United Fire (UFCS) 10-K 28 Feb 18 2017 FY Annual report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - USD ($) $ in Billions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Feb. 26, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2017
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,017
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 (in shares)		24,912,137
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Public Float			$ 1

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Fixed maturities
Held-to-maturity, at amortized cost (fair value $150 in 2017 and $150 in 2016)	$ 150	$ 150
Available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost $1,516,610 in 2017 and $1,458,235 in 2016)	1,535,070	1,453,286
Trading securities, at fair value (amortized cost $14,582 in 2017 and $13,054 in 2016)	16,842	14,390
Equity securities
Available-for-sale, at fair value (cost $57,387 in 2017 and $59,994 in 2016)	280,913	246,370
Trading securities, at fair value (cost $5,888 in 2017 and $5,434 in 2016)	6,431	5,644
Other long-term investments	49,352	51,769
Short-term investments	175	175
Total Investments	1,888,933	1,771,784
Cash and cash equivalents	95,562	89,194
Accrued investment income	13,841	13,617
Premiums receivable (net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,255 in 2017 and $1,255 in 2016)	328,513	306,202
Deferred policy acquisition costs	88,102	93,362
Property and equipment (primarily land and buildings, at cost, less accumulated depreciation of $51,603 in 2017 and $50,925 in 2016)	68,992	55,524
Reinsurance receivables and recoverables	63,194	62,707
Prepaid reinsurance premiums	3,749	3,782
Income taxes receivable	6,031	14,285
Goodwill and net intangible assets	23,971	24,740
Other assets	16,409	13,943
Assets held for sale	1,586,134	1,605,618
Total assets	4,183,431	4,054,758
Liabilities
Losses and loss settlement expenses	1,224,183	1,123,896
Unearned premiums	465,391	443,802
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	167,396	147,104
Deferred income taxes	5,953	7,849
Liabilities held for sale	1,347,135	1,390,223
Total liabilities	3,210,058	3,112,874
Stockholders' equity
Common stock, $0.001 par value; authorized 75,000,000 shares; 24,916,806 and 25,429,769 shares issued and outstanding in 2017 and 2016, respectively	25	25
Additional paid-in capital	196,334	216,482
Retained earnings	608,700	616,322
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	168,314	109,055
Total stockholders' equity	973,373	941,884
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 4,183,431	$ 4,054,758

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Fixed maturities, Held-to-maturity, at fair value	$ 150	$ 150
Fixed maturities, Available-for-sale securities, at amortized cost	1,516,610	1,458,235
Fixed maturities, Trading securities, at amortized cost	14,582	13,054
Equity securities, Available-for-sale securities, at amortized cost	57,387	59,994
Equity securities, Trading securities, at amortized cost	5,888	5,434
Allowance for doubtful accounts	1,255	1,255
Property and equipment, accumulated depreciation	$ 51,603	$ 50,925
Common stock, par value per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	75,000,000	75,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	24,916,806	25,429,769
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	24,916,806	25,429,769

Consolidated Statements of Inco

Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Revenues
Net premiums earned	$ 997,492	$ 936,131	$ 851,695
Investment income, net of investment expenses	51,190	55,284	46,559
Net realized investment gains (includes reclassifications for net unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities of $6,390 in 2017; $4,520 in 2016; and $4,513 in 2015 previously included in accumulated other comprehensive income)	4,055	4,947	1,124
Other income (loss)	0	0	(107)
Total revenues	1,052,737	996,362	899,271
Benefits, losses and expenses
Losses and loss settlement expenses	725,713	652,433	520,087
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs	207,746	202,892	180,183
Other underwriting expenses (includes reclassifications for employee benefit costs of $5,408 in 2017; $5,486 in 2016; and $7,468 in 2015 previously included in accumulated other comprehensive income)	103,628	83,540	83,631
Total benefits, losses and expenses	1,037,087	938,865	783,901
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	15,650	57,497	115,370
Federal income tax expense (benefit) (includes reclassifications of ($344) in 2017; $338 in 2016; and $1,034 in 2015 previously included in accumulated other comprehensive income)	(29,220)	8,379	30,050
Net income from continuing operations	44,870	49,118	85,320
Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes	6,153	786	3,806
Net income	51,023	49,904	89,126
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Change in net unrealized appreciation on investments	72,251	13,017	(28,185)
Change in liability for underfunded employee benefit plans	(26,122)	30,045	8,714
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax and reclassification adjustments	46,129	43,062	(19,471)
Income tax effect	(17,540)	(15,072)	6,814
Other comprehensive income (loss), after tax, before reclassification adjustments	28,589	27,990	(12,657)
Reclassification adjustment for net realized gains included in income	(6,390)	(4,520)	(4,513)
Reclassification adjustment for employee benefit costs included in expense	5,408	5,486	7,468
Total reclassification adjustments, before tax	(982)	966	2,955
Income tax effect	344	(338)	(1,034)
Total reclassification adjustments, after tax	(638)	628	1,921
Comprehensive income	$ 78,974	$ 78,522	$ 78,390
Weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)	25,103,720	25,335,706	25,047,405
Earnings per common share from continuing operations:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 1.79	$ 1.94	$ 3.41
Diluted (in dollars per share)	1.75	1.90	3.38
Earnings per common share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	2.03	1.97	3.56
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 1.99	$ 1.93	$ 3.53

Consolidated Statements of Inc5

Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Income Statement [Abstract]
Reclassifications for unrealized net gains on available-for-sale securities	$ 6,390	$ 4,520	$ 4,513
Reclassification adjustment for employee benefit costs	5,408	5,486	7,468
Income tax effect	$ (344)	$ 338	$ 1,034

Consolidated Statement of Stock

Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Total	Common stock	Additional paid-in capital	Retained earnings	Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax
Balance, beginning of year at Dec. 31, 2014		$ 817,415	$ 25	$ 202,676	$ 523,541	$ 91,173
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Shares repurchased			0	(2,423)
Shares issued for stock-based awards			0	5,496
Compensation expense and related tax benefit for stock-based award grants				1,677
Net income		89,126			89,126
Accumulated effect of change in enacted tax rate					0	0
Dividends on common stock ($1.09 per share in 2017; $0.97 per share in 2016; $0.86 per share in 2015)					(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
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Shares repurchased			0	(3,746)
Shares issued for stock-based awards			0	9,922
Compensation expense and related tax benefit for stock-based award grants				2,880
Net income		49,904			49,904
Accumulated effect of change in enacted tax rate					0	0
Dividends on common stock ($1.09 per share in 2017; $0.97 per share in 2016; $0.86 per share in 2015)					(24,591)
Change in net unrealized investment appreciation	[1]					5,523
Change in liability for underfunded employee benefit plans	[2]					23,095
All other changes in stockholders' equity accounts		13,083
Balance, end of year at Dec. 31, 2016		941,884	25	216,482	616,322	109,055
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Shares repurchased			0	(29,784)
Shares issued for stock-based awards			0	4,828
Compensation expense and related tax benefit for stock-based award grants				4,808
Net income		51,023			51,023
Accumulated effect of change in enacted tax rate		31,308			(31,308)	31,308
Dividends on common stock ($1.09 per share in 2017; $0.97 per share in 2016; $0.86 per share in 2015)					(27,337)
Change in net unrealized investment appreciation	[1]					44,315
Change in liability for underfunded employee benefit plans	[2]					(16,364)
All other changes in stockholders' equity accounts		(19,534)
Balance, end of year at Dec. 31, 2017		$ 973,373	$ 25	$ 196,334	$ 608,700	$ 168,314
[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 (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Shares repurchased (in shares)	701,899	90,415	79,396
Shares issued for stock-based awards (in shares)	198,694	376,142	202,882
Dividends on common stock (in dollars per share)	$ 1.09	$ 0.97	$ 0.86

Consolidated Statements of Cash

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
Net income	$ 51,023	$ 49,904	$ 89,126
Less net income from discontinued operations, net of taxes	6,153	786	3,806
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities
Net accretion of bond premium	8,872	7,049	5,420
Depreciation and amortization	4,574	6,035	6,473
Stock-based compensation expense	4,808	3,696	2,510
Net realized investment gains	(4,055)	(4,947)	(1,124)
Net cash flows from trading investments	(1,909)	(2,390)	3,080
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)	(5,921)	3,331	(5,574)
Changes in:
Accrued investment income	(224)	(874)	(363)
Premiums receivable	(22,311)	(29,685)	(27,487)
Deferred policy acquisition costs	5,260	(2,815)	(17,686)
Reinsurance receivables	(487)	4,206	12,609
Prepaid reinsurance premiums	33	8	(158)
Income taxes receivable	8,254	(14,285)	0
Other assets	(2,465)	758	(1,097)
Losses, claims and loss settlement expenses	100,287	120,001	34,458
Unearned premiums	21,589	28,830	36,336
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	(423)	(7,605)	16,470
Income taxes payable	0	(5,365)	66
Deferred income taxes	(25,883)	1,495	(858)
Other, net	3,378	(9,943)	(2,914)
Cash from operating activities - continuing operations	93,377	97,500	60,161
Cash from operating activities - discontinued operations	31,847	67,766	44,518
Total adjustments	125,224	165,266	104,679
Net cash provided by operating activities	170,094	214,384	189,999
Cash Flows From Investing Activities
Proceeds from sale of available-for-sale investments	7,404	1,968	478
Proceeds from call and maturity of held-to-maturity investments	150	493	105
Proceeds from call and maturity of available-for-sale investments	191,521	323,653	247,692
Proceeds from short-term and other investments	6,032	1,947	3,881
Purchase of held-to-maturity investments	(150)	(42)	(450)
Purchase of available-for-sale investments	(260,957)	(443,953)	(355,192)
Purchase of short-term and other investments	(6,428)	(4,155)	(5,103)
Net purchases and sales of property and equipment	(17,158)	(7,600)	(9,696)
Cash from investing activities - continuing operations	(79,586)	(127,689)	(118,285)
Cash from investing activities - discontinued operations	17,601	15,286	81,999
Net cash used in investing activities	(61,985)	(112,403)	(36,286)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
Payment of cash dividends	(27,337)	(24,591)	(21,658)
Dividends from discontinued operations	0	0	15,000
Repurchase of common stock	(29,784)	(3,746)	(2,423)
Issuance of common stock	4,828	9,922	5,496
Tax impact from issuance of common stock	0	(816)	(833)
Cash from financing activities - continued operations	(52,293)	(19,231)	(4,418)
Cash from financing activities - discontinued operations	(55,256)	(78,346)	(133,419)
Net cash used in financing activities	(107,549)	(97,577)	(137,837)
Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents	560	4,404	15,876
Less: decrease (increase) in cash and cash equivalents - discontinued operations	5,808	(4,706)	6,902
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents - continuing operations	6,368	(302)	22,778
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year - Continuing Operations	89,194	89,496	66,718
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Year - Continuing Operations	$ 95,562	$ 89,194	$ 89,496

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTI

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
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. Our insurance company subsidiaries are licensed as a property and casualty insurer in 46 states, plus the District of Columbia, and as a life insurer in 37 states. Discontinued Operations We have historically reported our operations in two business segments: property and casualty insurance and life insurance. On September 18, 2017, the Company signed a definitive agreement to sell its subsidiary, United Life Insurance Company ("United Life"), to Kuvare US Holdings, Inc. ("Kuvare"). As a result, our life insurance business, previously a separate segment, has been considered held for sale and reported as discontinued operations in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income and Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (collectively, the "Consolidated Financial Statements"). Subsequent to the announcement of this sale, our continuing operations are now reported as one business segment. All current and prior periods reflected in this Form 10-K have been presented as continuing and discontinued operations, unless otherwise noted. The sale is expected to close in the first half of 2018, subject to customary conditions, including regulatory approval. For more information, refer to Note 17 "Discontinued Operations." 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, Addison Insurance Company, Lafayette Insurance Company, United Fire & Indemnity Company, United Fire Lloyds, UFG Specialty Insurance 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 subsidiary 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; future policy benefits and losses, claims and loss settlement expenses; and pension and post-retirement benefit obligations. Continuing Operations - 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, 2017 to be ordinary, routine and incidental to our business. Discontinued Operations - 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 3.15 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. Included in investments at December 31, 2017 and 2016 , are securities on deposit with, or available to, various regulatory authorities as required by law, with fair values of $1,492,928 and $1,509,339 , respectively. 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 2017 , 2016 , and 2015 , we made cash payments for income taxes of $7,667 , $24,034 and $39,497 , respectively. In addition, we received federal tax refunds of $13,383 and $919 in 2017 and 2015 , respectively, that resulted from the utilization of our 2011 net operating losses and net capital losses in the carryforward period. In 2016 , we did no t receive any federal tax refunds. We made no interest payments in 2017 , 2016 and 2015 . 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. Continuing Operations - Property and Casualty Insurance 2017 2016 2015 Recorded asset at beginning of year $ 93,362 $ 90,547 $ 72,861 Underwriting costs deferred 202,486 205,707 197,869 Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs (207,746 ) (202,892 ) (180,183 ) Recorded asset at end of year $ 88,102 $ 93,362 $ 90,547 Discontinued Operations - Life Insurance Recorded asset at beginning of year $ 70,750 $ 77,717 $ 66,858 Underwriting costs deferred 5,463 5,564 6,113 Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs (5,181 ) (8,121 ) (6,634 ) $ 71,032 $ 75,160 $ 66,337 Change in "shadow" deferred policy acquisition costs 119 (4,410 ) 11,380 Recorded asset at end of year $ 71,151 $ 70,750 $ 77,717 Total Recorded asset at beginning of year $ 164,112 $ 168,264 $ 139,719 Underwriting costs deferred 207,949 211,271 203,982 Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs (212,927 ) (211,013 ) (186,817 ) $ 159,134 $ 168,522 $ 156,884 Change in "shadow" deferred policy acquisition costs 119 (4,410 ) 11,380 Recorded asset at end of year $ 159,253 $ 164,112 $ 168,264 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. This estimate is performed by line of business in a manner consistent with how the policies are currently being marketed and managed. 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 to net unrealized investment appreciation as of the balance sheet date. The impact of unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities decreased the DAC asset by $6,294 , $6,413 and $2,003 at December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , 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. 2017 2016 Real estate: Land $ 8,396 $ 8,231 Buildings 48,677 41,119 Furniture and fixtures 4,645 4,711 Computer equipment and software 7,274 1,463 Airplane — — Total property and equipment $ 68,992 $ 55,524 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 $3,805 , $5,266 and $5,704 for 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , 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 acquisition of Mercer Insurance Group on March 28, 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 2016 and 2015 , we performed a quantitative impairment assessment of our goodwill and in 2017 , we performed a qualitative impairment assessment of our goodwill. As a result of these assessments, we did no t recognize an impairment charge on our goodwill in 2017 , 2016 or 2015 . Our other intangible assets, which consist primarily of agency relationships, trade names, state insurance licenses, and software, are being amortized by the straight-line method over periods ranging from 2 years to 15 years , with the exception of state insurance licenses, which are indefinite-lived and not amortized. In 2016 and 2015 , we performed a quantitative impairment assessment of our indefinite-lived intangible assets and, in 2017 , we performed a qualitative impairment assessment of our indefinite lived intangible assets. As a result of these assessments, we did not recognize an impairment charge on our intangible assets in 2017 , 2016 and 2015 . Amortization expense totaled $769 in 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , 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, 2017 , 2016 , and 2015 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 2014. The Internal Revenue Service is conducting a routine examination of our income tax return for the 2015 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. Recently Issued Accounting Standards Accounting Standards Adopted in 2017 Share-Based Payments In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued new guidance on the accounting for share-based payments. The new guidance was issued to simplify the accounting of share-based payments, specifically in the areas of income taxes, classification on the balance sheets as liabilities or equity and classification in the cash flow statement. The new guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016 and interim periods within those years. The Company adopted the new guidance prospectively as of January 1, 2017. The new guidance resulted in classification changes between the financing and operating section of the Statement of Cash Flow for stock based compensation expense. The adoption also resulted in a tax benefit of $149 and $695 during the three- and twelve-months ended December 31, 2017. 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 adopted the new guidance as of January 1, 2017. The adoption had no impact on the Company's financial position and results of operations since we do not currently report deferred taxes in classified balance sheets. Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income In February 2018, the FASB finalized the proposed accounting guidance which allows entities to reclassify from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings stranded tax effects resulting from the new federal corporate income tax rate. The pronouncement permits the reclassification of other stranded tax effects that relate to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "Tax Act") but do not directly relate to the change in the federal rate. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after 15 December 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted for reporting periods for which financial statements have not yet been issued or made available for issuance. The Company has early adopted this guidance for the December 31, 2017 Consolidated Financial Statements. The reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income to Retained Earnings for the stranded tax effects resulting from the new federal corporate income tax rate was $31.3 million at December 31, 2017. Pending Adoption of Accounting Standards 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 has adopted the guidance as of January 1, 2018. The Company has completed its review of revenue streams under this new guidance and concluded that the adoption of the new guidance will have no impact on the Company's reporting and disclosure of net premiums earned from insurance contracts, net investment income or net realized gains and losses, as these revenue streams are not within the scope of this new guidance. The remaining revenue streams are immaterial and not impacted by the new standard. Financial Instruments In January 2016, the FASB issued guidance updating certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of financial instruments. The amendments in this update supersede the guidance to classify equity securities with readily determinable fair values into different categories (for example, trading or available-for-sale) and require equity securities to be measured at fair value with changes in the fair value recognized through net income. The new guidance also simplifies the impairment process for equity investments without readily determinable fair values. The new guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those years. The Company has adopted the new guidance as of January 1, 2018. If the new guidance had been adopted as of December 31, 2017, there would be a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings of $242.1 million , which is equal to the amount of net unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale equity securities at December 31, 2017 disclosed in Note 2 "Summary of Investments," of this section. The impact to net realized gains (losses) would equal the change in net unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale equity securities between December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, in the same tables. Statement of Cash Flows - Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Payments In August 2016, the FASB issued an update that clarifies the classification of certain cash receipts and payments in the Statement of Cash Flows. The update addresses eight existing cash flow issues by clarifying the correct classification to establish uniformity in practice. The updated guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those years. The Company has adopted the new guidance as of January 1, 2018. The adoption will have no impact on the Company's financial position and results of operations. Defined Benefit Retirement Plan Cost In March 2017, the FASB issued guidance on the presentation of net periodic benefit costs of defined benefit retirement benefit plans in the Statements of Income. The new guidance requires the service cost component of net periodic benefit cost of defined benefit plans to be presented in the same line in the Statements of Income as other employee compensation expenses. Also, under the new guidance, the service cost component of the net periodic benefit costs will be the only portion of costs subject to be capitalized in assets. The new guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those years. The Company has adopted the new guidance as of January 1, 2018 and will update the presentation of net periodic benefit costs in its financial statements beginning with its first quarter Form 10-Q as of March 31, 2018. The adoption will have an immaterial impact on the Company's financial position and results of operations. Share-Based Payments In May 2017, the FASB issued new guidance which clarifies and addresses the diversity in practice when there is a change in the terms of a share-based payment award. The updated guidance clarifies when to use modification accounting when there is a change in the terms of a share-based payment and provides three conditions where modification accounting should not be applied. The new guidance is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company has adopted the new guidance as of January 1, 2018. The adoption will have no impact on the Company's financial position and results of operations. Leases In February 2016, the FASB issued guidance on the accounting for leases. The new guidance requires lessees to place a right-of-use asset and a lease liability, for all leases with terms greater than 12 months, on their balance sheets. The lease liability will be based on the present value of the future lease payments and the asset will be based on the liability. Expenses will be recognized on the income statement in a similar manner as previous methods. The new guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods within those years. The Company will adopt the new guidance as of January 1, 2019. The Company has created an inventory of its operating leases and has calculated the undiscounted future minimum lease payments, which are disclosed in Note 13. Lease Commitments. The undiscounted future minimum lease payments at December 31, 2017 is $22.5 million , which represents less than 1.0 percent of the Company's total assets at December 31, 2017. The Company is reviewing and working on updating it's processes and controls under the new guidance. Management currently believes that the adoption will not have a significant impact on the Company's financial position and results of operations. Financial Instruments - Credit Losses In June 2016, the FASB issued new guidance on the measurement of credit losses for most financial instruments. The new guidance replaces the current incurred loss model for recognizing credit losses with an expected loss model for instruments measured at amortized cost and requires allowances to be recorded for available-for-sale debt securities rather than reduce the carrying amount. These allowances will be remeasured each reporting period. The new guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2020 and interim periods within those years. The Company will adopt the new guidance as of January 1, 2021 and is currently evaluating the impact on the Company's financial position, results of operations and key processes. Income Taxes - Intra-entity Transfers In October 2016, the FASB issued new guidance on the income tax treatment of intra-entity transfers. The new guidance replaces the current guidance which prohibits the recognition of current and deferred income taxes of intra-entity transfers until the asset is sold externally. Under the new guidance, the exemption is eliminated and income taxes will be recognized on transfers of intra-entity assets. The new guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company will adopt the new guidance as of January 1, 2019 and is currently evaluating the impact on the Company's financial position and results of operations. Goodwill In January 2017, the FASB issued new guidance which simplifies the test for goodwill impairment. The new guidance eliminates the implied fair value calculation when measuring a goodwill impairment charge. Under the new guidance, impairment charges will be based on the excess of the carrying value over fair value of goodwill. The new guidance is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company will adopt the new guidance as of January 1, 2020 and it currently believes the adoption will have no impact on the Company's financial position and results of operations.

SUMMARY OF INVESTMENTS

SUMMARY OF INVESTMENTS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
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, presented on a consolidated basis, including both continuing and discontinued operations as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 . December 31, 2017 Type of Investment Cost or Amortized Cost Gross Unrealized Appreciation Gross Unrealized Depreciation Fair Value HELD-TO-MATURITY Fixed maturities Bonds Corporate bonds - financial services $ 150 $ — $ — $ 150 Mortgage-backed securities 34 — — 34 Total Held-to-Maturity Fixed Maturities $ 184 $ — $ — $ 184 AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE Fixed maturities Bonds U.S. Treasury $ 17,073 $ 4 $ 186 $ 16,891 U.S. government agency 121,574 1,311 717 122,168 States, municipalities and political subdivisions General obligations: Midwest 107,689 2,446 439 109,696 Northeast 47,477 1,174 10 48,641 South 139,870 2,462 813 141,519 West 111,123 2,351 463 113,011 Special revenue: Midwest 155,475 3,620 351 158,744 Northeast 79,028 1,351 619 79,760 South 260,145 5,218 1,851 263,512 West 156,576 2,929 1,198 158,307 Foreign bonds 51,361 1,441 49 52,753 Public utilities 206,028 3,386 270 209,144 Corporate bonds Energy 93,191 1,972 110 95,053 Industrials 218,067 3,881 241 221,707 Consumer goods and services 183,253 3,498 494 186,257 Health care 74,125 1,312 29 75,408 Technology, media and telecommunications 146,853 2,376 250 148,979 Financial services 277,824 5,769 442 283,151 Mortgage-backed securities 13,828 101 238 13,691 Collateralized mortgage obligations Government national mortgage association 157,836 1,921 2,274 157,483 Federal home loan mortgage corporation 201,320 1,879 4,047 199,152 Federal national mortgage association 104,903 1,703 1,174 105,432 Asset-backed securities 4,282 362 8 4,636 Total Available-For-Sale Fixed Maturities $ 2,928,901 $ 52,467 $ 16,273 $ 2,965,095 Equity securities Common stocks Public utilities $ 6,394 $ 16,075 $ 30 $ 22,439 Energy 6,514 8,171 120 14,565 Industrials 13,117 53,522 120 66,519 Consumer goods and services 10,110 15,742 164 25,688 Health care 7,763 32,340 — 40,103 Technology, media and telecommunications 6,067 11,556 115 17,508 Financial services 11,529 104,985 67 116,447 Nonredeemable preferred stocks 992 305 — 1,297 Total Available-for-Sale Equity Securities $ 62,486 $ 242,696 $ 616 $ 304,566 Total Available-for-Sale Securities $ 2,991,387 $ 295,163 $ 16,889 $ 3,269,661 December 31, 2016 Type of Investment Cost or Amortized Cost Gross Unrealized Appreciation Gross Unrealized Depreciation Fair Value HELD-TO-MATURITY Fixed maturities Bonds Corporate bonds - financial services $ 150 $ — $ — $ 150 Mortgage-backed securities 48 1 — 49 Total Held-to-Maturity Fixed Maturities $ 198 $ 1 $ — $ 199 AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE Fixed maturities Bonds U.S. Treasury $ 23,216 $ 87 $ 108 $ 23,195 U.S. government agency 76,692 1,445 540 77,597 States, municipalities and political subdivisions General obligations: Midwest 143,747 1,808 1,412 144,143 Northeast 57,731 909 231 58,409 South 129,475 1,249 2,355 128,369 West 114,524 1,380 2,173 113,731 Special revenue: Midwest 167,430 2,313 1,433 168,310 Northeast 70,202 487 2,624 68,065 South 244,225 1,753 6,791 239,187 West 134,287 1,509 4,052 131,744 Foreign bonds 62,995 2,239 — 65,234 Public utilities 212,360 3,761 447 215,674 Corporate bonds Energy 107,084 2,195 419 108,860 Industrials 225,526 5,359 982 229,903 Consumer goods and services 178,135 3,847 295 181,687 Health care 81,211 2,063 151 83,123 Technology, media and telecommunications 143,402 2,029 819 144,612 Financial services 269,981 5,328 1,358 273,951 Mortgage-backed securities 17,288 201 241 17,248 Collateralized mortgage obligations Government national mortgage association 145,947 1,279 2,766 144,460 Federal home loan mortgage corporation 176,226 1,638 3,406 174,458 Federal national mortgage association 101,414 1,816 1,334 101,896 Asset-backed securities 4,407 145 282 4,270 Total Available-For-Sale Fixed Maturities $ 2,887,505 $ 44,840 $ 34,219 $ 2,898,126 Equity securities Common stocks Public utilities $ 6,394 $ 13,465 $ 188 $ 19,671 Energy 6,514 8,555 22 15,047 Industrials 13,252 38,715 173 51,794 Consumer goods and services 10,324 13,851 58 24,117 Health care 7,763 19,657 — 27,420 Technology, media and telecommunications 5,931 9,476 38 15,369 Financial services 17,289 98,728 67 115,950 Nonredeemable preferred stocks 1,037 11 — 1,048 Total Available-for-Sale Equity Securities $ 68,504 $ 202,458 $ 546 $ 270,416 Total Available-for-Sale Securities $ 2,956,009 $ 247,298 $ 34,765 $ 3,168,542 The following table 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 equity securities for continuing and discontinued operations by investment type at December 31, 2017 and 2016. December 31, 2017 Type of Investment Cost or Amortized Cost Gross Unrealized Appreciation Gross Unrealized Depreciation Fair Value HELD-TO-MATURITY Fixed maturities: Continuing operations $ 150 $ — $ — $ 150 Discontinued operations 34 — — 34 Total Held-to-Maturity Fixed Maturities $ 184 $ — $ — 184 AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE Fixed maturities: Continuing operations $ 1,516,610 $ 27,412 $ 8,952 $ 1,535,070 Discontinued operations 1,412,291 25,055 7,321 1,430,025 Total Available-for-Sale Fixed Maturities $ 2,928,901 $ 52,467 $ 16,273 $ 2,965,095 Equity securities: Continuing operations $ 57,387 $ 224,065 $ 539 $ 280,913 Discontinued operations 5,099 18,631 77 23,653 Total Available-for-Sale Equity Securities $ 62,486 $ 242,696 $ 616 $ 304,566 Total Available-for-Sale Securities $ 2,991,387 $ 295,163 $ 16,889 $ 3,269,661 December 31, 2016 Type of Investment Cost or Amortized Cost Gross Unrealized Appreciation Gross Unrealized Depreciation Fair Value HELD-TO-MATURITY Fixed maturities: Continuing operations $ 150 $ — $ — $ 150 Discontinued operations 48 1 — 49 Total Held-to-Maturity Fixed Maturities $ 198 $ 1 $ — $ 199 AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE Fixed maturities: Continuing operations $ 1,458,235 $ 18,725 $ 23,674 $ 1,453,286 Discontinued operations 1,429,270 26,115 10,545 1,444,840 Total Available-for-Sale Fixed Maturities $ 2,887,505 $ 44,840 $ 34,219 $ 2,898,126 Equity securities: Continuing operations $ 59,994 $ 186,692 $ 316 $ 246,370 Discontinued operations 8,510 15,766 230 24,046 Total Available-for-Sale Equity Securities $ 68,504 $ 202,458 $ 546 $ 270,416 Total Available-for-Sale Securities $ 2,956,009 $ 247,298 $ 34,765 $ 3,168,542 Maturities The amortized cost and fair value of held-to-maturity, available-for-sale and trading fixed maturity securities at December 31, 2017 , 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. Maturities - Consolidated: Held-To-Maturity Available-For-Sale Trading December 31, 2017 Amortized Cost Fair Value Amortized Cost Fair Value Amortized Cost Fair Value Due in one year or less $ — $ — $ 97,450 $ 97,994 $ 2,225 $ 2,835 Due after one year through five years 150 150 749,372 763,260 9,055 10,547 Due after five years through 10 years — — 823,257 839,360 1,302 1,156 Due after 10 years — — 776,653 784,087 2,000 2,304 Asset-backed securities — — 4,282 4,636 — — Mortgage-backed securities 34 34 13,828 13,691 — — Collateralized mortgage obligations — — 464,059 462,067 — — $ 184 $ 184 $ 2,928,901 $ 2,965,095 $ 14,582 $ 16,842 Maturities - Continuing Operations: Held-To-Maturity Available-For-Sale Trading December 31, 2017 Amortized Cost Fair Value Amortized Cost Fair Value Amortized Cost Fair Value Due in one year or less $ — $ — $ 37,899 $ 38,144 $ 2,225 $ 2,835 Due after one year through five years 150 150 204,494 208,353 9,055 10,547 Due after five years through 10 years — — 394,107 402,799 1,302 1,156 Due after 10 years — — 694,850 700,879 2,000 2,304 Asset-backed securities — — 3,175 3,535 — — Mortgage-backed securities — — 9,205 9,231 — — Collateralized mortgage obligations — — 172,880 172,129 — — $ 150 $ 150 $ 1,516,610 $ 1,535,070 $ 14,582 $ 16,842 Maturities - Discontinued Operations: Held-To-Maturity Available-For-Sale Trading December 31, 2017 Amortized Cost Fair Value Amortized Cost Fair Value Amortized Cost Fair Value Due in one year or less $ — $ — $ 59,551 $ 59,850 $ — $ — Due after one year through five years — — 544,878 554,907 — — Due after five years through 10 years — — 429,150 436,561 — — Due after 10 years — — 81,803 83,208 — — Asset-backed securities — — 1,107 1,101 — — Mortgage-backed securities 34 34 4,623 4,460 — — Collateralized mortgage obligations — — 291,179 289,938 — — $ 34 $ 34 $ 1,412,291 $ 1,430,025 $ — $ — 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 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , is as follows: 2017 2016 2015 Net realized investment gains (losses) from continuing operations Fixed maturities: Available-for-sale $ 829 $ 1,004 $ 814 Trading securities Change in fair value 924 189 (1,352 ) Sales 244 931 1,381 Equity securities: Available-for-sale 1,553 2,359 1,977 Trading securities Change in fair value 332 301 (448 ) Sales 57 (6 ) 66 Other long-term investments — — (1,314 ) Other-than-temporary-impairment charges: Fixed maturities — — — Cash equivalents — 169 — Real Estate 116 — — Total net realized investment gains from continuing operations $ 4,055 $ 4,947 $ 1,124 Total net realized investment gains from discontinued operations 4,008 1,156 1,722 Total net realized investment gains $ 8,063 $ 6,103 $ 2,846 The proceeds and gross realized gains (losses) on the sale of available-for-sale fixed maturity securities from continuing operations for 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , are as follows: 2017 2016 2015 Proceeds from sales $ 7,404 $ 1,968 $ 478 Gross realized gains 1,046 920 451 Gross realized losses (20 ) — — The proceeds and gross realized gains (losses) on the sale of available-for-sale fixed maturity securities from discontinued operations for 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , are as follows: 2017 2016 2015 Proceeds from sales $ 7,315 $ 12,354 $ 11,066 Gross realized gains 1,264 65 683 Gross realized losses (78 ) (639 ) — There were no sales of held-to-maturity securities in 2017 , 2016 and 2015 . 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 $23,273 and $20,034 at December 31, 2017 and 2016 , respectively. Net Investment Income Net investment income for the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , is comprised of the following: Years Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 Investment income from continuing operations: Interest on fixed maturities $ 44,784 $ 43,147 $ 41,859 Dividends on equity securities 7,108 6,448 6,421 Income on other long-term investments Investment income 6,870 1,200 1,200 Change in value (1) (2,812 ) 10,178 2,313 Interest on short-term investments 120 47 3 Interest on cash and cash equivalents 1,125 352 234 Other 300 422 433 Total investment income from continuing operations $ 57,495 $ 61,794 $ 52,463 Less investment expenses 6,305 6,510 5,904 Net investment income from continuing operations $ 51,190 $ 55,284 $ 46,559 Net investment income from discontinued operations $ 49,720 $ 51,538 $ 54,222 Net investment income $ 100,910 $ 106,822 $ 100,781 (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, 2017 , pursuant to an agreement with our limited liability partnership investments, we are contractually committed to make capital contributions up to $2,175 upon request of the partnerships through December 31, 2023. Unrealized Appreciation and Depreciation A summary of changes in net unrealized investment appreciation for 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , is as follows for continuing operations and discontinued operations: 2017 2016 2015 Change in net unrealized investment appreciation Available-for-sale fixed maturities $ 25,573 $ (21,271 ) $ (37,621 ) Available-for-sale equity securities 40,168 34,179 (6,459 ) Deferred policy acquisition costs 119 (4,410 ) 11,380 Income tax effect (21,545 ) (2,975 ) 11,446 Accumulated effect of change in enacted tax rate 36,658 — — Total change in net unrealized investment appreciation, net of tax $ 80,973 $ 5,523 $ (21,254 ) 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, 2017 and 2016 for continuing operations and discontinued operations. 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, 2017 if future events or information cause us to determine that a decline in fair value is other-than-temporary. We have evaluated the near-term prospects of the issuers of our fixed maturity securities in relation to the severity and duration of the unrealized loss and determined that these losses did not warrant the recognition of an OTTI charge in 2017 or 2016 . In 2015, we recognized a $1,300 credit loss OTTI on an energy sector fixed maturity security in our Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income. This security was in our discontinued operations portfolio. 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 and, unless otherwise noted, these losses do not warrant the recognition of an OTTI charge at December 31, 2017 . There were no OTTI losses on equity securities recognized in 2017 , 2016 or 2015 . Our largest unrealized loss greater than 12 months on an individual equity security at December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 was $158 , $188 and $225 , 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, 2017 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 5 $ 10,370 $ 67 2 $ 5,765 $ 119 $ 16,135 $ 186 U.S. government agency 11 64,842 390 5 19,372 327 84,214 717 States, municipalities and political subdivisions General obligations Midwest 2 2,177 8 3 19,729 431 21,906 439 Northeast — — — 1 3,644 10 3,644 10 South 3 7,959 32 11 29,545 781 37,504 813 West 2 5,944 18 8 25,755 445 31,699 463 Special revenue Midwest 2 3,486 15 7 19,130 336 22,616 351 Northeast 1 4,471 37 11 28,476 582 32,947 619 South 8 7,749 107 27 69,917 1,744 77,666 1,851 West 3 5,424 16 22 56,753 1,182 62,177 1,198 Foreign bonds 1 857 49 — — — 857 49 Public utilities 8 19,186 79 5 8,446 191 27,632 270 Corporate bonds Energy 1 2,236 13 1 1,606 97 3,842 110 Industrials 10 27,773 146 2 4,275 95 32,048 241 Consumer goods and services 14 32,781 248 3 6,813 246 39,594 494 Health care 4 9,947 29 — — — 9,947 29 Technology, media and telecommunications 12 35,319 122 3 10,413 128 45,732 250 Financial services 22 50,144 256 4 11,389 186 61,533 442 Mortgage-backed securities 10 2,458 18 10 6,641 220 9,099 238 Collateralized mortgage obligations Government national mortgage association 20 49,764 629 17 46,969 1,645 96,733 2,274 Federal home loan mortgage corporation 11 37,543 577 20 75,679 3,470 113,222 4,047 Federal national mortgage association 11 31,958 342 11 20,123 832 52,081 1,174 Asset-backed securities 1 992 8 — — — 992 8 Total Available-for-Sale Fixed Maturities 162 $ 413,380 $ 3,206 173 $ 470,440 $ 13,067 $ 883,820 $ 16,273 Equity securities Common stocks Public utilities — $ — $ — 1 $ 278 $ 30 $ 278 $ 30 Energy 2 528 120 — — — 528 120 Industrials 1 99 13 5 193 107 292 120 Consumer goods and services — — — 2 151 164 151 164 Technology, media and telecommunications 2 466 95 1 4 20 470 115 Financial services 2 193 55 1 9 12 202 67 Total Available-for-Sale Equity Securities 7 $ 1,286 $ 283 10 $ 635 $ 333 $ 1,921 $ 616 Total Available-for-Sale Securities 169 $ 414,666 $ 3,489 183 $ 471,075 $ 13,400 $ 885,741 $ 16,889 December 31, 2016 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 9 $ 10,800 $ 108 — $ — $ — $ 10,800 $ 108 U.S. government agency 10 36,593 540 — — — 36,593 540 States, municipalities and political subdivisions General obligations Midwest 27 40,545 1,412 — — — 40,545 1,412 Northeast 9 9,874 231 — — — 9,874 231 South 37 53,699 2,355 — — — 53,699 2,355 West 30 55,265 2,173 — — — 55,265 2,173 Special revenue Midwest 41 62,937 1,433 — — — 62,937 1,433 Northeast 22 54,993 2,624 — — — 54,993 2,624 South 79 152,979 6,791 — — — 152,979 6,791 West 44 81,676 4,052 — — — 81,676 4,052 Public utilities 20 38,511 423 2 2,122 24 40,633 447 Corporate bonds Energy 8 15,938 313 3 8,232 106 24,170 419 Industrials 24 42,854 596 3 5,641 386 48,495 982 Consumer goods and services 11 21,059 295 — — — 21,059 295 Health care 9 20,918 151 — — — 20,918 151 Technology, media and telecommunications 16 41,230 516 3 10,241 303 51,471 819 Financial services 37 75,286 1,358 — — — 75,286 1,358 Mortgage-backed securities 16 9,611 187 5 1,198 54 10,809 241 Collateralized mortgage obligations Government national mortgage association 36 82,430 2,261 9 13,603 505 96,033 2,766 Federal home loan mortgage corporation 41 105,775 3,165 3 5,141 241 110,916 3,406 Federal national mortgage association 27 46,633 1,091 4 4,341 243 50,974 1,334 Asset-backed securities 1 971 29 1 2,559 253 3,530 282 Total Available-for-Sale Fixed Maturities 554 $ 1,060,577 $ 32,104 33 $ 53,078 $ 2,115 $ 1,113,655 $ 34,219 Equity securities Common stocks Public utilities — $ — $ — 3 $ 120 $ 188 $ 120 $ 188 Energy — — — 1 163 22 163 22 Industrials — — — 6 239 173 239 173 Consumer goods and services 3 282 55 2 15 3 297 58 Technology, media and telecommunications 7 26 5 8 33 33 59 38 Financial services 3 53 3 2 150 64 203 67 Total Available-for-Sale Equity Securities 13 $ 361 $ 63 22 $ 720 $ 483 $ 1,081 $ 546 Total Available-for-Sale Securities 567 $ 1,060,938 $ 32,167 55 $ 53,798 $ 2,598 $ 1,114,736 $ 34,765 The following tables are a reconciliation for continuing and discontinued operations of our total fixed maturity and equity securities that were in an unrealized loss position at December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 . The securities are presented by the length of time they have been continuously in an unrealized loss position: December 31, 2017 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: Continuing operations 88 232,489 1,791 112 302,815 7,161 $ 535,304 $ 8,952 Discontinued operations 74 180,891 1,415 61 167,625 5,906 348,516 7,321 Total Available-for-Sale Fixed Maturities 162 $ 413,380 $ 3,206 173 $ 470,440 $ 13,067 $ 883,820 $ 16,273 Equity securities: Continuing operations 5 1,129 236 6 385 303 $ 1,514 $ 539 Discontinued operations 2 157 47 4 250 30 407 77 Total Available-for-Sale Equity Securities 7 $ 1,286 $ 283 10 $ 635 $ 333 $ 1,921 $ 616 Total Available-for-Sale Securities 169 $ 414,666 $ 3,489 183 $ 471,075 $ 13,400 $ 885,741 $ 16,889 December 31, 2016 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: Continuing operations 404 $ 654,235 $ 23,359 12 $ 6,288 $ 315 $ 660,523 $ 23,674 Discontinued operations 150 406,342 8,745 21 46,790 1,800 453,132 10,545 Total Available-for-Sale Fixed Maturities 554 $ 1,060,577 $ 32,104 33 $ 53,078 $ 2,115 $ 1,113,655 $ 34,219 Equity securities: Continuing operations 12 $ 351 $ 62 17 $ 477 $ 254 $ 828 $ 316 Discontinued operations 1 10 1 5 243 229 253 230 Total Available-for-Sale Equity Securities 13 $ 361 $ 63 22 $ 720 $ 483 $ 1,081 $ 546 Total Available-for-Sale Securities 567 $ 1,060,938 $ 32,167 55 $ 53,798 $ 2,598 $ 1,114,736 $ 34,765

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUM

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
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. 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 loan'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. 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, 2017 , the cash surrender value of the COLI policies was $4,029 , 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. 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 and 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 from continuing operations at December 31, 2017 and 2016 is as follows: December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Fair Value Carrying Value Fair Value Carrying Value Assets Investments Fixed maturities: Held-to-maturity securities $ 150 $ 150 $ 150 $ 150 Available-for-sale securities 1,535,070 1,535,070 1,453,286 1,453,286 Trading securities 16,842 16,842 14,390 14,390 Equity securities: Available-for-sale securities 280,913 280,913 246,370 246,370 Trading securities 6,431 6,431 5,644 5,644 Other long-term investments 49,352 49,352 51,769 51,769 Short-term investments 175 175 175 175 Cash and cash equivalents 95,562 95,562 89,194 89,194 Corporate-owned life insurance 4,029 4,029 2,592 2,592 A summary of the carrying value and estimated fair value of our financial instruments from discontinued operations at December 31, 2017 and 2016 is as follows: December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Fair Value Carrying Value Fair Value Carrying Value Assets Investments Fixed maturities: Held-to-maturity securities $ 34 $ 34 $ 49 $ 48 Available-for-sale securities 1,430,025 1,430,025 1,444,840 1,444,840 Equity securities: Available-for-sale securities 23,653 23,653 24,046 24,046 Mortgage loans 3,594 3,435 3,895 3,706 Policy loans 5,815 5,815 5,366 5,366 Other long-term investments 16,437 16,437 15,870 15,870 Cash and cash equivalents 15,851 15,851 21,659 21,659 Liabilities Policy reserves Annuity (accumulations) (1) $ 591,702 $ 611,866 $ 646,764 $ 666,711 Annuity (benefit payments) 147,038 93,560 144,283 95,129 The following tables present the categorization for our financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis. The table include financial instruments from both continuing and discontinued operations at December 31, 2017 and 2016 : Fair Value Measurements Description December 31, 2017 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE Fixed maturities Bonds U.S. Treasury $ 16,891 $ — $ 16,891 $ — U.S. government agency 122,168 — 122,168 — States, municipalities and political subdivisions General obligations Midwest 109,696 — 109,696 — Northeast 48,641 — 48,641 — South 141,519 — 141,519 — West 113,011 — 113,011 — Special revenue Midwest 158,744 — 158,744 — Northeast 79,760 — 79,760 — South 263,512 — 263,512 — West 158,307 — 158,307 — Foreign bonds 52,753 — 52,753 — Public utilities 209,144 — 209,144 — Corporate bonds Energy 95,053 — 95,053 — Industrials 221,707 — 221,707 — Consumer goods and services 186,257 — 185,589 668 Health care 75,408 — 75,408 — Technology, media and telecommunications 148,979 — 148,979 — Financial services 283,151 — 275,474 7,677 Mortgage-backed securities 13,691 — 13,691 — Collateralized mortgage obligations Government national mortgage association 157,483 — 157,483 — Federal home loan mortgage corporation 199,152 — 199,152 — Federal national mortgage association 105,432 — 105,432 — Asset-backed securities 4,636 — 3,989 647 Total Available-For-Sale Fixed Maturities $ 2,965,095 $ — $ 2,956,103 $ 8,992 Equity securities Common stocks Public utilities $ 22,439 $ 22,439 $ — $ — Energy 14,565 14,565 — — Industrials 66,519 66,517 2 — Consumer goods and services 25,688 25,688 — — Health care 40,103 40,103 — — Technology, media and telecommunications 17,508 17,508 — — Financial services 116,447 116,447 — — Nonredeemable preferred stocks 1,297 415 — 882 Total Available-for-Sale Equity Securities $ 304,566 $ 303,682 $ 2 $ 882 Total Available-for-Sale Securities $ 3,269,661 $ 303,682 $ 2,956,105 $ 9,874 TRADING Fixed maturities Bonds Corporate bonds Industrials $ 2,220 $ — $ 2,220 $ — Consumer goods and services 1,535 — 1,535 — Health care 3,741 — 3,741 — Technology, media and telecommunications 1,221 — 1,221 — Financial services 5,566 — 5,566 — Redeemable preferred stocks 2,559 2,559 — — Equity securities Public utilities 874 874 — — Energy 190 190 — — Industrials 989 989 — — Consumer goods and services 1,314 1,314 — — Health care 325 325 — — Financial Services 198 198 — — Nonredeemable preferred stocks 2,541 2,541 — — Total Trading Securities $ 23,273 $ 8,990 $ 14,283 $ — Short-Term Investments $ 175 $ 175 $ — $ — Money Market Accounts $ 16,824 $ 16,824 $ — $ — Corporate-Owned Life Insurance $ 4,029 $ — $ 4,029 $ — Total Assets Measured at Fair Value $ 3,313,962 $ 329,671 $ 2,974,417 $ 9,874 Fair Value Measurements Description December 31, 2016 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE Fixed maturities Bonds U.S. Treasury $ 23,195 $ — $ 23,195 $ — U.S. government agency 77,597 — 77,597 — States, municipalities and political subdivisions General obligations Midwest 144,143 — 144,143 — Northeast 58,409 — 58,409 — South 128,369 — 128,369 — West 113,731 — 113,731 — Special revenue Midwest 168,310 — 168,142 168 Northeast 68,065 — 68,065 — South 239,187 — 239,187 — West 131,744 — 131,744 — Foreign bonds 65,234 — 65,234 — Public utilities 215,674 — 215,674 — Corporate bonds Energy 108,860 — 108,860 — Industrials 229,903 — 229,903 — Consumer goods and services 181,687 — 180,590 1,097 Health care 83,123 — 83,123 — Technology, media and telecommunications 144,612 — 144,612 — Financial services 273,951 — 265,154 8,797 Mortgage-backed securities 17,248 — 17,248 — Collateralized mortgage obligations Government national mortgage association 144,460 — 144,460 — Federal home loan mortgage corporation 174,458 — 174,458 — Federal national mortgage association 101,896 — 101,896 — Asset-backed securities 4,270 — 3,821 449 Total Available-For-Sale Fixed Maturities $ 2,898,126 $ — $ 2,887,615 $ 10,511 Equity securities Common stocks Public utilities $ 19,671 $ 19,671 $ — $ — Energy 15,047 15,047 — — Industrials 51,794 51,794 — — Consumer goods and services 24,117 24,117 — — Health care 27,420 27,420 — — Technology, media and telecommunications 15,369 15,369 — — Financial services 115,950 111,958 — 3,992 Nonredeemable preferred stocks 1,048 453 — 595 Total Available-for-Sale Equity Securities $ 270,416 $ 265,829 $ — $ 4,587 Total Available-for-Sale Securities $ 3,168,542 $ 265,829 $ 2,887,615 $ 15,098 TRADING Fixed maturities Bonds Corporate bonds Industrials $ 3,919 $ — $ 3,919 $ — Consumer goods and services 127 — 127 — Health care 3,410 — 3,410 — Technology, media and telecommunications 787 — 787 — Financial services 4,842 — 4,842 — Redeemable preferred stocks 1,305 1,305 — — Equity securities Public utilities 613 613 — — Energy 286 286 — — Industrials 877 877 — — Consumer goods and services 1,202 1,202 — — Health care 339 339 — — Financial Services 206 206 — — Nonredeemable preferred stocks 2,121 2,121 — — Total Trading Securities $ 20,034 $ 6,949 $ 13,085 $ — Short-Term Investments $ 175 $ 175 $ — $ — Money Market Accounts $ 16,802 $ 16,802 $ — $ — Corporate-Owned Life Insurance $ 2,592 $ — $ 2,592 $ — Total Assets Measured at Fair Value $ 3,208,145 $ 289,755 $ 2,903,292 $ 15,098 The following tables are a reconciliation for both continuing and discontinued operations of the presentation of the categorization for our financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2017 and 2016 : December 31, 2017 Fair Value Measurements Description Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE Fixed maturities: Continuing operations $ 1,535,070 $ — $ 1,534,323 $ 747 Discontinued operations 1,430,025 — 1,421,780 8,245 Total Available-for-Sale Fixed Maturities $ 2,965,095 $ — $ 2,956,103 $ 8,992 Equity securities: Continuing operations $ 280,913 $ 280,031 $ — $ 882 Discontinued operations 23,653 23,651 2 — Total Available-for-Sale Equity Securities $ 304,566 $ 303,682 $ 2 $ 882 Total Available-for-Sale Securities $ 3,269,661 $ 303,682 $ 2,956,105 $ 9,874 TRADING Fixed maturities: Continuing operations $ 16,842 $ 2,559 $ 14,283 $ — Discontinued operations — — — — Equity securities: Continuing operations 6,431 6,431 — — Discontinued operations — — — — Total Trading Securities $ 23,273 $ 8,990 $ 14,283 $ — SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS Continuing operations $ 175 $ 175 $ — $ — Discontinued operations — — — — Short-Term Investments $ 175 $ 175 $ — $ — MONEY MARKET ACCOUNTS Continuing operations $ 6,147 $ 6,147 $ — $ — Discontinued operations 10,677 10,677 — — Money Market Accounts $ 16,824 $ 16,824 $ — $ — CORPORATE-OWNED LIFE INSURANCE Continuing operations $ 4,029 $ — $ 4,029 $ — Discontinued operations — — — — Corporate-Owned Life Insurance $ 4,029 $ — $ 4,029 $ — Total Assets Measured at Fair Value $ 3,313,962 $ 329,671 $ 2,974,417 $ 9,874 December 31, 2016 Fair Value Measurements Description Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE Fixed maturities: Continuing operations $ 1,453,286 $ — $ 1,452,737 $ 549 Discontinued operations 1,444,840 — 1,434,878 9,962 Total Available-for-Sale Fixed Maturities $ 2,898,126 $ — $ 2,887,615 $ 10,511 Equity securities: Continuing operations $ 246,370 $ 243,627 $ — $ 2,743 Discontinued operations 24,046 22,202 — 1,844 Total Available-for-Sale Equity Securities $ 270,416 $ 265,829 $ — $ 4,587 Total Available-for-Sale Securities $ 3,168,542 $ 265,829 $ 2,887,615 $ 15,098 TRADING Fixed maturities: Continuing operations $ 14,390 $ 1,305 $ 13,085 $ — Discontinued operations — — — — Equity securities: Continuing operations 5,644 5,644 — — Discontinued operations — — — — Total Trading Securities $ 20,034 $ 6,949 $ 13,085 $ — SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS Continuing operations $ 175 $ 175 $ — $ — Discontinued operations — — — — Short-Term Investments $ 175 $ 175 $ — $ — MONEY MARKET ACCOUNTS Continuing operations $ 4,810 $ 4,810 $ — $ — Discontinued operations 11,992 11,992 — — Money Market Accounts $ 16,802 $ 16,802 $ — $ — CORPORATE-OWNED LIFE INSURANCE Continuing operations $ 2,592 $ — $ 2,592 $ — Discontinued operations — — — — Corporate-Owned Life Insurance $ 2,592 $ — $ 2,592 $ — Total Assets Measured at Fair Value $ 3,208,145 $ 289,755 $ 2,903,292 $ 15,098 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 and receive them primarily from 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 for pricing. 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. 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. In our opinion, the pricing obtained at December 31, 2017 and 2016 was reasonable. For the year ended December 31, 2017 , the change in our available-for-sale securities categorized as Level 1 and Level 2 is the result of investment purchases that were made using funds held in our money market accounts, disposals and the change in unrealized gains on both fixed maturities and equity securities. During the twelve month period ended December 31, 2017 , 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, 2017 , 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, from both continuing and discontinued operations for 2017 : States, municipalities and political subdivisions Corporate bonds Asset-backed securities Equities Total Balance at January 1, 2017 $ 168 $ 9,894 $ 449 $ 4,587 $ 15,098 Unrealized gains (losses) (1) (8 ) (129 ) 198 287 348 Purchases — 100 — 145 245 Disposals (160 ) (1,520 ) — (4,137 ) (5,817 ) Balance at December 31, 2017 $ — $ 8,345 $ 647 $ 882 $ 9,874 (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, from both continuing and discontinued operations for 2016 : States, municipalities and political subdivisions Corporate bonds Asset-backed securities Equities Total Balance at January 1, 2016 $ 343 $ 10,895 $ 1,036 $ 3,978 $ 16,252 Realized gains (losses) (1) — — — — — Unrealized gains (losses) (1) (15 ) 134 (39 ) — 80 Purchases — — — 727 727 Disposals (160 ) (1,135 ) (548 ) (118 ) (1,961 ) Balance at December 31, 2016 $ 168 $ 9,894 $ 449 $ 4,587 $ 15,098 (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.

REINSURANCE

REINSURANCE	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Reinsurance Disclosures [Abstract]
REINSURANCE	REINSURANCE Continuing Operations - Property and Casualty Insurance Business 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, 2017 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 $2,859 and $2,447 at December 31, 2017 and 2016 , 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, 2017 2016 2015 Ceded Business Ceded premiums written $ 61,273 $ 57,988 $ 56,916 Ceded premiums earned 61,305 57,996 56,758 Loss and loss settlement expenses ceded 33,303 13,278 3,868 Assumed Business Assumed premiums written $ 15,179 $ 16,834 $ 18,290 Assumed premiums earned 15,059 17,037 18,396 Loss and loss settlement expenses assumed 24,688 9,814 14,415 In 2017, we renewed our participation in all of our assumed programs. Loss and loss settlement expenses ceded increased in 2017 as compared to 2016, primarily due to an increase in severity of commercial auto losses, assumed reinsurance losses and catastrophe losses. In 2016, we renewed our participation in all of our assumed programs. Loss and loss settlement expenses ceded increased in 2016 as compared to 2015, primarily due to an increase in significant large losses and catastrophe losses. 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. 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. For 2017, there was an all lines annual aggregate excess of loss program with variable retention of 7.02 percent of gross net earned premium with a minimum retention of $58.5 million and a maximum of $71.5 million . Our all lines aggregate recovery is also limited to $30.0 million . For 2016, there was an all lines annual aggregate excess of loss program with a variable retention of 7.73 percent of gross net earned premium with a minimum retention of $52.0 million and a maximum of $65.0 million. Our all lines aggregate recovery is also limited to a maximum of $30.0 million. For 2015, there was a $4,000 aggregate annual deductible on our multi-line core program (casualty excess and property excess). 2017 Reinsurance Programs Type of Reinsurance Stated Retention Limits Coverage Casualty excess of loss $ 2,500 $ 60,000 100 % of $ 57,500 Property excess of loss 2,500 25,000 100 % of $ 22,500 Surety excess of loss 1,500 45,000 100 % of $ 43,500 Property catastrophe, excess 20,000 250,000 100 % of $ 230,000 Boiler and machinery N/A 50,000 100 % of $ 50,000 2016 Reinsurance Programs Type of Reinsurance Stated Retention Limits Coverage Casualty excess of loss $ 2,500 $ 40,000 100 % of $ 37,500 Property excess of loss 2,500 25,000 100 % of $ 22,500 Surety excess of loss 1,500 36,000 100 % of $ 34,500 Property catastrophe, excess 20,000 250,000 100 % of $ 230,000 Boiler and machinery N/A 50,000 100 % of $ 50,000 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 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. Discontinued Operations - Life Insurance Business Ceded 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 . 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, 2017 2016 2015 Ceded Business Ceded insurance in-force $ 1,014,794 $ 1,023,197 $ 1,165,868 Ceded premiums earned 2,722 2,768 3,161 Loss and loss settlement expenses ceded 3,726 3,359 2,113 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 percent of ceded life insurance in force as of December 31, 2017 was ceded to five reinsurers.

RESERVES FOR LOSSES AND LOSS SE

RESERVES FOR LOSSES AND LOSS SETTLEMENT EXPENSES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Insurance Loss Reserves [Abstract]
RESERVES FOR LOSSES AND LOSS SETTLEMENT EXPENSES	RESERVES FOR LOSSES AND LOSS SETTLEMENT EXPENSES Property insurance indemnifies an insured with an interest in physical property for loss of, or damage to, such property or the loss of its income-producing abilities. Casualty insurance primarily covers liability for damage to property of, or injury to, a person or entity other than the insured. In most cases, casualty insurance also obligates the insurance company to provide a defense for the insured in litigation, arising out of events covered by the policy. Liabilities for losses and loss settlement expenses reflect management's best estimates at a given point in time of what we expect to pay for claims that have been reported and those that have been incurred but not reported ("IBNR"), based on known facts, circumstances, and historical trends. 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, 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. 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 determination of reserves (particularly those relating to liability lines of insurance that have relatively longer lag in claim reporting) requires significant work to reasonably project expected future claim reporting and payment patterns. If, during the course of our regular monitoring of reserves, we determine that coverages previously written are incurring higher than expected losses, we will take action that may include, among other things, increasing the related reserves. Any adjustments we make to reserves are reflected in operating results in the year in which we make those adjustments. We engage an independent actuary, Regnier Consulting Group, Inc. ("Regnier"), to render an opinion as to the reasonableness of our statutory reserves annually. The actuarial opinion is filed in those states where we are licensed. On a quarterly basis, United Fire's internal actuary performs a detailed actuarial review of IBNR reserves. This review includes a comparison of results from the most recent analysis of reserves completed by both our internal and external actuaries. Senior management meets with our internal actuary to review, on a regular and quarterly basis, the adequacy of carried reserves based on results from this actuarial analysis. There are two fundamental types or sources of IBNR reserves. We record IBNR reserves for "normal" types of claims and also specific IBNR reserves related to unique circumstances or events. A major hurricane is an example of an event that might necessitate establishing specific IBNR reserves because an analysis of existing historical data would not provide an appropriate estimate. Our IBNR methodologies and assumptions are reviewed periodically, but changes are infrequent. Between calendar year 2015 and 2016, in response to an increase in miles driven by commercial vehicles, we revised our commercial automobile frequency and severity assumptions, resulting in an increase to our carried loss IBNR. We also reviewed our methodology and assumptions in our product liability line, associated with our construction defects business, and decreased our frequency and severity assumptions due to improvement in development patterns related to the statute of limitations on accident years that have matured 13 to 15 years which haven't developed to the extent we initially expected. These assumption changes resulted in a release of IBNR in 2016 and 2017 for our product liability line. Besides the changes to our assumptions used for our commercial automobile line and product liability line, we continually review and revise items affecting our projections of required reserves for unpaid loss and loss adjustment expense ("LAE"). Items reviewed and revised include development factors for paid and reported loss, paid development factors for allocated LAE, and the ratios of paid unallocated LAE to paid loss. We do not discount loss reserves based on the time value of money. The following table provides an analysis of changes in our property and casualty losses and loss settlement expense reserves for 2017 , 2016 and 2015 (net of reinsurance amounts): Years Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 Gross liability for losses and loss settlement expenses $ 1,123,896 $ 1,003,895 $ 969,437 Ceded losses and loss settlement expenses (59,794 ) (54,653 ) (63,757 ) Net liability for losses and loss settlement expenses $ 1,064,102 $ 949,242 $ 905,680 Losses and loss settlement expenses incurred Current year $ 779,966 $ 683,662 $ 560,482 Prior years (54,253 ) (31,229 ) (40,395 ) Total incurred $ 725,713 $ 652,433 $ 520,087 Losses and loss settlement expense payments Current year $ 311,972 $ 277,053 $ 225,022 Prior years 313,531 260,520 251,503 Total paid $ 625,503 $ 537,573 $ 476,525 Net liability for losses and loss settlement expenses $ 1,164,312 $ 1,064,102 $ 949,242 Ceded loss and loss settlement expenses 59,871 59,794 54,653 Gross liability for losses and loss settlement expenses $ 1,224,183 $ 1,123,896 $ 1,003,895 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 2017 were our commercial liability and workers compensation lines of business. Much of the favorable commercial liability development came from loss adjustment expense and is attributed to our continued litigation management efforts combined with some favorable development coming from decreases in reserves, which were more than sufficient to pay claims as they closed. Workers compensation favorable development was due to the combined effects of decreases in claim reserves along with favorable changes affecting loss adjustment expense. Our personal lines also contributed favorable development. The lines that experienced adverse development during the year, which partially offset the favorable development mentioned earlier, were assumed reinsurance and commercial automobile. The adverse development for assumed reinsurance is due to increases in prior year reserves for unpaid claims while the adverse development for commercial auto is due to paid losses which were greater than reductions in reported loss reserves and reserves for claims incurred but not reported. No other single line of business contributed a significant portion of the total development. The significant drivers of the favorable reserve development in 2016 were our commercial liability and workers compensation lines of business. Much of the favorable commercial liability development came from loss adjustment expense and is attributed to our continued litigation management efforts. Workers compensation favorable development was due to the combined effects of decreases in claim reserves along with favorable changes affecting loss adjustment expense. Loss adjustment expense, closely tied to loss, generally decreases when loss decreases. Commercial property, commercial automobile and assumed reinsurance lines of business exhibited adverse development which provided a partial offset to the favorable development previously noted. The adverse development for all three lines is due to paid loss which was greater than reductions in reported loss reserves and reserves for claims incurred but not reported. No other single line of business contributed a significant portion of the total development. The significant drivers of the favorable reserve development in 2015 were our long-tail liability lines, workers compensation, and automobile (physical damage) lines of business. 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. 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. The following tables provide information about incurred and paid losses and loss settlement expense development as of December 31, 2017 , net of reinsurance, as well as cumulative development, cumulative claim frequency and IBNR liabilities. Claim data for Mercer Insurance Group, which was acquired on March 28, 2011, is presented retrospectively. The cumulative number of reported claims, for calendar year 2017 and 2016, are counted for all lines of business on a per claimant per coverage basis and a single event may result in multiple claims due to the involvement of multiple individual claimants and / or multiple independent coverages. Claim counts for calendar years 2015 and prior are counted on a per claim and per coverage basis. Claim counts include open claims, claims that have been paid and closed, and reported claims that have been closed without the need for any payment. Line of business: Commercial other liability Incurred losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance As of December 31, 2017 For the years ended December 31, Total of incurred but not reported liabilities plus expected development on reported claims Cumulative development Cumulative number of reported claims Accident Year 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 (Unaudited) 2008 $ 79,455 $ 84,944 $ 81,963 $ 73,892 $ 63,231 $ 78,152 $ 75,178 $ 74,115 $ 74,915 $ 75,364 $ 12,636 (4,091 ) 6,734 2009 88,298 85,991 73,545 65,831 84,286 83,660 85,761 86,757 86,543 11,268 (1,755 ) 6,123 2010 88,987 69,533 65,299 82,865 78,564 77,948 78,291 78,498 14,468 (10,489 ) 5,174 2011 81,522 64,738 88,371 88,200 79,591 80,801 81,463 15,016 (59 ) 5,328 2012 100,389 96,158 94,195 91,980 92,537 91,346 18,407 (9,043 ) 5,540 2013 104,982 91,460 90,502 86,119 85,399 9,697 (19,583 ) 6,007 2014 118,928 117,958 106,486 97,809 13,583 (21,119 ) 6,109 2015 137,386 125,307 120,005 25,634 (17,381 ) 7,083 2016 139,144 130,041 35,760 (9,103 ) 7,512 2017 139,602 68,465 5,833 Total $ 986,070 Line of business: Commercial other liability Cumulative paid losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance For the years ended December 31, Accident Year 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 (Unaudited) 2008 $ 9,220 $ 24,096 $ 34,482 $ 42,545 $ 47,112 $ 50,143 $ 52,659 $ 55,843 $ 59,052 $ 60,698 2009 8,375 21,151 32,073 41,696 50,098 56,789 63,149 67,733 70,814 2010 7,103 15,230 24,577 35,043 51,336 56,761 60,116 62,070 2011 6,236 13,670 26,260 40,595 50,146 56,150 62,165 2012 6,875 24,620 39,948 55,316 64,574 69,800 2013 9,835 25,228 39,953 54,559 65,773 2014 10,207 29,679 50,211 70,363 2015 11,185 27,182 53,901 2016 13,782 38,184 2017 17,716 Total $ 571,484 All outstanding liabilities for unpaid losses and loss settlement expenses before 2008, net of reinsurance 29,167 Liabilities for unpaid losses and loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance $ 443,753 Line of business: Commercial fire and allied Incurred losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance As of December 31, 2017 For the years ended December 31, Total of incurred but not reported liabilities plus expected development on reported claims Cumulative development Cumulative number of reported claims Accident Year 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 (Unaudited) 2008 $ 157,303 $ 141,384 $ 138,602 $ 140,321 $ 134,821 $ 116,940 $ 118,115 $ 118,376 $ 118,329 $ 118,308 $ 44 (38,995 ) 21,101 2009 113,754 106,085 105,031 105,614 87,751 87,845 87,932 88,891 89,027 154 (24,727 ) 18,038 2010 113,139 106,152 108,246 83,836 83,932 83,767 83,981 84,213 229 (28,926 ) 16,671 2011 148,220 142,330 117,082 120,492 119,820 120,219 121,434 611 (26,786 ) 16,026 2012 138,602 110,448 108,774 108,047 107,958 108,623 970 (29,979 ) 6,408 2013 91,521 88,550 91,498 92,212 93,826 1,139 2,305 6,598 2014 126,216 131,198 128,762 128,185 1,397 1,969 7,827 2015 103,177 108,293 110,633 3,370 7,456 7,465 2016 147,473 144,208 3,597 (3,265 ) 9,496 2017 155,139 16,178 11,574 Total $ 1,153,596 Line of business: Commercial fire and allied Cumulative paid losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance For the years ended December 31, Accident Year 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 (Unaudited) 2008 $ 80,005 $ 102,804 $ 107,480 $ 112,678 $ 115,804 $ 115,897 $ 117,553 $ 117,690 $ 118,003 $ 118,059 2009 53,219 72,181 77,732 82,809 86,930 87,544 87,721 88,037 88,159 2010 52,660 72,271 78,284 80,352 82,037 83,000 83,374 83,915 2011 85,585 104,800 109,429 112,497 116,614 118,183 120,178 2012 71,008 94,380 100,078 103,197 105,250 106,521 2013 59,331 78,226 82,853 86,115 89,200 2014 84,456 113,663 116,750 122,370 2015 67,217 90,454 95,515 2016 92,895 125,962 2017 99,484 Total $ 1,049,363 All outstanding liabilities for unpaid losses and loss settlement expenses before 2008, net of reinsurance 573 Liabilities for unpaid losses and loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance $ 104,806 Line of business: Commercial automobile Incurred losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance As of December 31, 2017 For the years ended December 31, Total of incurred but not reported liabilities plus expected development on reported claims Cumulative development Cumulative number of reported claims Accident Year 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 (Unaudited) 2008 $ 80,461 $ 78,391 $ 76,051 $ 76,527 $ 75,070 $ 75,021 $ 73,506 $ 73,431 $ 73,463 $ 73,487 $ 12 (6,974 ) 18,114 2009 80,021 69,328 68,569 64,121 64,516 63,605 63,560 63,567 63,509 — (16,512 ) 15,019 2010 75,781 68,068 65,860 67,015 67,563 67,296 68,086 67,910 17 (7,871 ) 16,245 2011 84,887 87,299 90,750 92,519 92,379 91,336 90,766 311 5,879 15,246 2012 100,039 90,848 94,755 95,321 96,594 96,389 488 (3,650 ) 14,353 2013 104,356 98,037 102,943 103,726 104,980 1,310 624 15,504 2014 107,723 106,076 113,720 118,869 3,634 11,146 17,222 2015 125,506 129,816 132,206 7,874 6,700 19,875 2016 174,018 175,357 21,439 1,339 26,662 2017 227,919 58,850 28,858 Total $ 1,151,392 Line of business: Commercial automobile Cumulative paid losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance For the years ended December 31, Accident Year 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 (Unaudited) 2008 $ 30,527 $ 47,271 $ 58,926 $ 68,629 $ 70,459 $ 72,122 $ 72,984 $ 72,990 $ 73,018 $ 73,394 2009 27,674 44,867 53,451 58,087 61,398 62,732 63,495 63,503 63,508 2010 29,329 41,141 52,953 57,947 62,231 65,169 67,622 67,852 2011 34,332 50,931 65,021 79,383 85,348 87,475 88,609 2012 39,247 57,201 71,469 82,944 90,292 93,179 2013 43,592 67,630 79,663 90,780 96,375 2014 45,704 68,033 87,590 99,922 2015 50,782 78,225 99,201 2016 66,013 103,528 2017 81,311 Total $ 866,879 All outstanding liabilities for unpaid losses and loss settlement expenses before 2008, net of reinsurance 39 Liabilities for unpaid losses and loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance $ 284,552 Line of business: Workers' compensation Incurred losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance As of December 31, 2017 For the years ended December 31, Total of incurred but not reported liabilities plus expected development on reported claims Cumulative development Cumulative number of reported claims Accident Year 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 (Unaudited) 2008 $ 42,739 $ 42,301 $ 39,895 $ 41,278 $ 40,474 $ 40,010 $ 39,386 $ 39,680 $ 39,768 $ 38,664 $ 499 (4,075 ) 5,057 2009 43,560 39,009 36,294 36,837 36,823 36,158 36,014 35,026 35,012 489 (8,548 ) 4,264 2010 38,210 42,531 41,180 41,167 40,647 41,422 41,468 42,617 596 4,407 3,978 2011 39,967 38,481 35,352 34,309 33,585 33,314 33,352 747 (6,615 ) 3,930 2012 48,848 46,279 42,158 38,423 38,553 39,015 754 (9,833 ) 3,813 2013 64,048 62,579 56,369 54,584 52,761 975 (11,287 ) 4,173 2014 64,051 60,729 58,284 56,630 1,409 (7,421 ) 4,593 2015 53,788 55,578 51,003 1,753 (2,785 ) 5,311 2016 70,419 66,575 3,392 (3,844 ) 6,732 2017 76,184 7,317 5,460 Total $ 491,813 Line of business: Workers' compensation Cumulative paid losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance For the years ended December 31, Accident Year 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 (Unaudited) 2008 $ 10,082 $ 21,227 $ 25,736 $ 30,123 $ 31,980 $ 33,770 $ 34,319 $ 34,862 $ 35,292 $ 36,010 2009 10,478 20,292 24,189 27,747 29,898 31,003 31,886 32,911 33,117 2010 11,821 22,606 28,765 31,887 33,119 34,143 35,052 38,973 2011 10,322 21,678 26,033 27,497 28,247 29,022 29,453 2012 11,802 23,023 28,397 30,933 33,063 34,330 2013 14,136 30,209 38,023 42,941 45,078 2014 13,965 30,289 38,441 42,964 2015 12,063 27,304 35,229 2016 14,413 32,345 2017 14,647 Total $ 342,146 All outstanding liabilities for unpaid losses and loss settlement expenses before 2008, net of reinsurance 18,973 Liabilities for unpaid losses and loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance $ 168,640 Line of business: Personal Incurred losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance As of December 31, 2017 For the years ended December 31, Total of incurred but not reported liabilities plus expected development on reported claims Cumulative development Cumulative number of reported claims Accident Year 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 (Unaudited) 2008 $ 49,961 $ 44,686 $ 43,408 $ 43,672 $ 43,577 $ 43,535 $ 43,515 $ 43,482 $ 42,882 $ 42,881 $ — (7,080 ) 15,821 2009 34,597 33,519 31,945 32,026 32,134 32,029 32,085 32,070 31,867 2 (2,730 ) 13,502 2010 36,686 34,347 33,928 33,865 33,403 33,413 33,432 33,213 29 (3,473 ) 13,325 2011 50,014 48,534 47,090 47,035 46,968 47,013 46,733 74 (3,281 ) 14,843 2012 47,924 46,199 46,403 46,150 44,715 44,352 108 (3,572 ) 10,769 2013 39,232 38,525 37,262 37,086 36,729 172 (2,503 ) 9,232 2014 53,910 52,661 52,944 52,782 236 (1,128 ) 10,899 2015 42,848 41,088 40,336 396 (2,512 ) 9,490 2016 48,072 45,840 733 (2,232 ) 11,674 2017 60,330 3,310 13,049 Total $ 435,063 Line of business: Personal Cumulative paid losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance For the years ended December 31, Accident Year 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 (Unaudited) 2008 $ 32,032 $ 40,114 $ 41,735 $ 42,414 $ 42,613 $ 42,627 $ 42,748 $ 42,748 $ 42,787 $ 42,881 2009 22,086 27,926 29,801 30,829 31,564 31,644 31,718 31,804 31,837 2010 24,499 29,867 31,340 32,076 32,771 32,997 33,165 33,158 2011 36,489 43,801 45,306 45,949 46,487 46,573 46,575 2012 30,415 41,979 43,375 44,448 43,569 44,139 2013 25,505 32,788 34,297 35,306 36,155 2014 37,055 47,912 49,710 51,837 2015 29,551 37,431 39,027 2016 32,999 40,910 2017 42,135 Total $ 408,654 All outstanding liabilities for unpaid losses and loss settlement expenses before 2008, net of reinsurance 1,326 Liabilities for unpaid losses and loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance $ 27,735 The reconciliation of the net incurred and loss development tables to the liability for unpaid losses and loss settlement expenses in the consolidated statement of financial position is as follows. December 31, 2017 Net outstanding liabilities for unpaid losses and allocated loss settlement expenses: Commercial other liability $ 443,753 Commercial fire and allied 104,806 Commercial automobile 284,552 Commercial workers' compensation 168,640 Personal 27,735 All other lines 43,709 Net outstanding liabilities for unpaid losses and allocated loss settlement expenses 1,073,195 Net outstanding liabilities for unpaid unallocated loss settlement expenses 88,193 Fair value adjustment (purchase accounting adjustment for Mercer acquisition) 2,924 Liabilities for unpaid losses and loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance 1,164,312 Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses and allocated loss settlement expenses: Commercial other liability 20,367 Commercial fire and allied 10,806 Commercial automobile 1,994 Commercial workers' compensation 26,799 Personal 26 All other lines 2,675 Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses and allocated loss settlement expenses 62,667 Reinsurance fair value amortization (purchase accounting adjustment for Mercer acquisition) (2,796 ) Total reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses and loss settlement expenses 59,871 Total gross liability for unpaid losses and loss settlement expenses $ 1,224,183 The following is supplementary information about average historical claims duration as of December 31, 2017 . Average annual percentage payout of incurred claims by age, net of reinsurance Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6 Year 7 Year 8 Year 9 Year 10 (Unaudited) Commercial other liability 10.1 % 15.9 % 16.4 % 15.3 % 11.9 % 6.4 % 5.6 % 4.0 % 3.9 % 2.2 % Commercial fire and allied 64.4 % 20.9 % 4.8 % 3.7 % 3.0 % 0.9 % 0.9 % 0.4 % 0.2 % — % Commercial automobile 39.9 % 20.9 % 15.1 % 10.9 % 5.6 % 2.8 % 1.8 % 0.1 % — % 0.5 % Commercial workers' compensation 26.1 % 29.0 % 13.6 % 8.1 % 4.3 % 3.2 % 1.8 % 4.5 % 0.8 % 1.9 % Personal 71.9 % 19.1 % 4.0 % 2.5 % 1.1 % 0.5 % 0.3 % 0.1 % 0.1 % 0.2 %

STATUTORY REPORTING, CAPITAL RE

STATUTORY REPORTING, CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS AND DIVIDENDS AND RETAINED EARNINGS RESTRICTIONS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
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, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 and statutory net income (loss) for the years then ended are as follows: Statutory Capital and Surplus Statutory Net Income (Loss) 2017 Property and casualty business $ 757,443 $ 19,687 Life, accident and health business 144,533 5,485 2016 Property and casualty business $ 770,908 $ 39,087 Life, accident and health business 139,806 (3,177 ) 2015 Property and casualty business $ 722,404 $ 75,554 Life, accident and health business 138,855 (1,524 ) (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, 2017 , our insurance company subsidiary, United Fire & Casualty Company, is able to make a maximum of $35,744 in dividend payments without prior approval. At December 31, 2017 , 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 $27,337 , $24,591 and $21,658 in 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , 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 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , United Fire & Casualty Company received dividends from its wholly owned subsidiaries of $13,300 , $26,000 and $16,500 , respectively. In 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , United Fire & Casualty Company paid dividends to United Fire Group, Inc. totaling $40,000 , $24,000 and $22,500 , 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, 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, 2017 , United Life had net admitted assets, on a statutory basis, of $1,497,955 , $215,488 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 2017 , 2016 and 2015 . 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, 2017 .

FEDERAL INCOME TAX

FEDERAL INCOME TAX	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
FEDERAL INCOME TAX	FEDERAL INCOME TAX The Tax Act was enacted on December 22, 2017. The Tax Act significantly revised the U.S. corporate income tax laws including lowering the U.S. federal corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent , effective January 1, 2018. In December 2017, the Securities and Exchange Commission staff issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118, which addresses how a company recognizes provisional amounts when a company does not have the necessary information available, prepared or analyzed in reasonable detail to complete its accounting for the effect of the changes in the Tax Act. The measurement period ends when a company has obtained, prepared and analyzed the information necessary to finalize its accounting, but cannot extend beyond one year. As of December 31, 2017 we had not completed accounting for the tax effects of enactment of the Tax Act, however for certain items, we have made a reasonable estimate of the effects on our deferred tax balances. For other items where we could not make a reasonable estimate, we are still using existing accounting guidance and the provisions of the tax laws that were in place prior to the enactment. For the items were we were able to determine a reasonable estimate, we recognized a provisional amount in income tax expense from continuing operations of $21,884 . The Company will continue to refine this estimated provisional adjustment as we gain a more through understanding of the tax law and the Company will take future guidance into consideration when it becomes available. Federal income tax expense (benefit) from both continuing and discontinued operations is composed of the following: Years Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 Current $ 1,989 $ 3,239 $ 37,649 Deferred (26,719 ) 5,524 (5,324 ) Total $ (24,730 ) $ 8,763 $ 32,325 A reconciliation of income tax expense (benefit) 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, 2017 2016 2015 Computed expected income tax expense $ 9,202 $ 20,533 $ 42,508 Impact of enactment of Tax Act (21,884 ) — — Tax-exempt municipal bond interest income (8,875 ) (8,330 ) (7,669 ) Nontaxable dividend income (1,540 ) (1,317 ) (1,337 ) Valuation allowance reduction (547 ) (547 ) (548 ) Other, net (1,086 ) (1,576 ) (629 ) Consolidated federal income tax expense (benefit) $ (24,730 ) $ 8,763 $ 32,325 Reconciliation of consolidated federal income tax expense (benefit) from: Continuing operations $ (29,220 ) $ 8,379 $ 30,050 Discontinued operations 4,490 384 2,275 Consolidated federal income tax expense (benefit) $ (24,730 ) $ 8,763 $ 32,325 We remeasure certain deferred tax assets and liabilities based on the rates at which they are expected to reverse in the future, which under the new Tax Act is 21.0 percent . However, we are still analyzing certain aspects of the Tax Act which could impact our calculations and the measurement of our deferred tax balances. The significant components of our net deferred tax liability from both continuing and discontinued operations at December 31, 2017 and 2016 are as follows: December 31, 2017 2016 Deferred tax liabilities Net unrealized appreciation on investment securities: Equity securities $ 50,839 $ 70,640 All other securities 7,599 3,711 Deferred policy acquisition costs 30,404 52,031 Investments in partnerships 3,653 8,112 Prepaid pension cost 3,416 4,449 Net bond discount accretion 666 1,134 Depreciation 593 854 Revaluation of investment basis (1) 545 1,342 Identifiable intangible assets (1) 1,838 3,311 Other 1,934 2,831 Gross deferred tax liability $ 101,487 $ 148,415 Deferred tax assets Financial statement reserves in excess of income tax reserves $ 17,036 $ 29,174 Unearned premium adjustment 19,389 30,697 Net operating loss carryforwards 329 718 Underfunded benefit plan obligation 12,375 13,374 Post-retirement benefits other than pensions 11,942 20,221 Other-than-temporary impairment of investments 2,313 4,658 Contingent ceding commission accrual 317 2,769 Alternative minimum tax credit carryforward 6,011 1,194 Compensation expense related to stock options 3,289 4,578 Other 4,145 6,162 Gross deferred tax asset $ 77,146 $ 113,545 Valuation allowance (329 ) (718 ) Deferred tax asset $ 76,817 $ 112,827 Net deferred tax liability $ 24,670 $ 35,588 (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 $329 and $718 , respectively, at December 31, 2017 and 2016 . 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 $547 during 2017 due to the realization of $1,565 in NOLs, partially offset by a $158 adjustment related to the enactment of the Tax Act, for a net reduction of $389 . The valuation allowance was reduced by $547 in 2016 due to the realization of $1,565 in NOLs. No portion of the NOLs expired in 2017 and $1,565 will expire in 2018 . At December 31, 2017 , we had $6,011 of alternative minimum tax credit carryforwards.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Retirement Benefits [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 Post-retirement 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 $6,400 to the pension plan in 2018 . 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 "post-retirement benefit plan"). Effective January 1, 2017, there was a plan amendment, which included the following changes: eliminated the pre-65 retirement plan with a $500 hundred dollar deductible; for retirements after January 1, 2017, the retiree will pay 50 percent of the lower cost supplemental plan if they are 65 or older and 100 percent of the premium if less than 65; and removed spousal coverage after the death of the participant. The financial impact of the changes were reflected in accumulated other comprehensive income at December 31, 2016. The post-retirement benefit plan provides health and dental benefits to our retirees (and covered dependents) who have met the service and participation requirements stipulated by the post-retirement benefit plan. The third party administrators for the post-retirement 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 post-retirement 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, 2017 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, 2017 , 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, 2017 and 2016 by asset category: Target Pension Plan Assets 2017 % of Total 2016 % of Total Allocation Fixed maturity securities - corporate bonds $ 11,003 7.0 % $ 9,451 7.4 % 0 % - 15 % Redeemable preferred stock 3,216 2.0 3,144 2.4 0 % - 10 % Equity securities 87,603 55.6 69,770 54.3 50 % - 70 % Pooled separate accounts Core plus bond separate account fund 17,948 11.4 10,401 8.1 0 % - 40 % U.S. property separate account fund 15,502 9.8 14,330 11.1 0 % - 25 % Arbitrage fund 8,506 5.4 8,292 6.5 0 % - 10 % United Life annuity 9,846 6.2 9,377 7.3 5 % - 10 % Cash and cash equivalents 4,020 2.6 3,665 2.9 0 % - 10 % Total plan assets $ 157,644 100.0 % $ 128,430 100.0 % 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 fifth 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 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. 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 received from Plan’s investment managers, 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. 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 for either fund. 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, 2017 and 2016 : Fair Value Measurements Description December 31, 2017 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Fixed maturity securities - corporate bonds $ 11,003 $ — $ 11,003 $ — Redeemable preferred stock 3,216 3,216 — — Equity securities 87,603 87,603 — — Pooled separate accounts Core plus bond separate account fund 17,948 — 17,948 — U.S. property separate account fund 15,502 — — 15,502 Arbitrage fund 8,506 — 8,506 — Money market funds 4,011 4,011 — — Total assets measured at fair value $ 147,789 $ 94,830 $ 37,457 $ 15,502 Fair Value Measurements Description December 31, 2016 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Fixed maturity securities - corporate bonds $ 9,451 $ — $ 9,451 $ — Redeemable preferred stock 3,144 3,144 — — Equity securities 69,770 69,770 — — Pooled separate accounts Core plus bond separate account fund 10,401 — 10,401 — U.S. property separate account fund 14,330 — — 14,330 Arbitrage fund 8,292 — 8,292 — Money market funds 3,659 3,659 — — Total assets measured at fair value $ 119,047 $ 76,573 $ 28,144 $ 14,330 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, 2017 $ 14,330 Unrealized gains 1,172 Balance at December 31, 2017 $ 15,502 U.S. property separate account fund Balance at January 1, 2016 $ 11,252 Unrealized gains 1,078 Purchases 2,000 Balance at December 31, 2016 $ 14,330 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, 2016 and 2017. 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 Post-retirement Benefits December 31, 2017 2016 2017 2016 Discount rate 3.65 % 4.17 % 3.65 % 4.17 % Rate of compensation increase 3.00 3.00 N/A N/A Decreasing interest rates resulted in a decrease in the discount rates we use to value our respective plan's benefit obligations at December 31, 2017 compared to December 31, 2016. 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 Post-retirement Benefits January 1, 2017 2016 2015 2017 2016 2015 Discount rate 4.17 % 4.21 % 3.86 % 4.17 % 4.21 % 3.86 % 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 3.00 3.00 N/A N/A N/A Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates Health Care Benefits Dental Claims Years Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2017 2016 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 2026 2025 N/A N/A Assumed health care cost trend rates have a significant effect on the amounts reported for the post-retirement 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 post-retirement health care benefit cost $ 1,126 $ (883 ) Effect on the accumulated post-retirement benefit obligation 9,487 (7,698 ) Benefit Obligation and Funded Status The following table provides a reconciliation of benefit obligations, plan assets and funded status of our plans: Pension Benefits Post-retirement Benefits Years Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2017 2016 Reconciliation of benefit obligation Benefit obligation at beginning of year $ 171,876 $ 160,390 $ 46,785 $ 72,175 Service cost 6,857 6,490 2,021 3,728 Interest cost 7,060 6,654 1,927 3,015 Actuarial loss 26,963 2,215 6,326 1,468 Adjustment for plan amendment — — — (32,289 ) Benefit payments (4,407 ) (3,873 ) (1,331 ) (1,312 ) Benefit obligation at end of year (1) $ 208,349 $ 171,876 $ 55,728 $ 46,785 Reconciliation of fair value of plan assets Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year $ 128,430 $ 106,600 $ — $ — Actual return on plan assets 22,225 9,320 — — Employer contributions 11,396 16,383 1,331 1,311 Benefit payments (4,407 ) (3,873 ) (1,331 ) (1,311 ) Fair value of plan assets at end of year $ 157,644 $ 128,430 $ — $ — Funded status at end of year $ (50,705 ) $ (43,446 ) $ (55,728 ) $ (46,785 ) (1) For the pension plan, the benefit obligation is the projected benefit obligation. For the post-retirement benefit plan, the benefit obligation is the accumulated post-retirement benefit obligation. Our accumulated pension benefit obligation was $184,436 and $152,620 at December 31, 2017 and 2016 , 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 Post-retirement Benefits Years Ended December 31 2017 2016 2017 2016 Amounts recognized in AOCI Unrecognized prior service cost $ — $ — $ (26,880 ) $ (32,289 ) Unrecognized actuarial (gain) loss 60,571 49,745 25,235 20,756 Total amounts recognized in AOCI $ 60,571 $ 49,745 $ (1,645 ) $ (11,533 ) We anticipate amortization of the net actuarial losses for our pension plan in 2018 to be $4,287 . We anticipate amortization of the net actuarial losses for our post-retirement benefit plan in 2018 to be $2,355 . Net Periodic Benefit Cost The components of the net periodic benefit cost for our pension and post-retirement benefit plans are as follows: Pension Plan Post-retirement Benefit Plan Years Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 2017 2016 2015 Net periodic benefit cost Service cost $ 6,857 $ 6,490 $ 6,675 $ 2,021 $ 3,728 $ 5,220 Interest cost 7,060 6,654 5,999 1,927 3,015 2,856 Expected return on plan assets (9,650 ) (7,952 ) (7,800 ) — — — Amortization of prior service cost — — — (5,409 ) — — Amortization of net loss 3,562 3,968 4,546 1,846 1,518 2,920 Net periodic benefit cost $ 7,829 $ 9,160 $ 9,420 $ 385 $ 8,261 $ 10,996 Projected Benefit Payments The following table summarizes the expected benefits to be paid from our plans over the next 10 years : 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 - 2027 Pension benefits $ 5,620 $ 6,140 $ 6,780 $ 7,520 $ 8,240 $ 52,950 Post-retirement benefits $ 1,350 $ 1,540 $ 1,700 $ 1,880 $ 2,050 $ 13,310 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 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , was $4,987 , $2,904 and $7,706 , 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.

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
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, 2017 , there were 996,828 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 3 years or 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, 2017 From Inception to December 31, 2017 Beginning balance 1,248,651 1,900,000 Additional shares authorized — 1,500,000 Number of awards granted (259,405 ) (2,871,971 ) Number of awards forfeited or expired 7,582 468,799 Ending balance 996,828 996,828 Number of option awards exercised 136,827 1,085,895 Number of unrestricted stock awards granted 1,145 8,470 Number of restricted stock awards vested 1,198 38,168 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, 2017 , we had 61,813 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, 2017 From Inception to December 31, 2017 Beginning balance 74,771 300,000 Number of awards granted (12,958 ) (262,190 ) Number of awards forfeited or expired — 24,003 Ending balance 61,813 61,813 Number of option awards exercised 36,808 89,281 Number of restricted stock awards vested 22,716 54,272 Stock-Based Compensation Expense In 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , we recognized stock-based compensation expense of $4,808 , $3,696 and $2,510 , respectively. Stock-based compensation expense is recognized over the vesting period of the stock options. As of December 31, 2017 , we had $8,350 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. 2018 $ 4,028 2019 2,776 2020 1,116 2021 390 2022 40 Total $ 8,350 Analysis of Award Activity The analysis below details the award activity for 2017 and the awards outstanding at December 31, 2017 , 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, 2017 1,120,677 $ 29.08 Granted 159,709 41.75 Exercised (173,635 ) 27.52 Forfeited or expired (5,700 ) 28.66 Outstanding at December 31, 2017 1,101,051 $ 31.16 6.52 $ 15,875 Exercisable at December 31, 2017 495,089 $ 26.77 3.22 $ 9,311 Intrinsic value is the difference between our share price on the last day of trading (i.e., December 31, 2017 ) 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 $3,159 , $4,339 and $1,546 in 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , respectively. The analysis below details the award activity for the restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards outstanding at December 31, 2017 : Restricted stock awards Shares Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value Non-vested at January 1, 2017 182,086 $ 34.08 Granted 111,509 41.94 Vested (23,914 ) 36.77 Forfeited (1,882 ) 40.27 Non-vested at December 31, 2017 267,799 $ 37.07 In 2017 , 2016 and 2015 we recognized $2,987 , $1,766 and $924 , respectively, in compensation expense related to the restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards. At December 31, 2017 , we had $ 5,107 in compensation expense that has yet to be recognized through our results of operations related to the restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards. The intrinsic value of the non-vested restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards outstanding totaled $2,279 , $2,747 and $1,520 at December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , 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, 2017 2016 2015 Risk-free interest rate 2.23 % 1.53 % 1.94 % Expected volatility 27.58 % 25.44 % 21.92 % Expected option life (in years) 7 7 7 Expected dividends (in dollars) $ 1.00 $ 0.88 $ 0.80 Weighted-average grant-date fair value of options granted during the year (in dollars) $ 9.93 $ 8.42 $ 4.98 The following table summarizes information regarding the stock options outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2017 : 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 - 21.00 100,805 3.23 $ 20.24 100,805 $ 20.24 21.01 - 28.00 159,478 4.52 23.38 127,077 23.23 28.01 - 35.00 508,630 6.42 29.49 235,833 29.74 35.01 - 43.00 332,138 8.63 40.77 31,374 39.84 $ 15.01 - 43.00 1,101,051 6.52 $ 31.16 495,089 $ 26.77

SEGMENT INFORMATION

SEGMENT INFORMATION	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
SEGMENT INFORMATION	SEGMENT INFORMATION On September 19, 2017, the Company announced that it had agreed to sell its subsidiary, United Life Insurance Company, to Kuvare. As a result, our life insurance business has been considered held for sale and reported as discontinued operations in the Consolidated Financial Statements and all comparable prior periods have been presented to conform to the current year presentation. The sale is expected to close in the first half of 2018, subject to customary conditions, including regulatory approval. For more information, refer to Note 17. "Discontinued Operations." Prior to the announcement to sell our subsidiary, United Life Insurance Company, we had two reportable business segments in our operations: property and casualty insurance and life insurance. The property and casualty insurance business has six domestic locations from which it conducts its business. The life insurance business operates from our home office. Because all of our insurance is sold domestically, we have no revenues allocable to foreign operations. After the announcement of the sale of our life insurance business, the Company has a single reportable segment, the property and casualty insurance business, which includes all continuing operations. The property and casualty insurance business profit or loss is consistent with consolidated reporting as disclosed on the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income. We analyze the property and casualty insurance business results based on profitability (i.e., loss ratios), expenses and return on equity. The Company's property and casualty insurance business was determined using a management approach to make decisions on operating matters, including allocating resources, assessing performance, determining which products to market and sell, determining distribution networks with insurance agents and monitoring the regulatory environment. The property and casualty insurance business products have similar economic characteristics and use a similar marketing and distribution strategy with our independent agents. The property and casualty insurance business geographic concentration did not change after the announcement of the sale of the life insurance business. We will continue to evaluate our segment on the basis of both statutory accounting principles prescribed or permitted by our states of domicile and GAAP. The accounting policies of our businesses 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 Business We write both commercial and personal lines of property and casualty insurance. We focus on our commercial lines, which represented 92.9% of our property and casualty insurance premiums earned for 2017 . Our personal lines represented 7.1% of our property and casualty insurance premiums earned for 2017 . 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 business 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. Premiums Earned The following table sets forth our net premiums earned: Years Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 Continuing Operations - Property and casualty insurance business Net premiums earned Other liability $ 306,480 $ 289,982 $ 261,303 Fire and allied lines 270,716 265,221 246,450 Automobile 277,511 239,216 210,090 Workers' compensation 104,166 103,605 95,672 Fidelity and surety 24,981 22,507 21,362 Reinsurance assumed 10,650 12,765 13,639 Other 2,988 2,835 3,179 Total net premiums earned from continuing operations $ 997,492 $ 936,131 $ 851,695 Discontinued Operations - Life insurance business Net premiums earned Ordinary life (excluding universal life) $ 35,388 $ 63,668 $ 53,114 Universal life policy fees 13,145 11,577 12,834 Immediate annuities with life contingencies 11,691 10,533 12,223 Accident and health 1,096 1,434 1,425 Other 48 58 388 Total net premiums earned from discontinued operations $ 61,368 $ 87,270 $ 79,984 Total revenue includes sales to external customers and intercompany 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 intercompany sales on the same basis as sales to external customers.

QUARTERLY SUPPLEMENTARY FINANCI

QUARTERLY SUPPLEMENTARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
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 from continuing operations: (In Thousands Except Share Data) Quarters First Second Third Fourth Total Year Ended December 31, 2017 Total revenues $ 251,278 $ 258,487 $ 269,617 $ 273,355 $ 1,052,737 Income (loss) before income taxes 23,006 (4,331 ) (32,394 ) 29,369 15,650 Net income (loss) $ 18,584 $ 109 $ (19,082 ) $ 45,259 $ 44,870 Basic earnings per share (1) $ 0.73 $ — $ (0.77 ) $ 1.81 $ 1.79 Diluted earnings per share (1) 0.72 — (0.77 ) 1.78 1.75 Year Ended December 31, 2016 Total revenues $ 231,334 $ 244,866 $ 255,625 $ 264,537 $ 996,362 Income before income taxes 28,165 1,372 14,035 13,925 57,497 Net income $ 22,020 $ 3,435 $ 11,628 $ 12,035 $ 49,118 Basic earnings per share (1) $ 0.87 $ 0.13 $ 0.46 $ 0.46 $ 1.94 Diluted earnings per share (1) 0.86 0.13 0.45 0.46 1.90 (1) The sum of the quarterly reported amounts may not equal the full year, as each is computed independently. The following table sets forth our selected unaudited quarterly financial information from discontinued operations: (In Thousands Except Share Data) Quarters First Second Third Fourth Total Year Ended December 31, 2017 Total revenues $ 31,781 $ 28,492 $ 27,054 $ 28,386 $ 115,713 Income before income taxes 2,083 4,386 1,880 2,294 10,643 Net income $ 1,352 $ 2,849 $ 1,218 $ 734 $ 6,153 Basic earnings per share (1) $ 0.05 $ 0.11 $ 0.05 $ 0.03 $ 0.24 Diluted earnings per share (1) 0.05 0.11 0.05 0.03 0.24 Year Ended December 31, 2016 Total revenues $ 34,351 $ 34,907 $ 33,869 $ 37,458 $ 140,585 Income (loss) before income taxes 609 (508 ) 1,140 (71 ) 1,170 Net income (loss) $ 407 $ (321 ) $ 740 $ (40 ) $ 786 Basic earnings per share (1) $ 0.02 $ (0.01 ) $ 0.03 $ — $ 0.03 Diluted earnings per share (1) 0.02 (0.01 ) 0.03 — 0.03 (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, 2017
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, 2017 2016 2015 (In Thousands Except Share and Per Share Data) Basic Diluted Basic Diluted Basic Diluted Net income from continuing operations $ 44,870 $ 44,870 $ 49,118 $ 49,118 $ 85,320 $ 85,320 Weighted-average common shares outstanding 25,103,720 25,103,720 25,335,706 25,335,706 25,047,405 25,047,405 Add dilutive effect of restricted stock awards — 250,530 — 155,059 — 122,840 Add dilutive effect of stock options — 286,354 — 313,913 — 65,751 Weighted-average common shares 25,103,720 25,640,604 25,335,706 25,804,678 25,047,405 25,235,996 Earnings per common share from continuing operations $ 1.79 $ 1.75 $ 1.94 $ 1.90 $ 3.41 $ 3.38 Earnings per common share from discontinued operations 0.24 0.24 0.03 0.03 0.15 0.15 Earnings per common share $ 2.03 $ 1.99 $ 1.97 $ 1.93 $ 3.56 $ 3.53 Awards excluded from diluted calculation (1) — — — — — 343,390 (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, 2017
Leases [Abstract]
LEASE COMMITMENTS	LEASE COMMITMENTS At December 31, 2017 , 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 $7,197 , $6,908 and $6,256 for 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , respectively. Our most significant lease commitment is for mainframe computer equipment. This lease was signed in November 2016 and has a term of 5 years . The monthly lease payments for this lease are $154 . At December 31, 2017 , our future minimum rental payments were as follows: 2018 $ 6,435 2019 6,027 2020 5,529 2021 3,173 2022 643 Thereafter 718 Total $ 22,525

CREDIT FACILITY

CREDIT FACILITY	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
CREDIT FACILITY	CREDIT FACILITY On February 2, 2016, the Company, as borrower, entered into a Credit Agreement (the "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 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 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 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 Credit Agreement is due and payable in full at maturity on February 2, 2020. Based on the type of loan, advances under the 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 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 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 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 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. As of December 31, 2017 we were in compliance with all covenants of the Credit Agreement. There was no outstanding balance on the Credit Agreement at December 31, 2017 or 2016 . We did no t incur any interest expense related to the Credit Agreement in 2017 , 2016 or under our prior credit facility in 2015 .

INTANGIBLE ASSETS

INTANGIBLE ASSETS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
INTANGIBLE ASSETS	INTANGIBLE ASSETS The carrying value of our goodwill was $15,091 at both December 31, 2017 and 2016 , respectively. The goodwill is fully allocated to our property and casualty insurance business. Our major classes of intangible assets are presented in the following table: Year Ended December 31, 2017 2016 Agency relationships $ 10,338 $ 10,338 Accumulated amortization - agency relationships (5,566 ) (4,929 ) $ 4,772 $ 5,409 Software $ 3,260 $ 3,260 Accumulated amortization - software (3,260 ) (3,260 ) $ — $ — Trade names $ 1,978 $ 1,978 Accumulated amortization - trade names (890 ) (758 ) $ 1,088 $ 1,220 Favorable contract $ 286 $ 286 Accumulated amortization - favorable contract (286 ) (286 ) $ — $ — State insurance licenses (1) $ 3,020 $ 3,020 Net intangible assets $ 8,880 $ 9,649 (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: 2018 $ 719 2019 709 2020 709 2021 709 2022 709

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
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, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 : Liability for Net unrealized underfunded appreciation employee on investments benefit costs Total Balance as of January 1, 2015 $ 149,623 $ (58,450 ) $ 91,173 Change in accumulated other comprehensive income before reclassifications (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 Change in accumulated other comprehensive income before reclassifications 8,461 19,529 27,990 Reclassification adjustments from accumulated other comprehensive income (2,938 ) 3,566 628 Balance as of December 31, 2016 $ 133,892 $ (24,837 ) $ 109,055 Change in accumulated other comprehensive income before reclassifications 48,467 (19,878 ) 28,589 Reclassification adjustments from accumulated other comprehensive income (4,152 ) 3,514 (638 ) Accumulated effect of change in enacted tax rate 36,658 (5,350 ) 31,308 Balance as of December 31, 2017 $ 214,865 $ (46,551 ) $ 168,314

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS	DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS On September 18, 2017, we signed a definitive agreement to sell our subsidiary, United Life Insurance Company, to Kuvare for $280,000 in cash, subject to specified adjustments as set forth in the definitive agreement. As a result, our life insurance business (previously reported as a separate segment) has been considered held for sale and reported as discontinued operations and its financial position, results of operations and cash flows are separately reported for all periods presented, unless otherwise noted. The sale is expected to close in the first half of 2018, subject to customary conditions, including regulatory approval. Subsequent to the close of the sale in the first half of 2018, UFG will provide services to Kuvare through a transition services agreement ("TSA"). The TSA will be put in place to ensure a seamless transfer of the business between UFG and Kuvare. The TSA includes, among other services, accounting management, human resources, legal and information technology services, from the closing date for up to 24 months. The assets and liabilities associated with discontinued operations prior to the closing of the sale have been presented separately in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. The major assets and liability categories were as follows as of the dates indicated: Discontinued Operations Balance Sheets December 31, (In Thousands, Except Share Data) 2017 2016 Assets Investments Fixed maturities Held-to-maturity, at amortized cost (fair value $34 in 2017 and $49 in 2016) $ 34 $ 48 Available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost $1,412,291 in 2017 and $1,429,270 in 2016) 1,430,025 1,444,840 Equity Securities available-for-sale, at fair value (cost $5,099 in 2017 and $8,510 in 2016) 23,653 24,046 Mortgage loans 3,435 3,706 Policy loans 5,815 5,366 Other long-term investments 16,437 15,870 1,479,399 1,493,876 Cash and cash equivalents 15,851 21,659 Deferred policy acquisition costs 71,151 70,750 Other assets 19,733 19,333 Total assets held for sale $ 1,586,134 $ 1,605,618 Liabilities Future policy benefits and losses $ 1,320,401 $ 1,350,503 Deferred income taxes 18,716 27,739 Accrued expenses and other liabilities 8,018 11,981 Total liabilities held for sale $ 1,347,135 $ 1,390,223 Summary operating results of discontinued operations were as follows for the periods indicated: Discontinued Operations Statements of Income For the Years Ended December 31, (In Thousands, Except Share Data) 2017 2016 2015 Revenues Net premiums earned $ 61,368 $ 87,270 $ 79,195 Investment income, net of investment expenses 49,720 51,538 54,222 Net realized investment gains (losses) Other-than-temporary impairment charges — — (1,300 ) Net realized investment gains 4,008 1,156 3,022 Total net realized investment gains 4,008 1,156 1,722 Other income 617 621 508 Total revenues $ 115,713 $ 140,585 $ 135,647 Benefits, Losses and Expenses Losses and loss settlement expenses $ 40,451 $ 31,365 $ 29,001 Increase in liability for future policy benefits 27,632 59,969 50,945 Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs 5,181 8,121 6,634 Other underwriting expenses 13,281 19,881 19,306 Interest on policyholders’ accounts 18,525 20,079 23,680 Total benefits, losses and expenses $ 105,070 $ 139,415 $ 129,566 Income from discontinued operations before income taxes $ 10,643 $ 1,170 $ 6,081 Federal income tax expense 4,490 384 2,275 Net income from discontinued operations $ 6,153 $ 786 $ 3,806 Earnings per common share from discontinued operations: Basic $ 0.24 $ 0.03 $ 0.15 Diluted 0.24 0.03 0.15 The Company's Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows presents operating, investing and financing cash flows of the discontinued operations separately. The Company's cash management and financial management of both continued and discontinued operations is consolidated as a centralized corporate function in our Finance Department.

Schedule I. Summary of Investme

Schedule I. Summary of Investments - Other than Investments in Related Parties	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
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 Continuing Operations: December 31, 2017 (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 $ 94,941 $ 95,353 $ 95,353 States, municipalities and political subdivisions 1,019,420 1,034,827 1,034,827 Foreign governments 10,865 11,130 11,130 Public utilities 43,064 43,692 43,692 All other bonds 360,657 364,501 364,501 Redeemable preferred stock 2,395 2,559 2,559 Total fixed maturities $ 1,531,342 $ 1,552,062 $ 1,552,062 Equity securities Common stocks Public utilities $ 4,661 $ 16,060 $ 16,060 Banks, trusts and insurance companies 11,266 113,487 113,487 Industrial, miscellaneous and all other 44,077 153,959 153,959 Nonredeemable preferred stocks 3,271 3,838 3,838 Total equity securities $ 63,275 $ 287,344 $ 287,344 Other long-term investments 35,432 49,352 49,352 Short-term investments 175 175 175 Total investments $ 1,630,224 $ 1,888,933 $ 1,888,933 Discontinued Operations: December 31, 2017 (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 $ 43,706 $ 43,706 $ 43,706 States, municipalities and political subdivisions 37,963 38,363 38,363 Foreign governments 40,496 41,623 41,623 Public utilities 162,964 165,452 165,452 All other bonds 1,127,196 1,140,915 1,140,915 Total fixed maturities $ 1,412,325 $ 1,430,059 $ 1,430,059 Equity securities Common stocks Public utilities $ 2,544 $ 7,253 $ 7,253 Banks, trusts and insurance companies 467 3,158 3,158 Industrial, miscellaneous and all other 2,088 13,242 13,242 Total equity securities $ 5,099 $ 23,653 $ 23,653 Mortgage loans on real estate $ 3,435 $ 3,594 $ 3,435 Policy loans 5,815 5,815 5,815 Other long-term investments 14,077 16,437 16,437 Total investments $ 1,440,751 $ 1,479,558 $ 1,479,399

Schedule II. Condensed Financia

Schedule II. Condensed Financial Statements of Parent Company	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
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) 2017 2016 Assets Fixed maturities, held-to-maturity, at amortized cost (fair value $150 in 2017 and $150 in 2016) $ 150 $ 150 Investment in subsidiary 967,590 925,887 Cash and cash equivalents 4,537 14,325 Federal income tax receivable 1,095 1,521 Accrued investment income 1 1 Total assets $ 973,373 $ 941,884 Liabilities and stockholders' equity Liabilities $ — $ — Stockholders' equity Common stock, $0.001 par value, authorized 75,000,000 shares; 24,916,806 and 25,429,769 issued and outstanding in 2017 and 2016, respectively $ 25 $ 25 Additional paid-in capital 196,334 216,482 Retained earnings 608,700 616,322 Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax 168,314 109,055 Total stockholders' equity $ 973,373 $ 941,884 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 973,373 $ 941,884 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) 2017 2016 2015 Revenues Investment income $ 133 $ 66 $ 25 Total revenues 133 66 25 Expenses Other operating expenses $ 103 $ 73 $ 116 Total expenses 103 73 116 Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in net income of subsidiary 30 (7 ) (91 ) Federal income tax benefit (1,060 ) (3 ) (42 ) Net income (loss) before equity in net income of subsidiary $ 1,090 $ (4 ) $ (49 ) Equity in net income of subsidiary 49,933 49,908 89,175 Net income $ 51,023 $ 49,904 $ 89,126 Other comprehensive income (loss) Change in unrealized appreciation on investments held by subsidiary $ 72,251 $ 13,017 $ (28,185 ) Change in liability for underfunded employee benefit plans of subsidiary (26,122 ) 30,045 8,714 Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax and reclassification adjustments $ 46,129 $ 43,062 $ (19,471 ) Income tax effect (17,540 ) (15,072 ) 6,814 Other comprehensive income (loss), after tax, before reclassification adjustments $ 28,589 $ 27,990 $ (12,657 ) Reclassification adjustment for net realized gains of the subsidiary included in income (6,390 ) (4,520 ) (4,513 ) Reclassification adjustment for employee benefit costs of the subsidiary included in expense 5,408 5,486 7,468 Total reclassification adjustments, before tax $ (982 ) $ 966 $ 2,955 Income tax effect 344 (338 ) (1,034 ) Total reclassification adjustments, after tax $ (638 ) $ 628 $ 1,921 Comprehensive income $ 78,974 $ 78,522 $ 78,390 United Fire Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries file a consolidated federal income tax return. The federal income tax provision represents an allocation under its 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) 2017 2016 2015 Cash flows from operating activities Net income $ 51,023 $ 49,904 $ 89,126 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities Equity in net income of subsidiary (49,933 ) (49,908 ) (89,175 ) Dividends received from subsidiary 40,000 24,000 22,500 Other, net 1,415 2,995 1,269 Total adjustments $ (8,518 ) $ (22,913 ) $ (65,406 ) Net cash provided by operating activities $ 42,505 $ 26,991 $ 23,720 Cash flows from investing activities Proceeds from maturity of held-to-maturity investments $ 150 $ — $ — Purchase of held-to-maturity investments (150 ) — — Net cash used in investing activities $ — $ — $ — Cash flows from financing activities Payment of cash dividends $ (27,337 ) $ (24,591 ) $ (21,658 ) Repurchase of common stock (29,784 ) (3,746 ) (2,423 ) Issuance of common stock 4,828 9,922 5,496 Tax impact from issuance of common stock — (816 ) (833 ) Net cash used in financing activities $ (52,293 ) $ (19,231 ) $ (19,418 ) Net change in cash and cash equivalents $ (9,788 ) $ 7,760 $ 4,302 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 14,325 6,565 2,263 Cash and cash equivalents at end of year $ 4,537 $ 14,325 $ 6,565 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, 2017
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 Other Underwriting Expenses Interest on Policyholders' Accounts Premiums Written (2) Year Ended December 31, 2017 Continuing Operations $ 88,102 $ 1,224,183 $ 465,391 $ 997,492 $ 51,190 $ 725,713 $ 207,746 $ 103,628 $ — $ 1,019,113 Discontinued Operations (1) 71,151 1,320,401 67 61,368 49,720 68,083 5,181 13,281 18,525 — Total $ 159,253 $ 2,544,584 $ 465,458 $ 1,058,860 $ 100,910 $ 793,796 $ 212,927 $ 116,909 $ 18,525 $ 1,019,113 Year Ended December 31, 2016 Continuing Operations $ 93,362 $ 1,123,896 $ 443,802 $ 936,131 $ 55,284 $ 652,433 $ 202,892 $ 83,540 $ — $ 964,970 Discontinued Operations (1) 70,750 1,350,503 71 87,270 51,538 91,334 8,121 19,881 20,079 — Total $ 164,112 $ 2,474,399 $ 443,873 $ 1,023,401 $ 106,822 $ 743,767 $ 211,013 $ 103,421 $ 20,079 $ 964,970 Year Ended December 31, 2015 Continuing Operations $ 90,547 $ 1,003,895 $ 414,971 $ 851,695 $ 46,559 $ 520,087 $ 180,183 $ 83,631 $ — $ 887,874 Discontinued Operations (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 (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, 2017
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, 2017 Life insurance in force $ 5,309,508 $ 1,014,794 $ — $ 4,294,714 Premiums earned Continuing Operations - Property and casualty insurance $ 1,043,738 $ 61,305 $ 15,059 $ 997,492 1.51 % Discontinued Operations - Life, accident and health insurance 64,090 2,722 — 61,368 — % Total $ 1,107,828 $ 64,027 $ 15,059 $ 1,058,860 1.42 % Year Ended December 31, 2016 Life insurance in force $ 5,314,548 $ 1,023,197 $ — $ 4,291,351 Premiums earned Continuing Operations - Property and casualty insurance $ 977,090 $ 57,996 $ 17,037 $ 936,131 1.82 % Discontinued Operations - Life, accident and health insurance 90,038 2,768 — 87,270 — % Total $ 1,067,128 $ 60,764 $ 17,037 $ 1,023,401 1.66 % Year Ended December 31, 2015 Life insurance in force $ 5,491,932 $ 1,165,868 $ — $ 4,326,064 Premiums earned Continuing Operations - Property and casualty insurance $ 890,057 $ 56,758 $ 18,396 $ 851,695 2.16 % Discontinued Operations - Life, accident and health insurance 82,356 3,161 — 79,195 — % Total $ 972,413 $ 59,919 $ 18,396 $ 930,890 1.98 %

Schedule V. Valuation and Quali

Schedule V. Valuation and Qualifying Accounts	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
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, 2017 $ 1,255 $ — $ — $ 1,255 Year Ended December 31, 2016 867 388 — 1,255 Year Ended December 31, 2015 618 249 — 867 Deferred tax asset valuation allowance (1) Year Ended December 31, 2017 $ 718 $ — $ 389 $ 329 Year Ended December 31, 2016 1,265 — 547 718 Year Ended December 31, 2015 1,813 — 548 1,265 (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, 2017
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 2017 $ 88,102 $ 1,224,183 $ 465,391 $ 997,492 $ 4,055 $ 51,190 $ (779,966 ) $ (54,253 ) $ 207,746 $ 625,503 $ 1,019,113 2016 $ 93,362 $ 1,123,896 $ 443,802 $ 936,131 $ 4,947 $ 55,284 $ 683,662 $ (31,229 ) $ 202,892 $ 537,573 $ 964,970 2015 $ 90,547 $ 1,003,895 $ 414,971 $ 851,695 $ 1,124 $ 46,559 $ 560,482 $ (40,395 ) $ 180,183 $ 476,525 $ 887,874

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN32

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Discontinued Operations	Discontinued Operations We have historically reported our operations in two business segments: property and casualty insurance and life insurance. On September 18, 2017, the Company signed a definitive agreement to sell its subsidiary, United Life Insurance Company ("United Life"), to Kuvare US Holdings, Inc. ("Kuvare"). As a result, our life insurance business, previously a separate segment, has been considered held for sale and reported as discontinued operations in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income and Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (collectively, the "Consolidated Financial Statements"). Subsequent to the announcement of this sale, our continuing operations are now reported as one business segment. All current and prior periods reflected in this Form 10-K have been presented as continuing and discontinued operations, unless otherwise noted. The sale is expected to close in the first half of 2018, subject to customary conditions, including regulatory approval. For more information, refer to Note 17 "Discontinued Operations."
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, Addison Insurance Company, Lafayette Insurance Company, United Fire & Indemnity Company, United Fire Lloyds, UFG Specialty Insurance 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 subsidiary 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; future policy benefits and losses, claims and loss settlement expenses; and pension and post-retirement benefit obligations.
Property and Casualty and Life Insurance Business	Discontinued Operations - 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. Continuing Operations - 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.
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. Premiums receivable are presented net of an estimated allowance for doubtful accounts.
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.
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 3.15 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	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.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	Cash and Cash Equivalents For purposes of reporting cash flows, cash and cash equivalents include cash, money market accounts, and non-negotiable certificates of deposit with original maturities of three months or less.
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs	Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs ("DAC") Certain costs associated with underwriting new business (primarily commissions, premium taxes and variable underwriting and policy issue expenses associated with successful acquisition efforts) are deferred. 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. This estimate is performed by line of business in a manner consistent with how the policies are currently being marketed and managed. 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 to net unrealized investment appreciation as of the balance sheet date.
Property, Equipment and Depreciation	Property, Equipment and Depreciation Property and equipment is presented at cost less accumulated depreciation. 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 acquisition of Mercer Insurance Group on March 28, 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 2016 and 2015 , we performed a quantitative impairment assessment of our goodwill and in 2017 , we performed a qualitative impairment assessment of our goodwill. As a result of these assessments, we did no t recognize an impairment charge on our goodwill in 2017 , 2016 or 2015 . Our other intangible assets, which consist primarily of agency relationships, trade names, state insurance licenses, and software, are being amortized by the straight-line method over periods ranging from 2 years to 15 years , with the exception of state insurance 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, 2017 , 2016 , and 2015 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 2014.
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 and Pending Adoption of Accounting Standards	Recently Issued Accounting Standards Accounting Standards Adopted in 2017 Share-Based Payments In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued new guidance on the accounting for share-based payments. The new guidance was issued to simplify the accounting of share-based payments, specifically in the areas of income taxes, classification on the balance sheets as liabilities or equity and classification in the cash flow statement. The new guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016 and interim periods within those years. The Company adopted the new guidance prospectively as of January 1, 2017. The new guidance resulted in classification changes between the financing and operating section of the Statement of Cash Flow for stock based compensation expense. The adoption also resulted in a tax benefit of $149 and $695 during the three- and twelve-months ended December 31, 2017. 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 adopted the new guidance as of January 1, 2017. The adoption had no impact on the Company's financial position and results of operations since we do not currently report deferred taxes in classified balance sheets. Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income In February 2018, the FASB finalized the proposed accounting guidance which allows entities to reclassify from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings stranded tax effects resulting from the new federal corporate income tax rate. The pronouncement permits the reclassification of other stranded tax effects that relate to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "Tax Act") but do not directly relate to the change in the federal rate. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after 15 December 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted for reporting periods for which financial statements have not yet been issued or made available for issuance. The Company has early adopted this guidance for the December 31, 2017 Consolidated Financial Statements. The reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income to Retained Earnings for the stranded tax effects resulting from the new federal corporate income tax rate was $31.3 million at December 31, 2017. Pending Adoption of Accounting Standards 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 has adopted the guidance as of January 1, 2018. The Company has completed its review of revenue streams under this new guidance and concluded that the adoption of the new guidance will have no impact on the Company's reporting and disclosure of net premiums earned from insurance contracts, net investment income or net realized gains and losses, as these revenue streams are not within the scope of this new guidance. The remaining revenue streams are immaterial and not impacted by the new standard. Financial Instruments In January 2016, the FASB issued guidance updating certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of financial instruments. The amendments in this update supersede the guidance to classify equity securities with readily determinable fair values into different categories (for example, trading or available-for-sale) and require equity securities to be measured at fair value with changes in the fair value recognized through net income. The new guidance also simplifies the impairment process for equity investments without readily determinable fair values. The new guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those years. The Company has adopted the new guidance as of January 1, 2018. If the new guidance had been adopted as of December 31, 2017, there would be a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings of $242.1 million , which is equal to the amount of net unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale equity securities at December 31, 2017 disclosed in Note 2 "Summary of Investments," of this section. The impact to net realized gains (losses) would equal the change in net unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale equity securities between December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, in the same tables. Statement of Cash Flows - Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Payments In August 2016, the FASB issued an update that clarifies the classification of certain cash receipts and payments in the Statement of Cash Flows. The update addresses eight existing cash flow issues by clarifying the correct classification to establish uniformity in practice. The updated guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those years. The Company has adopted the new guidance as of January 1, 2018. The adoption will have no impact on the Company's financial position and results of operations. Defined Benefit Retirement Plan Cost In March 2017, the FASB issued guidance on the presentation of net periodic benefit costs of defined benefit retirement benefit plans in the Statements of Income. The new guidance requires the service cost component of net periodic benefit cost of defined benefit plans to be presented in the same line in the Statements of Income as other employee compensation expenses. Also, under the new guidance, the service cost component of the net periodic benefit costs will be the only portion of costs subject to be capitalized in assets. The new guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those years. The Company has adopted the new guidance as of January 1, 2018 and will update the presentation of net periodic benefit costs in its financial statements beginning with its first quarter Form 10-Q as of March 31, 2018. The adoption will have an immaterial impact on the Company's financial position and results of operations. Share-Based Payments In May 2017, the FASB issued new guidance which clarifies and addresses the diversity in practice when there is a change in the terms of a share-based payment award. The updated guidance clarifies when to use modification accounting when there is a change in the terms of a share-based payment and provides three conditions where modification accounting should not be applied. The new guidance is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company has adopted the new guidance as of January 1, 2018. The adoption will have no impact on the Company's financial position and results of operations. Leases In February 2016, the FASB issued guidance on the accounting for leases. The new guidance requires lessees to place a right-of-use asset and a lease liability, for all leases with terms greater than 12 months, on their balance sheets. The lease liability will be based on the present value of the future lease payments and the asset will be based on the liability. Expenses will be recognized on the income statement in a similar manner as previous methods. The new guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods within those years. The Company will adopt the new guidance as of January 1, 2019. The Company has created an inventory of its operating leases and has calculated the undiscounted future minimum lease payments, which are disclosed in Note 13. Lease Commitments. The undiscounted future minimum lease payments at December 31, 2017 is $22.5 million , which represents less than 1.0 percent of the Company's total assets at December 31, 2017. The Company is reviewing and working on updating it's processes and controls under the new guidance. Management currently believes that the adoption will not have a significant impact on the Company's financial position and results of operations. Financial Instruments - Credit Losses In June 2016, the FASB issued new guidance on the measurement of credit losses for most financial instruments. The new guidance replaces the current incurred loss model for recognizing credit losses with an expected loss model for instruments measured at amortized cost and requires allowances to be recorded for available-for-sale debt securities rather than reduce the carrying amount. These allowances will be remeasured each reporting period. The new guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2020 and interim periods within those years. The Company will adopt the new guidance as of January 1, 2021 and is currently evaluating the impact on the Company's financial position, results of operations and key processes. Income Taxes - Intra-entity Transfers In October 2016, the FASB issued new guidance on the income tax treatment of intra-entity transfers. The new guidance replaces the current guidance which prohibits the recognition of current and deferred income taxes of intra-entity transfers until the asset is sold externally. Under the new guidance, the exemption is eliminated and income taxes will be recognized on transfers of intra-entity assets. The new guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company will adopt the new guidance as of January 1, 2019 and is currently evaluating the impact on the Company's financial position and results of operations. Goodwill In January 2017, the FASB issued new guidance which simplifies the test for goodwill impairment. The new guidance eliminates the implied fair value calculation when measuring a goodwill impairment charge. Under the new guidance, impairment charges will be based on the excess of the carrying value over fair value of goodwill. The new guidance is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company will adopt the new guidance as of January 1, 2020 and it currently believes the adoption will have no impact on the Company's financial position and results of operations.
Fair Value Measurement	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. 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 loan'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. 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, 2017 , the cash surrender value of the COLI policies was $4,029 , 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. 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 and 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.
Earnings Per 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.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN33

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
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. Continuing Operations - Property and Casualty Insurance 2017 2016 2015 Recorded asset at beginning of year $ 93,362 $ 90,547 $ 72,861 Underwriting costs deferred 202,486 205,707 197,869 Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs (207,746 ) (202,892 ) (180,183 ) Recorded asset at end of year $ 88,102 $ 93,362 $ 90,547 Discontinued Operations - Life Insurance Recorded asset at beginning of year $ 70,750 $ 77,717 $ 66,858 Underwriting costs deferred 5,463 5,564 6,113 Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs (5,181 ) (8,121 ) (6,634 ) $ 71,032 $ 75,160 $ 66,337 Change in "shadow" deferred policy acquisition costs 119 (4,410 ) 11,380 Recorded asset at end of year $ 71,151 $ 70,750 $ 77,717 Total Recorded asset at beginning of year $ 164,112 $ 168,264 $ 139,719 Underwriting costs deferred 207,949 211,271 203,982 Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs (212,927 ) (211,013 ) (186,817 ) $ 159,134 $ 168,522 $ 156,884 Change in "shadow" deferred policy acquisition costs 119 (4,410 ) 11,380 Recorded asset at end of year $ 159,253 $ 164,112 $ 168,264
Schedule of Property and Equipment	The following table is a summary of the components of the property and equipment that are reported in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements. 2017 2016 Real estate: Land $ 8,396 $ 8,231 Buildings 48,677 41,119 Furniture and fixtures 4,645 4,711 Computer equipment and software 7,274 1,463 Airplane — — Total property and equipment $ 68,992 $ 55,524 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

SUMMARY OF INVESTMENTS (Tables)

SUMMARY OF INVESTMENTS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
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, presented on a consolidated basis, including both continuing and discontinued operations as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 . December 31, 2017 Type of Investment Cost or Amortized Cost Gross Unrealized Appreciation Gross Unrealized Depreciation Fair Value HELD-TO-MATURITY Fixed maturities Bonds Corporate bonds - financial services $ 150 $ — $ — $ 150 Mortgage-backed securities 34 — — 34 Total Held-to-Maturity Fixed Maturities $ 184 $ — $ — $ 184 AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE Fixed maturities Bonds U.S. Treasury $ 17,073 $ 4 $ 186 $ 16,891 U.S. government agency 121,574 1,311 717 122,168 States, municipalities and political subdivisions General obligations: Midwest 107,689 2,446 439 109,696 Northeast 47,477 1,174 10 48,641 South 139,870 2,462 813 141,519 West 111,123 2,351 463 113,011 Special revenue: Midwest 155,475 3,620 351 158,744 Northeast 79,028 1,351 619 79,760 South 260,145 5,218 1,851 263,512 West 156,576 2,929 1,198 158,307 Foreign bonds 51,361 1,441 49 52,753 Public utilities 206,028 3,386 270 209,144 Corporate bonds Energy 93,191 1,972 110 95,053 Industrials 218,067 3,881 241 221,707 Consumer goods and services 183,253 3,498 494 186,257 Health care 74,125 1,312 29 75,408 Technology, media and telecommunications 146,853 2,376 250 148,979 Financial services 277,824 5,769 442 283,151 Mortgage-backed securities 13,828 101 238 13,691 Collateralized mortgage obligations Government national mortgage association 157,836 1,921 2,274 157,483 Federal home loan mortgage corporation 201,320 1,879 4,047 199,152 Federal national mortgage association 104,903 1,703 1,174 105,432 Asset-backed securities 4,282 362 8 4,636 Total Available-For-Sale Fixed Maturities $ 2,928,901 $ 52,467 $ 16,273 $ 2,965,095 Equity securities Common stocks Public utilities $ 6,394 $ 16,075 $ 30 $ 22,439 Energy 6,514 8,171 120 14,565 Industrials 13,117 53,522 120 66,519 Consumer goods and services 10,110 15,742 164 25,688 Health care 7,763 32,340 — 40,103 Technology, media and telecommunications 6,067 11,556 115 17,508 Financial services 11,529 104,985 67 116,447 Nonredeemable preferred stocks 992 305 — 1,297 Total Available-for-Sale Equity Securities $ 62,486 $ 242,696 $ 616 $ 304,566 Total Available-for-Sale Securities $ 2,991,387 $ 295,163 $ 16,889 $ 3,269,661 December 31, 2016 Type of Investment Cost or Amortized Cost Gross Unrealized Appreciation Gross Unrealized Depreciation Fair Value HELD-TO-MATURITY Fixed maturities Bonds Corporate bonds - financial services $ 150 $ — $ — $ 150 Mortgage-backed securities 48 1 — 49 Total Held-to-Maturity Fixed Maturities $ 198 $ 1 $ — $ 199 AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE Fixed maturities Bonds U.S. Treasury $ 23,216 $ 87 $ 108 $ 23,195 U.S. government agency 76,692 1,445 540 77,597 States, municipalities and political subdivisions General obligations: Midwest 143,747 1,808 1,412 144,143 Northeast 57,731 909 231 58,409 South 129,475 1,249 2,355 128,369 West 114,524 1,380 2,173 113,731 Special revenue: Midwest 167,430 2,313 1,433 168,310 Northeast 70,202 487 2,624 68,065 South 244,225 1,753 6,791 239,187 West 134,287 1,509 4,052 131,744 Foreign bonds 62,995 2,239 — 65,234 Public utilities 212,360 3,761 447 215,674 Corporate bonds Energy 107,084 2,195 419 108,860 Industrials 225,526 5,359 982 229,903 Consumer goods and services 178,135 3,847 295 181,687 Health care 81,211 2,063 151 83,123 Technology, media and telecommunications 143,402 2,029 819 144,612 Financial services 269,981 5,328 1,358 273,951 Mortgage-backed securities 17,288 201 241 17,248 Collateralized mortgage obligations Government national mortgage association 145,947 1,279 2,766 144,460 Federal home loan mortgage corporation 176,226 1,638 3,406 174,458 Federal national mortgage association 101,414 1,816 1,334 101,896 Asset-backed securities 4,407 145 282 4,270 Total Available-For-Sale Fixed Maturities $ 2,887,505 $ 44,840 $ 34,219 $ 2,898,126 Equity securities Common stocks Public utilities $ 6,394 $ 13,465 $ 188 $ 19,671 Energy 6,514 8,555 22 15,047 Industrials 13,252 38,715 173 51,794 Consumer goods and services 10,324 13,851 58 24,117 Health care 7,763 19,657 — 27,420 Technology, media and telecommunications 5,931 9,476 38 15,369 Financial services 17,289 98,728 67 115,950 Nonredeemable preferred stocks 1,037 11 — 1,048 Total Available-for-Sale Equity Securities $ 68,504 $ 202,458 $ 546 $ 270,416 Total Available-for-Sale Securities $ 2,956,009 $ 247,298 $ 34,765 $ 3,168,542 The following table 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 equity securities for continuing and discontinued operations by investment type at December 31, 2017 and 2016. December 31, 2017 Type of Investment Cost or Amortized Cost Gross Unrealized Appreciation Gross Unrealized Depreciation Fair Value HELD-TO-MATURITY Fixed maturities: Continuing operations $ 150 $ — $ — $ 150 Discontinued operations 34 — — 34 Total Held-to-Maturity Fixed Maturities $ 184 $ — $ — 184 AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE Fixed maturities: Continuing operations $ 1,516,610 $ 27,412 $ 8,952 $ 1,535,070 Discontinued operations 1,412,291 25,055 7,321 1,430,025 Total Available-for-Sale Fixed Maturities $ 2,928,901 $ 52,467 $ 16,273 $ 2,965,095 Equity securities: Continuing operations $ 57,387 $ 224,065 $ 539 $ 280,913 Discontinued operations 5,099 18,631 77 23,653 Total Available-for-Sale Equity Securities $ 62,486 $ 242,696 $ 616 $ 304,566 Total Available-for-Sale Securities $ 2,991,387 $ 295,163 $ 16,889 $ 3,269,661 December 31, 2016 Type of Investment Cost or Amortized Cost Gross Unrealized Appreciation Gross Unrealized Depreciation Fair Value HELD-TO-MATURITY Fixed maturities: Continuing operations $ 150 $ — $ — $ 150 Discontinued operations 48 1 — 49 Total Held-to-Maturity Fixed Maturities $ 198 $ 1 $ — $ 199 AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE Fixed maturities: Continuing operations $ 1,458,235 $ 18,725 $ 23,674 $ 1,453,286 Discontinued operations 1,429,270 26,115 10,545 1,444,840 Total Available-for-Sale Fixed Maturities $ 2,887,505 $ 44,840 $ 34,219 $ 2,898,126 Equity securities: Continuing operations $ 59,994 $ 186,692 $ 316 $ 246,370 Discontinued operations 8,510 15,766 230 24,046 Total Available-for-Sale Equity Securities $ 68,504 $ 202,458 $ 546 $ 270,416 Total Available-for-Sale Securities $ 2,956,009 $ 247,298 $ 34,765 $ 3,168,542
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, 2017 , 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. Maturities - Consolidated: Held-To-Maturity Available-For-Sale Trading December 31, 2017 Amortized Cost Fair Value Amortized Cost Fair Value Amortized Cost Fair Value Due in one year or less $ — $ — $ 97,450 $ 97,994 $ 2,225 $ 2,835 Due after one year through five years 150 150 749,372 763,260 9,055 10,547 Due after five years through 10 years — — 823,257 839,360 1,302 1,156 Due after 10 years — — 776,653 784,087 2,000 2,304 Asset-backed securities — — 4,282 4,636 — — Mortgage-backed securities 34 34 13,828 13,691 — — Collateralized mortgage obligations — — 464,059 462,067 — — $ 184 $ 184 $ 2,928,901 $ 2,965,095 $ 14,582 $ 16,842 Maturities - Continuing Operations: Held-To-Maturity Available-For-Sale Trading December 31, 2017 Amortized Cost Fair Value Amortized Cost Fair Value Amortized Cost Fair Value Due in one year or less $ — $ — $ 37,899 $ 38,144 $ 2,225 $ 2,835 Due after one year through five years 150 150 204,494 208,353 9,055 10,547 Due after five years through 10 years — — 394,107 402,799 1,302 1,156 Due after 10 years — — 694,850 700,879 2,000 2,304 Asset-backed securities — — 3,175 3,535 — — Mortgage-backed securities — — 9,205 9,231 — — Collateralized mortgage obligations — — 172,880 172,129 — — $ 150 $ 150 $ 1,516,610 $ 1,535,070 $ 14,582 $ 16,842 Maturities - Discontinued Operations: Held-To-Maturity Available-For-Sale Trading December 31, 2017 Amortized Cost Fair Value Amortized Cost Fair Value Amortized Cost Fair Value Due in one year or less $ — $ — $ 59,551 $ 59,850 $ — $ — Due after one year through five years — — 544,878 554,907 — — Due after five years through 10 years — — 429,150 436,561 — — Due after 10 years — — 81,803 83,208 — — Asset-backed securities — — 1,107 1,101 — — Mortgage-backed securities 34 34 4,623 4,460 — — Collateralized mortgage obligations — — 291,179 289,938 — — $ 34 $ 34 $ 1,412,291 $ 1,430,025 $ — $ —
Summary of Net Realized Investment Gains (Losses)	A summary of net realized investment gains (losses) for 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , is as follows: 2017 2016 2015 Net realized investment gains (losses) from continuing operations Fixed maturities: Available-for-sale $ 829 $ 1,004 $ 814 Trading securities Change in fair value 924 189 (1,352 ) Sales 244 931 1,381 Equity securities: Available-for-sale 1,553 2,359 1,977 Trading securities Change in fair value 332 301 (448 ) Sales 57 (6 ) 66 Other long-term investments — — (1,314 ) Other-than-temporary-impairment charges: Fixed maturities — — — Cash equivalents — 169 — Real Estate 116 — — Total net realized investment gains from continuing operations $ 4,055 $ 4,947 $ 1,124 Total net realized investment gains from discontinued operations 4,008 1,156 1,722 Total net realized investment gains $ 8,063 $ 6,103 $ 2,846
Schedule of Proceeds and Gross Realized Gains (Losses)	The proceeds and gross realized gains (losses) on the sale of available-for-sale fixed maturity securities from continuing operations for 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , are as follows: 2017 2016 2015 Proceeds from sales $ 7,404 $ 1,968 $ 478 Gross realized gains 1,046 920 451 Gross realized losses (20 ) — — The proceeds and gross realized gains (losses) on the sale of available-for-sale fixed maturity securities from discontinued operations for 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , are as follows: 2017 2016 2015 Proceeds from sales $ 7,315 $ 12,354 $ 11,066 Gross realized gains 1,264 65 683 Gross realized losses (78 ) (639 ) —
Schedule of Net Investment Income	Net investment income for the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , is comprised of the following: Years Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 Investment income from continuing operations: Interest on fixed maturities $ 44,784 $ 43,147 $ 41,859 Dividends on equity securities 7,108 6,448 6,421 Income on other long-term investments Investment income 6,870 1,200 1,200 Change in value (1) (2,812 ) 10,178 2,313 Interest on short-term investments 120 47 3 Interest on cash and cash equivalents 1,125 352 234 Other 300 422 433 Total investment income from continuing operations $ 57,495 $ 61,794 $ 52,463 Less investment expenses 6,305 6,510 5,904 Net investment income from continuing operations $ 51,190 $ 55,284 $ 46,559 Net investment income from discontinued operations $ 49,720 $ 51,538 $ 54,222 Net investment income $ 100,910 $ 106,822 $ 100,781 (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 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , is as follows for continuing operations and discontinued operations: 2017 2016 2015 Change in net unrealized investment appreciation Available-for-sale fixed maturities $ 25,573 $ (21,271 ) $ (37,621 ) Available-for-sale equity securities 40,168 34,179 (6,459 ) Deferred policy acquisition costs 119 (4,410 ) 11,380 Income tax effect (21,545 ) (2,975 ) 11,446 Accumulated effect of change in enacted tax rate 36,658 — — Total change in net unrealized investment appreciation, net of tax $ 80,973 $ 5,523 $ (21,254 )
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, 2017 and 2016 for continuing operations and discontinued operations. 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, 2017 if future events or information cause us to determine that a decline in fair value is other-than-temporary. We have evaluated the near-term prospects of the issuers of our fixed maturity securities in relation to the severity and duration of the unrealized loss and determined that these losses did not warrant the recognition of an OTTI charge in 2017 or 2016 . In 2015, we recognized a $1,300 credit loss OTTI on an energy sector fixed maturity security in our Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income. This security was in our discontinued operations portfolio. 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 and, unless otherwise noted, these losses do not warrant the recognition of an OTTI charge at December 31, 2017 . There were no OTTI losses on equity securities recognized in 2017 , 2016 or 2015 . Our largest unrealized loss greater than 12 months on an individual equity security at December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 was $158 , $188 and $225 , 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, 2017 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 5 $ 10,370 $ 67 2 $ 5,765 $ 119 $ 16,135 $ 186 U.S. government agency 11 64,842 390 5 19,372 327 84,214 717 States, municipalities and political subdivisions General obligations Midwest 2 2,177 8 3 19,729 431 21,906 439 Northeast — — — 1 3,644 10 3,644 10 South 3 7,959 32 11 29,545 781 37,504 813 West 2 5,944 18 8 25,755 445 31,699 463 Special revenue Midwest 2 3,486 15 7 19,130 336 22,616 351 Northeast 1 4,471 37 11 28,476 582 32,947 619 South 8 7,749 107 27 69,917 1,744 77,666 1,851 West 3 5,424 16 22 56,753 1,182 62,177 1,198 Foreign bonds 1 857 49 — — — 857 49 Public utilities 8 19,186 79 5 8,446 191 27,632 270 Corporate bonds Energy 1 2,236 13 1 1,606 97 3,842 110 Industrials 10 27,773 146 2 4,275 95 32,048 241 Consumer goods and services 14 32,781 248 3 6,813 246 39,594 494 Health care 4 9,947 29 — — — 9,947 29 Technology, media and telecommunications 12 35,319 122 3 10,413 128 45,732 250 Financial services 22 50,144 256 4 11,389 186 61,533 442 Mortgage-backed securities 10 2,458 18 10 6,641 220 9,099 238 Collateralized mortgage obligations Government national mortgage association 20 49,764 629 17 46,969 1,645 96,733 2,274 Federal home loan mortgage corporation 11 37,543 577 20 75,679 3,470 113,222 4,047 Federal national mortgage association 11 31,958 342 11 20,123 832 52,081 1,174 Asset-backed securities 1 992 8 — — — 992 8 Total Available-for-Sale Fixed Maturities 162 $ 413,380 $ 3,206 173 $ 470,440 $ 13,067 $ 883,820 $ 16,273 Equity securities Common stocks Public utilities — $ — $ — 1 $ 278 $ 30 $ 278 $ 30 Energy 2 528 120 — — — 528 120 Industrials 1 99 13 5 193 107 292 120 Consumer goods and services — — — 2 151 164 151 164 Technology, media and telecommunications 2 466 95 1 4 20 470 115 Financial services 2 193 55 1 9 12 202 67 Total Available-for-Sale Equity Securities 7 $ 1,286 $ 283 10 $ 635 $ 333 $ 1,921 $ 616 Total Available-for-Sale Securities 169 $ 414,666 $ 3,489 183 $ 471,075 $ 13,400 $ 885,741 $ 16,889 December 31, 2016 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 9 $ 10,800 $ 108 — $ — $ — $ 10,800 $ 108 U.S. government agency 10 36,593 540 — — — 36,593 540 States, municipalities and political subdivisions General obligations Midwest 27 40,545 1,412 — — — 40,545 1,412 Northeast 9 9,874 231 — — — 9,874 231 South 37 53,699 2,355 — — — 53,699 2,355 West 30 55,265 2,173 — — — 55,265 2,173 Special revenue Midwest 41 62,937 1,433 — — — 62,937 1,433 Northeast 22 54,993 2,624 — — — 54,993 2,624 South 79 152,979 6,791 — — — 152,979 6,791 West 44 81,676 4,052 — — — 81,676 4,052 Public utilities 20 38,511 423 2 2,122 24 40,633 447 Corporate bonds Energy 8 15,938 313 3 8,232 106 24,170 419 Industrials 24 42,854 596 3 5,641 386 48,495 982 Consumer goods and services 11 21,059 295 — — — 21,059 295 Health care 9 20,918 151 — — — 20,918 151 Technology, media and telecommunications 16 41,230 516 3 10,241 303 51,471 819 Financial services 37 75,286 1,358 — — — 75,286 1,358 Mortgage-backed securities 16 9,611 187 5 1,198 54 10,809 241 Collateralized mortgage obligations Government national mortgage association 36 82,430 2,261 9 13,603 505 96,033 2,766 Federal home loan mortgage corporation 41 105,775 3,165 3 5,141 241 110,916 3,406 Federal national mortgage association 27 46,633 1,091 4 4,341 243 50,974 1,334 Asset-backed securities 1 971 29 1 2,559 253 3,530 282 Total Available-for-Sale Fixed Maturities 554 $ 1,060,577 $ 32,104 33 $ 53,078 $ 2,115 $ 1,113,655 $ 34,219 Equity securities Common stocks Public utilities — $ — $ — 3 $ 120 $ 188 $ 120 $ 188 Energy — — — 1 163 22 163 22 Industrials — — — 6 239 173 239 173 Consumer goods and services 3 282 55 2 15 3 297 58 Technology, media and telecommunications 7 26 5 8 33 33 59 38 Financial services 3 53 3 2 150 64 203 67 Total Available-for-Sale Equity Securities 13 $ 361 $ 63 22 $ 720 $ 483 $ 1,081 $ 546 Total Available-for-Sale Securities 567 $ 1,060,938 $ 32,167 55 $ 53,798 $ 2,598 $ 1,114,736 $ 34,765 The following tables are a reconciliation for continuing and discontinued operations of our total fixed maturity and equity securities that were in an unrealized loss position at December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 . The securities are presented by the length of time they have been continuously in an unrealized loss position: December 31, 2017 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: Continuing operations 88 232,489 1,791 112 302,815 7,161 $ 535,304 $ 8,952 Discontinued operations 74 180,891 1,415 61 167,625 5,906 348,516 7,321 Total Available-for-Sale Fixed Maturities 162 $ 413,380 $ 3,206 173 $ 470,440 $ 13,067 $ 883,820 $ 16,273 Equity securities: Continuing operations 5 1,129 236 6 385 303 $ 1,514 $ 539 Discontinued operations 2 157 47 4 250 30 407 77 Total Available-for-Sale Equity Securities 7 $ 1,286 $ 283 10 $ 635 $ 333 $ 1,921 $ 616 Total Available-for-Sale Securities 169 $ 414,666 $ 3,489 183 $ 471,075 $ 13,400 $ 885,741 $ 16,889 December 31, 2016 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: Continuing operations 404 $ 654,235 $ 23,359 12 $ 6,288 $ 315 $ 660,523 $ 23,674 Discontinued operations 150 406,342 8,745 21 46,790 1,800 453,132 10,545 Total Available-for-Sale Fixed Maturities 554 $ 1,060,577 $ 32,104 33 $ 53,078 $ 2,115 $ 1,113,655 $ 34,219 Equity securities: Continuing operations 12 $ 351 $ 62 17 $ 477 $ 254 $ 828 $ 316 Discontinued operations 1 10 1 5 243 229 253 230 Total Available-for-Sale Equity Securities 13 $ 361 $ 63 22 $ 720 $ 483 $ 1,081 $ 546 Total Available-for-Sale Securities 567 $ 1,060,938 $ 32,167 55 $ 53,798 $ 2,598 $ 1,114,736 $ 34,765

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTR35

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
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 from continuing operations at December 31, 2017 and 2016 is as follows: December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Fair Value Carrying Value Fair Value Carrying Value Assets Investments Fixed maturities: Held-to-maturity securities $ 150 $ 150 $ 150 $ 150 Available-for-sale securities 1,535,070 1,535,070 1,453,286 1,453,286 Trading securities 16,842 16,842 14,390 14,390 Equity securities: Available-for-sale securities 280,913 280,913 246,370 246,370 Trading securities 6,431 6,431 5,644 5,644 Other long-term investments 49,352 49,352 51,769 51,769 Short-term investments 175 175 175 175 Cash and cash equivalents 95,562 95,562 89,194 89,194 Corporate-owned life insurance 4,029 4,029 2,592 2,592 A summary of the carrying value and estimated fair value of our financial instruments from discontinued operations at December 31, 2017 and 2016 is as follows: December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Fair Value Carrying Value Fair Value Carrying Value Assets Investments Fixed maturities: Held-to-maturity securities $ 34 $ 34 $ 49 $ 48 Available-for-sale securities 1,430,025 1,430,025 1,444,840 1,444,840 Equity securities: Available-for-sale securities 23,653 23,653 24,046 24,046 Mortgage loans 3,594 3,435 3,895 3,706 Policy loans 5,815 5,815 5,366 5,366 Other long-term investments 16,437 16,437 15,870 15,870 Cash and cash equivalents 15,851 15,851 21,659 21,659 Liabilities Policy reserves Annuity (accumulations) (1) $ 591,702 $ 611,866 $ 646,764 $ 666,711 Annuity (benefit payments) 147,038 93,560 144,283 95,129
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. The table include financial instruments from both continuing and discontinued operations at December 31, 2017 and 2016 : Fair Value Measurements Description December 31, 2017 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE Fixed maturities Bonds U.S. Treasury $ 16,891 $ — $ 16,891 $ — U.S. government agency 122,168 — 122,168 — States, municipalities and political subdivisions General obligations Midwest 109,696 — 109,696 — Northeast 48,641 — 48,641 — South 141,519 — 141,519 — West 113,011 — 113,011 — Special revenue Midwest 158,744 — 158,744 — Northeast 79,760 — 79,760 — South 263,512 — 263,512 — West 158,307 — 158,307 — Foreign bonds 52,753 — 52,753 — Public utilities 209,144 — 209,144 — Corporate bonds Energy 95,053 — 95,053 — Industrials 221,707 — 221,707 — Consumer goods and services 186,257 — 185,589 668 Health care 75,408 — 75,408 — Technology, media and telecommunications 148,979 — 148,979 — Financial services 283,151 — 275,474 7,677 Mortgage-backed securities 13,691 — 13,691 — Collateralized mortgage obligations Government national mortgage association 157,483 — 157,483 — Federal home loan mortgage corporation 199,152 — 199,152 — Federal national mortgage association 105,432 — 105,432 — Asset-backed securities 4,636 — 3,989 647 Total Available-For-Sale Fixed Maturities $ 2,965,095 $ — $ 2,956,103 $ 8,992 Equity securities Common stocks Public utilities $ 22,439 $ 22,439 $ — $ — Energy 14,565 14,565 — — Industrials 66,519 66,517 2 — Consumer goods and services 25,688 25,688 — — Health care 40,103 40,103 — — Technology, media and telecommunications 17,508 17,508 — — Financial services 116,447 116,447 — — Nonredeemable preferred stocks 1,297 415 — 882 Total Available-for-Sale Equity Securities $ 304,566 $ 303,682 $ 2 $ 882 Total Available-for-Sale Securities $ 3,269,661 $ 303,682 $ 2,956,105 $ 9,874 TRADING Fixed maturities Bonds Corporate bonds Industrials $ 2,220 $ — $ 2,220 $ — Consumer goods and services 1,535 — 1,535 — Health care 3,741 — 3,741 — Technology, media and telecommunications 1,221 — 1,221 — Financial services 5,566 — 5,566 — Redeemable preferred stocks 2,559 2,559 — — Equity securities Public utilities 874 874 — — Energy 190 190 — — Industrials 989 989 — — Consumer goods and services 1,314 1,314 — — Health care 325 325 — — Financial Services 198 198 — — Nonredeemable preferred stocks 2,541 2,541 — — Total Trading Securities $ 23,273 $ 8,990 $ 14,283 $ — Short-Term Investments $ 175 $ 175 $ — $ — Money Market Accounts $ 16,824 $ 16,824 $ — $ — Corporate-Owned Life Insurance $ 4,029 $ — $ 4,029 $ — Total Assets Measured at Fair Value $ 3,313,962 $ 329,671 $ 2,974,417 $ 9,874 Fair Value Measurements Description December 31, 2016 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE Fixed maturities Bonds U.S. Treasury $ 23,195 $ — $ 23,195 $ — U.S. government agency 77,597 — 77,597 — States, municipalities and political subdivisions General obligations Midwest 144,143 — 144,143 — Northeast 58,409 — 58,409 — South 128,369 — 128,369 — West 113,731 — 113,731 — Special revenue Midwest 168,310 — 168,142 168 Northeast 68,065 — 68,065 — South 239,187 — 239,187 — West 131,744 — 131,744 — Foreign bonds 65,234 — 65,234 — Public utilities 215,674 — 215,674 — Corporate bonds Energy 108,860 — 108,860 — Industrials 229,903 — 229,903 — Consumer goods and services 181,687 — 180,590 1,097 Health care 83,123 — 83,123 — Technology, media and telecommunications 144,612 — 144,612 — Financial services 273,951 — 265,154 8,797 Mortgage-backed securities 17,248 — 17,248 — Collateralized mortgage obligations Government national mortgage association 144,460 — 144,460 — Federal home loan mortgage corporation 174,458 — 174,458 — Federal national mortgage association 101,896 — 101,896 — Asset-backed securities 4,270 — 3,821 449 Total Available-For-Sale Fixed Maturities $ 2,898,126 $ — $ 2,887,615 $ 10,511 Equity securities Common stocks Public utilities $ 19,671 $ 19,671 $ — $ — Energy 15,047 15,047 — — Industrials 51,794 51,794 — — Consumer goods and services 24,117 24,117 — — Health care 27,420 27,420 — — Technology, media and telecommunications 15,369 15,369 — — Financial services 115,950 111,958 — 3,992 Nonredeemable preferred stocks 1,048 453 — 595 Total Available-for-Sale Equity Securities $ 270,416 $ 265,829 $ — $ 4,587 Total Available-for-Sale Securities $ 3,168,542 $ 265,829 $ 2,887,615 $ 15,098 TRADING Fixed maturities Bonds Corporate bonds Industrials $ 3,919 $ — $ 3,919 $ — Consumer goods and services 127 — 127 — Health care 3,410 — 3,410 — Technology, media and telecommunications 787 — 787 — Financial services 4,842 — 4,842 — Redeemable preferred stocks 1,305 1,305 — — Equity securities Public utilities 613 613 — — Energy 286 286 — — Industrials 877 877 — — Consumer goods and services 1,202 1,202 — — Health care 339 339 — — Financial Services 206 206 — — Nonredeemable preferred stocks 2,121 2,121 — — Total Trading Securities $ 20,034 $ 6,949 $ 13,085 $ — Short-Term Investments $ 175 $ 175 $ — $ — Money Market Accounts $ 16,802 $ 16,802 $ — $ — Corporate-Owned Life Insurance $ 2,592 $ — $ 2,592 $ — Total Assets Measured at Fair Value $ 3,208,145 $ 289,755 $ 2,903,292 $ 15,098 The following tables are a reconciliation for both continuing and discontinued operations of the presentation of the categorization for our financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2017 and 2016 : December 31, 2017 Fair Value Measurements Description Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE Fixed maturities: Continuing operations $ 1,535,070 $ — $ 1,534,323 $ 747 Discontinued operations 1,430,025 — 1,421,780 8,245 Total Available-for-Sale Fixed Maturities $ 2,965,095 $ — $ 2,956,103 $ 8,992 Equity securities: Continuing operations $ 280,913 $ 280,031 $ — $ 882 Discontinued operations 23,653 23,651 2 — Total Available-for-Sale Equity Securities $ 304,566 $ 303,682 $ 2 $ 882 Total Available-for-Sale Securities $ 3,269,661 $ 303,682 $ 2,956,105 $ 9,874 TRADING Fixed maturities: Continuing operations $ 16,842 $ 2,559 $ 14,283 $ — Discontinued operations — — — — Equity securities: Continuing operations 6,431 6,431 — — Discontinued operations — — — — Total Trading Securities $ 23,273 $ 8,990 $ 14,283 $ — SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS Continuing operations $ 175 $ 175 $ — $ — Discontinued operations — — — — Short-Term Investments $ 175 $ 175 $ — $ — MONEY MARKET ACCOUNTS Continuing operations $ 6,147 $ 6,147 $ — $ — Discontinued operations 10,677 10,677 — — Money Market Accounts $ 16,824 $ 16,824 $ — $ — CORPORATE-OWNED LIFE INSURANCE Continuing operations $ 4,029 $ — $ 4,029 $ — Discontinued operations — — — — Corporate-Owned Life Insurance $ 4,029 $ — $ 4,029 $ — Total Assets Measured at Fair Value $ 3,313,962 $ 329,671 $ 2,974,417 $ 9,874 December 31, 2016 Fair Value Measurements Description Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE Fixed maturities: Continuing operations $ 1,453,286 $ — $ 1,452,737 $ 549 Discontinued operations 1,444,840 — 1,434,878 9,962 Total Available-for-Sale Fixed Maturities $ 2,898,126 $ — $ 2,887,615 $ 10,511 Equity securities: Continuing operations $ 246,370 $ 243,627 $ — $ 2,743 Discontinued operations 24,046 22,202 — 1,844 Total Available-for-Sale Equity Securities $ 270,416 $ 265,829 $ — $ 4,587 Total Available-for-Sale Securities $ 3,168,542 $ 265,829 $ 2,887,615 $ 15,098 TRADING Fixed maturities: Continuing operations $ 14,390 $ 1,305 $ 13,085 $ — Discontinued operations — — — — Equity securities: Continuing operations 5,644 5,644 — — Discontinued operations — — — — Total Trading Securities $ 20,034 $ 6,949 $ 13,085 $ — SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS Continuing operations $ 175 $ 175 $ — $ — Discontinued operations — — — — Short-Term Investments $ 175 $ 175 $ — $ — MONEY MARKET ACCOUNTS Continuing operations $ 4,810 $ 4,810 $ — $ — Discontinued operations 11,992 11,992 — — Money Market Accounts $ 16,802 $ 16,802 $ — $ — CORPORATE-OWNED LIFE INSURANCE Continuing operations $ 2,592 $ — $ 2,592 $ — Discontinued operations — — — — Corporate-Owned Life Insurance $ 2,592 $ — $ 2,592 $ — Total Assets Measured at Fair Value $ 3,208,145 $ 289,755 $ 2,903,292 $ 15,098
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, from both continuing and discontinued operations for 2017 : States, municipalities and political subdivisions Corporate bonds Asset-backed securities Equities Total Balance at January 1, 2017 $ 168 $ 9,894 $ 449 $ 4,587 $ 15,098 Unrealized gains (losses) (1) (8 ) (129 ) 198 287 348 Purchases — 100 — 145 245 Disposals (160 ) (1,520 ) — (4,137 ) (5,817 ) Balance at December 31, 2017 $ — $ 8,345 $ 647 $ 882 $ 9,874 (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, from both continuing and discontinued operations for 2016 : States, municipalities and political subdivisions Corporate bonds Asset-backed securities Equities Total Balance at January 1, 2016 $ 343 $ 10,895 $ 1,036 $ 3,978 $ 16,252 Realized gains (losses) (1) — — — — — Unrealized gains (losses) (1) (15 ) 134 (39 ) — 80 Purchases — — — 727 727 Disposals (160 ) (1,135 ) (548 ) (118 ) (1,961 ) Balance at December 31, 2016 $ 168 $ 9,894 $ 449 $ 4,587 $ 15,098 (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, 2017
Reinsurance Disclosures [Abstract]
Ceded and Assumed Reinsurance	Premiums and losses and loss settlement expenses related to our ceded business are as follows: Years Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 Ceded Business Ceded insurance in-force $ 1,014,794 $ 1,023,197 $ 1,165,868 Ceded premiums earned 2,722 2,768 3,161 Loss and loss settlement expenses ceded 3,726 3,359 2,113 Premiums and losses and loss settlement expenses related to our ceded and assumed business are as follows: Years Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 Ceded Business Ceded premiums written $ 61,273 $ 57,988 $ 56,916 Ceded premiums earned 61,305 57,996 56,758 Loss and loss settlement expenses ceded 33,303 13,278 3,868 Assumed Business Assumed premiums written $ 15,179 $ 16,834 $ 18,290 Assumed premiums earned 15,059 17,037 18,396 Loss and loss settlement expenses assumed 24,688 9,814 14,415
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. For 2017, there was an all lines annual aggregate excess of loss program with variable retention of 7.02 percent of gross net earned premium with a minimum retention of $58.5 million and a maximum of $71.5 million . Our all lines aggregate recovery is also limited to $30.0 million . For 2016, there was an all lines annual aggregate excess of loss program with a variable retention of 7.73 percent of gross net earned premium with a minimum retention of $52.0 million and a maximum of $65.0 million. Our all lines aggregate recovery is also limited to a maximum of $30.0 million. For 2015, there was a $4,000 aggregate annual deductible on our multi-line core program (casualty excess and property excess). 2017 Reinsurance Programs Type of Reinsurance Stated Retention Limits Coverage Casualty excess of loss $ 2,500 $ 60,000 100 % of $ 57,500 Property excess of loss 2,500 25,000 100 % of $ 22,500 Surety excess of loss 1,500 45,000 100 % of $ 43,500 Property catastrophe, excess 20,000 250,000 100 % of $ 230,000 Boiler and machinery N/A 50,000 100 % of $ 50,000 2016 Reinsurance Programs Type of Reinsurance Stated Retention Limits Coverage Casualty excess of loss $ 2,500 $ 40,000 100 % of $ 37,500 Property excess of loss 2,500 25,000 100 % of $ 22,500 Surety excess of loss 1,500 36,000 100 % of $ 34,500 Property catastrophe, excess 20,000 250,000 100 % of $ 230,000 Boiler and machinery N/A 50,000 100 % of $ 50,000 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

RESERVES FOR LOSSES AND LOSS 37

RESERVES FOR LOSSES AND LOSS SETTLEMENT EXPENSES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Insurance Loss Reserves [Abstract]
Schedule of Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense	The following table provides an analysis of changes in our property and casualty losses and loss settlement expense reserves for 2017 , 2016 and 2015 (net of reinsurance amounts): Years Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 Gross liability for losses and loss settlement expenses $ 1,123,896 $ 1,003,895 $ 969,437 Ceded losses and loss settlement expenses (59,794 ) (54,653 ) (63,757 ) Net liability for losses and loss settlement expenses $ 1,064,102 $ 949,242 $ 905,680 Losses and loss settlement expenses incurred Current year $ 779,966 $ 683,662 $ 560,482 Prior years (54,253 ) (31,229 ) (40,395 ) Total incurred $ 725,713 $ 652,433 $ 520,087 Losses and loss settlement expense payments Current year $ 311,972 $ 277,053 $ 225,022 Prior years 313,531 260,520 251,503 Total paid $ 625,503 $ 537,573 $ 476,525 Net liability for losses and loss settlement expenses $ 1,164,312 $ 1,064,102 $ 949,242 Ceded loss and loss settlement expenses 59,871 59,794 54,653 Gross liability for losses and loss settlement expenses $ 1,224,183 $ 1,123,896 $ 1,003,895
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Claims Development	The following tables provide information about incurred and paid losses and loss settlement expense development as of December 31, 2017 , net of reinsurance, as well as cumulative development, cumulative claim frequency and IBNR liabilities. Claim data for Mercer Insurance Group, which was acquired on March 28, 2011, is presented retrospectively. The cumulative number of reported claims, for calendar year 2017 and 2016, are counted for all lines of business on a per claimant per coverage basis and a single event may result in multiple claims due to the involvement of multiple individual claimants and / or multiple independent coverages. Claim counts for calendar years 2015 and prior are counted on a per claim and per coverage basis. Claim counts include open claims, claims that have been paid and closed, and reported claims that have been closed without the need for any payment. Line of business: Commercial other liability Incurred losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance As of December 31, 2017 For the years ended December 31, Total of incurred but not reported liabilities plus expected development on reported claims Cumulative development Cumulative number of reported claims Accident Year 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 (Unaudited) 2008 $ 79,455 $ 84,944 $ 81,963 $ 73,892 $ 63,231 $ 78,152 $ 75,178 $ 74,115 $ 74,915 $ 75,364 $ 12,636 (4,091 ) 6,734 2009 88,298 85,991 73,545 65,831 84,286 83,660 85,761 86,757 86,543 11,268 (1,755 ) 6,123 2010 88,987 69,533 65,299 82,865 78,564 77,948 78,291 78,498 14,468 (10,489 ) 5,174 2011 81,522 64,738 88,371 88,200 79,591 80,801 81,463 15,016 (59 ) 5,328 2012 100,389 96,158 94,195 91,980 92,537 91,346 18,407 (9,043 ) 5,540 2013 104,982 91,460 90,502 86,119 85,399 9,697 (19,583 ) 6,007 2014 118,928 117,958 106,486 97,809 13,583 (21,119 ) 6,109 2015 137,386 125,307 120,005 25,634 (17,381 ) 7,083 2016 139,144 130,041 35,760 (9,103 ) 7,512 2017 139,602 68,465 5,833 Total $ 986,070 Line of business: Commercial other liability Cumulative paid losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance For the years ended December 31, Accident Year 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 (Unaudited) 2008 $ 9,220 $ 24,096 $ 34,482 $ 42,545 $ 47,112 $ 50,143 $ 52,659 $ 55,843 $ 59,052 $ 60,698 2009 8,375 21,151 32,073 41,696 50,098 56,789 63,149 67,733 70,814 2010 7,103 15,230 24,577 35,043 51,336 56,761 60,116 62,070 2011 6,236 13,670 26,260 40,595 50,146 56,150 62,165 2012 6,875 24,620 39,948 55,316 64,574 69,800 2013 9,835 25,228 39,953 54,559 65,773 2014 10,207 29,679 50,211 70,363 2015 11,185 27,182 53,901 2016 13,782 38,184 2017 17,716 Total $ 571,484 All outstanding liabilities for unpaid losses and loss settlement expenses before 2008, net of reinsurance 29,167 Liabilities for unpaid losses and loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance $ 443,753 Line of business: Commercial fire and allied Incurred losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance As of December 31, 2017 For the years ended December 31, Total of incurred but not reported liabilities plus expected development on reported claims Cumulative development Cumulative number of reported claims Accident Year 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 (Unaudited) 2008 $ 157,303 $ 141,384 $ 138,602 $ 140,321 $ 134,821 $ 116,940 $ 118,115 $ 118,376 $ 118,329 $ 118,308 $ 44 (38,995 ) 21,101 2009 113,754 106,085 105,031 105,614 87,751 87,845 87,932 88,891 89,027 154 (24,727 ) 18,038 2010 113,139 106,152 108,246 83,836 83,932 83,767 83,981 84,213 229 (28,926 ) 16,671 2011 148,220 142,330 117,082 120,492 119,820 120,219 121,434 611 (26,786 ) 16,026 2012 138,602 110,448 108,774 108,047 107,958 108,623 970 (29,979 ) 6,408 2013 91,521 88,550 91,498 92,212 93,826 1,139 2,305 6,598 2014 126,216 131,198 128,762 128,185 1,397 1,969 7,827 2015 103,177 108,293 110,633 3,370 7,456 7,465 2016 147,473 144,208 3,597 (3,265 ) 9,496 2017 155,139 16,178 11,574 Total $ 1,153,596 Line of business: Commercial fire and allied Cumulative paid losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance For the years ended December 31, Accident Year 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 (Unaudited) 2008 $ 80,005 $ 102,804 $ 107,480 $ 112,678 $ 115,804 $ 115,897 $ 117,553 $ 117,690 $ 118,003 $ 118,059 2009 53,219 72,181 77,732 82,809 86,930 87,544 87,721 88,037 88,159 2010 52,660 72,271 78,284 80,352 82,037 83,000 83,374 83,915 2011 85,585 104,800 109,429 112,497 116,614 118,183 120,178 2012 71,008 94,380 100,078 103,197 105,250 106,521 2013 59,331 78,226 82,853 86,115 89,200 2014 84,456 113,663 116,750 122,370 2015 67,217 90,454 95,515 2016 92,895 125,962 2017 99,484 Total $ 1,049,363 All outstanding liabilities for unpaid losses and loss settlement expenses before 2008, net of reinsurance 573 Liabilities for unpaid losses and loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance $ 104,806 Line of business: Commercial automobile Incurred losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance As of December 31, 2017 For the years ended December 31, Total of incurred but not reported liabilities plus expected development on reported claims Cumulative development Cumulative number of reported claims Accident Year 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 (Unaudited) 2008 $ 80,461 $ 78,391 $ 76,051 $ 76,527 $ 75,070 $ 75,021 $ 73,506 $ 73,431 $ 73,463 $ 73,487 $ 12 (6,974 ) 18,114 2009 80,021 69,328 68,569 64,121 64,516 63,605 63,560 63,567 63,509 — (16,512 ) 15,019 2010 75,781 68,068 65,860 67,015 67,563 67,296 68,086 67,910 17 (7,871 ) 16,245 2011 84,887 87,299 90,750 92,519 92,379 91,336 90,766 311 5,879 15,246 2012 100,039 90,848 94,755 95,321 96,594 96,389 488 (3,650 ) 14,353 2013 104,356 98,037 102,943 103,726 104,980 1,310 624 15,504 2014 107,723 106,076 113,720 118,869 3,634 11,146 17,222 2015 125,506 129,816 132,206 7,874 6,700 19,875 2016 174,018 175,357 21,439 1,339 26,662 2017 227,919 58,850 28,858 Total $ 1,151,392 Line of business: Commercial automobile Cumulative paid losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance For the years ended December 31, Accident Year 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 (Unaudited) 2008 $ 30,527 $ 47,271 $ 58,926 $ 68,629 $ 70,459 $ 72,122 $ 72,984 $ 72,990 $ 73,018 $ 73,394 2009 27,674 44,867 53,451 58,087 61,398 62,732 63,495 63,503 63,508 2010 29,329 41,141 52,953 57,947 62,231 65,169 67,622 67,852 2011 34,332 50,931 65,021 79,383 85,348 87,475 88,609 2012 39,247 57,201 71,469 82,944 90,292 93,179 2013 43,592 67,630 79,663 90,780 96,375 2014 45,704 68,033 87,590 99,922 2015 50,782 78,225 99,201 2016 66,013 103,528 2017 81,311 Total $ 866,879 All outstanding liabilities for unpaid losses and loss settlement expenses before 2008, net of reinsurance 39 Liabilities for unpaid losses and loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance $ 284,552 Line of business: Workers' compensation Incurred losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance As of December 31, 2017 For the years ended December 31, Total of incurred but not reported liabilities plus expected development on reported claims Cumulative development Cumulative number of reported claims Accident Year 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 (Unaudited) 2008 $ 42,739 $ 42,301 $ 39,895 $ 41,278 $ 40,474 $ 40,010 $ 39,386 $ 39,680 $ 39,768 $ 38,664 $ 499 (4,075 ) 5,057 2009 43,560 39,009 36,294 36,837 36,823 36,158 36,014 35,026 35,012 489 (8,548 ) 4,264 2010 38,210 42,531 41,180 41,167 40,647 41,422 41,468 42,617 596 4,407 3,978 2011 39,967 38,481 35,352 34,309 33,585 33,314 33,352 747 (6,615 ) 3,930 2012 48,848 46,279 42,158 38,423 38,553 39,015 754 (9,833 ) 3,813 2013 64,048 62,579 56,369 54,584 52,761 975 (11,287 ) 4,173 2014 64,051 60,729 58,284 56,630 1,409 (7,421 ) 4,593 2015 53,788 55,578 51,003 1,753 (2,785 ) 5,311 2016 70,419 66,575 3,392 (3,844 ) 6,732 2017 76,184 7,317 5,460 Total $ 491,813 Line of business: Workers' compensation Cumulative paid losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance For the years ended December 31, Accident Year 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 (Unaudited) 2008 $ 10,082 $ 21,227 $ 25,736 $ 30,123 $ 31,980 $ 33,770 $ 34,319 $ 34,862 $ 35,292 $ 36,010 2009 10,478 20,292 24,189 27,747 29,898 31,003 31,886 32,911 33,117 2010 11,821 22,606 28,765 31,887 33,119 34,143 35,052 38,973 2011 10,322 21,678 26,033 27,497 28,247 29,022 29,453 2012 11,802 23,023 28,397 30,933 33,063 34,330 2013 14,136 30,209 38,023 42,941 45,078 2014 13,965 30,289 38,441 42,964 2015 12,063 27,304 35,229 2016 14,413 32,345 2017 14,647 Total $ 342,146 All outstanding liabilities for unpaid losses and loss settlement expenses before 2008, net of reinsurance 18,973 Liabilities for unpaid losses and loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance $ 168,640 Line of business: Personal Incurred losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance As of December 31, 2017 For the years ended December 31, Total of incurred but not reported liabilities plus expected development on reported claims Cumulative development Cumulative number of reported claims Accident Year 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 (Unaudited) 2008 $ 49,961 $ 44,686 $ 43,408 $ 43,672 $ 43,577 $ 43,535 $ 43,515 $ 43,482 $ 42,882 $ 42,881 $ — (7,080 ) 15,821 2009 34,597 33,519 31,945 32,026 32,134 32,029 32,085 32,070 31,867 2 (2,730 ) 13,502 2010 36,686 34,347 33,928 33,865 33,403 33,413 33,432 33,213 29 (3,473 ) 13,325 2011 50,014 48,534 47,090 47,035 46,968 47,013 46,733 74 (3,281 ) 14,843 2012 47,924 46,199 46,403 46,150 44,715 44,352 108 (3,572 ) 10,769 2013 39,232 38,525 37,262 37,086 36,729 172 (2,503 ) 9,232 2014 53,910 52,661 52,944 52,782 236 (1,128 ) 10,899 2015 42,848 41,088 40,336 396 (2,512 ) 9,490 2016 48,072 45,840 733 (2,232 ) 11,674 2017 60,330 3,310 13,049 Total $ 435,063 Line of business: Personal Cumulative paid losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance For the years ended December 31, Accident Year 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 (Unaudited) 2008 $ 32,032 $ 40,114 $ 41,735 $ 42,414 $ 42,613 $ 42,627 $ 42,748 $ 42,748 $ 42,787 $ 42,881 2009 22,086 27,926 29,801 30,829 31,564 31,644 31,718 31,804 31,837 2010 24,499 29,867 31,340 32,076 32,771 32,997 33,165 33,158 2011 36,489 43,801 45,306 45,949 46,487 46,573 46,575 2012 30,415 41,979 43,375 44,448 43,569 44,139 2013 25,505 32,788 34,297 35,306 36,155 2014 37,055 47,912 49,710 51,837 2015 29,551 37,431 39,027 2016 32,999 40,910 2017 42,135 Total $ 408,654 All outstanding liabilities for unpaid losses and loss settlement expenses before 2008, net of reinsurance 1,326 Liabilities for unpaid losses and loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance $ 27,735
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Reconciliation of Claims Development to Liability	The reconciliation of the net incurred and loss development tables to the liability for unpaid losses and loss settlement expenses in the consolidated statement of financial position is as follows. December 31, 2017 Net outstanding liabilities for unpaid losses and allocated loss settlement expenses: Commercial other liability $ 443,753 Commercial fire and allied 104,806 Commercial automobile 284,552 Commercial workers' compensation 168,640 Personal 27,735 All other lines 43,709 Net outstanding liabilities for unpaid losses and allocated loss settlement expenses 1,073,195 Net outstanding liabilities for unpaid unallocated loss settlement expenses 88,193 Fair value adjustment (purchase accounting adjustment for Mercer acquisition) 2,924 Liabilities for unpaid losses and loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance 1,164,312 Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses and allocated loss settlement expenses: Commercial other liability 20,367 Commercial fire and allied 10,806 Commercial automobile 1,994 Commercial workers' compensation 26,799 Personal 26 All other lines 2,675 Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses and allocated loss settlement expenses 62,667 Reinsurance fair value amortization (purchase accounting adjustment for Mercer acquisition) (2,796 ) Total reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses and loss settlement expenses 59,871 Total gross liability for unpaid losses and loss settlement expenses $ 1,224,183
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Schedule of Historical Claims Duration	The following is supplementary information about average historical claims duration as of December 31, 2017 . Average annual percentage payout of incurred claims by age, net of reinsurance Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6 Year 7 Year 8 Year 9 Year 10 (Unaudited) Commercial other liability 10.1 % 15.9 % 16.4 % 15.3 % 11.9 % 6.4 % 5.6 % 4.0 % 3.9 % 2.2 % Commercial fire and allied 64.4 % 20.9 % 4.8 % 3.7 % 3.0 % 0.9 % 0.9 % 0.4 % 0.2 % — % Commercial automobile 39.9 % 20.9 % 15.1 % 10.9 % 5.6 % 2.8 % 1.8 % 0.1 % — % 0.5 % Commercial workers' compensation 26.1 % 29.0 % 13.6 % 8.1 % 4.3 % 3.2 % 1.8 % 4.5 % 0.8 % 1.9 % Personal 71.9 % 19.1 % 4.0 % 2.5 % 1.1 % 0.5 % 0.3 % 0.1 % 0.1 % 0.2 %

STATUTORY REPORTING, CAPITAL 38

STATUTORY REPORTING, CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS AND DIVIDENDS AND RETAINED EARNINGS RESTRICTIONS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Statutory Insurance Financial Information [Abstract]
Schedule of Statutory Capital and Surplus	Statutory capital and surplus in regards to policyholders at December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 and statutory net income (loss) for the years then ended are as follows: Statutory Capital and Surplus Statutory Net Income (Loss) 2017 Property and casualty business $ 757,443 $ 19,687 Life, accident and health business 144,533 5,485 2016 Property and casualty business $ 770,908 $ 39,087 Life, accident and health business 139,806 (3,177 ) 2015 Property and casualty business $ 722,404 $ 75,554 Life, accident and health business 138,855 (1,524 ) (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, 2017
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Federal Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	Federal income tax expense (benefit) from both continuing and discontinued operations is composed of the following: Years Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 Current $ 1,989 $ 3,239 $ 37,649 Deferred (26,719 ) 5,524 (5,324 ) Total $ (24,730 ) $ 8,763 $ 32,325
Income Tax Expense Reconciliation	A reconciliation of income tax expense (benefit) 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, 2017 2016 2015 Computed expected income tax expense $ 9,202 $ 20,533 $ 42,508 Impact of enactment of Tax Act (21,884 ) — — Tax-exempt municipal bond interest income (8,875 ) (8,330 ) (7,669 ) Nontaxable dividend income (1,540 ) (1,317 ) (1,337 ) Valuation allowance reduction (547 ) (547 ) (548 ) Other, net (1,086 ) (1,576 ) (629 ) Consolidated federal income tax expense (benefit) $ (24,730 ) $ 8,763 $ 32,325 Reconciliation of consolidated federal income tax expense (benefit) from: Continuing operations $ (29,220 ) $ 8,379 $ 30,050 Discontinued operations 4,490 384 2,275 Consolidated federal income tax expense (benefit) $ (24,730 ) $ 8,763 $ 32,325
Components of Net Deferred Tax Liability	The significant components of our net deferred tax liability from both continuing and discontinued operations at December 31, 2017 and 2016 are as follows: December 31, 2017 2016 Deferred tax liabilities Net unrealized appreciation on investment securities: Equity securities $ 50,839 $ 70,640 All other securities 7,599 3,711 Deferred policy acquisition costs 30,404 52,031 Investments in partnerships 3,653 8,112 Prepaid pension cost 3,416 4,449 Net bond discount accretion 666 1,134 Depreciation 593 854 Revaluation of investment basis (1) 545 1,342 Identifiable intangible assets (1) 1,838 3,311 Other 1,934 2,831 Gross deferred tax liability $ 101,487 $ 148,415 Deferred tax assets Financial statement reserves in excess of income tax reserves $ 17,036 $ 29,174 Unearned premium adjustment 19,389 30,697 Net operating loss carryforwards 329 718 Underfunded benefit plan obligation 12,375 13,374 Post-retirement benefits other than pensions 11,942 20,221 Other-than-temporary impairment of investments 2,313 4,658 Contingent ceding commission accrual 317 2,769 Alternative minimum tax credit carryforward 6,011 1,194 Compensation expense related to stock options 3,289 4,578 Other 4,145 6,162 Gross deferred tax asset $ 77,146 $ 113,545 Valuation allowance (329 ) (718 ) Deferred tax asset $ 76,817 $ 112,827 Net deferred tax liability $ 24,670 $ 35,588 (1) Related to our acquisition of Mercer Insurance Group.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS (Tables)

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Retirement Benefits [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, 2017 and 2016 by asset category: Target Pension Plan Assets 2017 % of Total 2016 % of Total Allocation Fixed maturity securities - corporate bonds $ 11,003 7.0 % $ 9,451 7.4 % 0 % - 15 % Redeemable preferred stock 3,216 2.0 3,144 2.4 0 % - 10 % Equity securities 87,603 55.6 69,770 54.3 50 % - 70 % Pooled separate accounts Core plus bond separate account fund 17,948 11.4 10,401 8.1 0 % - 40 % U.S. property separate account fund 15,502 9.8 14,330 11.1 0 % - 25 % Arbitrage fund 8,506 5.4 8,292 6.5 0 % - 10 % United Life annuity 9,846 6.2 9,377 7.3 5 % - 10 % Cash and cash equivalents 4,020 2.6 3,665 2.9 0 % - 10 % Total plan assets $ 157,644 100.0 % $ 128,430 100.0 %
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, 2017 and 2016 : Fair Value Measurements Description December 31, 2017 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Fixed maturity securities - corporate bonds $ 11,003 $ — $ 11,003 $ — Redeemable preferred stock 3,216 3,216 — — Equity securities 87,603 87,603 — — Pooled separate accounts Core plus bond separate account fund 17,948 — 17,948 — U.S. property separate account fund 15,502 — — 15,502 Arbitrage fund 8,506 — 8,506 — Money market funds 4,011 4,011 — — Total assets measured at fair value $ 147,789 $ 94,830 $ 37,457 $ 15,502 Fair Value Measurements Description December 31, 2016 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Fixed maturity securities - corporate bonds $ 9,451 $ — $ 9,451 $ — Redeemable preferred stock 3,144 3,144 — — Equity securities 69,770 69,770 — — Pooled separate accounts Core plus bond separate account fund 10,401 — 10,401 — U.S. property separate account fund 14,330 — — 14,330 Arbitrage fund 8,292 — 8,292 — Money market funds 3,659 3,659 — — Total assets measured at fair value $ 119,047 $ 76,573 $ 28,144 $ 14,330
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, 2017 $ 14,330 Unrealized gains 1,172 Balance at December 31, 2017 $ 15,502 U.S. property separate account fund Balance at January 1, 2016 $ 11,252 Unrealized gains 1,078 Purchases 2,000 Balance at December 31, 2016 $ 14,330
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 Post-retirement Benefits December 31, 2017 2016 2017 2016 Discount rate 3.65 % 4.17 % 3.65 % 4.17 % 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 Post-retirement Benefits January 1, 2017 2016 2015 2017 2016 2015 Discount rate 4.17 % 4.21 % 3.86 % 4.17 % 4.21 % 3.86 % 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 3.00 3.00 N/A N/A N/A
Schedule of Health Care Cost Trend Rates	Health Care Benefits Dental Claims Years Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2017 2016 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 2026 2025 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 post-retirement health care benefit cost $ 1,126 $ (883 ) Effect on the accumulated post-retirement benefit obligation 9,487 (7,698 )
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 Post-retirement Benefits Years Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2017 2016 Reconciliation of benefit obligation Benefit obligation at beginning of year $ 171,876 $ 160,390 $ 46,785 $ 72,175 Service cost 6,857 6,490 2,021 3,728 Interest cost 7,060 6,654 1,927 3,015 Actuarial loss 26,963 2,215 6,326 1,468 Adjustment for plan amendment — — — (32,289 ) Benefit payments (4,407 ) (3,873 ) (1,331 ) (1,312 ) Benefit obligation at end of year (1) $ 208,349 $ 171,876 $ 55,728 $ 46,785 Reconciliation of fair value of plan assets Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year $ 128,430 $ 106,600 $ — $ — Actual return on plan assets 22,225 9,320 — — Employer contributions 11,396 16,383 1,331 1,311 Benefit payments (4,407 ) (3,873 ) (1,331 ) (1,311 ) Fair value of plan assets at end of year $ 157,644 $ 128,430 $ — $ — Funded status at end of year $ (50,705 ) $ (43,446 ) $ (55,728 ) $ (46,785 ) (1) For the pension plan, the benefit obligation is the projected benefit obligation. For the post-retirement benefit plan, the benefit obligation is the accumulated post-retirement 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 Post-retirement Benefits Years Ended December 31 2017 2016 2017 2016 Amounts recognized in AOCI Unrecognized prior service cost $ — $ — $ (26,880 ) $ (32,289 ) Unrecognized actuarial (gain) loss 60,571 49,745 25,235 20,756 Total amounts recognized in AOCI $ 60,571 $ 49,745 $ (1,645 ) $ (11,533 )
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost	The components of the net periodic benefit cost for our pension and post-retirement benefit plans are as follows: Pension Plan Post-retirement Benefit Plan Years Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 2017 2016 2015 Net periodic benefit cost Service cost $ 6,857 $ 6,490 $ 6,675 $ 2,021 $ 3,728 $ 5,220 Interest cost 7,060 6,654 5,999 1,927 3,015 2,856 Expected return on plan assets (9,650 ) (7,952 ) (7,800 ) — — — Amortization of prior service cost — — — (5,409 ) — — Amortization of net loss 3,562 3,968 4,546 1,846 1,518 2,920 Net periodic benefit cost $ 7,829 $ 9,160 $ 9,420 $ 385 $ 8,261 $ 10,996
Summary of Expected Benefit Payments	The following table summarizes the expected benefits to be paid from our plans over the next 10 years : 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 - 2027 Pension benefits $ 5,620 $ 6,140 $ 6,780 $ 7,520 $ 8,240 $ 52,950 Post-retirement benefits $ 1,350 $ 1,540 $ 1,700 $ 1,880 $ 2,050 $ 13,310

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Table

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Activity in Stock Award Plans	The activity in the Director Plan is displayed in the following table: Authorized Shares Available for Future Award Grants Year Ended December 31, 2017 From Inception to December 31, 2017 Beginning balance 74,771 300,000 Number of awards granted (12,958 ) (262,190 ) Number of awards forfeited or expired — 24,003 Ending balance 61,813 61,813 Number of option awards exercised 36,808 89,281 Number of restricted stock awards vested 22,716 54,272 The activity in the Stock Plan is displayed in the following table: Authorized Shares Available for Future Award Grants Year Ended December 31, 2017 From Inception to December 31, 2017 Beginning balance 1,248,651 1,900,000 Additional shares authorized — 1,500,000 Number of awards granted (259,405 ) (2,871,971 ) Number of awards forfeited or expired 7,582 468,799 Ending balance 996,828 996,828 Number of option awards exercised 136,827 1,085,895 Number of unrestricted stock awards granted 1,145 8,470 Number of restricted stock awards vested 1,198 38,168
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. 2018 $ 4,028 2019 2,776 2020 1,116 2021 390 2022 40 Total $ 8,350
Analysis of Award Activity	The analysis below details the award activity for 2017 and the awards outstanding at December 31, 2017 , 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, 2017 1,120,677 $ 29.08 Granted 159,709 41.75 Exercised (173,635 ) 27.52 Forfeited or expired (5,700 ) 28.66 Outstanding at December 31, 2017 1,101,051 $ 31.16 6.52 $ 15,875 Exercisable at December 31, 2017 495,089 $ 26.77 3.22 $ 9,311
Schedule of Restricted Stock Award Activity	The analysis below details the award activity for the restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards outstanding at December 31, 2017 : Restricted stock awards Shares Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value Non-vested at January 1, 2017 182,086 $ 34.08 Granted 111,509 41.94 Vested (23,914 ) 36.77 Forfeited (1,882 ) 40.27 Non-vested at December 31, 2017 267,799 $ 37.07
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, 2017 2016 2015 Risk-free interest rate 2.23 % 1.53 % 1.94 % Expected volatility 27.58 % 25.44 % 21.92 % Expected option life (in years) 7 7 7 Expected dividends (in dollars) $ 1.00 $ 0.88 $ 0.80 Weighted-average grant-date fair value of options granted during the year (in dollars) $ 9.93 $ 8.42 $ 4.98
Summary of Stock Options Outstanding and Exercisable	The following table summarizes information regarding the stock options outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2017 : 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 - 21.00 100,805 3.23 $ 20.24 100,805 $ 20.24 21.01 - 28.00 159,478 4.52 23.38 127,077 23.23 28.01 - 35.00 508,630 6.42 29.49 235,833 29.74 35.01 - 43.00 332,138 8.63 40.77 31,374 39.84 $ 15.01 - 43.00 1,101,051 6.52 $ 31.16 495,089 $ 26.77

SEGMENT INFORMATION (Tables)

SEGMENT INFORMATION (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Premiums Earned by Segments	The following table sets forth our net premiums earned: Years Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 Continuing Operations - Property and casualty insurance business Net premiums earned Other liability $ 306,480 $ 289,982 $ 261,303 Fire and allied lines 270,716 265,221 246,450 Automobile 277,511 239,216 210,090 Workers' compensation 104,166 103,605 95,672 Fidelity and surety 24,981 22,507 21,362 Reinsurance assumed 10,650 12,765 13,639 Other 2,988 2,835 3,179 Total net premiums earned from continuing operations $ 997,492 $ 936,131 $ 851,695 Discontinued Operations - Life insurance business Net premiums earned Ordinary life (excluding universal life) $ 35,388 $ 63,668 $ 53,114 Universal life policy fees 13,145 11,577 12,834 Immediate annuities with life contingencies 11,691 10,533 12,223 Accident and health 1,096 1,434 1,425 Other 48 58 388 Total net premiums earned from discontinued operations $ 61,368 $ 87,270 $ 79,984

QUARTERLY SUPPLEMENTARY FINAN43

QUARTERLY SUPPLEMENTARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Quarterly Financial Data [Abstract]
Schedule of Unaudited Quarterly Financial Information	The following table sets forth our selected unaudited quarterly financial information from continuing operations: (In Thousands Except Share Data) Quarters First Second Third Fourth Total Year Ended December 31, 2017 Total revenues $ 251,278 $ 258,487 $ 269,617 $ 273,355 $ 1,052,737 Income (loss) before income taxes 23,006 (4,331 ) (32,394 ) 29,369 15,650 Net income (loss) $ 18,584 $ 109 $ (19,082 ) $ 45,259 $ 44,870 Basic earnings per share (1) $ 0.73 $ — $ (0.77 ) $ 1.81 $ 1.79 Diluted earnings per share (1) 0.72 — (0.77 ) 1.78 1.75 Year Ended December 31, 2016 Total revenues $ 231,334 $ 244,866 $ 255,625 $ 264,537 $ 996,362 Income before income taxes 28,165 1,372 14,035 13,925 57,497 Net income $ 22,020 $ 3,435 $ 11,628 $ 12,035 $ 49,118 Basic earnings per share (1) $ 0.87 $ 0.13 $ 0.46 $ 0.46 $ 1.94 Diluted earnings per share (1) 0.86 0.13 0.45 0.46 1.90 (1) The sum of the quarterly reported amounts may not equal the full year, as each is computed independently. The following table sets forth our selected unaudited quarterly financial information from discontinued operations: (In Thousands Except Share Data) Quarters First Second Third Fourth Total Year Ended December 31, 2017 Total revenues $ 31,781 $ 28,492 $ 27,054 $ 28,386 $ 115,713 Income before income taxes 2,083 4,386 1,880 2,294 10,643 Net income $ 1,352 $ 2,849 $ 1,218 $ 734 $ 6,153 Basic earnings per share (1) $ 0.05 $ 0.11 $ 0.05 $ 0.03 $ 0.24 Diluted earnings per share (1) 0.05 0.11 0.05 0.03 0.24 Year Ended December 31, 2016 Total revenues $ 34,351 $ 34,907 $ 33,869 $ 37,458 $ 140,585 Income (loss) before income taxes 609 (508 ) 1,140 (71 ) 1,170 Net income (loss) $ 407 $ (321 ) $ 740 $ (40 ) $ 786 Basic earnings per share (1) $ 0.02 $ (0.01 ) $ 0.03 $ — $ 0.03 Diluted earnings per share (1) 0.02 (0.01 ) 0.03 — 0.03 (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, 2017
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, 2017 2016 2015 (In Thousands Except Share and Per Share Data) Basic Diluted Basic Diluted Basic Diluted Net income from continuing operations $ 44,870 $ 44,870 $ 49,118 $ 49,118 $ 85,320 $ 85,320 Weighted-average common shares outstanding 25,103,720 25,103,720 25,335,706 25,335,706 25,047,405 25,047,405 Add dilutive effect of restricted stock awards — 250,530 — 155,059 — 122,840 Add dilutive effect of stock options — 286,354 — 313,913 — 65,751 Weighted-average common shares 25,103,720 25,640,604 25,335,706 25,804,678 25,047,405 25,235,996 Earnings per common share from continuing operations $ 1.79 $ 1.75 $ 1.94 $ 1.90 $ 3.41 $ 3.38 Earnings per common share from discontinued operations 0.24 0.24 0.03 0.03 0.15 0.15 Earnings per common share $ 2.03 $ 1.99 $ 1.97 $ 1.93 $ 3.56 $ 3.53 Awards excluded from diluted calculation (1) — — — — — 343,390 (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, 2017
Leases [Abstract]
Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Payments	At December 31, 2017 , our future minimum rental payments were as follows: 2018 $ 6,435 2019 6,027 2020 5,529 2021 3,173 2022 643 Thereafter 718 Total $ 22,525

INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Tables)

INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
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, 2017 2016 Agency relationships $ 10,338 $ 10,338 Accumulated amortization - agency relationships (5,566 ) (4,929 ) $ 4,772 $ 5,409 Software $ 3,260 $ 3,260 Accumulated amortization - software (3,260 ) (3,260 ) $ — $ — Trade names $ 1,978 $ 1,978 Accumulated amortization - trade names (890 ) (758 ) $ 1,088 $ 1,220 Favorable contract $ 286 $ 286 Accumulated amortization - favorable contract (286 ) (286 ) $ — $ — State insurance licenses (1) $ 3,020 $ 3,020 Net intangible assets $ 8,880 $ 9,649 (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: 2018 $ 719 2019 709 2020 709 2021 709 2022 709

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSI47

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
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, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 : Liability for Net unrealized underfunded appreciation employee on investments benefit costs Total Balance as of January 1, 2015 $ 149,623 $ (58,450 ) $ 91,173 Change in accumulated other comprehensive income before reclassifications (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 Change in accumulated other comprehensive income before reclassifications 8,461 19,529 27,990 Reclassification adjustments from accumulated other comprehensive income (2,938 ) 3,566 628 Balance as of December 31, 2016 $ 133,892 $ (24,837 ) $ 109,055 Change in accumulated other comprehensive income before reclassifications 48,467 (19,878 ) 28,589 Reclassification adjustments from accumulated other comprehensive income (4,152 ) 3,514 (638 ) Accumulated effect of change in enacted tax rate 36,658 (5,350 ) 31,308 Balance as of December 31, 2017 $ 214,865 $ (46,551 ) $ 168,314

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS (Tables

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations	The major assets and liability categories were as follows as of the dates indicated: Discontinued Operations Balance Sheets December 31, (In Thousands, Except Share Data) 2017 2016 Assets Investments Fixed maturities Held-to-maturity, at amortized cost (fair value $34 in 2017 and $49 in 2016) $ 34 $ 48 Available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost $1,412,291 in 2017 and $1,429,270 in 2016) 1,430,025 1,444,840 Equity Securities available-for-sale, at fair value (cost $5,099 in 2017 and $8,510 in 2016) 23,653 24,046 Mortgage loans 3,435 3,706 Policy loans 5,815 5,366 Other long-term investments 16,437 15,870 1,479,399 1,493,876 Cash and cash equivalents 15,851 21,659 Deferred policy acquisition costs 71,151 70,750 Other assets 19,733 19,333 Total assets held for sale $ 1,586,134 $ 1,605,618 Liabilities Future policy benefits and losses $ 1,320,401 $ 1,350,503 Deferred income taxes 18,716 27,739 Accrued expenses and other liabilities 8,018 11,981 Total liabilities held for sale $ 1,347,135 $ 1,390,223 Summary operating results of discontinued operations were as follows for the periods indicated: Discontinued Operations Statements of Income For the Years Ended December 31, (In Thousands, Except Share Data) 2017 2016 2015 Revenues Net premiums earned $ 61,368 $ 87,270 $ 79,195 Investment income, net of investment expenses 49,720 51,538 54,222 Net realized investment gains (losses) Other-than-temporary impairment charges — — (1,300 ) Net realized investment gains 4,008 1,156 3,022 Total net realized investment gains 4,008 1,156 1,722 Other income 617 621 508 Total revenues $ 115,713 $ 140,585 $ 135,647 Benefits, Losses and Expenses Losses and loss settlement expenses $ 40,451 $ 31,365 $ 29,001 Increase in liability for future policy benefits 27,632 59,969 50,945 Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs 5,181 8,121 6,634 Other underwriting expenses 13,281 19,881 19,306 Interest on policyholders’ accounts 18,525 20,079 23,680 Total benefits, losses and expenses $ 105,070 $ 139,415 $ 129,566 Income from discontinued operations before income taxes $ 10,643 $ 1,170 $ 6,081 Federal income tax expense 4,490 384 2,275 Net income from discontinued operations $ 6,153 $ 786 $ 3,806 Earnings per common share from discontinued operations: Basic $ 0.24 $ 0.03 $ 0.15 Diluted 0.24 0.03 0.15

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN49

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Narrative) (Details)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)segmentstate	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)state	Sep. 17, 2017segment	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)stateplan	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)holding_company
Item Effected [Line Items]
Number of operating segments | segment	1		2
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	$ 1,492,928,000	$ 1,492,928,000		$ 1,492,928,000	$ 1,509,339,000
Payment for income taxes				7,667,000	24,034,000	$ 39,497,000
Federal tax refund received				13,383,000	0	919,000
Interest payment				0	0	0
Increase (decrease) in DAC asset	(6,294,000)	(6,294,000)		(6,294,000)	(6,413,000)	(2,003,000)
Depreciation expense				3,805,000	5,266,000	5,704,000
Goodwill, impairment charge				0	0	0
Unrecognized tax benefit	0	0		$ 0	0	0
Number of equity compensation plans | plan				2
Excess tax benefit		149,000		$ 695,000
Accumulated effect of change in enacted tax rate				31,308,000
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	168,314,000	168,314,000		168,314,000	109,055,000
Retained earnings	608,700,000	608,700,000		608,700,000	616,322,000
Future minimum lease payments	$ 22,525,000	$ 22,525,000		$ 22,525,000
Future minimum lease payments as a percentage of total assets (less than)	1.00%	1.00%		1.00%
Minimum
Item Effected [Line Items]
Useful life				2 years
Maximum
Item Effected [Line Items]
Useful life				15 years
Continuing Operations - Property and Casualty Insurance
Item Effected [Line Items]
Number of states in which we are licensed as insurer | state	46	46		46
Amortization expense				$ 769,000	769,000	769,000
Discontinued Operations - Life Insurance
Item Effected [Line Items]
Number of states in which we are licensed as insurer | state	37	37		37
Discontinued Operations - Life Insurance | Minimum
Item Effected [Line Items]
Liability for future policy benefits, interest rate	3.15%	3.15%		3.15%
Discontinued Operations - Life Insurance | Maximum
Item Effected [Line Items]
Liability for future policy benefits, interest rate	6.00%	6.00%		6.00%
Accounting Standards Update 2016-01 [Member] | Pro Forma
Item Effected [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	$ (242,100,000)	$ (242,100,000)		$ (242,100,000)
Retained earnings	$ 242,100,000	$ 242,100,000		242,100,000
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax
Item Effected [Line Items]
Accumulated effect of change in enacted tax rate				31,308,000	0	0
Retained earnings
Item Effected [Line Items]
Accumulated effect of change in enacted tax rate				$ (31,308,000)	$ 0	$ 0

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN50

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Movement Analysis of Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs [Roll Forward]
Recorded asset at beginning of year	$ 93,362
Recorded asset at end of year	88,102	$ 93,362
Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Movement Analysis of Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs [Roll Forward]
Recorded asset at beginning of year	164,112	168,264	$ 139,719
Underwriting costs deferred	207,949	211,271	203,982
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs	(212,927)	(211,013)	(186,817)
Ending unamortized deferred policy acquisition costs	159,134	168,522	156,884
Change in shadow deferred policy acquisition costs	119	(4,410)	11,380
Recorded asset at end of year	159,253	164,112	168,264
Continuing Operations - Property and Casualty Insurance
Movement Analysis of Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs [Roll Forward]
Recorded asset at beginning of year	93,362	90,547	72,861
Underwriting costs deferred	202,486	205,707	197,869
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs	(207,746)	(202,892)	(180,183)
Recorded asset at end of year	88,102	93,362	90,547
Discontinued Operations - Life Insurance | Discontinued Operations
Movement Analysis of Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs [Roll Forward]
Recorded asset at beginning of year	70,750	77,717	66,858
Underwriting costs deferred	5,463	5,564	6,113
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs	(5,181)	(8,121)	(6,634)
Ending unamortized deferred policy acquisition costs	71,032	75,160	66,337
Change in shadow deferred policy acquisition costs	119	(4,410)	11,380
Recorded asset at end of year	$ 71,151	$ 70,750	$ 77,717

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN51

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Property and Equipment) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total property and equipment	$ 68,992	$ 55,524
Land
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total property and equipment	8,396	8,231
Buildings
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total property and equipment	48,677	41,119
Furniture and fixtures
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total property and equipment	4,645	4,711
Computer equipment and software
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total property and equipment	7,274	1,463
Airplane
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total property and equipment	$ 0	$ 0

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN52

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Useful Life) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Computer equipment and software
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Useful Life	3 years
Furniture and fixtures
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Useful Life	7 years
Real estate | Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Useful Life	7 years
Real estate | Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Useful Life	39 years
Airplane
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, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
HELD-TO-MATURITY
Amortized Cost	$ 150	$ 150
Fair Value	150	150
Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Amortized Cost	2,991,387	2,956,009
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	295,163	247,298
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	16,889	34,765
Fair Value	3,269,661	3,168,542
U.S. Treasury | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Amortized Cost	17,073	23,216
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	4	87
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	186	108
Fair Value	16,891	23,195
U.S. government agency | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Amortized Cost	121,574	76,692
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	1,311	1,445
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	717	540
Fair Value	122,168	77,597
Fixed maturities
HELD-TO-MATURITY
Amortized Cost	150	150
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	0	0
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	0	0
Fair Value	150	150
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Amortized Cost	1,516,610	1,458,235
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	27,412	18,725
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	8,952	23,674
Fair Value	1,535,070	1,453,286
Fixed maturities | Discontinued Operations
HELD-TO-MATURITY
Amortized Cost	34	48
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	0	1
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	0	0
Fair Value	34	49
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Amortized Cost	1,412,291	1,429,270
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	25,055	26,115
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	7,321	10,545
Fair Value	1,430,025	1,444,840
Fixed maturities | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
HELD-TO-MATURITY
Amortized Cost	184	198
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	0	1
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	0	0
Fair Value	184	199
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Amortized Cost	2,928,901	2,887,505
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	52,467	44,840
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	16,273	34,219
Fair Value	2,965,095	2,898,126
General obligations | Midwest | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Amortized Cost	107,689	143,747
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	2,446	1,808
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	439	1,412
Fair Value	109,696	144,143
General obligations | Northeast | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Amortized Cost	47,477	57,731
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	1,174	909
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	10	231
Fair Value	48,641	58,409
General obligations | South | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Amortized Cost	139,870	129,475
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	2,462	1,249
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	813	2,355
Fair Value	141,519	128,369
General obligations | West | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Amortized Cost	111,123	114,524
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	2,351	1,380
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	463	2,173
Fair Value	113,011	113,731
Special revenue | Midwest | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Amortized Cost	155,475	167,430
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	3,620	2,313
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	351	1,433
Fair Value	158,744	168,310
Special revenue | Northeast | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Amortized Cost	79,028	70,202
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	1,351	487
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	619	2,624
Fair Value	79,760	68,065
Special revenue | South | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Amortized Cost	260,145	244,225
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	5,218	1,753
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	1,851	6,791
Fair Value	263,512	239,187
Special revenue | West | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Amortized Cost	156,576	134,287
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	2,929	1,509
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	1,198	4,052
Fair Value	158,307	131,744
Foreign bonds | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Amortized Cost	51,361	62,995
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	1,441	2,239
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	49	0
Fair Value	52,753	65,234
Public utilities | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Amortized Cost	206,028	212,360
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	3,386	3,761
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	270	447
Fair Value	209,144	215,674
Corporate bonds | Energy | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Amortized Cost	93,191	107,084
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	1,972	2,195
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	110	419
Fair Value	95,053	108,860
Corporate bonds | Industrials | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Amortized Cost	218,067	225,526
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	3,881	5,359
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	241	982
Fair Value	221,707	229,903
Corporate bonds | Consumer goods and services | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Amortized Cost	183,253	178,135
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	3,498	3,847
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	494	295
Fair Value	186,257	181,687
Corporate bonds | Health care | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Amortized Cost	74,125	81,211
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	1,312	2,063
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	29	151
Fair Value	75,408	83,123
Corporate bonds | Technology, media and telecommunications | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Amortized Cost	146,853	143,402
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	2,376	2,029
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	250	819
Fair Value	148,979	144,612
Corporate bonds | Financial services | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
HELD-TO-MATURITY
Amortized Cost	150	150
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	0	0
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	0	0
Fair Value	150	150
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Amortized Cost	277,824	269,981
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	5,769	5,328
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	442	1,358
Fair Value	283,151	273,951
Mortgage-backed securities | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
HELD-TO-MATURITY
Amortized Cost	34	48
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	0	1
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	0	0
Fair Value	34	49
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Amortized Cost	13,828	17,288
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	101	201
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	238	241
Fair Value	13,691	17,248
Collateralized mortgage obligations | Government national mortgage association | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Amortized Cost	157,836	145,947
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	1,921	1,279
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	2,274	2,766
Fair Value	157,483	144,460
Collateralized mortgage obligations | Federal home loan mortgage corporation | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Amortized Cost	201,320	176,226
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	1,879	1,638
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	4,047	3,406
Fair Value	199,152	174,458
Collateralized mortgage obligations | Federal national mortgage association | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Amortized Cost	104,903	101,414
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	1,703	1,816
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	1,174	1,334
Fair Value	105,432	101,896
Asset-backed securities | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Amortized Cost	4,282	4,407
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	362	145
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	8	282
Fair Value	4,636	4,270
Equity securities
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Amortized Cost	57,387	59,994
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	224,065	186,692
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	539	316
Fair Value	280,913	246,370
Equity securities | Discontinued Operations
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Amortized Cost	5,099	8,510
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	18,631	15,766
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	77	230
Fair Value	23,653	24,046
Equity securities | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Amortized Cost	62,486	68,504
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	242,696	202,458
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	616	546
Fair Value	304,566	270,416
Common stock | Public utilities | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Amortized Cost	6,394	6,394
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	16,075	13,465
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	30	188
Fair Value	22,439	19,671
Common stock | Energy | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Amortized Cost	6,514	6,514
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	8,171	8,555
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	120	22
Fair Value	14,565	15,047
Common stock | Industrials | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Amortized Cost	13,117	13,252
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	53,522	38,715
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	120	173
Fair Value	66,519	51,794
Common stock | Consumer goods and services | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Amortized Cost	10,110	10,324
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	15,742	13,851
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	164	58
Fair Value	25,688	24,117
Common stock | Health care | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Amortized Cost	7,763	7,763
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	32,340	19,657
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	0	0
Fair Value	40,103	27,420
Common stock | Technology, media and telecommunications | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Amortized Cost	6,067	5,931
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	11,556	9,476
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	115	38
Fair Value	17,508	15,369
Common stock | Financial services | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Amortized Cost	11,529	17,289
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	104,985	98,728
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	67	67
Fair Value	116,447	115,950
Nonredeemable preferred stocks | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Amortized Cost	992	1,037
Gross Unrealized Appreciation	305	11
Gross Unrealized Depreciation	0	0
Fair Value	$ 1,297	$ 1,048

SUMMARY OF INVESTMENTS (Maturit

SUMMARY OF INVESTMENTS (Maturities) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Held-To-Maturity, Amortized Cost
Due in one year or less	$ 0
Due after one year through five years	150
Due after five years through 10 years	0
Due after 10 years	0
Amortized Cost	150	$ 150
Held-To-Maturity, Fair Value
Due in one year or less	0
Due after one year through five years	150
Due after five years through 10 years	0
Due after 10 years	0
Fair Value	150	150
Available-For-Sale, Amortized Cost
Due in one year or less	37,899
Due after one year through five years	204,494
Due after five years through 10 years	394,107
Due after 10 years	694,850
Available-For-Sale, Fair Value
Due in one year or less	38,144
Due after one year through five years	208,353
Due after five years through 10 years	402,799
Due after 10 years	700,879
Trading, Amortized Cost
Due in one year or less	2,225
Due after one year through five years	9,055
Due after five years through 10 years	1,302
Due after 10 years	2,000
Amortized Cost	14,582	13,054
Trading, Fair Value
Due in one year or less	2,835
Due after one year through five years	10,547
Due after five years through 10 years	1,156
Due after 10 years	2,304
Fair Value	16,842	14,390
Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Held-To-Maturity, Amortized Cost
Due in one year or less	0
Due after one year through five years	150
Due after five years through 10 years	0
Due after 10 years	0
Held-To-Maturity, Fair Value
Due in one year or less	0
Due after one year through five years	150
Due after five years through 10 years	0
Due after 10 years	0
Available-For-Sale, Amortized Cost
Due in one year or less	97,450
Due after one year through five years	749,372
Due after five years through 10 years	823,257
Due after 10 years	776,653
Amortized Cost	2,991,387	2,956,009
Available-For-Sale, Fair Value
Due in one year or less	97,994
Due after one year through five years	763,260
Due after five years through 10 years	839,360
Due after 10 years	784,087
Fair Value	3,269,661	3,168,542
Trading, Amortized Cost
Due in one year or less	2,225
Due after one year through five years	9,055
Due after five years through 10 years	1,302
Due after 10 years	2,000
Trading, Fair Value
Due in one year or less	2,835
Due after one year through five years	10,547
Due after five years through 10 years	1,156
Due after 10 years	2,304
Discontinued Operations
Held-To-Maturity, Amortized Cost
Due in one year or less	0
Due after one year through five years	0
Due after five years through 10 years	0
Due after 10 years	0
Held-To-Maturity, Fair Value
Due in one year or less	0
Due after one year through five years	0
Due after five years through 10 years	0
Due after 10 years	0
Available-For-Sale, Amortized Cost
Due in one year or less	59,551
Due after one year through five years	544,878
Due after five years through 10 years	429,150
Due after 10 years	81,803
Available-For-Sale, Fair Value
Due in one year or less	59,850
Due after one year through five years	554,907
Due after five years through 10 years	436,561
Due after 10 years	83,208
Trading, Amortized Cost
Due in one year or less	0
Due after one year through five years	0
Due after five years through 10 years	0
Due after 10 years	0
Trading, Fair Value
Due in one year or less	0
Due after one year through five years	0
Due after five years through 10 years	0
Due after 10 years	0
Fixed maturities
Held-To-Maturity, Amortized Cost
Amortized Cost	150	150
Held-To-Maturity, Fair Value
Fair Value	150	150
Available-For-Sale, Amortized Cost
Amortized Cost	1,516,610	1,458,235
Available-For-Sale, Fair Value
Fair Value	1,535,070	1,453,286
Trading, Amortized Cost
Amortized Cost	14,582
Trading, Fair Value
Fair Value	16,842
Fixed maturities | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Held-To-Maturity, Amortized Cost
Amortized Cost	184	198
Held-To-Maturity, Fair Value
Fair Value	184	199
Available-For-Sale, Amortized Cost
Amortized Cost	2,928,901	2,887,505
Available-For-Sale, Fair Value
Fair Value	2,965,095	2,898,126
Trading, Amortized Cost
Amortized Cost	14,582
Trading, Fair Value
Fair Value	16,842
Fixed maturities | Discontinued Operations
Held-To-Maturity, Amortized Cost
Amortized Cost	34	48
Held-To-Maturity, Fair Value
Fair Value	34	49
Available-For-Sale, Amortized Cost
Amortized Cost	1,412,291	1,429,270
Available-For-Sale, Fair Value
Fair Value	1,430,025	1,444,840
Trading, Amortized Cost
Amortized Cost	0
Trading, Fair Value
Fair Value	0
Asset-backed securities
Held-To-Maturity, Amortized Cost
Securities not categorized by contractual maturity	0
Held-To-Maturity, Fair Value
Securities not categorized by contractual maturity	0
Available-For-Sale, Amortized Cost
Securities not categorized by contractual maturity	3,175
Available-For-Sale, Fair Value
Securities not categorized by contractual maturity	3,535
Asset-backed securities | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Held-To-Maturity, Amortized Cost
Securities not categorized by contractual maturity	0
Held-To-Maturity, Fair Value
Securities not categorized by contractual maturity	0
Available-For-Sale, Amortized Cost
Securities not categorized by contractual maturity	4,282
Amortized Cost	4,282	4,407
Available-For-Sale, Fair Value
Securities not categorized by contractual maturity	4,636
Fair Value	4,636	4,270
Asset-backed securities | Discontinued Operations
Held-To-Maturity, Amortized Cost
Securities not categorized by contractual maturity	0
Held-To-Maturity, Fair Value
Securities not categorized by contractual maturity	0
Available-For-Sale, Amortized Cost
Securities not categorized by contractual maturity	1,107
Available-For-Sale, Fair Value
Securities not categorized by contractual maturity	1,101
Mortgage-backed securities
Held-To-Maturity, Amortized Cost
Securities not categorized by contractual maturity	0
Held-To-Maturity, Fair Value
Securities not categorized by contractual maturity	0
Available-For-Sale, Amortized Cost
Securities not categorized by contractual maturity	9,205
Available-For-Sale, Fair Value
Securities not categorized by contractual maturity	9,231
Mortgage-backed securities | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Held-To-Maturity, Amortized Cost
Securities not categorized by contractual maturity	34
Amortized Cost	34	48
Held-To-Maturity, Fair Value
Securities not categorized by contractual maturity	34
Fair Value	34	49
Available-For-Sale, Amortized Cost
Securities not categorized by contractual maturity	13,828
Amortized Cost	13,828	17,288
Available-For-Sale, Fair Value
Securities not categorized by contractual maturity	13,691
Fair Value	13,691	$ 17,248
Mortgage-backed securities | Discontinued Operations
Held-To-Maturity, Amortized Cost
Securities not categorized by contractual maturity	34
Held-To-Maturity, Fair Value
Securities not categorized by contractual maturity	34
Available-For-Sale, Amortized Cost
Securities not categorized by contractual maturity	4,623
Available-For-Sale, Fair Value
Securities not categorized by contractual maturity	4,460
Collateralized mortgage obligations
Held-To-Maturity, Amortized Cost
Securities not categorized by contractual maturity	0
Held-To-Maturity, Fair Value
Securities not categorized by contractual maturity	0
Available-For-Sale, Amortized Cost
Securities not categorized by contractual maturity	172,880
Available-For-Sale, Fair Value
Securities not categorized by contractual maturity	172,129
Collateralized mortgage obligations | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Held-To-Maturity, Amortized Cost
Securities not categorized by contractual maturity	0
Held-To-Maturity, Fair Value
Securities not categorized by contractual maturity	0
Available-For-Sale, Amortized Cost
Securities not categorized by contractual maturity	464,059
Available-For-Sale, Fair Value
Securities not categorized by contractual maturity	462,067
Collateralized mortgage obligations | Discontinued Operations
Held-To-Maturity, Amortized Cost
Securities not categorized by contractual maturity	0
Held-To-Maturity, Fair Value
Securities not categorized by contractual maturity	0
Available-For-Sale, Amortized Cost
Securities not categorized by contractual maturity	291,179
Available-For-Sale, Fair Value
Securities not categorized by contractual maturity	$ 289,938

SUMMARY OF INVESTMENTS (Net Rea

SUMMARY OF INVESTMENTS (Net Realized Investment Gains and Losses) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Net realized investment gains (losses) from continuing operations	$ 4,055	$ 4,947	$ 1,124
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Proceeds from sales	7,404	1,968	478
Gross realized gains	1,046	920	451
Gross realized losses	(20)	0	0
Discontinued Operations
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Net realized investment gains (losses) from continuing operations	4,008	1,156	1,722
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE
Proceeds from sales	7,315	12,354	11,066
Gross realized gains	1,264	65	683
Gross realized losses	(78)	(639)	0
Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Net realized investment gains (losses) from continuing operations	8,063	6,103	2,846
Fixed maturities | Available-for-sale
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Net realized investment gains (losses) from continuing operations	829	1,004	814
Fixed maturities | Change in fair value
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Net realized investment gains (losses) from continuing operations	924	189	(1,352)
Fixed maturities | Sales
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Net realized investment gains (losses) from continuing operations	244	931	1,381
Fixed maturities | Other-than-temporary-impairment charges
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Net realized investment gains (losses) from continuing operations	0	0	0
Equity securities | Available-for-sale
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Net realized investment gains (losses) from continuing operations	1,553	2,359	1,977
Equity securities | Change in fair value
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Net realized investment gains (losses) from continuing operations	332	301	(448)
Equity securities | Sales
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Net realized investment gains (losses) from continuing operations	57	(6)	66
Other long-term investments
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Net realized investment gains (losses) from continuing operations	0	0	(1,314)
Cash equivalents
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Net realized investment gains (losses) from continuing operations	0	169	0
Real Estate
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Net realized investment gains (losses) from continuing operations	$ 116	$ 0	$ 0

SUMMARY OF INVESTMENTS (Narrati

SUMMARY OF INVESTMENTS (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Sale of held-to-maturity securities	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Trading securities	23,273,000	20,034,000
Remaining potential off-balance sheet contractual obligation (up to)	2,175,000
Fixed maturities
Other-than-temporary impairment charges	0	0	1,300,000
Equity securities
Other-than-temporary impairment charges	0	0	0
Equity securities | Maximum
Largest unrealized loss greater than 12 months on an individual security	$ 158,000	$ 188,000	$ 225,000

SUMMARY OF INVESTMENTS (Net Inv

SUMMARY OF INVESTMENTS (Net Investment Income) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Schedule of Investment Income, Reported Amounts, by Category [Line Items]
Other	$ 300	$ 422	$ 433
Total investment income from continuing operations	57,495	61,794	52,463
Less investment expenses	6,305	6,510	5,904
Net investment income from continuing operations	51,190	55,284	46,559
Discontinued Operations
Schedule of Investment Income, Reported Amounts, by Category [Line Items]
Net investment income from continuing operations	49,720	51,538	54,222
Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Schedule of Investment Income, Reported Amounts, by Category [Line Items]
Net investment income from continuing operations	100,910	106,822	100,781
Fixed Maturities
Schedule of Investment Income, Reported Amounts, by Category [Line Items]
Interest income	44,784	43,147	41,859
Equity securities
Schedule of Investment Income, Reported Amounts, by Category [Line Items]
Dividends on equity securities	7,108	6,448	6,421
Other long-term investments
Schedule of Investment Income, Reported Amounts, by Category [Line Items]
Interest income	6,870	1,200	1,200
Other long-term investments | Change in Value
Schedule of Investment Income, Reported Amounts, by Category [Line Items]
Other	(2,812)	10,178	2,313
Short-term investments
Schedule of Investment Income, Reported Amounts, by Category [Line Items]
Interest income	120	47	3
Cash and cash equivalents
Schedule of Investment Income, Reported Amounts, by Category [Line Items]
Interest income	$ 1,125	$ 352	$ 234

SUMMARY OF INVESTMENTS (Unreali

SUMMARY OF INVESTMENTS (Unrealized Appreciation) (Details) - Continuing and Discontinuing Operations - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Change in net unrealized investment appreciation
Available-for-sale fixed maturities	$ 25,573	$ (21,271)	$ (37,621)
Available-for-sale equity securities	40,168	34,179	(6,459)
Deferred policy acquisition costs	119	(4,410)	11,380
Income tax effect	(21,545)	(2,975)	11,446
Accumulated effect of change in enacted tax rate	36,658	0	0
Total change in net unrealized investment appreciation, net of tax	$ 80,973	$ 5,523	$ (21,254)

SUMMARY OF INVESTMENTS (Investm

SUMMARY OF INVESTMENTS (Investments in Unrealized Loss Position) (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)issue	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)issue
Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Number of Issues
Less than 12 months | issue	169	567
12 months or longer | issue	183	55
Fair Value
Less than 12 months	$ 414,666	$ 1,060,938
12 months or longer	471,075	53,798
Total	885,741	1,114,736
Gross Unrealized Depreciation
Less than 12 months	3,489	32,167
12 months or longer	13,400	2,598
Total	$ 16,889	$ 34,765
U.S. Treasury | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Number of Issues
Less than 12 months | issue	5	9
12 months or longer | issue	2	0
Fair Value
Less than 12 months	$ 10,370	$ 10,800
12 months or longer	5,765	0
Total	16,135	10,800
Gross Unrealized Depreciation
Less than 12 months	67	108
12 months or longer	119	0
Total	$ 186	$ 108
U.S. government agency | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Number of Issues
Less than 12 months | issue	11	10
12 months or longer | issue	5	0
Fair Value
Less than 12 months	$ 64,842	$ 36,593
12 months or longer	19,372	0
Total	84,214	36,593
Gross Unrealized Depreciation
Less than 12 months	390	540
12 months or longer	327	0
Total	$ 717	$ 540
Fixed maturities
Number of Issues
Less than 12 months | issue	88	404
12 months or longer | issue	112	12
Fair Value
Less than 12 months	$ 232,489	$ 654,235
12 months or longer	302,815	6,288
Total	535,304	660,523
Gross Unrealized Depreciation
Less than 12 months	1,791	23,359
12 months or longer	7,161	315
Total	$ 8,952	$ 23,674
Fixed maturities | Discontinued Operations
Number of Issues
Less than 12 months | issue	74	150
12 months or longer | issue	61	21
Fair Value
Less than 12 months	$ 180,891	$ 406,342
12 months or longer	167,625	46,790
Total	348,516	453,132
Gross Unrealized Depreciation
Less than 12 months	1,415	8,745
12 months or longer	5,906	1,800
Total	$ 7,321	$ 10,545
Fixed maturities | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Number of Issues
Less than 12 months | issue	162	554
12 months or longer | issue	173	33
Fair Value
Less than 12 months	$ 413,380	$ 1,060,577
12 months or longer	470,440	53,078
Total	883,820	1,113,655
Gross Unrealized Depreciation
Less than 12 months	3,206	32,104
12 months or longer	13,067	2,115
Total	$ 16,273	$ 34,219
General obligations | Midwest | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Number of Issues
Less than 12 months | issue	2	27
12 months or longer | issue	3	0
Fair Value
Less than 12 months	$ 2,177	$ 40,545
12 months or longer	19,729	0
Total	21,906	40,545
Gross Unrealized Depreciation
Less than 12 months	8	1,412
12 months or longer	431	0
Total	$ 439	$ 1,412
General obligations | Northeast | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Number of Issues
Less than 12 months | issue	0	9
12 months or longer | issue	1	0
Fair Value
Less than 12 months	$ 0	$ 9,874
12 months or longer	3,644	0
Total	3,644	9,874
Gross Unrealized Depreciation
Less than 12 months	0	231
12 months or longer	10	0
Total	$ 10	$ 231
General obligations | South | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Number of Issues
Less than 12 months | issue	3	37
12 months or longer | issue	11	0
Fair Value
Less than 12 months	$ 7,959	$ 53,699
12 months or longer	29,545	0
Total	37,504	53,699
Gross Unrealized Depreciation
Less than 12 months	32	2,355
12 months or longer	781	0
Total	$ 813	$ 2,355
General obligations | West | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Number of Issues
Less than 12 months | issue	2	30
12 months or longer | issue	8	0
Fair Value
Less than 12 months	$ 5,944	$ 55,265
12 months or longer	25,755	0
Total	31,699	55,265
Gross Unrealized Depreciation
Less than 12 months	18	2,173
12 months or longer	445	0
Total	$ 463	$ 2,173
Special revenue | Midwest | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Number of Issues
Less than 12 months | issue	2	41
12 months or longer | issue	7	0
Fair Value
Less than 12 months	$ 3,486	$ 62,937
12 months or longer	19,130	0
Total	22,616	62,937
Gross Unrealized Depreciation
Less than 12 months	15	1,433
12 months or longer	336	0
Total	$ 351	$ 1,433
Special revenue | Northeast | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Number of Issues
Less than 12 months | issue	1	22
12 months or longer | issue	11	0
Fair Value
Less than 12 months	$ 4,471	$ 54,993
12 months or longer	28,476	0
Total	32,947	54,993
Gross Unrealized Depreciation
Less than 12 months	37	2,624
12 months or longer	582	0
Total	$ 619	$ 2,624
Special revenue | South | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Number of Issues
Less than 12 months | issue	8	79
12 months or longer | issue	27	0
Fair Value
Less than 12 months	$ 7,749	$ 152,979
12 months or longer	69,917	0
Total	77,666	152,979
Gross Unrealized Depreciation
Less than 12 months	107	6,791
12 months or longer	1,744	0
Total	$ 1,851	$ 6,791
Special revenue | West | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Number of Issues
Less than 12 months | issue	3	44
12 months or longer | issue	22	0
Fair Value
Less than 12 months	$ 5,424	$ 81,676
12 months or longer	56,753	0
Total	62,177	81,676
Gross Unrealized Depreciation
Less than 12 months	16	4,052
12 months or longer	1,182	0
Total	$ 1,198	$ 4,052
Foreign bonds | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Number of Issues
Less than 12 months | issue	1
12 months or longer | issue	0
Fair Value
Less than 12 months	$ 857
12 months or longer	0
Total	857
Gross Unrealized Depreciation
Less than 12 months	49
12 months or longer	0
Total	$ 49
Public utilities | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Number of Issues
Less than 12 months | issue	8	20
12 months or longer | issue	5	2
Fair Value
Less than 12 months	$ 19,186	$ 38,511
12 months or longer	8,446	2,122
Total	27,632	40,633
Gross Unrealized Depreciation
Less than 12 months	79	423
12 months or longer	191	24
Total	$ 270	$ 447
Corporate bonds | Financial services | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Number of Issues
Less than 12 months | issue	22	37
12 months or longer | issue	4	0
Fair Value
Less than 12 months	$ 50,144	$ 75,286
12 months or longer	11,389	0
Total	61,533	75,286
Gross Unrealized Depreciation
Less than 12 months	256	1,358
12 months or longer	186	0
Total	$ 442	$ 1,358
Corporate bonds | Energy | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Number of Issues
Less than 12 months | issue	1	8
12 months or longer | issue	1	3
Fair Value
Less than 12 months	$ 2,236	$ 15,938
12 months or longer	1,606	8,232
Total	3,842	24,170
Gross Unrealized Depreciation
Less than 12 months	13	313
12 months or longer	97	106
Total	$ 110	$ 419
Corporate bonds | Industrials | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Number of Issues
Less than 12 months | issue	10	24
12 months or longer | issue	2	3
Fair Value
Less than 12 months	$ 27,773	$ 42,854
12 months or longer	4,275	5,641
Total	32,048	48,495
Gross Unrealized Depreciation
Less than 12 months	146	596
12 months or longer	95	386
Total	$ 241	$ 982
Corporate bonds | Consumer goods and services | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Number of Issues
Less than 12 months | issue	14	11
12 months or longer | issue	3	0
Fair Value
Less than 12 months	$ 32,781	$ 21,059
12 months or longer	6,813	0
Total	39,594	21,059
Gross Unrealized Depreciation
Less than 12 months	248	295
12 months or longer	246	0
Total	$ 494	$ 295
Corporate bonds | Health care | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Number of Issues
Less than 12 months | issue	4	9
12 months or longer | issue	0	0
Fair Value
Less than 12 months	$ 9,947	$ 20,918
12 months or longer	0	0
Total	9,947	20,918
Gross Unrealized Depreciation
Less than 12 months	29	151
12 months or longer	0	0
Total	$ 29	$ 151
Corporate bonds | Technology, media and telecommunications | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Number of Issues
Less than 12 months | issue	12	16
12 months or longer | issue	3	3
Fair Value
Less than 12 months	$ 35,319	$ 41,230
12 months or longer	10,413	10,241
Total	45,732	51,471
Gross Unrealized Depreciation
Less than 12 months	122	516
12 months or longer	128	303
Total	$ 250	$ 819
Mortgage-backed securities | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Number of Issues
Less than 12 months | issue	10	16
12 months or longer | issue	10	5
Fair Value
Less than 12 months	$ 2,458	$ 9,611
12 months or longer	6,641	1,198
Total	9,099	10,809
Gross Unrealized Depreciation
Less than 12 months	18	187
12 months or longer	220	54
Total	$ 238	$ 241
Collateralized mortgage obligations | Government national mortgage association | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Number of Issues
Less than 12 months | issue	20	36
12 months or longer | issue	17	9
Fair Value
Less than 12 months	$ 49,764	$ 82,430
12 months or longer	46,969	13,603
Total	96,733	96,033
Gross Unrealized Depreciation
Less than 12 months	629	2,261
12 months or longer	1,645	505
Total	$ 2,274	$ 2,766
Collateralized mortgage obligations | Federal home loan mortgage corporation | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Number of Issues
Less than 12 months | issue	11	41
12 months or longer | issue	20	3
Fair Value
Less than 12 months	$ 37,543	$ 105,775
12 months or longer	75,679	5,141
Total	113,222	110,916
Gross Unrealized Depreciation
Less than 12 months	577	3,165
12 months or longer	3,470	241
Total	$ 4,047	$ 3,406
Collateralized mortgage obligations | Federal national mortgage association | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Number of Issues
Less than 12 months | issue	11	27
12 months or longer | issue	11	4
Fair Value
Less than 12 months	$ 31,958	$ 46,633
12 months or longer	20,123	4,341
Total	52,081	50,974
Gross Unrealized Depreciation
Less than 12 months	342	1,091
12 months or longer	832	243
Total	$ 1,174	$ 1,334
Asset-backed securities | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Number of Issues
Less than 12 months | issue	1	1
12 months or longer | issue	0	1
Fair Value
Less than 12 months	$ 992	$ 971
12 months or longer	0	2,559
Total	992	3,530
Gross Unrealized Depreciation
Less than 12 months	8	29
12 months or longer	0	253
Total	$ 8	$ 282
Equity securities
Number of Issues
Less than 12 months | issue	5	12
12 months or longer | issue	6	17
Fair Value
Less than 12 months	$ 1,129	$ 351
12 months or longer	385	477
Total	1,514	828
Gross Unrealized Depreciation
Less than 12 months	236	62
12 months or longer	303	254
Total	$ 539	$ 316
Equity securities | Discontinued Operations
Number of Issues
Less than 12 months | issue	2	1
12 months or longer | issue	4	5
Fair Value
Less than 12 months	$ 157	$ 10
12 months or longer	250	243
Total	407	253
Gross Unrealized Depreciation
Less than 12 months	47	1
12 months or longer	30	229
Total	$ 77	$ 230
Equity securities | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Number of Issues
Less than 12 months | issue	7	13
12 months or longer | issue	10	22
Fair Value
Less than 12 months	$ 1,286	$ 361
12 months or longer	635	720
Total	1,921	1,081
Gross Unrealized Depreciation
Less than 12 months	283	63
12 months or longer	333	483
Total	$ 616	$ 546
Common stock | Financial services | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Number of Issues
Less than 12 months | issue	2	3
12 months or longer | issue	1	2
Fair Value
Less than 12 months	$ 193	$ 53
12 months or longer	9	150
Total	202	203
Gross Unrealized Depreciation
Less than 12 months	55	3
12 months or longer	12	64
Total	$ 67	$ 67
Common stock | Public utilities | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Number of Issues
Less than 12 months | issue	0	0
12 months or longer | issue	1	3
Fair Value
Less than 12 months	$ 0	$ 0
12 months or longer	278	120
Total	278	120
Gross Unrealized Depreciation
Less than 12 months	0	0
12 months or longer	30	188
Total	$ 30	$ 188
Common stock | Energy | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Number of Issues
Less than 12 months | issue	2	0
12 months or longer | issue	0	1
Fair Value
Less than 12 months	$ 528	$ 0
12 months or longer	0	163
Total	528	163
Gross Unrealized Depreciation
Less than 12 months	120	0
12 months or longer	0	22
Total	$ 120	$ 22
Common stock | Industrials | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Number of Issues
Less than 12 months | issue	1	0
12 months or longer | issue	5	6
Fair Value
Less than 12 months	$ 99	$ 0
12 months or longer	193	239
Total	292	239
Gross Unrealized Depreciation
Less than 12 months	13	0
12 months or longer	107	173
Total	$ 120	$ 173
Common stock | Consumer goods and services | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Number of Issues
Less than 12 months | issue	0	3
12 months or longer | issue	2	2
Fair Value
Less than 12 months	$ 0	$ 282
12 months or longer	151	15
Total	151	297
Gross Unrealized Depreciation
Less than 12 months	0	55
12 months or longer	164	3
Total	$ 164	$ 58
Common stock | Technology, media and telecommunications | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Number of Issues
Less than 12 months | issue	2	7
12 months or longer | issue	1	8
Fair Value
Less than 12 months	$ 466	$ 26
12 months or longer	4	33
Total	470	59
Gross Unrealized Depreciation
Less than 12 months	95	5
12 months or longer	20	33
Total	$ 115	$ 38

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTR60

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)
Other Assets | Rabbi Trust | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Corporate-owned life insurance	$ 4,029

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTR61

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Carrying Value and Estimated Fair Value) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Investments
Held-to-maturity securities	$ 150	$ 150
Trading securities	23,273	20,034
Fair Value
Investments
Other long-term investments	49,352	51,769
Short-term investments	175	175
Cash and cash equivalents	95,562	89,194
Corporate-owned life insurance	4,029	2,592
Fair Value | Fixed Maturities
Investments
Held-to-maturity securities	150	150
Available-for-sale securities	1,535,070	1,453,286
Trading securities	16,842	14,390
Fair Value | Equity securities
Investments
Available-for-sale securities	280,913	246,370
Trading securities	6,431	5,644
Carrying Value
Investments
Other long-term investments	49,352	51,769
Short-term investments	175	175
Cash and cash equivalents	95,562	89,194
Corporate-owned life insurance	4,029	2,592
Carrying Value | Fixed Maturities
Investments
Held-to-maturity securities	150	150
Available-for-sale securities	1,535,070	1,453,286
Trading securities	16,842	14,390
Carrying Value | Equity securities
Investments
Available-for-sale securities	280,913	246,370
Trading securities	6,431	5,644
Discontinued Operations | Fair Value
Investments
Mortgage loans	3,594	3,895
Policy loans	5,815	5,366
Other long-term investments	16,437	15,870
Cash and cash equivalents	15,851	21,659
Policy reserves
Annuity (accumulations)	591,702	646,764
Annuity (benefit payments)	147,038	144,283
Discontinued Operations | Fair Value | Fixed Maturities
Investments
Held-to-maturity securities	34	49
Available-for-sale securities	1,430,025	1,444,840
Discontinued Operations | Fair Value | Equity securities
Investments
Available-for-sale securities	23,653	24,046
Discontinued Operations | Carrying Value
Investments
Mortgage loans	3,435	3,706
Policy loans	5,815	5,366
Other long-term investments	16,437	15,870
Cash and cash equivalents	15,851	21,659
Policy reserves
Annuity (accumulations)	611,866	666,711
Annuity (benefit payments)	93,560	95,129
Discontinued Operations | Carrying Value | Fixed Maturities
Investments
Held-to-maturity securities	34	48
Available-for-sale securities	1,430,025	1,444,840
Discontinued Operations | Carrying Value | Equity securities
Investments
Available-for-sale securities	$ 23,653	$ 24,046

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTR62

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Financial Instruments Measured at Fair Value) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Trading Securities	$ 23,273	$ 20,034
Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	3,269,661	3,168,542
Corporate-Owned Life Insurance
U.S. Treasury | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	16,891	23,195
U.S. government agency | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	122,168	77,597
Foreign bonds | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	52,753	65,234
Public utilities | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	209,144	215,674
Corporate bonds | Energy | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	95,053	108,860
Corporate bonds | Industrials | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	221,707	229,903
Corporate bonds | Consumer goods and services | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	186,257	181,687
Corporate bonds | Health care | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	75,408	83,123
Corporate bonds | Technology, media and telecommunications | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	148,979	144,612
Corporate bonds | Financial services | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	283,151	273,951
Mortgage-backed securities | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	13,691	17,248
Collateralized mortgage obligations | Government national mortgage association | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	157,483	144,460
Collateralized mortgage obligations | Federal home loan mortgage corporation | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	199,152	174,458
Collateralized mortgage obligations | Federal national mortgage association | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	105,432	101,896
Asset-backed securities | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	4,636	4,270
Fixed maturities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	1,535,070	1,453,286
Fixed maturities | Discontinued Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	1,430,025	1,444,840
Fixed maturities | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	2,965,095	2,898,126
Common stocks | Public utilities | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	22,439	19,671
Common stocks | Energy | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	14,565	15,047
Common stocks | Industrials | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	66,519	51,794
Common stocks | Consumer goods and services | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	25,688	24,117
Common stocks | Health care | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	40,103	27,420
Common stocks | Technology, media and telecommunications | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	17,508	15,369
Common stocks | Financial services | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	116,447	115,950
Nonredeemable preferred stocks | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	1,297	1,048
Equity securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	280,913	246,370
Equity securities | Discontinued Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	23,653	24,046
Equity securities | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	304,566	270,416
Recurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Short-Term Investments	175	175
Money Market Accounts	6,147	4,810
Corporate-Owned Life Insurance	4,029	2,592
Recurring | Discontinued Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Short-Term Investments	0	0
Money Market Accounts	10,677	11,992
Corporate-Owned Life Insurance	0	0
Recurring | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	3,269,661	3,168,542
Trading Securities	23,273	20,034
Short-Term Investments	175	175
Money Market Accounts	16,824	16,802
Corporate-Owned Life Insurance	4,029	2,592
Total Assets Measured at Fair Value	3,313,962	3,208,145
Recurring | U.S. Treasury | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	16,891	23,195
Recurring | U.S. government agency | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	122,168	77,597
Recurring | States, municipalities and political subdivisions | General obligations | Midwest | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	109,696	144,143
Recurring | States, municipalities and political subdivisions | General obligations | Northeast | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	48,641	58,409
Recurring | States, municipalities and political subdivisions | General obligations | South | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	141,519	128,369
Recurring | States, municipalities and political subdivisions | General obligations | West | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	113,011	113,731
Recurring | States, municipalities and political subdivisions | Special revenue | Midwest | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	158,744	168,310
Recurring | States, municipalities and political subdivisions | Special revenue | Northeast | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	79,760	68,065
Recurring | States, municipalities and political subdivisions | Special revenue | South | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	263,512	239,187
Recurring | States, municipalities and political subdivisions | Special revenue | West | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	158,307	131,744
Recurring | Foreign bonds | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	52,753	65,234
Recurring | Public utilities | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	209,144	215,674
Recurring | Corporate bonds | Energy | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	95,053	108,860
Recurring | Corporate bonds | Industrials | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	221,707	229,903
Trading Securities	2,220	3,919
Recurring | Corporate bonds | Consumer goods and services | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	186,257	181,687
Trading Securities	1,535	127
Recurring | Corporate bonds | Health care | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	75,408	83,123
Trading Securities	3,741	3,410
Recurring | Corporate bonds | Technology, media and telecommunications | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	148,979	144,612
Trading Securities	1,221	787
Recurring | Corporate bonds | Financial services | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	283,151	273,951
Trading Securities	5,566	4,842
Recurring | Mortgage-backed securities | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	13,691	17,248
Recurring | Collateralized mortgage obligations | Government national mortgage association | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	157,483	144,460
Recurring | Collateralized mortgage obligations | Federal home loan mortgage corporation | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	199,152	174,458
Recurring | Collateralized mortgage obligations | Federal national mortgage association | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	105,432	101,896
Recurring | Asset-backed securities | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	4,636	4,270
Recurring | Fixed maturities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	1,535,070	1,453,286
Trading Securities	16,842	14,390
Recurring | Fixed maturities | Discontinued Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	1,430,025	1,444,840
Trading Securities	0	0
Recurring | Fixed maturities | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	2,965,095	2,898,126
Recurring | Common stocks | Public utilities | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	22,439	19,671
Recurring | Common stocks | Energy | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	14,565	15,047
Recurring | Common stocks | Industrials | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	66,519	51,794
Recurring | Common stocks | Consumer goods and services | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	25,688	24,117
Recurring | Common stocks | Health care | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	40,103	27,420
Recurring | Common stocks | Technology, media and telecommunications | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	17,508	15,369
Recurring | Common stocks | Financial services | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	116,447	115,950
Recurring | Nonredeemable preferred stocks | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	1,297	1,048
Trading Securities	2,541	2,121
Recurring | Equity securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	280,913	246,370
Trading Securities	6,431	5,644
Recurring | Equity securities | Discontinued Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	23,653	24,046
Trading Securities	0	0
Recurring | Equity securities | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	304,566	270,416
Recurring | Equity securities | Public utilities | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Trading Securities	874	613
Recurring | Equity securities | Energy | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Trading Securities	190	286
Recurring | Equity securities | Industrials | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Trading Securities	989	877
Recurring | Equity securities | Consumer goods and services | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Trading Securities	1,314	1,202
Recurring | Equity securities | Health care | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Trading Securities	325	339
Recurring | Equity securities | Financial services | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Trading Securities	198	206
Recurring | Redeemable preferred stocks | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Trading Securities	2,559	1,305
Recurring | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Short-Term Investments	175	175
Money Market Accounts	6,147	4,810
Corporate-Owned Life Insurance	0	0
Recurring | Level 1 | Discontinued Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Short-Term Investments	0	0
Money Market Accounts	10,677	11,992
Corporate-Owned Life Insurance	0	0
Recurring | Level 1 | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	303,682	265,829
Trading Securities	8,990	6,949
Short-Term Investments	175	175
Money Market Accounts	16,824	16,802
Corporate-Owned Life Insurance	0	0
Total Assets Measured at Fair Value	329,671	289,755
Recurring | Level 1 | U.S. Treasury | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Recurring | Level 1 | U.S. government agency | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Recurring | Level 1 | States, municipalities and political subdivisions | General obligations | Midwest | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Recurring | Level 1 | States, municipalities and political subdivisions | General obligations | Northeast | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Recurring | Level 1 | States, municipalities and political subdivisions | General obligations | South | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Recurring | Level 1 | States, municipalities and political subdivisions | General obligations | West | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Recurring | Level 1 | States, municipalities and political subdivisions | Special revenue | Midwest | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Recurring | Level 1 | States, municipalities and political subdivisions | Special revenue | Northeast | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Recurring | Level 1 | States, municipalities and political subdivisions | Special revenue | South | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Recurring | Level 1 | States, municipalities and political subdivisions | Special revenue | West | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Recurring | Level 1 | Foreign bonds | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Recurring | Level 1 | Public utilities | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Recurring | Level 1 | Corporate bonds | Energy | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Recurring | Level 1 | Corporate bonds | Industrials | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Trading Securities	0	0
Recurring | Level 1 | Corporate bonds | Consumer goods and services | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Trading Securities	0	0
Recurring | Level 1 | Corporate bonds | Health care | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Trading Securities	0	0
Recurring | Level 1 | Corporate bonds | Technology, media and telecommunications | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Trading Securities	0	0
Recurring | Level 1 | Corporate bonds | Financial services | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Trading Securities	0	0
Recurring | Level 1 | Mortgage-backed securities | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Recurring | Level 1 | Collateralized mortgage obligations | Government national mortgage association | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Recurring | Level 1 | Collateralized mortgage obligations | Federal home loan mortgage corporation | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Recurring | Level 1 | Collateralized mortgage obligations | Federal national mortgage association | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Recurring | Level 1 | Asset-backed securities | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Recurring | Level 1 | Fixed maturities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Trading Securities	2,559	1,305
Recurring | Level 1 | Fixed maturities | Discontinued Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Trading Securities	0	0
Recurring | Level 1 | Fixed maturities | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Recurring | Level 1 | Common stocks | Public utilities | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	22,439	19,671
Recurring | Level 1 | Common stocks | Energy | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	14,565	15,047
Recurring | Level 1 | Common stocks | Industrials | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	66,517	51,794
Recurring | Level 1 | Common stocks | Consumer goods and services | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	25,688	24,117
Recurring | Level 1 | Common stocks | Health care | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	40,103	27,420
Recurring | Level 1 | Common stocks | Technology, media and telecommunications | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	17,508	15,369
Recurring | Level 1 | Common stocks | Financial services | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	116,447	111,958
Recurring | Level 1 | Nonredeemable preferred stocks | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	415	453
Trading Securities	2,541	2,121
Recurring | Level 1 | Equity securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	280,031	243,627
Trading Securities	6,431	5,644
Recurring | Level 1 | Equity securities | Discontinued Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	23,651	22,202
Trading Securities	0	0
Recurring | Level 1 | Equity securities | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	303,682	265,829
Recurring | Level 1 | Equity securities | Public utilities | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Trading Securities	874	613
Recurring | Level 1 | Equity securities | Energy | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Trading Securities	190	286
Recurring | Level 1 | Equity securities | Industrials | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Trading Securities	989	877
Recurring | Level 1 | Equity securities | Consumer goods and services | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Trading Securities	1,314	1,202
Recurring | Level 1 | Equity securities | Health care | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Trading Securities	325	339
Recurring | Level 1 | Equity securities | Financial services | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Trading Securities	198	206
Recurring | Level 1 | Redeemable preferred stocks | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Trading Securities	2,559	1,305
Recurring | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Short-Term Investments	0	0
Money Market Accounts	0	0
Corporate-Owned Life Insurance	4,029	2,592
Recurring | Level 2 | Discontinued Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Short-Term Investments	0	0
Money Market Accounts	0	0
Corporate-Owned Life Insurance	0	0
Recurring | Level 2 | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	2,956,105	2,887,615
Trading Securities	14,283	13,085
Short-Term Investments	0	0
Money Market Accounts	0	0
Corporate-Owned Life Insurance	4,029	2,592
Total Assets Measured at Fair Value	2,974,417	2,903,292
Recurring | Level 2 | U.S. Treasury | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	16,891	23,195
Recurring | Level 2 | U.S. government agency | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	122,168	77,597
Recurring | Level 2 | States, municipalities and political subdivisions | General obligations | Midwest | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	109,696	144,143
Recurring | Level 2 | States, municipalities and political subdivisions | General obligations | Northeast | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	48,641	58,409
Recurring | Level 2 | States, municipalities and political subdivisions | General obligations | South | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	141,519	128,369
Recurring | Level 2 | States, municipalities and political subdivisions | General obligations | West | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	113,011	113,731
Recurring | Level 2 | States, municipalities and political subdivisions | Special revenue | Midwest | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	158,744	168,142
Recurring | Level 2 | States, municipalities and political subdivisions | Special revenue | Northeast | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	79,760	68,065
Recurring | Level 2 | States, municipalities and political subdivisions | Special revenue | South | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	263,512	239,187
Recurring | Level 2 | States, municipalities and political subdivisions | Special revenue | West | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	158,307	131,744
Recurring | Level 2 | Foreign bonds | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	52,753	65,234
Recurring | Level 2 | Public utilities | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	209,144	215,674
Recurring | Level 2 | Corporate bonds | Energy | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	95,053	108,860
Recurring | Level 2 | Corporate bonds | Industrials | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	221,707	229,903
Trading Securities	2,220	3,919
Recurring | Level 2 | Corporate bonds | Consumer goods and services | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	185,589	180,590
Trading Securities	1,535	127
Recurring | Level 2 | Corporate bonds | Health care | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	75,408	83,123
Trading Securities	3,741	3,410
Recurring | Level 2 | Corporate bonds | Technology, media and telecommunications | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	148,979	144,612
Trading Securities	1,221	787
Recurring | Level 2 | Corporate bonds | Financial services | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	275,474	265,154
Trading Securities	5,566	4,842
Recurring | Level 2 | Mortgage-backed securities | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	13,691	17,248
Recurring | Level 2 | Collateralized mortgage obligations | Government national mortgage association | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	157,483	144,460
Recurring | Level 2 | Collateralized mortgage obligations | Federal home loan mortgage corporation | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	199,152	174,458
Recurring | Level 2 | Collateralized mortgage obligations | Federal national mortgage association | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	105,432	101,896
Recurring | Level 2 | Asset-backed securities | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	3,989	3,821
Recurring | Level 2 | Fixed maturities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	1,534,323	1,452,737
Trading Securities	14,283	13,085
Recurring | Level 2 | Fixed maturities | Discontinued Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	1,421,780	1,434,878
Trading Securities	0	0
Recurring | Level 2 | Fixed maturities | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	2,956,103	2,887,615
Recurring | Level 2 | Common stocks | Public utilities | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Recurring | Level 2 | Common stocks | Energy | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Recurring | Level 2 | Common stocks | Industrials | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	2	0
Recurring | Level 2 | Common stocks | Consumer goods and services | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Recurring | Level 2 | Common stocks | Health care | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Recurring | Level 2 | Common stocks | Technology, media and telecommunications | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Recurring | Level 2 | Common stocks | Financial services | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Recurring | Level 2 | Nonredeemable preferred stocks | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Trading Securities	0	0
Recurring | Level 2 | Equity securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Trading Securities	0	0
Recurring | Level 2 | Equity securities | Discontinued Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	2	0
Trading Securities	0	0
Recurring | Level 2 | Equity securities | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	2	0
Recurring | Level 2 | Equity securities | Public utilities | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Trading Securities	0	0
Recurring | Level 2 | Equity securities | Energy | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Trading Securities	0	0
Recurring | Level 2 | Equity securities | Industrials | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Trading Securities	0	0
Recurring | Level 2 | Equity securities | Consumer goods and services | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Trading Securities	0	0
Recurring | Level 2 | Equity securities | Health care | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Trading Securities	0	0
Recurring | Level 2 | Equity securities | Financial services | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Trading Securities	0	0
Recurring | Level 2 | Redeemable preferred stocks | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Trading Securities	0	0
Recurring | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Short-Term Investments	0	0
Money Market Accounts	0	0
Corporate-Owned Life Insurance	0	0
Recurring | Level 3 | Discontinued Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Short-Term Investments	0	0
Money Market Accounts	0	0
Corporate-Owned Life Insurance	0	0
Recurring | Level 3 | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	9,874	15,098
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	9,874	15,098
Recurring | Level 3 | U.S. Treasury | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Recurring | Level 3 | U.S. government agency | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Recurring | Level 3 | States, municipalities and political subdivisions | General obligations | Midwest | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Recurring | Level 3 | States, municipalities and political subdivisions | General obligations | Northeast | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Recurring | Level 3 | States, municipalities and political subdivisions | General obligations | South | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Recurring | Level 3 | States, municipalities and political subdivisions | General obligations | West | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Recurring | Level 3 | States, municipalities and political subdivisions | Special revenue | Midwest | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	168
Recurring | Level 3 | States, municipalities and political subdivisions | Special revenue | Northeast | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Recurring | Level 3 | States, municipalities and political subdivisions | Special revenue | South | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Recurring | Level 3 | States, municipalities and political subdivisions | Special revenue | West | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Recurring | Level 3 | Foreign bonds | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Recurring | Level 3 | Public utilities | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Recurring | Level 3 | Corporate bonds | Energy | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Recurring | Level 3 | Corporate bonds | Industrials | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Trading Securities	0	0
Recurring | Level 3 | Corporate bonds | Consumer goods and services | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	668	1,097
Trading Securities	0	0
Recurring | Level 3 | Corporate bonds | Health care | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Trading Securities	0	0
Recurring | Level 3 | Corporate bonds | Technology, media and telecommunications | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Trading Securities	0	0
Recurring | Level 3 | Corporate bonds | Financial services | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	7,677	8,797
Trading Securities	0	0
Recurring | Level 3 | Mortgage-backed securities | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Recurring | Level 3 | Collateralized mortgage obligations | Government national mortgage association | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Recurring | Level 3 | Collateralized mortgage obligations | Federal home loan mortgage corporation | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Recurring | Level 3 | Collateralized mortgage obligations | Federal national mortgage association | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Recurring | Level 3 | Asset-backed securities | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	647	449
Recurring | Level 3 | Fixed maturities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	747	549
Trading Securities	0	0
Recurring | Level 3 | Fixed maturities | Discontinued Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	8,245	9,962
Trading Securities	0	0
Recurring | Level 3 | Fixed maturities | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	8,992	10,511
Recurring | Level 3 | Common stocks | Public utilities | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Recurring | Level 3 | Common stocks | Energy | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Recurring | Level 3 | Common stocks | Industrials | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Recurring | Level 3 | Common stocks | Consumer goods and services | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Recurring | Level 3 | Common stocks | Health care | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Recurring | Level 3 | Common stocks | Technology, media and telecommunications | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0
Recurring | Level 3 | Common stocks | Financial services | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	3,992
Recurring | Level 3 | Nonredeemable preferred stocks | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	882	595
Trading Securities	0	0
Recurring | Level 3 | Equity securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	882	2,743
Trading Securities	0	0
Recurring | Level 3 | Equity securities | Discontinued Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	0	1,844
Trading Securities	0	0
Recurring | Level 3 | Equity securities | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	882	4,587
Recurring | Level 3 | Equity securities | Public utilities | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Trading Securities	0	0
Recurring | Level 3 | Equity securities | Energy | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Trading Securities	0	0
Recurring | Level 3 | Equity securities | Industrials | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Trading Securities	0	0
Recurring | Level 3 | Equity securities | Consumer goods and services | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Trading Securities	0	0
Recurring | Level 3 | Equity securities | Health care | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Trading Securities	0	0
Recurring | Level 3 | Equity securities | Financial services | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Trading Securities	0	0
Recurring | Level 3 | Redeemable preferred stocks | Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Trading Securities	$ 0	$ 0

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTR63

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Level 3 Securities) (Details) - Continuing and Discontinuing Operations - Recurring - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	$ 15,098	$ 16,252
Realized gains (losses)		0
Unrealized gains (losses)	348	80
Purchases	245	727
Disposals	(5,817)	(1,961)
Ending Balance	9,874	15,098
States, municipalities and political subdivisions
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	168	343
Realized gains (losses)		0
Unrealized gains (losses)	(8)	(15)
Purchases	0	0
Disposals	(160)	(160)
Ending Balance	0	168
Corporate bonds
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	9,894	10,895
Realized gains (losses)		0
Unrealized gains (losses)	(129)	134
Purchases	100	0
Disposals	(1,520)	(1,135)
Ending Balance	8,345	9,894
Asset-backed securities
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	449	1,036
Realized gains (losses)		0
Unrealized gains (losses)	198	(39)
Purchases	0	0
Disposals	0	(548)
Ending Balance	647	449
Equities
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	4,587	3,978
Realized gains (losses)		0
Unrealized gains (losses)	287	0
Purchases	145	727
Disposals	(4,137)	(118)
Ending Balance	$ 882	$ 4,587

REINSURANCE (Narrative) (Detail

REINSURANCE (Narrative) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)insurance_agency	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Reinsurance [Line Items]
Reinsurance recoverables	$ 63,194,000	$ 62,707,000
Continuing Operations - Property and Casualty Insurance
Reinsurance [Line Items]
Reinsurance recoverables	$ 2,859,000	$ 2,447,000
Continuing Operations - Property and Casualty Insurance | Casualty Excess and Property Excess
Reinsurance [Line Items]
Reinsurance retention policy, reinsured risk, percentage	7.02%	7.73%
Aggregate annual deductible			$ 4,000,000
Minimum | Continuing Operations - Property and Casualty Insurance | Casualty Excess and Property Excess
Reinsurance [Line Items]
Retention amount	$ 58,500,000	$ 52,000,000
Maximum | Continuing Operations - Property and Casualty Insurance | Casualty Excess and Property Excess
Reinsurance [Line Items]
Reinsurance recoverables	30,000,000	30,000,000
Retention amount	$ 71,500,000	$ 65,000,000
Discontinued Operations | Discontinued Operations - Life Insurance
Reinsurance [Line Items]
Number of reinsurers ceded approximately 99% of ceded life insurance in force | insurance_agency	5
Discontinued Operations | Discontinued Operations - Life Insurance | Top Five Reinsurers
Reinsurance [Line Items]
Percentage of insurance in force	99.00%
Discontinued Operations | Discontinued Operations - Life Insurance | Individual Insurance Policies
Reinsurance [Line Items]
Stated retention	$ 300,000
Percentage of coverage	100.00%
Reinsurance coverage amount	$ 250,000
Discontinued Operations | Discontinued Operations - Life Insurance | Group Insurance Policies
Reinsurance [Line Items]
Percentage of coverage	50.00%
Discontinued Operations | Discontinued Operations - Life Insurance | Catastrophe
Reinsurance [Line Items]
Stated retention	$ 1,000,000
Reinsurance coverage amount	$ 5,000,000

REINSURANCE (Ceded and Assumed

REINSURANCE (Ceded and Assumed Reinsurance) (Details) - Continuing Operations - Property and Casualty Insurance - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Reinsurance [Line Items]
Ceded premiums written	$ 61,273	$ 57,988	$ 56,916
Ceded premiums earned	61,305	57,996	56,758
Loss and loss settlement expenses ceded	33,303	13,278	3,868
Assumed premiums written	15,179	16,834	18,290
Assumed premiums earned	15,059	17,037	18,396
Loss and loss settlement expenses assumed	$ 24,688	$ 9,814	$ 14,415

REINSURANCE (Reinsurance Progra

REINSURANCE (Reinsurance Programs) (Details) - Continuing Operations - Property and Casualty Insurance - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Casualty excess of loss
Reinsurance [Line Items]
Stated Retention	$ 2,500,000	$ 2,500,000	$ 2,000,000
Limits	$ 60,000,000	$ 40,000,000	$ 40,000,000
Percentage of Coverage	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
Coverage	$ 57,500,000	$ 37,500,000	$ 38,000,000
Property excess of loss
Reinsurance [Line Items]
Stated Retention	2,500,000	2,500,000	2,000,000
Limits	$ 25,000,000	$ 25,000,000	$ 25,000,000
Percentage of Coverage	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
Coverage	$ 22,500,000	$ 22,500,000	$ 23,000,000
Surety excess of loss
Reinsurance [Line Items]
Stated Retention	1,500,000	1,500,000	1,500,000
Limits	$ 45,000,000	$ 36,000,000	$ 36,000,000
Percentage of Coverage	100.00%	100.00%	96.00%
Coverage	$ 43,500,000	$ 34,500,000	$ 34,500,000
Property catastrophe, excess
Reinsurance [Line Items]
Stated Retention	20,000,000	20,000,000	20,000,000
Limits	$ 250,000,000	$ 250,000,000	$ 200,000,000
Percentage of Coverage	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
Coverage	$ 230,000,000	$ 230,000,000	$ 180,000,000
Property catastrophe, excess two
Reinsurance [Line Items]
Stated Retention			200,000,000
Limits			$ 250,000,000
Percentage of Coverage			90.50%
Coverage			$ 50,000,000
Boiler and machinery
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 (Discontinued Opera

REINSURANCE (Discontinued Operations - Life Insurance Business) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Reinsurance [Line Items]
Ceded insurance in-force	$ 1,014,794	$ 1,023,197	$ 1,165,868
Discontinued Operations | Discontinued Operations - Life Insurance
Reinsurance [Line Items]
Ceded insurance in-force	1,014,794	1,023,197	1,165,868
Ceded premiums earned	2,722	2,768	3,161
Loss and loss settlement expenses ceded	$ 3,726	$ 3,359	$ 2,113

RESERVES FOR LOSSES AND LOSS 68

RESERVES FOR LOSSES AND LOSS SETTLEMENT EXPENSES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Roll Forward]
Gross liability for losses and loss settlement expenses at beginning of year	$ 1,123,896	$ 1,003,895	$ 969,437
Ceded losses and loss settlement expenses	(59,794)	(54,653)	(63,757)
Net liability for losses and loss settlement expenses at beginning of year	1,064,102	949,242	905,680
Losses and loss settlement expenses incurred for claims occurring during
Current year	779,966	683,662	560,482
Prior years	(54,253)	(31,229)	(40,395)
Total incurred	725,713	652,433	520,087
Losses and loss settlement expense payments for claims occurring during
Current year	311,972	277,053	225,022
Prior years	313,531	260,520	251,503
Total paid	625,503	537,573	476,525
Net liability for losses and loss settlement expenses at end of year	1,164,312	1,064,102	949,242
Ceded loss and loss settlement expenses	59,871	59,794	54,653
Gross liability for losses and loss settlement expenses at end of year	$ 1,224,183	$ 1,123,896	$ 1,003,895

RESERVES FOR LOSSES AND LOSS 69

RESERVES FOR LOSSES AND LOSS SETTLEMENT EXPENSES (Incurred Claims and Allocated Claim Adjustment Expenses) (Details) claim in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)claim	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2012USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2011USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2010USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2009USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2008USD ($)
Commercial other liability
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Incurred losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	$ 986,070
Commercial fire and allied
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Incurred losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	1,153,596
Commercial automobile
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Incurred losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	1,151,392
Workers' compensation
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Incurred losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	491,813
Personal
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Incurred losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	435,063
2008 | Commercial other liability
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Incurred losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	75,364	$ 74,915	$ 74,115	$ 75,178	$ 78,152	$ 63,231	$ 73,892	$ 81,963	$ 84,944	$ 79,455
Total of incurred but not reported liabilities plus expected development on reported claims	12,636
Cumulative development	$ (4,091)
Cumulative number of reported claims | claim	6,734
2008 | Commercial fire and allied
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Incurred losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	$ 118,308	118,329	118,376	118,115	116,940	134,821	140,321	138,602	141,384	157,303
Total of incurred but not reported liabilities plus expected development on reported claims	44
Cumulative development	$ (38,995)
Cumulative number of reported claims | claim	21,101
2008 | Commercial automobile
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Incurred losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	$ 73,487	73,463	73,431	73,506	75,021	75,070	76,527	76,051	78,391	80,461
Total of incurred but not reported liabilities plus expected development on reported claims	12
Cumulative development	$ (6,974)
Cumulative number of reported claims | claim	18,114
2008 | Workers' compensation
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Incurred losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	$ 38,664	39,768	39,680	39,386	40,010	40,474	41,278	39,895	42,301	42,739
Total of incurred but not reported liabilities plus expected development on reported claims	499
Cumulative development	$ (4,075)
Cumulative number of reported claims | claim	5,057
2008 | Personal
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Incurred losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	$ 42,881	42,882	43,482	43,515	43,535	43,577	43,672	43,408	44,686	$ 49,961
Total of incurred but not reported liabilities plus expected development on reported claims	0
Cumulative development	$ (7,080)
Cumulative number of reported claims | claim	15,821
2009 | Commercial other liability
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Incurred losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	$ 86,543	86,757	85,761	83,660	84,286	65,831	73,545	85,991	88,298
Total of incurred but not reported liabilities plus expected development on reported claims	11,268
Cumulative development	$ (1,755)
Cumulative number of reported claims | claim	6,123
2009 | Commercial fire and allied
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Incurred losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	$ 89,027	88,891	87,932	87,845	87,751	105,614	105,031	106,085	113,754
Total of incurred but not reported liabilities plus expected development on reported claims	154
Cumulative development	$ (24,727)
Cumulative number of reported claims | claim	18,038
2009 | Commercial automobile
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Incurred losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	$ 63,509	63,567	63,560	63,605	64,516	64,121	68,569	69,328	80,021
Total of incurred but not reported liabilities plus expected development on reported claims	0
Cumulative development	$ (16,512)
Cumulative number of reported claims | claim	15,019
2009 | Workers' compensation
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Incurred losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	$ 35,012	35,026	36,014	36,158	36,823	36,837	36,294	39,009	43,560
Total of incurred but not reported liabilities plus expected development on reported claims	489
Cumulative development	$ (8,548)
Cumulative number of reported claims | claim	4,264
2009 | Personal
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Incurred losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	$ 31,867	32,070	32,085	32,029	32,134	32,026	31,945	33,519	$ 34,597
Total of incurred but not reported liabilities plus expected development on reported claims	2
Cumulative development	$ (2,730)
Cumulative number of reported claims | claim	13,502
2010 | Commercial other liability
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Incurred losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	$ 78,498	78,291	77,948	78,564	82,865	65,299	69,533	88,987
Total of incurred but not reported liabilities plus expected development on reported claims	14,468
Cumulative development	$ (10,489)
Cumulative number of reported claims | claim	5,174
2010 | Commercial fire and allied
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Incurred losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	$ 84,213	83,981	83,767	83,932	83,836	108,246	106,152	113,139
Total of incurred but not reported liabilities plus expected development on reported claims	229
Cumulative development	$ (28,926)
Cumulative number of reported claims | claim	16,671
2010 | Commercial automobile
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Incurred losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	$ 67,910	68,086	67,296	67,563	67,015	65,860	68,068	75,781
Total of incurred but not reported liabilities plus expected development on reported claims	17
Cumulative development	$ (7,871)
Cumulative number of reported claims | claim	16,245
2010 | Workers' compensation
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Incurred losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	$ 42,617	41,468	41,422	40,647	41,167	41,180	42,531	38,210
Total of incurred but not reported liabilities plus expected development on reported claims	596
Cumulative development	$ 4,407
Cumulative number of reported claims | claim	3,978
2010 | Personal
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Incurred losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	$ 33,213	33,432	33,413	33,403	33,865	33,928	34,347	$ 36,686
Total of incurred but not reported liabilities plus expected development on reported claims	29
Cumulative development	$ (3,473)
Cumulative number of reported claims | claim	13,325
2011 | Commercial other liability
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Incurred losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	$ 81,463	80,801	79,591	88,200	88,371	64,738	81,522
Total of incurred but not reported liabilities plus expected development on reported claims	15,016
Cumulative development	$ (59)
Cumulative number of reported claims | claim	5,328
2011 | Commercial fire and allied
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Incurred losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	$ 121,434	120,219	119,820	120,492	117,082	142,330	148,220
Total of incurred but not reported liabilities plus expected development on reported claims	611
Cumulative development	$ (26,786)
Cumulative number of reported claims | claim	16,026
2011 | Commercial automobile
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Incurred losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	$ 90,766	91,336	92,379	92,519	90,750	87,299	84,887
Total of incurred but not reported liabilities plus expected development on reported claims	311
Cumulative development	$ 5,879
Cumulative number of reported claims | claim	15,246
2011 | Workers' compensation
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Incurred losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	$ 33,352	33,314	33,585	34,309	35,352	38,481	39,967
Total of incurred but not reported liabilities plus expected development on reported claims	747
Cumulative development	$ (6,615)
Cumulative number of reported claims | claim	3,930
2011 | Personal
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Incurred losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	$ 46,733	47,013	46,968	47,035	47,090	48,534	$ 50,014
Total of incurred but not reported liabilities plus expected development on reported claims	74
Cumulative development	$ (3,281)
Cumulative number of reported claims | claim	14,843
2012 | Commercial other liability
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Incurred losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	$ 91,346	92,537	91,980	94,195	96,158	100,389
Total of incurred but not reported liabilities plus expected development on reported claims	18,407
Cumulative development	$ (9,043)
Cumulative number of reported claims | claim	5,540
2012 | Commercial fire and allied
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Incurred losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	$ 108,623	107,958	108,047	108,774	110,448	138,602
Total of incurred but not reported liabilities plus expected development on reported claims	970
Cumulative development	$ (29,979)
Cumulative number of reported claims | claim	6,408
2012 | Commercial automobile
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Incurred losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	$ 96,389	96,594	95,321	94,755	90,848	100,039
Total of incurred but not reported liabilities plus expected development on reported claims	488
Cumulative development	$ (3,650)
Cumulative number of reported claims | claim	14,353
2012 | Workers' compensation
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Incurred losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	$ 39,015	38,553	38,423	42,158	46,279	48,848
Total of incurred but not reported liabilities plus expected development on reported claims	754
Cumulative development	$ (9,833)
Cumulative number of reported claims | claim	3,813
2012 | Personal
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Incurred losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	$ 44,352	44,715	46,150	46,403	46,199	$ 47,924
Total of incurred but not reported liabilities plus expected development on reported claims	108
Cumulative development	$ (3,572)
Cumulative number of reported claims | claim	10,769
2013 | Commercial other liability
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Incurred losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	$ 85,399	86,119	90,502	91,460	104,982
Total of incurred but not reported liabilities plus expected development on reported claims	9,697
Cumulative development	$ (19,583)
Cumulative number of reported claims | claim	6,007
2013 | Commercial fire and allied
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Incurred losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	$ 93,826	92,212	91,498	88,550	91,521
Total of incurred but not reported liabilities plus expected development on reported claims	1,139
Cumulative development	$ 2,305
Cumulative number of reported claims | claim	6,598
2013 | Commercial automobile
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Incurred losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	$ 104,980	103,726	102,943	98,037	104,356
Total of incurred but not reported liabilities plus expected development on reported claims	1,310
Cumulative development	$ 624
Cumulative number of reported claims | claim	15,504
2013 | Workers' compensation
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Incurred losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	$ 52,761	54,584	56,369	62,579	64,048
Total of incurred but not reported liabilities plus expected development on reported claims	975
Cumulative development	$ (11,287)
Cumulative number of reported claims | claim	4,173
2013 | Personal
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Incurred losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	$ 36,729	37,086	37,262	38,525	$ 39,232
Total of incurred but not reported liabilities plus expected development on reported claims	172
Cumulative development	$ (2,503)
Cumulative number of reported claims | claim	9,232
2014 | Commercial other liability
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Incurred losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	$ 97,809	106,486	117,958	118,928
Total of incurred but not reported liabilities plus expected development on reported claims	13,583
Cumulative development	$ (21,119)
Cumulative number of reported claims | claim	6,109
2014 | Commercial fire and allied
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Incurred losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	$ 128,185	128,762	131,198	126,216
Total of incurred but not reported liabilities plus expected development on reported claims	1,397
Cumulative development	$ 1,969
Cumulative number of reported claims | claim	7,827
2014 | Commercial automobile
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Incurred losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	$ 118,869	113,720	106,076	107,723
Total of incurred but not reported liabilities plus expected development on reported claims	3,634
Cumulative development	$ 11,146
Cumulative number of reported claims | claim	17,222
2014 | Workers' compensation
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Incurred losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	$ 56,630	58,284	60,729	64,051
Total of incurred but not reported liabilities plus expected development on reported claims	1,409
Cumulative development	$ (7,421)
Cumulative number of reported claims | claim	4,593
2014 | Personal
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Incurred losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	$ 52,782	52,944	52,661	$ 53,910
Total of incurred but not reported liabilities plus expected development on reported claims	236
Cumulative development	$ (1,128)
Cumulative number of reported claims | claim	10,899
2015 | Commercial other liability
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Incurred losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	$ 120,005	125,307	137,386
Total of incurred but not reported liabilities plus expected development on reported claims	25,634
Cumulative development	$ (17,381)
Cumulative number of reported claims | claim	7,083
2015 | Commercial fire and allied
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Incurred losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	$ 110,633	108,293	103,177
Total of incurred but not reported liabilities plus expected development on reported claims	3,370
Cumulative development	$ 7,456
Cumulative number of reported claims | claim	7,465
2015 | Commercial automobile
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Incurred losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	$ 132,206	129,816	125,506
Total of incurred but not reported liabilities plus expected development on reported claims	7,874
Cumulative development	$ 6,700
Cumulative number of reported claims | claim	19,875
2015 | Workers' compensation
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Incurred losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	$ 51,003	55,578	53,788
Total of incurred but not reported liabilities plus expected development on reported claims	1,753
Cumulative development	$ (2,785)
Cumulative number of reported claims | claim	5,311
2015 | Personal
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Incurred losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	$ 40,336	41,088	$ 42,848
Total of incurred but not reported liabilities plus expected development on reported claims	396
Cumulative development	$ (2,512)
Cumulative number of reported claims | claim	9,490
2016 | Commercial other liability
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Incurred losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	$ 130,041	139,144
Total of incurred but not reported liabilities plus expected development on reported claims	35,760
Cumulative development	$ (9,103)
Cumulative number of reported claims | claim	7,512
2016 | Commercial fire and allied
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Incurred losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	$ 144,208	147,473
Total of incurred but not reported liabilities plus expected development on reported claims	3,597
Cumulative development	$ (3,265)
Cumulative number of reported claims | claim	9,496
2016 | Commercial automobile
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Incurred losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	$ 175,357	174,018
Total of incurred but not reported liabilities plus expected development on reported claims	21,439
Cumulative development	$ 1,339
Cumulative number of reported claims | claim	26,662
2016 | Workers' compensation
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Incurred losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	$ 66,575	70,419
Total of incurred but not reported liabilities plus expected development on reported claims	3,392
Cumulative development	$ (3,844)
Cumulative number of reported claims | claim	6,732
2016 | Personal
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Incurred losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	$ 45,840	$ 48,072
Total of incurred but not reported liabilities plus expected development on reported claims	733
Cumulative development	$ (2,232)
Cumulative number of reported claims | claim	11,674
2017 | Commercial other liability
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Incurred losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	$ 139,602
Total of incurred but not reported liabilities plus expected development on reported claims	$ 68,465
Cumulative number of reported claims | claim	5,833
2017 | Commercial fire and allied
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Incurred losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	$ 155,139
Total of incurred but not reported liabilities plus expected development on reported claims	$ 16,178
Cumulative number of reported claims | claim	11,574
2017 | Commercial automobile
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Incurred losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	$ 227,919
Total of incurred but not reported liabilities plus expected development on reported claims	$ 58,850
Cumulative number of reported claims | claim	28,858
2017 | Workers' compensation
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Incurred losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	$ 76,184
Total of incurred but not reported liabilities plus expected development on reported claims	$ 7,317
Cumulative number of reported claims | claim	5,460
2017 | Personal
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Incurred losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	$ 60,330
Total of incurred but not reported liabilities plus expected development on reported claims	$ 3,310
Cumulative number of reported claims | claim	13,049

RESERVES FOR LOSSES AND LOSS 70

RESERVES FOR LOSSES AND LOSS SETTLEMENT EXPENSES (Cumulative Paid Claims and Allocated Claim Adjustment Expenses) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2008
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Liabilities for unpaid losses and loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	$ 1,073,195
Commercial other liability
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Cumulative paid losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	571,484
All outstanding liabilities for unpaid losses and loss settlement expenses before 2008, net of reinsurance	29,167
Liabilities for unpaid losses and loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	443,753
Commercial fire and allied
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Cumulative paid losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	1,049,363
All outstanding liabilities for unpaid losses and loss settlement expenses before 2008, net of reinsurance	573
Liabilities for unpaid losses and loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	104,806
Commercial automobile
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Cumulative paid losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	866,879
All outstanding liabilities for unpaid losses and loss settlement expenses before 2008, net of reinsurance	39
Liabilities for unpaid losses and loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	284,552
Workers' compensation
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Cumulative paid losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	342,146
All outstanding liabilities for unpaid losses and loss settlement expenses before 2008, net of reinsurance	18,973
Liabilities for unpaid losses and loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	168,640
Personal
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Cumulative paid losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	408,654
All outstanding liabilities for unpaid losses and loss settlement expenses before 2008, net of reinsurance	1,326
Liabilities for unpaid losses and loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	27,735
2008 | Commercial other liability
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Cumulative paid losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	60,698	$ 59,052	$ 55,843	$ 52,659	$ 50,143	$ 47,112	$ 42,545	$ 34,482	$ 24,096	$ 9,220
2008 | Commercial fire and allied
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Cumulative paid losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	118,059	118,003	117,690	117,553	115,897	115,804	112,678	107,480	102,804	80,005
2008 | Commercial automobile
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Cumulative paid losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	73,394	73,018	72,990	72,984	72,122	70,459	68,629	58,926	47,271	30,527
2008 | Workers' compensation
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Cumulative paid losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	36,010	35,292	34,862	34,319	33,770	31,980	30,123	25,736	21,227	10,082
2008 | Personal
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Cumulative paid losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	42,881	42,787	42,748	42,748	42,627	42,613	42,414	41,735	40,114	$ 32,032
2009 | Commercial other liability
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Cumulative paid losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	70,814	67,733	63,149	56,789	50,098	41,696	32,073	21,151	8,375
2009 | Commercial fire and allied
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Cumulative paid losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	88,159	88,037	87,721	87,544	86,930	82,809	77,732	72,181	53,219
2009 | Commercial automobile
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Cumulative paid losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	63,508	63,503	63,495	62,732	61,398	58,087	53,451	44,867	27,674
2009 | Workers' compensation
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Cumulative paid losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	33,117	32,911	31,886	31,003	29,898	27,747	24,189	20,292	10,478
2009 | Personal
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Cumulative paid losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	31,837	31,804	31,718	31,644	31,564	30,829	29,801	27,926	$ 22,086
2010 | Commercial other liability
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Cumulative paid losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	62,070	60,116	56,761	51,336	35,043	24,577	15,230	7,103
2010 | Commercial fire and allied
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Cumulative paid losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	83,915	83,374	83,000	82,037	80,352	78,284	72,271	52,660
2010 | Commercial automobile
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Cumulative paid losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	67,852	67,622	65,169	62,231	57,947	52,953	41,141	29,329
2010 | Workers' compensation
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Cumulative paid losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	38,973	35,052	34,143	33,119	31,887	28,765	22,606	11,821
2010 | Personal
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Cumulative paid losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	33,158	33,165	32,997	32,771	32,076	31,340	29,867	$ 24,499
2011 | Commercial other liability
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Cumulative paid losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	62,165	56,150	50,146	40,595	26,260	13,670	6,236
2011 | Commercial fire and allied
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Cumulative paid losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	120,178	118,183	116,614	112,497	109,429	104,800	85,585
2011 | Commercial automobile
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Cumulative paid losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	88,609	87,475	85,348	79,383	65,021	50,931	34,332
2011 | Workers' compensation
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Cumulative paid losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	29,453	29,022	28,247	27,497	26,033	21,678	10,322
2011 | Personal
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Cumulative paid losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	46,575	46,573	46,487	45,949	45,306	43,801	$ 36,489
2012 | Commercial other liability
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Cumulative paid losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	69,800	64,574	55,316	39,948	24,620	6,875
2012 | Commercial fire and allied
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Cumulative paid losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	106,521	105,250	103,197	100,078	94,380	71,008
2012 | Commercial automobile
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Cumulative paid losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	93,179	90,292	82,944	71,469	57,201	39,247
2012 | Workers' compensation
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Cumulative paid losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	34,330	33,063	30,933	28,397	23,023	11,802
2012 | Personal
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Cumulative paid losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	44,139	43,569	44,448	43,375	41,979	$ 30,415
2013 | Commercial other liability
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Cumulative paid losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	65,773	54,559	39,953	25,228	9,835
2013 | Commercial fire and allied
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Cumulative paid losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	89,200	86,115	82,853	78,226	59,331
2013 | Commercial automobile
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Cumulative paid losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	96,375	90,780	79,663	67,630	43,592
2013 | Workers' compensation
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Cumulative paid losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	45,078	42,941	38,023	30,209	14,136
2013 | Personal
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Cumulative paid losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	36,155	35,306	34,297	32,788	$ 25,505
2014 | Commercial other liability
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Cumulative paid losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	70,363	50,211	29,679	10,207
2014 | Commercial fire and allied
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Cumulative paid losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	122,370	116,750	113,663	84,456
2014 | Commercial automobile
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Cumulative paid losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	99,922	87,590	68,033	45,704
2014 | Workers' compensation
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Cumulative paid losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	42,964	38,441	30,289	13,965
2014 | Personal
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Cumulative paid losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	51,837	49,710	47,912	$ 37,055
2015 | Commercial other liability
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Cumulative paid losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	53,901	27,182	11,185
2015 | Commercial fire and allied
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Cumulative paid losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	95,515	90,454	67,217
2015 | Commercial automobile
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Cumulative paid losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	99,201	78,225	50,782
2015 | Workers' compensation
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Cumulative paid losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	35,229	27,304	12,063
2015 | Personal
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Cumulative paid losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	39,027	37,431	$ 29,551
2016 | Commercial other liability
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Cumulative paid losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	38,184	13,782
2016 | Commercial fire and allied
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Cumulative paid losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	125,962	92,895
2016 | Commercial automobile
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Cumulative paid losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	103,528	66,013
2016 | Workers' compensation
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Cumulative paid losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	32,345	14,413
2016 | Personal
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Cumulative paid losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	40,910	$ 32,999
2017 | Commercial other liability
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Cumulative paid losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	17,716
2017 | Commercial fire and allied
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Cumulative paid losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	99,484
2017 | Commercial automobile
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Cumulative paid losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	81,311
2017 | Workers' compensation
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Cumulative paid losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	14,647
2017 | Personal
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]
Cumulative paid losses and allocated loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	$ 42,135

RESERVES FOR LOSSES AND LOSS 71

RESERVES FOR LOSSES AND LOSS SETTLEMENT EXPENSES (Reconciliation of the Disclosure Claims Development to the Liability for Claims and Claim Adjustment Expenses) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Reconciliation of Claims Development to Liability [Line Items]
Net outstanding liabilities for unpaid losses and allocated loss settlement expenses	$ 1,073,195
Net outstanding liabilities for unpaid unallocated loss settlement expenses	88,193
Fair value adjustment (purchase accounting adjustment for Mercer acquisition)	2,924
Liabilities for unpaid losses and loss settlement expenses, net of reinsurance	1,164,312
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses and allocated loss settlement expenses	62,667
Reinsurance fair value amortization (purchase accounting adjustment for Mercer acquisition)	(2,796)
Total reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses and loss settlement expenses	59,871
Total gross liability for unpaid losses and loss settlement expenses	1,224,183	$ 1,123,896	$ 1,003,895	$ 969,437
Commercial other liability
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Reconciliation of Claims Development to Liability [Line Items]
Net outstanding liabilities for unpaid losses and allocated loss settlement expenses	443,753
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses and allocated loss settlement expenses	20,367
Commercial fire and allied
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Reconciliation of Claims Development to Liability [Line Items]
Net outstanding liabilities for unpaid losses and allocated loss settlement expenses	104,806
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses and allocated loss settlement expenses	10,806
Commercial automobile
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Reconciliation of Claims Development to Liability [Line Items]
Net outstanding liabilities for unpaid losses and allocated loss settlement expenses	284,552
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses and allocated loss settlement expenses	1,994
Commercial workers' compensation
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Reconciliation of Claims Development to Liability [Line Items]
Net outstanding liabilities for unpaid losses and allocated loss settlement expenses	168,640
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses and allocated loss settlement expenses	26,799
Personal
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Reconciliation of Claims Development to Liability [Line Items]
Net outstanding liabilities for unpaid losses and allocated loss settlement expenses	27,735
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses and allocated loss settlement expenses	26
All other lines
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Reconciliation of Claims Development to Liability [Line Items]
Net outstanding liabilities for unpaid losses and allocated loss settlement expenses	43,709
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses and allocated loss settlement expenses	$ 2,675

RESERVES FOR LOSSES AND LOSS 72

RESERVES FOR LOSSES AND LOSS SETTLEMENT EXPENSES (Historical Claims Duration) (Details)	Dec. 31, 2017
Commercial other liability
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Historical Claims Duration [Line Items]
Year 1	10.10%
Year 2	15.90%
Year 3	16.40%
Year 4	15.30%
Year 5	11.90%
Year 6	6.40%
Year 7	5.60%
Year 8	4.00%
Year 9	3.90%
Year 10	2.20%
Commercial fire and allied
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Historical Claims Duration [Line Items]
Year 1	64.40%
Year 2	20.90%
Year 3	4.80%
Year 4	3.70%
Year 5	3.00%
Year 6	0.90%
Year 7	0.90%
Year 8	0.40%
Year 9	0.20%
Year 10	0.00%
Commercial automobile
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Historical Claims Duration [Line Items]
Year 1	39.90%
Year 2	20.90%
Year 3	15.10%
Year 4	10.90%
Year 5	5.60%
Year 6	2.80%
Year 7	1.80%
Year 8	0.10%
Year 9	0.00%
Year 10	0.50%
Commercial workers' compensation
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Historical Claims Duration [Line Items]
Year 1	26.10%
Year 2	29.00%
Year 3	13.60%
Year 4	8.10%
Year 5	4.30%
Year 6	3.20%
Year 7	1.80%
Year 8	4.50%
Year 9	0.80%
Year 10	1.90%
Personal
Short-duration Insurance Contracts, Historical Claims Duration [Line Items]
Year 1	71.90%
Year 2	19.10%
Year 3	4.00%
Year 4	2.50%
Year 5	1.10%
Year 6	0.50%
Year 7	0.30%
Year 8	0.10%
Year 9	0.10%
Year 10	0.20%

STATUTORY REPORTING, CAPITAL 73

STATUTORY REPORTING, CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS AND DIVIDENDS AND RETAINED EARNINGS RESTRICTIONS (Statutory Capital and Surplus) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Property and casualty business
Statutory Accounting Practices [Line Items]
Statutory Capital and Surplus	$ 757,443	$ 770,908	$ 722,404
Statutory Net Income (Loss)	19,687	39,087	75,554
Life, accident and health business
Statutory Accounting Practices [Line Items]
Statutory Capital and Surplus	144,533	139,806	138,855
Statutory Net Income (Loss)	$ 5,485	$ (3,177)	$ (1,524)

STATUTORY REPORTING, CAPITAL 74

STATUTORY REPORTING, CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS AND DIVIDENDS AND RETAINED EARNINGS RESTRICTIONS (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Feb. 02, 2016
Statutory Accounting Practices [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity	$ 100,000,000
Payment of cash dividends	(27,337,000)	$ (24,591,000)	$ (21,658,000)
Subsidiaries
Statutory Accounting Practices [Line Items]
Intercompany dividend payments that are eliminated in Consolidated Financial Statements	13,300,000	26,000,000	16,500,000
United Fire & Casualty Company
Statutory Accounting Practices [Line Items]
Intercompany dividend payments that are eliminated in Consolidated Financial Statements	40,000,000	$ 24,000,000	$ 22,500,000
United Life
Statutory Accounting Practices [Line Items]
Statutory basis	1,497,955,000
Net assets on statutory basis, in excess of the legal reserve requirement	215,488,000
Revolving Credit Facility
Statutory Accounting Practices [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity	50,000,000			$ 50,000,000
State of Iowa Insurance Department
Statutory Accounting Practices [Line Items]
Maximum dividend distribution without prior approval	$ 35,744,000

FEDERAL INCOME TAX (Narrative)

FEDERAL INCOME TAX (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Valuation Allowance [Line Items]
Provisional income tax expense, Tax Act	$ 21,884
Valuation allowance	329	$ 718
Realization of NOLs	1,565
Deferred tax asset adjustment related to the enactment of the Tax Act	158
Alternative minimum tax credit carryforward	6,011	1,194
Valuation Allowance, Operating Loss Carryforwards
Valuation Allowance [Line Items]
Reduction in valuation allowance, before Tax Act adjustment	547
Reduction in valuation allowance	$ 389	$ 547

FEDERAL INCOME TAX (Federal Inc

FEDERAL INCOME TAX (Federal Income Tax) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Reconciliation Of Consolidated Federal Income Tax Expense (Benefit) [Line Items]
Consolidated federal income tax expense (benefit)	$ (29,220)	$ 8,379	$ 30,050
Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Reconciliation Of Consolidated Federal Income Tax Expense (Benefit) [Line Items]
Current	1,989	3,239	37,649
Deferred	(26,719)	5,524	(5,324)
Consolidated federal income tax expense (benefit)	$ (24,730)	$ 8,763	$ 32,325

FEDERAL INCOME TAX (Reconciliat

FEDERAL INCOME TAX (Reconciliation) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Reconciliation Of Consolidated Federal Income Tax Expense (Benefit) [Line Items]
Consolidated federal income tax expense (benefit)	$ (29,220)	$ 8,379	$ 30,050
Consolidated federal income tax expense (benefit), discontinued operations	4,490	384	2,275
Continuing and Discontinuing Operations
Reconciliation Of Consolidated Federal Income Tax Expense (Benefit) [Line Items]
Computed expected income tax expense	9,202	20,533	42,508
Impact of enactment of Tax Act	(21,884)	0	0
Tax-exempt municipal bond interest income	(8,875)	(8,330)	(7,669)
Nontaxable dividend income	(1,540)	(1,317)	(1,337)
Valuation allowance reduction	(547)	(547)	(548)
Other, net	(1,086)	(1,576)	(629)
Consolidated federal income tax expense (benefit)	$ (24,730)	$ 8,763	$ 32,325

FEDERAL INCOME TAX (Net Deferre

FEDERAL INCOME TAX (Net Deferred Tax Liabilities) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Deferred tax liabilities
Deferred policy acquisition costs	$ 30,404	$ 52,031
Investments in partnerships	3,653	8,112
Prepaid pension cost	3,416	4,449
Net bond discount accretion	666	1,134
Depreciation	593	854
Revaluation of investment basis	545	1,342
Identifiable intangible assets	1,838	3,311
Other	1,934	2,831
Gross deferred tax liability	101,487	148,415
Deferred tax assets
Financial statement reserves in excess of income tax reserves	17,036	29,174
Unearned premium adjustment	19,389	30,697
Net operating loss carryforwards	329	718
Underfunded benefit plan obligation	12,375	13,374
Post-retirement benefits other than pensions	11,942	20,221
Other-than-temporary impairment of investments	2,313	4,658
Contingent ceding commission accrual	317	2,769
Alternative minimum tax credit carryforward	6,011	1,194
Compensation expense related to stock options	3,289	4,578
Other	4,145	6,162
Gross deferred tax asset	77,146	113,545
Valuation allowance	(329)	(718)
Deferred tax asset	76,817	112,827
Net deferred tax liability	24,670	35,588
Equity securities
Deferred tax liabilities
Net unrealized appreciation on investment securities	50,839	70,640
All other securities
Deferred tax liabilities
Net unrealized appreciation on investment securities	$ 7,599	$ 3,711

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS (Narrative) (

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS (Narrative) (Details)	Jan. 01, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)programinvestment_manager
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of programs offered under health and dental benefit plan | program		2
Pension Benefits
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		$ 6,400,000
Retirement plan, employee deductible	$ 500
Percentage of retirement plan owed by employees 65 or older	50.00%
Percentage of retirement plan owed by employees less 65	100.00%
Number of external investment managers | investment_manager		6

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS (Asset Alloca

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS (Asset Allocation) (Details) - Pension Benefits - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Plan assets	$ 157,644	$ 128,430	$ 106,600
Actual % of total	100.00%	100.00%
Fixed maturity securities - corporate bonds
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Plan assets	$ 11,003	$ 9,451
Actual % of total	7.00%	7.40%
Redeemable preferred stock
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Plan assets	$ 3,216	$ 3,144
Actual % of total	2.00%	2.40%
Equity securities
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Plan assets	$ 87,603	$ 69,770
Actual % of total	55.60%	54.30%
Core plus bond separate account fund
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Plan assets	$ 17,948	$ 10,401
Actual % of total	11.40%	8.10%
U.S. property separate account fund
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Plan assets	$ 15,502	$ 14,330
Actual % of total	9.80%	11.10%
Arbitrage fund
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Plan assets	$ 8,506	$ 8,292
Actual % of total	5.40%	6.50%
United Life annuity
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Plan assets	$ 9,846	$ 9,377
Actual % of total	6.20%	7.30%
Cash and cash equivalents
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Plan assets	$ 4,020	$ 3,665
Actual % of total	2.60%	2.90%
Minimum | Fixed maturity securities - corporate bonds
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target allocation	0.00%
Minimum | Redeemable preferred stock
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target allocation	0.00%
Minimum | Equity securities
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target allocation	50.00%
Minimum | Core plus bond separate account fund
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target allocation	0.00%
Minimum | U.S. property separate account fund
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target allocation	0.00%
Minimum | Arbitrage fund
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target allocation	0.00%
Minimum | United Life annuity
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target allocation	5.00%
Minimum | Cash and cash equivalents
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target allocation	0.00%
Maximum | Fixed maturity securities - corporate bonds
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target allocation	15.00%
Maximum | Redeemable preferred stock
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target allocation	10.00%
Maximum | Equity securities
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target allocation	70.00%
Maximum | Core plus bond separate account fund
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target allocation	40.00%
Maximum | U.S. property separate account fund
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target allocation	25.00%
Maximum | Arbitrage fund
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target allocation	10.00%
Maximum | United Life annuity
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target allocation	10.00%
Maximum | Cash and cash equivalents
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target allocation	10.00%

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS (Fair Value o

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS (Fair Value of Plan Assets) (Details) - Pension Benefits - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Assets measured at fair value	$ 157,644	$ 128,430	$ 106,600
Fixed maturity securities - corporate bonds
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Assets measured at fair value	11,003	9,451
Redeemable preferred stock
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Assets measured at fair value	3,216	3,144
Equity securities
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Assets measured at fair value	87,603	69,770
Core plus bond separate account fund
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Assets measured at fair value	17,948	10,401
U.S. property separate account fund
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Assets measured at fair value	15,502	14,330
U.S. property separate account fund | Level 3
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Assets measured at fair value	15,502	14,330	$ 11,252
Arbitrage fund
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Assets measured at fair value	8,506	8,292
Recurring
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Assets measured at fair value	147,789	119,047
Recurring | Level 1
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Assets measured at fair value	94,830	76,573
Recurring | Level 2
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Assets measured at fair value	37,457	28,144
Recurring | Level 3
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Assets measured at fair value	15,502	14,330
Recurring | Fixed maturity securities - corporate bonds
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Assets measured at fair value	11,003	9,451
Recurring | Fixed maturity securities - corporate bonds | Level 1
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Assets measured at fair value	0	0
Recurring | Fixed maturity securities - corporate bonds | Level 2
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Assets measured at fair value	11,003	9,451
Recurring | Fixed maturity securities - corporate bonds | Level 3
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Assets measured at fair value	0	0
Recurring | Redeemable preferred stock
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Assets measured at fair value	3,216	3,144
Recurring | Redeemable preferred stock | Level 1
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Assets measured at fair value	3,216	3,144
Recurring | Redeemable preferred stock | Level 2
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Assets measured at fair value	0	0
Recurring | Redeemable preferred stock | Level 3
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Assets measured at fair value	0	0
Recurring | Equity securities
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Assets measured at fair value	87,603	69,770
Recurring | Equity securities | Level 1
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Assets measured at fair value	87,603	69,770
Recurring | Equity securities | Level 2
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Assets measured at fair value	0	0
Recurring | Equity securities | Level 3
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Assets measured at fair value	0	0
Recurring | Core plus bond separate account fund
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Assets measured at fair value	17,948	10,401
Recurring | Core plus bond separate account fund | Level 1
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Assets measured at fair value	0	0
Recurring | Core plus bond separate account fund | Level 2
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Assets measured at fair value	17,948	10,401
Recurring | Core plus bond separate account fund | Level 3
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Assets measured at fair value	0	0
Recurring | U.S. property separate account fund
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Assets measured at fair value	15,502	14,330
Recurring | U.S. property separate account fund | Level 1
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Assets measured at fair value	0	0
Recurring | U.S. property separate account fund | Level 2
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Assets measured at fair value	0	0
Recurring | U.S. property separate account fund | Level 3
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Assets measured at fair value	15,502	14,330
Recurring | Arbitrage fund
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Assets measured at fair value	8,506	8,292
Recurring | Arbitrage fund | Level 1
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Assets measured at fair value	0	0
Recurring | Arbitrage fund | Level 2
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Assets measured at fair value	8,506	8,292
Recurring | Arbitrage fund | Level 3
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Assets measured at fair value	0	0
Recurring | Money market funds
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Assets measured at fair value	4,011	3,659
Recurring | Money market funds | Level 1
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Assets measured at fair value	4,011	3,659
Recurring | Money market funds | Level 2
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Assets measured at fair value	0	0
Recurring | Money market funds | Level 3
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 Benefits - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$ 128,430	$ 106,600
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	157,644	128,430
U.S. property separate account fund
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	14,330
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	15,502	14,330
U.S. property separate account fund | Level 3
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	14,330	11,252
Unrealized gains	1,172	1,078
Purchases		2,000
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	$ 15,502	$ 14,330

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS (Assumptions)

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS (Assumptions) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Assumptions Used to Determine Benefit Obligations [Abstract]
Rate of compensation increase	3.00%	3.00%
Assumptions Used to Determine Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets	7.50%	7.50%	7.50%
Rate of compensation increase	3.00%	3.00%	3.00%
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	$ 1,126
Effect of 1% decrease on the net periodic postretirement health care benefit cost	(883)
Effect of 1% increase on the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation	9,487
Effect of 1% decrease on the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation	$ (7,698)
Pension Benefits
Assumptions Used to Determine Benefit Obligations [Abstract]
Discount rate	3.65%	4.17%
Assumptions Used to Determine Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]
Discount rate	4.17%	4.21%	3.86%
Post-retirement Benefits
Assumptions Used to Determine Benefit Obligations [Abstract]
Discount rate	3.65%	4.17%
Assumptions Used to Determine Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]
Discount rate	4.17%	4.21%	3.86%
Health Care Benefits
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
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, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Pension Benefits
Reconciliation of benefit obligation
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$ 171,876	$ 160,390
Service cost	6,857	6,490	$ 6,675
Interest cost	7,060	6,654	5,999
Actuarial loss	26,963	2,215
Adjustment for plan amendment	0	0
Benefit payments	(4,407)	(3,873)
Benefit obligation at end of year	208,349	171,876	160,390
Reconciliation of fair value of plan assets
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	128,430	106,600
Actual return on plan assets	22,225	9,320
Employer contributions	11,396	16,383
Benefit payments	(4,407)	(3,873)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	157,644	128,430	106,600
Funded status at end of year	(50,705)	(43,446)
Accumulated pension benefit obligation	184,436	152,620
Post-retirement Benefits
Reconciliation of benefit obligation
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	46,785	72,175
Service cost	2,021	3,728	5,220
Interest cost	1,927	3,015	2,856
Actuarial loss	6,326	1,468
Adjustment for plan amendment	0	(32,289)
Benefit payments	(1,331)	(1,312)
Benefit obligation at end of year	55,728	46,785	72,175
Reconciliation of fair value of plan assets
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	0	0
Actual return on plan assets	0	0
Employer contributions	1,331	1,311
Benefit payments	(1,331)	(1,311)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	0	0	$ 0
Funded status at end of year	$ (55,728)	$ (46,785)

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS (AOCI) (Detai

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS (AOCI) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Pension Benefits
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Unrecognized prior service cost	$ 0	$ 0
Unrecognized actuarial (gain) loss	60,571	49,745
Total amounts recognized in AOCI	60,571	49,745
Anticipated amortization of net actuarial losses in next fiscal year	4,287
Post-retirement Benefits
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Unrecognized prior service cost	(26,880)	(32,289)
Unrecognized actuarial (gain) loss	25,235	20,756
Total amounts recognized in AOCI	(1,645)	$ (11,533)
Anticipated amortization of net actuarial losses in next fiscal year	$ 2,355

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS (Net Periodic

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS (Net Periodic Benefit Cost) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Pension Benefits
Net periodic benefit cost
Service cost	$ 6,857	$ 6,490	$ 6,675
Interest cost	7,060	6,654	5,999
Expected return on plan assets	(9,650)	(7,952)	(7,800)
Amortization of prior service cost	0	0	0
Amortization of net loss	3,562	3,968	4,546
Net periodic benefit cost	7,829	9,160	9,420
Post-retirement Benefits
Net periodic benefit cost
Service cost	2,021	3,728	5,220
Interest cost	1,927	3,015	2,856
Expected return on plan assets	0	0	0
Amortization of prior service cost	(5,409)	0	0
Amortization of net loss	1,846	1,518	2,920
Net periodic benefit cost	$ 385	$ 8,261	$ 10,996

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS (Expected Ben

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS (Expected Benefit Payments) (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)
Pension Benefits
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
2,018	$ 5,620
2,019	6,140
2,020	6,780
2,021	7,520
2,022	8,240
2023 - 2027	52,950
Post-retirement Benefits
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
2,018	1,350
2,019	1,540
2,020	1,700
2,021	1,880
2,022	2,050
2023 - 2027	$ 13,310

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS (Profit-Shari

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS (Profit-Sharing Plan and ESOP) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Profit-Sharing Plan
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) Disclosures [Line Items]
Employer contribution to the profit-sharing plan	$ 4,987	$ 2,904	$ 7,706

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Stock

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Stock Award Plans) (Details) - shares	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	108 Months Ended	156 Months Ended
	May 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award Available for Grant [Roll Forward]
Number of option awards exercised (in shares)		173,635
Employee Stock Award Plan-2008
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)		1,248,651	1,900,000
Additional shares authorized (in shares)	1,500,000	0	1,500,000
Number of awards granted (in shares)		(259,405)	(2,871,971)
Number of awards forfeited or expired (in shares)		7,582	468,799
Ending balance (in shares)		996,828	996,828	996,828
Employee Stock Award Plan-2008 | Stock Options
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award Available for Grant [Roll Forward]
Number of option awards exercised (in shares)		136,827	1,085,895
Employee Stock Award Plan-2008 | Unrestricted Stock Awards
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award Available for Grant [Roll Forward]
Number of awards granted (in shares)		(1,145)	(8,470)
Employee Stock Award Plan-2008 | Restricted Stock Awards
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award Available for Grant [Roll Forward]
Number of restricted stock awards vested (in shares)		1,198	38,168
Director Plan - 2005
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award Available for Grant [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance (in shares)		74,771		300,000
Number of awards granted (in shares)		(12,958)		(262,190)
Number of awards forfeited or expired (in shares)		0		24,003
Ending balance (in shares)		61,813	61,813	61,813
Director Plan - 2005 | Stock Options
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award Available for Grant [Roll Forward]
Number of option awards exercised (in shares)		36,808		89,281
Director Plan - 2005 | Restricted Stock Awards
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award Available for Grant [Roll Forward]
Number of restricted stock awards vested (in shares)		22,716		54,272
Minimum | Employee Stock Award Plan-2008 | Restricted Stock Awards
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period of restricted stock awards		3 years
Maximum | Employee Stock Award Plan-2008 | Restricted Stock Awards
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period of restricted stock awards		5 years

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Sto90

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Stock-Based Compensation Expense) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Allocated share-based compensation expense	$ 4,808	$ 3,696	$ 2,510
2,018	4,028
2,019	2,776
2,020	1,116
2,021	390
2,022	40
Total	$ 8,350

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Analy

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Analysis of Stock Options Award Activity) (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)$ / sharesshares	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)$ / sharesshares	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Shares
Outstanding at beginning of period (in shares) | shares	1,120,677
Granted (in shares) | shares	159,709
Exercised (in shares) | shares	(173,635)
Forfeited or expired (in shares) | shares	(5,700)
Outstanding at end of period (in shares) | shares	1,101,051	1,120,677
Exercisable at end of period (in shares) | shares	495,089
Weighted-Average Exercise Price
Outstanding at beginning of period (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 29.08
Granted (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	41.75
Exercised (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	27.52
Forfeited or expired (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	28.66
Outstanding at end of period (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	31.16	$ 29.08
Exercisable at end of period (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 26.77
Outstanding at end of period, weighted-average remaining life (in years)	6 years 6 months 7 days
Exercisable at end of period, weighted-average remaining life (in years)	3 years 2 months 19 days
Outstanding at end of period, aggregate intrinsic value | $	$ 15,875
Exercisable at end of period, aggregate intrinsic value | $	9,311
Intrinsic value of options exercised | $	$ 3,159	$ 4,339	$ 1,546

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Ana92

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Analysis of Restricted Stock Award Activity) (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)$ / sharesshares	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)$ / sharesshares	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value
Allocated share-based compensation expense | $	$ 4,808	$ 3,696	$ 2,510
Restricted Stock Awards
Shares
Non-vested at beginning of period (in shares) | shares	182,086
Granted (in shares) | shares	111,509
Vested (in shares) | shares	(23,914)
Forfeited (in shares) | shares	(1,882)
Non-vested at end of period (in shares) | shares	267,799	182,086
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value
Non-vested at beginning of period (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 34.08
Granted (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	41.94
Vested (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	36.77
Forfeited (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	40.27
Non-vested at end of period (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 37.07	$ 34.08
Allocated share-based compensation expense | $	$ 2,987	$ 1,766	924
Total compensation expense that has yet to be recognized | $	5,107
Intrinsic value of the unvested restricted stock awards outstanding | $	$ 2,279	$ 2,747	$ 1,520

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Assum

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Assumptions) (Details) - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Risk-free interest rate	2.23%	1.53%	1.94%
Expected volatility	27.58%	25.44%	21.92%
Expected option life (in years)	7 years	7 years	7 years
Expected dividends (in dollars per share)	$ 1	$ 0.88	$ 0.8
Weighted-average grant-date fair value of options granted during the year (in dollars per share)	$ 9.93	$ 8.42	$ 4.98

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Sto94

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Stock Options Outstanding and Exercisable) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017$ / sharesshares
Exercise Price $15.01 to $21.00
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Range of Exercise Prices, Lower Range (in dollars per share)	$ 15.01
Range of Exercise Prices, Upper Range (in dollars per share)	$ 21
Number Outstanding (in shares) | shares	100,805
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	3 years 2 months 23 days
Weighted-Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 20.24
Number Exercisable (in shares) | shares	100,805
Weighted-Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 20.24
Exercise Price $21.01 to $28.00
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Range of Exercise Prices, Lower Range (in dollars per share)	21.01
Range of Exercise Prices, Upper Range (in dollars per share)	$ 28
Number Outstanding (in shares) | shares	159,478
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	4 years 6 months 7 days
Weighted-Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 23.38
Number Exercisable (in shares) | shares	127,077
Weighted-Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 23.23
Exercise Price $28.01 to $35.00
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Range of Exercise Prices, Lower Range (in dollars per share)	28.01
Range of Exercise Prices, Upper Range (in dollars per share)	$ 35
Number Outstanding (in shares) | shares	508,630
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	6 years 5 months 1 day
Weighted-Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 29.49
Number Exercisable (in shares) | shares	235,833
Weighted-Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 29.74
Exercise Price $35.01 to $41.00
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Range of Exercise Prices, Lower Range (in dollars per share)	35.01
Range of Exercise Prices, Upper Range (in dollars per share)	$ 43
Number Outstanding (in shares) | shares	332,138
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	8 years 7 months 17 days
Weighted-Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 40.77
Number Exercisable (in shares) | shares	31,374
Weighted-Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 39.84
Exercise Price $15.01 to $41.00
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Range of Exercise Prices, Lower Range (in dollars per share)	15.01
Range of Exercise Prices, Upper Range (in dollars per share)	$ 43
Number Outstanding (in shares) | shares	1,101,051
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	6 years 6 months 7 days
Weighted-Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 31.16
Number Exercisable (in shares) | shares	495,089
Weighted-Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 26.77

SEGMENT INFORMATION (Narrative)

SEGMENT INFORMATION (Narrative) (Details)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017segmentlocation	Sep. 17, 2017segment	Dec. 31, 2017location
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of reportable business segments | segment	1	2
Continuing Operations - Property and Casualty Insurance
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of domestic business locations | location	6		6
Continuing Operations - Property and Casualty Insurance | Commercial Lines | Product Concentration Risk | Sales Revenue, Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Percentage of insurance in force			92.90%
Continuing Operations - Property and Casualty Insurance | Personal Lines | Product Concentration Risk | Sales Revenue, Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Percentage of insurance in force			7.10%

SEGMENT INFORMATION (Net Premiu

SEGMENT INFORMATION (Net Premiums) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total net premiums earned from continuing operations	$ 997,492	$ 936,131	$ 851,695
Continuing Operations - Property and Casualty Insurance
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Reinsurance assumed	15,059	17,037	18,396
Other	2,988	2,835	3,179
Total net premiums earned from continuing operations	997,492	936,131	851,695
Continuing Operations - Property and Casualty Insurance | Other liability
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Net premiums earned	306,480	289,982	261,303
Continuing Operations - Property and Casualty Insurance | Fire and allied lines
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Net premiums earned	270,716	265,221	246,450
Continuing Operations - Property and Casualty Insurance | Automobile
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Net premiums earned	277,511	239,216	210,090
Continuing Operations - Property and Casualty Insurance | Workers' compensation
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Net premiums earned	104,166	103,605	95,672
Continuing Operations - Property and Casualty Insurance | Fidelity and surety
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Net premiums earned	24,981	22,507	21,362
Continuing Operations - Property and Casualty Insurance | Reinsurance assumed
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Reinsurance assumed	10,650	12,765	13,639
Discontinued Operations | Discontinued Operations - Life Insurance
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Other	48	58	388
Total net premiums earned from continuing operations	61,368	87,270	79,984
Discontinued Operations | Discontinued Operations - Life Insurance | Ordinary life (excluding universal life)
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Net premiums earned	35,388	63,668	53,114
Discontinued Operations | Discontinued Operations - Life Insurance | Universal life policy fees
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Net premiums earned	13,145	11,577	12,834
Discontinued Operations | Discontinued Operations - Life Insurance | Immediate annuities with life contingencies
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Net premiums earned	11,691	10,533	12,223
Discontinued Operations | Discontinued Operations - Life Insurance | Accident and health
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Net premiums earned	$ 1,096	$ 1,434	$ 1,425

QUARTERLY SUPPLEMENTARY FINAN97

QUARTERLY SUPPLEMENTARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Continuing Operations [Abstract]
Total revenues	$ 273,355	$ 269,617	$ 258,487	$ 251,278	$ 264,537	$ 255,625	$ 244,866	$ 231,334	$ 1,052,737	$ 996,362	$ 899,271
Income (loss) before income taxes	29,369	(32,394)	(4,331)	23,006	13,925	14,035	1,372	28,165	15,650	57,497	115,370
Net income (loss)	$ 45,259	$ (19,082)	$ 109	$ 18,584	$ 12,035	$ 11,628	$ 3,435	$ 22,020	$ 44,870	$ 49,118	$ 85,320
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.81	$ (0.77)	$ 0	$ 0.73	$ 0.46	$ 0.46	$ 0.13	$ 0.87	$ 1.79	$ 1.94	$ 3.41
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.78	$ (0.77)	$ 0	$ 0.72	$ 0.46	$ 0.45	$ 0.13	$ 0.86	$ 1.75	$ 1.90	$ 3.38
Discontinued Operations [Abstract]
Total revenues	$ 28,386	$ 27,054	$ 28,492	$ 31,781	$ 37,458	$ 33,869	$ 34,907	$ 34,351	$ 115,713	$ 140,585
Income before income taxes	2,294	1,880	4,386	2,083	(71)	1,140	(508)	609	10,643	1,170
Net income	$ 734	$ 1,218	$ 2,849	$ 1,352	$ (40)	$ 740	$ (321)	$ 407	$ 6,153	$ 786	$ 3,806
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.03	$ 0.05	$ 0.11	$ 0.05	$ 0	$ 0.03	$ (0.01)	$ 0.02	$ 0.24	$ 0.03	$ 0.15
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.03	$ 0.05	$ 0.11	$ 0.05	$ 0	$ 0.03	$ (0.01)	$ 0.02	$ 0.24	$ 0.03	$ 0.15

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE (Deta

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share [Line Items]
Net income from continuing operations	$ 45,259	$ (19,082)	$ 109	$ 18,584	$ 12,035	$ 11,628	$ 3,435	$ 22,020	$ 44,870	$ 49,118	$ 85,320
Weighted-average common shares outstanding (in shares)									25,103,720	25,335,706	25,047,405
Weighted-average common shares, diluted (in shares)									25,640,604	25,804,678	25,235,996
Earnings per common share from continuing operations, basic (in dollars per share)	$ 1.81	$ (0.77)	$ 0	$ 0.73	$ 0.46	$ 0.46	$ 0.13	$ 0.87	$ 1.79	$ 1.94	$ 3.41
Earnings per common share from continuing operations, diluted (in dollars per share)	1.78	(0.77)	0	0.72	0.46	0.45	0.13	0.86	1.75	1.90	3.38
Earnings per common share from discontinued operations, basic (in dollars per share)	0.03	0.05	0.11	0.05	0	0.03	(0.01)	0.02	0.24	0.03	0.15
Earnings per common share from discontinued operations, diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.03	$ 0.05	$ 0.11	$ 0.05	$ 0	$ 0.03	$ (0.01)	$ 0.02	0.24	0.03	0.15
Earnings per common share, basic (in dollars per share)									2.03	1.97	3.56
Earnings per common share, diluted (in dollars per share)									$ 1.99	$ 1.93	$ 3.53
Awards excluded from diluted calculation (in shares)									0	0	343,390
Restricted Stock Awards
Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share [Line Items]
Add dilutive effect of restricted stock awards (in shares)									250,530	155,059	122,840
Stock Options
Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share [Line Items]
Add dilutive effect of restricted stock awards (in shares)									286,354	313,913	65,751

LEASE COMMITMENTS (Details)

LEASE COMMITMENTS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Leases [Abstract]
Rental expense, operating leases	$ 7,197	$ 6,908	$ 6,256
Lease term	5 years
Monthly lease payments	$ 154
Future minimum rental payments:
2,018	6,435
2,019	6,027
2,020	5,529
2,021	3,173
2,022	643
Thereafter	718
Total	$ 22,525

CREDIT FACILITY (Details)

CREDIT FACILITY (Details)	Feb. 02, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity		$ 100,000,000
Debt covenant, maximum debt to total capitalization ratio	0.35
Interest expense incurred		0	$ 0	$ 0
Credit Facility
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity	$ 50,000,000	50,000,000
Debt instrument, term	4 years
Outstanding balance		$ 0	$ 0
Letter of Credit Subfacility
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity	$ 20,000,000
Swingline Subfacility
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, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Schedule Of Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 15,091	$ 15,091
Net intangible assets	8,880	9,649
State insurance licenses
Schedule Of Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived intangible assets	3,020	3,020
Agency relationships
Schedule Of Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, gross	10,338	10,338
Accumulated amortization	(5,566)	(4,929)
Finite-lived intangible assets, net	4,772	5,409
Software
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
Schedule Of Finite And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, gross	1,978	1,978
Accumulated amortization	(890)	(758)
Finite-lived intangible assets, net	1,088	1,220
Favorable contract
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, 2017
Agency relationships
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Useful Life	15 years
Software
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Useful Life	2 years
Trade names
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Useful Life	15 years
Favorable contract
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Useful Life	2 years

INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Future Amort

INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Future Amortization Expense) (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
2,018	$ 719
2,019	709
2,020	709
2,021	709
2,022	$ 709

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENS104

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Increase (Decrease) in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]
Change in accumulated other comprehensive income before reclassifications	$ 28,589	$ 27,990	$ (12,657)
Reclassification adjustments from accumulated other comprehensive income	(638)	628	1,921
Accumulated effect of change in enacted tax rate	31,308
Net unrealized appreciation on investments
Increase (Decrease) in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	133,892	128,369	149,623
Change in accumulated other comprehensive income before reclassifications	48,467	8,461	(18,321)
Reclassification adjustments from accumulated other comprehensive income	(4,152)	(2,938)	(2,933)
Accumulated effect of change in enacted tax rate	36,658
Ending balance	214,865	133,892	128,369
Liability for underfunded employee benefit costs
Increase (Decrease) in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(24,837)	(47,932)	(58,450)
Change in accumulated other comprehensive income before reclassifications	(19,878)	19,529	5,664
Reclassification adjustments from accumulated other comprehensive income	3,514	3,566	4,854
Accumulated effect of change in enacted tax rate	(5,350)
Ending balance	(46,551)	(24,837)	(47,932)
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax
Increase (Decrease) in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	109,055	80,437	91,173
Accumulated effect of change in enacted tax rate	31,308	0	0
Ending balance	$ 168,314	$ 109,055	$ 80,437

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS Narrati

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS Narrative (Details) - United Life Insurance Company - Discontinued Operations, Disposed of by Sale $ in Thousands	Sep. 18, 2017USD ($)
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Cash proceeds	$ 280
Transition services agreement duration (up to)	24 months

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS Balance

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS Balance Sheets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Fixed maturities
Total assets held for sale	$ 1,586,134	$ 1,605,618
Liabilities
Total liabilities held for sale	1,347,135	1,390,223
United Life Insurance Company | Discontinued Operations, Disposed of by Sale
Fixed maturities
Held-to-maturity, at amortized cost (fair value $34 in 2017 and $49 in 2016)	34	48
Fixed maturities, held-to-maturity securities, fair value	34	49
Available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost $1,412,291 in 2017 and $1,429,270 in 2016)	1,430,025	1,444,840
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale securities, amortized cost	1,412,291	1,429,270
Equity Securities available-for-sale, at fair value (cost $5,099 in 2017 and $8,510 in 2016)	23,653	24,046
Equity securities, available-for-sale securities, amortized cost	5,099	8,510
Mortgage loans	3,435	3,706
Policy loans	5,815	5,366
Other long-term investments	16,437	15,870
Total Investments	1,479,399	1,493,876
Cash and cash equivalents	15,851	21,659
Deferred policy acquisition costs	71,151	70,750
Other assets	19,733	19,333
Total assets held for sale	1,586,134	1,605,618
Liabilities
Future policy benefits and losses	1,320,401	1,350,503
Deferred income taxes	18,716	27,739
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	8,018	11,981
Total liabilities held for sale	$ 1,347,135	$ 1,390,223

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS Stateme

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS Statements of Income (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Net realized investment gains (losses)
Total revenues	$ 28,386	$ 27,054	$ 28,492	$ 31,781	$ 37,458	$ 33,869	$ 34,907	$ 34,351	$ 115,713	$ 140,585
Benefits, Losses and Expenses
Income from discontinued operations before income taxes	2,294	1,880	4,386	2,083	(71)	1,140	(508)	609	10,643	1,170
Federal income tax expense									4,490	384	$ 2,275
Net income from discontinued operations	$ 734	$ 1,218	$ 2,849	$ 1,352	$ (40)	$ 740	$ (321)	$ 407	$ 6,153	$ 786	$ 3,806
Earnings per common share from discontinued operations:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.03	$ 0.05	$ 0.11	$ 0.05	$ 0	$ 0.03	$ (0.01)	$ 0.02	$ 0.24	$ 0.03	$ 0.15
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.03	$ 0.05	$ 0.11	$ 0.05	$ 0	$ 0.03	$ (0.01)	$ 0.02	$ 0.24	$ 0.03	$ 0.15
United Life Insurance Company | Discontinued Operations, Disposed of by Sale
Revenues
Net premiums earned									$ 61,368	$ 87,270	$ 79,195
Investment income, net of investment expenses									49,720	51,538	54,222
Net realized investment gains (losses)
Other-than-temporary impairment charges									0	0	(1,300)
Net realized investment gains									4,008	1,156	3,022
Total net realized investment gains									4,008	1,156	1,722
Other income									617	621	508
Total revenues									115,713	140,585	135,647
Benefits, Losses and Expenses
Losses and loss settlement expenses									40,451	31,365	29,001
Increase in liability for future policy benefits									27,632	59,969	50,945
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs									5,181	8,121	6,634
Other underwriting expenses									13,281	19,881	19,306
Interest on policyholders’ accounts									18,525	20,079	23,680
Total benefits, losses and expenses									105,070	139,415	129,566
Income from discontinued operations before income taxes									10,643	1,170	6,081
Federal income tax expense									4,490	384	2,275
Net income from discontinued operations									$ 6,153	$ 786	$ 3,806
Earnings per common share from discontinued operations:
Basic (in dollars per share)									$ 0.24	$ 0.03	$ 0.15
Diluted (in dollars per share)									$ 0.24	$ 0.03	$ 0.15

Schedule I. Summary of Inves108

Schedule I. Summary of Investments - Other than Investments in Related Parties (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	$ 1,630,224
Fair Value	1,888,933
Amounts at Which Shown in Balance Sheet	1,888,933
Fixed Maturities
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	1,531,342
Fair Value	1,552,062
Amounts at Which Shown in Balance Sheet	1,552,062
United States Government and government agencies and authorities
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	94,941
Fair Value	95,353
Amounts at Which Shown in Balance Sheet	95,353
States, municipalities and political subdivisions
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	1,019,420
Fair Value	1,034,827
Amounts at Which Shown in Balance Sheet	1,034,827
Foreign governments
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	10,865
Fair Value	11,130
Amounts at Which Shown in Balance Sheet	11,130
Public utilities
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	43,064
Fair Value	43,692
Amounts at Which Shown in Balance Sheet	43,692
All other bonds
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	360,657
Fair Value	364,501
Amounts at Which Shown in Balance Sheet	364,501
Redeemable preferred stock
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	2,395
Fair Value	2,559
Amounts at Which Shown in Balance Sheet	2,559
Equity Securities [Member]
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	63,275
Fair Value	287,344
Amounts at Which Shown in Balance Sheet	287,344
Public utilities
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	4,661
Fair Value	16,060
Amounts at Which Shown in Balance Sheet	16,060
Banks, trusts and insurance companies
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	11,266
Fair Value	113,487
Amounts at Which Shown in Balance Sheet	113,487
Industrial, miscellaneous and all other
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	44,077
Fair Value	153,959
Amounts at Which Shown in Balance Sheet	153,959
Nonredeemable preferred stocks
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	3,271
Fair Value	3,838
Amounts at Which Shown in Balance Sheet	3,838
Other long-term investments
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	35,432
Fair Value	49,352
Amounts at Which Shown in Balance Sheet	49,352
Short-term investments
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
Discontinued Operations
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	1,440,751
Fair Value	1,479,558
Amounts at Which Shown in Balance Sheet	1,479,399
Discontinued Operations | Fixed Maturities
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	1,412,325
Fair Value	1,430,059
Amounts at Which Shown in Balance Sheet	1,430,059
Discontinued Operations | United States Government and government agencies and authorities
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	43,706
Fair Value	43,706
Amounts at Which Shown in Balance Sheet	43,706
Discontinued Operations | States, municipalities and political subdivisions
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	37,963
Fair Value	38,363
Amounts at Which Shown in Balance Sheet	38,363
Discontinued Operations | Foreign governments
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	40,496
Fair Value	41,623
Amounts at Which Shown in Balance Sheet	41,623
Discontinued Operations | Public utilities
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	162,964
Fair Value	165,452
Amounts at Which Shown in Balance Sheet	165,452
Discontinued Operations | All other bonds
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	1,127,196
Fair Value	1,140,915
Amounts at Which Shown in Balance Sheet	1,140,915
Discontinued Operations | Equity Securities [Member]
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	5,099
Fair Value	23,653
Amounts at Which Shown in Balance Sheet	23,653
Discontinued Operations | Public utilities
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	2,544
Fair Value	7,253
Amounts at Which Shown in Balance Sheet	7,253
Discontinued Operations | Banks, trusts and insurance companies
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	467
Fair Value	3,158
Amounts at Which Shown in Balance Sheet	3,158
Discontinued Operations | Industrial, miscellaneous and all other
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	2,088
Fair Value	13,242
Amounts at Which Shown in Balance Sheet	13,242
Discontinued Operations | Mortgage loans on real estate
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	3,435
Fair Value	3,594
Amounts at Which Shown in Balance Sheet	3,435
Discontinued Operations | Policy loans
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	5,815
Fair Value	5,815
Amounts at Which Shown in Balance Sheet	5,815
Discontinued Operations | Other long-term investments
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]
Cost or Amortized Cost	14,077
Fair Value	16,437
Amounts at Which Shown in Balance Sheet	$ 16,437

Schedule II. Condensed Finan109

Schedule II. Condensed Financial Statements of Parent Company (Condensed Balance Sheet) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Assets
Fixed maturities, held-to-maturity, at amortized cost (fair value $150 in 2017 and $150 in 2016)	$ 150	$ 150
Cash and cash equivalents	95,562	89,194	$ 89,496	$ 66,718
Federal income tax receivable	6,031	14,285
Accrued investment income	13,841	13,617
Total assets	4,183,431	4,054,758
Liabilities and stockholders' equity
Liabilities	3,210,058	3,112,874
Stockholders' equity
Common stock, $0.001 par value, authorized 75,000,000 shares; 24,916,806 and 25,429,769 issued and outstanding in 2017 and 2016, respectively	25	25
Additional paid-in capital	196,334	216,482
Retained earnings	608,700	616,322
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	168,314	109,055
Total stockholders' equity	973,373	941,884	878,897	817,415
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	4,183,431	4,054,758
United Fire Group, Inc.
Assets
Fixed maturities, held-to-maturity, at amortized cost (fair value $150 in 2017 and $150 in 2016)	150	150
Investment in subsidiary	967,590	925,887
Cash and cash equivalents	4,537	14,325	$ 6,565	$ 2,263
Federal income tax receivable	1,095	1,521
Accrued investment income	1	1
Total assets	973,373	941,884
Liabilities and stockholders' equity
Liabilities	0	0
Stockholders' equity
Common stock, $0.001 par value, authorized 75,000,000 shares; 24,916,806 and 25,429,769 issued and outstanding in 2017 and 2016, respectively	25	25
Additional paid-in capital	196,334	216,482
Retained earnings	608,700	616,322
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	168,314	109,055
Total stockholders' equity	973,373	941,884
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 973,373	$ 941,884

Schedule II. Condensed Finan110

Schedule II. Condensed Financial Statements of Parent Company (Condensed Balance Sheet) (Phantom) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Condensed Balance Sheet Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Held-to-maturity securities	$ 150	$ 150
Common stock, par value per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	75,000,000	75,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	24,916,806	25,429,769
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	24,916,806	25,429,769
United Fire Group, Inc.
Condensed Balance Sheet Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Held-to-maturity securities	$ 150	$ 150
Common stock, par value per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	75,000,000	75,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	24,916,806	25,429,769
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	24,916,806	25,429,769

Schedule II. Condensed Finan111

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, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Revenues
Investment income									$ 51,190	$ 55,284	$ 46,559
Total revenues	$ 273,355	$ 269,617	$ 258,487	$ 251,278	$ 264,537	$ 255,625	$ 244,866	$ 231,334	1,052,737	996,362	899,271
Expenses
Net income									51,023	49,904	89,126
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Change in unrealized appreciation on investments held by subsidiary									72,251	13,017	(28,185)
Change in liability for underfunded employee benefit plans									(26,122)	30,045	8,714
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax and reclassification adjustments									46,129	43,062	(19,471)
Income tax effect									(17,540)	(15,072)	6,814
Other comprehensive income (loss), after tax, before reclassification adjustments									28,589	27,990	(12,657)
Reclassification adjustment for net realized gains included in income									(6,390)	(4,520)	(4,513)
Reclassification adjustment for employee benefit costs included in expense									5,408	5,486	7,468
Total reclassification adjustments, before tax									(982)	966	2,955
Income tax effect									344	(338)	(1,034)
Total reclassification adjustments, after tax									(638)	628	1,921
Comprehensive income									78,974	78,522	78,390
United Fire Group, Inc.
Revenues
Investment income									133	66	25
Total revenues									133	66	25
Expenses
Other operating expenses									103	73	116
Total expenses									103	73	116
Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in net income of subsidiary									30	(7)	(91)
Federal income tax benefit									(1,060)	(3)	(42)
Net income (loss) before equity in net income of subsidiary									1,090	(4)	(49)
Equity in net income of subsidiary									49,933	49,908	89,175
Net income									51,023	49,904	89,126
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Change in unrealized appreciation on investments held by subsidiary									72,251	13,017	(28,185)
Change in liability for underfunded employee benefit plans									(26,122)	30,045	8,714
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax and reclassification adjustments									46,129	43,062	(19,471)
Income tax effect									(17,540)	(15,072)	6,814
Other comprehensive income (loss), after tax, before reclassification adjustments									28,589	27,990	(12,657)
Reclassification adjustment for net realized gains included in income									(6,390)	(4,520)	(4,513)
Reclassification adjustment for employee benefit costs included in expense									5,408	5,486	7,468
Total reclassification adjustments, before tax									(982)	966	2,955
Income tax effect									344	(338)	(1,034)
Total reclassification adjustments, after tax									(638)	628	1,921
Comprehensive income									$ 78,974	$ 78,522	$ 78,390

Schedule II. Condensed Finan112

Schedule II. Condensed Financial Statements of Parent Company (Condensed Statement of Cash Flows) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income	$ 51,023	$ 49,904	$ 89,126
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities
Other, net	3,378	(9,943)	(2,914)
Total adjustments	125,224	165,266	104,679
Net cash provided by operating activities	170,094	214,384	189,999
Cash flows from investing activities
Proceeds from maturity of held-to-maturity investments	150	493	105
Purchase of held-to-maturity investments	(150)	(42)	(450)
Net cash used in investing activities	(61,985)	(112,403)	(36,286)
Cash flows from financing activities
Repurchase of common stock	(29,784)	(3,746)	(2,423)
Issuance of common stock	4,828	9,922	5,496
Tax impact from issuance of common stock	0	(816)	(833)
Net cash used in financing activities	(107,549)	(97,577)	(137,837)
Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents	560	4,404	15,876
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year - Continuing Operations	89,194	89,496	66,718
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Year - Continuing Operations	95,562	89,194	89,496
United Fire Group, Inc.
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income	51,023	49,904	89,126
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities
Equity in net income of subsidiary	(49,933)	(49,908)	(89,175)
Dividends received from subsidiary	40,000	24,000	22,500
Other, net	1,415	2,995	1,269
Total adjustments	(8,518)	(22,913)	(65,406)
Net cash provided by operating activities	42,505	26,991	23,720
Cash flows from investing activities
Proceeds from maturity of held-to-maturity investments	150	0	0
Purchase of held-to-maturity investments	(150)	0	0
Net cash used in investing activities	0	0	0
Cash flows from financing activities
Payment of cash dividends	(27,337)	(24,591)	(21,658)
Repurchase of common stock	(29,784)	(3,746)	(2,423)
Issuance of common stock	4,828	9,922	5,496
Tax impact from issuance of common stock	0	(816)	(833)
Net cash used in financing activities	(52,293)	(19,231)	(19,418)
Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents	(9,788)	7,760	4,302
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year - Continuing Operations	14,325	6,565	2,263
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Year - Continuing Operations	$ 4,537	$ 14,325	$ 6,565

Schedule III. Supplementary 113

Schedule III. Supplementary Insurance Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Supplementary Insurance Information, by Segment [Line Items]
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs	$ 159,253	$ 164,112	$ 168,264
Future Policy Benefits, Losses, Claims and Loss Expenses	2,544,584	2,474,399	2,376,253
Unearned Premiums	465,458	443,873	415,057
Earned Premium Revenue	1,058,860	1,023,401	930,890
Investment Income, Net	100,910	106,822	100,781
Benefits, Claims, Losses and Settlement Expenses	793,796	743,767	600,033
Amortization of Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs	212,927	211,013	186,817
Other Underwriting Expenses	116,909	103,421	102,937
Interest on Policyholders' Accounts	18,525	20,079	23,680
Premiums Written	1,019,113	964,970	887,874
Continuing Operations - Property and Casualty Insurance
Supplementary Insurance Information, by Segment [Line Items]
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs	88,102	93,362	90,547
Future Policy Benefits, Losses, Claims and Loss Expenses	1,224,183	1,123,896	1,003,895
Unearned Premiums	465,391	443,802	414,971
Earned Premium Revenue	997,492	936,131	851,695
Investment Income, Net	51,190	55,284	46,559
Benefits, Claims, Losses and Settlement Expenses	725,713	652,433	520,087
Amortization of Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs	207,746	202,892	180,183
Other Underwriting Expenses	103,628	83,540	83,631
Interest on Policyholders' Accounts	0	0	0
Premiums Written	1,019,113	964,970	887,874
Discontinued Operations | Discontinued Operations - Life Insurance
Supplementary Insurance Information, by Segment [Line Items]
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs	71,151	70,750	77,717
Future Policy Benefits, Losses, Claims and Loss Expenses	1,320,401	1,350,503	1,372,358
Unearned Premiums	67	71	86
Earned Premium Revenue	61,368	87,270	79,195
Investment Income, Net	49,720	51,538	54,222
Benefits, Claims, Losses and Settlement Expenses	68,083	91,334	79,946
Amortization of Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs	5,181	8,121	6,634
Other Underwriting Expenses	13,281	19,881	19,306
Interest on Policyholders' Accounts	18,525	20,079	23,680
Premiums Written	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0

Schedule IV. Reinsurance (Detai

Schedule IV. Reinsurance (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Reinsurance Premiums for Insurance Companies, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Gross Amount	$ 5,309,508	$ 5,314,548	$ 5,491,932
Ceded to Other Companies	1,014,794	1,023,197	1,165,868
Assumed From Other Companies	0	0	0
Net Amount	4,294,714	4,291,351	4,326,064
Total [Member]
Reinsurance Premiums for Insurance Companies, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Gross Amount	1,107,828	1,067,128	972,413
Ceded to Other Companies	64,027	60,764	59,919
Assumed From Other Companies	15,059	17,037	18,396
Net Amount	$ 1,058,860	$ 1,023,401	$ 930,890
Percentage of Amount Assumed to Net Earned	1.42%	1.66%	1.98%
Continuing Operations - Property and Casualty Insurance
Reinsurance Premiums for Insurance Companies, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Gross Amount	$ 1,043,738	$ 977,090	$ 890,057
Ceded to Other Companies	61,305	57,996	56,758
Assumed From Other Companies	15,059	17,037	18,396
Net Amount	$ 997,492	$ 936,131	$ 851,695
Percentage of Amount Assumed to Net Earned	1.51%	1.82%	2.16%
Discontinued Operations | Discontinued Operations - Life, accident and health insurance
Reinsurance Premiums for Insurance Companies, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Gross Amount	$ 64,090	$ 90,038	$ 82,356
Ceded to Other Companies	2,722	2,768	3,161
Assumed From Other Companies	0	0	0
Net Amount	$ 61,368	$ 87,270	$ 79,195
Percentage of Amount Assumed to Net Earned	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Schedule V. Valuation and Qu115

Schedule V. Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Allowance for bad debts
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	$ 1,255	$ 867	$ 618
Charged to costs and expenses	0	388	249
Deductions	0	0	0
Balance at end of period	1,255	1,255	867
Deferred tax asset valuation allowance
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	718	1,265	1,813
Charged to costs and expenses	0	0	0
Deductions	389	547	548
Balance at end of period	$ 329	$ 718	$ 1,265

Schedule VI. Supplemental In116

Schedule VI. Supplemental Information Concerning Property and Casualty Insurance Operations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Supplemental Information for Property, Casualty Insurance Underwriters [Line Items]
Net realized investment gains	$ 4,055	$ 4,947	$ 1,124
Claims and Claim Adjustment Expenses Incurred Related to: Current Year	779,966	683,662	560,482
Claims and Claim Adjustment Expenses Incurred Related to: Prior Years	(54,253)	(31,229)	(40,395)
Consolidated Property and Casualty Insurance Entity
Supplemental Information for Property, Casualty Insurance Underwriters [Line Items]
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs	88,102	93,362	90,547
Reserves for Unpaid Claims and Claim Adjustment Expenses	1,224,183	1,123,896	1,003,895
Unearned Premiums	465,391	443,802	414,971
Earned Premiums	997,492	936,131	851,695
Net realized investment gains	4,055	4,947	1,124
Net Investment Income	51,190	55,284	46,559
Claims and Claim Adjustment Expenses Incurred Related to: Current Year	(779,966)	683,662	560,482
Claims and Claim Adjustment Expenses Incurred Related to: Prior Years	(54,253)	(31,229)	(40,395)
Amortization of Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs	207,746	202,892	180,183
Paid Claims and Claim Adjustment Expenses	625,503	537,573	476,525
Premiums Written	$ 1,019,113	$ 964,970	$ 887,874