United Fire (UFCS) 10-K 26 Feb 16 2015 FY Annual report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Feb. 24, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2015
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Trading Symbol	UFCS
Entity Registrant Name	UNITED FIRE GROUP INC
Entity Central Index Key	101,199
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		25,200,422
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Public Float			$ 773.5

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Fixed maturities
Held-to-maturity, at amortized cost (fair value $675 in 2015 and $404 in 2014)	$ 672	$ 397
Available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost $2,793,069 in 2015 and $2,773,566 in 2014)	2,824,961	2,843,079
Trading securities, at fair value (amortized cost $11,475 in 2015 and $14,363 in 2014)	12,622	16,862
Equity securities
Available-for-sale, at fair value (cost $68,514 in 2015 and $71,651 in 2014)	236,247	245,843
Trading securities, at fair value (cost $4,443 in 2015 and $3,708 in 2014)	4,353	4,066
Mortgage loans	3,961	4,199
Policy loans	5,618	5,916
Other long-term investments	54,151	50,424
Short-term investments	175	175
Total Investments	3,142,760	3,170,961
Cash and cash equivalents	106,449	90,574
Accrued investment income	25,136	25,989
Premiums receivable (net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $867 in 2015 and $618 in 2014)	276,517	249,030
Deferred policy acquisition costs	168,264	139,719
Property and equipment (primarily land and buildings, at cost, less accumulated depreciation of $46,590 in 2015 and $41,492 in 2014)	53,241	49,247
Reinsurance receivables and recoverables	73,527	86,810
Prepaid reinsurance premiums	3,790	3,632
Goodwill and net intangible assets	25,509	26,278
Other assets	15,183	14,449
Total assets	3,890,376	3,856,689
Future policy benefits and losses, claims and loss settlement expenses
Property and casualty insurance	1,003,895	969,437
Life insurance	1,372,358	1,447,764
Unearned premiums	415,057	378,725
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	200,599	212,577
Income taxes payable	4,917	5,012
Deferred income taxes	14,653	25,759
Total liabilities	3,011,479	3,039,274
Stockholders' equity
Common stock, $0.001 par value; authorized 75,000,000 shares; 25,151,428 and 25,019,415 shares issued and outstanding in 2015 and 2014, respectively	25	25
Additional paid-in capital	207,426	202,676
Retained earnings	591,009	523,541
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	80,437	91,173
Total stockholders' equity	878,897	817,415
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 3,890,376	$ 3,856,689

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parentheticals) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Balance Sheet Related Disclosures [Abstract]
Fixed maturities, Held-to-maturity, at fair value	$ 675	$ 404
Fixed maturities, Available-for-sale securities, at amortized cost	2,793,069	2,773,566
Fixed maturities, Trading securities, at amortized cost	11,475	14,363
Equity securities, Available-for-sale securities, at amortized cost	68,514	71,651
Equity securities, Trading securities, at amortized cost	4,443	3,708
Allowance for doubtful accounts	867	618
Property and equipment, accumulated depreciation	$ 46,590	$ 41,492
Common stock, par value per share (in usd per share)	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Common stock, shares authorized	75,000,000	75,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	25,151,428	25,019,415
Common stock, shares outstanding	25,151,428	25,019,415

Consolidated Statements of Inco

Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Revenues
Net premiums earned	$ 930,890	$ 828,330	$ 754,846
Investment income, net of investment expenses	100,781	104,609	112,799
Net realized investment gains (losses)
Other-than-temporary impairment charges	(1,300)	0	(139)
All other net realized gains (includes reclassifications for net unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities of $4,513 in 2015; $5,085 in 2014; and $6,812 in 2013 previously included in accumulated other comprehensive income)	4,146	7,270	8,834
Total net realized investment gains	2,846	7,270	8,695
Other income	401	1,685	702
Total revenues	1,034,918	941,894	877,042
Benefits, losses and expenses
Losses and loss settlement expenses	549,088	536,243	458,814
Increase in liability for future policy benefits	50,945	36,623	37,625
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs	186,817	167,449	153,677
Other underwriting expenses (includes reclassifications for employee benefit costs of $7,468 in 2015; $3,072 in 2014; and $5,868 in 2013 previously included in accumulated other comprehensive income)	102,937	94,871	89,861
Interest on policyholders' accounts	23,680	30,245	35,163
Total benefits, losses and expenses	913,467	865,431	775,140
Income before income taxes	121,451	76,463	101,902
Federal income tax expense (includes reclassifications of $1,034 in 2015; ($704) in 2014; and ($331) in 2013 previously included in accumulated other comprehensive income)	32,325	17,326	25,762
Net income	89,126	59,137	76,140
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Change in net unrealized appreciation on investments	(28,185)	55,888	(35,489)
Change in liability for underfunded employee benefit plans	8,714	(47,685)	24,066
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax and reclassification adjustments	(19,471)	8,203	(11,423)
Income tax effect	6,814	(2,871)	3,998
Other comprehensive income (loss), after tax, before reclassification adjustments	(12,657)	5,332	(7,425)
Reclassifications for unrealized net gains on available-for-sale securities	(4,513)	(5,085)	(6,812)
Reclassification adjustment for employee benefit costs included in expense	7,468	3,072	5,868
Total reclassification adjustments, before tax	2,955	(2,013)	(944)
Income tax effect	(1,034)	704	331
Total reclassification adjustments, after tax	1,921	(1,309)	(613)
Comprehensive income	$ 78,390	$ 63,160	$ 68,102
Weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)	25,047,405	25,230,854	25,325,695
Basic earnings per common share (in usd per share)	$ 3.56	$ 2.34	$ 3.01
Diluted earnings per common share (in usd per share)	$ 3.53	$ 2.32	$ 2.98

Consolidated Statements of Inc5

Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (Parentheticals) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]
Reclassifications for unrealized net gains on available-for-sale securities	$ 4,513	$ 5,085	$ 6,812
Reclassification adjustment for employee benefit costs	7,468	3,072	5,868
Reclassification adjustment, tax	$ 1,034	$ (704)	$ (331)

Consolidated Statement of Stock

Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Total	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax [Member]
Balance, beginning of year at Dec. 31, 2012		$ 729,177	$ 25	$ 208,536	$ 425,428	$ 95,188
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Compensation expense and related tax benefit for stock-based award grants				1,289
Shares repurchased			0	(1,644)
Shares issued for stock-based awards			0	3,393
Net income		76,140			76,140
Dividends on common stock ($0.86 per share in 2015; $0.78 per share in 2014; $0.69 per share in 2013)					(17,484)
Change in net unrealized investment appreciation	[1]					(27,495)
Change in liability for underfunded employee benefit plans	[2]					19,457
All other changes in stockholders' equity accounts		(22,484)
Balance, end of year at Dec. 31, 2013		782,833	25	211,574	484,084	87,150
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Compensation expense and related tax benefit for stock-based award grants				1,784
Shares repurchased			0	(12,942)
Shares issued for stock-based awards			0	2,260
Net income		59,137			59,137
Dividends on common stock ($0.86 per share in 2015; $0.78 per share in 2014; $0.69 per share in 2013)					(19,680)
Change in net unrealized investment appreciation	[1]					33,022
Change in liability for underfunded employee benefit plans	[2]					(28,999)
All other changes in stockholders' equity accounts		(24,555)
Balance, end of year at Dec. 31, 2014		817,415	25	202,676	523,541	91,173
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Compensation expense and related tax benefit for stock-based award grants				1,677
Shares repurchased			0	(2,423)
Shares issued for stock-based awards			0	5,496
Net income		89,126			89,126
Dividends on common stock ($0.86 per share in 2015; $0.78 per share in 2014; $0.69 per share in 2013)					(21,658)
Change in net unrealized investment appreciation	[1]					(21,254)
Change in liability for underfunded employee benefit plans	[2]					10,518
All other changes in stockholders' equity accounts		(27,644)
Balance, end of year at Dec. 31, 2015		$ 878,897	$ 25	$ 207,426	$ 591,009	$ 80,437
[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 income taxes.

Consolidated Statements of Stoc

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (Parentheticals) - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Shares repurchased (in shares)	79,396	461,835	59,603
Shares issued for stock-based awards (in shares)	202,882	108,679	193,033
Dividends on common stock (in usd per share)	$ 0.86	$ 0.78	$ 0.69

Consolidated Statements of Cash

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
Net income	$ 89,126	$ 59,137	$ 76,140
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities
Net accretion of bond premium	13,745	14,434	15,291
Depreciation and amortization	6,473	6,891	5,603
Stock-based compensation expense	2,510	1,944	1,777
Net realized investment gains	(2,846)	(7,270)	(8,695)
Net cash flows from trading investments	3,080	(6,855)	3,852
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)	(4,496)	1,926	(368)
Changes in:
Accrued investment income	853	1,934	2,452
Premiums receivable	(27,487)	(30,395)	(30,346)
Deferred policy acquisition costs	(17,165)	(6,417)	(2,690)
Reinsurance receivables	13,283	641	26,948
Prepaid reinsurance premiums	(158)	(472)	(197)
Income taxes receivable	0	1,786	14,750
Other assets	(734)	581	(1,417)
Future policy benefits and losses, claims and loss settlement expenses	77,471	47,928	21,251
Unearned premiums	36,332	38,261	28,814
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	4,095	25,287	8,499
Income taxes payable	(95)	5,012	0
Deferred income taxes	(829)	(249)	6,983
Other, net	(3,160)	(2,813)	(7,156)
Total adjustments	100,872	92,154	85,351
Net cash provided by operating activities	189,998	151,291	161,491
Cash Flows From Investing Activities
Proceeds from sale of available-for-sale investments	11,543	3,091	23,007
Proceeds from call and maturity of held-to-maturity investments	175	260	1,004
Proceeds from call and maturity of available-for-sale investments	658,728	561,434	477,071
Proceeds from short-term and other investments	4,421	2,883	7,170
Purchase of held-to-maturity investments	(450)	0	0
Purchase of available-for-sale investments	(695,351)	(614,044)	(587,412)
Purchase of short-term and other investments	(5,656)	(4,351)	(14,375)
Net purchases and sales of property and equipment	(9,696)	(8,151)	(8,451)
Net cash used in investing activities	(36,286)	(58,878)	(101,986)
Policyholders' account balances
Deposits to investment and universal life contracts	99,486	180,487	150,272
Withdrawals from investment and universal life contracts	(217,905)	(243,997)	(208,827)
Payment of cash dividends	(21,658)	(19,680)	(17,484)
Repurchase of common stock	(2,423)	(12,942)	(1,644)
Issuance of common stock	5,496	2,260	3,393
Tax impact from issuance of common stock	(833)	(160)	(488)
Net cash used in financing activities	(137,837)	(94,032)	(74,778)
Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents	15,875	(1,619)	(15,273)
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year	90,574	92,193	107,466
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Year	$ 106,449	$ 90,574	$ 92,193

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTI

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Nature of Business United Fire Group, Inc. ("UFG", "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 45 states, plus the District of Columbia, and as a life insurer in 37 states. Principles of Consolidation The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements include United Fire and its wholly owned subsidiaries: United Fire & Casualty Company, United Real Estate Holdings Company, LLC, United Life Insurance Company ("United Life"), Addison Insurance Company, Lafayette Insurance Company, United Fire & Indemnity Company, United Fire Lloyds, UFG Specialty Insurance Company (formerly known as Texas General Indemnity Company), Financial Pacific Insurance Company, Franklin Insurance Company, Mercer Insurance Company, and Mercer Insurance Company of New Jersey, Inc. United Fire Lloyds, an affiliate of United Fire & Indemnity Company, is organized as a Texas Lloyds plan, which is an aggregation of underwriters who, under a common name, engage in the business of insurance through a corporate attorney-in-fact. United Fire Lloyds is financially and operationally controlled by United Fire & Indemnity Company, its corporate attorney-in-fact, pursuant to three types of agreements: trust agreements between United Fire & Indemnity Company and certain individuals who agree to serve as trustees; articles of agreement among the trustees who agree to act as underwriters to establish how the Lloyds plan will be operated; and powers of attorney from each of the underwriters appointing a corporate attorney-in-fact, who is authorized to operate the Lloyds plan. Because United Fire & Indemnity Company can name the trustees, the Lloyds plan is perpetual, subject only to United Fire & Indemnity Company's desire to terminate it. United Fire & Indemnity Company provides all of the statutory capital necessary for the formation of the Lloyds plan by contributing capital to each of the trustees. The trust agreements require the trustees to become underwriters of the Lloyds plan, to contribute the capital to the Lloyds plan, to sign the articles of agreement and to appoint the attorney-in-fact. The trust agreements also require the trustees to pay to United Fire & Indemnity Company all of the profits and benefits received by the trustees as underwriters of the Lloyds plan, which means that United Fire & Indemnity Company has the right to receive 100 percent of the gains and profits from the Lloyds plan. The trustees serve at the pleasure of United Fire & Indemnity Company, which may remove a trustee and replace that trustee at any time. Termination of a trustee must be accompanied by the resignation of the trustee as an underwriter, so that the trustee can obtain the capital contribution from the Lloyds plan to reimburse United Fire & Indemnity Company. By retaining the ability to terminate trustees, United Fire & Indemnity Company possesses the ability to name and remove the underwriters. United Real Estate Holdings, LLC, formed in 2013, is a wholly owned subsidiary of United Fire & Casualty Company and is organized as an Iowa limited liability corporation, an unincorporated association formed for the purpose of holding United Fire & Casualty Company's ownership in commercial real estate. In 2015, the Company dissolved three of its holding companies in order to flatten our organizational chart. The companies dissolved were American Indemnity Financial Corporation, Mercer Insurance Group, Inc. and Financial Pacific Insurance Group, Inc. In addition, Texas General Indemnity Company was renamed UFG Specialty Insurance Company on July 1, 2015. Basis of Presentation The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared on the basis of U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), which differ in some respects from those followed in preparing our statutory reports to insurance regulatory authorities. Our stand-alone financial statements submitted to insurance regulatory authorities are presented on the basis of accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the insurance departments of the states in which we are domiciled ("statutory accounting principles"). 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. Property and Casualty Insurance Business Premiums written are deferred and recorded as earned premium on a daily pro rata basis over the terms of the respective policies. Unearned premium reserves are established for the portion of premiums written applicable to the unexpired term of insurance policies in force. Premiums receivable are presented net of an estimated allowance for doubtful accounts, which is based on a periodic evaluation of the aging and collectability of amounts due from agents and policyholders. To establish loss and loss settlement expense reserves, we make estimates and assumptions about the future development of claims. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates, which are subjective, complex and inherently uncertain. When we establish and adjust reserves, we do so given our knowledge at the time of the circumstances and facts of known claims. To the extent that we have overestimated or underestimated our loss and loss settlement expense reserves, we adjust the reserves in the period in which such adjustment is determined. We record our best estimate of reserves for claim litigation that arises in the ordinary course of business. We consider all of our pending litigation as of December 31, 2015 to be ordinary, routine and incidental to our business. Life Insurance Business Our whole life and term insurance (i.e., traditional business) premiums are reported as earned when due and benefits and expenses are associated with premium income in order to result in the recognition of profits over the lives of the related contracts. Premiums receivable are presented net of an estimated allowance for doubtful accounts. Income annuities with life contingencies (single premium immediate annuities and supplementary contracts) have premium recorded and any related expense charge fees recorded as income and expense when the contract is issued. On universal life and deferred annuity policies (i.e., non-traditional business), income and expenses are reported when charged and credited to policyholder account balances in order to result in recognition of profits over the lives of the related contracts. We accomplish this by means of a provision for future policy benefits and the deferral and subsequent amortization of policy acquisition costs. Liabilities for future policy benefits for traditional products are computed by the net level premium method, using interest assumptions ranging from 4.2 percent to 6.0 percent and withdrawal, mortality and morbidity assumptions appropriate at the time the policies were issued. Liabilities for non-traditional business are stated at policyholder account values before surrender charges. Liabilities for traditional immediate annuities are based primarily upon future anticipated cash flows using assumptions for mortality and interest rates. Liabilities for deferred annuities are carried at the account value. Reinsurance Premiums earned and losses and loss settlement expenses incurred are reported net of reinsurance ceded. Ceded insurance business is accounted for on a basis consistent with the original policies issued and the terms of the reinsurance contracts. Refer to Note 4 "Reinsurance" for a discussion of our reinsurance activities. Investments Investments in fixed maturities include bonds and redeemable preferred stocks. Our investments in held-to-maturity fixed maturities are recorded at amortized cost. Our investments in available-for-sale fixed maturities and trading securities are recorded at fair value. Investments in equity securities, which include common and non-redeemable preferred stocks, are classified as available-for-sale or trading and are recorded at fair value. Changes in unrealized appreciation and depreciation, with respect to available-for-sale fixed maturities and equity securities, are reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income, net of applicable deferred income taxes, in stockholders' equity. Changes in unrealized appreciation and depreciation, with respect to trading securities, are reported as a component of income. Other long-term investments consist primarily of our interests in limited liability partnerships that are recorded on the equity method of accounting. Mortgage loans are recorded at their unpaid principal balance. Policy loans are recorded at the outstanding loan amount due from policyholders. Included in investments at December 31, 2015 and 2014 , are securities on deposit with, or available to, various regulatory authorities as required by law, with fair values of $1,515,193 and $1,643,369 , respectively. In 2015 we recorded a pre-tax realized loss of $1,300 as a result of the recognition of other-than-temporary impairment ("OTTI") charges on a certain holding in our investment portfolio. The OTTI charge does not have a noncredit related loss component. In 2014 we did no t record any OTTI charges in our investment portfolio. In 2013 , we recorded a pre-tax realized loss of $139 as a result of the recognition of OTTI charges on certain holdings in our investment portfolio. None of the OTTI charges were considered to have a noncredit related loss component. We review all of our investment holdings for appropriate valuation on an ongoing basis. Refer to Note 2 "Summary of Investments" for a discussion of our accounting policy for impairment recognition. 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. In 2015 , 2014 , and 2013 , we made payments for income taxes of $39,497 , $9,626 and $13,628 , respectively. In addition, we received federal tax refunds of $919 , $615 and $8,744 in 2015 , 2014 and 2013 , respectively, that resulted from the utilization of our 2011 net operating losses and net capital losses in the carryback period. We made no interest payments in 2015 , 2014 and 2013 . These payments exclude interest credited to policyholders' accounts. Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs ("DAC") Certain costs associated with underwriting new business (primarily commissions, premium taxes and variable underwriting and policy issue expenses associated with successful acquisition efforts) are deferred. The following table is a summary of the components of DAC that are reported in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements. Property & Casualty Insurance 2015 2014 2013 Recorded asset at beginning of year $ 72,861 $ 67,663 $ 64,947 Underwriting costs deferred 197,869 166,508 149,891 Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs (180,183 ) (161,310 ) (147,175 ) Recorded asset at end of year $ 90,547 $ 72,861 $ 67,663 Life Insurance Recorded asset at beginning of year $ 66,858 $ 82,429 $ 40,353 Underwriting costs deferred 6,113 7,357 6,476 Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs (6,634 ) (6,139 ) (6,502 ) $ 66,337 $ 83,647 $ 40,327 Change in "shadow" deferred policy acquisition costs 11,380 (16,789 ) 42,102 Recorded asset at end of year $ 77,717 $ 66,858 $ 82,429 Total Recorded asset at beginning of year $ 139,719 $ 150,092 $ 105,300 Underwriting costs deferred 203,982 173,865 156,367 Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs (186,817 ) (167,449 ) (153,677 ) $ 156,884 $ 156,508 $ 107,990 Change in "shadow" deferred policy acquisition costs 11,380 (16,789 ) 42,102 Recorded asset at end of year $ 168,264 $ 139,719 $ 150,092 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, Inc. 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 an increase to DAC amortization of $2,144 and an increase to the DAC asset of $3,830 for the period ended December 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 $2,003 and decreased the DAC asset by $13,383 at December 31, 2015 and 2014 , respectively. Property, Equipment and Depreciation Property and equipment is presented at cost less accumulated depreciation. The following table is a summary of the components of the property and equipment that are reported in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements. 2015 2014 Real Estate: Land $ 7,999 $ 7,414 Buildings 37,451 32,004 Furniture and fixtures 3,954 3,308 Computer equipment and software 2,452 3,289 Airplane 1,385 3,232 Total property and equipment $ 53,241 $ 49,247 Expenditures for maintenance and repairs on property and equipment are generally expensed as incurred. We periodically review these assets for impairment whenever events or changes in business circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the underlying asset may not be recoverable. A loss would be recognized if the estimated fair value of the asset were less than its carrying value. Depreciation is computed primarily by the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives: Useful Life Computer equipment and software Three years Furniture and fixtures Seven years Leasehold improvements Shorter of the lease term or useful life of the asset Real estate Seven to thirty-nine years Airplane Five years Depreciation expense totaled $5,704 , $6,122 and $4,391 for 2015 , 2014 and 2013 , respectively. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Goodwill and other intangible assets arise as a result of business combinations and consist of the excess of the fair value of consideration paid over the tangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed. All of our goodwill and the majority of our intangible assets relate to the Mercer acquisition in 2011. We evaluate goodwill and other intangible assets for impairment at least on an annual basis or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that the carrying amount of goodwill and other intangible assets may exceed its implied fair value. Goodwill is evaluated at the reporting unit level. Any impairment is charged to operations in the period that the impairment is identified. In 2015 we performed a quantitative assessment of our goodwill and in 2014 and 2013 , we performed a qualitative assessment of our goodwill. As a result of these assessments, we did no t recognize an impairment charge on our goodwill in 2015 , 2014 or 2013 . Our other intangible assets, which consist primarily of agency relationships, trade names, licenses, and software, are being amortized by the straight-line method over periods ranging from 2 years to 15 years , with the exception of licenses, which are indefinite-lived and not amortized. We performed a qualitative assessment of our definite lived intangible assets and a quantitative assessment of our indefinite lived intangible assets. As a result of this assessment, we did not recognize an impairment charge on our intangible assets in 2015 , 2014 and 2013 . Amortization expense, which is allocated to the property and casualty insurance segment, totaled $769 , $769 and $1,212 for 2015 , 2014 and 2013 , 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. The Company performs a quarterly review of its tax positions and makes a determination whether it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained upon examination. If based on this review, it appears not more likely than not that the position will be sustained, the Company will calculate any unrecognized tax benefits and calculate any interest and penalties. At December 31, 2015 , 2014 , and 2013 the Company did no t recognize any liability for unrecognized tax benefits. 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. Stock-Based Compensation We currently have two equity compensation plans. One plan allows us to grant restricted and unrestricted stock, stock appreciation rights, incentive stock options, and non-qualified stock options to employees. The other plan allows us to grant restricted and non-qualified stock options to non-employee directors. We utilize the Black-Scholes option pricing method to establish the fair value of non-qualified stock options granted under our equity compensation plans. Our determination of the fair value of stock options on the date of grant using this option-pricing model is affected by our stock price, as well as assumptions regarding a number of complex and subjective variables, which include the expected volatility in our stock price, the expected term of the award, the expected dividends to be paid over the term of the award and the expected risk-free interest rate. Any changes in these assumptions may materially affect the estimated fair value of the award. For our restricted and unrestricted stock awards, we utilize the fair value of our common stock on the date of grant to establish the fair value of the award. Refer to Note 9 "Stock-Based Compensation" for further discussion. Comprehensive Income Comprehensive income includes all changes in stockholders' equity during a period except those resulting from investments by and dividends to stockholders. 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. On February 2, 2016, the Company, as borrower, entered into a Credit Agreement by and among the Company, with the lenders from time to time party thereto and KeyBank National Association, as administrative agent, swingline lender and letter of credit issuer. A more detailed discussion regarding this Credit Agreement is contained in Part II, Item 8, Note 14 "Credit Facility." Recently Issued Accounting Standards Accounting Standards Adopted in 2015 Troubled Debt Restructuring In August 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("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 Income Taxes In December 2015, the FASB issued guidance on the balance sheet classification of deferred taxes. The new guidance eliminates the requirement to split deferred tax liabilities and assets between current and non-current in a classified balance sheet. The new guidance allows deferred tax liabilities and assets to be included in non-current accounts. The Company will adopt the new guidance on January 1, 2017 and is currently evaluating the impact on the Company's financial position and results of operations. Short Duration Contracts In May 2015, the FASB issued guidance on disclosure requirements for short-duration contracts. The new guidance requires additional disclosures about the liability for unpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses and requires disclosure of any information about significant changes in methodologies and assumptions used to calculate the liability. The new guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015 and interim periods beginning the following year. The Company will include the new annual disclosures beginning with the December 31, 2016 annual financial statements. The adoption of the new guidance will change disclosures regarding short duration contracts, but 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. Other Internal Use Software In April 2015, the FASB issued guidance which clarifies customers' 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. 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. 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. Management does not currently expect the adoption of the new guidance to have an impact on the Company's financial position or 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 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. 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. Management currently does not expect the adoption of the new guidance to have a material impact on the Company's financial position or 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, 2017. The Company will adopt the guidance on January 1, 2018 and is currently evaluating the impact on the Company's financial position and results of operations and considering which portions of the guidance, if any, applies to the Company.

SUMMARY OF INVESTMENTS

SUMMARY OF INVESTMENTS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
SUMMARY OF INVESTMENTS	SUMMARY OF INVESTMENTS Fair Value of Investments The table that follows is 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 available-for-sale equity securities as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 . December 31, 2015 Type of Investment Cost or Amortized Cost Gross Unrealized Appreciation Gross Unrealized Depreciation Fair Value HELD-TO-MATURITY Fixed maturities Bonds Corporate bonds Technology, Media & Telecommunications $ 450 $ 1 $ — $ 451 Financial services 150 — — 150 Mortgage-backed securities 72 2 — 74 Total Held-to-Maturity Fixed Maturities $ 672 $ 3 $ — $ 675 AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE Fixed maturities Bonds U.S. Treasury $ 21,587 $ 100 $ 38 $ 21,649 U.S. government agency 232,808 2,622 2,400 233,030 States, municipalities and political subdivisions General obligations: Midwest 160,484 4,990 18 165,456 Northeast 56,449 1,996 — 58,445 South 125,565 3,358 134 128,789 West 103,721 3,160 67 106,814 Special revenue: Midwest 152,780 4,956 30 157,706 Northeast 23,892 919 212 24,599 South 144,183 4,281 27 148,437 West 78,935 3,150 44 82,041 Foreign bonds 82,580 2,405 2,457 82,528 Public utilities 213,233 3,701 1,251 215,683 Corporate bonds Energy 116,800 1,032 4,713 113,119 Industrials 227,589 3,329 6,663 224,255 Consumer goods and services 172,529 2,844 776 174,597 Health care 92,132 2,168 791 93,509 Technology, media and telecommunications 142,431 1,972 2,003 142,400 Financial services 259,382 5,246 1,143 263,485 Mortgage-backed securities 16,413 376 51 16,738 Collateralized mortgage obligations 364,115 6,168 4,268 366,015 Asset-backed securities 5,461 221 16 5,666 Total Available-For-Sale Fixed Maturities $ 2,793,069 $ 58,994 $ 27,102 $ 2,824,961 Equity securities Common stocks Public utilities $ 7,231 $ 12,022 $ 193 $ 19,060 Energy 6,103 5,374 266 11,211 Industrials 13,251 31,872 313 44,810 Consumer goods and services 10,301 13,017 3 23,315 Health care 7,763 20,454 — 28,217 Technology, media and telecommunications 5,931 7,538 105 13,364 Financial services 17,392 78,411 109 95,694 Nonredeemable preferred stocks 542 34 — 576 Total Available-for-Sale Equity Securities $ 68,514 $ 168,722 $ 989 $ 236,247 Total Available-for-Sale Securities $ 2,861,583 $ 227,716 $ 28,091 $ 3,061,208 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 Special revenue: Midwest $ 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 General obligations: Midwest 179,491 6,599 170 185,920 Northeast 59,084 2,120 50 61,154 South 122,055 4,453 288 126,220 West 75,102 3,350 19 78,433 Special revenue: Midwest 126,192 5,356 146 131,402 Northeast 11,767 864 — 12,631 South 106,917 4,368 63 111,222 West 68,024 3,285 6 71,303 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 December 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 December 31, 2015 Amortized Cost Fair Value Amortized Cost Fair Value Amortized Cost Fair Value Due in one year or less $ — $ — $ 105,186 $ 105,910 $ 1,526 $ 2,001 Due after one year through five years 600 601 819,617 840,292 7,596 7,676 Due after five years through 10 years — — 989,897 989,295 130 404 Due after 10 years — — 492,380 501,045 2,223 2,541 Asset-backed securities — — 5,461 5,666 — — Mortgage-backed securities 72 74 16,413 16,738 — — Collateralized mortgage obligations — — 364,115 366,015 — — $ 672 $ 675 $ 2,793,069 $ 2,824,961 $ 11,475 $ 12,622 Net Realized Investment Gains and Losses Net realized gains (losses) on disposition of investments are computed using the specific identification method and are included in the computation of net income. A summary of net realized investment gains (losses) for 2015 , 2014 and 2013 , is as follows: 2015 2014 2013 Net realized investment gains (losses) Fixed maturities: Held-to-maturity $ — $ — $ 1 Available-for-sale 3,294 3,353 3,211 Trading securities Change in fair value (1,353 ) 609 1,183 Sales 1,381 1,339 788 Equity securities: Available-for-sale 2,521 1,732 3,739 Trading securities Change in fair value (448 ) 238 (126 ) Sales 66 (1 ) 38 Other long-term investments (1,315 ) — — Other-than-temporary-impairment charges: Fixed maturities (1,300 ) — (139 ) Total net realized investment gains $ 2,846 $ 7,270 $ 8,695 The proceeds and gross realized gains (losses) on the sale of available-for-sale securities for 2015 , 2014 and 2013 , were as follows: 2015 2014 2013 Proceeds from sales $ 11,543 $ 3,091 $ 23,007 Gross realized gains 1,134 900 451 Gross realized losses — (56 ) — There were no sales of held-to-maturity securities in 2015 , 2014 and 2013 . 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 and losses. Our portfolio of trading securities had a fair value of $16,975 and $20,928 at December 31, 2015 and 2014 , respectively. Net Investment Income Net investment income for the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 and 2013 , is comprised of the following: Years Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Investment income Interest on fixed maturities $ 92,777 $ 97,969 $ 101,950 Dividends on equity securities 7,208 6,602 5,806 Income on other long-term investments Investment income 2,567 1,927 1,194 Change in value (1) 3,266 1,917 7,030 Interest on mortgage loans 237 252 266 Interest on short-term investments 6 5 6 Interest on cash and cash equivalents 305 255 239 Other 1,452 1,998 1,632 Total investment income $ 107,818 $ 110,925 $ 118,123 Less investment expenses 7,037 6,316 5,324 Net investment income $ 100,781 $ 104,609 $ 112,799 (1) Represents the change in value of our interests in limited liability partnerships that are recorded on the equity method of accounting. Funding Commitment At December 31, 2015 , pursuant to an agreement with our limited liability partnership investments, we are contractually committed to make capital contributions up to $10,307 upon request of the partnerships through December 31, 2023. Unrealized Appreciation and Depreciation A summary of changes in net unrealized investment appreciation for 2015 , 2014 and 2013 , is as follows: 2015 2014 2013 Change in net unrealized investment appreciation Available-for-sale fixed maturities $ (37,621 ) $ 51,814 $ (132,579 ) Available-for-sale equity securities (6,459 ) 15,781 48,176 Deferred policy acquisition costs 11,380 (16,789 ) 42,102 Income tax effect 11,446 (17,784 ) 14,806 Total change in net unrealized investment appreciation, net of tax $ (21,254 ) $ 33,022 $ (27,495 ) 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 or based on the value calculated using a discounted cash flow model. Credit-related impairments on fixed maturity securities that we do not plan to sell, and for which we are not more likely than not to be required to sell, are recognized in net income. Any non-credit related impairment is recognized as a component of other comprehensive income. 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 December 31, 2015 and 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 December 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 which resulted in the recognition of a $1,300 credit loss OTTI on an energy sector fixed maturity security in our Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income for the year ended December 31, 2015. There were no OTTI losses on fixed maturity securities recognized in 2014 . In 2013, we recognized an OTTI credit loss of $139 in our Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income. All fixed maturity securities in the investment portfolio continue to pay the expected coupon payments under the contractual terms of the securities. 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 intention 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 unless otherwise noted, these losses do not warrant the recognition of an OTTI charge at December 31, 2015 . There were no OTTI losses on equity securities recognized in 2015 , 2014 or 2013. Our largest unrealized loss greater than 12 months on an individual equity security at December 31, 2015 , 2014 and 2013 was $225 , $54 and $58 , respectively. 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. December 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 AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE Fixed maturities Bonds U.S. Treasury 6 $ 6,408 $ 26 2 $ 1,634 $ 12 $ 8,042 $ 38 U.S. government agency 38 104,621 1,771 6 18,821 629 123,442 2,400 States, municipalities and political subdivisions General obligations Midwest 4 2,417 12 1 528 6 2,945 18 South 3 4,805 55 8 3,743 79 8,548 134 West 4 8,927 23 2 2,274 44 11,201 67 Special revenue Midwest — — — 1 2,494 30 2,494 30 Northeast 1 4,755 212 — — — 4,755 212 South 4 7,445 26 2 1,851 1 9,296 27 West 4 6,851 44 — — — 6,851 44 Foreign bonds 9 16,991 1,289 2 4,036 1,168 21,027 2,457 Public utilities 35 72,680 880 5 2,840 371 75,520 1,251 Corporate bonds Energy 29 61,496 3,286 4 7,991 1,427 69,487 4,713 Industrials 38 78,588 3,631 3 6,649 3,032 85,237 6,663 Consumer goods and services 24 64,661 770 4 2,491 6 67,152 776 Health care 18 43,992 652 2 3,737 139 47,729 791 Technology, media and telecommunications 22 59,503 1,478 2 8,940 525 68,443 2,003 Financial services 49 92,814 1,143 — — — 92,814 1,143 Mortgage-backed securities 9 7,423 43 4 183 8 7,606 51 Collateralized mortgage obligations 52 97,912 1,605 31 71,876 2,663 169,788 4,268 Asset-backed securities 1 985 16 — — — 985 16 Total Available-for-Sale Fixed Maturities 350 $ 743,274 $ 16,962 79 $ 140,088 $ 10,140 $ 883,362 $ 27,102 Equity securities Common stocks Public utilities — $ — $ — 3 $ 115 $ 193 $ 115 $ 193 Energy 10 2,868 266 — — — 2,868 266 Industrials 3 177 44 5 193 269 370 313 Consumer goods and services — — — 2 14 3 14 3 Technology, media and telecommunications 9 438 91 2 12 14 450 105 Financial services 6 326 51 1 136 58 462 109 Total Available-for-Sale Equity Securities 28 $ 3,809 $ 452 13 $ 470 $ 537 $ 4,279 $ 989 Total Available-for-Sale Securities 378 $ 747,083 $ 17,414 92 $ 140,558 $ 10,677 $ 887,641 $ 28,091 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 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 General obligations Midwest 1 3,650 74 14 9,856 96 13,506 170 Northeast — — — 9 7,377 50 7,377 50 South 1 3,085 58 19 13,475 230 16,560 288 West 1 1,023 1 5 2,700 18 3,723 19 Special revenue Midwest 9 10,219 41 8 11,631 105 21,850 146 South 6 12,882 11 3 2,137 52 15,019 63 West — — — 4 3,671 6 3,671 6 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 INSTRUM

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 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. 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 is 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 December 31, 2015 and 2014 is as follows: December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 Fair Value Carrying Value Fair Value Carrying Value Assets Investments Fixed maturities: Held-to-maturity securities $ 675 $ 672 $ 404 $ 397 Available-for-sale securities 2,824,961 2,824,961 2,843,079 2,843,079 Trading securities 12,622 12,622 16,862 16,862 Equity securities: Available-for-sale securities 236,247 236,247 245,843 245,843 Trading securities 4,353 4,353 4,066 4,066 Mortgage loans 4,237 3,961 4,559 4,199 Policy loans 5,618 5,618 5,916 5,916 Other long-term investments 54,151 54,151 50,424 50,424 Short-term investments 175 175 175 175 Cash and cash equivalents 106,449 106,449 90,574 90,574 Corporate-owned life insurance 1,716 1,716 918 918 Liabilities Policy reserves Annuity (accumulations) (1) $ 707,190 $ 744,931 $ 865,802 $ 863,606 Annuity (benefit payments) 131,899 95,467 176,592 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 December 31, 2015 and 2014 : Fair Value Measurements Description December 31, 2015 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE Fixed maturities Bonds U.S. Treasury $ 21,649 $ — $ 21,649 $ — U.S. government agency 233,030 — 233,030 — States, municipalities and political subdivisions General obligations Midwest 165,456 — 165,456 — Northeast 58,445 — 58,445 — South 128,789 — 128,789 — West 106,814 — 106,814 — Special revenue Midwest 157,706 — 157,363 343 Northeast 24,599 — 24,599 — South 148,437 — 148,437 — West 82,041 — 82,041 — Foreign bonds 82,528 — 82,528 — Public utilities 215,683 — 215,683 — Corporate bonds Energy 113,119 — 113,119 — Industrials 224,255 — 224,255 — Consumer goods and services 174,597 — 173,364 1,233 Health care 93,509 — 93,509 — Technology, media and telecommunications 142,400 — 142,400 — Financial services 263,485 — 253,823 9,662 Mortgage-backed securities 16,738 — 16,738 — Collateralized mortgage obligations 366,015 — 366,015 — Asset-backed securities 5,666 — 4,630 1,036 Total Available-For-Sale Fixed Maturities $ 2,824,961 $ — $ 2,812,687 $ 12,274 Equity securities Common stocks Public utilities $ 19,060 $ 19,060 $ — $ — Energy 11,211 11,211 — — Industrials 44,810 44,810 — — Consumer goods and services 23,315 23,315 — — Health care 28,217 28,217 — — Technology, media and telecommunications 13,364 13,364 — — Financial services 95,694 91,588 128 3,978 Nonredeemable preferred stocks 576 576 — — Total Available-for-Sale Equity Securities $ 236,247 $ 232,141 $ 128 $ 3,978 Total Available-for-Sale Securities $ 3,061,208 $ 232,141 $ 2,812,815 $ 16,252 TRADING Fixed maturities Bonds Corporate bonds Industrials $ 3,558 $ — $ 3,558 $ — Consumer goods and services 118 — 118 — Health care 2,032 — 2,032 — Technology, media and telecommunications 335 — 335 — Financial services 4,094 — 4,094 — Redeemable preferred stocks 2,485 2,485 — — Equity securities Energy 267 267 — — Industrials 986 986 — — Consumer goods and services 942 942 — — Health care 304 304 — — Financial Services 229 229 — — Nonredeemable preferred stocks 1,625 1,625 — — Total Trading Securities $ 16,975 $ 6,838 $ 10,137 $ — Short-Term Investments $ 175 $ 175 $ — $ — Money Market Accounts $ 20,805 $ 20,805 $ — $ — Corporate-Owned Life Insurance $ 1,716 $ — $ 1,716 $ — Total Assets Measured at Fair Value $ 3,100,879 $ 259,959 $ 2,824,668 $ 16,252 Fair Value Measurements Description December 31, 2014 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 General obligations Midwest 185,920 — 185,920 — Northeast 61,154 — 61,154 — South 126,220 — 126,220 — West 78,433 — 78,433 — Special revenue Midwest 131,402 — 130,883 519 Northeast 12,631 — 12,631 — South 111,222 — 111,222 — West 71,303 — 71,303 — 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. We use a market-based approach for valuing all of our Level 2 securities except for our mortgage-backed securities, collateralized mortgage obligations and asset-backed securities, and submit them primarily to a third-party valuation service provider. Any of these securities not valued by this service provider are submitted to another third-party valuation service provider. Both service providers use a market approach to find pricing of similar financial instruments. The market inputs our service providers normally seek to value our securities include the following, listed in approximate order of priority: benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, issuer spreads, two-sided markets, benchmark securities, bids, offers, and reference data including market research publications. The method and inputs for these securities classified as Level 2 are the same regardless of industry category, credit quality, duration, geographical concentration or economic characteristics. For our mortgage-backed securities, collateralized mortgage obligations and asset-backed securities, our service providers use additional market inputs to value these securities, including the following: new issue data, periodic payment information, monthly payment information, collateral performance and real estate analysis from third parties. Our service providers prioritize inputs based on market conditions, and not all inputs listed are available for use in the valuation process for each security on any given day. At least annually, we review the methodologies and assumptions used by our valuation service providers and verify that they are reasonable and representative of the fair value of the underlying securities held in the investment portfolio. 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 December 31, 2015 and 2014 was reasonable. Unusual fluctuations outside of our expectations are independently corroborated with additional third-party sources that use similar valuation techniques as discussed above. In addition, we also randomly select securities and independently corroborate the valuations obtained from our third-party valuation service providers. For the year ended December 31, 2015 , the change in our available-for-sale securities categorized as Level 1 and Level 2 was 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 twelve month period ended December 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. During the twelve month period ended December 31, 2015 , there were no securities transferred in or out of Level 3. The following table provides a summary of the changes in fair value of our Level 3 securities for 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 Realized gains (losses) (1) — (142 ) — — (142 ) Unrealized gains (losses) (1) (26 ) — (39 ) — (65 ) Purchases — 100 — 121 221 Disposals (150 ) (1,375 ) (537 ) (15 ) (2,077 ) Balance at December 31, 2015 $ 343 $ 10,895 $ 1,036 $ 3,978 $ 16,252 (1) Realized gains (losses) are recorded as a component of earnings, whereas unrealized gains (losses) are recorded as a component of comprehensive income. The following table provides a summary of the changes in fair value of our Level 3 securities for 2014 : States, municipalities and political subdivisions Corporate bonds Asset-backed securities Equities Total Balance at January 1, 2014 $ 698 $ 13,480 $ 2,029 $ 3,781 $ 19,988 Realized gains (losses) (1) — 11 — (56 ) (45 ) Unrealized gains (losses) (1) (34 ) (85 ) 50 47 (22 ) Purchases — 4 — 144 148 Disposals (145 ) (1,098 ) (467 ) (44 ) (1,754 ) Balance at December 31, 2014 $ 519 $ 12,312 $ 1,612 $ 3,872 $ 18,315 (1) Realized gains (losses) are recorded as a component of earnings, whereas unrealized gains (losses) 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 December 31, 2015 , the cash surrender value of the COLI policies was $1,716 , 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.

REINSURANCE

REINSURANCE	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Reinsurance Disclosures [Abstract]
REINSURANCE	REINSURANCE Property and Casualty Insurance Segment Ceded and Assumed Reinsurance Reinsurance is a contract by which one insurer, called the reinsurer, agrees to cover, under certain defined circumstances, a portion of the losses incurred by a primary insurer if a claim is made under a policy issued by the primary insurer. Our property and casualty insurance companies follow the industry practice of reinsuring a portion of their exposure by ceding to reinsurers a portion of the premium received and a portion of the risk under the policies written. We purchase reinsurance to reduce the net liability on individual risks to predetermined limits and to protect us against catastrophic losses, such as a hurricane or tornado. We do not engage in any reinsurance transactions classified as finite risk reinsurance. We account for premiums, written and earned, and losses incurred net of reinsurance ceded. The ceding of insurance does not legally discharge us from primary liability under our policies, and we must pay the loss if the reinsurer fails to meet its obligation. We periodically monitor the financial condition of our reinsurers to confirm that they are financially stable. We believe that all of our reinsurers are in an acceptable financial condition and there were no reinsurance balances at December 31, 2015 for which collection is at risk that would result in a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements. The amount of reinsurance recoverable on paid losses totaled $11,887 and $15,595 at December 31, 2015 and 2014 , respectively. We also assume both property and casualty insurance from other insurance or reinsurance companies. Most of the business we have assumed is property insurance, with an emphasis on catastrophe coverage. Premiums and losses and loss settlement expenses related to our ceded and assumed business are as follows: Years Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Ceded Business Ceded premiums written $ 56,916 $ 50,290 $ 50,711 Ceded premiums earned 56,758 49,818 50,514 Loss and loss settlement expenses ceded (1) 3,868 9,728 (8,552 ) Assumed Business Assumed premiums written $ 18,290 $ 16,421 $ 18,938 Assumed premiums earned 18,396 16,265 185,485 Loss and loss settlement expenses assumed 14,415 7,727 8,268 (1) In 2013, a reduction in our direct IBNR reserves caused a corresponding reduction in ceded IBNR reserves. This factor, coupled with a lack of significant large losses exceeding our reinsurance retentions resulted in negative loss and loss settlement expenses ceded for the year. In 2015, we renewed our participation in all of our assumed programs and added one new program to our portfolio. The new assumed program is for international catastrophes excluding the United States with the largest exposure to European wind perils. Loss and loss settlement expenses ceded decreased in 2015 as compared to 2014 primarily due to a decrease in significant large losses and catastrophe losses. In 2014, we renewed our participation in all but one of our assumed programs and added one new program to our portfolio. Loss and loss settlement expenses ceded increased in 2014 as compared to 2013 primarily due to an increase in catastrophe losses. We increased participation in one program in our assumed portfolio to replace lost premium from the program not renewed. In 2013, we renewed our participation in all but one of our assumed programs and added two new programs to our portfolio. Loss and loss settlement expenses assumed decreased in 2013 as compared to 2012 primarily due to a decrease in catastrophe losses. We added two new programs to replace the lost premium from the program not renewed and to take advantage of areas where we had exposure capacity. One of the new programs has worldwide exposure and the other has exposure in the United Kingdom and Japan. Refer to Note 5 "Reserves for Losses and Loss Settlement Expenses" for an analysis of changes in our overall property and casualty insurance reserves. Reinsurance Programs and Retentions We have several programs that provide reinsurance coverage. This reinsurance coverage limits the risk of loss that we retain by reinsuring direct risks in excess of our retention limits. The following table provides a summary of our primary reinsurance programs. Retention amounts reflect the accumulated retentions and co-participation of all layers within a program. In 2013, we added a $3,000 aggregate annual deductible to our core program multi-line (casualty excess and property excess) which was increased to $4,000 in 2014. 2015 Reinsurance Programs Type of Reinsurance Stated Retention Limits Coverage Casualty excess of loss $ 2,000 $ 40,000 100 % of $ 38,000 Property excess of loss 2,000 25,000 100 % of $ 23,000 Surety excess of loss 1,500 36,000 96 % of $ 34,500 Property catastrophe, excess 20,000 200,000 100 % of $ 180,000 Property catastrophe, excess 200,000 250,000 90.5 % of $ 50,000 Boiler and machinery N/A 50,000 100 % of $ 50,000 2014 Reinsurance Programs Type of Reinsurance Stated Retention Limits Coverage Casualty excess of loss $ 2,000 $ 40,000 100 % of $ 38,000 Property excess of loss 2,000 15,000 100 % of $ 13,000 Surety excess of loss 1,500 28,000 91 % of $ 26,500 Property catastrophe, excess 20,000 200,000 100 % of $ 180,000 Property catastrophe, excess 200,000 250,000 90.5 % of $ 50,000 Boiler and machinery N/A 50,000 100 % of $ 50,000 2013 Reinsurance Programs Type of Reinsurance Stated Retention Limits Coverage Casualty excess of loss $ 2,000 $ 40,000 100 % of $ 38,000 Property excess of loss 2,000 15,000 100 % of $ 13,000 Surety excess of loss 1,500 28,000 91 % of $ 26,500 Property catastrophe, excess 20,000 200,000 95 % of $ 180,000 Boiler and machinery N/A 50,000 100 % of $ 50,000 If we incur catastrophe losses and loss settlement expenses that exceed the coverage limits of our reinsurance program, our property catastrophe program provides one guaranteed reinstatement. In such an instance, we are required to pay the reinsurers a reinstatement premium equal to the full amount of the original premium, which will reinstate the full amount of reinsurance available under the property catastrophe program. Life Insurance Segment Ceded and Assumed Reinsurance United Life purchases reinsurance to limit the dollar amount of any one risk of loss. Our retention on standard individual life cases is $300 . Our accidental death benefit rider on an individual policy is reinsured at 100 percent , up to a maximum benefit of $250 . Our group coverage, both life and accidental death and dismemberment, is reinsured at 50.0 percent with a retention of $75 for United Fire internal group coverage. Catastrophe excess reinsurance coverage applies when three or more insureds die in a catastrophic accident. For catastrophe excess claims, we retain the first $1,000 of ultimate net loss and the reinsurer agrees to indemnify us for the excess up to a maximum of $5,000 . We supplement this coverage when appropriate with "known concentration" coverage. Known concentration coverage is typically tied to a specific event and time period, with a threshold of a minimum number of lives involved in the event, minimum event deductible (stated retention limit) and a maximum payout. Premiums and losses and loss settlement expenses related to our ceded business are as follows: Years Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Ceded Business Ceded insurance in-force $ 1,165,868 $ 1,130,059 $ 1,112,688 Ceded premiums earned 3,161 2,959 2,792 Loss and loss settlement expenses ceded 2,113 3,467 1,971 The ceding of insurance does not legally discharge United Life from primary liability under its policies. United Life must pay the loss if the reinsurer fails to meet its obligations. We periodically monitor the financial condition of our reinsurers to confirm that they are financially stable and have strong credit ratings. We believe that all of our reinsurers are in an acceptable financial condition. Approximately 99.0 percent of ceded life insurance in force as of December 31, 2015 was ceded to five reinsurers.

RESERVES FOR LOSSES AND LOSS SE

RESERVES FOR LOSSES AND LOSS SETTLEMENT EXPENSES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Insurance Loss Reserves [Abstract]
RESERVES FOR LOSSES AND LOSS SETTLEMENT EXPENSES	RESERVES FOR LOSSES AND LOSS SETTLEMENT EXPENSES Because property and casualty insurance reserves are estimates of the unpaid portions of incurred losses that have been reported to us, as well as losses that have been incurred but not reported ("IBNR"), the establishment of appropriate reserves, including reserves for catastrophes, is an inherently uncertain and complex process. The ultimate cost of losses and related loss settlement expenses may vary materially from recorded amounts, which are based on management's best estimates. We regularly update our reserve estimates as new information becomes available and as events unfold that may affect the resolution of unsettled claims. Changes in prior year reserve estimates, which may be material, are reported as a component of losses and loss settlement expenses incurred in the period such changes are determined. The following table provides an analysis of changes in our property and casualty losses and loss settlement expense reserves for 2015 , 2014 and 2013 (net of reinsurance amounts): Years Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Gross liability for losses and loss settlement expenses $ 969,437 $ 960,651 $ 971,911 Ceded losses and loss settlement expenses (63,757 ) (75,150 ) (103,870 ) Net liability for losses and loss settlement expenses $ 905,680 $ 885,501 $ 868,041 Losses and loss settlement expenses incurred Current year $ 560,482 $ 566,555 $ 494,841 Prior years (40,395 ) (56,744 ) (57,487 ) Total incurred $ 520,087 $ 509,811 $ 437,354 Losses and loss settlement expense payments Current year $ 225,022 $ 247,651 $ 203,868 Prior years 251,503 241,981 216,026 Total paid $ 476,525 $ 489,632 $ 419,894 Net liability for losses and loss settlement expenses $ 949,242 $ 905,680 $ 885,501 Ceded loss and loss settlement expenses 54,653 63,757 75,150 Gross liability for losses and loss settlement expenses $ 1,003,895 $ 969,437 $ 960,651 There are a multitude of factors that can impact loss reserve development. Those factors include, but are not limited to: historical data, the potential impact of various loss reserve development factors and trends including historical loss experience, legislative enactments, judicial decisions, legal developments in imposition of damages, experience with alternative dispute resolution, results of our medical bill review process, the potential impact of salvage and subrogation and changes and trends in general economic conditions, including the effects of inflation. All of these factors influence our estimates of required reserves and for long tail lines these factors can change over the course of the settlement of the claim. However, there is no precise method for evaluating the specific dollar impact of any individual factor on the development of reserves. The significant drivers of the favorable reserve development in 2015 were our long-tail liability lines, workers compensation, and automobile (physical damage). The favorable development is attributable to reductions in reserves for reported claims as well as reductions in required reserves for IBNR claims combined with continued successful management of litigation expenses. These reserve decreases were more than sufficient to offset claim payments. The favorable development was partially offset by adverse development, the majority coming from three lines which included property, assumed reinsurance and commercial auto liability. No other single line of business contributed a significant portion of the total development. The significant drivers of the favorable reserve development in 2014 were our long-tail liability lines, workers compensation, and automobile (both liability and physical damage). Much of the favorable long-tail liability development came from loss adjustment expense and is attributed to our litigation management initiative. Workers' compensation favorable development was due to the combination of claim reserve decreases along with favorable changes affecting loss adjustment expense. Changes in reserve development patterns have shown increased redundancies in reserves for reported claims along with relatively less need for IBNR claim reserves. Loss adjustment expense, closely tied to loss, generally decreases when loss decreases. Commercial auto liability continues to benefit from loss control and re-underwriting initiatives over the past two years as well as favorable changes affecting loss adjustment expense as reserve development patterns also showed a redundancy in reserves along with less need for IBNR claim reserves. The favorable reserve development in 2013 on prior year reserves was primarily related to our long-tail lines of commercial business including other liability, workers' compensation and auto liability. The significant driver of the favorable reserve development in 2013 was the other liability line, primarily due to additional recognition of relatively recent changes in reserve development patterns which have shown increased redundancies in reserves for reported claims along with relatively less need for IBNR claim reserves. Also, contributing to the favorable development in 2013, only to a lesser extent than the other liability line of business, were workers' compensation, commercial auto liability and surety lines of business. Generally, we base reserves for each claim on the estimated ultimate exposure for that claim. We believe that it is appropriate and reasonable to establish a best estimate for reserves within a range of reasonable estimates, especially when we are reserving for claims for bodily injury, disabilities and similar claims, for which settlements and verdicts can vary widely. Our reserving philosophy may result in favorable reserve development in future years that will decrease losses and loss settlement expenses for prior year claims in the year of adjustment. We realize that this philosophy, coupled with what we believe to be aggressive and successful claims management and loss settlement practices, has resulted in year-to-year redundancies in reserves. We believe our approach produces recorded reserves that are reasonably consistent as to their relative position within a range of reasonable reserves from year-to-year. However, conditions and trends that have affected the reserve development for a given year do change. Therefore, such development cannot be used to project future reserve redundancies or deficiencies. We are not aware of any significant contingent liabilities related to environmental issues. Because of the type of property coverage we write, we have potential exposure to environmental pollution, mold and asbestos claims. Our underwriters are aware of these exposures and use riders or endorsements to limit exposure.

STATUTORY REPORTING, CAPITAL RE

STATUTORY REPORTING, CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS AND DIVIDENDS AND RETAINED EARNINGS RESTRICTIONS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Statutory Insurance Financial Information [Abstract]
STATUTORY REPORTING, CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS AND DIVIDENDS AND RETAINED EARNINGS RESTRICTIONS	STATUTORY REPORTING, CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS AND DIVIDENDS AND RETAINED EARNINGS RESTRICTIONS Statutory capital and surplus in regards to policyholders at December 31, 2015 , 2014 and 2013 and statutory net income for the years then ended are as follows: Statutory Capital and Surplus Statutory Net Income 2015 Property and casualty (1) $ 722,404 $ 75,554 Life, accident and health 138,855 (1,524 ) 2014 Property and casualty (1) $ 685,866 $ 54,233 Life, accident and health 155,667 3,517 2013 Property and casualty (1) $ 665,772 $ 84,255 Life, accident and health 157,974 5,942 (1) Because United Fire & Casualty Company owns United Life Insurance Company, the property and casualty statutory capital and surplus includes life, accident and health statutory capital and surplus, and therefore represents our total consolidated statutory capital and surplus. State insurance holding company laws and regulations generally require approval from the insurer's domicile state insurance Commissioner for any material transaction or extraordinary dividend. For property and casualty insurers, a material transaction is defined as any sale, loan, exchange, transfer or guarantee with an affiliate where the aggregate value of the transaction exceeds 25 percent of the insurer's policyholders' surplus or three percent of its admitted assets (measured at December 31 of the preceding year), whichever is less. For life insurers, a material transaction with an affiliate is defined as a transaction with an aggregate value exceeding three percent of the life insurer's admitted assets (measured at December 31 of the preceding year). State laws and regulations generally limit the amount of funds that an insurance company may distribute to a parent as a dividend without Commissioner approval. As a holding company with no independent operations of its own, United Fire Group, Inc. relies on dividends received from its insurance company subsidiaries in order to pay dividends to its common shareholders. Dividends payable by our insurance subsidiaries are governed by the laws in the states in which they are domiciled. In all cases, these state laws permit the payment of dividends only from earned surplus arising from business operations. For example, under Iowa law, the maximum dividend or distribution that may be paid within a 12-month period without prior approval of the Iowa Insurance Commissioner is generally restricted to the greater of 10 percent of statutory surplus as of the preceding December 31, or net income of the preceding calendar year on a statutory basis, not greater than earned statutory surplus. Other states in which our insurance company subsidiaries are domiciled may impose similar restrictions on dividends and distributions. Based on these restrictions, at December 31, 2015 , our insurance company subsidiary, United Fire & Casualty Company, is able to make a maximum of $53,054 in dividend payments without prior approval. At December 31, 2015 , we were in compliance with applicable state laws and regulations. These restrictions will not have a material impact in meeting our cash obligations. In addition, United Fire Group, Inc. maintains a credit agreement, as discussed in Part II, Note 14 "Credit Facility", which permits us to borrow up to an aggregate principal amount of $50,000 and allows the Company to increase the aggregate amount of the commitments thereunder by up to $100,000 . We paid dividends to our common shareholders of $21,658 , $19,680 and $17,484 in 2015 , 2014 and 2013 , respectively. Payments of any future dividends and the amounts of such dividends, however, will depend upon factors such as net income, financial condition, capital requirements, and general business conditions. We will only pay dividends if declared by our Board of Directors, out of funds legally available, and subject to any other restrictions that may be applicable to us. In 2015 , 2014 and 2013 , United Fire & Casualty Company received dividends from its wholly owned subsidiaries of $16,500 , $13,500 and $26,335 , respectively. In 2015 , 2014 and 2013 , United Fire & Casualty Company paid dividends to United Fire Group, Inc. totaling $22,500 , $29,000 and $13,175 , respectively. These intercompany dividend payments are eliminated for reporting in our Consolidated Financial Statements. A majority of our custodial assets are subject to a tri-party agreement between one of our subsidiary companies, United Life Insurance Company ("United Life"), the custodian, and the Iowa Insurance Commissioner. Under this agreement, as long as United Life maintains the minimum aggregate value of securities in the account (based on its legal reserve requirements), it is free to invest, withdraw or loan these funds or pay dividends using these funds without approval from the Commissioner. Investment of these funds is subject to the same limitations on asset class and credit quality imposed by the Commissioner on all insurance company invested assets. Investment income derived from these custodied funds is available for general corporate purposes and to satisfy corporate obligations without approval from the Commissioner. At December 31, 2015 , United Life had net admitted assets, on a statutory basis, of $1,535,950 , $195,380 in excess of its legal reserve requirement. Therefore, any restriction on funds deposited by United Life with the Iowa Insurance Commissioner would not materially affect its financial position or results of operations and its cash flows are sufficient to meet its operational requirements. Under the material transaction and dividend standards described above, United Life currently is not able to enter into an affiliate transaction and/or pay a dividend without approval from the Commissioner. Our property and casualty and life insurance subsidiaries are required to prepare and file statutory-basis financial statements in conformity with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners ("NAIC") Accounting Practices and Procedures Manual, subject to any deviations prescribed or permitted by the applicable insurance commissioner and/or director. The accounting principles used to prepare these statutory-basis financial statements follow prescribed or permitted accounting practices that differ from GAAP. Prescribed statutory accounting principles include state laws, regulations and general administrative rules issued by the state of domicile, as well as a variety of publications and manuals of the NAIC. Permitted accounting practices encompass all accounting practices not prescribed, but allowed by the state of domicile. No material permitted accounting practices were used to prepare our statutory-basis financial statements during 2015 , 2014 and 2013 . Statutory accounting principles primarily differ from GAAP in that policy acquisition and certain sales inducement costs are charged to expense as incurred, goodwill is amortized, life insurance reserves are established based on different actuarial assumptions and the values reported for investments, pension obligations and deferred taxes are established on a different basis. We are directed by the state insurance departments' solvency regulations to calculate a required minimum level of statutory capital and surplus based on insurance risk factors. The risk-based capital results are used by the NAIC and state insurance departments to identify companies that merit regulatory attention or the initiation of regulatory action. Both United Life and United Fire & Casualty Company and its property and casualty insurance subsidiaries and affiliates had statutory capital and surplus in regards to policyholders well in excess of their required levels at December 31, 2015 .

FEDERAL INCOME TAX

FEDERAL INCOME TAX	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
FEDERAL INCOME TAX	FEDERAL INCOME TAX Federal income tax expense (benefit) is composed of the following: Years Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Current $ 37,649 $ 15,649 $ 19,146 Deferred (5,324 ) 1,677 6,616 Total $ 32,325 $ 17,326 $ 25,762 A reconciliation of income tax expense computed at the applicable federal tax rate of 35.0 percent to the amount recorded in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income is as follows: Years Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Computed expected income tax expense $ 42,508 $ 26,762 $ 35,666 Tax-exempt municipal bond interest income (7,669 ) (7,417 ) (7,732 ) Nontaxable dividend income (1,337 ) (1,232 ) (1,053 ) Valuation allowance reduction (548 ) (548 ) (548 ) Other, net (629 ) (239 ) (571 ) Federal income tax expense $ 32,325 $ 17,326 $ 25,762 The significant components of our net deferred tax liability at December 31, 2015 and 2014 are as follows: December 31, 2015 2014 Deferred tax liabilities Net unrealized appreciation on investment securities: Equity securities $ 58,674 $ 60,952 All other securities 11,159 24,308 Deferred policy acquisition costs 53,960 44,271 Prepaid pension cost 1,920 2,973 Net bond discount accretion 1,430 1,925 Depreciation 1,791 2,667 Revaluation of investment basis (1) 1,824 2,611 Identifiable intangible assets (1) 3,560 3,808 Other 7,627 8,152 Gross deferred tax liability $ 141,945 $ 151,667 Deferred tax assets Financial statement reserves in excess of income tax reserves $ 34,535 $ 35,800 Unearned premium adjustment 28,679 26,146 Net operating loss carryforwards 1,265 1,813 Underfunded benefit plan obligation 25,810 31,473 Postretirement benefits other than pensions 17,838 14,374 Other-than-temporary impairment of investments 5,609 5,222 Contingent ceding commission accrual 3,342 3,573 Compensation expense related to stock options 4,627 4,582 Other 6,852 4,738 Gross deferred tax asset $ 128,557 $ 127,721 Valuation allowance (1,265 ) (1,813 ) Deferred tax asset $ 127,292 $ 125,908 Net deferred tax liability $ 14,653 $ 25,759 (1) Related to our acquisition of Mercer Insurance Group. Due to our determination that we may not be able to fully realize the benefits of the net operating losses ("NOLs") acquired in the purchase of American Indemnity Financial Corporation in 1999, which are only available to offset the future taxable income of our property and casualty insurance operations and are further limited as to the amount that can be utilized in any given year, we have recorded a valuation allowance against these NOLs that totaled $1,265 and $1,813 , respectively, at December 31, 2015 and 2014 . Based on a yearly review, we determine whether the benefit of the NOLs can be realized, and, if so, the decrease in the valuation allowance is recorded as a reduction to current federal income tax expense. If NOLs expire during the year, the decrease in the valuation allowance is offset with a corresponding decrease to the deferred income tax asset. The valuation allowance was reduced by $548 during 2014 and 2015 , respectively, due to the realization of $1,565 in NOLs. No portion of the NOLs expired in 2014 or 2015 or will expire in 2016 . At December 31, 2015, we had no alternative minimum tax ("AMT") credit carryforwards.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS	EMPLOYEE BENEFITS We offer various benefits to our employees including a noncontributory defined benefit pension plan, an employee/retiree health and dental benefit plan, a profit-sharing plan and an employee stock ownership plan. Pension and Postretirement Benefit Plans We offer a noncontributory defined benefit pension plan in which all of our employees are eligible to participate after they have completed one year of service, attained 21 years of age and have met the hourly service requirements. Retirement benefits under our pension plan are based on the number of years of service and level of compensation. Our policy to fund the pension plan on a current basis to not less than the minimum amounts required by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, is to assure that plan assets will be adequate to provide retirement benefits. We estimate that we will contribute approximately $6,384 to the pension plan in 2016 . We also offer a health and dental benefit plan to all of our eligible employees and retirees that consists of two programs: (1) the self-funded employee health and dental benefit plan and (2) the self-funded (pre-65) and fully-funded (post-65) retiree health and dental benefit plan (the "postretirement benefit plan"). The postretirement benefit plan provides health and dental benefits to our retirees (and covered dependents) who have met the service and participation requirements stipulated by the postretirement benefit plan. The third party administrators for the postretirement benefit plan are responsible for making medical and dental care benefit payments. Participants are required to submit claims for reimbursement or payment to the claims administrator within twelve months after the end of the calendar year in which the charges were incurred. An unfunded benefit obligation is reported for the postretirement benefit plan in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. Investment Policies and Strategies Our investment policy and objective for the pension plan is to generate long-term capital growth and income by way of a diversified investment portfolio along with appropriate employer contributions, which will allow us to provide for the pension plan's benefit obligation. The investments held by the pension plan at December 31, 2015 include the following asset categories: • Fixed income securities, which may include bonds, and convertible securities; • Equity securities, which may include various types of stock, such as large-cap, mid-cap, small-cap, and international stocks; • Pooled separate accounts, which includes two separate funds, a core plus bond separate account and a real estate separate account; • An arbitrage fund, which is a fund that takes advantage of price discrepancies, primarily equity securities, for the same asset in different markets; • A group annuity contract that is administered by United Life, a subsidiary of United Fire; and • Cash and cash equivalents, which include money market funds. We have an internal investment/retirement committee, which includes our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Investment Officer, and Chief Operating Officer, all of whom receive monthly information on the value of the pension plan assets and their performance. Quarterly, the committee meets to review and discuss the performance of the pension plan assets as well as the allocation of investments within the pension plan. As of December 31, 2015 , we had six external investment managers that are allowed to exercise investment discretion, subject to limitations, if any, established by the investment/retirement committee. We utilize multiple investment managers in order to maximize the pension plan's investment return while mitigating risk. None of our investment managers uses leverage in managing the pension plan. Annually, the investment/retirement committee meets with each investment manager to review the investment manager's goals, objectives and the performance of the assets they manage. The decision to establish or terminate a relationship with an investment manager is at the discretion of our investment/retirement committee. We consider historical experience for comparable investments and the target allocations we have established for the various asset categories of the pension plan to determine the expected long-term rate of return, which is an assumption as to the average rate of earnings expected on the pension plan funds invested, or to be invested, by the pension plan, to provide for the settlement of benefits included in the projected pension benefit obligation. Investment securities, in general, are exposed to various risks, such as fluctuating interest rates, credit standing of the issuer of the security and overall market volatility. Annually, we perform an analysis of expected long-term rates of return based on the composition and allocation of our pension plan assets and recent economic conditions. The following is a summary of the pension plan's actual and target asset allocations at December 31, 2015 and 2014 by asset category: Target Pension Plan Assets 2015 % of Total 2014 % of Total Allocation Fixed maturity securities - corporate bonds $ 6,894 6.5 % $ 9,035 8.8 % 0 % - 15 % Redeemable preferred stock 3,744 3.5 2,254 2.2 0 % - 10 % Equity securities 58,613 55.0 58,223 56.6 50 % - 70 % Pooled separate accounts Core Plus Bond separate account fund 6,605 6.2 6,417 6.3 0 % - 40 % U.S. property separate account fund 11,252 10.5 9,895 9.6 0 % - 25 % Arbitrage fund 7,856 7.4 7,637 7.4 0 % - 10 % United Life annuity 8,931 8.4 8,506 8.3 5 % - 10 % Cash and cash equivalents 2,705 2.5 833 0.8 0 % - 10 % Total plan assets $ 106,600 100.0 % $ 102,800 100.0 % The investment return expectations for the pension plan are used to develop the asset allocation based on the specific needs of the pension plan. Accordingly, equity securities comprise the largest portion of our pension plan assets, as they yield the highest rate of return. The United Life annuity, which is the third largest asset category and was originally written by our life insurance subsidiary in 1976, provides a guaranteed rate of return. The interest rate on the group annuity contract is determined annually. The availability of assets held in cash and cash equivalents enables the pension plan to mitigate market risk that is associated with other types of investments and allows the pension plan to maintain liquidity both for the purpose of making future benefit payments to participants and their beneficiaries and for future investment opportunities. Valuation of Investments Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities Investments in fixed maturity and equity securities are stated at fair value based upon quoted market prices reported on recognized securities exchanges on the last business day of the year. Purchases and sales of securities are recorded as of the trade date. Pooled Separate Accounts The pension plan invests in two pooled separate account funds, a core plus bond separate account fund and a U.S. property separate account fund. Investments in the core plus bond separate account fund are stated at fair value as provided by the administrator of the fund based on the fair value of the underlying assets owned by the fund. The fair value measurement is classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. The fair value of the investments in the U.S. property separate account fund is provided by the administrator of the fund based on the net asset value of the fund. The net asset value is based on the fair value of the underlying properties included in the fund. The fair value of the underlying properties are based on property appraisals conducted by an independent third party. The fair value measurement is classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. We have not adjusted the net asset value provided by the custodian. Arbitrage Fund The fair value of the arbitrage fund is determined based on its net asset value, which is obtained from the custodian and determined monthly with issuances and redemptions of units of the fund made, based on the net asset value per unit as determined on the valuation date. We have not adjusted the net asset value provided by the custodian. United Life Annuity The United Life group annuity contract, which is a deposit administration contract, is stated at contract value as determined by United Life. Under the group annuity contract, the plan's investment account is credited with compound interest on the average account balance for the year. The interest rate is equivalent to the ratio of net investment income to mean assets of United Life, net of investment expenses. Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and cash equivalents primarily consist of insured cash and money market funds held with various financial institutions. Interest is earned on a daily basis. The fair value of these funds approximates their cost basis due to their short-term nature. Fair Value Measurement The following tables present the categorization of the pension plan's assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2015 and 2014 : Fair Value Measurements Description December 31, 2015 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Fixed maturity securities - corporate bonds $ 6,894 $ — $ 6,894 $ — Redeemable preferred stock 3,744 3,744 — — Equity securities 58,613 58,613 — — Pooled separate accounts Core plus bond separate account fund 6,605 — 6,605 — U.S. property separate account fund 11,252 — — 11,252 Arbitrage fund 7,856 — 7,856 — Money market funds 2,619 2,619 — — Total assets measured at fair value $ 97,583 $ 64,976 $ 21,355 $ 11,252 Fair Value Measurements Description December 31, 2014 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Fixed maturity securities - corporate bonds $ 9,035 $ — $ 9,035 $ — Redeemable preferred stock 2,254 2,254 — — Equity securities 58,223 58,223 — — Pooled separate accounts Core plus bond separate account fund 6,417 — 6,417 — U.S. property separate account fund 9,895 — — 9,895 Arbitrage fund 7,637 — 7,637 — Money market funds 826 826 — — Total assets measured at fair value $ 94,287 $ 61,303 $ 23,089 $ 9,895 There were no transfers of assets in or out of Level 1 or Level 2 during the period. The fair value of investments categorized as Level 1 is based on quoted market prices that are readily and regularly available. The fair value of fixed maturity securities categorized as Level 2 is determined by management based on fair value information reported in the custodial statements, which is derived from recent trading activity of the underlying security in the financial markets. These securities represent various taxable bonds held by the pension plan. These securities categorized as Level 2 are valued in the same manner as described in Part II, Item 8, Note 3 and have the same controls in place. The fair value of the arbitrage fund and bond and mortgage pooled separate account fund are categorized as Level 2 since there are no restrictions as to the pension plan's ability to redeem its investment at the net asset value of the fund as of the reporting date. The following tables provide a summary of the changes in fair value of the pension plan's Level 3 securities: U.S. property separate account fund Balance at January 1, 2015 $ 9,895 Unrealized gains 1,357 Balance at December 31, 2015 $ 11,252 U.S. property separate account fund Balance at January 1, 2014 $ 8,763 Unrealized gains 1,132 Balance at December 31, 2014 $ 9,895 Estimates and Assumptions The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make various estimates and assumptions that affect the reporting of net periodic benefit cost, plan assets and plan obligations for each plan at the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from these estimates. One significant estimate relates to the calculation of the benefit obligation for each plan. We annually establish the discount rate, which is an estimate of the interest rate at which these benefits could be effectively settled, that is used to determine the present value of the respective plan's benefit obligations as of December 31. In estimating the discount rate, we look to rates of return on high-quality, fixed-income investments currently available and expected to be available during the period to maturity of the respective plan's benefit obligations. In October 2014, the Society of Actuaries finalized a new mortality table and a new mortality improvement scale. The mortality improvement scale was further refined by the Society of Actuaries in 2015. These updated tables reflect improved life expectancies and an expectation that the trend will continue. We have reviewed these updated tables and have updated the mortality assumptions based on this information and also based on research provided by our external actuaries. We will continue to monitor mortality assumptions and make changes as appropriate to reflect additional research and our resulting best estimate of future mortality rates. Assumptions Used to Determine Benefit Obligations The following actuarial assumptions were used to determine the reported plan benefit obligations at December 31: Weighted-average assumptions as of Pension Benefits Postretirement Benefits December 31, 2015 2014 2015 2014 Discount rate 4.21 % 3.86 % 4.21 % 3.86 % Rate of compensation increase 3.00 3.00 N/A N/A Increasing interest rates resulted in an increase in the discount rates we use to value our respective plan's benefit obligations at December 31, 2015 compared to December 31, 2014. Assumptions Used to Determine Net Periodic Benefit Cost The following actuarial assumptions were used at January 1 to determine our reported net periodic benefit costs for the year ended December 31: Weighted-average assumptions as of Pension Benefits Postretirement Benefits January 1, 2015 2014 2013 2015 2014 2013 Discount rate 3.86 % 4.84 % 4.00 % 3.86 % 4.84 % 4.00 % Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets 7.50 7.50 7.50 N/A N/A N/A Rate of compensation increase 3.00 3.50 3.50 N/A N/A N/A Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates Health Care Benefits Dental Claims Years Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2015 2014 Health care cost trend rates assumed for next year 7.00 % 7.00 % 4.00 % 4.00 % Rate to which the health care trend rate is assumed to decline (ultimate trend rate) 4.50 % 4.50 % N/A N/A Year that the rate reaches the ultimate trend rate 2024 2023 N/A N/A Assumed health care cost trend rates have a significant effect on the amounts reported for the postretirement benefit plan. A 1.0 percent change in assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following effects: 1% Increase 1% Decrease Effect on the net periodic postretirement health care benefit cost $ 1,595 $ (1,239 ) Effect on the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation 14,178 (11,270 ) Benefit Obligation and Funded Status The following table provides a reconciliation of benefit obligations, plan assets and funded status of our plans: Pension Benefits Postretirement Benefits Years Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2015 2014 Reconciliation of benefit obligation Benefit obligation at beginning of year $ 157,600 $ 123,352 $ 74,552 $ 48,954 Service cost 6,675 5,210 5,220 3,696 Interest cost 5,999 5,874 2,856 2,342 Actuarial (gain) loss (5,678 ) 26,590 (9,253 ) 20,730 Benefit payments and adjustments (4,206 ) (3,426 ) (1,200 ) (1,170 ) Benefit obligation at end of year (1) $ 160,390 $ 157,600 $ 72,175 $ 74,552 Reconciliation of fair value of plan assets Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year $ 102,800 $ 92,219 $ — $ — Actual return on plan assets 1,654 6,591 — — Employer contributions 6,352 7,416 (1,200 ) (1,170 ) Benefit payments and adjustments (4,206 ) (3,426 ) 1,200 1,170 Fair value of plan assets at end of year $ 106,600 $ 102,800 $ — $ — Funded status at end of year $ (53,790 ) $ (54,800 ) $ (72,175 ) $ (74,552 ) (1) For the pension plan, the benefit obligation is the projected benefit obligation. For the postretirement benefit plan, the benefit obligation is the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation. Our accumulated pension benefit obligation was $141,550 and $138,180 at December 31, 2015 and 2014 , respectively. The following table displays the effect that the unrecognized prior service cost and unrecognized actuarial loss of our plans had on accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI"), as reported in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets: Pension Benefits Postretirement Benefits Years Ended December 31 2015 2014 2015 2014 Amounts recognized in AOCI Unrecognized prior service cost $ — $ — $ — $ — Unrecognized actuarial loss 52,936 56,943 20,806 32,979 Total amounts recognized in AOCI $ 52,936 $ 56,943 $ 20,806 $ 32,979 We anticipate amortization of the net actuarial losses for our pension plan in 2016 to be $3,967 . We anticipate amortization of the net actuarial losses for our postretirement benefit plan in 2016 to be $1,518 . 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 Years Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 2015 2014 2013 Net periodic benefit cost Service cost $ 6,675 $ 5,210 $ 6,300 $ 5,220 $ 3,696 $ 3,875 Interest cost 5,999 5,874 5,175 2,856 2,342 1,759 Expected return on plan assets (7,800 ) (6,956 ) (5,772 ) — — — Amortization of net loss 4,546 2,174 4,989 2,920 898 879 Net periodic benefit cost $ 9,420 $ 6,302 $ 10,692 $ 10,996 $ 6,936 $ 6,513 Projected Benefit Payments The following table summarizes the expected benefits to be paid from our plans over the next 10 years : 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 - 2025 Pension benefits $ 4,680 $ 5,060 $ 5,420 $ 5,930 $ 6,500 $ 43,200 Postretirement benefits $ 1,140 $ 1,340 $ 1,560 $ 1,810 $ 2,080 $ 15,170 Profit-Sharing Plan and Employee Stock Ownership Plan We have a profit-sharing plan in which employees who meet service requirements are eligible to participate. The amount of our contribution is discretionary and is determined annually, but cannot exceed the amount deductible for federal income tax purposes. Our contribution to the profit-sharing plan for 2015 , 2014 and 2013 , was $7,706 , $3,847 and $6,029 , respectively. Prior to October 31, 2015 we had an employee stock ownership plan (the "ESOP") for the benefit of eligible employees and their beneficiaries. In June 2015, the plan administrator decided to merge the ESOP into the United Fire Group, Inc. 401K Plan effective October 31, 2015. Participant ESOP account balances were transferred to each participant’s 401K Plan. All employees were eligible to participate in the ESOP upon completion of one year of service, meeting the hourly employment requirements and attaining 21 years of age. Contributions to the ESOP were made at our discretion. When made, these contributions were based upon a percentage of total payroll and are allocated to participants on the basis of compensation. We can make contributions in stock or cash, which the trustee uses to acquire shares of our stock to allocate to participants' accounts. Prior to merger of the plan into the United Fire Group, Inc. 401K Plan, the ESOP owned 214,614 shares of United Fire common stock. As of December 31, 2014 , the ESOP owned 214,637 shares of United Fire common stock. Shares owned by the ESOP were included in shares issued and outstanding for purposes of calculating earnings per share, and dividends paid on the shares are charged to retained earnings. We made contributions to the ESOP of $150 and $250 in 2015 and 2014 , respectively. We did no t make any contributions to the ESOP in 2013 .

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [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 2008 Stock Plan, among other amendments, and renamed such plan as the United Fire Group, Inc. Stock Plan, (as amended, the "Stock Plan"). At December 31, 2015 , there were 1,394,578 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 Year Ended December 31, 2015 From Inception to December 31, 2015 Beginning balance 1,646,947 1,900,000 Additional shares authorized — 1,500,000 Number of awards granted (366,419 ) (2,362,928 ) Number of awards forfeited or expired 114,050 357,506 Ending balance 1,394,578 1,394,578 Number of option awards exercised 182,956 650,519 Number of unrestricted stock awards granted 1,065 6,345 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 December 31, 2015 , we had 69,938 authorized shares available for future issuance. The Board of Directors has the authority to determine which non-employee directors receive awards, when options and restricted stock shall be granted, the option price, the option expiration date, the date of grant, the vesting schedule of options or whether the options shall be immediately vested, the terms and conditions of options and restricted stock (other than those terms and conditions set forth in the plan) and the number of shares of common stock to be issued pursuant to an option agreement or restricted stock agreement (subject to limits set forth in the 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 Year Ended December 31, 2015 From Inception to December 31, 2015 Beginning balance 87,194 300,000 Number of awards granted (17,256 ) (236,065 ) Number of awards forfeited or expired — 6,003 Ending balance 69,938 69,938 Number of option awards exercised 10,132 14,807 Number of restricted stock awards vested 8,729 20,171 Stock-Based Compensation Expense In 2015 , 2014 and 2013 , we recognized stock-based compensation expense of $2,510 , $1,944 and $1,777 , respectively. Stock-based compensation expense is recognized over the vesting period of the stock options. As of December 31, 2015 , we had $5,911 in stock-based compensation expense that has yet to be recognized through our results of operations. We expect this compensation to be recognized in 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. 2016 $ 2,080 2017 1,851 2018 1,333 2019 584 2020 63 Total $ 5,911 Analysis of Award Activity The analysis below details the award activity for 2015 and the awards outstanding at December 31, 2015 , for both of our plans and ad hoc options, which were granted prior to the adoption of the other plans: Options Shares Weighted-Average Exercise Price Weighted-Average Remaining Life (in years) Aggregate Intrinsic Value Outstanding at January 1, 2015 1,358,289 $ 28.70 Granted 332,729 29.17 Exercised (193,088 ) 27.96 Forfeited or expired (114,050 ) 31.84 Outstanding at December 31, 2015 1,383,880 $ 28.66 5.84 $ 13,435 Exercisable at December 31, 2015 667,106 $ 29.76 3.44 $ 5,785 Intrinsic value is the difference between our share price on the last day of trading (i.e., December 31, 2015 ) and the price of the options when granted and represents the value that would have been received by option holders had they exercised their options on that date. These values change based on the fair market value of our shares. The intrinsic value of options exercised totaled $1,546 , $790 and $1,383 in 2015 , 2014 and 2013 , respectively. The analysis below details the award activity for the restricted stock awards outstanding at December 31, 2015 : Restricted stock awards Shares Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value Non-vested at January 1, 2015 114,313 $ 25.67 Granted 49,881 32.16 Vested (8,729 ) 27.88 Forfeited (10,702 ) 25.20 Non-vested at December 31, 2015 144,763 $ 27.81 In 2015 , 2014 and 2013 we recognized $924 , $588 and $407 , respectively, in compensation expense related to the restricted stock awards. At December 31, 2015 , we had $ 2,350 in compensation expense that has yet to be recognized through our results of operations related to the restricted stock awards. The intrinsic value of the non-vested restricted stock awards outstanding totaled $1,520 , $459 and $358 at December 31, 2015 , 2014 and 2013 , respectively. Assumptions The weighted-average grant-date fair value of the options granted under our plans has been estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions: December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Risk-free interest rate 1.94 % 2.19 % 1.37 % Expected volatility 21.92 % 36.58 % 34.32 % Expected option life (in years) 7 7 7 Expected dividends (in dollars) $ 0.80 $ 0.78 $ 0.69 Weighted-average grant-date fair value of options granted during the year (in dollars) $ 4.98 $ 9.15 $ 6.64 The following table summarizes information regarding the stock options outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2015 : Options Outstanding Options Exercisable Range of Exercise Prices Number Outstanding (in shares) Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years) Weighted-Average Exercise Price Number Exercisable (in shares) Weighted-Average Exercise Price $ 15.01 - 21.00 194,832 5.23 $ 20.21 129,536 $ 19.96 21.01 - 28.00 234,221 6.49 23.38 117,226 22.98 28.01 - 35.00 745,327 7.23 30.16 213,344 32.31 35.01 - 41.00 209,500 0.75 37.10 207,000 37.11 $ 15.01 - 41.00 1,383,880 5.84 $ 28.66 667,106 $ 29.76

SEGMENT INFORMATION

SEGMENT INFORMATION	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 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 allocable to foreign operations. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in Note 1 to our Consolidated Financial Statements. We analyze results based on profitability (i.e., loss ratios), expenses and return on equity. Property and Casualty Insurance Segment We write both commercial and personal lines of property and casualty insurance. We focus on our commercial lines, which represented 91.9% of our property and casualty insurance premiums earned for 2015 . Our personal lines represented 8.1% of our property and casualty insurance premiums earned for 2015 . Products Our primary commercial policies are tailored business packages that include the following coverages: fire and allied lines, other liability, automobile, workers' compensation and surety. Our personal lines consist primarily of automobile and fire and allied lines coverage, including homeowners. Pricing Pricing levels for our property and casualty insurance products are influenced by many factors, including an estimation of expected losses, the expenses of producing, issuing and servicing business and managing claims, the time value of money associated with such loss and expense cash flows, and a reasonable allowance for profit. We have a disciplined approach to underwriting and risk management that emphasizes profitable growth rather than premium volume or market share. Our insurance company subsidiaries are subject to state laws and regulations regarding rate and policy form approvals. The applicable state laws and regulations establish standards in certain lines of business to ensure that rates are not excessive, inadequate, unfairly discriminatory, or used to engage in unfair price competition. Our ability to increase rates and the relative timing of the process are dependent upon each respective state's requirements, as well as the competitive market environment. Seasonality Our property and casualty insurance segment experiences some seasonality with regard to premiums written, which are generally highest in January and July and lowest during the fourth quarter. Although we experience some seasonality in our premiums written, premiums are earned ratably over the period of coverage. Losses and loss settlement expenses incurred tend to remain consistent throughout the year, with the exception of catastrophe losses which generally are highest in the second and third quarters. Catastrophes inherently are unpredictable and can occur at any time during the year from man-made or natural disaster events that include, but are not limited to, hail, tornadoes, hurricanes and windstorms. Life Insurance Segment Products United Life Insurance Company underwrites all of our life insurance business and sells annuities. Our principal products are single premium annuities, universal life products and traditional life (primarily single premium whole life insurance) products. We also underwrite and market other traditional products, including term life insurance and whole life insurance. We do not write variable annuities or variable insurance products. Life insurance in force, before ceded reinsurance, totaled $5,491,932 and $5,366,061 as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 , respectively. Traditional life insurance products represented 68.5 percent and 67.7 percent of our insurance in-force at December 31, 2015 and 2014 , respectively. Universal life insurance represented 26.3 percent and 27.3 percent of insurance in force at December 31, 2015 and 2014 , respectively. Pricing Premiums for our life and health insurance products are based on assumptions with respect to mortality, morbidity, investment yields, expenses, and lapses and are also affected by state laws and regulations, as well as competition. Pricing assumptions are based on our experience, as well as the industry in general, depending upon the factor being considered. The actual profit or loss produced by a product will vary from the anticipated profit if the actual experience differs from the assumptions used in pricing the product. Premiums Earned by Segment The following table sets forth our net premiums earned by segment before intersegment eliminations: Years Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Property and Casualty Insurance Segment Net premiums earned Other liability $ 261,303 $ 228,426 $ 199,548 Fire and allied lines 246,450 226,086 208,030 Automobile 210,090 187,813 169,211 Workers' compensation 95,672 88,522 81,616 Fidelity and surety 21,362 19,212 18,746 Reinsurance assumed 13,639 13,145 14,406 Other 3,179 3,735 2,635 Total net premiums earned $ 851,695 $ 766,939 $ 694,192 Life Insurance Segment Net premiums earned Ordinary life (excluding universal life) $ 53,114 $ 35,557 $ 38,875 Universal life policy fees 12,834 13,190 11,871 Immediate annuities with life contingencies 12,223 11,639 8,837 Accident and health 1,425 1,274 1,302 Other 388 261 261 Total net premiums earned $ 79,984 $ 61,921 $ 61,146 Total revenue by segment includes sales to external customers and intersegment sales that are eliminated to arrive at the total revenues as reported in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income. We account for intersegment sales on the same basis as sales to external customers. The following table sets forth certain data for each of our business segments and is reconciled to our Consolidated Financial Statements. Depreciation and amortization expense and property and equipment acquisitions for 2015 , 2014 and 2013 are reported in the property and casualty insurance segment. 2015 2014 2013 Property and Casualty Insurance: Revenues: Net premiums earned $ 851,695 $ 766,939 $ 694,192 Investment income, net of investment expenses 46,606 44,219 46,279 Net realized investment gains 1,124 4,177 6,260 Other income (loss) (107 ) 910 88 Total revenues before eliminations $ 899,318 $ 816,245 $ 746,819 Intersegment eliminations (47 ) 18 53 Total revenues $ 899,271 $ 816,263 $ 746,872 Net income before income taxes: Revenues $ 899,318 $ 816,245 $ 746,819 Benefit, losses and expenses 784,691 750,768 658,645 Total net income before eliminations $ 114,627 $ 65,477 $ 88,174 Intersegment eliminations 743 548 545 Income before income taxes $ 115,370 $ 66,025 $ 88,719 Income tax expense 30,050 13,649 21,263 Net income $ 85,320 $ 52,376 $ 67,456 Assets Total segment $ 2,490,138 $ 2,360,764 $ 2,218,464 Intersegment eliminations (209,464 ) (233,141 ) (223,395 ) Total assets $ 2,280,674 $ 2,127,623 $ 1,995,069 Life Insurance: Revenues: Net premiums earned $ 79,984 $ 61,921 $ 61,146 Investment income, net of investment expenses 54,222 60,373 66,467 Net realized investment gains 1,722 3,093 2,434 Other income 508 774 614 Total revenues before eliminations $ 136,436 $ 126,161 $ 130,661 Intersegment eliminations (789 ) (530 ) (491 ) Total revenues $ 135,647 $ 125,631 $ 130,170 Net income before income taxes: Revenues $ 136,436 $ 126,161 $ 130,661 Benefit, losses and expenses 129,771 115,361 117,159 Total net income before eliminations $ 6,665 $ 10,800 $ 13,502 Intersegment eliminations (584 ) (362 ) (319 ) Income before income taxes $ 6,081 $ 10,438 $ 13,183 Income tax expense 2,275 3,677 4,499 Net income $ 3,806 $ 6,761 $ 8,684 Assets $ 1,609,702 $ 1,729,066 $ 1,725,603 Consolidated Totals: Total revenues $ 1,034,918 $ 941,894 $ 877,042 Total net income $ 89,126 $ 59,137 $ 76,140 Total assets $ 3,890,376 $ 3,856,689 $ 3,720,672

QUARTERLY SUPPLEMENTARY FINANCI

QUARTERLY SUPPLEMENTARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Quarterly Financial Data [Abstract]
QUARTERLY SUPPLEMENTARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)	QUARTERLY SUPPLEMENTARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED) The following table sets forth our selected unaudited quarterly financial information: (In Thousands Except Share Data) Quarters First Second Third Fourth Total Year Ended December 31, 2015 Total revenues $ 238,484 $ 255,918 $ 264,560 $ 275,956 $ 1,034,918 Income before income taxes 31,831 19,533 26,824 43,263 121,451 Net income $ 23,679 $ 15,018 $ 19,534 $ 30,895 $ 89,126 Basic earnings per share (1) $ 0.95 $ 0.60 $ 0.78 $ 1.23 $ 3.56 Diluted earnings per share (1) 0.94 0.59 0.77 1.21 3.53 Year Ended December 31, 2014 Total revenues $ 222,904 $ 232,673 $ 235,865 $ 250,452 $ 941,894 Income before income taxes 15,897 13,056 (2,845 ) 50,355 76,463 Net income $ 13,331 $ 10,685 $ 325 $ 34,796 $ 59,137 Basic earnings per share (1) $ 0.53 $ 0.42 $ 0.01 $ 1.39 $ 2.34 Diluted earnings per share (1) 0.52 0.42 0.01 1.38 2.32 (1) The sum of the quarterly reported amounts may not equal the full year, as each is computed independently.

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 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: Years Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 (In Thousands Except Share and Per Share Data) Basic Diluted Basic Diluted Basic Diluted Net income $ 89,126 $ 89,126 $ 59,137 $ 59,137 $ 76,140 $ 76,140 Weighted-average common shares outstanding 25,047,405 25,047,405 25,230,854 25,230,854 25,325,695 25,325,695 Add dilutive effect of restricted stock awards — 122,840 — 114,313 — 59,849 Add dilutive effect of stock options — 65,751 — 148,496 — 145,831 Weighted-average common shares 25,047,405 25,235,996 25,230,854 25,493,663 25,325,695 25,531,375 Earnings per common share $ 3.56 $ 3.53 $ 2.34 $ 2.32 $ 3.01 $ 2.98 Awards excluded from diluted calculation (1) — 343,390 — 835,610 — 638,478 (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.

LEASE COMMITMENTS

LEASE COMMITMENTS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Leases [Abstract]
LEASE COMMITMENTS	LEASE COMMITMENTS At December 31, 2015 , we were obligated under noncancelable operating lease agreements for office space, vehicles, computer equipment and office equipment. Most of our leases include renewal options, purchase options or both. These provisions may be exercised by us upon the expiration of the related lease agreements. Rental expense under our operating lease agreements was $6,256 , $7,040 and $6,521 for 2015 , 2014 and 2013 , respectively. Our most significant lease commitment is for office space for our regional office in Webster, Texas. This lease was signed in January of 2014 and is good for 7 years . The monthly lease payments for this office space is $88 . At December 31, 2015 , our future minimum rental payments were as follows: 2016 $ 5,935 2017 5,583 2018 4,776 2019 2,162 2020 1,487 Thereafter 154 Total $ 20,097

CREDIT FACILITY

CREDIT FACILITY	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
CREDIT FACILITY	CREDIT FACILITY On February 2, 2016, the Company, as borrower, entered into a Credit Agreement (the "New Credit Agreement") by and among the Company, with the lenders from time to time party thereto and KeyBank National Association ("Key Bank"), as administrative agent, swingline lender and letter of credit issuer. The New Credit Agreement provides for a $50,000 four -year unsecured revolving credit facility that includes a $20,000 letter of credit subfacility and a swingline subfacility in the amount up to $5,000 . The New Credit Agreement allows the Company to increase the aggregate amount of the commitments thereunder by up to $100,000 , provided that no event of default has occurred and is continuing and certain other conditions are satisfied. The New Credit Agreement is available for the Company's general corporate purposes, including liquidity, acquisitions and working capital. All unpaid principal and accrued interest under the New Credit Agreement is due and payable in full at maturity on February 2, 2020. Based on the type of loan, advances under the New Credit Agreement would bear interest on either the London interbank offered rate ("LIBOR") or a base rate plus, in each case, a calculated margin amount. The unused commitments under the New Credit Agreement will be subject to a commitment fee that will be calculated at a per annum rate. The applicable margins for borrowings under the New Credit Agreement and the commitment fee thereunder will be determined by reference to a pricing grid based on the Company’s issuer credit rating by A.M. Best Company, Inc. The New Credit Agreement contains customary representations, conditions to borrowing, covenants and events of default, including certain covenants that limit or restrict, subject to certain exceptions, the ability of the Company and its subsidiaries to sell or transfer assets, enter into a merger or consolidate with another company, create liens, impose restrictions on subsidiary dividends, enter into sale-leaseback transactions, make investments or acquisitions, enter into certain reinsurance agreements, pay dividends during any period of default, enter into transactions with affiliates, change the nature of its business, or incur indebtedness. The New Credit Agreement also includes financial covenants that require the Company to (i) maintain a minimum consolidated net worth, (ii) maintain a minimum consolidated statutory surplus and (iii) not exceed a 0.35 to 1.0 debt to total capitalization ratio. In December 2011, United Fire & Casualty Company entered into a credit agreement with a syndicate of financial institutions as lenders, which terminated by expiration on its stated termination date of December 22, 2015. KeyBank National Association was the administrative agent, lead arranger, sole book runner, swingline lender, and letter of credit issuer, and Bankers Trust Company was the syndication agent. The four -year credit agreement provided for a $100,000 unsecured revolving credit facility that included a $20,000 letter of credit subfacility and a swing line subfacility in the amount 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 had 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 was available for general corporate purposes, including working capital, acquisitions and liquidity purposes. Any principal outstanding under the credit facility was due in full at maturity, on December 22, 2015. The interest rate was based on our monthly choice of either a base rate or the LIBOR plus, in each case, a calculated margin amount. A commitment fee on each lender's unused commitment under the credit facility was also payable quarterly. The credit agreement contained 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, those activities included 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 contained certain financial covenants including covenants that required us to maintain a minimum consolidated net worth, a debt to capitalization ratio and minimum stockholders' equity. There was no outstanding balance on the credit facility at December 31, 2015 or 2014 . We did no t incur any interest expense related to this credit facility in 2015 , 2014 or 2013 . We were in compliance with all covenants of the credit agreement until it terminated by expiration on its stated termination date of December 22, 2015.

INTANGIBLE ASSETS

INTANGIBLE ASSETS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
INTANGIBLE ASSETS	INTANGIBLE ASSETS The carrying value of our goodwill was $15,091 at both December 31, 2015 and 2014 , respectively. The goodwill is fully allocated to our property and casualty insurance segment. Our major classes of intangible assets are presented in the following table: Year Ended December 31, 2015 2014 Agency relationships $ 10,338 $ 10,338 Accumulated amortization - agency relationships (4,292 ) (3,654 ) $ 6,046 $ 6,684 Software $ 3,260 $ 3,260 Accumulated amortization - software (3,260 ) (3,260 ) $ — $ — Trade names $ 1,978 $ 1,978 Accumulated amortization - trade names (626 ) (495 ) $ 1,352 $ 1,483 Favorable contract $ 286 $ 286 Accumulated amortization - favorable contract (286 ) (286 ) $ — $ — State insurance licenses (1) $ 3,020 $ 3,020 Net intangible assets $ 10,418 $ 11,187 (1) The intangible asset for licenses has an indefinite life and therefore is not amortized. The estimated useful lives assigned to our major classes of amortizable intangible assets are as follows: Useful Life Agency relationships Fifteen years Software Two years Trade names Fifteen years Favorable contract Two years Our estimated aggregate amortization expense for each of the next five years is as follows: 2016 $ 769 2017 769 2018 719 2019 709 2020 709

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 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 years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 and 2013 : Liability for Net unrealized underfunded appreciation employee on investments benefit costs Total Balance as of January 1, 2013 $ 144,096 $ (48,908 ) $ 95,188 Change in accumulated other comprehensive income before reclassifications (23,068 ) 15,643 (7,425 ) Reclassification adjustments from accumulated other comprehensive income (4,427 ) 3,814 (613 ) Balance as of December 31, 2013 $ 116,601 $ (29,451 ) $ 87,150 Change in accumulated other comprehensive income before reclassifications 36,328 (30,996 ) 5,332 Reclassification adjustments from accumulated other comprehensive income (3,306 ) 1,997 (1,309 ) Balance as of December 31, 2014 $ 149,623 $ (58,450 ) $ 91,173 Change in accumulated other comprehensive income before reclassifications (18,321 ) 5,664 (12,657 ) Reclassification adjustments from accumulated other comprehensive income (2,933 ) 4,854 1,921 Balance as of December 31, 2015 $ 128,369 $ (47,932 ) $ 80,437

Schedule I. Summary of Investme

Schedule I. Summary of Investments - Other than Investments in Related Parties	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties [Abstract]
Schedule I. Summary of Investments - Other than Investments in Related Parties	Schedule I. Summary of Investments — Other than Investments in Related Parties December 31, 2015 (In thousands) Cost or Amortized Cost Amounts at Which Shown in Balance Sheet Type of Investment Fair Value Fixed maturities Bonds United States Government and government agencies and authorities $ 254,395 $ 254,679 $ 254,679 States, municipalities and political subdivisions 846,009 872,287 872,287 Foreign governments 82,580 82,528 82,528 Public utilities 213,233 215,683 215,683 All other bonds 1,406,431 1,410,596 1,410,593 Redeemable preferred stock 2,568 2,485 2,485 Total fixed maturities $ 2,805,216 $ 2,838,258 $ 2,838,255 Equity securities Common stocks Public utilities $ 7,231 $ 19,060 $ 19,060 Banks, trusts and insurance companies 17,615 95,923 95,923 Industrial, miscellaneous and all other 46,031 123,416 123,416 Nonredeemable preferred stocks 2,080 2,201 2,201 Total equity securities $ 72,957 $ 240,600 $ 240,600 Mortgage loans on real estate $ 3,961 $ 4,237 $ 3,961 Policy loans 5,618 5,618 5,618 Other long-term investments 46,357 54,151 54,151 Short-term investments 175 175 175 Total investments $ 2,934,284 $ 3,143,039 $ 3,142,760

Schedule II. Condensed Financia

Schedule II. Condensed Financial Statements of Parent Company	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company Only Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule II. Condensed Financial Statements of Parent Company	Schedule II. Condensed Financial Statements of Parent Company United Fire Group, Inc. (parent company only) Condensed Balance Sheets December 31, (In thousands, except share data) 2015 2014 Assets Fixed maturities, held-to-maturity, at amortized cost (fair value $150 in 2015 and $200 in 2014) $ 150 $ 200 Investment in subsidiary 871,590 814,569 Cash and cash equivalents 6,565 2,263 Federal income tax receivable 591 383 Accrued investment income 1 1 Total assets $ 878,897 $ 817,416 Liabilities and stockholders' equity Liabilities $ — $ 1 Stockholders' equity Common stock, $0.001 par value, authorized 75,000,000 shares; 25,151,428 and 25,019,415 issued and outstanding in 2015 and 2014, respectively $ 25 $ 25 Additional paid-in capital 207,426 202,676 Retained earnings 591,009 523,541 Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax 80,437 91,173 Total stockholders' equity $ 878,897 $ 817,415 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 878,897 $ 817,416 This condensed financial information should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Schedule II. Condensed Financial Statements of Parent Company (continued) United Fire Group, Inc. (parent company only) Condensed Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income For the Years Ended December 31, (In thousands) 2015 2014 2013 Revenues Investment income $ 25 $ 22 $ 23 Total revenues 25 22 23 Expenses Other operating expenses $ 116 $ 297 $ 172 Total expenses 116 297 172 Loss before income taxes and equity in net income of subsidiary (91 ) (275 ) (149 ) Federal income tax benefit (42 ) (107 ) (49 ) Net loss before equity in net income of subsidiary $ (49 ) $ (168 ) $ (100 ) Equity in net income of subsidiary 89,175 59,305 76,240 Net income $ 89,126 $ 59,137 $ 76,140 Other comprehensive income (loss) Change in unrealized appreciation on investments held by subsidiary $ (28,185 ) $ 55,888 $ (35,489 ) Change in liability for underfunded employee benefit plans of subsidiary 8,714 (47,685 ) 24,066 Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax and reclassification adjustments $ (19,471 ) $ 8,203 $ (11,423 ) Income tax effect 6,814 (2,871 ) 3,998 Other comprehensive income (loss), after tax, before reclassification adjustments $ (12,657 ) $ 5,332 $ (7,425 ) Reclassification adjustment for net realized gains of the subsidiary included in income (4,513 ) (5,085 ) (6,812 ) Reclassification adjustment for employee benefit costs of the subsidiary included in expense 7,468 3,072 5,868 Total reclassification adjustments, before tax $ 2,955 $ (2,013 ) $ (944 ) Income tax effect (1,034 ) 704 331 Total reclassification adjustments, after tax $ 1,921 $ (1,309 ) $ (613 ) Comprehensive income $ 78,390 $ 63,160 $ 68,102 On February 1, 2012, we completed a holding company reorganization (the "Reorganization") of United Fire Group, Inc., United Fire & Casualty Company, and UFC MergeCo, Inc., an Iowa corporation formed for the purpose of facilitating the Reorganization. The Reorganization agreement was approved and adopted by United Fire & Casualty Company's shareholders at a special meeting held on January 24, 2012. United Fire Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries file a consolidated federal income tax return. The federal income tax provision represents an allocation under it's tax allocation agreements. This condensed financial information should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Schedule II. Condensed Financial Statements of Parent Company (continued) United Fire Group, Inc. (parent company only) Condensed Statements of Cash Flows For the Years Ended December 31, (In thousands) 2015 2014 2013 Cash flows from operating activities Net income $ 89,126 $ 59,137 $ 76,140 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities Equity in net income of subsidiary (89,175 ) (59,305 ) (76,240 ) Dividends received from subsidiary 22,500 29,000 13,175 Other, net 1,269 700 1,261 Total adjustments $ (65,406 ) $ (29,605 ) $ (61,804 ) Net cash provided by operating activities $ 23,720 $ 29,532 $ 14,336 Cash flows from investing activities Purchase of held-to-maturity investments $ — $ — $ — Net cash used in investing activities $ — $ — $ — Cash flows from financing activities Repurchase of common stock $ (2,423 ) $ (12,942 ) $ (1,644 ) Issuance of common stock 5,496 2,260 3,393 Tax impact from issuance of common stock (833 ) (160 ) (488 ) Payment of cash dividends (21,658 ) (19,680 ) (17,484 ) Net cash used in financing activities $ (19,418 ) $ (30,522 ) $ (16,223 ) Net change in cash and cash equivalents $ 4,302 $ (990 ) $ (1,887 ) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 2,263 3,253 5,140 Cash and cash equivalents at end of year $ 6,565 $ 2,263 $ 3,253 On February 1, 2012, we completed a holding company reorganization (the "Reorganization") of United Fire Group, Inc., United Fire & Casualty Company, and UFC MergeCo, Inc., an Iowa corporation formed for the purpose of facilitating the Reorganization. The Reorganization agreement was approved and adopted by United Fire & Casualty Company's shareholders at a special meeting held on January 24, 2012. This condensed financial information should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes included in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K.

Schedule III. Supplementary Ins

Schedule III. Supplementary Insurance Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Supplementary Insurance Information [Abstract]
Schedule III. Supplementary Insurance Information	Schedule III. Supplementary Insurance Information (In thousands) Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs Future Policy Benefits, Losses, Claims and Loss Expenses Unearned Premiums Earned Premium Revenue Investment Income, Net Benefits, Claims, Losses and Settlement Expenses Amortization of Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs (3) Other Underwriting Expenses Interest on Policyholders' Accounts Premiums Written (2) Year Ended December 31, 2015 Property and casualty $ 90,547 $ 1,003,895 $ 414,971 $ 851,695 $ 46,559 $ 520,087 $ 180,183 $ 83,631 $ — $ 887,874 Life, accident and health (1) 77,717 1,372,358 86 79,195 54,222 79,946 6,634 19,306 23,680 — Total $ 168,264 $ 2,376,253 $ 415,057 $ 930,890 $ 100,781 $ 600,033 $ 186,817 $ 102,937 $ 23,680 $ 887,874 Year Ended December 31, 2014 Property and casualty $ 72,861 $ 969,437 $ 378,635 $ 766,939 $ 44,236 $ 509,811 $ 161,310 $ 79,117 $ — $ 804,715 Life, accident and health (1) 66,858 1,447,764 90 61,391 60,373 63,055 6,139 15,754 30,245 — Total $ 139,719 $ 2,417,201 $ 378,725 $ 828,330 $ 104,609 $ 572,866 $ 167,449 $ 94,871 $ 30,245 $ 804,715 Year Ended December 31, 2013 Property and casualty $ 67,663 $ 960,651 $ 340,387 $ 694,192 $ 46,332 $ 437,354 $ 147,175 $ 73,626 $ — $ 722,821 Life, accident and health (1) 82,429 1,472,132 77 60,654 66,467 59,085 6,502 16,235 35,163 — Total $ 150,092 $ 2,432,783 $ 340,464 $ 754,846 $ 112,799 $ 496,439 $ 153,677 $ 89,861 $ 35,163 $ 722,821 (1) Annuity deposits are included in future policy benefits, losses, claims and loss expenses. (2) Pursuant to Regulation S-X, premiums written does not apply to life insurance companies.

Schedule IV. Reinsurance

Schedule IV. Reinsurance	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Supplemental Schedule of Reinsurance Premiums for Insurance Companies [Abstract]
Schedule IV. Reinsurance	Schedule IV. Reinsurance (In thousands) Gross Amount Ceded to Other Companies Assumed From Other Companies Net Amount Percentage of Amount Assumed to Net Earned Year Ended December 31, 2015 Life insurance in force $ 5,491,932 $ 1,165,868 $ — $ 4,326,064 Premiums earned Property and casualty insurance $ 890,057 $ 56,758 $ 18,396 $ 851,695 2.16 % Life, accident and health insurance 82,356 3,161 — 79,195 — % Total $ 972,413 $ 59,919 $ 18,396 $ 930,890 1.98 % Year Ended December 31, 2014 Life insurance in force $ 5,366,061 $ 1,130,059 $ — $ 4,236,002 Premiums earned Property and casualty insurance $ 800,492 $ 49,818 $ 16,265 $ 766,939 2.12 % Life, accident and health insurance 64,350 2,959 — 61,391 — % Total $ 864,842 $ 52,777 $ 16,265 $ 828,330 1.96 % Year Ended December 31, 2013 Life insurance in force $ 5,300,305 $ 1,112,688 $ 4 $ 4,187,621 Premiums earned Property and casualty insurance $ 726,221 $ 50,514 $ 18,485 $ 694,192 2.66 % Life, accident and health insurance 63,446 2,792 — 60,654 — % Total $ 789,667 $ 53,306 $ 18,485 $ 754,846 2.45 %

Schedule V. Valuation and Quali

Schedule V. Valuation and Qualifying Accounts	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]
Schedule V. Valuation and Qualifying Accounts	Schedule V. Valuation And Qualifying Accounts (In thousands) Balance at beginning of period Charged to costs and expenses Deductions Balance at end of period Description Allowance for bad debts Year Ended December 31, 2015 $ 618 $ 249 $ — $ 867 Year Ended December 31, 2014 896 — 278 618 Year Ended December 31, 2013 866 30 — 896 Deferred tax asset valuation allowance (1) Year Ended December 31, 2015 $ 1,813 $ — $ 548 $ 1,265 Year Ended December 31, 2014 2,361 — 548 1,813 Year Ended December 31, 2013 2,909 — 548 2,361 (1) Recorded in connection with the purchase of American Indemnity Financial Corporation in 1999.

Schedule VI. Supplemental Infor

Schedule VI. Supplemental Information Concerning Property and Casualty Insurance Operations	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Supplemental Information for Property, Casualty Insurance Underwriters [Abstract]
Schedule VI. Supplemental Information Concerning Property and Casualty Insurance Operations	Schedule VI. Supplemental Information Concerning Property and Casualty Insurance Operations (In thousands) Affiliation with Registrant: United Fire & Casualty Company and consolidated property and casualty subsidiaries Claims and Claim Adjustment Expenses Incurred Related to: Amortization of Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs (1) Reserves for Unpaid Claims and Claim Adjustment Expenses Net Realized Investment Gains Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs Net Investment Income Paid Claims and Claim Adjustment Expenses Unearned Premiums Earned Premiums Current Year Prior Years Premiums Written 2015 $ 90,547 $ 1,003,895 $ 414,971 $ 851,695 $ 1,124 $ 46,559 $ 560,482 $ (40,395 ) $ 180,183 $ 476,525 $ 887,874 2014 $ 72,861 $ 969,437 $ 378,635 $ 766,939 $ 4,177 $ 44,236 $ 566,555 $ (56,744 ) $ 161,310 $ 489,631 $ 804,715 2013 $ 67,663 $ 960,651 $ 340,387 $ 694,192 $ 6,260 $ 46,332 $ 494,841 $ (57,487 ) $ 147,175 $ 419,894 $ 722,821

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN31

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Principles of Consolidation	Principles of Consolidation The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements include United Fire and its wholly owned subsidiaries: United Fire & Casualty Company, United Real Estate Holdings Company, LLC, United Life Insurance Company ("United Life"), Addison Insurance Company, Lafayette Insurance Company, United Fire & Indemnity Company, United Fire Lloyds, UFG Specialty Insurance Company (formerly known as Texas General Indemnity Company), Financial Pacific Insurance Company, Franklin Insurance Company, Mercer Insurance Company, and Mercer Insurance Company of New Jersey, Inc. United Fire Lloyds, an affiliate of United Fire & Indemnity Company, is organized as a Texas Lloyds plan, which is an aggregation of underwriters who, under a common name, engage in the business of insurance through a corporate attorney-in-fact. United Fire Lloyds is financially and operationally controlled by United Fire & Indemnity Company, its corporate attorney-in-fact, pursuant to three types of agreements: trust agreements between United Fire & Indemnity Company and certain individuals who agree to serve as trustees; articles of agreement among the trustees who agree to act as underwriters to establish how the Lloyds plan will be operated; and powers of attorney from each of the underwriters appointing a corporate attorney-in-fact, who is authorized to operate the Lloyds plan. Because United Fire & Indemnity Company can name the trustees, the Lloyds plan is perpetual, subject only to United Fire & Indemnity Company's desire to terminate it. United Fire & Indemnity Company provides all of the statutory capital necessary for the formation of the Lloyds plan by contributing capital to each of the trustees. The trust agreements require the trustees to become underwriters of the Lloyds plan, to contribute the capital to the Lloyds plan, to sign the articles of agreement and to appoint the attorney-in-fact. The trust agreements also require the trustees to pay to United Fire & Indemnity Company all of the profits and benefits received by the trustees as underwriters of the Lloyds plan, which means that United Fire & Indemnity Company has the right to receive 100 percent of the gains and profits from the Lloyds plan. The trustees serve at the pleasure of United Fire & Indemnity Company, which may remove a trustee and replace that trustee at any time. Termination of a trustee must be accompanied by the resignation of the trustee as an underwriter, so that the trustee can obtain the capital contribution from the Lloyds plan to reimburse United Fire & Indemnity Company. By retaining the ability to terminate trustees, United Fire & Indemnity Company possesses the ability to name and remove the underwriters. United Real Estate Holdings, LLC, formed in 2013, is a wholly owned subsidiary of United Fire & Casualty Company and is organized as an Iowa limited liability corporation, an unincorporated association formed for the purpose of holding United Fire & Casualty Company's ownership in commercial real estate. In 2015, the Company dissolved three of its holding companies in order to flatten our organizational chart. The companies dissolved were American Indemnity Financial Corporation, Mercer Insurance Group, Inc. and Financial Pacific Insurance Group, Inc. In addition, Texas General Indemnity Company was renamed UFG Specialty Insurance Company on July 1, 2015.
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared on the basis of U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), which differ in some respects from those followed in preparing our statutory reports to insurance regulatory authorities. Our stand-alone financial statements submitted to insurance regulatory authorities are presented on the basis of accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the insurance departments of the states in which we are domiciled ("statutory accounting principles").
Use of Estimates	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.
Universal Life and Annuity Policies	On universal life and deferred annuity policies (i.e., non-traditional business), income and expenses are reported when charged and credited to policyholder account balances in order to result in recognition of profits over the lives of the related contracts. We accomplish this by means of a provision for future policy benefits and the deferral and subsequent amortization of policy acquisition costs.
Reinsurance	Reinsurance Premiums earned and losses and loss settlement expenses incurred are reported net of reinsurance ceded. Ceded insurance business is accounted for on a basis consistent with the original policies issued and the terms of the reinsurance contracts.
Investments	Investments Investments in fixed maturities include bonds and redeemable preferred stocks. Our investments in held-to-maturity fixed maturities are recorded at amortized cost. Our investments in available-for-sale fixed maturities and trading securities are recorded at fair value. Investments in equity securities, which include common and non-redeemable preferred stocks, are classified as available-for-sale or trading and are recorded at fair value. Changes in unrealized appreciation and depreciation, with respect to available-for-sale fixed maturities and equity securities, are reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income, net of applicable deferred income taxes, in stockholders' equity. Changes in unrealized appreciation and depreciation, with respect to trading securities, are reported as a component of income. Other long-term investments consist primarily of our interests in limited liability partnerships that are recorded on the equity method of accounting. Mortgage loans are recorded at their unpaid principal balance. Policy loans are recorded at the outstanding loan amount due from policyholders.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	Cash and Cash Equivalents For purposes of reporting cash flows, cash and cash equivalents include cash, money market accounts, and non-negotiable certificates of deposit with original maturities of three months or less.
Property, Equipment and Depreciation	Property, Equipment and Depreciation Property and equipment is presented at cost less accumulated depreciation. The following table is a summary of the components of the property and equipment that are reported in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements. 2015 2014 Real Estate: Land $ 7,999 $ 7,414 Buildings 37,451 32,004 Furniture and fixtures 3,954 3,308 Computer equipment and software 2,452 3,289 Airplane 1,385 3,232 Total property and equipment $ 53,241 $ 49,247 Expenditures for maintenance and repairs on property and equipment are generally expensed as incurred. We periodically review these assets for impairment whenever events or changes in business circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the underlying asset may not be recoverable. A loss would be recognized if the estimated fair value of the asset were less than its carrying value. Depreciation is computed primarily by the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives: Useful Life Computer equipment and software Three years Furniture and fixtures Seven years Leasehold improvements Shorter of the lease term or useful life of the asset Real estate Seven to thirty-nine years Airplane Five years
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Goodwill and other intangible assets arise as a result of business combinations and consist of the excess of the fair value of consideration paid over the tangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed. All of our goodwill and the majority of our intangible assets relate to the Mercer acquisition in 2011. We evaluate goodwill and other intangible assets for impairment at least on an annual basis or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that the carrying amount of goodwill and other intangible assets may exceed its implied fair value. Goodwill is evaluated at the reporting unit level. Any impairment is charged to operations in the period that the impairment is identified. In 2015 we performed a quantitative assessment of our goodwill and in 2014 and 2013 , we performed a qualitative assessment of our goodwill. As a result of these assessments, we did no t recognize an impairment charge on our goodwill in 2015 , 2014 or 2013 . Our other intangible assets, which consist primarily of agency relationships, trade names, licenses, and software, are being amortized by the straight-line method over periods ranging from 2 years to 15 years , with the exception of licenses, which are indefinite-lived and not amortized.
Income Taxes	Income Taxes Deferred tax assets and liabilities are established based on differences between the financial statement bases of assets and liabilities and the tax bases of those same assets and liabilities, using the currently enacted statutory tax rates. Deferred income tax expense is measured by the year-to-year change in the net deferred tax asset or liability, except for certain changes in deferred tax amounts that affect stockholders' equity and do not impact federal income tax expense. The Company performs a quarterly review of its tax positions and makes a determination whether it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained upon examination. If based on this review, it appears not more likely than not that the position will be sustained, the Company will calculate any unrecognized tax benefits and calculate any interest and penalties. At December 31, 2015 , 2014 , and 2013 the Company did no t recognize any liability for unrecognized tax benefits. 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.
Stock-Based Compensation	Stock-Based Compensation We currently have two equity compensation plans. One plan allows us to grant restricted and unrestricted stock, stock appreciation rights, incentive stock options, and non-qualified stock options to employees. The other plan allows us to grant restricted and non-qualified stock options to non-employee directors. We utilize the Black-Scholes option pricing method to establish the fair value of non-qualified stock options granted under our equity compensation plans. Our determination of the fair value of stock options on the date of grant using this option-pricing model is affected by our stock price, as well as assumptions regarding a number of complex and subjective variables, which include the expected volatility in our stock price, the expected term of the award, the expected dividends to be paid over the term of the award and the expected risk-free interest rate. Any changes in these assumptions may materially affect the estimated fair value of the award. For our restricted and unrestricted stock awards, we utilize the fair value of our common stock on the date of grant to establish the fair value of the award.
Comprehensive Income	Comprehensive Income Comprehensive income includes all changes in stockholders' equity during a period except those resulting from investments by and dividends to stockholders.
Subsequent Events	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	Recently Issued Accounting Standards Accounting Standards Adopted in 2015 Troubled Debt Restructuring In August 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("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 Income Taxes In December 2015, the FASB issued guidance on the balance sheet classification of deferred taxes. The new guidance eliminates the requirement to split deferred tax liabilities and assets between current and non-current in a classified balance sheet. The new guidance allows deferred tax liabilities and assets to be included in non-current accounts. The Company will adopt the new guidance on January 1, 2017 and is currently evaluating the impact on the Company's financial position and results of operations. Short Duration Contracts In May 2015, the FASB issued guidance on disclosure requirements for short-duration contracts. The new guidance requires additional disclosures about the liability for unpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses and requires disclosure of any information about significant changes in methodologies and assumptions used to calculate the liability. The new guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015 and interim periods beginning the following year. The Company will include the new annual disclosures beginning with the December 31, 2016 annual financial statements. The adoption of the new guidance will change disclosures regarding short duration contracts, but 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. Other Internal Use Software In April 2015, the FASB issued guidance which clarifies customers' 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. 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. 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. Management does not currently expect the adoption of the new guidance to have an impact on the Company's financial position or 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 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. 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. Management currently does not expect the adoption of the new guidance to have a material impact on the Company's financial position or 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, 2017. The Company will adopt the guidance on January 1, 2018 and is currently evaluating the impact on the Company's financial position and results of operations and considering which portions of the guidance, if any, applies to the Company.
Property and Casualty Insurance [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property and Casualty and Life Insurance Business	Premiums written are deferred and recorded as earned premium on a daily pro rata basis over the terms of the respective policies. Unearned premium reserves are established for the portion of premiums written applicable to the unexpired term of insurance policies in force.
Loss and Loss Settlement Expense Reserves	To establish loss and loss settlement expense reserves, we make estimates and assumptions about the future development of claims. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates, which are subjective, complex and inherently uncertain. When we establish and adjust reserves, we do so given our knowledge at the time of the circumstances and facts of known claims. To the extent that we have overestimated or underestimated our loss and loss settlement expense reserves, we adjust the reserves in the period in which such adjustment is determined.
Premiums Receivable	Premiums receivable are presented net of an estimated allowance for doubtful accounts, which is based on a periodic evaluation of the aging and collectability of amounts due from agents and policyholders.
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs	Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs ("DAC") Certain costs associated with underwriting new business (primarily commissions, premium taxes and variable underwriting and policy issue expenses associated with successful acquisition efforts) are deferred.
Life Insurance [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property and Casualty and Life Insurance Business	Life Insurance Business Our whole life and term insurance (i.e., traditional business) premiums are reported as earned when due and benefits and expenses are associated with premium income in order to result in the recognition of profits over the lives of the related contracts.
Premiums Receivable	Premiums receivable are presented net of an estimated allowance for doubtful accounts.
Future Policy Benefits Liability	Liabilities for future policy benefits for traditional products are computed by the net level premium method, using interest assumptions ranging from 4.2 percent to 6.0 percent and withdrawal, mortality and morbidity assumptions appropriate at the time the policies were issued. Liabilities for non-traditional business are stated at policyholder account values before surrender charges. Liabilities for traditional immediate annuities are based primarily upon future anticipated cash flows using assumptions for mortality and interest rates. Liabilities for deferred annuities are carried at the account value.
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs	Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs ("DAC") Certain costs associated with underwriting new business (primarily commissions, premium taxes and variable underwriting and policy issue expenses associated with successful acquisition efforts) are deferred. The following table is a summary of the components of DAC that are reported in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements. Property & Casualty Insurance 2015 2014 2013 Recorded asset at beginning of year $ 72,861 $ 67,663 $ 64,947 Underwriting costs deferred 197,869 166,508 149,891 Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs (180,183 ) (161,310 ) (147,175 ) Recorded asset at end of year $ 90,547 $ 72,861 $ 67,663 Life Insurance Recorded asset at beginning of year $ 66,858 $ 82,429 $ 40,353 Underwriting costs deferred 6,113 7,357 6,476 Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs (6,634 ) (6,139 ) (6,502 ) $ 66,337 $ 83,647 $ 40,327 Change in "shadow" deferred policy acquisition costs 11,380 (16,789 ) 42,102 Recorded asset at end of year $ 77,717 $ 66,858 $ 82,429 Total Recorded asset at beginning of year $ 139,719 $ 150,092 $ 105,300 Underwriting costs deferred 203,982 173,865 156,367 Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs (186,817 ) (167,449 ) (153,677 ) $ 156,884 $ 156,508 $ 107,990 Change in "shadow" deferred policy acquisition costs 11,380 (16,789 ) 42,102 Recorded asset at end of year $ 168,264 $ 139,719 $ 150,092 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, Inc. 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 an increase to DAC amortization of $2,144 and an increase to the DAC asset of $3,830 for the period ended December 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.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN32

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Components of Deferred Acquisition Costs	The following table is a summary of the components of DAC that are reported in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements. Property & Casualty Insurance 2015 2014 2013 Recorded asset at beginning of year $ 72,861 $ 67,663 $ 64,947 Underwriting costs deferred 197,869 166,508 149,891 Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs (180,183 ) (161,310 ) (147,175 ) Recorded asset at end of year $ 90,547 $ 72,861 $ 67,663 Life Insurance Recorded asset at beginning of year $ 66,858 $ 82,429 $ 40,353 Underwriting costs deferred 6,113 7,357 6,476 Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs (6,634 ) (6,139 ) (6,502 ) $ 66,337 $ 83,647 $ 40,327 Change in "shadow" deferred policy acquisition costs 11,380 (16,789 ) 42,102 Recorded asset at end of year $ 77,717 $ 66,858 $ 82,429 Total Recorded asset at beginning of year $ 139,719 $ 150,092 $ 105,300 Underwriting costs deferred 203,982 173,865 156,367 Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs (186,817 ) (167,449 ) (153,677 ) $ 156,884 $ 156,508 $ 107,990 Change in "shadow" deferred policy acquisition costs 11,380 (16,789 ) 42,102 Recorded asset at end of year $ 168,264 $ 139,719 $ 150,092
Schedule of Property and Equipment	Depreciation is computed primarily by the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives: Useful Life Computer equipment and software Three years Furniture and fixtures Seven years Leasehold improvements Shorter of the lease term or useful life of the asset Real estate Seven to thirty-nine years Airplane Five years The following table is a summary of the components of the property and equipment that are reported in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements. 2015 2014 Real Estate: Land $ 7,999 $ 7,414 Buildings 37,451 32,004 Furniture and fixtures 3,954 3,308 Computer equipment and software 2,452 3,289 Airplane 1,385 3,232 Total property and equipment $ 53,241 $ 49,247

SUMMARY OF INVESTMENTS (Tables)

SUMMARY OF INVESTMENTS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Reconciliation of Amortized Cost to Fair Value	The table that follows is 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 available-for-sale equity securities as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 . December 31, 2015 Type of Investment Cost or Amortized Cost Gross Unrealized Appreciation Gross Unrealized Depreciation Fair Value HELD-TO-MATURITY Fixed maturities Bonds Corporate bonds Technology, Media & Telecommunications $ 450 $ 1 $ — $ 451 Financial services 150 — — 150 Mortgage-backed securities 72 2 — 74 Total Held-to-Maturity Fixed Maturities $ 672 $ 3 $ — $ 675 AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE Fixed maturities Bonds U.S. Treasury $ 21,587 $ 100 $ 38 $ 21,649 U.S. government agency 232,808 2,622 2,400 233,030 States, municipalities and political subdivisions General obligations: Midwest 160,484 4,990 18 165,456 Northeast 56,449 1,996 — 58,445 South 125,565 3,358 134 128,789 West 103,721 3,160 67 106,814 Special revenue: Midwest 152,780 4,956 30 157,706 Northeast 23,892 919 212 24,599 South 144,183 4,281 27 148,437 West 78,935 3,150 44 82,041 Foreign bonds 82,580 2,405 2,457 82,528 Public utilities 213,233 3,701 1,251 215,683 Corporate bonds Energy 116,800 1,032 4,713 113,119 Industrials 227,589 3,329 6,663 224,255 Consumer goods and services 172,529 2,844 776 174,597 Health care 92,132 2,168 791 93,509 Technology, media and telecommunications 142,431 1,972 2,003 142,400 Financial services 259,382 5,246 1,143 263,485 Mortgage-backed securities 16,413 376 51 16,738 Collateralized mortgage obligations 364,115 6,168 4,268 366,015 Asset-backed securities 5,461 221 16 5,666 Total Available-For-Sale Fixed Maturities $ 2,793,069 $ 58,994 $ 27,102 $ 2,824,961 Equity securities Common stocks Public utilities $ 7,231 $ 12,022 $ 193 $ 19,060 Energy 6,103 5,374 266 11,211 Industrials 13,251 31,872 313 44,810 Consumer goods and services 10,301 13,017 3 23,315 Health care 7,763 20,454 — 28,217 Technology, media and telecommunications 5,931 7,538 105 13,364 Financial services 17,392 78,411 109 95,694 Nonredeemable preferred stocks 542 34 — 576 Total Available-for-Sale Equity Securities $ 68,514 $ 168,722 $ 989 $ 236,247 Total Available-for-Sale Securities $ 2,861,583 $ 227,716 $ 28,091 $ 3,061,208 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 Special revenue: Midwest $ 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 General obligations: Midwest 179,491 6,599 170 185,920 Northeast 59,084 2,120 50 61,154 South 122,055 4,453 288 126,220 West 75,102 3,350 19 78,433 Special revenue: Midwest 126,192 5,356 146 131,402 Northeast 11,767 864 — 12,631 South 106,917 4,368 63 111,222 West 68,024 3,285 6 71,303 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
Contractual Maturity of Investments	The amortized cost and fair value of held-to-maturity, available-for-sale and trading fixed maturity securities at December 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 December 31, 2015 Amortized Cost Fair Value Amortized Cost Fair Value Amortized Cost Fair Value Due in one year or less $ — $ — $ 105,186 $ 105,910 $ 1,526 $ 2,001 Due after one year through five years 600 601 819,617 840,292 7,596 7,676 Due after five years through 10 years — — 989,897 989,295 130 404 Due after 10 years — — 492,380 501,045 2,223 2,541 Asset-backed securities — — 5,461 5,666 — — Mortgage-backed securities 72 74 16,413 16,738 — — Collateralized mortgage obligations — — 364,115 366,015 — — $ 672 $ 675 $ 2,793,069 $ 2,824,961 $ 11,475 $ 12,622
Summary of Net Realized Investment Gains (Losses)	A summary of net realized investment gains (losses) for 2015 , 2014 and 2013 , is as follows: 2015 2014 2013 Net realized investment gains (losses) Fixed maturities: Held-to-maturity $ — $ — $ 1 Available-for-sale 3,294 3,353 3,211 Trading securities Change in fair value (1,353 ) 609 1,183 Sales 1,381 1,339 788 Equity securities: Available-for-sale 2,521 1,732 3,739 Trading securities Change in fair value (448 ) 238 (126 ) Sales 66 (1 ) 38 Other long-term investments (1,315 ) — — Other-than-temporary-impairment charges: Fixed maturities (1,300 ) — (139 ) Total net realized investment gains $ 2,846 $ 7,270 $ 8,695
Schedule of Proceeds and Gross Realized Gains (Losses)	The proceeds and gross realized gains (losses) on the sale of available-for-sale securities for 2015 , 2014 and 2013 , were as follows: 2015 2014 2013 Proceeds from sales $ 11,543 $ 3,091 $ 23,007 Gross realized gains 1,134 900 451 Gross realized losses — (56 ) —
Schedule of Net Investment Income	Net investment income for the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 and 2013 , is comprised of the following: Years Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Investment income Interest on fixed maturities $ 92,777 $ 97,969 $ 101,950 Dividends on equity securities 7,208 6,602 5,806 Income on other long-term investments Investment income 2,567 1,927 1,194 Change in value (1) 3,266 1,917 7,030 Interest on mortgage loans 237 252 266 Interest on short-term investments 6 5 6 Interest on cash and cash equivalents 305 255 239 Other 1,452 1,998 1,632 Total investment income $ 107,818 $ 110,925 $ 118,123 Less investment expenses 7,037 6,316 5,324 Net investment income $ 100,781 $ 104,609 $ 112,799 (1) Represents the change in value of our interests in limited liability partnerships that are recorded on the equity method of accounting.
Summary of Changes in Net Unrealized Investment Appreciation	A summary of changes in net unrealized investment appreciation for 2015 , 2014 and 2013 , is as follows: 2015 2014 2013 Change in net unrealized investment appreciation Available-for-sale fixed maturities $ (37,621 ) $ 51,814 $ (132,579 ) Available-for-sale equity securities (6,459 ) 15,781 48,176 Deferred policy acquisition costs 11,380 (16,789 ) 42,102 Income tax effect 11,446 (17,784 ) 14,806 Total change in net unrealized investment appreciation, net of tax $ (21,254 ) $ 33,022 $ (27,495 )
Summary of Investments in Unrealized Loss Position	The tables on the following pages summarize our fixed maturity and equity securities that were in an unrealized loss position at December 31, 2015 and 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 December 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 which resulted in the recognition of a $1,300 credit loss OTTI on an energy sector fixed maturity security in our Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income for the year ended December 31, 2015. There were no OTTI losses on fixed maturity securities recognized in 2014 . In 2013, we recognized an OTTI credit loss of $139 in our Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income. All fixed maturity securities in the investment portfolio continue to pay the expected coupon payments under the contractual terms of the securities. 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 intention 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 unless otherwise noted, these losses do not warrant the recognition of an OTTI charge at December 31, 2015 . There were no OTTI losses on equity securities recognized in 2015 , 2014 or 2013. Our largest unrealized loss greater than 12 months on an individual equity security at December 31, 2015 , 2014 and 2013 was $225 , $54 and $58 , respectively. 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. December 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 AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE Fixed maturities Bonds U.S. Treasury 6 $ 6,408 $ 26 2 $ 1,634 $ 12 $ 8,042 $ 38 U.S. government agency 38 104,621 1,771 6 18,821 629 123,442 2,400 States, municipalities and political subdivisions General obligations Midwest 4 2,417 12 1 528 6 2,945 18 South 3 4,805 55 8 3,743 79 8,548 134 West 4 8,927 23 2 2,274 44 11,201 67 Special revenue Midwest — — — 1 2,494 30 2,494 30 Northeast 1 4,755 212 — — — 4,755 212 South 4 7,445 26 2 1,851 1 9,296 27 West 4 6,851 44 — — — 6,851 44 Foreign bonds 9 16,991 1,289 2 4,036 1,168 21,027 2,457 Public utilities 35 72,680 880 5 2,840 371 75,520 1,251 Corporate bonds Energy 29 61,496 3,286 4 7,991 1,427 69,487 4,713 Industrials 38 78,588 3,631 3 6,649 3,032 85,237 6,663 Consumer goods and services 24 64,661 770 4 2,491 6 67,152 776 Health care 18 43,992 652 2 3,737 139 47,729 791 Technology, media and telecommunications 22 59,503 1,478 2 8,940 525 68,443 2,003 Financial services 49 92,814 1,143 — — — 92,814 1,143 Mortgage-backed securities 9 7,423 43 4 183 8 7,606 51 Collateralized mortgage obligations 52 97,912 1,605 31 71,876 2,663 169,788 4,268 Asset-backed securities 1 985 16 — — — 985 16 Total Available-for-Sale Fixed Maturities 350 $ 743,274 $ 16,962 79 $ 140,088 $ 10,140 $ 883,362 $ 27,102 Equity securities Common stocks Public utilities — $ — $ — 3 $ 115 $ 193 $ 115 $ 193 Energy 10 2,868 266 — — — 2,868 266 Industrials 3 177 44 5 193 269 370 313 Consumer goods and services — — — 2 14 3 14 3 Technology, media and telecommunications 9 438 91 2 12 14 450 105 Financial services 6 326 51 1 136 58 462 109 Total Available-for-Sale Equity Securities 28 $ 3,809 $ 452 13 $ 470 $ 537 $ 4,279 $ 989 Total Available-for-Sale Securities 378 $ 747,083 $ 17,414 92 $ 140,558 $ 10,677 $ 887,641 $ 28,091 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 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 General obligations Midwest 1 3,650 74 14 9,856 96 13,506 170 Northeast — — — 9 7,377 50 7,377 50 South 1 3,085 58 19 13,475 230 16,560 288 West 1 1,023 1 5 2,700 18 3,723 19 Special revenue Midwest 9 10,219 41 8 11,631 105 21,850 146 South 6 12,882 11 3 2,137 52 15,019 63 West — — — 4 3,671 6 3,671 6 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 INSTR34

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 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 December 31, 2015 and 2014 is as follows: December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 Fair Value Carrying Value Fair Value Carrying Value Assets Investments Fixed maturities: Held-to-maturity securities $ 675 $ 672 $ 404 $ 397 Available-for-sale securities 2,824,961 2,824,961 2,843,079 2,843,079 Trading securities 12,622 12,622 16,862 16,862 Equity securities: Available-for-sale securities 236,247 236,247 245,843 245,843 Trading securities 4,353 4,353 4,066 4,066 Mortgage loans 4,237 3,961 4,559 4,199 Policy loans 5,618 5,618 5,916 5,916 Other long-term investments 54,151 54,151 50,424 50,424 Short-term investments 175 175 175 175 Cash and cash equivalents 106,449 106,449 90,574 90,574 Corporate-owned life insurance 1,716 1,716 918 918 Liabilities Policy reserves Annuity (accumulations) (1) $ 707,190 $ 744,931 $ 865,802 $ 863,606 Annuity (benefit payments) 131,899 95,467 176,592 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 December 31, 2015 and 2014 : Fair Value Measurements Description December 31, 2015 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE Fixed maturities Bonds U.S. Treasury $ 21,649 $ — $ 21,649 $ — U.S. government agency 233,030 — 233,030 — States, municipalities and political subdivisions General obligations Midwest 165,456 — 165,456 — Northeast 58,445 — 58,445 — South 128,789 — 128,789 — West 106,814 — 106,814 — Special revenue Midwest 157,706 — 157,363 343 Northeast 24,599 — 24,599 — South 148,437 — 148,437 — West 82,041 — 82,041 — Foreign bonds 82,528 — 82,528 — Public utilities 215,683 — 215,683 — Corporate bonds Energy 113,119 — 113,119 — Industrials 224,255 — 224,255 — Consumer goods and services 174,597 — 173,364 1,233 Health care 93,509 — 93,509 — Technology, media and telecommunications 142,400 — 142,400 — Financial services 263,485 — 253,823 9,662 Mortgage-backed securities 16,738 — 16,738 — Collateralized mortgage obligations 366,015 — 366,015 — Asset-backed securities 5,666 — 4,630 1,036 Total Available-For-Sale Fixed Maturities $ 2,824,961 $ — $ 2,812,687 $ 12,274 Equity securities Common stocks Public utilities $ 19,060 $ 19,060 $ — $ — Energy 11,211 11,211 — — Industrials 44,810 44,810 — — Consumer goods and services 23,315 23,315 — — Health care 28,217 28,217 — — Technology, media and telecommunications 13,364 13,364 — — Financial services 95,694 91,588 128 3,978 Nonredeemable preferred stocks 576 576 — — Total Available-for-Sale Equity Securities $ 236,247 $ 232,141 $ 128 $ 3,978 Total Available-for-Sale Securities $ 3,061,208 $ 232,141 $ 2,812,815 $ 16,252 TRADING Fixed maturities Bonds Corporate bonds Industrials $ 3,558 $ — $ 3,558 $ — Consumer goods and services 118 — 118 — Health care 2,032 — 2,032 — Technology, media and telecommunications 335 — 335 — Financial services 4,094 — 4,094 — Redeemable preferred stocks 2,485 2,485 — — Equity securities Energy 267 267 — — Industrials 986 986 — — Consumer goods and services 942 942 — — Health care 304 304 — — Financial Services 229 229 — — Nonredeemable preferred stocks 1,625 1,625 — — Total Trading Securities $ 16,975 $ 6,838 $ 10,137 $ — Short-Term Investments $ 175 $ 175 $ — $ — Money Market Accounts $ 20,805 $ 20,805 $ — $ — Corporate-Owned Life Insurance $ 1,716 $ — $ 1,716 $ — Total Assets Measured at Fair Value $ 3,100,879 $ 259,959 $ 2,824,668 $ 16,252 Fair Value Measurements Description December 31, 2014 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 General obligations Midwest 185,920 — 185,920 — Northeast 61,154 — 61,154 — South 126,220 — 126,220 — West 78,433 — 78,433 — Special revenue Midwest 131,402 — 130,883 519 Northeast 12,631 — 12,631 — South 111,222 — 111,222 — West 71,303 — 71,303 — 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
Summary of 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 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 Realized gains (losses) (1) — (142 ) — — (142 ) Unrealized gains (losses) (1) (26 ) — (39 ) — (65 ) Purchases — 100 — 121 221 Disposals (150 ) (1,375 ) (537 ) (15 ) (2,077 ) Balance at December 31, 2015 $ 343 $ 10,895 $ 1,036 $ 3,978 $ 16,252 (1) Realized gains (losses) are recorded as a component of earnings, whereas unrealized gains (losses) are recorded as a component of comprehensive income. The following table provides a summary of the changes in fair value of our Level 3 securities for 2014 : States, municipalities and political subdivisions Corporate bonds Asset-backed securities Equities Total Balance at January 1, 2014 $ 698 $ 13,480 $ 2,029 $ 3,781 $ 19,988 Realized gains (losses) (1) — 11 — (56 ) (45 ) Unrealized gains (losses) (1) (34 ) (85 ) 50 47 (22 ) Purchases — 4 — 144 148 Disposals (145 ) (1,098 ) (467 ) (44 ) (1,754 ) Balance at December 31, 2014 $ 519 $ 12,312 $ 1,612 $ 3,872 $ 18,315 (1) Realized gains (losses) are recorded as a component of earnings, whereas unrealized gains (losses) are recorded as a component of comprehensive income.

REINSURANCE (Tables)

REINSURANCE (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Property and Casualty Insurance [Member]
Reinsurance Premiums for Insurance Companies, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Ceded and Assumed Reinsurance	Premiums and losses and loss settlement expenses related to our ceded and assumed business are as follows: Years Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Ceded Business Ceded premiums written $ 56,916 $ 50,290 $ 50,711 Ceded premiums earned 56,758 49,818 50,514 Loss and loss settlement expenses ceded (1) 3,868 9,728 (8,552 ) Assumed Business Assumed premiums written $ 18,290 $ 16,421 $ 18,938 Assumed premiums earned 18,396 16,265 185,485 Loss and loss settlement expenses assumed 14,415 7,727 8,268 (1) In 2013, a reduction in our direct IBNR reserves caused a corresponding reduction in ceded IBNR reserves. This factor, coupled with a lack of significant large losses exceeding our reinsurance retentions resulted in negative loss and loss settlement expenses ceded for the year.
Reinsurance Programs and Retentions	The following table provides a summary of our primary reinsurance programs. Retention amounts reflect the accumulated retentions and co-participation of all layers within a program. In 2013, we added a $3,000 aggregate annual deductible to our core program multi-line (casualty excess and property excess) which was increased to $4,000 in 2014. 2015 Reinsurance Programs Type of Reinsurance Stated Retention Limits Coverage Casualty excess of loss $ 2,000 $ 40,000 100 % of $ 38,000 Property excess of loss 2,000 25,000 100 % of $ 23,000 Surety excess of loss 1,500 36,000 96 % of $ 34,500 Property catastrophe, excess 20,000 200,000 100 % of $ 180,000 Property catastrophe, excess 200,000 250,000 90.5 % of $ 50,000 Boiler and machinery N/A 50,000 100 % of $ 50,000 2014 Reinsurance Programs Type of Reinsurance Stated Retention Limits Coverage Casualty excess of loss $ 2,000 $ 40,000 100 % of $ 38,000 Property excess of loss 2,000 15,000 100 % of $ 13,000 Surety excess of loss 1,500 28,000 91 % of $ 26,500 Property catastrophe, excess 20,000 200,000 100 % of $ 180,000 Property catastrophe, excess 200,000 250,000 90.5 % of $ 50,000 Boiler and machinery N/A 50,000 100 % of $ 50,000 2013 Reinsurance Programs Type of Reinsurance Stated Retention Limits Coverage Casualty excess of loss $ 2,000 $ 40,000 100 % of $ 38,000 Property excess of loss 2,000 15,000 100 % of $ 13,000 Surety excess of loss 1,500 28,000 91 % of $ 26,500 Property catastrophe, excess 20,000 200,000 95 % of $ 180,000 Boiler and machinery N/A 50,000 100 % of $ 50,000
Life Insurance [Member]
Reinsurance Premiums for Insurance Companies, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Ceded and Assumed Reinsurance	Premiums and losses and loss settlement expenses related to our ceded business are as follows: Years Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Ceded Business Ceded insurance in-force $ 1,165,868 $ 1,130,059 $ 1,112,688 Ceded premiums earned 3,161 2,959 2,792 Loss and loss settlement expenses ceded 2,113 3,467 1,971

RESERVES FOR LOSSES AND LOSS 36

RESERVES FOR LOSSES AND LOSS SETTLEMENT EXPENSES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Insurance Loss Reserves [Abstract]
Change in Property and Casualty Loss and Loss Settlement Expense Reserves	The following table provides an analysis of changes in our property and casualty losses and loss settlement expense reserves for 2015 , 2014 and 2013 (net of reinsurance amounts): Years Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Gross liability for losses and loss settlement expenses $ 969,437 $ 960,651 $ 971,911 Ceded losses and loss settlement expenses (63,757 ) (75,150 ) (103,870 ) Net liability for losses and loss settlement expenses $ 905,680 $ 885,501 $ 868,041 Losses and loss settlement expenses incurred Current year $ 560,482 $ 566,555 $ 494,841 Prior years (40,395 ) (56,744 ) (57,487 ) Total incurred $ 520,087 $ 509,811 $ 437,354 Losses and loss settlement expense payments Current year $ 225,022 $ 247,651 $ 203,868 Prior years 251,503 241,981 216,026 Total paid $ 476,525 $ 489,632 $ 419,894 Net liability for losses and loss settlement expenses $ 949,242 $ 905,680 $ 885,501 Ceded loss and loss settlement expenses 54,653 63,757 75,150 Gross liability for losses and loss settlement expenses $ 1,003,895 $ 969,437 $ 960,651

STATUTORY REPORTING, CAPITAL 37

STATUTORY REPORTING, CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS AND DIVIDENDS AND RETAINED EARNINGS RESTRICTIONS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Statutory Insurance Financial Information [Abstract]
Schedule of Statutory Capital and Surplus	Statutory capital and surplus in regards to policyholders at December 31, 2015 , 2014 and 2013 and statutory net income for the years then ended are as follows: Statutory Capital and Surplus Statutory Net Income 2015 Property and casualty (1) $ 722,404 $ 75,554 Life, accident and health 138,855 (1,524 ) 2014 Property and casualty (1) $ 685,866 $ 54,233 Life, accident and health 155,667 3,517 2013 Property and casualty (1) $ 665,772 $ 84,255 Life, accident and health 157,974 5,942 (1) Because United Fire & Casualty Company owns United Life Insurance Company, the property and casualty statutory capital and surplus includes life, accident and health statutory capital and surplus, and therefore represents our total consolidated statutory capital and surplus.

FEDERAL INCOME TAX (Tables)

FEDERAL INCOME TAX (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Federal Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	Federal income tax expense (benefit) is composed of the following: Years Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Current $ 37,649 $ 15,649 $ 19,146 Deferred (5,324 ) 1,677 6,616 Total $ 32,325 $ 17,326 $ 25,762
Income Tax Expense Reconciliation	A reconciliation of income tax expense computed at the applicable federal tax rate of 35.0 percent to the amount recorded in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income is as follows: Years Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Computed expected income tax expense $ 42,508 $ 26,762 $ 35,666 Tax-exempt municipal bond interest income (7,669 ) (7,417 ) (7,732 ) Nontaxable dividend income (1,337 ) (1,232 ) (1,053 ) Valuation allowance reduction (548 ) (548 ) (548 ) Other, net (629 ) (239 ) (571 ) Federal income tax expense $ 32,325 $ 17,326 $ 25,762
Components of Net Deferred Tax Liability	The significant components of our net deferred tax liability at December 31, 2015 and 2014 are as follows: December 31, 2015 2014 Deferred tax liabilities Net unrealized appreciation on investment securities: Equity securities $ 58,674 $ 60,952 All other securities 11,159 24,308 Deferred policy acquisition costs 53,960 44,271 Prepaid pension cost 1,920 2,973 Net bond discount accretion 1,430 1,925 Depreciation 1,791 2,667 Revaluation of investment basis (1) 1,824 2,611 Identifiable intangible assets (1) 3,560 3,808 Other 7,627 8,152 Gross deferred tax liability $ 141,945 $ 151,667 Deferred tax assets Financial statement reserves in excess of income tax reserves $ 34,535 $ 35,800 Unearned premium adjustment 28,679 26,146 Net operating loss carryforwards 1,265 1,813 Underfunded benefit plan obligation 25,810 31,473 Postretirement benefits other than pensions 17,838 14,374 Other-than-temporary impairment of investments 5,609 5,222 Contingent ceding commission accrual 3,342 3,573 Compensation expense related to stock options 4,627 4,582 Other 6,852 4,738 Gross deferred tax asset $ 128,557 $ 127,721 Valuation allowance (1,265 ) (1,813 ) Deferred tax asset $ 127,292 $ 125,908 Net deferred tax liability $ 14,653 $ 25,759 (1) Related to our acquisition of Mercer Insurance Group.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS (Tables)

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary of Actual and Target Asset Allocation of Plan Assets	The following is a summary of the pension plan's actual and target asset allocations at December 31, 2015 and 2014 by asset category: Target Pension Plan Assets 2015 % of Total 2014 % of Total Allocation Fixed maturity securities - corporate bonds $ 6,894 6.5 % $ 9,035 8.8 % 0 % - 15 % Redeemable preferred stock 3,744 3.5 2,254 2.2 0 % - 10 % Equity securities 58,613 55.0 58,223 56.6 50 % - 70 % Pooled separate accounts Core Plus Bond separate account fund 6,605 6.2 6,417 6.3 0 % - 40 % U.S. property separate account fund 11,252 10.5 9,895 9.6 0 % - 25 % Arbitrage fund 7,856 7.4 7,637 7.4 0 % - 10 % United Life annuity 8,931 8.4 8,506 8.3 5 % - 10 % Cash and cash equivalents 2,705 2.5 833 0.8 0 % - 10 % Total plan assets $ 106,600 100.0 % $ 102,800 100.0 %
Categories of Pension Plan Assets at Fair Value on Recurring Basis	The following tables present the categorization of the pension plan's assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2015 and 2014 : Fair Value Measurements Description December 31, 2015 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Fixed maturity securities - corporate bonds $ 6,894 $ — $ 6,894 $ — Redeemable preferred stock 3,744 3,744 — — Equity securities 58,613 58,613 — — Pooled separate accounts Core plus bond separate account fund 6,605 — 6,605 — U.S. property separate account fund 11,252 — — 11,252 Arbitrage fund 7,856 — 7,856 — Money market funds 2,619 2,619 — — Total assets measured at fair value $ 97,583 $ 64,976 $ 21,355 $ 11,252 Fair Value Measurements Description December 31, 2014 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Fixed maturity securities - corporate bonds $ 9,035 $ — $ 9,035 $ — Redeemable preferred stock 2,254 2,254 — — Equity securities 58,223 58,223 — — Pooled separate accounts Core plus bond separate account fund 6,417 — 6,417 — U.S. property separate account fund 9,895 — — 9,895 Arbitrage fund 7,637 — 7,637 — Money market funds 826 826 — — Total assets measured at fair value $ 94,287 $ 61,303 $ 23,089 $ 9,895
Summary of Changes in Fair Value of Pension Plan Securities	The following tables provide a summary of the changes in fair value of the pension plan's Level 3 securities: U.S. property separate account fund Balance at January 1, 2015 $ 9,895 Unrealized gains 1,357 Balance at December 31, 2015 $ 11,252 U.S. property separate account fund Balance at January 1, 2014 $ 8,763 Unrealized gains 1,132 Balance at December 31, 2014 $ 9,895
Schedule of Actuarial Assumptions Used	The following actuarial assumptions were used to determine the reported plan benefit obligations at December 31: Weighted-average assumptions as of Pension Benefits Postretirement Benefits December 31, 2015 2014 2015 2014 Discount rate 4.21 % 3.86 % 4.21 % 3.86 % Rate of compensation increase 3.00 3.00 N/A N/A The following actuarial assumptions were used at January 1 to determine our reported net periodic benefit costs for the year ended December 31: Weighted-average assumptions as of Pension Benefits Postretirement Benefits January 1, 2015 2014 2013 2015 2014 2013 Discount rate 3.86 % 4.84 % 4.00 % 3.86 % 4.84 % 4.00 % Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets 7.50 7.50 7.50 N/A N/A N/A Rate of compensation increase 3.00 3.50 3.50 N/A N/A N/A
Schedule of Health Care Cost Trend Rates	Health Care Benefits Dental Claims Years Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2015 2014 Health care cost trend rates assumed for next year 7.00 % 7.00 % 4.00 % 4.00 % Rate to which the health care trend rate is assumed to decline (ultimate trend rate) 4.50 % 4.50 % N/A N/A Year that the rate reaches the ultimate trend rate 2024 2023 N/A N/A
Schedule of Effect of One-Percentage-Point Change in Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates	A 1.0 percent change in assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following effects: 1% Increase 1% Decrease Effect on the net periodic postretirement health care benefit cost $ 1,595 $ (1,239 ) Effect on the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation 14,178 (11,270 )
Reconciliation of Benefit Obligations, Plan Assets, and Funded Status	The following table provides a reconciliation of benefit obligations, plan assets and funded status of our plans: Pension Benefits Postretirement Benefits Years Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2015 2014 Reconciliation of benefit obligation Benefit obligation at beginning of year $ 157,600 $ 123,352 $ 74,552 $ 48,954 Service cost 6,675 5,210 5,220 3,696 Interest cost 5,999 5,874 2,856 2,342 Actuarial (gain) loss (5,678 ) 26,590 (9,253 ) 20,730 Benefit payments and adjustments (4,206 ) (3,426 ) (1,200 ) (1,170 ) Benefit obligation at end of year (1) $ 160,390 $ 157,600 $ 72,175 $ 74,552 Reconciliation of fair value of plan assets Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year $ 102,800 $ 92,219 $ — $ — Actual return on plan assets 1,654 6,591 — — Employer contributions 6,352 7,416 (1,200 ) (1,170 ) Benefit payments and adjustments (4,206 ) (3,426 ) 1,200 1,170 Fair value of plan assets at end of year $ 106,600 $ 102,800 $ — $ — Funded status at end of year $ (53,790 ) $ (54,800 ) $ (72,175 ) $ (74,552 ) (1) For the pension plan, the benefit obligation is the projected benefit obligation. For the postretirement benefit plan, the benefit obligation is the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation.
Schedule of Amounts Recognized in AOCI	The following table displays the effect that the unrecognized prior service cost and unrecognized actuarial loss of our plans had on accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI"), as reported in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets: Pension Benefits Postretirement Benefits Years Ended December 31 2015 2014 2015 2014 Amounts recognized in AOCI Unrecognized prior service cost $ — $ — $ — $ — Unrecognized actuarial loss 52,936 56,943 20,806 32,979 Total amounts recognized in AOCI $ 52,936 $ 56,943 $ 20,806 $ 32,979
Components of 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 Years Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 2015 2014 2013 Net periodic benefit cost Service cost $ 6,675 $ 5,210 $ 6,300 $ 5,220 $ 3,696 $ 3,875 Interest cost 5,999 5,874 5,175 2,856 2,342 1,759 Expected return on plan assets (7,800 ) (6,956 ) (5,772 ) — — — Amortization of net loss 4,546 2,174 4,989 2,920 898 879 Net periodic benefit cost $ 9,420 $ 6,302 $ 10,692 $ 10,996 $ 6,936 $ 6,513
Summary of Expected Benefit Payments	The following table summarizes the expected benefits to be paid from our plans over the next 10 years : 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 - 2025 Pension benefits $ 4,680 $ 5,060 $ 5,420 $ 5,930 $ 6,500 $ 43,200 Postretirement benefits $ 1,140 $ 1,340 $ 1,560 $ 1,810 $ 2,080 $ 15,170

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Table

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Recognition of Stock-Based Compensation Expense	We expect this compensation to be recognized in 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. 2016 $ 2,080 2017 1,851 2018 1,333 2019 584 2020 63 Total $ 5,911
Analysis of Award Activity	The analysis below details the award activity for 2015 and the awards outstanding at December 31, 2015 , for both of our plans and ad hoc options, which were granted prior to the adoption of the other plans: Options Shares Weighted-Average Exercise Price Weighted-Average Remaining Life (in years) Aggregate Intrinsic Value Outstanding at January 1, 2015 1,358,289 $ 28.70 Granted 332,729 29.17 Exercised (193,088 ) 27.96 Forfeited or expired (114,050 ) 31.84 Outstanding at December 31, 2015 1,383,880 $ 28.66 5.84 $ 13,435 Exercisable at December 31, 2015 667,106 $ 29.76 3.44 $ 5,785
Schedule of Restricted Stock Award Activity	The analysis below details the award activity for the restricted stock awards outstanding at December 31, 2015 : Restricted stock awards Shares Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value Non-vested at January 1, 2015 114,313 $ 25.67 Granted 49,881 32.16 Vested (8,729 ) 27.88 Forfeited (10,702 ) 25.20 Non-vested at December 31, 2015 144,763 $ 27.81
Weighted-average Grant-Date Fair Value Assumptions	The weighted-average grant-date fair value of the options granted under our plans has been estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions: December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Risk-free interest rate 1.94 % 2.19 % 1.37 % Expected volatility 21.92 % 36.58 % 34.32 % Expected option life (in years) 7 7 7 Expected dividends (in dollars) $ 0.80 $ 0.78 $ 0.69 Weighted-average grant-date fair value of options granted during the year (in dollars) $ 4.98 $ 9.15 $ 6.64
Summary of Stock Options Outstanding and Exercisable	The following table summarizes information regarding the stock options outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2015 : Options Outstanding Options Exercisable Range of Exercise Prices Number Outstanding (in shares) Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years) Weighted-Average Exercise Price Number Exercisable (in shares) Weighted-Average Exercise Price $ 15.01 - 21.00 194,832 5.23 $ 20.21 129,536 $ 19.96 21.01 - 28.00 234,221 6.49 23.38 117,226 22.98 28.01 - 35.00 745,327 7.23 30.16 213,344 32.31 35.01 - 41.00 209,500 0.75 37.10 207,000 37.11 $ 15.01 - 41.00 1,383,880 5.84 $ 28.66 667,106 $ 29.76
Employee Stock Award Plan-2008 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Activity in Stock Award Plans	The activity in the Stock Plan is displayed in the following table: Authorized Shares Available for Future Award Grants Year Ended December 31, 2015 From Inception to December 31, 2015 Beginning balance 1,646,947 1,900,000 Additional shares authorized — 1,500,000 Number of awards granted (366,419 ) (2,362,928 ) Number of awards forfeited or expired 114,050 357,506 Ending balance 1,394,578 1,394,578 Number of option awards exercised 182,956 650,519 Number of unrestricted stock awards granted 1,065 6,345 Number of restricted stock awards vested — 18,576
Director Plan - 2005 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Activity in Stock Award Plans	The activity in the Director Plan is displayed in the following table: Authorized Shares Available for Future Award Grants Year Ended December 31, 2015 From Inception to December 31, 2015 Beginning balance 87,194 300,000 Number of awards granted (17,256 ) (236,065 ) Number of awards forfeited or expired — 6,003 Ending balance 69,938 69,938 Number of option awards exercised 10,132 14,807 Number of restricted stock awards vested 8,729 20,171

SEGMENT INFORMATION (Tables)

SEGMENT INFORMATION (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Premiums Earned by Segments	The following table sets forth our net premiums earned by segment before intersegment eliminations: Years Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Property and Casualty Insurance Segment Net premiums earned Other liability $ 261,303 $ 228,426 $ 199,548 Fire and allied lines 246,450 226,086 208,030 Automobile 210,090 187,813 169,211 Workers' compensation 95,672 88,522 81,616 Fidelity and surety 21,362 19,212 18,746 Reinsurance assumed 13,639 13,145 14,406 Other 3,179 3,735 2,635 Total net premiums earned $ 851,695 $ 766,939 $ 694,192 Life Insurance Segment Net premiums earned Ordinary life (excluding universal life) $ 53,114 $ 35,557 $ 38,875 Universal life policy fees 12,834 13,190 11,871 Immediate annuities with life contingencies 12,223 11,639 8,837 Accident and health 1,425 1,274 1,302 Other 388 261 261 Total net premiums earned $ 79,984 $ 61,921 $ 61,146
Segment Reporting Information	The following table sets forth certain data for each of our business segments and is reconciled to our Consolidated Financial Statements. Depreciation and amortization expense and property and equipment acquisitions for 2015 , 2014 and 2013 are reported in the property and casualty insurance segment. 2015 2014 2013 Property and Casualty Insurance: Revenues: Net premiums earned $ 851,695 $ 766,939 $ 694,192 Investment income, net of investment expenses 46,606 44,219 46,279 Net realized investment gains 1,124 4,177 6,260 Other income (loss) (107 ) 910 88 Total revenues before eliminations $ 899,318 $ 816,245 $ 746,819 Intersegment eliminations (47 ) 18 53 Total revenues $ 899,271 $ 816,263 $ 746,872 Net income before income taxes: Revenues $ 899,318 $ 816,245 $ 746,819 Benefit, losses and expenses 784,691 750,768 658,645 Total net income before eliminations $ 114,627 $ 65,477 $ 88,174 Intersegment eliminations 743 548 545 Income before income taxes $ 115,370 $ 66,025 $ 88,719 Income tax expense 30,050 13,649 21,263 Net income $ 85,320 $ 52,376 $ 67,456 Assets Total segment $ 2,490,138 $ 2,360,764 $ 2,218,464 Intersegment eliminations (209,464 ) (233,141 ) (223,395 ) Total assets $ 2,280,674 $ 2,127,623 $ 1,995,069 Life Insurance: Revenues: Net premiums earned $ 79,984 $ 61,921 $ 61,146 Investment income, net of investment expenses 54,222 60,373 66,467 Net realized investment gains 1,722 3,093 2,434 Other income 508 774 614 Total revenues before eliminations $ 136,436 $ 126,161 $ 130,661 Intersegment eliminations (789 ) (530 ) (491 ) Total revenues $ 135,647 $ 125,631 $ 130,170 Net income before income taxes: Revenues $ 136,436 $ 126,161 $ 130,661 Benefit, losses and expenses 129,771 115,361 117,159 Total net income before eliminations $ 6,665 $ 10,800 $ 13,502 Intersegment eliminations (584 ) (362 ) (319 ) Income before income taxes $ 6,081 $ 10,438 $ 13,183 Income tax expense 2,275 3,677 4,499 Net income $ 3,806 $ 6,761 $ 8,684 Assets $ 1,609,702 $ 1,729,066 $ 1,725,603 Consolidated Totals: Total revenues $ 1,034,918 $ 941,894 $ 877,042 Total net income $ 89,126 $ 59,137 $ 76,140 Total assets $ 3,890,376 $ 3,856,689 $ 3,720,672

QUARTERLY SUPPLEMENTARY FINAN42

QUARTERLY SUPPLEMENTARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Quarterly Financial Data [Abstract]
Schedule of Unaudited Quarterly Financial Information	The following table sets forth our selected unaudited quarterly financial information: (In Thousands Except Share Data) Quarters First Second Third Fourth Total Year Ended December 31, 2015 Total revenues $ 238,484 $ 255,918 $ 264,560 $ 275,956 $ 1,034,918 Income before income taxes 31,831 19,533 26,824 43,263 121,451 Net income $ 23,679 $ 15,018 $ 19,534 $ 30,895 $ 89,126 Basic earnings per share (1) $ 0.95 $ 0.60 $ 0.78 $ 1.23 $ 3.56 Diluted earnings per share (1) 0.94 0.59 0.77 1.21 3.53 Year Ended December 31, 2014 Total revenues $ 222,904 $ 232,673 $ 235,865 $ 250,452 $ 941,894 Income before income taxes 15,897 13,056 (2,845 ) 50,355 76,463 Net income $ 13,331 $ 10,685 $ 325 $ 34,796 $ 59,137 Basic earnings per share (1) $ 0.53 $ 0.42 $ 0.01 $ 1.39 $ 2.34 Diluted earnings per share (1) 0.52 0.42 0.01 1.38 2.32 (1) The sum of the quarterly reported amounts may not equal the full year, as each is computed independently.

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE (Tabl

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 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: Years Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 (In Thousands Except Share and Per Share Data) Basic Diluted Basic Diluted Basic Diluted Net income $ 89,126 $ 89,126 $ 59,137 $ 59,137 $ 76,140 $ 76,140 Weighted-average common shares outstanding 25,047,405 25,047,405 25,230,854 25,230,854 25,325,695 25,325,695 Add dilutive effect of restricted stock awards — 122,840 — 114,313 — 59,849 Add dilutive effect of stock options — 65,751 — 148,496 — 145,831 Weighted-average common shares 25,047,405 25,235,996 25,230,854 25,493,663 25,325,695 25,531,375 Earnings per common share $ 3.56 $ 3.53 $ 2.34 $ 2.32 $ 3.01 $ 2.98 Awards excluded from diluted calculation (1) — 343,390 — 835,610 — 638,478 (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.

LEASE COMMITMENTS (Tables)

LEASE COMMITMENTS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Leases [Abstract]
Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Payments	At December 31, 2015 , our future minimum rental payments were as follows: 2016 $ 5,935 2017 5,583 2018 4,776 2019 2,162 2020 1,487 Thereafter 154 Total $ 20,097

INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Tables)

INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Major Classes of Intangible Assets	Our major classes of intangible assets are presented in the following table: Year Ended December 31, 2015 2014 Agency relationships $ 10,338 $ 10,338 Accumulated amortization - agency relationships (4,292 ) (3,654 ) $ 6,046 $ 6,684 Software $ 3,260 $ 3,260 Accumulated amortization - software (3,260 ) (3,260 ) $ — $ — Trade names $ 1,978 $ 1,978 Accumulated amortization - trade names (626 ) (495 ) $ 1,352 $ 1,483 Favorable contract $ 286 $ 286 Accumulated amortization - favorable contract (286 ) (286 ) $ — $ — State insurance licenses (1) $ 3,020 $ 3,020 Net intangible assets $ 10,418 $ 11,187 (1) The intangible asset for licenses has an indefinite life and therefore is not amortized.
Schedule of Estimated Useful Lives of Amortizable Intangible Assets	The estimated useful lives assigned to our major classes of amortizable intangible assets are as follows: Useful Life Agency relationships Fifteen years Software Two years Trade names Fifteen years Favorable contract Two years
Schedule of Estimated Aggregate Amortization Expense	Our estimated aggregate amortization expense for each of the next five years is as follows: 2016 $ 769 2017 769 2018 719 2019 709 2020 709

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSI46

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	The following table shows the changes in the components of our accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, for the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 and 2013 : Liability for Net unrealized underfunded appreciation employee on investments benefit costs Total Balance as of January 1, 2013 $ 144,096 $ (48,908 ) $ 95,188 Change in accumulated other comprehensive income before reclassifications (23,068 ) 15,643 (7,425 ) Reclassification adjustments from accumulated other comprehensive income (4,427 ) 3,814 (613 ) Balance as of December 31, 2013 $ 116,601 $ (29,451 ) $ 87,150 Change in accumulated other comprehensive income before reclassifications 36,328 (30,996 ) 5,332 Reclassification adjustments from accumulated other comprehensive income (3,306 ) 1,997 (1,309 ) Balance as of December 31, 2014 $ 149,623 $ (58,450 ) $ 91,173 Change in accumulated other comprehensive income before reclassifications (18,321 ) 5,664 (12,657 ) Reclassification adjustments from accumulated other comprehensive income (2,933 ) 4,854 1,921 Balance as of December 31, 2015 $ 128,369 $ (47,932 ) $ 80,437

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN47

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Narrative) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)segmentstateplanholding_company	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013USD ($)
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Number of operating segments | segment	2
Item Effected [Line Items]
Percentage of the gains and profits from the Lloyds plan available to United Fire & Indemnity Company	100.00%
Number of holding companies dissolved | holding_company	3
Securities on deposit as required by law	$ 1,515,193,000	$ 1,643,369,000
Other-than-temporary impairment charges	1,300,000	0	$ 139,000
Payment for income taxes	39,497,000	9,626,000	13,628,000
Federal tax refund received	919,000	615,000	8,744,000
Interest payment	0	0
Increase to DAC amortization	2,144,000
Increase to DAC asset	3,830,000
Increase (decrease) in DAC asset	(2,003,000)	(13,383,000)
Depreciation expense	5,704,000	6,122,000	4,391,000
Goodwill, impairment charge	0	0	0
Intangible assets, impairment charge	0	0	0
Unrecognized tax benefit	$ 0	0	0
Number of equity compensation plans | plan	2
Minimum [Member]
Item Effected [Line Items]
Useful life	2 years
Maximum [Member]
Item Effected [Line Items]
Useful life	15 years
Property and Casualty Insurance [Member]
Item Effected [Line Items]
Number of states in which we are licensed as insurer | state	45
Amortization expense	$ 769,000	$ 769,000	$ 1,212,000
Life Insurance [Member]
Item Effected [Line Items]
Number of states in which we are licensed as insurer | state	37
Traditional life insurance, interest rate assumptions, lower range	4.20%
Traditional life insurance, interest rate assumptions, upper range	6.00%

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN48

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Movement Analysis of Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs [Roll Forward]
Recorded asset at beginning of year	$ 139,719	$ 150,092	$ 105,300
Underwriting costs deferred	203,982	173,865	156,367
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs	(186,817)	(167,449)	(153,677)
Ending unamortized deferred policy acquisition costs	156,884	156,508	107,990
Change in shadow deferred policy acquisition costs	11,380	(16,789)	42,102
Recorded asset at end of year	168,264	139,719	150,092
Property and Casualty Insurance [Member]
Movement Analysis of Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs [Roll Forward]
Recorded asset at beginning of year	72,861	67,663	64,947
Underwriting costs deferred	197,869	166,508	149,891
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs	(180,183)	(161,310)	(147,175)
Recorded asset at end of year	90,547	72,861	67,663
Life Insurance [Member]
Movement Analysis of Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs [Roll Forward]
Recorded asset at beginning of year	66,858	82,429	40,353
Underwriting costs deferred	6,113	7,357	6,476
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs	(6,634)	(6,139)	(6,502)
Ending unamortized deferred policy acquisition costs	66,337	83,647	40,327
Change in shadow deferred policy acquisition costs	11,380	(16,789)	42,102
Recorded asset at end of year	$ 77,717	$ 66,858	$ 82,429

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN49

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Property and Equipment) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total property and equipment	$ 53,241	$ 49,247
Land [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total property and equipment	7,999	7,414
Buildings [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total property and equipment	37,451	32,004
Furniture and Fixtures [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total property and equipment	3,954	3,308
Computer Equipment and Software [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total property and equipment	2,452	3,289
Airplane [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total property and equipment	$ 1,385	$ 3,232

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN50

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Useful Life) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Computer Equipment and Software [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Useful Life	3 years
Furniture and Fixtures [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Useful Life	7 years
Real Estate [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Useful Life	7 years
Real Estate [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Useful Life	39 years
Airplane [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Useful Life	5 years

SUMMARY OF INVESTMENTS (Fair Va

SUMMARY OF INVESTMENTS (Fair Value of Investments) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
HELD-TO-MATURITY
Cost or Amortized Cost	$ 672	$ 397
Held-to-maturity securities	675	404
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Cost or Amortized Cost	2,861,583	2,845,217
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	227,716	257,633
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	28,091	13,928
Fair Value	3,061,208	3,088,922
Fixed Maturities [Member]
HELD-TO-MATURITY
Cost or Amortized Cost	672	397
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	3	7
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	0	0
Held-to-maturity securities	675	404
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Cost or Amortized Cost	2,793,069	2,773,566
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	58,994	82,882
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	27,102	13,369
Fair Value	2,824,961	2,843,079
U.S. Treasury [Member]
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Cost or Amortized Cost	21,587	25,856
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	100	168
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	38	52
Fair Value	21,649	25,972
U.S. Government Agency [Member]
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Cost or Amortized Cost	232,808	349,747
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	2,622	4,347
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	2,400	2,422
Fair Value	233,030	351,672
General Obligations [Member] | Midwest [Member]
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Cost or Amortized Cost	160,484	179,491
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	4,990	6,599
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	18	170
Fair Value	165,456	185,920
General Obligations [Member] | Northeast [Member]
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Cost or Amortized Cost	56,449	59,084
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	1,996	2,120
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	0	50
Fair Value	58,445	61,154
General Obligations [Member] | South [Member]
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Cost or Amortized Cost	125,565	122,055
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	3,358	4,453
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	134	288
Fair Value	128,789	126,220
General Obligations [Member] | West [Member]
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Cost or Amortized Cost	103,721	75,102
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	3,160	3,350
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	67	19
Fair Value	106,814	78,433
Special Revenue [Member] | Midwest [Member]
HELD-TO-MATURITY
Cost or Amortized Cost		55
Gross Unrealized Appreciation		0
Gross Unrealized Depreciation		0
Held-to-maturity securities		55
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Cost or Amortized Cost	152,780	126,192
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	4,956	5,356
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	30	146
Fair Value	157,706	131,402
Special Revenue [Member] | Northeast [Member]
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Cost or Amortized Cost	23,892	11,767
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	919	864
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	212	0
Fair Value	24,599	12,631
Special Revenue [Member] | South [Member]
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Cost or Amortized Cost	144,183	106,917
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	4,281	4,368
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	27	63
Fair Value	148,437	111,222
Special Revenue [Member] | West [Member]
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Cost or Amortized Cost	78,935	68,024
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	3,150	3,285
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	44	6
Fair Value	82,041	71,303
Foreign Bonds [Member]
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Cost or Amortized Cost	82,580	136,487
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	2,405	4,132
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	2,457	446
Fair Value	82,528	140,173
Public Utilities [Member]
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Cost or Amortized Cost	213,233	206,366
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	3,701	6,479
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	1,251	488
Fair Value	215,683	212,357
Corporate Bonds [Member]
HELD-TO-MATURITY
Cost or Amortized Cost		200
Gross Unrealized Appreciation		0
Gross Unrealized Depreciation		0
Held-to-maturity securities		200
Corporate Bonds [Member] | Energy [Member]
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Cost or Amortized Cost	116,800	135,068
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	1,032	2,858
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	4,713	793
Fair Value	113,119	137,133
Corporate Bonds [Member] | Industrials [Member]
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Cost or Amortized Cost	227,589	211,256
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	3,329	6,373
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	6,663	2,154
Fair Value	224,255	215,475
Corporate Bonds [Member] | Consumer Goods and Services [Member]
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Cost or Amortized Cost	172,529	172,623
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	2,844	4,702
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	776	324
Fair Value	174,597	177,001
Corporate Bonds [Member] | Health Care [Member]
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Cost or Amortized Cost	92,132	86,017
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	2,168	3,228
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	791	210
Fair Value	93,509	89,035
Corporate Bonds [Member] | Technology, Media and Telecommunications [Member]
HELD-TO-MATURITY
Cost or Amortized Cost	450
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	1
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	0
Held-to-maturity securities	451
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Cost or Amortized Cost	142,431	131,465
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	1,972	3,863
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	2,003	799
Fair Value	142,400	134,529
Corporate Bonds [Member] | Financial Services [Member]
HELD-TO-MATURITY
Cost or Amortized Cost	150
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	0
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	0
Held-to-maturity securities	150
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Cost or Amortized Cost	259,382	215,095
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	5,246	8,574
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	1,143	87
Fair Value	263,485	223,582
Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]
HELD-TO-MATURITY
Cost or Amortized Cost	72	142
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	2	7
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	0	0
Held-to-maturity securities	74	149
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Cost or Amortized Cost	16,413	17,121
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	376	483
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	51	46
Fair Value	16,738	17,558
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations [Member]
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Cost or Amortized Cost	364,115	335,092
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	6,168	7,003
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	4,268	4,806
Fair Value	366,015	337,289
Asset-backed Securities [Member]
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Cost or Amortized Cost	5,461	2,741
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	221	277
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	16	0
Fair Value	5,666	3,018
Equity Securities [Member]
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Cost or Amortized Cost	68,514	71,651
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	168,722	174,751
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	989	559
Fair Value	236,247	245,843
Common Stock [Member] | Public Utilities [Member]
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Cost or Amortized Cost	7,231	7,231
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	12,022	13,103
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	193	44
Fair Value	19,060	20,290
Common Stock [Member] | Energy [Member]
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Cost or Amortized Cost	6,103	5,094
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	5,374	8,623
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	266	0
Fair Value	11,211	13,717
Common Stock [Member] | Industrials [Member]
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Cost or Amortized Cost	13,251	13,284
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	31,872	32,299
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	313	124
Fair Value	44,810	45,459
Common Stock [Member] | Consumer Goods and Services [Member]
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Cost or Amortized Cost	10,301	10,294
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	13,017	13,295
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	3	275
Fair Value	23,315	23,314
Common Stock [Member] | Health Care [Member]
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Cost or Amortized Cost	7,763	7,920
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	20,454	22,436
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	0	0
Fair Value	28,217	30,356
Common Stock [Member] | Technology, Media and Telecommunications [Member]
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Cost or Amortized Cost	5,931	6,207
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	7,538	7,846
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	105	58
Fair Value	13,364	13,995
Common Stock [Member] | Financial Services [Member]
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Cost or Amortized Cost	17,392	16,637
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	78,411	77,077
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	109	51
Fair Value	95,694	93,663
Nonredeemable Preferred Stocks [Member]
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Cost or Amortized Cost	542	4,984
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	34	72
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	0	7
Fair Value	$ 576	$ 5,049

SUMMARY OF INVESTMENTS (Maturit

SUMMARY OF INVESTMENTS (Maturities) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Held-To-Maturity, Amortized Cost
Held-to-maturity securities, amortized cost	$ 672	$ 397
Held-To-Maturity, Fair Value
Held-to-maturity securities	675	404
Available-For-Sale, Amortized Cost
Available-for-sale securities, amortized cost	2,861,583	2,845,217
Available-For-Sale, Fair Value
Available-for-sale securities	3,061,208	3,088,922
Trading, Fair Value
Trading securities, fair value	12,622	16,862
Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Available-For-Sale, Amortized Cost
Available-for-sale securities, amortized cost	5,461	2,741
Available-For-Sale, Fair Value
Available-for-sale securities	5,666	3,018
Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]
Held-To-Maturity, Amortized Cost
Held-to-maturity securities, amortized cost	72	142
Held-To-Maturity, Fair Value
Held-to-maturity securities	74	149
Available-For-Sale, Amortized Cost
Available-for-sale securities, amortized cost	16,413	17,121
Available-For-Sale, Fair Value
Available-for-sale securities	16,738	17,558
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations [Member]
Available-For-Sale, Amortized Cost
Available-for-sale securities, amortized cost	364,115	335,092
Available-For-Sale, Fair Value
Available-for-sale securities	366,015	$ 337,289
Fixed Maturities [Member]
Held-To-Maturity, Amortized Cost
Due in one year or less	0
Due after one year through five years	600
Due after five years through 10 years	0
Due after 10 years	0
Held-to-maturity securities, amortized cost	672
Held-To-Maturity, Fair Value
Due in one year or less	0
Due after one year through five years	601
Due after five years through 10 years	0
Due after 10 years	0
Held-to-maturity securities	675
Available-For-Sale, Amortized Cost
Due in one year or less	105,186
Due after one year through five years	819,617
Due after five years through 10 years	989,897
Due after 10 years	492,380
Available-for-sale securities, amortized cost	2,793,069
Available-For-Sale, Fair Value
Due in one year or less	105,910
Due after one year through five years	840,292
Due after five years through 10 years	989,295
Due after 10 years	501,045
Available-for-sale securities	2,824,961
Trading, Amortized Cost
Due in one year or less	1,526
Due after one year through five years	7,596
Due after five years through 10 years	130
Due after 10 years	2,223
Trading securities, amortized cost	11,475
Trading, Fair Value
Due in one year or less	2,001
Due after one year through five years	7,676
Due after five years through 10 years	404
Due after 10 years	2,541
Trading securities, fair value	12,622
Fixed Maturities [Member] | Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Held-To-Maturity, Amortized Cost
Not categorized by contractual maturity	0
Held-To-Maturity, Fair Value
Not categorized by contractual maturity	0
Available-For-Sale, Amortized Cost
Not categorized by contractual maturity	5,461
Available-For-Sale, Fair Value
Not categorized by contractual maturity	5,666
Fixed Maturities [Member] | Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]
Held-To-Maturity, Amortized Cost
Not categorized by contractual maturity	72
Held-To-Maturity, Fair Value
Not categorized by contractual maturity	74
Available-For-Sale, Amortized Cost
Not categorized by contractual maturity	16,413
Available-For-Sale, Fair Value
Not categorized by contractual maturity	16,738
Fixed Maturities [Member] | Collateralized Mortgage Obligations [Member]
Held-To-Maturity, Amortized Cost
Not categorized by contractual maturity	0
Held-To-Maturity, Fair Value
Not categorized by contractual maturity	0
Available-For-Sale, Amortized Cost
Not categorized by contractual maturity	364,115
Available-For-Sale, Fair Value
Not categorized by contractual maturity	$ 366,015

SUMMARY OF INVESTMENTS (Net Rea

SUMMARY OF INVESTMENTS (Net Realized Investment Gains and Losses) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Net realized investment gains (losses)	$ 2,846	$ 7,270	$ 8,695
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Proceeds from sales	11,543	3,091	23,007
Gross realized gains	1,134	900	451
Gross realized losses	0	(56)	0
Fixed Maturities [Member] | Held-to-maturity Securities [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Net realized investment gains (losses)	0	0	1
Fixed Maturities [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Net realized investment gains (losses)	3,294	3,353	3,211
Fixed Maturities [Member] | Trading Securities, Change in Fair Value [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Net realized investment gains (losses)	(1,353)	609	1,183
Fixed Maturities [Member] | Trading Securities, Sales [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Net realized investment gains (losses)	1,381	1,339	788
Fixed Maturities [Member] | Other-than-temporary-impairment Charges [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Net realized investment gains (losses)	(1,300)	0	(139)
Equity Securities [Member] | Available-for-sale Securities [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Net realized investment gains (losses)	2,521	1,732	3,739
Equity Securities [Member] | Trading Securities, Change in Fair Value [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Net realized investment gains (losses)	(448)	238	(126)
Equity Securities [Member] | Trading Securities, Sales [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Net realized investment gains (losses)	66	(1)	38
Other Long-term Investments [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Net realized investment gains (losses)	$ (1,315)	$ 0	$ 0

SUMMARY OF INVESTMENTS (Net Inv

SUMMARY OF INVESTMENTS (Net Investment Income) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Schedule of Investment Income, Reported Amounts, by Category [Line Items]
Other	$ 1,452	$ 1,998	$ 1,632
Total investment income	107,818	110,925	118,123
Less investment expenses	7,037	6,316	5,324
Net investment income	100,781	104,609	112,799
Fixed Maturities [Member]
Schedule of Investment Income, Reported Amounts, by Category [Line Items]
Interest income	92,777	97,969	101,950
Equity Securities [Member]
Schedule of Investment Income, Reported Amounts, by Category [Line Items]
Dividends on equity securities	7,208	6,602	5,806
Other Long-term Investments [Member]
Schedule of Investment Income, Reported Amounts, by Category [Line Items]
Interest income	2,567	1,927	1,194
Other Long-term Investments [Member] | Change in Value [Member]
Schedule of Investment Income, Reported Amounts, by Category [Line Items]
Other	3,266	1,917	7,030
Mortgage Loans [Member]
Schedule of Investment Income, Reported Amounts, by Category [Line Items]
Interest income	237	252	266
Short-term Investments [Member]
Schedule of Investment Income, Reported Amounts, by Category [Line Items]
Interest income	6	5	6
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]
Schedule of Investment Income, Reported Amounts, by Category [Line Items]
Interest income	$ 305	$ 255	$ 239

SUMMARY OF INVESTMENTS (Unreali

SUMMARY OF INVESTMENTS (Unrealized Appreciation) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Change in net unrealized investment appreciation
Available-for-sale fixed maturities	$ (37,621)	$ 51,814	$ (132,579)
Available-for-sale equity securities	(6,459)	15,781	48,176
Deferred policy acquisition costs	11,380	(16,789)	42,102
Income tax effect	11,446	(17,784)	14,806
Total change in net unrealized investment appreciation, net of tax	$ (21,254)	$ 33,022	$ (27,495)

SUMMARY OF INVESTMENTS (Investm

SUMMARY OF INVESTMENTS (Investments in Unrealized Loss Position) (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)issue	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)issue
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Less than 12 months, Number of Issues | issue	378	117
Less than 12 months, Fair Value	$ 747,083	$ 221,670
Less than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	$ 17,414	$ 2,660
12 months or longer, Number of Issues | issue	92	195
12 months or longer, Fair Value	$ 140,558	$ 335,951
12 months or longer, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	10,677	11,268
Total, Fair Value	887,641	557,621
Total, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	$ 28,091	$ 13,928
Fixed Maturities [Member]
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Less than 12 months, Number of Issues | issue	350	105
Less than 12 months, Fair Value	$ 743,274	$ 220,309
Less than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	$ 16,962	$ 2,209
12 months or longer, Number of Issues | issue	79	185
12 months or longer, Fair Value	$ 140,088	$ 334,960
12 months or longer, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	10,140	11,160
Total, Fair Value	883,362	555,269
Total, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	$ 27,102	$ 13,369
U.S. Treasury [Member]
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Less than 12 months, Number of Issues | issue	6	4
Less than 12 months, Fair Value	$ 6,408	$ 2,343
Less than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	$ 26	$ 6
12 months or longer, Number of Issues | issue	2	4
12 months or longer, Fair Value	$ 1,634	$ 5,069
12 months or longer, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	12	46
Total, Fair Value	8,042	7,412
Total, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	$ 38	$ 52
U.S. Government Agency [Member]
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Less than 12 months, Number of Issues | issue	38	11
Less than 12 months, Fair Value	$ 104,621	$ 41,064
Less than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	$ 1,771	$ 70
12 months or longer, Number of Issues | issue	6	35
12 months or longer, Fair Value	$ 18,821	$ 95,198
12 months or longer, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	629	2,352
Total, Fair Value	123,442	136,262
Total, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	$ 2,400	$ 2,422
General Obligations [Member] | Midwest [Member]
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Less than 12 months, Number of Issues | issue	4	1
Less than 12 months, Fair Value	$ 2,417	$ 3,650
Less than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	$ 12	$ 74
12 months or longer, Number of Issues | issue	1	14
12 months or longer, Fair Value	$ 528	$ 9,856
12 months or longer, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	6	96
Total, Fair Value	2,945	13,506
Total, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	$ 18	$ 170
General Obligations [Member] | Northeast [Member]
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Less than 12 months, Number of Issues | issue		0
Less than 12 months, Fair Value		$ 0
Less than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Depreciation		$ 0
12 months or longer, Number of Issues | issue		9
12 months or longer, Fair Value		$ 7,377
12 months or longer, Gross Unrealized Depreciation		50
Total, Fair Value		7,377
Total, Gross Unrealized Depreciation		$ 50
General Obligations [Member] | South [Member]
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Less than 12 months, Number of Issues | issue	3	1
Less than 12 months, Fair Value	$ 4,805	$ 3,085
Less than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	$ 55	$ 58
12 months or longer, Number of Issues | issue	8	19
12 months or longer, Fair Value	$ 3,743	$ 13,475
12 months or longer, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	79	230
Total, Fair Value	8,548	16,560
Total, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	$ 134	$ 288
General Obligations [Member] | West [Member]
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Less than 12 months, Number of Issues | issue	4	1
Less than 12 months, Fair Value	$ 8,927	$ 1,023
Less than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	$ 23	$ 1
12 months or longer, Number of Issues | issue	2	5
12 months or longer, Fair Value	$ 2,274	$ 2,700
12 months or longer, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	44	18
Total, Fair Value	11,201	3,723
Total, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	$ 67	$ 19
Special Revenue [Member] | Midwest [Member]
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Less than 12 months, Number of Issues | issue	0	9
Less than 12 months, Fair Value	$ 0	$ 10,219
Less than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	$ 0	$ 41
12 months or longer, Number of Issues | issue	1	8
12 months or longer, Fair Value	$ 2,494	$ 11,631
12 months or longer, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	30	105
Total, Fair Value	2,494	21,850
Total, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	$ 30	$ 146
Special Revenue [Member] | Northeast [Member]
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Less than 12 months, Number of Issues | issue	1
Less than 12 months, Fair Value	$ 4,755
Less than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	$ 212
12 months or longer, Number of Issues | issue	0
12 months or longer, Fair Value	$ 0
12 months or longer, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	0
Total, Fair Value	4,755
Total, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	$ 212
Special Revenue [Member] | South [Member]
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Less than 12 months, Number of Issues | issue	4	6
Less than 12 months, Fair Value	$ 7,445	$ 12,882
Less than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	$ 26	$ 11
12 months or longer, Number of Issues | issue	2	3
12 months or longer, Fair Value	$ 1,851	$ 2,137
12 months or longer, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	1	52
Total, Fair Value	9,296	15,019
Total, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	$ 27	$ 63
Special Revenue [Member] | West [Member]
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Less than 12 months, Number of Issues | issue	4	0
Less than 12 months, Fair Value	$ 6,851	$ 0
Less than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	$ 44	$ 0
12 months or longer, Number of Issues | issue	0	4
12 months or longer, Fair Value	$ 0	$ 3,671
12 months or longer, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	0	6
Total, Fair Value	6,851	3,671
Total, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	$ 44	$ 6
Foreign Bonds [Member]
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Less than 12 months, Number of Issues | issue	9	6
Less than 12 months, Fair Value	$ 16,991	$ 17,158
Less than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	$ 1,289	$ 446
12 months or longer, Number of Issues | issue	2	0
12 months or longer, Fair Value	$ 4,036	$ 0
12 months or longer, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	1,168	0
Total, Fair Value	21,027	17,158
Total, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	$ 2,457	$ 446
Public Utilities [Member]
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Less than 12 months, Number of Issues | issue	35	10
Less than 12 months, Fair Value	$ 72,680	$ 21,839
Less than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	$ 880	$ 194
12 months or longer, Number of Issues | issue	5	4
12 months or longer, Fair Value	$ 2,840	$ 3,611
12 months or longer, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	371	294
Total, Fair Value	75,520	25,450
Total, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	$ 1,251	$ 488
Corporate Bonds [Member] | Energy [Member]
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Less than 12 months, Number of Issues | issue	29	8
Less than 12 months, Fair Value	$ 61,496	$ 17,416
Less than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	$ 3,286	$ 420
12 months or longer, Number of Issues | issue	4	3
12 months or longer, Fair Value	$ 7,991	$ 7,061
12 months or longer, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	1,427	373
Total, Fair Value	69,487	24,477
Total, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	$ 4,713	$ 793
Corporate Bonds [Member] | Industrials [Member]
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Less than 12 months, Number of Issues | issue	38	8
Less than 12 months, Fair Value	$ 78,588	$ 17,103
Less than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	$ 3,631	$ 362
12 months or longer, Number of Issues | issue	3	3
12 months or longer, Fair Value	$ 6,649	$ 9,592
12 months or longer, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	3,032	1,792
Total, Fair Value	85,237	26,695
Total, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	$ 6,663	$ 2,154
Corporate Bonds [Member] | Consumer Goods and Services [Member]
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Less than 12 months, Number of Issues | issue	24	11
Less than 12 months, Fair Value	$ 64,661	$ 28,344
Less than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	$ 770	$ 258
12 months or longer, Number of Issues | issue	4	7
12 months or longer, Fair Value	$ 2,491	$ 10,064
12 months or longer, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	6	66
Total, Fair Value	67,152	38,408
Total, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	$ 776	$ 324
Corporate Bonds [Member] | Health Care [Member]
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Less than 12 months, Number of Issues | issue	18	3
Less than 12 months, Fair Value	$ 43,992	$ 8,244
Less than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	$ 652	$ 36
12 months or longer, Number of Issues | issue	2	3
12 months or longer, Fair Value	$ 3,737	$ 7,104
12 months or longer, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	139	174
Total, Fair Value	47,729	15,348
Total, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	$ 791	$ 210
Corporate Bonds [Member] | Technology, Media and Telecommunications [Member]
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Less than 12 months, Number of Issues | issue	22	4
Less than 12 months, Fair Value	$ 59,503	$ 8,860
Less than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	$ 1,478	$ 68
12 months or longer, Number of Issues | issue	2	4
12 months or longer, Fair Value	$ 8,940	$ 15,742
12 months or longer, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	525	731
Total, Fair Value	68,443	24,602
Total, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	$ 2,003	$ 799
Corporate Bonds [Member] | Financial Services [Member]
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Less than 12 months, Number of Issues | issue	49	3
Less than 12 months, Fair Value	$ 92,814	$ 5,908
Less than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	$ 1,143	$ 31
12 months or longer, Number of Issues | issue	0	2
12 months or longer, Fair Value	$ 0	$ 6,131
12 months or longer, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	0	56
Total, Fair Value	92,814	12,039
Total, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	$ 1,143	$ 87
Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Less than 12 months, Number of Issues | issue	9	9
Less than 12 months, Fair Value	$ 7,423	$ 425
Less than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	$ 43	$ 21
12 months or longer, Number of Issues | issue	4	2
12 months or longer, Fair Value	$ 183	$ 1,991
12 months or longer, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	8	25
Total, Fair Value	7,606	2,416
Total, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	$ 51	$ 46
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations [Member]
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Less than 12 months, Number of Issues | issue	52	10
Less than 12 months, Fair Value	$ 97,912	$ 20,746
Less than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	$ 1,605	$ 112
12 months or longer, Number of Issues | issue	31	56
12 months or longer, Fair Value	$ 71,876	$ 122,550
12 months or longer, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	2,663	4,694
Total, Fair Value	169,788	143,296
Total, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	$ 4,268	$ 4,806
Asset-backed Securities [Member]
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Less than 12 months, Number of Issues | issue	1
Less than 12 months, Fair Value	$ 985
Less than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	$ 16
12 months or longer, Number of Issues | issue	0
12 months or longer, Fair Value	$ 0
12 months or longer, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	0
Total, Fair Value	985
Total, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	$ 16
Equity Securities [Member]
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Less than 12 months, Number of Issues | issue	28	12
Less than 12 months, Fair Value	$ 3,809	$ 1,361
Less than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	$ 452	$ 451
12 months or longer, Number of Issues | issue	13	10
12 months or longer, Fair Value	$ 470	$ 991
12 months or longer, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	537	108
Total, Fair Value	4,279	2,352
Total, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	$ 989	$ 559
Common Stock [Member] | Public Utilities [Member]
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Less than 12 months, Number of Issues | issue	0	3
Less than 12 months, Fair Value	$ 0	$ 263
Less than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	$ 0	$ 44
12 months or longer, Number of Issues | issue	3	0
12 months or longer, Fair Value	$ 115	$ 0
12 months or longer, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	193	0
Total, Fair Value	115	263
Total, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	$ 193	$ 44
Common Stock [Member] | Energy [Member]
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Less than 12 months, Number of Issues | issue	10
Less than 12 months, Fair Value	$ 2,868
Less than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	$ 266
12 months or longer, Number of Issues | issue	0
12 months or longer, Fair Value	$ 0
12 months or longer, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	0
Total, Fair Value	2,868
Total, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	$ 266
Common Stock [Member] | Industrials [Member]
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Less than 12 months, Number of Issues | issue	3	3
Less than 12 months, Fair Value	$ 177	$ 280
Less than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	$ 44	$ 70
12 months or longer, Number of Issues | issue	5	2
12 months or longer, Fair Value	$ 193	$ 58
12 months or longer, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	269	54
Total, Fair Value	370	338
Total, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	$ 313	$ 124
Common Stock [Member] | Consumer Goods and Services [Member]
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Less than 12 months, Number of Issues | issue	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 | issue	2	2
12 months or longer, Fair Value	$ 14	$ 15
12 months or longer, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	3	3
Total, Fair Value	14	144
Total, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	$ 3	$ 275
Common Stock [Member] | Technology, Media and Telecommunications [Member]
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Less than 12 months, Number of Issues | issue	9	4
Less than 12 months, Fair Value	$ 438	$ 503
Less than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	$ 91	$ 14
12 months or longer, Number of Issues | issue	2	5
12 months or longer, Fair Value	$ 12	$ 218
12 months or longer, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	14	44
Total, Fair Value	450	721
Total, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	$ 105	$ 58
Common Stock [Member] | Financial Services [Member]
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Less than 12 months, Number of Issues | issue	6	1
Less than 12 months, Fair Value	$ 326	$ 186
Less than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	$ 51	$ 51
12 months or longer, Number of Issues | issue	1	0
12 months or longer, Fair Value	$ 136	$ 0
12 months or longer, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	58	0
Total, Fair Value	462	186
Total, Gross Unrealized Depreciation	$ 109	$ 51
Nonredeemable Preferred Stocks [Member]
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Less than 12 months, Number of Issues | issue		0
Less than 12 months, Fair Value		$ 0
Less than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Depreciation		$ 0
12 months or longer, Number of Issues | issue		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 (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Sale of held-to-maturity securities	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Trading securities	16,975,000	20,928,000
Remaining potential off-balance sheet contractual obligation (up to)	10,307,000
Other-than-temporary impairment charges	1,300,000	0	139,000
Fixed Maturities [Member]
Other-than-temporary impairment charges	1,300,000	0	0
Equity Securities [Member]
Other-than-temporary impairment charges	0	0	0
Equity Securities [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Largest unrealized loss greater than 12 months on an individual security	$ 225,000	$ 54,000	$ 58,000

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTR58

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Carrying Value and Estimated Fair Value) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Investments
Held-to-maturity securities	$ 675	$ 404
Available-for-sale securities	3,061,208	3,088,922
Trading securities	16,975	20,928
Fair Value [Member]
Investments
Mortgage loans	4,237	4,559
Policy loans	5,618	5,916
Other long-term investments	54,151	50,424
Short-term investments	175	175
Cash and cash equivalents	106,449	90,574
Corporate-owned life insurance	1,716	918
Policy reserves
Annuity (accumulations)	707,190	865,802
Annuity (benefit payments)	131,899	176,592
Fair Value [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]
Investments
Held-to-maturity securities	675	404
Available-for-sale securities	2,824,961	2,843,079
Trading securities	12,622	16,862
Fair Value [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]
Investments
Available-for-sale securities	236,247	245,843
Trading securities	4,353	4,066
Carrying Value [Member]
Investments
Mortgage loans	3,961	4,199
Policy loans	5,618	5,916
Other long-term investments	54,151	50,424
Short-term investments	175	175
Cash and cash equivalents	106,449	90,574
Corporate-owned life insurance	1,716	918
Policy reserves
Annuity (accumulations)	744,931	863,606
Annuity (benefit payments)	95,467	99,121
Carrying Value [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]
Investments
Held-to-maturity securities	672	397
Available-for-sale securities	2,824,961	2,843,079
Trading securities	12,622	16,862
Carrying Value [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]
Investments
Available-for-sale securities	236,247	245,843
Trading securities	$ 4,353	$ 4,066

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTR59

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Financial Instruments Measured at Fair Value) (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)security	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	$ 3,061,208	$ 3,088,922
Trading Securities	$ 16,975	20,928
Number of securities transferred between Level 1 and 2 | security	0
Fixed Maturities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	$ 2,824,961	2,843,079
U.S. Treasury [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	21,649	25,972
U.S. Government Agency [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	233,030	351,672
General Obligations [Member] | Midwest [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	165,456	185,920
General Obligations [Member] | Northeast [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	58,445	61,154
General Obligations [Member] | South [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	128,789	126,220
General Obligations [Member] | West [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	106,814	78,433
Special Revenue [Member] | Midwest [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	157,706	131,402
Special Revenue [Member] | Northeast [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	24,599	12,631
Special Revenue [Member] | South [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	148,437	111,222
Special Revenue [Member] | West [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	82,041	71,303
Foreign Bonds [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	82,528	140,173
Public Utilities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	215,683	212,357
Corporate Bonds [Member] | Energy [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	113,119	137,133
Corporate Bonds [Member] | Industrials [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	224,255	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	174,597	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	93,509	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	142,400	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	263,485	223,582
Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	16,738	17,558
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	366,015	337,289
Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	5,666	3,018
Equity Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	236,247	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	19,060	20,290
Common Stocks [Member] | Energy [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	11,211	13,717
Common Stocks [Member] | Industrials [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	44,810	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	23,315	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	28,217	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	13,364	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	95,694	93,663
Nonredeemable Preferred Stocks [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	576	5,049
Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	3,061,208	3,088,922
Trading Securities	16,975	20,928
Short- Term Investments	175	175
Money Market Accounts	20,805	28,095
Corporate-Owned Life Insurance	1,716	918
Total Assets Measured at Fair Value	3,100,879	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	2,824,961	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	21,649	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	233,030	351,672
Recurring [Member] | General Obligations [Member] | Midwest [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	165,456	185,920
Recurring [Member] | General Obligations [Member] | Northeast [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	58,445	61,154
Recurring [Member] | General Obligations [Member] | South [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	128,789	126,220
Recurring [Member] | General Obligations [Member] | West [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	106,814	78,433
Recurring [Member] | Special Revenue [Member] | Midwest [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	157,706	131,402
Recurring [Member] | Special Revenue [Member] | Northeast [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	24,599	12,631
Recurring [Member] | Special Revenue [Member] | South [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	148,437	111,222
Recurring [Member] | Special Revenue [Member] | West [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	82,041	71,303
Recurring [Member] | Foreign Bonds [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	82,528	140,173
Recurring [Member] | Public Utilities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	215,683	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	113,119	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	224,255	215,475
Trading Securities	3,558	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	174,597	177,001
Trading Securities	118
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	93,509	89,035
Trading Securities	2,032	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	142,400	134,529
Trading Securities	335	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	263,485	223,582
Trading Securities	4,094	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	16,738	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	366,015	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	5,666	3,018
Recurring [Member] | Redeemable Preferred Stocks [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Trading Securities	2,485	4,750
Recurring [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	236,247	245,843
Recurring [Member] | Equity Securities [Member] | Energy [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Trading Securities	267	411
Recurring [Member] | Equity Securities [Member] | Industrials [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Trading Securities	986
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	942	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	304	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		411
Recurring [Member] | Equity Securities [Member] | Financial Services [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Trading Securities	229
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	19,060	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	11,211	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	44,810	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	23,315	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	28,217	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	13,364	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	95,694	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	576	5,049
Trading Securities	1,625	1,883
Recurring [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	232,141	237,407
Trading Securities	6,838	8,816
Short- Term Investments	175	175
Money Market Accounts	20,805	28,095
Corporate-Owned Life Insurance	0	0
Total Assets Measured at Fair Value	259,959	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] | General Obligations [Member] | Midwest [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] | General Obligations [Member] | Northeast [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] | General Obligations [Member] | South [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] | General Obligations [Member] | West [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] | Special Revenue [Member] | Midwest [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] | Special Revenue [Member] | Northeast [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] | Special Revenue [Member] | South [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] | Special Revenue [Member] | West [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	2,485	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	232,141	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	267	411
Recurring [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Equity Securities [Member] | Industrials [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Trading Securities	986
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	942	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	304	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		411
Recurring [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Equity Securities [Member] | Financial Services [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Trading Securities	229
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	19,060	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	11,211	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	44,810	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	23,315	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	28,217	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	13,364	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	91,588	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	576	558
Trading Securities	1,625	1,883
Recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	2,812,815	2,833,200
Trading Securities	10,137	12,112
Short- Term Investments	0	0
Money Market Accounts	0	0
Corporate-Owned Life Insurance	1,716	918
Total Assets Measured at Fair Value	2,824,668	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	2,812,687	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	21,649	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	233,030	351,672
Recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | General Obligations [Member] | Midwest [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	165,456	185,920
Recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | General Obligations [Member] | Northeast [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	58,445	61,154
Recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | General Obligations [Member] | South [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	128,789	126,220
Recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | General Obligations [Member] | West [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	106,814	78,433
Recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Special Revenue [Member] | Midwest [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	157,363	130,883
Recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Special Revenue [Member] | Northeast [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	24,599	12,631
Recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Special Revenue [Member] | South [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	148,437	111,222
Recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Special Revenue [Member] | West [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	82,041	71,303
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	82,528	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	215,683	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	113,119	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	224,255	215,475
Trading Securities	3,558	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	173,364	175,682
Trading Securities	118
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	93,509	89,035
Trading Securities	2,032	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	142,400	134,529
Trading Securities	335	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	253,823	212,589
Trading Securities	4,094	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	16,738	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	366,015	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	4,630	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	128	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] | Industrials [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Trading Securities	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
Recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Equity Securities [Member] | Financial Services [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Trading Securities	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	0	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	128	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	0	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	16,252	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	16,252	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	12,274	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] | General Obligations [Member] | Midwest [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] | General Obligations [Member] | Northeast [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] | General Obligations [Member] | South [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] | General Obligations [Member] | West [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] | Special Revenue [Member] | Midwest [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	343	519
Recurring [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Special Revenue [Member] | Northeast [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] | Special Revenue [Member] | South [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] | Special Revenue [Member] | West [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] | 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	1,233	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	9,662	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	1,036	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] | Industrials [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Trading Securities	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
Recurring [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Equity Securities [Member] | Financial Services [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Trading Securities	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 INSTR60

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Level 3 Securities) (Details) - Recurring [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	$ 18,315	$ 19,988
Realized gains (losses)	(142)	(45)
Unrealized gains (losses)	(65)	(22)
Purchases	221	148
Disposals	(2,077)	(1,754)
Ending Balance	16,252	18,315
States, Municipalities and Political Subdivisions [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	519	698
Realized gains (losses)	0	0
Unrealized gains (losses)	(26)	(34)
Purchases	0	0
Disposals	(150)	(145)
Ending Balance	343	519
Corporate Bonds [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	12,312	13,480
Realized gains (losses)	(142)	11
Unrealized gains (losses)	0	(85)
Purchases	100	4
Disposals	(1,375)	(1,098)
Ending Balance	10,895	12,312
Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	1,612	2,029
Realized gains (losses)	0	0
Unrealized gains (losses)	(39)	50
Purchases	0	0
Disposals	(537)	(467)
Ending Balance	1,036	1,612
Equities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	3,872	3,781
Realized gains (losses)	0	(56)
Unrealized gains (losses)	0	47
Purchases	121	144
Disposals	(15)	(44)
Ending Balance	$ 3,978	$ 3,872

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTR61

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Corporate-Owned Life Insurance) (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Rabbi Trust [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Other Assets [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash surrender value	$ 1,716

REINSURANCE (Narrative) (Detail

REINSURANCE (Narrative) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)insurance_agency	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013USD ($)
Reinsurance [Line Items]
Reinsurance recoverables	$ 73,527,000	$ 86,810,000
Property and Casualty Insurance [Member]
Reinsurance [Line Items]
Reinsurance recoverables	$ 11,887,000	15,595,000
Property and Casualty Insurance [Member] | Casualty Excess and Property Excess [Member]
Reinsurance [Line Items]
Aggregate annual deductible		$ 4,000,000	$ 3,000,000
Life Insurance [Member]
Reinsurance [Line Items]
Number of reinsurers ceded approximately 99% of ceded life insurance in force | insurance_agency	5
Life Insurance [Member] | Top Five Reinsurers [Member]
Reinsurance [Line Items]
Percentage of insurance in force	99.00%
Life Insurance [Member] | Individual Insurance Policies [Member]
Reinsurance [Line Items]
Stated retention	$ 300,000
Percentage of coverage	100.00%
Reinsurance coverage amount	$ 250,000
Life Insurance [Member] | Group Insurance Policies [Member]
Reinsurance [Line Items]
Percentage of coverage	50.00%
Retention amount	$ 75,000
Life Insurance [Member] | Catastrophe [Member]
Reinsurance [Line Items]
Stated retention	1,000,000
Reinsurance coverage amount	$ 5,000,000

REINSURANCE (Ceded and Assumed

REINSURANCE (Ceded and Assumed Reinsurance) (Details) - Property and Casualty Insurance [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Reinsurance [Line Items]
Ceded premiums written	$ 56,916	$ 50,290	$ 50,711
Ceded premiums earned	56,758	49,818	50,514
Loss and loss settlement expenses ceded	3,868	9,728	(8,552)
Assumed premiums written	18,290	16,421	18,938
Assumed premiums earned	18,396	16,265	185,485
Loss and loss settlement expenses assumed	$ 14,415	$ 7,727	$ 8,268

REINSURANCE (Reinsurance Progra

REINSURANCE (Reinsurance Programs) (Details) - Property and Casualty Insurance [Member] - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Casualty Excess of Loss [Member]
Reinsurance [Line Items]
Stated Retention	$ 2,000,000	$ 2,000,000	$ 2,000,000
Limits	$ 40,000,000	$ 40,000,000	$ 40,000,000
Percentage of Coverage	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
Coverage	$ 38,000,000	$ 38,000,000	$ 38,000,000
Property Excess of Loss [Member]
Reinsurance [Line Items]
Stated Retention	2,000,000	2,000,000	2,000,000
Limits	$ 25,000,000	$ 15,000,000	$ 15,000,000
Percentage of Coverage	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
Coverage	$ 23,000,000	$ 13,000,000	$ 13,000,000
Surety Excess of Loss [Member]
Reinsurance [Line Items]
Stated Retention	1,500,000	1,500,000	1,500,000
Limits	$ 36,000,000	$ 28,000,000	$ 28,000,000
Percentage of Coverage	96.00%	91.00%	91.00%
Coverage	$ 34,500,000	$ 26,500,000	$ 26,500,000
Property Catastrophe [Member]
Reinsurance [Line Items]
Stated Retention	20,000,000	20,000,000	20,000,000
Limits	$ 200,000,000	$ 200,000,000	$ 200,000,000
Percentage of Coverage	100.00%	100.00%	95.00%
Coverage	$ 180,000,000	$ 180,000,000	$ 180,000,000
Property Catastrophe [Member]
Reinsurance [Line Items]
Stated Retention	200,000,000	200,000,000
Limits	$ 250,000,000	$ 250,000,000
Percentage of Coverage	90.50%	90.50%
Coverage	$ 50,000,000	$ 50,000,000
Boiler and Machinery [Member]
Reinsurance [Line Items]
Limits	$ 50,000,000	$ 50,000,000	$ 50,000,000
Percentage of Coverage	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
Coverage	$ 50,000,000	$ 50,000,000	$ 50,000,000

REINSURANCE (Life Insurance Seg

REINSURANCE (Life Insurance Segment) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Reinsurance [Line Items]
Ceded insurance in-force	$ 1,165,868	$ 1,130,059	$ 1,112,688
Life Insurance [Member]
Reinsurance [Line Items]
Ceded insurance in-force	1,165,868	1,130,059	1,112,688
Ceded premiums earned	3,161	2,959	2,792
Loss and loss settlement expenses ceded	$ 2,113	$ 3,467	$ 1,971

RESERVES FOR LOSSES AND LOSS 66

RESERVES FOR LOSSES AND LOSS SETTLEMENT EXPENSES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Roll Forward]
Gross liability for losses and loss settlement expenses at beginning of year	$ 969,437	$ 960,651	$ 971,911
Ceded losses and loss settlement expenses	(54,653)	(63,757)	(75,150)	$ (103,870)
Net liability for losses and loss settlement expenses at beginning of year	905,680	885,501	868,041
Losses and loss settlement expenses incurred for claims occurring during
Current year	560,482	566,555	494,841
Prior years	(40,395)	(56,744)	(57,487)
Total incurred	520,087	509,811	437,354
Losses and loss settlement expenses incurred for claims occurring during
Current year	225,022	247,651	203,868
Prior years	251,503	241,981	216,026
Total paid	476,525	489,632	419,894
Net liability for losses and loss settlement expenses at end of year	949,242	905,680	885,501
Ceded loss and loss settlement expenses	54,653	63,757	75,150
Gross liability for losses and loss settlement expenses at end of year	$ 1,003,895	$ 969,437	$ 960,651

STATUTORY REPORTING, CAPITAL 67

STATUTORY REPORTING, CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS AND DIVIDENDS AND RETAINED EARNINGS RESTRICTIONS (Statutory Capital and Surplus) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Property and Casualty Insurance [Member]
Statutory Accounting Practices [Line Items]
Statutory Capital and Surplus	$ 722,404	$ 685,866	$ 665,772
Statutory Net Income	75,554	54,233	84,255
Life, Accident and Health [Member]
Statutory Accounting Practices [Line Items]
Statutory Capital and Surplus	138,855	155,667	157,974
Statutory Net Income	$ (1,524)	$ 3,517	$ 5,942

STATUTORY REPORTING, CAPITAL 68

STATUTORY REPORTING, CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS AND DIVIDENDS AND RETAINED EARNINGS RESTRICTIONS (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jun. 04, 2013
Statutory Accounting Practices [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity	$ 100,000,000
Payment of cash dividends	21,658,000	$ 19,680,000	$ 17,484,000
United Fire & Casualty Company [Member]
Statutory Accounting Practices [Line Items]
Intercompany dividend payments that are eliminated in Consolidated Financial Statements	22,500,000	29,000,000	13,175,000
Subsidiaries [Member]
Statutory Accounting Practices [Line Items]
Intercompany dividend payments that are eliminated in Consolidated Financial Statements	16,500,000	$ 13,500,000	$ 26,335,000
United Life [Member]
Statutory Accounting Practices [Line Items]
Statutory basis	1,535,950,000
Net assets on statutory basis, in excess of the legal reserve requirement	195,380,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Statutory Accounting Practices [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity	50,000,000			$ 125,000,000
State of Iowa Insurance Department [Member]
Statutory Accounting Practices [Line Items]
Maximum dividend distribution without prior approval	$ 53,054,000

FEDERAL INCOME TAX (Income Tax)

FEDERAL INCOME TAX (Income Tax) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Current	$ 37,649	$ 15,649	$ 19,146
Deferred	(5,324)	1,677	6,616
Federal income tax expense	$ 32,325	$ 17,326	$ 25,762

FEDERAL INCOME TAX (Reconciliat

FEDERAL INCOME TAX (Reconciliation) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Computed expected income tax expense	$ 42,508	$ 26,762	$ 35,666
Tax-exempt municipal bond interest income	(7,669)	(7,417)	(7,732)
Nontaxable dividend income	(1,337)	(1,232)	(1,053)
Valuation allowance reduction	(548)	(548)	(548)
Other, net	(629)	(239)	(571)
Federal income tax expense	$ 32,325	$ 17,326	$ 25,762

FEDERAL INCOME TAX (Net Deferre

FEDERAL INCOME TAX (Net Deferred Tax Liabilities) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Deferred tax liabilities
Deferred policy acquisition costs	$ 53,960	$ 44,271
Prepaid pension cost	1,920	2,973
Net bond discount accretion	1,430	1,925
Depreciation	1,791	2,667
Revaluation of investment basis	1,824	2,611
Identifiable intangible assets	3,560	3,808
Other	7,627	8,152
Gross deferred tax liability	141,945	151,667
Deferred tax assets
Financial statement reserves in excess of income tax reserves	34,535	35,800
Unearned premium adjustment	28,679	26,146
Net operating loss carryforwards	1,265	1,813
Underfunded benefit plan obligation	25,810	31,473
Postretirement benefits other than pensions	17,838	14,374
Other-than-temporary impairment of investments	5,609	5,222
Contingent ceding commission accrual	3,342	3,573
Compensation expense related to stock options	4,627	4,582
Other	6,852	4,738
Gross deferred tax asset	128,557	127,721
Valuation allowance	(1,265)	(1,813)
Deferred tax asset	127,292	125,908
Net deferred tax liability	14,653	25,759
Equity Securities [Member]
Deferred tax liabilities
Net unrealized appreciation on investment securities	58,674	60,952
All Other Securities [Member]
Deferred tax liabilities
Net unrealized appreciation on investment securities	$ 11,159	$ 24,308

FEDERAL INCOME TAX (Narrative)

FEDERAL INCOME TAX (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Effective income tax rate	35.00%
Valuation Allowance [Line Items]
Valuation allowance	$ 1,265,000	$ 1,813,000
Realization of NOLs	1,565,000
Alternative minimum tax credit carryforward	0
Valuation Allowance, Operating Loss Carryforwards [Member]
Valuation Allowance [Line Items]
Reduction in valuation allowance	$ 548,000	$ 548,000

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS (Narrative) (

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)programinvestment_manager
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of programs offered under health and dental benefit plan | program	2
Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Eligibility, minimum required service period	1 year
Eligibility, minimum age	21 years
Estimated employer contribution in next fiscal year | $	$ 6,384
Number of external investment managers | investment_manager	6

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS (Asset Alloca

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS (Asset Allocation) (Details) - Pension Plan [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Plan Assets	$ 106,600	$ 102,800	$ 92,219
Actual % of Total	100.00%	100.00%
Fixed Maturity Securities - Corporate Bonds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Plan Assets	$ 6,894	$ 9,035
Actual % of Total	6.50%	8.80%
Target Allocation, Minimum Percentage	0.00%
Target Allocations, Maximum Percentage	15.00%
Redeemable Preferred Stock [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Plan Assets	$ 3,744	$ 2,254
Actual % of Total	3.50%	2.20%
Target Allocation, Minimum Percentage	0.00%
Target Allocations, Maximum Percentage	10.00%
Equity Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Plan Assets	$ 58,613	$ 58,223
Actual % of Total	55.00%	56.60%
Target Allocation, Minimum Percentage	50.00%
Target Allocations, Maximum Percentage	70.00%
Core Plus Bond Separate Account Fund [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Plan Assets	$ 6,605	$ 6,417
Actual % of Total	6.20%	6.30%
Target Allocation, Minimum Percentage	0.00%
Target Allocations, Maximum Percentage	40.00%
U.S. Property Separate Account Fund [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Plan Assets	$ 11,252	$ 9,895
Actual % of Total	10.50%	9.60%
Target Allocation, Minimum Percentage	0.00%
Target Allocations, Maximum Percentage	25.00%
Arbitrage Fund [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Plan Assets	$ 7,856	$ 7,637
Actual % of Total	7.40%	7.40%
Target Allocation, Minimum Percentage	0.00%
Target Allocations, Maximum Percentage	10.00%
United Life Annuity [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Plan Assets	$ 8,931	$ 8,506
Actual % of Total	8.40%	8.30%
Target Allocation, Minimum Percentage	5.00%
Target Allocations, Maximum Percentage	10.00%
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Plan Assets	$ 2,705	$ 833
Actual % of Total	2.50%	0.80%
Target Allocation, Minimum Percentage	0.00%
Target Allocations, Maximum Percentage	10.00%

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS (Fair Value o

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS (Fair Value of Plan Assets) (Details) - Pension Plan [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Assets measured at fair value	$ 106,600	$ 102,800	$ 92,219
Fixed Maturity Securities - Corporate Bonds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Assets measured at fair value	6,894	9,035
Redeemable Preferred Stock [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Assets measured at fair value	3,744	2,254
Equity Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Assets measured at fair value	58,613	58,223
Core Plus Bond Separate Account Fund [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Assets measured at fair value	6,605	6,417
U.S. Property Separate Account Fund [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Assets measured at fair value	11,252	9,895
U.S. Property Separate Account Fund [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Assets measured at fair value	11,252	9,895	$ 8,763
Arbitrage Fund [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Assets measured at fair value	7,856	7,637
Recurring [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Assets measured at fair value	97,583	94,287
Recurring [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Assets measured at fair value	64,976	61,303
Recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Assets measured at fair value	21,355	23,089
Recurring [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Assets measured at fair value	11,252	9,895
Recurring [Member] | Fixed Maturity Securities - Corporate Bonds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Assets measured at fair value	6,894	9,035
Recurring [Member] | Fixed Maturity Securities - Corporate Bonds [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Assets measured at fair value	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Fixed Maturity Securities - Corporate Bonds [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Assets measured at fair value	6,894	9,035
Recurring [Member] | Fixed Maturity Securities - Corporate Bonds [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Assets measured at fair value	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Redeemable Preferred Stock [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Assets measured at fair value	3,744	2,254
Recurring [Member] | Redeemable Preferred Stock [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Assets measured at fair value	3,744	2,254
Recurring [Member] | Redeemable Preferred Stock [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Assets measured at fair value	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Redeemable Preferred Stock [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Assets measured at fair value	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Assets measured at fair value	58,613	58,223
Recurring [Member] | Equity Securities [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Assets measured at fair value	58,613	58,223
Recurring [Member] | Equity Securities [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Assets measured at fair value	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Equity Securities [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Assets measured at fair value	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Core Plus Bond Separate Account Fund [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Assets measured at fair value	6,605	6,417
Recurring [Member] | Core Plus Bond Separate Account Fund [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Assets measured at fair value	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Core Plus Bond Separate Account Fund [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Assets measured at fair value	6,605	6,417
Recurring [Member] | Core Plus Bond Separate Account Fund [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Assets measured at fair value	0	0
Recurring [Member] | U.S. Property Separate Account Fund [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Assets measured at fair value	11,252	9,895
Recurring [Member] | U.S. Property Separate Account Fund [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Assets measured at fair value	0	0
Recurring [Member] | U.S. Property Separate Account Fund [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Assets measured at fair value	0	0
Recurring [Member] | U.S. Property Separate Account Fund [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Assets measured at fair value	11,252	9,895
Recurring [Member] | Arbitrage Fund [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Assets measured at fair value	7,856	7,637
Recurring [Member] | Arbitrage Fund [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Assets measured at fair value	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Arbitrage Fund [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Assets measured at fair value	7,856	7,637
Recurring [Member] | Arbitrage Fund [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Assets measured at fair value	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Money Market Funds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Assets measured at fair value	2,619	826
Recurring [Member] | Money Market Funds [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Assets measured at fair value	2,619	826
Recurring [Member] | Money Market Funds [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Assets measured at fair value	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Money Market Funds [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Assets measured at fair value	$ 0	$ 0

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS (Change in Fa

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS (Change in Fair Value of Pension Plan Assets) (Details) - Pension Plan [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$ 102,800	$ 92,219
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	106,600	102,800
U.S. Property Separate Account Fund [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	9,895
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	11,252	9,895
U.S. Property Separate Account Fund [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	9,895	8,763
Unrealized gains	1,357	1,132
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	$ 11,252	$ 9,895

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS (Assumptions)

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS (Assumptions) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Pension Plan [Member]
Assumptions Used to Determine Benefit Obligations [Abstract]
Discount rate	4.21%	3.86%
Rate of compensation increase	3.00%	3.00%
Assumptions Used to Determine Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]
Discount rate	3.86%	4.84%	4.00%
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets	7.50%	7.50%	7.50%
Rate of compensation increase	3.00%	3.50%	3.50%
Postretirement Benefit Plan [Member]
Assumptions Used to Determine Benefit Obligations [Abstract]
Discount rate	4.21%	3.86%
Assumptions Used to Determine Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]
Discount rate	3.86%	4.84%	4.00%
Effect of One-Percentage Point Change in Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates [Abstract]
Effect of 1% increase on the net periodic postretirement health care benefit cost	$ 1,595
Effect of 1% decrease on the net periodic postretirement health care benefit cost	(1,239)
Effect of 1% increase on the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation	14,178
Effect of 1% decrease on the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation	$ (11,270)
Health Care Benefits [Member]
Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates [Abstract]
Health care cost trend rates assumed for next year	7.00%	7.00%
Rate to which the health care trend rate is assumed to decline (ultimate trend rate)	4.50%	4.50%
Dental Claims [Member]
Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates [Abstract]
Health care cost trend rates assumed for next year	4.00%	4.00%

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS (Obligation a

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS (Obligation and Funded Status) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Pension Benefits [Member]
Reconciliation of benefit obligation [Roll Forward]
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$ 157,600	$ 123,352
Service cost	6,675	5,210	$ 6,300
Interest cost	5,999	5,874	5,175
Actuarial (gain) loss	(5,678)	26,590
Benefit payments and adjustments	(4,206)	(3,426)
Benefit obligation at end of year	160,390	157,600	123,352
Reconciliation of fair value of plan assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	102,800	92,219
Actual return on plan assets	1,654	6,591
Employer contributions	6,352	7,416
Benefit payments and adjustments	(4,206)	(3,426)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	106,600	102,800	92,219
Funded status at end of year	(53,790)	(54,800)
Accumulated pension benefit obligation	141,550	138,180
Postretirement Benefits [Member]
Reconciliation of benefit obligation [Roll Forward]
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	74,552	48,954
Service cost	5,220	3,696	3,875
Interest cost	2,856	2,342	1,759
Actuarial (gain) loss	(9,253)	20,730
Benefit payments and adjustments	(1,200)	(1,170)
Benefit obligation at end of year	72,175	74,552	48,954
Reconciliation of fair value of plan assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	0	0
Actual return on plan assets	0	0
Employer contributions	(1,200)	(1,170)
Benefit payments and adjustments	1,200	1,170
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	0	0	$ 0
Funded status at end of year	$ (72,175)	$ (74,552)

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS (AOCI) (Detai

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS (AOCI) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Pension Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Unrecognized prior service cost	$ 0	$ 0
Unrecognized actuarial loss	52,936	56,943
Total amounts recognized in AOCI	52,936	56,943
Anticipated amortization of net actuarial losses in next fiscal year	3,967
Postretirement Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Unrecognized prior service cost	0	0
Unrecognized actuarial loss	20,806	32,979
Total amounts recognized in AOCI	20,806	$ 32,979
Anticipated amortization of net actuarial losses in next fiscal year	$ 1,518

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS (Net Periodic

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS (Net Periodic Benefit Cost) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Pension Plan [Member]
Net periodic benefit cost
Service cost	$ 6,675	$ 5,210	$ 6,300
Interest cost	5,999	5,874	5,175
Expected return on plan assets	(7,800)	(6,956)	(5,772)
Amortization of net loss	4,546	2,174	4,989
Net periodic benefit cost	9,420	6,302	10,692
Postretirement Benefit Plan [Member]
Net periodic benefit cost
Service cost	5,220	3,696	3,875
Interest cost	2,856	2,342	1,759
Expected return on plan assets	0	0	0
Amortization of net loss	2,920	898	879
Net periodic benefit cost	$ 10,996	$ 6,936	$ 6,513

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS (Expected Ben

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS (Expected Benefit Payments) (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Pension Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
2,016	$ 4,680
2,017	5,060
2,018	5,420
2,019	5,930
2,020	6,500
2021 - 2025	43,200
Postretirement Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
2,016	1,140
2,017	1,340
2,018	1,560
2,019	1,810
2,020	2,080
2021 - 2025	$ 15,170

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS (Profit-Shari

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS (Profit-Sharing Plan and ESOP) (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) Disclosures [Line Items]
ESOP, Minimum requisite service period	1 year
ESOP, minimum participant age	21 years
Number of United Fire Group, Inc. common stock shares owned in the ESOP	214,614	214,637
Employer contributions to ESOP	$ 150,000	$ 250,000	$ 0
Profit-Sharing Plan [Member]
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) Disclosures [Line Items]
Employer contribution to the profit-sharing plan	$ 7,706,000	$ 3,847,000	$ 6,029,000

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Stock

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Stock Award Plans) (Details) - shares	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	84 Months Ended	132 Months Ended
	May. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award Available for Grant [Roll Forward]
Number of option awards exercised (in shares)		193,088
Restricted Stock Awards [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award Available for Grant [Roll Forward]
Number of restricted stock awards vested (in shares)		8,729
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%
Award expiration term		10 years
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award Available for Grant [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance (in shares)		1,646,947	1,900,000
Additional shares authorized	1,500,000	0	1,500,000
Number of awards granted (in shares)		(366,419)	(2,362,928)
Number of awards forfeited or expired (in shares)		114,050	357,506
Ending balance (in shares)		1,394,578	1,394,578	1,394,578
Employee Stock Award Plan-2008 [Member] | Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award Available for Grant [Roll Forward]
Number of option awards exercised (in shares)		182,956	650,519
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 (in shares)		(1,065)	(6,345)
Employee Stock Award Plan-2008 [Member] | Restricted Stock Awards [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period of restricted stock awards		5 years
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award Available for Grant [Roll Forward]
Number of restricted stock awards vested (in shares)		0	18,576
Director Plan - 2005 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award Available for Grant [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance (in shares)		87,194		300,000
Number of awards granted (in shares)		(17,256)		(236,065)
Number of awards forfeited or expired (in shares)		0		6,003
Ending balance (in shares)		69,938	69,938	69,938
Director Plan - 2005 [Member] | Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award Available for Grant [Roll Forward]
Number of option awards exercised (in shares)		10,132		14,807
Director Plan - 2005 [Member] | Restricted Stock Awards [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award Available for Grant [Roll Forward]
Number of restricted stock awards vested (in shares)		8,729		20,171

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Sto84

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Stock-Based Compensation Expense) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 2,510	$ 1,944	$ 1,777
2,016	2,080
2,017	1,851
2,018	1,333
2,019	584
2,020	63
Total	$ 5,911

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Analy

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Analysis of Stock Options Award Activity) (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)$ / sharesshares	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)$ / sharesshares	Dec. 31, 2013USD ($)
Shares
Outstanding at beginning of period (in shares) | shares	1,358,289
Granted (in shares) | shares	332,729
Exercised (in shares) | shares	(193,088)
Forfeited or expired (in shares) | shares	(114,050)
Outstanding at end of period ( in shares) | shares	1,383,880	1,358,289
Exercisable at end of period (in shares) | shares	667,106
Weighted-Average Exercise Price
Outstanding at beginning of period (in usd per share) | $ / shares	$ 28.70
Granted (in usd per share) | $ / shares	29.17
Exercised (in usd per share) | $ / shares	27.96
Forfeited or expired (in usd per share) | $ / shares	31.84
Outstanding at end of period (in usd per share) | $ / shares	28.66	$ 28.70
Exercisable at end of period (in usd per share) | $ / shares	$ 29.76
Outstanding at end of period, Weighted-Average Remaining Life (in years)	5 years 10 months 2 days
Exercisable at end of period, Weighted-Average Remaining Life (in years)	3 years 5 months 8 days
Outstanding at end of period, Aggregate Intrinsic Value | $	$ 13,435
Outstanding at end of period, Aggregate Intrinsic Value | $	5,785
Intrinsic value of options exercised | $	$ 1,546	$ 790	$ 1,383

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Ana86

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Analysis of Restricted Stock Award Activity) (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)$ / sharesshares	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)$ / sharesshares	Dec. 31, 2013USD ($)
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value
Stock-based compensation expense | $	$ 2,510	$ 1,944	$ 1,777
Restricted Stock Awards [Member]
Shares
Non-vested at beginning of period (in shares) | shares	114,313
Granted (in shares) | shares	49,881
Vested (in shares) | shares	(8,729)
Forfeited (in shares) | shares	(10,702)
Non-vested at end of period (in shares) | shares	144,763	114,313
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value
Non-vested at beginning of period (in usd per share) | $ / shares	$ 25.67
Granted (in usd per share) | $ / shares	32.16
Vested (in usd per share) | $ / shares	27.88
Forfeited (in usd per share) | $ / shares	25.20
Non-vested at end of period (in usd per share) | $ / shares	$ 27.81	$ 25.67
Stock-based compensation expense | $	$ 924	$ 588	407
Total compensation expense that has yet to be recognized | $	2,350
Intrinsic value of the unvested restricted stock awards outstanding | $	$ 1,520	$ 459	$ 358

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Assum

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Assumptions) (Details) - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Risk-free interest rate	1.94%	2.19%	1.37%
Expected volatility	21.92%	36.58%	34.32%
Expected option life (in years)	7 years	7 years	7 years
Expected dividends (in dollars per share)	$ 0.80	$ 0.78	$ 0.69
Weighted-average grant-date fair value of options granted during the year (in dollars per share)	$ 4.98	$ 9.15	$ 6.64

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Sto88

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Stock Options Outstanding and Exercisable) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015$ / sharesshares
Exercise Price $15.01 to $21.00 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Range of Exercise Prices, Lower Range (in usd per share)	$ 15.01
Range of Exercise Prices, Upper Range (in usd per share)	$ 21
Options Outstanding, Number Outstanding (in shares) | shares	194,832
Options Outstanding, Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	5 years 2 months 23 days
Options Outstanding, Weighted-Average Exercise Price (in usd per share)	$ 20.21
Options Exercisable, Number Exercisable (in shares) | shares	129,536
Options Exercisable, Weighted-Average Exercise Price (in usd per share)	$ 19.96
Exercise Price $21.01 to $28.00 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Range of Exercise Prices, Lower Range (in usd per share)	21.01
Range of Exercise Prices, Upper Range (in usd per share)	$ 28
Options Outstanding, Number Outstanding (in shares) | shares	234,221
Options Outstanding, Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	6 years 5 months 26 days
Options Outstanding, Weighted-Average Exercise Price (in usd per share)	$ 23.38
Options Exercisable, Number Exercisable (in shares) | shares	117,226
Options Exercisable, Weighted-Average Exercise Price (in usd per share)	$ 22.98
Exercise Price $28.01 to $35.00 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Range of Exercise Prices, Lower Range (in usd per share)	28.01
Range of Exercise Prices, Upper Range (in usd per share)	$ 35
Options Outstanding, Number Outstanding (in shares) | shares	745,327
Options Outstanding, Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	7 years 2 months 23 days
Options Outstanding, Weighted-Average Exercise Price (in usd per share)	$ 30.16
Options Exercisable, Number Exercisable (in shares) | shares	213,344
Options Exercisable, Weighted-Average Exercise Price (in usd per share)	$ 32.31
Exercise Price $35.01 to $41.00 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Range of Exercise Prices, Lower Range (in usd per share)	35.01
Range of Exercise Prices, Upper Range (in usd per share)	$ 41
Options Outstanding, Number Outstanding (in shares) | shares	209,500
Options Outstanding, Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	9 months
Options Outstanding, Weighted-Average Exercise Price (in usd per share)	$ 37.10
Options Exercisable, Number Exercisable (in shares) | shares	207,000
Options Exercisable, Weighted-Average Exercise Price (in usd per share)	$ 37.11
Exercise Price $15.01 to $41.00 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Range of Exercise Prices, Lower Range (in usd per share)	15.01
Range of Exercise Prices, Upper Range (in usd per share)	$ 41
Options Outstanding, Number Outstanding (in shares) | shares	1,383,880
Options Outstanding, Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	5 years 10 months 2 days
Options Outstanding, Weighted-Average Exercise Price (in usd per share)	$ 28.66
Options Exercisable, Number Exercisable (in shares) | shares	667,106
Options Exercisable, Weighted-Average Exercise Price (in usd per share)	$ 29.76

SEGMENT INFORMATION (Narrative)

SEGMENT INFORMATION (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)segmentlocation	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013USD ($)
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of reportable business segments | segment	2
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Life insurance in force before ceded reinsurance	$ 5,491,932	$ 5,366,061	$ 5,300,305
Property and Casualty Insurance [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of domestic business locations | location	7
Property and Casualty Insurance [Member] | Commercial Lines [Member] | Product Concentration Risk [Member] | Sales Revenue, Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Percentage of insurance in force	91.90%
Property and Casualty Insurance [Member] | Personal Lines [Member] | Product Concentration Risk [Member] | Sales Revenue, Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Percentage of insurance in force	8.10%
Life Insurance [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Life insurance in force before ceded reinsurance	$ 5,491,932	$ 5,366,061
Life Insurance [Member] | Traditional Life [Member] | Product Concentration Risk [Member] | Sales Revenue, Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Percentage of insurance in force	68.50%	67.70%
Life Insurance [Member] | Universal Life [Member] | Product Concentration Risk [Member] | Sales Revenue, Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Percentage of insurance in force	26.30%	27.30%

SEGMENT INFORMATION (Net Premiu

SEGMENT INFORMATION (Net Premiums) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total net premiums earned	$ 930,890	$ 828,330	$ 754,846
Property and Casualty Insurance Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Reinsurance assumed	18,396	16,265	185,485
Other	3,179	3,735	2,635
Total net premiums earned	851,695	766,939	694,192
Property and Casualty Insurance Segment [Member] | Other Liability [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Net premiums earned	261,303	228,426	199,548
Property and Casualty Insurance Segment [Member] | Fire and Allied Lines [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Net premiums earned	246,450	226,086	208,030
Property and Casualty Insurance Segment [Member] | Automobile [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Net premiums earned	210,090	187,813	169,211
Property and Casualty Insurance Segment [Member] | Workers' Compensation [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Net premiums earned	95,672	88,522	81,616
Property and Casualty Insurance Segment [Member] | Fidelity and Surety [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Net premiums earned	21,362	19,212	18,746
Property and Casualty Insurance Segment [Member] | Reinsurance Assumed [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Reinsurance assumed	13,639	13,145	14,406
Life Insurance Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Other	388	261	261
Total net premiums earned	79,984	61,921	61,146
Life Insurance Segment [Member] | Ordinary Life (Excluding Universal Life) [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total net premiums earned	53,114	35,557	38,875
Life Insurance Segment [Member] | Universal Life Policy Fees [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total net premiums earned	12,834	13,190	11,871
Life Insurance Segment [Member] | Immediate Annuities with Life Contingencies [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total net premiums earned	12,223	11,639	8,837
Life Insurance Segment [Member] | Accident and Health [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total net premiums earned	$ 1,425	$ 1,274	$ 1,302

SEGMENT INFORMATION (Segments)

SEGMENT INFORMATION (Segments) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net premiums earned									$ 930,890	$ 828,330	$ 754,846
Investment income, net of investment expenses									100,781	104,609	112,799
Net realized investment gains									2,846	7,270	8,695
Other income (loss)									401	1,685	702
Total revenues	$ 275,956	$ 264,560	$ 255,918	$ 238,484	$ 250,452	$ 235,865	$ 232,673	$ 222,904	1,034,918	941,894	877,042
Benefit, losses and expenses									913,467	865,431	775,140
Income before income taxes	43,263	26,824	19,533	31,831	50,355	(2,845)	13,056	15,897	121,451	76,463	101,902
Income tax expense									32,325	17,326	25,762
Net income	30,895	$ 19,534	$ 15,018	$ 23,679	34,796	$ 325	$ 10,685	$ 13,331	89,126	59,137	76,140
Total assets	3,890,376				3,856,689				3,890,376	3,856,689	3,720,672
Property and Casualty Insurance [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net premiums earned									851,695	766,939	694,192
Total revenues									899,271	816,263	746,872
Income before income taxes									115,370	66,025	88,719
Income tax expense									30,050	13,649	21,263
Net income									85,320	52,376	67,456
Total assets	2,280,674				2,127,623				2,280,674	2,127,623	1,995,069
Life Insurance [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net premiums earned									79,984	61,921	61,146
Total revenues									135,647	125,631	130,170
Income before income taxes									6,081	10,438	13,183
Income tax expense									2,275	3,677	4,499
Net income									3,806	6,761	8,684
Total assets	1,609,702				1,729,066				1,609,702	1,729,066	1,725,603
Operating Segments [Member] | Property and Casualty Insurance [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net premiums earned									851,695	766,939	694,192
Investment income, net of investment expenses									46,606	44,219	46,279
Net realized investment gains									1,124	4,177	6,260
Other income (loss)									(107)	910	88
Total revenues									899,318	816,245	746,819
Benefit, losses and expenses									784,691	750,768	658,645
Total net income before eliminations									114,627	65,477	88,174
Total assets	2,490,138				2,360,764				2,490,138	2,360,764	2,218,464
Operating Segments [Member] | Life Insurance [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net premiums earned									79,984	61,921	61,146
Investment income, net of investment expenses									54,222	60,373	66,467
Net realized investment gains									1,722	3,093	2,434
Other income (loss)									508	774	614
Total revenues									136,436	126,161	130,661
Benefit, losses and expenses									129,771	115,361	117,159
Total net income before eliminations									6,665	10,800	13,502
Intersegment Elimination [Member] | Property and Casualty Insurance [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues									(47)	18	53
Intersegment eliminations									743	548	545
Total assets	$ (209,464)				$ (233,141)				(209,464)	(233,141)	(223,395)
Intersegment Elimination [Member] | Life Insurance [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues									(789)	(530)	(491)
Intersegment eliminations									$ (584)	$ (362)	$ (319)

QUARTERLY SUPPLEMENTARY FINAN92

QUARTERLY SUPPLEMENTARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Quarterly Financial Data [Abstract]
Total revenues	$ 275,956	$ 264,560	$ 255,918	$ 238,484	$ 250,452	$ 235,865	$ 232,673	$ 222,904	$ 1,034,918	$ 941,894	$ 877,042
Income before income taxes	43,263	26,824	19,533	31,831	50,355	(2,845)	13,056	15,897	121,451	76,463	101,902
Net income	$ 30,895	$ 19,534	$ 15,018	$ 23,679	$ 34,796	$ 325	$ 10,685	$ 13,331	$ 89,126	$ 59,137	$ 76,140
Basic earnings per share (in usd per share)	$ 1.23	$ 0.78	$ 0.60	$ 0.95	$ 1.39	$ 0.01	$ 0.42	$ 0.53	$ 3.56	$ 2.34	$ 3.01
Diluted earnings per share (in usd per share)	$ 1.21	$ 0.77	$ 0.59	$ 0.94	$ 1.38	$ 0.01	$ 0.42	$ 0.52	$ 3.53	$ 2.32	$ 2.98

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE (Deta

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share [Line Items]
Net income	$ 30,895	$ 19,534	$ 15,018	$ 23,679	$ 34,796	$ 325	$ 10,685	$ 13,331	$ 89,126	$ 59,137	$ 76,140
Weighted-average common shares outstanding (in shares)									25,047,405	25,230,854	25,325,695
Weighted-average common shares, Diluted (in shares)									25,235,996	25,493,663	25,531,375
Basic earnings per common share (in usd per share)	$ 1.23	$ 0.78	$ 0.60	$ 0.95	$ 1.39	$ 0.01	$ 0.42	$ 0.53	$ 3.56	$ 2.34	$ 3.01
Diluted earnings per common share (in usd per share)	$ 1.21	$ 0.77	$ 0.59	$ 0.94	$ 1.38	$ 0.01	$ 0.42	$ 0.52	$ 3.53	$ 2.32	$ 2.98
Awards excluded from diluted calculation (in shares)									343,390	835,610	638,478
Restricted Stock Awards [Member]
Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share [Line Items]
Add dilutive effect of restricted stock awards (in shares)									122,840	114,313	59,849
Stock Options [Member]
Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share [Line Items]
Add dilutive effect of restricted stock awards (in shares)									65,751	148,496	145,831

LEASE COMMITMENTS (Details)

LEASE COMMITMENTS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Leases [Abstract]
Rental expense, operating leases	$ 6,256	$ 7,040	$ 6,521
Lease term	7 years
Monthly lease payments	$ 88
Future minimum rental payments:
2,016	5,935
2,017	5,583
2,018	4,776
2,019	2,162
2,020	1,487
Thereafter	154
Total	$ 20,097

CREDIT FACILITY (Details)

CREDIT FACILITY (Details)	Feb. 02, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2011USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013USD ($)	Jun. 04, 2013USD ($)
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity			$ 100,000,000
Interest expense incurred			0	$ 0	$ 0
Credit Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity			50,000,000			$ 125,000,000
Credit agreement term		4 years
Current borrowing capacity		$ 100,000,000				$ 100,000,000
Outstanding balance			$ 0	$ 0
Letter of Credit Subfacility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity		20,000,000
Swingline Subfacility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity		$ 5,000,000
Subsequent Event [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity	$ 100,000,000
Debt covenant, maximum debt to total capitalization ratio	0.35
Subsequent Event [Member] | Credit Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity	$ 50,000,000
Credit agreement term	4 years
Subsequent Event [Member] | Letter of Credit Subfacility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity	$ 20,000,000
Subsequent Event [Member] | Swingline Subfacility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity	$ 5,000,000

INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Intangible A

INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Intangible Assets) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill	$ 15,091	$ 15,091
Schedule Of Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Net intangible assets	10,418	11,187
State Insurance Licenses [Member]
Schedule Of Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived intangible assets	3,020	3,020
Agency Relationships [Member]
Schedule Of Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, gross	10,338	10,338
Accumulated amortization	(4,292)	(3,654)
Finite-lived intangible assets, net	6,046	6,684
Software [Member]
Schedule Of Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, gross	3,260	3,260
Accumulated amortization	(3,260)	(3,260)
Finite-lived intangible assets, net	0	0
Trade Names [Member]
Schedule Of Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, gross	1,978	1,978
Accumulated amortization	(626)	(495)
Finite-lived intangible assets, net	1,352	1,483
Favorable Contract [Member]
Schedule Of Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, gross	286	286
Accumulated amortization	(286)	(286)
Finite-lived intangible assets, net	$ 0	$ 0

INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Estimated Us

INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Estimated Useful Lives) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Agency Relationships [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Useful Life	15 years
Software [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Useful Life	2 years
Trade Names [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Useful Life	15 years
Favorable Contract [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Useful Life	2 years

INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Future Amort

INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Future Amortization Expense) (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
2,016	$ 769
2,017	769
2,018	719
2,019	709
2,020	$ 709

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSI99

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Increase (Decrease) in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]
Balance as of beginning of period	$ 91,173	$ 87,150	$ 95,188
Change in accumulated other comprehensive income before reclassifications	(12,657)	5,332	(7,425)
Reclassification adjustments from accumulated other comprehensive income	1,921	(1,309)	(613)
Balance as of end of period	80,437	91,173	87,150
Net Unrealized Appreciation on Investments [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]
Balance as of beginning of period	149,623	116,601	144,096
Change in accumulated other comprehensive income before reclassifications	(18,321)	36,328	(23,068)
Reclassification adjustments from accumulated other comprehensive income	(2,933)	(3,306)	(4,427)
Balance as of end of period	128,369	149,623	116,601
Liability for Underfunded Employee Benefit Costs [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]
Balance as of beginning of period	(58,450)	(29,451)	(48,908)
Change in accumulated other comprehensive income before reclassifications	5,664	(30,996)	15,643
Reclassification adjustments from accumulated other comprehensive income	4,854	1,997	3,814
Balance as of end of period	$ (47,932)	$ (58,450)	$ (29,451)

Schedule I. Summary of Inves100

Schedule I. Summary of Investments - Other than Investments in Related Parties (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	$ 2,934,284
Fair Value	3,143,039
Amounts at Which Shown in Balance Sheet	3,142,760
Fixed Maturities [Member]
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	2,805,216
Fair Value	2,838,258
Amounts at Which Shown in Balance Sheet	2,838,255
United States Government and Government Agencies and Authorities [Member]
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	254,395
Fair Value	254,679
Amounts at Which Shown in Balance Sheet	254,679
States, Municipalities and Political Subdivisions [Member]
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	846,009
Fair Value	872,287
Amounts at Which Shown in Balance Sheet	872,287
Foreign Governments [Member]
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	82,580
Fair Value	82,528
Amounts at Which Shown in Balance Sheet	82,528
Public Utilities [Member]
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	213,233
Fair Value	215,683
Amounts at Which Shown in Balance Sheet	215,683
All Other Bonds [Member]
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	1,406,431
Fair Value	1,410,596
Amounts at Which Shown in Balance Sheet	1,410,593
Redeemable Preferred Stock [Member]
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	2,568
Fair Value	2,485
Amounts at Which Shown in Balance Sheet	2,485
Equity Securities [Member]
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	72,957
Fair Value	240,600
Amounts at Which Shown in Balance Sheet	240,600
Public Utilities [Member]
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	7,231
Fair Value	19,060
Amounts at Which Shown in Balance Sheet	19,060
Banks, Trusts and Insurance Companies [Member]
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	17,615
Fair Value	95,923
Amounts at Which Shown in Balance Sheet	95,923
Industrial, Miscellaneous and All Other [Member]
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	46,031
Fair Value	123,416
Amounts at Which Shown in Balance Sheet	123,416
Nonredeemable Preferred Stocks [Member]
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	2,080
Fair Value	2,201
Amounts at Which Shown in Balance Sheet	2,201
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Member]
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	3,961
Fair Value	4,237
Amounts at Which Shown in Balance Sheet	3,961
Policy Loans [Member]
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	5,618
Fair Value	5,618
Amounts at Which Shown in Balance Sheet	5,618
Other Long-term Investments [Member]
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	46,357
Fair Value	54,151
Amounts at Which Shown in Balance Sheet	54,151
Short-term Investments [Member]
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	175
Fair Value	175
Amounts at Which Shown in Balance Sheet	$ 175

Schedule II. Condensed Finan101

Schedule II. Condensed Financial Statements of Parent Company (Condensed Balance Sheet) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Assets
Fixed maturities, held-to-maturity, at amortized cost (fair value $150 in 2015 and $200 in 2014)	$ 672	$ 397
Cash and cash equivalents	106,449	90,574	$ 92,193	$ 107,466
Accrued investment income	25,136	25,989
Total assets	3,890,376	3,856,689	3,720,672
Liabilities and stockholders' equity
Liabilities	3,011,479	3,039,274
Stockholders' equity
Common stock, $0.001 par value, authorized 75,000,000 shares; 25,151,428 and 25,019,415 issued and outstanding in 2015 and 2014, respectively	25	25
Additional paid-in capital	207,426	202,676
Retained earnings	591,009	523,541
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	80,437	91,173	87,150	95,188
Total stockholders' equity	878,897	817,415	782,833	729,177
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	3,890,376	3,856,689
United Fire Group, Inc. [Member]
Assets
Fixed maturities, held-to-maturity, at amortized cost (fair value $150 in 2015 and $200 in 2014)	150	200
Investment in subsidiary	871,590	814,569
Cash and cash equivalents	6,565	2,263	$ 3,253	$ 5,140
Federal income tax receivable	591	383
Accrued investment income	1	1
Total assets	878,897	817,416
Liabilities and stockholders' equity
Liabilities	0	1
Stockholders' equity
Common stock, $0.001 par value, authorized 75,000,000 shares; 25,151,428 and 25,019,415 issued and outstanding in 2015 and 2014, respectively	25	25
Additional paid-in capital	207,426	202,676
Retained earnings	591,009	523,541
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	80,437	91,173
Total stockholders' equity	878,897	817,415
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 878,897	$ 817,416

Schedule II. Condensed Finan102

Schedule II. Condensed Financial Statements of Parent Company (Condensed Balance Sheet) (Phantom) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Condensed Balance Sheet Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Held-to-maturity fixed maturities	$ 675	$ 404
Common stock, par value per share (in usd per share)	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Common stock, shares authorized	75,000,000	75,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	25,151,428	25,019,415
Common stock, shares outstanding	25,151,428	25,019,415
United Fire Group, Inc. [Member]
Condensed Balance Sheet Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Held-to-maturity fixed maturities	$ 150	$ 200
Common stock, par value per share (in usd per share)	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Common stock, shares authorized	75,000,000	75,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	25,151,428	25,019,415
Common stock, shares outstanding	25,151,428	25,019,415

Schedule II. Condensed Finan103

Schedule II. Condensed Financial Statements of Parent Company (Condensed Statement of Income and Comprehensive Income) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Revenues
Investment income									$ 100,781	$ 104,609	$ 112,799
Total revenues	$ 275,956	$ 264,560	$ 255,918	$ 238,484	$ 250,452	$ 235,865	$ 232,673	$ 222,904	1,034,918	941,894	877,042
Expenses
Net income	$ 30,895	$ 19,534	$ 15,018	$ 23,679	$ 34,796	$ 325	$ 10,685	$ 13,331	89,126	59,137	76,140
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Change in unrealized appreciation on investments held by subsidiary									(28,185)	55,888	(35,489)
Change in liability for underfunded employee benefit plans									8,714	(47,685)	24,066
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax and reclassification adjustments									(19,471)	8,203	(11,423)
Income tax effect									6,814	(2,871)	3,998
Other comprehensive income (loss), after tax, before reclassification adjustments									(12,657)	5,332	(7,425)
Reclassifications for unrealized net gains on available-for-sale securities									(4,513)	(5,085)	(6,812)
Reclassification adjustment for employee benefit costs included in expense									7,468	3,072	5,868
Total reclassification adjustments, before tax									2,955	(2,013)	(944)
Income tax effect									(1,034)	704	331
Total reclassification adjustments, after tax									1,921	(1,309)	(613)
Comprehensive income									78,390	63,160	68,102
United Fire Group, Inc. [Member]
Revenues
Investment income									25	22	23
Total revenues									25	22	23
Expenses
Other operating expenses									116	297	172
Total expenses									116	297	172
Income before income taxes									(91)	(275)	(149)
Federal income tax benefit									(42)	(107)	(49)
Net loss before equity in net income of subsidiary									(49)	(168)	(100)
Equity in net income of subsidiary									89,175	59,305	76,240
Net income									89,126	59,137	76,140
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Change in unrealized appreciation on investments held by subsidiary									(28,185)	55,888	(35,489)
Change in liability for underfunded employee benefit plans									8,714	(47,685)	24,066
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax and reclassification adjustments									(19,471)	8,203	(11,423)
Income tax effect									6,814	(2,871)	3,998
Other comprehensive income (loss), after tax, before reclassification adjustments									(12,657)	5,332	(7,425)
Reclassifications for unrealized net gains on available-for-sale securities									(4,513)	(5,085)	(6,812)
Reclassification adjustment for employee benefit costs included in expense									7,468	3,072	5,868
Total reclassification adjustments, before tax									2,955	(2,013)	(944)
Income tax effect									(1,034)	704	331
Total reclassification adjustments, after tax									1,921	(1,309)	(613)
Comprehensive income									$ 78,390	$ 63,160	$ 68,102

Schedule II. Condensed Finan104

Schedule II. Condensed Financial Statements of Parent Company (Condensed Statement of Cash Flows) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income	$ 30,895	$ 19,534	$ 15,018	$ 23,679	$ 34,796	$ 325	$ 10,685	$ 13,331	$ 89,126	$ 59,137	$ 76,140
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities
Other, net									(3,160)	(2,813)	(7,156)
Total adjustments									100,872	92,154	85,351
Net cash provided by operating activities									189,998	151,291	161,491
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of held-to-maturity investments									(450)	0	0
Net cash used in investing activities									(36,286)	(58,878)	(101,986)
Cash flows from financing activities
Repurchase of common stock									(2,423)	(12,942)	(1,644)
Issuance of common stock									5,496	2,260	3,393
Tax impact from issuance of common stock									(833)	(160)	(488)
Net cash used in financing activities									(137,837)	(94,032)	(74,778)
Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents									15,875	(1,619)	(15,273)
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year				90,574				92,193	90,574	92,193	107,466
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Year	106,449				90,574				106,449	90,574	92,193
United Fire Group, Inc. [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income									89,126	59,137	76,140
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities
Equity in net income of subsidiary									(89,175)	(59,305)	(76,240)
Dividends received from subsidiary									22,500	29,000	13,175
Other, net									1,269	700	1,261
Total adjustments									(65,406)	(29,605)	(61,804)
Net cash provided by operating activities									23,720	29,532	14,336
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of held-to-maturity investments									0	0	0
Net cash used in investing activities									0	0	0
Cash flows from financing activities
Repurchase of common stock									(2,423)	(12,942)	(1,644)
Issuance of common stock									5,496	2,260	3,393
Tax impact from issuance of common stock									(833)	(160)	(488)
Payment of cash dividends									(21,658)	(19,680)	(17,484)
Net cash used in financing activities									(19,418)	(30,522)	(16,223)
Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents									4,302	(990)	(1,887)
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year				$ 2,263				$ 3,253	2,263	3,253	5,140
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Year	$ 6,565				$ 2,263				$ 6,565	$ 2,263	$ 3,253

Schedule III. Supplementary 105

Schedule III. Supplementary Insurance Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Supplementary Insurance Information, by Segment [Line Items]
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs	$ 168,264	$ 139,719	$ 150,092
Future Policy Benefits, Losses, Claims and Loss Expenses	2,376,253	2,417,201	2,432,783
Unearned Premiums	415,057	378,725	340,464
Earned Premium Revenue	930,890	828,330	754,846
Investment Income, Net	100,781	104,609	112,799
Benefits, Claims, Losses and Settlement Expenses	600,033	572,866	496,439
Amortization of Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs	186,817	167,449	153,677
Other Underwriting Expenses	102,937	94,871	89,861
Interest on Policyholders' Accounts	23,680	30,245	35,163
Premiums Written	887,874	804,715	722,821
Property and Casualty Insurance [Member]
Supplementary Insurance Information, by Segment [Line Items]
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs	90,547	72,861	67,663
Future Policy Benefits, Losses, Claims and Loss Expenses	1,003,895	969,437	960,651
Unearned Premiums	414,971	378,635	340,387
Earned Premium Revenue	851,695	766,939	694,192
Investment Income, Net	46,559	44,236	46,332
Benefits, Claims, Losses and Settlement Expenses	520,087	509,811	437,354
Amortization of Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs	180,183	161,310	147,175
Other Underwriting Expenses	83,631	79,117	73,626
Interest on Policyholders' Accounts	0	0	0
Premiums Written	887,874	804,715	722,821
Life Insurance [Member]
Supplementary Insurance Information, by Segment [Line Items]
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs	77,717	66,858	82,429
Future Policy Benefits, Losses, Claims and Loss Expenses	1,372,358	1,447,764	1,472,132
Unearned Premiums	86	90	77
Earned Premium Revenue	79,195	61,391	60,654
Investment Income, Net	54,222	60,373	66,467
Benefits, Claims, Losses and Settlement Expenses	79,946	63,055	59,085
Amortization of Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs	6,634	6,139	6,502
Other Underwriting Expenses	19,306	15,754	16,235
Interest on Policyholders' Accounts	23,680	30,245	35,163
Premiums Written	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0

Schedule IV. Reinsurance (Detai

Schedule IV. Reinsurance (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Reinsurance Premiums for Insurance Companies, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Gross Amount	$ 5,491,932	$ 5,366,061	$ 5,300,305
Ceded to Other Companies	1,165,868	1,130,059	1,112,688
Assumed From Other Companies	0	0	4
Net Amount	4,326,064	4,236,002	4,187,621
Total [Member]
Reinsurance Premiums for Insurance Companies, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Gross Amount	972,413	864,842	789,667
Ceded to Other Companies	59,919	52,777	53,306
Assumed From Other Companies	18,396	16,265	18,485
Net Amount	$ 930,890	$ 828,330	$ 754,846
Percentage of Amount Assumed to Net Earned	1.98%	1.96%	2.45%
Property and Casualty Insurance [Member]
Reinsurance Premiums for Insurance Companies, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Gross Amount	$ 890,057	$ 800,492	$ 726,221
Ceded to Other Companies	56,758	49,818	50,514
Assumed From Other Companies	18,396	16,265	18,485
Net Amount	$ 851,695	$ 766,939	$ 694,192
Percentage of Amount Assumed to Net Earned	2.16%	2.12%	2.66%
Life, Accident and Health Insurance [Member]
Reinsurance Premiums for Insurance Companies, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Gross Amount	$ 82,356	$ 64,350	$ 63,446
Ceded to Other Companies	3,161	2,959	2,792
Assumed From Other Companies	0	0	0
Net Amount	$ 79,195	$ 61,391	$ 60,654
Percentage of Amount Assumed to Net Earned	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Schedule V. Valuation and Qu107

Schedule V. Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Allowance for Bad Debts [Member]
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	$ 618	$ 896	$ 866
Charged to costs and expenses	249	0	30
Deductions	0	278	0
Balance at end of period	867	618	896
Deferred Tax Asset Valuation Allowance [Member]
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	1,813	2,361	2,909
Charged to costs and expenses	0	0	0
Deductions	548	548	548
Balance at end of period	$ 1,265	$ 1,813	$ 2,361

Schedule VI. Supplemental In108

Schedule VI. Supplemental Information Concerning Property and Casualty Insurance Operations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Supplemental Information for Property, Casualty Insurance Underwriters [Line Items]
Net Realized Investment Gains	$ 2,846	$ 7,270	$ 8,695
Claims and Claim Adjustment Expenses Incurred Related to: Current Year	560,482	566,555	494,841
Claims and Claim Adjustment Expenses Incurred Related to: Prior Years	(40,395)	(56,744)	(57,487)
Consolidated Property and Casualty Insurance Entity [Member]
Supplemental Information for Property, Casualty Insurance Underwriters [Line Items]
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs	90,547	72,861	67,663
Reserves for Unpaid Claims and Claim Adjustment Expenses	1,003,895	969,437	960,651
Unearned Premiums	414,971	378,635	340,387
Earned Premiums	851,695	766,939	694,192
Net Realized Investment Gains	1,124	4,177	6,260
Net Investment Income	46,559	44,236	46,332
Claims and Claim Adjustment Expenses Incurred Related to: Current Year	560,482	566,555	494,841
Claims and Claim Adjustment Expenses Incurred Related to: Prior Years	(40,395)	(56,744)	(57,487)
Amortization of Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs	180,183	161,310	147,175
Paid Claims and Claim Adjustment Expenses	476,525	489,631	419,894
Premiums Written	$ 887,874	$ 804,715	$ 722,821