		6			$	308			$	62			$	1,685	$	303
Total Available-for-Sale Securities	133			$	198,352			$	2,401		85			$	150,434			$	4,913			$	348,786	$	7,314
December 31, 2014	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	4			$	2,343			$	6		4			$	5,069			$	46			$	7,412	$	52
U.S. government agency	11			41,064				70			35			95,198				2,352				136,262		2,422
States, municipalities and political subdivisions	18			30,859				185			62			50,847				557				81,706		742
Foreign bonds	6			17,158				446			—			—				—				17,158		446
Public utilities	10			21,839				194			4			3,611				294				25,450		488
Corporate bonds
Energy	8			17,416				420			3			7,061				373				24,477		793
Industrials	8			17,103				362			3			9,592				1,792				26,695		2,154
Consumer goods and services	11			28,344				258			7			10,064				66				38,408		324
Health care	3			8,244				36			3			7,104				174				15,348		210
Technology, media and telecommunications	4			8,860				68			4			15,742				731				24,602		799
Financial services	3			5,908				31			2			6,131				56				12,039		87
Mortgage-backed securities	9			425				21			2			1,991				25				2,416		46
Collateralized mortgage obligations	10			20,746				112			56			122,550				4,694				143,296		4,806
Total Available-for-Sale Fixed Maturities	105			$	220,309			$	2,209		185			$	334,960			$	11,160			$	555,269	$	13,369
Equity securities:
Common stocks
Public utilities	3			$	263			$	44		—			$	—			$	—			$	263	$	44
Industrials	3			280				70			2			58				54				338		124
Consumer goods and services	1			129				272			2			15				3				144		275
Technology, media and telecommunications	4			503				14			5			218				44				721		58
Financial services	1			186				51			—			—				—				186		51
Nonredeemable preferred stocks	—			—				—			1			700				7				700		7
Total Available-for-Sale Equity Securities	12			$	1,361			$	451		10			$	991			$	108			$	2,352	$	559
Total Available-for-Sale Securities	117			$	221,670			$	2,660		195			$	335,951			$	11,268			$	557,621	$	13,928

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru

Fair Value of Financial Instruments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
	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.
	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. 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 March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 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 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.
	When possible, 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 value on market information obtained from independent pricing services and brokers or on valuation techniques 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. Our valuation techniques are discussed in more detail throughout this section.
	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 agreements. 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 and are classified as Level 2. 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 fair value of the partnerships is obtained from the fund managers, which is based on the fair value of the underlying investments held in the partnerships. In management's opinion, these values represent a reasonable estimate of fair value. We have not adjusted the net asset value provided by the fund managers.
	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 March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 is as follows:
		March 31, 2015					December 31, 2014
		Fair Value		Carrying Value			Fair Value			Carrying Value
	Assets
	Investments
	Fixed maturities:
	Held-to-maturity securities	$	370	$	366		$	404		$	397
	Available-for-sale securities	2,817,955		2,817,955			2,843,079			2,843,079
	Trading securities	16,793		16,793			16,862			16,862
	Equity securities:
	Available-for-sale securities	243,551		243,551			245,843			245,843
	Trading securities	3,746		3,746			4,066			4,066
	Mortgage loans	4,500		4,141			4,559			4,199
	Policy loans	5,792		5,792			5,916			5,916
	Other long-term investments	47,059		47,059			50,424			50,424
	Short-term investments	175		175			175			175
	Cash and cash equivalents	111,320		111,320			90,574			90,574
	Corporate-owned life insurance	1,072		1,072			918			918
	Liabilities
	Policy reserves
	Annuity (accumulations) (1)	$	848,649	$	832,330		$	865,802		$	863,606
	Annuity (benefit payments)	133,182		95,780			176,592			99,121
	(1) Annuity accumulations represent deferred annuity contracts that are currently earning interest.
	The following tables present the categorization for our financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis in our Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:
	31-Mar-15			Fair Value Measurements
	Description	Total		Level 1			Level 2			Level 3
	AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
	Fixed maturities:
	Bonds
	U.S. Treasury	$	21,071	$	—		$	21,071		$	—
	U.S. government agency	306,391		—			306,391			—
	States, municipalities and political subdivisions	794,705		—			794,186			519
	Foreign bonds	129,687		—			129,687			—
	Public utilities	218,513		—			218,513			—
	Corporate bonds
	Energy	120,613		—			120,613			—
	Industrials	211,989		—			211,989			—
	Consumer goods and services	178,722		—			177,354			1,368
	Health care	93,685		—			93,685			—
	Technology, media and telecommunications	134,547		—			134,547			—
	Financial services	231,742		—			220,911			10,831
	Mortgage-backed securities	16,842		—			16,842			—
	Collateralized mortgage obligations	354,297		—			354,297			—
	Asset-backed securities	5,151		—			3,658			1,493
	Total Available-for-Sale Fixed Maturities	$	2,817,955	$	—		$	2,803,744		$	14,211
	Equity securities:
	Common stocks
Public utilities	$	19,082	$	19,082		$	—		$	—
Energy	13,567		13,567			—			—
Industrials	47,010		47,008			2			—
Consumer goods and services	23,496		23,496			—			—
Health care	29,959		29,959			—			—
Technology, media and telecommunications	13,110		13,110			—			—
Financial services	92,136		88,084			74			3,978
Nonredeemable preferred stocks	5,191		565			4,626			—
Total Available-for-Sale Equity Securities	$	243,551	$	234,871		$	4,702		$	3,978
Total Available-for-Sale Securities	$	3,061,506	$	234,871		$	2,808,446		$	18,189
TRADING
Fixed maturities:
Corporate bonds
Industrials	$	3,836	$	—		$	3,836		$	—
Consumer goods and services	115		—			115			—
Health care	2,339		—			2,339			—
Technology, media and telecommunications	318		—			318			—
Financial services	5,693		—			5,693			—
Redeemable preferred stocks	4,492		4,492			—			—
Equity securities:
Energy	395		395			—			—
Consumer goods and services	1,081		1,081			—			—
Health care	331		331			—			—
Technology, media and telecommunications	353		353			—			—
Nonredeemable preferred stocks	1,586		1,586			—			—
Total Trading Securities	$	20,539	$	8,238		$	12,301		$	—
Short-Term Investments	$	175	$	175		$	—		$	—
Money Market Accounts	$	46,075	$	46,075		$	—		$	—
Corporate-Owned Life Insurance	$	1,072	$	—		$	1,072		$	—
Total Assets Measured at Fair Value	$	3,129,367	$	289,359		$	2,821,819		$	18,189
31-Dec-14			Fair Value Measurements
Description	Total		Level 1			Level 2			Level 3
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Fixed maturities:
Bonds
U.S. Treasury	$	25,972	$	—		$	25,972		$	—
U.S. government agency	351,672		—			351,672			—
States, municipalities and political subdivisions	778,285		—			777,766			519
Foreign bonds	140,173		—			140,173			—
Public utilities	212,357		—			212,357			—
Corporate bonds
Energy	137,133		—			137,133			—
Industrials	215,475		—			215,475			—
Consumer goods and services	177,001		—			175,682			1,319
Health care	89,035		—			89,035			—
Technology, media and telecommunications	134,529		—			134,529			—
Financial services	223,582		—			212,589			10,993
Mortgage-backed securities	17,558		—			17,558			—
Collateralized mortgage obligations	337,289		—			337,289			—
Asset-backed securities	3,018		—			1,406			1,612
Total Available-for-Sale Fixed Maturities	$	2,843,079	$	—		$	2,828,636		$	14,443
Equity securities:
Common stocks
Public utilities	$	20,290	$	20,290		$	—		$	—
Energy	13,717		13,717			—			—
Industrials	45,459		45,458			1			—
Consumer goods and services	23,314		23,314			—			—
Health care	30,356		30,356			—			—
Technology, media and telecommunications	13,995		13,995			—			—
Financial services	93,663		89,719			72			3,872
Nonredeemable preferred stocks	5,049		558			4,491			—
Total Available-for-Sale Equity Securities	$	245,843	$	237,407		$	4,564		$	3,872
Total Available-for-Sale Securities	$	3,088,922	$	237,407		$	2,833,200		$	18,315
TRADING
Fixed maturities:
Bonds
Corporate bonds
Industrials	$	3,352	$	—		$	3,352		$	—
Health care	2,425		—			2,425			—
Technology, media and telecommunications	338		—			338			—
Financial services	5,997		—			5,997			—
Redeemable preferred stocks	4,750		4,750			—			—
Equity securities:
Energy	411		411			—			—
Consumer goods and services	1,034		1,034			—			—
Health care	327		327			—			—
Technology, media and telecommunications	411		411			—			—
Nonredeemable preferred stocks	1,883		1,883			—			—
Total Trading Securities	$	20,928	$	8,816		$	12,112		$	—
Short-Term Investments	$	175	$	175		$	—		$	—
Money Market Accounts	$	28,095	$	28,095		$	—		$	—
Corporate-Owned Life Insurance	$	918	$	—		$	918		$	—
Total Assets Measured at Fair Value	$	3,139,038	$	274,493		$	2,846,230		$	18,315
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 non-binding fair value quotes obtained from independent pricing services and brokers. These fair value quotes are corroborated by other market observable data. Such estimated fair values do not necessarily represent the values for which these securities could have been sold at the reporting date.
For the three-month period ended March 31, 2015, the change in our available-for-sale securities categorized as Level 1 and Level 2 is the result of investment purchases that were made using funds held in our money market accounts, disposals and the change in unrealized gains on both fixed maturities and equity securities. During the three-month period ended March 31, 2015, there were no securities transferred between Level 1 and Level 2.
Securities categorized as Level 3 include holdings in certain private placement fixed maturity and equity securities 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. However, securities are categorized as Level 3 if these quotes cannot be corroborated by other market observable data due to the unobservable nature of the brokers’ valuation processes. If pricing cannot be obtained from these sources, which occurs on a limited basis, management will perform a discounted cash flow analysis, using an appropriate risk-adjusted discount rate, on the underlying security to estimate fair value.
The following table provides a summary of the changes in fair value of our Level 3 securities for the three-month period ended March 31, 2015:
	States, municipalities and political subdivisions		Corporate bonds			Asset-backed securities			Equities			Total
Balance at January 1, 2015	$	519	$	12,312		$	1,612		$	3,872		$	18,315
Net unrealized gains (losses)(1)	—		182			8			—			190
Purchases	—		—			—			121			121
Disposals	—		(295		)	(127		)	(15		)	(437		)
Balance at March 31, 2015	$	519	$	12,199		$	1,493		$	3,978		$	18,189
(1) Unrealized gains are recorded as a component of comprehensive income.
The fixed maturities reported as disposals relate to the receipt of principal on calls or sinking fund bonds, in accordance with the indentures.
Corporate-Owned Life Insurance
The Company formed a rabbi trust in 2014 to fund obligations under the United Fire & Casualty Company Non-qualified Deferred Compensation Plan and United Fire Group Supplemental Executive Retirement and Deferral Plan (collectively the "Executive Retirement Plans"). Within the rabbi trust, corporate-owned life insurance ("COLI") policies are utilized as an investment vehicle and source of funding for the Company's Executive Retirement Plans. The COLI policies invest in mutual funds, which are priced daily by independent sources. As of March 31, 2015, the cash surrender value of the COLI policies was $1,072, which is equal to the fair value measured using Level 2 inputs, based on the underlying assets of the COLI policies, and is included in other assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Employee_Benefits

Employee Benefits	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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 March 31,	2015			2014			2015		2014
	Net periodic benefit cost
	Service cost	$	1,669		$	1,303		$	1,305	$	924
	Interest cost	1,500			1,468			713		586
	Expected return on plan assets	(1,950		)	(1,739		)	—		—
	Amortization of net loss	1,136			544			731		224
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	2,355		$	1,576		$	2,749	$	1,734
	Employer Contributions
	We previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 that we expected to contribute $6,352 to the pension plan in 2015. For the three-month period ended March 31, 2015, we contributed $1,565 to the pension plan. We anticipate that the total contribution in 2015 will not vary significantly from our expected contribution.

Stockbased_Compensation

Stock-based Compensation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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. In May 2014, the Registrant's shareholders approved an additional 1,500,000 shares of United Fire common stock issuable at any time and from time to time pursuant to the Stock Plan, United Fire Group, Inc. Stock Plan, which amended and restated the 2008 Stock Plan (as amended, the "Stock Plan"). At March 31, 2015, there are 1,382,693 authorized shares remaining available for future issuance. The 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 Stock Plan. Pursuant to the Stock Plan, the Board of Directors may, at its sole discretion, grant awards to our employees who are in positions of substantial responsibility with United Fire.
	Options granted pursuant to the 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 Stock Plan are granted at the market value of our common stock on the date of the grant. Restricted stock awards fully vest after 5 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 Stock Plan is displayed in the following table:
	Authorized Shares Available for Future Award Grants	Three Months Ended March 31, 2015			From Inception to March 31, 2015
	Beginning balance	1,646,947			1,900,000
	Additional shares authorized	—			1,500,000
	Number of awards granted	(362,854	)		(2,359,363	)
	Number of awards forfeited or expired	98,600			342,056
	Ending balance	1,382,693			1,382,693
	Number of option awards exercised	23,724			491,287
	Number of unrestricted stock awards granted	—			5,280
	Number of restricted stock awards vested	—			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 March 31, 2015, we had 87,194 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 Director Plan) and the number of shares of common stock to be issued pursuant to an option agreement or restricted stock agreement (subject to limits set forth in the Director Plan). 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	Three Months Ended March 31, 2015			From Inception to March 31, 2015
	Beginning balance	87,194			300,000
	Number of awards granted	—			(218,809	)
	Number of awards forfeited or expired	—			6,003
	Ending balance	87,194			87,194
	Number of option awards exercised	547			5,222
	Number of restricted stock awards vested	—			11,442
	Stock-Based Compensation Expense
	For the three-month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, we recognized stock-based compensation expense of $553 and $437, respectively. Stock-based compensation expense is recognized over the vesting period of the stock options.
	As of March 31, 2015, we had $7,270 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 2015 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.
	2015		$	1,740
	2016		1,929
	2017		1,690
	2018		1,269
	2019		581
	2020		61
	Total		$	7,270

Segment_Information

Segment Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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 seven 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 from foreign operations.
	We evaluate the two segments on the basis of both statutory accounting principles 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, 2014.
	We have reconciled the amounts in the following table for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 to the amounts reported in our unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements, adjusting for intersegment eliminations.
		Property and Casualty Insurance			Life Insurance			Total
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
	Net premiums earned	$	200,137		$	13,228		$	213,365
	Investment income, net of investment expenses	10,730			13,616			24,346
	Net realized investment gains (losses)	(239		)	1,126			887
	Other income	—			63			63
	Total reportable segment	$	210,628		$	28,033		$	238,661
	Intersegment eliminations	17			(194		)	(177		)
	Total revenues	$	210,645		$	27,839		$	238,484
	Net income	$	23,103		$	576		$	23,679
	Assets	$	2,166,432		$	1,697,819		$	3,864,251
	Invested assets	$	1,562,710		$	1,576,868		$	3,139,578
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
	Net premiums earned	$	179,494		$	13,980		$	193,474
	Investment income, net of investment expenses	11,113			15,599			26,712
	Net realized investment gains	1,367			827			2,194
	Other income	480			127			607
	Total reportable segment	$	192,454		$	30,533		$	222,987
	Intersegment eliminations	50			(133		)	(83		)
	Total revenues	$	192,504		$	30,400		$	222,904
	Net income	$	11,811		$	1,520		$	13,331
	Assets	$	2,032,501		$	1,736,748		$	3,769,249
	Invested assets	$	1,486,783		$	1,628,951		$	3,115,734

Earnings_Per_Common_Share

Earnings Per Common Share	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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 March 31, 2015 and 2014:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
	(In Thousands Except Share Data)	2015				2014
		Basic		Diluted		Basic		Diluted
	Net income	$	23,679	$	23,679	$	13,331	$	13,331
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding	24,990,470		24,990,470		25,372,280		25,372,280
	Add dilutive effect of restricted stock awards	—		114,313		—		102,635
	Add dilutive effect of stock options	—		—		—		115,292
	Weighted-average common shares	24,990,470		25,104,783		25,372,280		25,590,207
	Earnings per common share	$	0.95	$	0.94	$	0.53	$	0.52
	Awards excluded from diluted earnings per share calculation(1)	—		697,950		—		908,480
	-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.

Credit_Facility

Credit Facility	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Credit Facility	CREDIT FACILITY
	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 swingline 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 shareholders' equity.
	There was no outstanding balance on the credit facility at March 31, 2015 and 2014. For the three-month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, we did not incur any interest expense related to this credit facility. We were in compliance with all covenants for the credit agreement at March 31, 2015.

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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 March 31, 2015:
					Liability for
		Net unrealized			underfunded
		appreciation			employee
		on investments			benefit costs			Total
	Balance as of January 1, 2015	$	149,623		$	(58,450	)	$	91,173
	Change in accumulated other comprehensive income before reclassifications	8,524			—			8,524
	Reclassification adjustments from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(1,232		)	1,214			(18		)
	Balance as of March 31, 2015	$	156,915		$	(57,236	)	$	99,679

Nature_of_Operations_and_Basis1

Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
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	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 (DAC)	Property and casualty insurance policy acquisition costs deferred are amortized as premium revenue is recognized. The method followed 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 expected to be incurred and certain other costs expected to be incurred as the premium is earned. With the completion of the Mercer Insurance Group integration, we determined it was the appropriate time to review our DAC models. After reviewing our DAC model at March 31, 2015, we enhanced our property & casualty insurance segment DAC model by updating our aggregation of certain lines of business in a manner consistent with how the policies are currently being marketed and managed. The impact of these updates to the model resulted in a decrease to other underwriting expenses of $48 and an increase to the DAC asset of $728 for the three-month period ended March 31, 2015 as compared to what we would have recognized had we not updated our model.
	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. Expected premium revenue and gross profits are based on the same mortality and withdrawal assumptions used in determining future policy benefits. These assumptions are not revised after policy issuance unless the recorded DAC asset is deemed to be unrecoverable from future expected profits.
	For non-traditional life insurance 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. 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.
	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	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 $8,152 and $2,566 for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Our effective tax rate is different than the federal statutory rate of 35.0 percent due principally to the effect of tax-exempt municipal bond interest income and non-taxable dividend income.
	The Company performs a quarterly review of its tax position and makes a determination of whether it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained upon examination. If based on review, it appears not more likely than not that the position will be sustained, the Company will calculate any unrecognized tax benefits and, if necessary, calculate and accrue any related interest and penalties. We did not recognize any liability for unrecognized tax benefits at March 31, 2015 or December 31, 2014. 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.
Subsequent Events	In the preparation of the accompanying financial statements, the Company has 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 in the Company's financial statements.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards	Accounting Standards Adopted in 2015
	Troubled Debt Restructuring
	In August 2014, the FASB issued updated guidance on the accounting for creditors who are holding receivables with troubled debt restructuring, specifically related to the classification of certain government guaranteed mortgage loans that are in foreclosure. The objective of this update is to provide greater consistency and transparency by addressing the classification of certain foreclosed mortgage loans guaranteed through government programs. The guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2014. The Company adopted the guidance on January 1, 2015. The adoption of the new guidance had no impact on the Company's financial position or results of operations.
	Discontinued Operations
	In April 2014, the FASB issued new guidance on reporting discontinued operations and disclosures of disposals of components of an entity. The new guidance raises the threshold for a disposal to qualify as a discontinued operation and requires new disclosures of both discontinued operations and certain other disposals that do not meet the definition of a discontinued operation. It is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2014. The Company adopted the guidance on January 1, 2015. The adoption of the new guidance had no impact on the Company's financial position or results of operations.
	Pending Adoption of Accounting Standards
	Other Internal Use Software
	In April 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued guidance which clarifies customer's accounting for fees paid for cloud computing arrangements. The new guidance provides guidance to customers about whether a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license or whether the arrangement is considered a service contract. The new guidance is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The Company will adopt the new guidance on January 1, 2016 and is currently evaluating its accounting for cloud computing arrangements and the impact on the Company's financial position and results of operations.
	Debt Issuance Costs
	In April 2015, the FASB issued new guidance on the presentation of debt issuance costs. The new guidance requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the debt liability. The new guidance is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The Company will adopt the new guidance on January 1, 2016 and is currently evaluating the impact on the Company's financial position and results of operations.
	Consolidation
	In February 2015, the FASB issued amendments to the consolidation analysis that a reporting entity performs to determine whether it should consolidate certain legal entities. Specifically, the new guidance modifies the evaluation of whether limited partnerships and similar legal entities are variable interest entities ("VIE"), eliminates the presumption that a general partner should consolidate a limited partnership and affects the consolidation analysis of reporting entities that have VIE's, particularly those with fee arrangements and related party relationships. The new guidance is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The Company will adopt the new guidance on January 1, 2016 and is currently evaluating the impact on the Company's financial position and results of operations.
	Going Concern
	In August 2014, the FASB issued new guidance on the disclosure of uncertainties about an entity's ability to continue as a going concern. The new guidance requires management to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about the entity's ability to continue as a going concern and, if so, to disclose the fact and what the entity's plans are to alleviate that doubt. The guidance is effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2016 and interim periods within annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company will adopt the guidance on January 1, 2016. Management currently does not expect the adoption of the new guidance to have an impact on the Company's financial position or results of operations.
	Share Based Payments
	In June 2014, the FASB issued new guidance on the accounting for share based payments when the terms of an award provide that a performance target could be achieved after the requisite service period. The new guidance requires a performance target that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the service period, be treated as a performance condition. The guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The amendments can be applied prospectively or retrospectively and early adoption is permitted. The Company will adopt the guidance on January 1, 2016 and is currently evaluating the impact on the Company's financial position and results of operations.
	Revenue Recognition
	In May 2014, the FASB issued comprehensive new guidance on revenue recognition which supersedes nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance under GAAP. The new guidance requires a company to recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The standard creates a five-step model that requires companies to exercise judgment when considering the terms of the contract(s) and all relevant facts and circumstances. Insurance contracts are not within the scope of this new guidance. The new guidance is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company will adopt the guidance on January 1, 2017 and is currently evaluating the impact on the Company's financial position and results of operations and considering which transition method it will use in implementing the new guidance.

Nature_of_Operations_and_Basis2

Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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 three-month period ended March 31, 2015.
		Property & Casualty Insurance			Life Insurance			Total
	Recorded asset at beginning of period	$	72,861		$	66,858		$	139,719
	Underwriting costs deferred	47,326			1,479			48,805
	Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs	(40,809		)	(1,663		)	(42,472		)
	Ending unamortized deferred policy acquisition costs	$	79,378		$	66,674		$	146,052
	Change in "shadow" deferred policy acquisition costs	—			(6,911		)	(6,911		)
	Recorded asset at end of period	$	79,378		$	59,763		$	139,141

Summary_of_Investments_Tables

Summary of Investments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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 March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, is as follows:
	March 31, 2015
	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	$	55			$	1			$	—		$	56
	Corporate bonds - financial services	200				—				—			200
	Mortgage-backed securities	111				3				—			114
	Total Held-to-Maturity Fixed Maturities	$	366			$	4			$	—		$	370
	AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
	Fixed maturities:
	Bonds
	U.S. Treasury	$	20,790			$	287			$	6		$	21,071
	U.S. government agency	301,686				5,287				582			306,391
	States, municipalities and political subdivisions	765,100				30,327				722			794,705
	Foreign bonds	125,431				4,724				468			129,687
	Public utilities	210,251				8,490				228			218,513
	Corporate bonds
	Energy	117,526				3,554				467			120,613
	Industrials	205,678				7,967				1,656			211,989
	Consumer goods and services	172,644				6,253				175			178,722
	Health care	89,689				4,025				29			93,685
	Technology, media and telecommunications	130,242				4,650				345			134,547
	Financial services	221,491				10,252				1			231,742
	Mortgage-backed securities	16,243				610				11			16,842
	Collateralized mortgage obligations	345,805				10,813				2,321			354,297
	Asset-backed securities	4,858				293				—			5,151
	Total Available-for-Sale Fixed Maturities	$	2,727,434			$	97,532			$	7,011		$	2,817,955
	Equity securities:
	Common stocks
	Public utilities	$	7,231			$	11,913			$	62		$	19,082
	Energy	5,625				7,949				7			13,567
	Industrials	13,284				33,888				162			47,010
	Consumer goods and services	10,308				13,189				1			23,496
	Health care	7,920				22,039				—			29,959
	Technology, media and telecommunications	6,207				6,931				28			13,110
	Financial services	16,679				75,500				43			92,136
	Nonredeemable preferred stocks	4,984				207				—			5,191
	Total Available-for-Sale Equity Securities	$	72,238			$	171,616			$	303		$	243,551
	Total Available-for-Sale Securities	$	2,799,672			$	269,148			$	7,314		$	3,061,506
	December 31, 2014
	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	$	55			$	—			$	—		$	55
	Corporate bonds - financial services	200				—				—			200
	Mortgage-backed securities	142				7				—			149
	Total Held-to-Maturity Fixed Maturities	$	397			$	7			$	—		$	404
	AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
	Fixed maturities:
	Bonds
	U.S. Treasury	$	25,856			$	168			$	52		$	25,972
	U.S. government agency	349,747				4,347				2,422			351,672
	States, municipalities and political subdivisions	748,632				30,395				742			778,285
	Foreign bonds	136,487				4,132				446			140,173
	Public utilities	206,366				6,479				488			212,357
	Corporate bonds
	Energy	135,068				2,858				793			137,133
	Industrials	211,256				6,373				2,154			215,475
	Consumer goods and services	172,623				4,702				324			177,001
	Health care	86,017				3,228				210			89,035
	Technology, media and telecommunications	131,465				3,863				799			134,529
Financial services	215,095				8,574				87			223,582
Mortgage-backed securities	17,121				483				46			17,558
Collateralized mortgage obligations	335,092				7,003				4,806			337,289
Asset-backed securities	2,741				277				—			3,018
Total Available-for-Sale Fixed Maturities	$	2,773,566			$	82,882			$	13,369		$	2,843,079
Equity securities:
Common stocks
Public utilities	$	7,231			$	13,103			$	44		$	20,290
Energy	5,094				8,623				—			13,717
Industrials	13,284				32,299				124			45,459
Consumer goods and services	10,294				13,295				275			23,314
Health care	7,920				22,436				—			30,356
Technology, media and telecommunications	6,207				7,846				58			13,995
Financial services	16,637				77,077				51			93,663
Nonredeemable preferred stocks	4,984				72				7			5,049
Total Available-for-Sale Equity Securities	$	71,651			$	174,751			$	559		$	245,843
Total Available-for-Sale Securities	$	2,845,217			$	257,633			$	13,928		$	3,088,922
Maturities	The amortized cost and fair value of held-to-maturity, available-for-sale and trading fixed maturity securities at March 31, 2015, 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
	March 31, 2015	Amortized Cost				Fair Value				Amortized Cost			Fair Value				Amortized Cost				Fair Value
	Due in one year or less	$	55			$	56			$	242,924		$	245,549			$	2,246			$	2,846
	Due after one year through five years	200				200				815,499			854,281				7,361				7,914
	Due after five years through 10 years	—				—				853,096			882,432				1,998				2,499
	Due after 10 years	—				—				449,009			459,403				2,890				3,534
	Asset-backed securities	—				—				4,858			5,151				—				—
	Mortgage-backed securities	111				114				16,243			16,842				—				—
	Collateralized mortgage obligations	—				—				345,805			354,297				—				—
		$	366			$	370			$	2,727,434		$	2,817,955			$	14,495			$	16,793
Net Realized Investment Gains and Losses	A summary of the components of net realized investment gains is as follows:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015				2014
	Net realized investment gains (losses)
	Fixed maturities:
	Available-for-sale	$	991			$	647
	Trading securities
	Change in fair value	(201		)		300
	Sales	516				235
	Equity securities:
	Available-for-sale	904				835
	Trading securities
	Change in fair value	(56		)		177
	Sales	46				—
	Other long-term investments	(1,313		)		—
	Total net realized investment gains	$	887			$	2,194
Proceeds and Gross Realized Gains and Losses	The proceeds and gross realized gains on the sale of available-for-sale securities are as follows:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015				2014
	Proceeds from sales	$	5,017			$	—
	Gross realized gains	973				—
	Gross realized losses	—				—
Unrealized Appreciation and Depreciation	A summary of the changes in net unrealized investment appreciation during the reporting period is as follows:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015				2014
	Change in net unrealized investment appreciation
	Available-for-sale fixed maturities	$	21,008			$	28,563
	Available-for-sale equity securities	(2,879		)		2,945
	Deferred policy acquisition costs	(6,911		)		(8,920		)
	Income tax effect	(3,926		)		(7,907		)
	Total change in net unrealized investment appreciation, net of tax	$	7,292			$	14,681
Investments in Unrealized Loss Position
	March 31, 2015	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	2			$	3,428			$	1		2			$	1,663			$	5			$	5,091	$	6
	U.S. government agency	16			40,258				216			7			22,085				366				62,343		582
	States, municipalities and political subdivisions	49			55,259				510			15			10,927				212				66,186		722
	Foreign bonds	6			13,685				468			—			—				—				13,685		468
	Public utilities	5			8,581				81			3			2,111				147				10,692		228
	Corporate bonds
	Energy	6			12,156				261			3			7,211				206				19,367		467
	Industrials	8			18,037				161			2			6,536				1,495				24,573		1,656
	Consumer goods and services	4			12,273				170			4			2,517				5				14,790		175
	Health care	2			7,052				4			2			3,895				25				10,947		29
	Technology, media and telecommunications	1			3,194				8			2			9,187				337				12,381		345
	Financial services	1			2,204				1			—			—				—				2,204		1
	Mortgage-backed securities	4			168				11			—			—				—				168		11
	Collateralized mortgage obligations	14			20,680				268			39			83,994				2,053				104,674		2,321
	Total Available-for-Sale Fixed Maturities	118			$	196,975			$	2,160		79			$	150,126			$	4,851			$	347,101	$	7,011
	Equity securities:
	Common stocks
	Public utilities	3			$	246			$	62		—			$	—			$	—			$	246	$	62
	Energy	1			179				7			—			—				—				179		7
	Industrials	3			237				112			2			63				50				300		162
	Consumer goods and services	—			—				—			2			16				1				16		1
	Technology, media and telecommunications	7			521				17			2			229				11				750		28
	Financial services	1			194				43			—			—				—				194		43
	Total Available-for-Sale Equity Securities	15			$	1,377			$	241		6			$	308			$	62			$	1,685	$	303
	Total Available-for-Sale Securities	133			$	198,352			$	2,401		85			$	150,434			$	4,913			$	348,786	$	7,314
	December 31, 2014	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	4			$	2,343			$	6		4			$	5,069			$	46			$	7,412	$	52
	U.S. government agency	11			41,064				70			35			95,198				2,352				136,262		2,422
	States, municipalities and political subdivisions	18			30,859				185			62			50,847				557				81,706		742
	Foreign bonds	6			17,158				446			—			—				—				17,158		446
	Public utilities	10			21,839				194			4			3,611				294				25,450		488
	Corporate bonds
	Energy	8			17,416				420			3			7,061				373				24,477		793
	Industrials	8			17,103				362			3			9,592				1,792				26,695		2,154
	Consumer goods and services	11			28,344				258			7			10,064				66				38,408		324
	Health care	3			8,244				36			3			7,104				174				15,348		210
	Technology, media and telecommunications	4			8,860				68			4			15,742				731				24,602		799
	Financial services	3			5,908				31			2			6,131				56				12,039		87
	Mortgage-backed securities	9			425				21			2			1,991				25				2,416		46
	Collateralized mortgage obligations	10			20,746				112			56			122,550				4,694				143,296		4,806
	Total Available-for-Sale Fixed Maturities	105			$	220,309			$	2,209		185			$	334,960			$	11,160			$	555,269	$	13,369
	Equity securities:
	Common stocks
	Public utilities	3			$	263			$	44		—			$	—			$	—			$	263	$	44
	Industrials	3			280				70			2			58				54				338		124
	Consumer goods and services	1			129				272			2			15				3				144		275
	Technology, media and telecommunications	4			503				14			5			218				44				721		58
	Financial services	1			186				51			—			—				—				186		51
	Nonredeemable preferred stocks	—			—				—			1			700				7				700		7
	Total Available-for-Sale Equity Securities	12			$	1,361			$	451		10			$	991			$	108			$	2,352	$	559
	Total Available-for-Sale Securities	117			$	221,670			$	2,660		195			$	335,951			$	11,268			$	557,621	$	13,928

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru1

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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 March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 is as follows:
		March 31, 2015					December 31, 2014
		Fair Value		Carrying Value			Fair Value			Carrying Value
	Assets
	Investments
	Fixed maturities:
	Held-to-maturity securities	$	370	$	366		$	404		$	397
	Available-for-sale securities	2,817,955		2,817,955			2,843,079			2,843,079
	Trading securities	16,793		16,793			16,862			16,862
	Equity securities:
	Available-for-sale securities	243,551		243,551			245,843			245,843
	Trading securities	3,746		3,746			4,066			4,066
	Mortgage loans	4,500		4,141			4,559			4,199
	Policy loans	5,792		5,792			5,916			5,916
	Other long-term investments	47,059		47,059			50,424			50,424
	Short-term investments	175		175			175			175
	Cash and cash equivalents	111,320		111,320			90,574			90,574
	Corporate-owned life insurance	1,072		1,072			918			918
	Liabilities
	Policy reserves
	Annuity (accumulations) (1)	$	848,649	$	832,330		$	865,802		$	863,606
	Annuity (benefit payments)	133,182		95,780			176,592			99,121
	(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 March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:
	31-Mar-15			Fair Value Measurements
	Description	Total		Level 1			Level 2			Level 3
	AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
	Fixed maturities:
	Bonds
	U.S. Treasury	$	21,071	$	—		$	21,071		$	—
	U.S. government agency	306,391		—			306,391			—
	States, municipalities and political subdivisions	794,705		—			794,186			519
	Foreign bonds	129,687		—			129,687			—
	Public utilities	218,513		—			218,513			—
	Corporate bonds
	Energy	120,613		—			120,613			—
	Industrials	211,989		—			211,989			—
	Consumer goods and services	178,722		—			177,354			1,368
	Health care	93,685		—			93,685			—
	Technology, media and telecommunications	134,547		—			134,547			—
	Financial services	231,742		—			220,911			10,831
	Mortgage-backed securities	16,842		—			16,842			—
	Collateralized mortgage obligations	354,297		—			354,297			—
	Asset-backed securities	5,151		—			3,658			1,493
	Total Available-for-Sale Fixed Maturities	$	2,817,955	$	—		$	2,803,744		$	14,211
	Equity securities:
	Common stocks
	Public utilities	$	19,082	$	19,082		$	—		$	—
	Energy	13,567		13,567			—			—
	Industrials	47,010		47,008			2			—
	Consumer goods and services	23,496		23,496			—			—
	Health care	29,959		29,959			—			—
	Technology, media and telecommunications	13,110		13,110			—			—
	Financial services	92,136		88,084			74			3,978
	Nonredeemable preferred stocks	5,191		565			4,626			—
	Total Available-for-Sale Equity Securities	$	243,551	$	234,871		$	4,702		$	3,978
	Total Available-for-Sale Securities	$	3,061,506	$	234,871		$	2,808,446		$	18,189
	TRADING
	Fixed maturities:
	Corporate bonds
	Industrials	$	3,836	$	—		$	3,836		$	—
	Consumer goods and services	115		—			115			—
	Health care	2,339		—			2,339			—
	Technology, media and telecommunications	318		—			318			—
	Financial services	5,693		—			5,693			—
	Redeemable preferred stocks	4,492		4,492			—			—
	Equity securities:
	Energy	395		395			—			—
	Consumer goods and services	1,081		1,081			—			—
	Health care	331		331			—			—
	Technology, media and telecommunications	353		353			—			—
	Nonredeemable preferred stocks	1,586		1,586			—			—
	Total Trading Securities	$	20,539	$	8,238		$	12,301		$	—
	Short-Term Investments	$	175	$	175		$	—		$	—
	Money Market Accounts	$	46,075	$	46,075		$	—		$	—
	Corporate-Owned Life Insurance	$	1,072	$	—		$	1,072		$	—
	Total Assets Measured at Fair Value	$	3,129,367	$	289,359		$	2,821,819		$	18,189
	31-Dec-14			Fair Value Measurements
	Description	Total		Level 1			Level 2			Level 3
	AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
	Fixed maturities:
	Bonds
	U.S. Treasury	$	25,972	$	—		$	25,972		$	—
	U.S. government agency	351,672		—			351,672			—
	States, municipalities and political subdivisions	778,285		—			777,766			519
	Foreign bonds	140,173		—			140,173			—
	Public utilities	212,357		—			212,357			—
Corporate bonds
Energy	137,133		—			137,133			—
Industrials	215,475		—			215,475			—
Consumer goods and services	177,001		—			175,682			1,319
Health care	89,035		—			89,035			—
Technology, media and telecommunications	134,529		—			134,529			—
Financial services	223,582		—			212,589			10,993
Mortgage-backed securities	17,558		—			17,558			—
Collateralized mortgage obligations	337,289		—			337,289			—
Asset-backed securities	3,018		—			1,406			1,612
Total Available-for-Sale Fixed Maturities	$	2,843,079	$	—		$	2,828,636		$	14,443
Equity securities:
Common stocks
Public utilities	$	20,290	$	20,290		$	—		$	—
Energy	13,717		13,717			—			—
Industrials	45,459		45,458			1			—
Consumer goods and services	23,314		23,314			—			—
Health care	30,356		30,356			—			—
Technology, media and telecommunications	13,995		13,995			—			—
Financial services	93,663		89,719			72			3,872
Nonredeemable preferred stocks	5,049		558			4,491			—
Total Available-for-Sale Equity Securities	$	245,843	$	237,407		$	4,564		$	3,872
Total Available-for-Sale Securities	$	3,088,922	$	237,407		$	2,833,200		$	18,315
TRADING
Fixed maturities:
Bonds
Corporate bonds
Industrials	$	3,352	$	—		$	3,352		$	—
Health care	2,425		—			2,425			—
Technology, media and telecommunications	338		—			338			—
Financial services	5,997		—			5,997			—
Redeemable preferred stocks	4,750		4,750			—			—
Equity securities:
Energy	411		411			—			—
Consumer goods and services	1,034		1,034			—			—
Health care	327		327			—			—
Technology, media and telecommunications	411		411			—			—
Nonredeemable preferred stocks	1,883		1,883			—			—
Total Trading Securities	$	20,928	$	8,816		$	12,112		$	—
Short-Term Investments	$	175	$	175		$	—		$	—
Money Market Accounts	$	28,095	$	28,095		$	—		$	—
Corporate-Owned Life Insurance	$	918	$	—		$	918		$	—
Total Assets Measured at Fair Value	$	3,139,038	$	274,493		$	2,846,230		$	18,315
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 March 31, 2015:
		States, municipalities and political subdivisions		Corporate bonds			Asset-backed securities			Equities			Total
	Balance at January 1, 2015	$	519	$	12,312		$	1,612		$	3,872		$	18,315
	Net unrealized gains (losses)(1)	—		182			8			—			190
	Purchases	—		—			—			121			121
	Disposals	—		(295		)	(127		)	(15		)	(437		)
	Balance at March 31, 2015	$	519	$	12,199		$	1,493		$	3,978		$	18,189
	(1) Unrealized gains are recorded as a component of comprehensive income.

Employee_Benefits_Tables

Employee Benefits (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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 March 31,	2015			2014			2015		2014
	Net periodic benefit cost
	Service cost	$	1,669		$	1,303		$	1,305	$	924
	Interest cost	1,500			1,468			713		586
	Expected return on plan assets	(1,950		)	(1,739		)	—		—
	Amortization of net loss	1,136			544			731		224
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	2,355		$	1,576		$	2,749	$	1,734

Stockbased_Compensation_Tables

Stock-based Compensation (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]
Activity in Stock Award Plans	The activity in the Stock Plan is displayed in the following table:
	Authorized Shares Available for Future Award Grants	Three Months Ended March 31, 2015			From Inception to March 31, 2015
	Beginning balance	1,646,947			1,900,000
	Additional shares authorized	—			1,500,000
	Number of awards granted	(362,854	)		(2,359,363	)
	Number of awards forfeited or expired	98,600			342,056
	Ending balance	1,382,693			1,382,693
	Number of option awards exercised	23,724			491,287
	Number of unrestricted stock awards granted	—			5,280
	Number of restricted stock awards vested	—			18,576
	The activity in the Director Plan is displayed in the following table:
	Authorized Shares Available for Future Award Grants	Three Months Ended March 31, 2015			From Inception to March 31, 2015
	Beginning balance	87,194			300,000
	Number of awards granted	—			(218,809	)
	Number of awards forfeited or expired	—			6,003
	Ending balance	87,194			87,194
	Number of option awards exercised	547			5,222
	Number of restricted stock awards vested	—			11,442
Remaining Stock-Based Compensation Expense	We expect this compensation to be recognized over the remainder of 2015 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.
	2015		$	1,740
	2016		1,929
	2017		1,690
	2018		1,269
	2019		581
	2020		61
	Total		$	7,270

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information	We have reconciled the amounts in the following table for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 to the amounts reported in our unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements, adjusting for intersegment eliminations.
		Property and Casualty Insurance			Life Insurance			Total
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
	Net premiums earned	$	200,137		$	13,228		$	213,365
	Investment income, net of investment expenses	10,730			13,616			24,346
	Net realized investment gains (losses)	(239		)	1,126			887
	Other income	—			63			63
	Total reportable segment	$	210,628		$	28,033		$	238,661
	Intersegment eliminations	17			(194		)	(177		)
	Total revenues	$	210,645		$	27,839		$	238,484
	Net income	$	23,103		$	576		$	23,679
	Assets	$	2,166,432		$	1,697,819		$	3,864,251
	Invested assets	$	1,562,710		$	1,576,868		$	3,139,578
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
	Net premiums earned	$	179,494		$	13,980		$	193,474
	Investment income, net of investment expenses	11,113			15,599			26,712
	Net realized investment gains	1,367			827			2,194
	Other income	480			127			607
	Total reportable segment	$	192,454		$	30,533		$	222,987
	Intersegment eliminations	50			(133		)	(83		)
	Total revenues	$	192,504		$	30,400		$	222,904
	Net income	$	11,811		$	1,520		$	13,331
	Assets	$	2,032,501		$	1,736,748		$	3,769,249
	Invested assets	$	1,486,783		$	1,628,951		$	3,115,734

Earnings_Per_Common_Share_Tabl

Earnings Per Common Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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 March 31, 2015 and 2014:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
	(In Thousands Except Share Data)	2015				2014
		Basic		Diluted		Basic		Diluted
	Net income	$	23,679	$	23,679	$	13,331	$	13,331
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding	24,990,470		24,990,470		25,372,280		25,372,280
	Add dilutive effect of restricted stock awards	—		114,313		—		102,635
	Add dilutive effect of stock options	—		—		—		115,292
	Weighted-average common shares	24,990,470		25,104,783		25,372,280		25,590,207
	Earnings per common share	$	0.95	$	0.94	$	0.53	$	0.52
	Awards excluded from diluted earnings per share calculation(1)	—		697,950		—		908,480
	-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)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Schedule of 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 March 31, 2015:
					Liability for
		Net unrealized			underfunded
		appreciation			employee
		on investments			benefit costs			Total
	Balance as of January 1, 2015	$	149,623		$	(58,450	)	$	91,173
	Change in accumulated other comprehensive income before reclassifications	8,524			—			8,524
	Reclassification adjustments from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(1,232		)	1,214			(18		)
	Balance as of March 31, 2015	$	156,915		$	(57,236	)	$	99,679

Nature_of_Operations_and_Basis3

Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation (Narratives) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
	segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of business segments	2
Payment for income taxes	$6,508,000	$1,007,000
Federal tax refund received	0	615,000
Interest payments	0	0
Decrease to other underwriting expenses	48,000
Increase in DAC asset	728,000
Increase (decrease) in DAC asset related to assumed realization of unrealized gains (losses)	-20,294,000		13,383,000
Federal income tax expense	$8,152,000	$2,566,000
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
Life Insurance [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of states in which we are licensed as insurer	37

Nature_of_Operations_and_Basis4

Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation (Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Movement Analysis of Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs [Roll Forward]
Recorded asset at beginning of period	$139,719
Underwriting costs deferred	48,805
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs	-42,472
Ending unamortized deferred policy acquisition costs	146,052
Change in shadow deferred policy acquisition costs	-6,911	-8,920
Recorded asset at end of period	139,141
Property and Casualty Insurance [Member]
Movement Analysis of Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs [Roll Forward]
Recorded asset at beginning of period	72,861
Underwriting costs deferred	47,326
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs	-40,809
Ending unamortized deferred policy acquisition costs	79,378
Change in shadow deferred policy acquisition costs	0
Recorded asset at end of period	79,378
Life Insurance [Member]
Movement Analysis of Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs [Roll Forward]
Recorded asset at beginning of period	66,858
Underwriting costs deferred	1,479
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs	-1,663
Ending unamortized deferred policy acquisition costs	66,674
Change in shadow deferred policy acquisition costs	-6,911
Recorded asset at end of period	$59,763

Summary_of_Investments_Fair_Va

Summary of Investments (Fair Value of Investments) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Held-to-maturity Securities, Debt Maturities [Abstract]
Cost or Amortized Cost	$366	$397
Fair Value	370	404
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Cost or Amortized Cost	2,799,672	2,845,217
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	269,148	257,633
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	7,314	13,928
Fair Value	3,061,506	3,088,922
Fixed Maturities [Member]
Held-to-maturity Securities, Debt Maturities [Abstract]
Cost or Amortized Cost	366	397
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	4	7
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	0	0
Fair Value	370	404
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Cost or Amortized Cost	2,727,434	2,773,566
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	97,532	82,882
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	7,011	13,369
Fair Value	2,817,955	2,843,079
U.S. Treasury [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Cost or Amortized Cost	20,790	25,856
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	287	168
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	6	52
Fair Value	21,071	25,972
U.S. Government Agency [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Cost or Amortized Cost	301,686	349,747
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	5,287	4,347
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	582	2,422
Fair Value	306,391	351,672
States, Municipalities and Political Subdivisions [Member]
Held-to-maturity Securities, Debt Maturities [Abstract]
Cost or Amortized Cost	55	55
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	1	0
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	0	0
Fair Value	56	55
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Cost or Amortized Cost	765,100	748,632
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	30,327	30,395
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	722	742
Fair Value	794,705	778,285
Foreign Bonds [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Cost or Amortized Cost	125,431	136,487
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	4,724	4,132
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	468	446
Fair Value	129,687	140,173
Public Utilities [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Cost or Amortized Cost	210,251	206,366
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	8,490	6,479
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	228	488
Fair Value	218,513	212,357
Corporate Bonds [Member] | Energy [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Cost or Amortized Cost	117,526	135,068
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	3,554	2,858
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	467	793
Fair Value	120,613	137,133
Corporate Bonds [Member] | Industrials [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Cost or Amortized Cost	205,678	211,256
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	7,967	6,373
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	1,656	2,154
Fair Value	211,989	215,475
Corporate Bonds [Member] | Consumer Goods and Services [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Cost or Amortized Cost	172,644	172,623
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	6,253	4,702
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	175	324
Fair Value	178,722	177,001
Corporate Bonds [Member] | Health Care [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Cost or Amortized Cost	89,689	86,017
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	4,025	3,228
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	29	210
Fair Value	93,685	89,035
Corporate Bonds [Member] | Technology, Media and Telecommunications [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Cost or Amortized Cost	130,242	131,465
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	4,650	3,863
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	345	799
Fair Value	134,547	134,529
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
Fair Value	200	200
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Cost or Amortized Cost	221,491	215,095
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	10,252	8,574
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	1	87
Fair Value	231,742	223,582
Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]
Held-to-maturity Securities, Debt Maturities [Abstract]
Cost or Amortized Cost	111	142
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	3	7
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	0	0
Fair Value	114	149
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Cost or Amortized Cost	16,243	17,121
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	610	483
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	11	46
Fair Value	16,842	17,558
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Cost or Amortized Cost	345,805	335,092
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	10,813	7,003
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	2,321	4,806
Fair Value	354,297	337,289
Asset-Backed Securities [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Cost or Amortized Cost	4,858	2,741
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	293	277
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	0	0
Fair Value	5,151	3,018
Equity Securities [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Cost or Amortized Cost	72,238	71,651
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	171,616	174,751
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	303	559
Fair Value	243,551	245,843
Common Stocks [Member] | Public Utilities [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Cost or Amortized Cost	7,231	7,231
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	11,913	13,103
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	62	44
Fair Value	19,082	20,290
Common Stocks [Member] | Energy [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Cost or Amortized Cost	5,625	5,094
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	7,949	8,623
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	7	0
Fair Value	13,567	13,717
Common Stocks [Member] | Industrials [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Cost or Amortized Cost	13,284	13,284
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	33,888	32,299
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	162	124
Fair Value	47,010	45,459
Common Stocks [Member] | Consumer Goods and Services [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Cost or Amortized Cost	10,308	10,294
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	13,189	13,295
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	1	275
Fair Value	23,496	23,314
Common Stocks [Member] | Health Care [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Cost or Amortized Cost	7,920	7,920
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	22,039	22,436
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	0	0
Fair Value	29,959	30,356
Common Stocks [Member] | Technology, Media and Telecommunications [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Cost or Amortized Cost	6,207	6,207
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	6,931	7,846
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	28	58
Fair Value	13,110	13,995
Common Stocks [Member] | Financial Services [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Cost or Amortized Cost	16,679	16,637
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	75,500	77,077
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	43	51
Fair Value	92,136	93,663
Nonredeemable Preferred Stocks [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Cost or Amortized Cost	4,984	4,984
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	207	72
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	0	7
Fair Value	$5,191	$5,049

Summary_of_Investments_Maturit

Summary of Investments (Maturities) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Held-To-Maturity, Amortized Cost
Due in one year or less	$55
Due after one year through five years	200
Due after five years through 10 years	0
Due after 10 years	0
Amortized Cost	366	397
Held-To-Maturity, Fair Value
Due in one year or less	56
Due after one year through five years	200
Due after five years through 10 years	0
Due after 10 years	0
Fair Value	370	404
Available-For-Sale, Amortized Cost
Due in one year or less	242,924
Due after one year through five years	815,499
Due after five years through 10 years	853,096
Due after 10 years	449,009
Amortized Cost	2,799,672	2,845,217
Available-For-Sale, Fair Value
Due in one year or less	245,549
Due after one year through five years	854,281
Due after five years through 10 years	882,432
Due after 10 years	459,403
Fair Value	3,061,506	3,088,922
Trading, Amortized Cost
Due in one year or less	2,246
Due after one year through five years	7,361
Due after five years through 10 years	1,998
Due after 10 years	2,890
Amortized Cost	14,495	14,363
Trading, Fair Value
Due in one year or less	2,846
Due after one year through five years	7,914
Due after five years through 10 years	2,499
Due after 10 years	3,534
Fair Value	16,793	16,862
Asset-Backed Securities [Member]
Held-To-Maturity, Amortized Cost
Securities not categorized by contractual maturity	0
Held-To-Maturity, Fair Value
Securities not categorized by contractual maturity	0
Available-For-Sale, Amortized Cost
Securities not categorized by contractual maturity	4,858
Amortized Cost	4,858	2,741
Available-For-Sale, Fair Value
Securities not categorized by contractual maturity	5,151
Fair Value	5,151	3,018
Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]
Held-To-Maturity, Amortized Cost
Securities not categorized by contractual maturity	111
Amortized Cost	111	142
Held-To-Maturity, Fair Value
Securities not categorized by contractual maturity	114
Fair Value	114	149
Available-For-Sale, Amortized Cost
Securities not categorized by contractual maturity	16,243
Amortized Cost	16,243	17,121
Available-For-Sale, Fair Value
Securities not categorized by contractual maturity	16,842
Fair Value	16,842	17,558
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations [Member]
Held-To-Maturity, Amortized Cost
Securities not categorized by contractual maturity	0
Held-To-Maturity, Fair Value
Securities not categorized by contractual maturity	0
Available-For-Sale, Amortized Cost
Securities not categorized by contractual maturity	345,805
Amortized Cost	345,805	335,092
Available-For-Sale, Fair Value
Securities not categorized by contractual maturity	354,297
Fair Value	354,297	337,289
Fixed Maturities [Member]
Held-To-Maturity, Amortized Cost
Amortized Cost	366	397
Held-To-Maturity, Fair Value
Fair Value	370	404
Available-For-Sale, Amortized Cost
Amortized Cost	2,727,434	2,773,566
Available-For-Sale, Fair Value
Fair Value	2,817,955	2,843,079
Trading, Amortized Cost
Amortized Cost	14,495
Trading, Fair Value
Fair Value	$16,793

Summary_of_Investments_Net_Rea

Summary of Investments (Net Realized Investment Gains and Losses) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Net realized investment gains (losses)	$887	$2,194
Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Proceeds from sales	5,017	0
Gross realized gains	973	0
Gross realized losses	0	0
Fixed Maturities [Member] | Available-for-sale [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Net realized investment gains (losses)	991	647
Fixed Maturities [Member] | Trading Securities, Change in Fair Value [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Net realized investment gains (losses)	-201	300
Fixed Maturities [Member] | Trading Securities, Sales [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Net realized investment gains (losses)	516	235
Equity Securities [Member] | Available-for-sale [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Net realized investment gains (losses)	904	835
Equity Securities [Member] | Trading Securities, Change in Fair Value [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Net realized investment gains (losses)	-56	177
Equity Securities [Member] | Trading Securities, Sales [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Net realized investment gains (losses)	46	0
Other Long-term Investments [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Net realized investment gains (losses)	($1,313)	$0

Summary_of_Investments_Unreali

Summary of Investments (Unrealized Appreciation) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments [Abstract]
Available-for-sale fixed maturities	$21,008	$28,563
Available-for-sale equity securities	-2,879	2,945
Deferred policy acquisition costs	-6,911	-8,920
Income tax effect	-3,926	-7,907
Total change in net unrealized investment appreciation, net of tax	$7,292	$14,681

Summary_of_Investments_Investm

Summary of Investments (Investments in Unrealized Loss Position) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	issue	issue
Available-for-sale
Less than 12 months, Number of Issues	133	117
Less than 12 months, Fair Value	$198,352	$221,670
Less than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	2,401	2,660
12 months or longer, Number of Issues	85	195
12 months or longer, Fair Value	150,434	335,951
12 months or longer, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	4,913	11,268
Total, Fair Value	348,786	557,621
Total, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	7,314	13,928
Fixed Maturities [Member]
Available-for-sale
Less than 12 months, Number of Issues	118	105
Less than 12 months, Fair Value	196,975	220,309
Less than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	2,160	2,209
12 months or longer, Number of Issues	79	185
12 months or longer, Fair Value	150,126	334,960
12 months or longer, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	4,851	11,160
Total, Fair Value	347,101	555,269
Total, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	7,011	13,369
U.S. Treasury [Member]
Available-for-sale
Less than 12 months, Number of Issues	2	4
Less than 12 months, Fair Value	3,428	2,343
Less than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	1	6
12 months or longer, Number of Issues	2	4
12 months or longer, Fair Value	1,663	5,069
12 months or longer, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	5	46
Total, Fair Value	5,091	7,412
Total, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	6	52
U.S. Government Agency [Member]
Available-for-sale
Less than 12 months, Number of Issues	16	11
Less than 12 months, Fair Value	40,258	41,064
Less than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	216	70
12 months or longer, Number of Issues	7	35
12 months or longer, Fair Value	22,085	95,198
12 months or longer, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	366	2,352
Total, Fair Value	62,343	136,262
Total, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	582	2,422
States, Municipalities and Political Subdivisions [Member]
Available-for-sale
Less than 12 months, Number of Issues	49	18
Less than 12 months, Fair Value	55,259	30,859
Less than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	510	185
12 months or longer, Number of Issues	15	62
12 months or longer, Fair Value	10,927	50,847
12 months or longer, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	212	557
Total, Fair Value	66,186	81,706
Total, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	722	742
Foreign Bonds [Member]
Available-for-sale
Less than 12 months, Number of Issues	6	6
Less than 12 months, Fair Value	13,685	17,158
Less than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	468	446
12 months or longer, Number of Issues	0	0
12 months or longer, Fair Value	0	0
12 months or longer, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	0	0
Total, Fair Value	13,685	17,158
Total, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	468	446
Public Utilities [Member]
Available-for-sale
Less than 12 months, Number of Issues	5	10
Less than 12 months, Fair Value	8,581	21,839
Less than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	81	194
12 months or longer, Number of Issues	3	4
12 months or longer, Fair Value	2,111	3,611
12 months or longer, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	147	294
Total, Fair Value	10,692	25,450
Total, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	228	488
Corporate Bonds [Member] | Energy [Member]
Available-for-sale
Less than 12 months, Number of Issues	6	8
Less than 12 months, Fair Value	12,156	17,416
Less than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	261	420
12 months or longer, Number of Issues	3	3
12 months or longer, Fair Value	7,211	7,061
12 months or longer, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	206	373
Total, Fair Value	19,367	24,477
Total, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	467	793
Corporate Bonds [Member] | Industrials [Member]
Available-for-sale
Less than 12 months, Number of Issues	8	8
Less than 12 months, Fair Value	18,037	17,103
Less than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	161	362
12 months or longer, Number of Issues	2	3
12 months or longer, Fair Value	6,536	9,592
12 months or longer, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	1,495	1,792
Total, Fair Value	24,573	26,695
Total, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	1,656	2,154
Corporate Bonds [Member] | Consumer Goods and Services [Member]
Available-for-sale
Less than 12 months, Number of Issues	4	11
Less than 12 months, Fair Value	12,273	28,344
Less than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	170	258
12 months or longer, Number of Issues	4	7
12 months or longer, Fair Value	2,517	10,064
12 months or longer, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	5	66
Total, Fair Value	14,790	38,408
Total, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	175	324
Corporate Bonds [Member] | Health Care [Member]
Available-for-sale
Less than 12 months, Number of Issues	2	3
Less than 12 months, Fair Value	7,052	8,244
Less than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	4	36
12 months or longer, Number of Issues	2	3
12 months or longer, Fair Value	3,895	7,104
12 months or longer, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	25	174
Total, Fair Value	10,947	15,348
Total, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	29	210
Corporate Bonds [Member] | Technology, Media and Telecommunications [Member]
Available-for-sale
Less than 12 months, Number of Issues	1	4
Less than 12 months, Fair Value	3,194	8,860
Less than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	8	68
12 months or longer, Number of Issues	2	4
12 months or longer, Fair Value	9,187	15,742
12 months or longer, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	337	731
Total, Fair Value	12,381	24,602
Total, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	345	799
Corporate Bonds [Member] | Financial Services [Member]
Available-for-sale
Less than 12 months, Number of Issues	1	3
Less than 12 months, Fair Value	2,204	5,908
Less than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	1	31
12 months or longer, Number of Issues	0	2
12 months or longer, Fair Value	0	6,131
12 months or longer, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	0	56
Total, Fair Value	2,204	12,039
Total, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	1	87
Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]
Available-for-sale
Less than 12 months, Number of Issues	4	9
Less than 12 months, Fair Value	168	425
Less than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	11	21
12 months or longer, Number of Issues	0	2
12 months or longer, Fair Value	0	1,991
12 months or longer, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	0	25
Total, Fair Value	168	2,416
Total, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	11	46
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations [Member]
Available-for-sale
Less than 12 months, Number of Issues	14	10
Less than 12 months, Fair Value	20,680	20,746
Less than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	268	112
12 months or longer, Number of Issues	39	56
12 months or longer, Fair Value	83,994	122,550
12 months or longer, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	2,053	4,694
Total, Fair Value	104,674	143,296
Total, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	2,321	4,806
Equity Securities [Member]
Available-for-sale
Less than 12 months, Number of Issues	15	12
Less than 12 months, Fair Value	1,377	1,361
Less than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	241	451
12 months or longer, Number of Issues	6	10
12 months or longer, Fair Value	308	991
12 months or longer, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	62	108
Total, Fair Value	1,685	2,352
Total, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	303	559
Common Stocks [Member] | Public Utilities [Member]
Available-for-sale
Less than 12 months, Number of Issues	3	3
Less than 12 months, Fair Value	246	263
Less than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	62	44
12 months or longer, Number of Issues	0	0
12 months or longer, Fair Value	0	0
12 months or longer, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	0	0
Total, Fair Value	246	263
Total, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	62	44
Common Stocks [Member] | Energy [Member]
Available-for-sale
Less than 12 months, Number of Issues	1
Less than 12 months, Fair Value	179
Less than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	7
12 months or longer, Number of Issues	0
12 months or longer, Fair Value	0
12 months or longer, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	0
Total, Fair Value	179
Total, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	7
Common Stocks [Member] | Industrials [Member]
Available-for-sale
Less than 12 months, Number of Issues	3	3
Less than 12 months, Fair Value	237	280
Less than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	112	70
12 months or longer, Number of Issues	2	2
12 months or longer, Fair Value	63	58
12 months or longer, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	50	54
Total, Fair Value	300	338
Total, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	162	124
Common Stocks [Member] | Consumer Goods and Services [Member]
Available-for-sale
Less than 12 months, Number of Issues	0	1
Less than 12 months, Fair Value	0	129
Less than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	0	272
12 months or longer, Number of Issues	2	2
12 months or longer, Fair Value	16	15
12 months or longer, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	1	3
Total, Fair Value	16	144
Total, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	1	275
Common Stocks [Member] | Technology, Media and Telecommunications [Member]
Available-for-sale
Less than 12 months, Number of Issues	7	4
Less than 12 months, Fair Value	521	503
Less than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	17	14
12 months or longer, Number of Issues	2	5
12 months or longer, Fair Value	229	218
12 months or longer, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	11	44
Total, Fair Value	750	721
Total, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	28	58
Common Stocks [Member] | Financial Services [Member]
Available-for-sale
Less than 12 months, Number of Issues	1	1
Less than 12 months, Fair Value	194	186
Less than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	43	51
12 months or longer, Number of Issues	0	0
12 months or longer, Fair Value	0	0
12 months or longer, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	0	0
Total, Fair Value	194	186
Total, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	43	51
Nonredeemable Preferred Stocks [Member]
Available-for-sale
Less than 12 months, Number of Issues		0
Less than 12 months, Fair Value		0
Less than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Depreciation		0
12 months or longer, Number of Issues		1
12 months or longer, Fair Value		700
12 months or longer, Gross Unrealized Depreciation		7
Total, Fair Value		700
Total, Gross Unrealized Depreciation		$7

Summary_of_Investments_Narrati

Summary of Investments (Narratives) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Trading securities	$20,539	$20,928
Remaining potential contractual obligation	10,270
Maximum [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Largest unrealized loss greater than 12 months on an individual security	$49

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru2

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Carrying Value and Estimated Fair Value) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Investments
Held-to-maturity securities	$370		$404
Available-for-sale securities	3,061,506		3,088,922
Trading securities	20,539		20,928
Fair Value [Member]
Investments
Mortgage loans	4,500		4,559
Policy loans	5,792		5,916
Other long-term investments	47,059		50,424
Short-term investments	175		175
Cash and cash equivalents	111,320		90,574
Corporate-owned life insurance	1,072		918
Policy reserves
Annuity (accumulations)	848,649	[1]	865,802	[1]
Annuity (benefit payments)	133,182		176,592
Fair Value [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]
Investments
Held-to-maturity securities	370		404
Available-for-sale securities	2,817,955		2,843,079
Trading securities	16,793		16,862
Fair Value [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]
Investments
Available-for-sale securities	243,551		245,843
Trading securities	3,746		4,066
Carrying Value [Member]
Investments
Mortgage loans	4,141		4,199
Policy loans	5,792		5,916
Other long-term investments	47,059		50,424
Short-term investments	175		175
Cash and cash equivalents	111,320		90,574
Corporate-owned life insurance	1,072		918
Policy reserves
Annuity (accumulations)	832,330	[1]	863,606	[1]
Annuity (benefit payments)	95,780		99,121
Carrying Value [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]
Investments
Held-to-maturity securities	366		397
Available-for-sale securities	2,817,955		2,843,079
Trading securities	16,793		16,862
Carrying Value [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]
Investments
Available-for-sale securities	243,551		245,843
Trading securities	$3,746		$4,066
[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 $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
	security
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	$3,061,506	$3,088,922
Trading Securities	20,539	20,928
Number of securities transferred between Level 1 and 2	0
Fixed Maturities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	2,817,955	2,843,079
U.S. Treasury [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	21,071	25,972
U.S. Government Agency [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	306,391	351,672
States, Municipalities and Political Subdivisions [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	794,705	778,285
Foreign Bonds [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	129,687	140,173
Public Utilities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	218,513	212,357
Corporate Bonds [Member] | Energy [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	120,613	137,133
Corporate Bonds [Member] | Industrials [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	211,989	215,475
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	178,722	177,001
Corporate Bonds [Member] | Health Care [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	93,685	89,035
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	134,547	134,529
Corporate Bonds [Member] | Financial Services [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	231,742	223,582
Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	16,842	17,558
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	354,297	337,289
Asset-Backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	5,151	3,018
Equity Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	243,551	245,843
Common Stocks [Member] | Public Utilities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	19,082	20,290
Common Stocks [Member] | Energy [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	13,567	13,717
Common Stocks [Member] | Industrials [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	47,010	45,459
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	23,496	23,314
Common Stocks [Member] | Health Care [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	29,959	30,356
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	13,110	13,995
Common Stocks [Member] | Financial Services [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	92,136	93,663
Nonredeemable Preferred Stocks [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	5,191	5,049
Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	3,061,506	3,088,922
Trading Securities	20,539	20,928
Short-Term Investments	175	175
Money Market Accounts	46,075	28,095
Corporate-Owned Life Insurance	1,072	918
Total Assets Measured at Fair Value	3,129,367	3,139,038
Recurring [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	2,817,955	2,843,079
Recurring [Member] | U.S. Treasury [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	21,071	25,972
Recurring [Member] | U.S. Government Agency [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	306,391	351,672
Recurring [Member] | States, Municipalities and Political Subdivisions [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	794,705	778,285
Recurring [Member] | Foreign Bonds [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	129,687	140,173
Recurring [Member] | Public Utilities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	218,513	212,357
Recurring [Member] | Corporate Bonds [Member] | Energy [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	120,613	137,133
Recurring [Member] | Corporate Bonds [Member] | Industrials [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	211,989	215,475
Trading Securities	3,836	3,352
Recurring [Member] | 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	178,722	177,001
Trading Securities	115
Recurring [Member] | Corporate Bonds [Member] | Health Care [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	93,685	89,035
Trading Securities	2,339	2,425
Recurring [Member] | 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	134,547	134,529
Trading Securities	318	338
Recurring [Member] | Corporate Bonds [Member] | Financial Services [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	231,742	223,582
Trading Securities	5,693	5,997
Recurring [Member] | Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	16,842	17,558
Recurring [Member] | Collateralized Mortgage Obligations [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	354,297	337,289
Recurring [Member] | Asset-Backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	5,151	3,018
Recurring [Member] | Redeemable Preferred Stocks [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Trading Securities	4,492	4,750
Recurring [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	243,551	245,843
Recurring [Member] | Equity Securities [Member] | Energy [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Trading Securities	395	411
Recurring [Member] | Equity Securities [Member] | Consumer Goods and Services [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Trading Securities	1,081	1,034
Recurring [Member] | Equity Securities [Member] | Health Care [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Trading Securities	331	327
Recurring [Member] | Equity Securities [Member] | Technology, Media and Telecommunications [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Trading Securities	353	411
Recurring [Member] | Common Stocks [Member] | Public Utilities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	19,082	20,290
Recurring [Member] | Common Stocks [Member] | Energy [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	13,567	13,717
Recurring [Member] | Common Stocks [Member] | Industrials [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	47,010	45,459
Recurring [Member] | 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	23,496	23,314
Recurring [Member] | Common Stocks [Member] | Health Care [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	29,959	30,356
Recurring [Member] | 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	13,110	13,995
Recurring [Member] | Common Stocks [Member] | Financial Services [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	92,136	93,663
Recurring [Member] | Nonredeemable Preferred Stocks [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	5,191	5,049
Trading Securities	1,586	1,883
Recurring [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	234,871	237,407
Trading Securities	8,238	8,816
Short-Term Investments	175	175
Money Market Accounts	46,075	28,095
Corporate-Owned Life Insurance	0	0
Total Assets Measured at Fair Value	289,359	274,493
Recurring [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | U.S. Treasury [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | U.S. Government Agency [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | States, Municipalities and Political Subdivisions [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Foreign Bonds [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Public Utilities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Corporate Bonds [Member] | Energy [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Corporate Bonds [Member] | Industrials [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	0	0
Trading Securities	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | 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	0	0
Trading Securities	0
Recurring [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Corporate Bonds [Member] | Health Care [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	0	0
Trading Securities	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | 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	0	0
Trading Securities	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Corporate Bonds [Member] | Financial Services [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	0	0
Trading Securities	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Collateralized Mortgage Obligations [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Asset-Backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Redeemable Preferred Stocks [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Trading Securities	4,492	4,750
Recurring [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	234,871	237,407
Recurring [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Equity Securities [Member] | Energy [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Trading Securities	395	411
Recurring [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Equity Securities [Member] | Consumer Goods and Services [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Trading Securities	1,081	1,034
Recurring [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Equity Securities [Member] | Health Care [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Trading Securities	331	327
Recurring [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Equity Securities [Member] | Technology, Media and Telecommunications [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Trading Securities	353	411
Recurring [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Common Stocks [Member] | Public Utilities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	19,082	20,290
Recurring [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Common Stocks [Member] | Energy [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	13,567	13,717
Recurring [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Common Stocks [Member] | Industrials [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	47,008	45,458
Recurring [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | 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	23,496	23,314
Recurring [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Common Stocks [Member] | Health Care [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	29,959	30,356
Recurring [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | 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	13,110	13,995
Recurring [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Common Stocks [Member] | Financial Services [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	88,084	89,719
Recurring [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Nonredeemable Preferred Stocks [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	565	558
Trading Securities	1,586	1,883
Recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	2,808,446	2,833,200
Trading Securities	12,301	12,112
Short-Term Investments	0	0
Money Market Accounts	0	0
Corporate-Owned Life Insurance	1,072	918
Total Assets Measured at Fair Value	2,821,819	2,846,230
Recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	2,803,744	2,828,636
Recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | U.S. Treasury [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	21,071	25,972
Recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | U.S. Government Agency [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	306,391	351,672
Recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | States, Municipalities and Political Subdivisions [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	794,186	777,766
Recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Foreign Bonds [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	129,687	140,173
Recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Public Utilities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	218,513	212,357
Recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Corporate Bonds [Member] | Energy [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	120,613	137,133
Recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Corporate Bonds [Member] | Industrials [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	211,989	215,475
Trading Securities	3,836	3,352
Recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | 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	177,354	175,682
Trading Securities	115
Recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Corporate Bonds [Member] | Health Care [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	93,685	89,035
Trading Securities	2,339	2,425
Recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | 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	134,547	134,529
Trading Securities	318	338
Recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Corporate Bonds [Member] | Financial Services [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	220,911	212,589
Trading Securities	5,693	5,997
Recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	16,842	17,558
Recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Collateralized Mortgage Obligations [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	354,297	337,289
Recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Asset-Backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	3,658	1,406
Recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Redeemable Preferred Stocks [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Trading Securities	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	4,702	4,564
Recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Equity Securities [Member] | Energy [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Trading Securities	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Equity Securities [Member] | Consumer Goods and Services [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Trading Securities	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Equity Securities [Member] | Health Care [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Trading Securities	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Equity Securities [Member] | Technology, Media and Telecommunications [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Trading Securities	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Common Stocks [Member] | Public Utilities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Common Stocks [Member] | Energy [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Common Stocks [Member] | Industrials [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	2	1
Recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | 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	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Common Stocks [Member] | Health Care [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | 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	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Common Stocks [Member] | Financial Services [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	74	72
Recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Nonredeemable Preferred Stocks [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	4,626	4,491
Trading Securities	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	18,189	18,315
Trading Securities	0	0
Short-Term Investments	0	0
Money Market Accounts	0	0
Corporate-Owned Life Insurance	0	0
Total Assets Measured at Fair Value	18,189	18,315
Recurring [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	14,211	14,443
Recurring [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | U.S. Treasury [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | U.S. Government Agency [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | States, Municipalities and Political Subdivisions [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	519	519
Recurring [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Foreign Bonds [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Public Utilities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Corporate Bonds [Member] | Energy [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Corporate Bonds [Member] | Industrials [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	0	0
Trading Securities	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | 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	1,368	1,319
Trading Securities	0
Recurring [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Corporate Bonds [Member] | Health Care [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	0	0
Trading Securities	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | 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	0	0
Trading Securities	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Corporate Bonds [Member] | Financial Services [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	10,831	10,993
Trading Securities	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Collateralized Mortgage Obligations [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Asset-Backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	1,493	1,612
Recurring [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Redeemable Preferred Stocks [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Trading Securities	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	3,978	3,872
Recurring [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Equity Securities [Member] | Energy [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Trading Securities	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Equity Securities [Member] | Consumer Goods and Services [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Trading Securities	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Equity Securities [Member] | Health Care [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Trading Securities	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Equity Securities [Member] | Technology, Media and Telecommunications [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Trading Securities	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Common Stocks [Member] | Public Utilities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Common Stocks [Member] | Energy [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Common Stocks [Member] | Industrials [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | 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	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Common Stocks [Member] | Health Care [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | 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	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Common Stocks [Member] | Financial Services [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale Securities	3,978	3,872
Recurring [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Nonredeemable Preferred Stocks [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
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	$18,315
Net unrealized gains (losses)	190	[1]
Purchases	121
Disposals	-437
Ending Balance	18,189
States, Municipalities and Political Subdivisions [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	519
Net unrealized gains (losses)	0	[1]
Purchases	0
Disposals	0
Ending Balance	519
Corporate Bonds [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	12,312
Net unrealized gains (losses)	182	[1]
Purchases	0
Disposals	-295
Ending Balance	12,199
Asset-Backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	1,612
Net unrealized gains (losses)	8	[1]
Purchases	0
Disposals	-127
Ending Balance	1,493
Equities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	3,872
Net unrealized gains (losses)	0	[1]
Purchases	121
Disposals	-15
Ending Balance	$3,978
[1]	Unrealized gains are recorded as a component of comprehensive income.

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru5

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Corporate-Owned Life Insurance) (Details) (Rabbi Trust [Member], Other Assets [Member], Level 2 [Member], USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Rabbi Trust [Member] | Other Assets [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash surrender value	$1,072

Employee_Benefits_Details

Employee Benefits (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Pension Plan [Member]
Net periodic benefit cost
Service cost	$1,669	$1,303
Interest cost	1,500	1,468
Expected return on plan assets	-1,950	-1,739
Amortization of net loss	1,136	544
Net periodic benefit cost	2,355	1,576
Estimated 2015 pension plan contribution, disclosed in prior year 10K			6,352
Contribution by employer	1,565
Postretirement Benefit Plan [Member]
Net periodic benefit cost
Service cost	1,305	924
Interest cost	713	586
Expected return on plan assets	0	0
Amortization of net loss	731	224
Net periodic benefit cost	$2,749	$1,734

Stockbased_Compensation_Detail

Stock-based Compensation (Details)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	82 Months Ended	123 Months Ended
	31-May-14	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015
Employee Stock Award Plan-2008 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of option awards vest and exercisable in installments		20.00%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award Available for Grant [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance		1,646,947	1,900,000
Additional shares authorized	1,500,000	0	1,500,000
Number of awards granted		362,854	2,359,363
Number of awards forfeited or expired		98,600	342,056
Ending balance		1,382,693	1,382,693	1,382,693
Employee Stock Award Plan-2008 [Member] | Options Awards [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expiration period		10 years
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award Available for Grant [Roll Forward]
Number of option awards exercised		23,724	491,287
Employee Stock Award Plan-2008 [Member] | Unrestricted Stock Awards [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award Available for Grant [Roll Forward]
Number of awards granted		0	5,280
Employee Stock Award Plan-2008 [Member] | Restricted Stock Awards [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period		5 years
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award Available for Grant [Roll Forward]
Number of restricted stock awards vested		0	18,576
Director Plan - 2005 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award Available for Grant [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance		87,194		300,000
Number of awards granted		0		218,809
Number of awards forfeited or expired		0		6,003
Ending balance		87,194	87,194	87,194
Director Plan - 2005 [Member] | Options Awards [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award Available for Grant [Roll Forward]
Number of option awards exercised		547		5,222
Number of restricted stock awards vested		0		11,442

Stockbased_Compensation_Stockb

Stock-based Compensation (Stock-based Compensation Expense) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]
Stock-based compensation expense	$553	$437
2015	1,740
2016	1,929
2017	1,690
2018	1,269
2019	581
2020	61
Total	$7,270

Segment_Information_Details

Segment Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
	segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of business segments	2
Net premiums earned	$213,171	$193,341
Investment income, net of investment expenses	24,363	26,762
Net realized investment gains (losses)	887	2,194
Other income	63	607
Total revenues	238,484	222,904
Net income	23,679	13,331
Assets	3,864,251	3,769,249	3,856,689
Invested assets	3,139,578	3,115,734	3,170,961
Property and Casualty Insurance [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of business locations	7
Total revenues	210,645	192,504
Net income	23,103	11,811
Assets	2,166,432	2,032,501
Invested assets	1,562,710	1,486,783
Life Insurance [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	27,839	30,400
Net income	576	1,520
Assets	1,697,819	1,736,748
Invested assets	1,576,868	1,628,951
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net premiums earned	213,365	193,474
Investment income, net of investment expenses	24,346	26,712
Net realized investment gains (losses)	887	2,194
Other income	63	607
Total revenues	238,661	222,987
Operating Segments [Member] | Property and Casualty Insurance [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net premiums earned	200,137	179,494
Investment income, net of investment expenses	10,730	11,113
Net realized investment gains (losses)	-239	1,367
Other income	0	480
Total revenues	210,628	192,454
Operating Segments [Member] | Life Insurance [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net premiums earned	13,228	13,980
Investment income, net of investment expenses	13,616	15,599
Net realized investment gains (losses)	1,126	827
Other income	63	127
Total revenues	28,033	30,533
Intersegment Elimination [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	-177	-83
Intersegment Elimination [Member] | Property and Casualty Insurance [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	17	50
Intersegment Elimination [Member] | Life Insurance [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	($194)	($133)

Earnings_Per_Common_Share_Deta

Earnings Per Common Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014
Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share [Line Items]
Net income	$23,679		$13,331
Weighted-average common shares outstanding (in shares)	24,990,470		25,372,280
Weighted-average common share for EPS calculation (in shares)	25,104,783		25,590,207
Basic earnings per common share (in dollars per share)	$0.95		$0.53
Diluted earnings per common share (in dollars per share)	$0.94		$0.52
Awards excluded from diluted earnings per share calculation (in shares)	697,950	[1]	908,480	[1]
Restricted Stock Awards [Member]
Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share [Line Items]
Add dilutive effect of share-based awards outstanding (in shares)	114,313		102,635
Stock Options [Member]
Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share [Line Items]
Add dilutive effect of share-based awards outstanding (in shares)	0		115,292
[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.

Credit_Facility_Details

Credit Facility (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Jun. 04, 2013
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Outstanding balance on credit facility		$0	$0
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Credit agreement term	4 years
Current borrowing capacity	100,000,000			100,000,000
Maximum borrowing capacity				125,000,000
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

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	$91,173
Change in accumulated other comprehensive income before reclassifications	8,524	15,644
Reclassification adjustments from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	-18	-464
Balance at end of period	99,679
Net unrealized appreciation on investments [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	149,623
Change in accumulated other comprehensive income before reclassifications	8,524
Reclassification adjustments from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	-1,232
Balance at end of period	156,915
Liability for underfunded employee benefit costs [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	-58,450
Change in accumulated other comprehensive income before reclassifications	0
Reclassification adjustments from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	1,214
Balance at end of period	($57,236)