AMERISAFE (AMSF) 10-K 26 Feb 16 2015 FY Annual report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Feb. 15, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2015
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Trading Symbol	AMSF
Entity Registrant Name	AMERISAFE INC
Entity Central Index Key	1,018,979
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		19,130,522
Entity Public Float			$ 880.7

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Investments:
Fixed maturity securities-held-to-maturity, at amortized cost (fair value $662,276 and $664,371 in 2015 and 2014, respectively)	$ 645,164	$ 639,631
Fixed maturity securities-available-for-sale, at fair value (cost $376,109 and $327,004 in 2015 and 2014, respectively)	380,022	331,242
Equity securities-available-for-sale, at fair value (cost $0 in 2015 and 2014)	31	28
Short-term investments	7,718	33,684
Other investments	12,217	11,748
Total investments	1,045,152	1,016,333
Cash and cash equivalents	69,481	90,956
Amounts recoverable from reinsurers	91,077	85,888
Premiums receivable, net of allowance	185,364	178,917
Deferred income taxes	29,905	31,231
Accrued interest receivable	11,685	11,637
Property and equipment, net	6,181	7,240
Deferred policy acquisition costs	20,412	19,649
Federal income tax recoverable		1,082
Other assets	42,788	14,287
Total assets	1,502,045	1,457,220
Liabilities:
Reserves for loss and loss adjustment expenses	718,033	687,602
Unearned premiums	167,983	168,576
Reinsurance premiums payable	154	843
Amounts held for others	49,790	42,827
Policyholder deposits	48,380	48,722
Insurance-related assessments	32,329	29,315
Federal income tax payable	911
Accounts payable and other liabilities	30,484	30,110
Payable for investments purchased		2,257
Total liabilities	1,048,064	1,010,252
Shareholders' equity:
Voting-$0.01 par value authorized shares-50,000,000 in 2015 and 2014, 20,388,396 and 20,155,936 shares issued and 19,130,146 and 18,897,686 shares outstanding in 2015 and 2014, respectively	203	201
Additional paid-in capital	204,688	199,138
Treasury stock at cost (1,258,250 shares in 2015 and 2014)	(22,370)	(22,370)
Accumulated earnings	268,873	267,189
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net	2,587	2,810
Total shareholders' equity	453,981	446,968
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$ 1,502,045	$ 1,457,220

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities, fair value	$ 662,276	$ 664,371
Fixed maturity securities, cost	376,109	327,004
Equity securities, cost	$ 0	$ 0
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	50,000,000	50,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	20,388,396	20,155,936
Common stock, shares outstanding	19,130,146	18,897,686
Treasury stock, shares	1,258,250	1,258,250

Consolidated Statements of Inco

Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Revenues
Premiums earned	$ 375,894	$ 375,747	$ 329,983
Net investment income	27,902	27,214	27,029
Net realized gains (losses) on investments	(2,494)	697	(1,211)
Loss on disposal of assets	(664)		(2)
Fee and other income	316	361	536
Total revenues	400,954	404,019	356,335
Expenses
Loss and loss adjustment expenses incurred	214,573	244,916	228,973
Underwriting and certain other operating costs	32,162	32,573	18,951
Commissions	27,509	27,872	25,303
Salaries and benefits	24,442	24,518	22,862
Policyholder dividends	1,301	391	1,042
Total expenses	299,987	330,270	297,131
Income before income taxes	100,967	73,749	59,204
Income tax expense	30,505	20,083	15,567
Net income	70,462	53,666	43,637
Net income available to common shareholders	$ 70,462	$ 53,666	$ 43,495
Earnings per share
Basic	$ 3.72	$ 2.88	$ 2.37
Diluted	$ 3.69	$ 2.84	$ 2.32
Shares used in computing earnings per share
Basic	18,941,077	18,646,128	18,373,033
Diluted	19,119,186	18,928,504	18,748,809
Extraordinary cash dividends declared per common share	$ 3	$ 1.50	$ 0
Cash dividends declared per common share	$ 0.60	$ 0.48	$ 0.32

Consolidated Statements of Comp

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 23,073	$ 17,940	$ 14,319	$ 15,130	$ 16,865	$ 13,479	$ 12,773	$ 10,549	$ 70,462	$ 53,666	$ 43,637
Other comprehensive income:
Unrealized gain (loss) on securities, net of tax									(223)	7,105	(7,274)
Comprehensive income	$ 22,299	$ 19,248	$ 12,744	$ 15,948	$ 17,597	$ 13,596	$ 15,789	$ 13,789	$ 70,239	$ 60,771	$ 36,363

Consolidated Statements of Chan

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	Accumulated Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member]
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	$ 381,222	$ 195	$ (22,370)	$ 187,401	$ 213,017	$ 2,979
Beginning Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2012		19,513,476
Treasury Stock Beginning Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2012			(1,258,250)
Comprehensive income:
Net income	43,637				43,637
Other comprehensive income:
Change in unrealized gains loss, net of tax	(7,274)					(7,274)
Comprehensive income	36,363
Common stock issued upon exercise of options	$ 2,344	$ 3		2,341
Common stock issued upon exercise of options, Shares	256,300	256,300
Restricted common stock issued	$ 557			557
Restricted common stock issued, Shares		85,654
Share-based compensation	214			214
Tax benefit from share-based payments	2,024			2,024
Dividends to shareholders	(5,910)				(5,910)
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	416,814	$ 198	$ (22,370)	192,537	250,744	(4,295)
Ending Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2013		19,855,430
Treasury Stock Ending Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2013			(1,258,250)
Comprehensive income:
Net income	53,666				53,666
Other comprehensive income:
Change in unrealized gains loss, net of tax	7,105					7,105
Comprehensive income	60,771
Common stock issued upon exercise of options	$ 2,674	$ 3		2,671
Common stock issued upon exercise of options, Shares	294,165	294,165
Restricted common stock issued, Shares		6,341
Share-based compensation	$ 1,089			1,089
Tax benefit from share-based payments	2,841			2,841
Dividends to shareholders	(37,221)				(37,221)
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	$ 446,968	$ 201	$ (22,370)	199,138	267,189	2,810
Ending Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2014	18,897,686	20,155,936
Treasury Stock Ending Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2014	(1,258,250)		(1,258,250)
Comprehensive income:
Net income	$ 70,462				70,462
Other comprehensive income:
Change in unrealized gains loss, net of tax	(223)					(223)
Comprehensive income	70,239
Common stock issued upon exercise of options	$ 1,844	$ 2		1,842
Common stock issued upon exercise of options, Shares	193,204	193,204
Restricted common stock issued	$ 502			502
Restricted common stock issued, Shares		39,256
Share-based compensation	1,003			1,003
Tax benefit from share-based payments	2,203			2,203
Dividends to shareholders	(68,778)				(68,778)
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2015	$ 453,981	$ 203	$ (22,370)	$ 204,688	$ 268,873	$ 2,587
Ending Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2015	19,130,146	20,388,396
Treasury Stock Ending Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2015	(1,258,250)		(1,258,250)

Consolidated Statements of Cash

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Operating activities
Net income	$ 70,462	$ 53,666	$ 43,637
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation	1,348	1,298	1,300
Net amortization of investments	16,424	15,243	13,350
Deferred income taxes	1,446	(1,412)	(207)
Net realized (gains) losses on investments	2,494	(697)	1,211
Net realized losses on disposal of assets	664		2
Share-based compensation	1,223	1,519	1,409
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Premiums receivable, net	(6,447)	(7,338)	(29,629)
Accrued interest receivable	(48)	(395)	(850)
Deferred policy acquisition costs	(763)	(478)	(752)
Amounts held by others	(27,847)	(1,082)	(5)
Other assets	(1,042)	(4,306)	1,566
Reserves for loss and loss adjustment expenses	30,431	73,045	44,107
Unearned premiums	(593)	4,280	23,768
Reinsurance balances	(5,878)	(10,326)	26,177
Amounts held for others and policyholder deposits	6,621	11,190	238
Accounts payable and other liabilities	4,364	6,477	3,837
Net cash provided by operating activities	92,859	140,684	129,159
Investing activities
Purchases of investments held-to-maturity	(178,010)	(223,028)	(78,144)
Purchases of investments available-for-sale	(135,915)	(149,956)	(135,798)
Purchases of short-term investments	(12,246)	(79,957)	(131,981)
Purchases of other invested assets			(10,000)
Proceeds from maturities of investments held-to-maturity	160,834	112,100	117,770
Proceeds from sales and maturities of investments available-for-sale	78,637	72,535	29,099
Proceeds from sales and maturities of short-term investments	37,833	128,043	112,978
Purchases of property and equipment	(953)	(989)	(1,140)
Net cash (used in)/provided by investing activities	(49,820)	(141,252)	(97,216)
Financing activities
Proceeds from stock option exercises	1,844	2,674	2,344
Tax benefit from share-based payments	2,203	2,841	2,024
Dividends to shareholders	(68,561)	(37,068)	(5,910)
Net cash used in financing activities	(64,514)	(31,553)	(1,542)
Change in cash and cash equivalents	(21,475)	(32,121)	30,401
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	90,956	123,077	92,676
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	69,481	90,956	123,077
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information
Income taxes paid	$ 23,851	$ 19,926	$ 12,512

Summary of Significant Accounti

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Organization AMERISAFE, Inc. is an insurance holding company incorporated in the state of Texas. The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of AMERISAFE and its subsidiaries: American Interstate Insurance Company (“AIIC”) and its insurance subsidiaries, Silver Oak Casualty, Inc. (“SOCI”) and American Interstate Insurance Company of Texas (“AIICTX”), Amerisafe Risk Services, Inc. (“RISK”) and Amerisafe General Agency, Inc. (“AGAI”). AIIC and SOCI are property and casualty insurance companies organized under the laws of the state of Nebraska. AIICTX is a property and casualty insurance company organized under the laws of the state of Texas. RISK, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, is a claims and safety service company currently servicing only affiliated insurance companies. AGAI, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, is a general agent for the Company. AGAI sells insurance, which is underwritten by AIIC, SOCI and AIICTX, as well as by nonaffiliated insurance carriers. The assets and operations of AGAI are not significant to that of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries. The terms “AMERISAFE,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our” refer to AMERISAFE, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries, as the context requires. The Company provides workers’ compensation insurance for small to mid-sized employers engaged in hazardous industries, principally construction, trucking, manufacturing, agriculture and oil and gas. Assets and revenues of AIIC represent at least 95% of comparable consolidated amounts of the Company for each of 2015, 2014 and 2013. Basis of Presentation The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements in accordance 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. Reclassifications Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current year presentation. Investments The Company has the ability and positive intent to hold certain investments until maturity. Therefore, fixed maturity securities classified as held-to-maturity are recorded at amortized cost. Equity securities and fixed maturity securities classified as available-for-sale are recorded at fair value. Temporary changes in the fair value of these securities are reported in shareholders’ equity as a component of other comprehensive income, net of deferred income taxes. Investment income is recognized as it is earned. The discount or premium on fixed maturity securities is amortized using the “constant yield” method. Anticipated prepayments, where applicable, are considered when determining the amortization of premiums or discounts. Realized investment gains and losses are determined using the specific identification method. The Company regularly reviews the fair value of its investments. Impairment of an investment security results in a reduction of the carrying value of the security and the realization of a loss when the fair value of the security declines below the cost or amortized cost, as applicable, for the security and the impairment is deemed to be other-than-temporary. The Company regularly reviews its investment portfolio to evaluate the existence of other-than-temporary declines in the fair value of investments. The Company considers various factors in determining if a decline in the fair value of an individual security is other-than-temporary, including but not limited to a reduction or interruption in scheduled cash flows, the financial condition of the issuer, how long and by how much the fair value has been below amortized cost, losses due to credit concerns, downgrades and the Company’s intent to sell or ability to hold the security. Other-than-temporary impairment losses on equity securities are recognized in net income and are measured as the difference between cost and fair value. Impairment losses on fixed maturities are recognized in the financial statements depending on the facts and circumstances related to the specific security. If we intend to sell a security or it is more likely than not that we would be required to sell a security before the recovery of its amortized cost, less any current period credit loss, an other-than-temporary impairment would be recognized in net income for the difference between amortized cost and fair value. If we do not expect to recover the amortized cost basis, we do not plan to sell the security and if it is not more likely than not that we would be required to sell a security before the recovery of its amortized cost, less any current period credit loss, the recognition of the other-than-temporary impairment is bifurcated. The credit loss portion would be recognized in net income and the noncredit loss portion in other comprehensive income. Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash equivalents include short-term money market funds and corporate bonds with an original maturity of 90 days or less. Short-Term Investments Short-term investments include municipal securities, corporate bonds and certificates of deposit with an original maturity greater than three months but less than one year. Other Investments Other investments consist of a limited partnership (“LP”) interest that is accounted for under the equity method valued using the net asset value provided by the general partner of the LP, which approximates the fair value of the interest. The LP’s objective is to generate absolute returns by investing long and short in publicly-traded global securities. Redemptions are allowed monthly following a 60 day notice with no lock up periods. The Company has no unfunded commitments related to the LP. Premiums Receivable Premiums receivable consist primarily of premium-related balances due from policyholders. The Company considers premiums receivable as past due based on the payment terms of the underlying policy. The balance is shown net of the allowance for doubtful accounts. Receivables due from insureds are charged off when a determination has been made by management that a specific balance will not be collected. An estimate of amounts that are likely to be charged off is established as an allowance for doubtful accounts as of the balance sheet date. The estimate is primarily comprised of specific balances that are considered probable to be charged off after all collection efforts have ceased, as well as historical trends and an analysis of the aging of the receivables. Property and Equipment The Company’s property and equipment, including certain costs incurred to develop or obtain software for internal use, are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is calculated primarily by the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets, generally 39 years for buildings and three to seven years for all other fixed assets. Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs The direct costs of successfully acquiring and renewing business are capitalized to the extent recoverable and are amortized over the effective period of the related insurance policies in proportion to premium revenue earned. These capitalized costs consist mainly of sales commissions, premium taxes and other underwriting costs. The Company evaluates deferred policy acquisition costs for recoverability by comparing the unearned premiums to the estimated total expected claim costs and related expenses, offset by anticipated investment income. The Company would reduce the deferred costs if the unearned premiums were less than expected claims and expenses after considering investment income, and report any adjustments in amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs. There were no adjustments necessary in 2015, 2014 or 2013. Reserves for Loss and Loss Adjustment Expenses Reserves for loss and loss adjustment expenses represent the estimated ultimate cost of all reported and unreported losses incurred through December 31. The Company does not discount loss and loss adjustment expense reserves. The reserves for loss and loss adjustment expenses are estimated using individual case-basis valuations, statistical analyses and estimates based upon experience for unreported claims and their associated loss and loss adjustment expenses. Such estimates may be more or less than the amounts ultimately paid when the claims are settled. The estimates are subject to the effects of trends in loss severity and frequency. Although considerable variability is inherent in these estimates, management believes that the reserves for loss and loss adjustment expenses are adequate. The estimates are continually reviewed and adjusted as necessary as experience develops or new information becomes known. Any adjustments are included in current operations. Subrogation recoverables, as well as deductible recoverables from policyholders, are estimated using individual case-basis valuations and aggregate estimates. Deductibles that are recoverable from policyholders and other recoverables from state funds decrease the liability for loss and loss adjustment expenses. The Company funds its obligations under certain settled claims where the payment pattern and ultimate cost are fixed and determinable on an individual claim basis through the purchase of annuities. These annuities are purchased from unaffiliated carriers and name the claimant as payee. The cost of purchasing the annuity is recorded as paid loss and loss adjustment expenses. To the extent the annuity funds estimated future claims, reserves for loss and loss adjustment expense are reduced. Premium Revenue Premiums on workers’ compensation insurance are based on actual payroll costs or production during the policy term and are normally billed monthly in arrears or annually. However, the Company generally requires a deposit at the inception of a policy. Premium revenue is earned on a pro rata basis over periods covered by the policies. The reserve for unearned premiums on these policies is computed on a daily pro rata basis. The Company estimates the annual premiums to be paid by its policyholders when the Company issues the policies and records those amounts on the balance sheet as premiums receivable. The Company conducts premium audits on all of its voluntary business policyholders annually, upon the expiration of each policy, including when the policy is renewed. The purpose of these audits is to verify that policyholders have accurately reported their payroll expenses and employee job classifications, and therefore have paid the Company the premium required under the terms of the policies. The difference between the estimated premium and the ultimate premium is referred to as “earned but unbilled” premium, or EBUB premium. EBUB premium can be higher or lower than the estimated premium. EBUB premium is subject to significant variability and can either increase or decrease earned premium based upon several factors, including changes in premium growth, industry mix and economic conditions. Due to the timing of audits and other adjustments, ultimate premium earned is generally not determined for several months after the expiration of the policy. The Company estimates EBUB premiums on a quarterly basis using historical data and applying various assumptions based on the current market and records an adjustment to premium, related losses, and expenses as warranted. Reinsurance Reinsurance premiums, losses and allocated loss adjustment expenses are accounted for on a basis consistent with those used in accounting for the original policies issued and the terms of the reinsurance contracts. Amounts recoverable from reinsurers include balances currently owed to the Company for losses and allocated loss adjustment expenses that have been paid to policyholders, amounts that are currently reserved for and will be recoverable once the related expense has been paid and experience-rated commissions recoverable upon commutation. Upon management’s determination that an amount due from a reinsurer is uncollectible due to the reinsurer’s insolvency or other matters, the amount is written off. Ceding commissions are earned from certain reinsurance companies and are intended to reimburse the Company for policy acquisition costs related to those premiums ceded to the reinsurers. Ceding commission income is recognized over the effective period of the related insurance policies in proportion to premium revenue earned and is reflected as a reduction in underwriting and certain other operating costs. Experience-rated commissions are earned from certain reinsurance companies based on the financial results of the applicable risks ceded to the reinsurers. These commission revenues on reinsurance contracts are recognized during the related reinsurance treaty period and are based on the same assumptions used for recording loss and allocated loss adjustment expenses. These commissions are reflected as a reduction in underwriting and certain other operating costs and are adjusted as necessary as experience develops or new information becomes known. Any such adjustments are included in income from current operations. Experience-rated commissions had an impact of $0.3 million on underwriting and certain other operating costs in 2015 compared to no impact in 2014 and $(9.3) million in 2013. Fee and Other Income The Company recognizes income related to commissions earned by AGAI as the related services are performed. Advertising All advertising expenditures incurred by the Company are charged to expense in the period to which they relate and are included in underwriting and certain other operating costs in the consolidated statements of income. Total advertising expenses incurred were $0.7 million in 2015, $0.5 million in 2014 and $0.5 million in 2013. Income Taxes The Company accounts for income taxes using the liability method. The provision for income taxes has two components, amounts currently payable or receivable and deferred amounts. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are measured using tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred income tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. The Company considers deferred tax assets to be recoverable if it is probable that the related tax losses can be offset by future taxable income. The Company includes reversal of existing temporary differences, tax planning strategies available and future operating income in this assessment. To the extent the deferred tax assets exceed the amount expected to be recovered in future years, the Company records a valuation allowance for the amount determined unrecoverable. Insurance-Related Assessments Insurance-related assessments are accrued in the period in which they have been incurred. The Company is subject to a variety of assessments related to insurance commerce, including those by state guaranty funds and workers’ compensation second-injury funds. State guaranty fund assessments are used by state insurance oversight agencies to cover losses of policyholders of insolvent or rehabilitated insurance companies and for the operating expenses of such agencies. The Company has a premium tax benefit accrued of $3.8 million and $4.0 million as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, for mandatory assessments that may be recovered through a reduction in future premium taxes in certain states. Assessments based on premiums are generally paid one year after the calendar year in which the premium is written, while assessments based on losses are generally paid within one year of the calendar year in which the loss is paid. Policyholder Dividends The Company writes certain policies for which the policyholder may participate in favorable claims experience through a dividend. An estimated provision for workers’ compensation policyholders’ dividends is accrued as the related premiums are earned. Dividends do not become a fixed liability unless and until declared by the respective Boards of Directors of AMERISAFE’s insurance subsidiaries. The dividend to which a policyholder may be entitled is set forth in the policy and is related to the amount of losses sustained under the policy. Dividends are calculated after the policy expiration. The Company is able to estimate the policyholder dividend liability because the Company has information regarding the underlying loss experience of the policies written with dividend provisions and can estimate future dividend payments from the policy terms. Earnings Per Share The Company computes earnings per share (EPS) in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 260, Earnings Per Share. Under the two-class method, net income available to common and participating common shareholders is reduced by the amount of dividends declared in the current period and by the contractual amount of dividends that must be paid for the current period related to the Company’s common and participating common shares. Participating common shares include unvested share-based payment awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends, whether paid or unpaid. Any remaining undistributed earnings are allocated to the common and participating common shareholders to the extent that each security shares in earnings as if all of the earnings for the period had been distributed. The amount of earnings allocable to each security is divided by the number of outstanding shares of the security to which the earnings are allocated to determine the EPS for the security. In a period of loss, no losses are allocated to the participating common shareholders. Instead, all such losses are allocated to the common shareholders. Basic EPS is calculated by dividing income available to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. The diluted EPS calculation includes potential common shares assumed issued under the treasury stock method, which reflects the potential dilution that would occur if any outstanding options or warrants were exercised or restricted stock becomes vested, and includes the “if converted” method for participating securities if the effect is dilutive. We determine diluted EPS as the more dilutive result of either the treasury method or the two-class method. Share-Based Compensation The Company recognizes the impact of its share-based compensation in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation

Investments

Investments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Investments	2. Investments Short-term investments held at December 31, 2015 include $7.7 million of corporate bonds. Short-term investments held at December 31, 2014 include $32.7 million of corporate bonds and certificates of deposit of $1.0 million. All certificates of deposit are fully insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Amerisafe holds an investment in a limited partnership hedge fund accounted for under the equity method. The carrying value of this investment is $12.2 million at December 31, 2015. The gross unrealized gains and losses on, and the amortized cost and fair value of, those investments classified as held-to-maturity at December 31, 2015 are summarized as follows: Amortized Gross Gross Fair Value (in thousands) States and political subdivisions $ 408,447 $ 15,352 $ (45) $ 423,754 Corporate bonds 171,224 159 (810) 170,573 Commercial mortgage-backed securities 37,494 204 (15) 37,683 U.S. agency-based mortgage-backed securities 13,223 1,249 (1) 14,471 U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government agencies 12,487 897 (4) 13,380 Asset-backed securities 2,289 202 (76) 2,415 Totals $ 645,164 $ 18,063 $ (951) $ 662,276 The gross unrealized gains and losses on, and the cost or amortized cost and fair value of, those investments classified as available-for-sale at December 31, 2015 are summarized as follows: Cost or Gross Gross Fair Value (in thousands) Fixed maturity: States and political subdivisions $ 164,684 $ 6,942 $ (207) $ 171,419 Corporate bonds 202,537 253 (1,486) 201,304 U.S. agency-based mortgage-backed securities 8,888 4 (1,593) 7,299 Total fixed maturity 376,109 7,199 (3,286) 380,022 Other investments 10,000 2,217 — 12,217 Equity securities — 31 — 31 Totals $ 386,109 $ 9,447 $ (3,286) $ 392,270 The gross unrealized gains and losses on, and the amortized cost and fair value of, those investments classified as held-to-maturity at December 31, 2014 are summarized as follows: Amortized Gross Gross Fair Value (in thousands) States and political subdivisions $ 385,623 $ 20,100 $ (58) $ 405,665 Corporate bonds 176,880 374 (520) 176,734 Commercial mortgage-backed securities 46,662 1,867 — 48,529 U.S. agency-based mortgage-backed securities 16,972 1,702 (2) 18,672 U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government agencies 10,697 1,097 (2) 11,792 Asset-backed securities 2,797 264 (82) 2,979 Totals $ 639,631 $ 25,404 $ (664) $ 664,371 The gross unrealized gains and losses on, and the cost or amortized cost and fair value of, those investments classified as available-for-sale at December 31, 2014 are summarized as follows: Cost or Gross Gross Fair Value (in thousands) Fixed maturity: States and political subdivisions $ 151,744 $ 7,302 $ (1,672) $ 157,374 Corporate bonds 165,412 428 (470) 165,370 U.S. agency-based mortgage-backed securities 9,848 2 (1,352) 8,498 Total fixed maturity 327,004 7,732 (3,494) 331,242 Other investments 10,000 1,748 — 11,748 Equity securities — 28 — 28 Totals $ 337,004 $ 9,508 $ (3,494) $ 343,018 A summary of the amortized cost and fair value of investments in fixed maturity securities, classified as held-to-maturity at December 31, 2015, by contractual maturity, is as follows: Amortized Fair Value (in thousands) Maturity: Within one year $ 112,187 $ 112,830 After one year through five years 299,100 306,633 After five years through ten years 109,901 114,362 After ten years 70,970 73,882 U.S. agency-based mortgage-backed securities 13,223 14,471 Commercial mortgage-backed securities 37,494 37,683 Asset-backed securities 2,289 2,415 Totals $ 645,164 $ 662,276 A summary of the amortized cost and fair value of investments in fixed maturity securities, classified as available-for-sale at December 31, 2015, by contractual maturity, is as follows: Amortized Fair Value (in thousands) Maturity: Within one year $ 32,687 $ 32,724 After one year through five years 206,409 206,375 After five years through ten years 19,394 19,585 After ten years 108,731 114,039 U.S. agency-based mortgage-backed securities 8,888 7,299 Totals $ 376,109 $ 380,022 Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because certain borrowers have the right to call or prepay certain obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. At December 31, 2015, there were $20.3 million of held-to-maturity investments and $1.5 million of cash on deposit with regulatory agencies of states in which the Company does business. A summary of the Company’s realized gains and losses on sales, calls or redemptions of investments for 2015, 2014 and 2013 is as follows: Fixed Equity Other Total (in thousands) Year ended December 31, 2015 Proceeds from sales $ 4,432 $ — $ — $ 4,432 Gross realized investment gains $ 177 $ — $ — $ 177 Gross realized investment (losses) (162 ) — — (162 ) Net realized investment gains 15 — — 15 Impairments (2,653 ) — — (2,653 ) Other, including gains on calls and redemptions 102 — 42 144 Net realized gains (losses) on investments $ (2,536 ) $ — $ 42 $ (2,494 ) Year ended December 31, 2014 Proceeds from sales $ 768 $ 9,780 $ — $ 10,548 Gross realized investment gains $ 1 $ 749 $ — $ 750 Gross realized investment (losses) — (451 ) — (451 ) Net realized investment gains 1 298 — 299 Impairments (222 ) — — (222 ) Other, including gains on calls and redemptions 244 — 376 620 Net realized gains on investments $ 23 $ 298 $ 376 $ 697 Year ended December 31, 2013 Proceeds from sales $ 2,090 $ 8,900 $ — $ 10,990 Gross realized investment gains $ 90 $ 1,264 $ — $ 1,354 Gross realized investment (losses) — (471 ) — (471 ) Net realized investment gains 90 793 — 883 Impairments — (2,229 ) — (2,229 ) Other, including gains on calls and redemptions 38 — 97 135 Net realized gains (losses) on investments $ 128 $ (1,436 ) $ 97 $ (1,211 ) Major categories of the Company’s net investment income are summarized as follows: Year Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 (in thousands) Gross investment income: Fixed maturity securities $ 28,498 $ 26,622 $ 26,422 Short-term investments and cash and cash equivalents 149 426 634 Equity securities — 232 543 Other investments 763 1,611 803 Total gross investment income 29,410 28,891 28,402 Investment expenses (1,508 ) (1,677 ) (1,373 ) Net investment income $ 27,902 $ 27,214 $ 27,029 The following table summarizes the fair value and gross unrealized losses on securities, aggregated by major investment category and length of time that the individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position: Less Than 12 Months 12 Months or Greater Total Fair Value of Gross Fair Value of Gross Fair Value of Gross (in thousands) December 31, 2015 Held-to-Maturity Fixed maturity securities: Corporate bonds $ 128,436 $ 687 $ 18,139 $ 123 $ 146,575 $ 810 States and political subdivisions 24,068 45 — — 24,068 45 U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. Government agencies 2,980 4 — — 2,980 4 U.S. agency-based mortgage-backed securities 18 — 28 1 46 1 Asset-backed securities — — 1,389 76 1,389 76 Commercial mortgage-backed securities 9,784 15 — — 9,784 15 Total held-to-maturity securities 165,286 751 19,556 200 184,842 951 Available-for Sale Fixed maturity securities: Corporate bonds $ 141,857 $ 1,475 $ 4,216 $ 11 $ 146,073 $ 1,486 States and political subdivisions 6,560 9 4,439 198 10,999 207 U.S. agency-based mortgage-backed securities 434 37 6,794 1,556 7,228 1,593 Total available-for-sale securities 148,851 1,521 15,449 1,765 164,300 3,286 Total $ 314,137 $ 2,272 $ 35,005 $ 1,965 $ 349,142 $ 4,237 December 31, 2014 Held-to-Maturity Fixed maturity securities: Corporate bonds $ 129,788 $ 520 $ — $ — $ 129,788 $ 520 States and political subdivisions 16,896 58 — — 16,896 58 U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. Government agencies 3,385 2 — — 3,385 2 U.S. agency-based mortgage-backed securities 78 2 — — 78 2 Asset-backed securities — — 1,662 82 1,662 82 Total held-to-maturity securities 150,147 582 1,662 82 151,809 664 Available-for Sale Fixed maturity securities: Corporate bonds $ 106,185 $ 470 $ — $ — $ 106,185 $ 470 States and political subdivisions 3,810 6 10,347 1,666 14,157 1,672 U.S. agency-based mortgage-backed securities 627 11 7,757 1,341 8,384 1,352 Total available-for-sale securities 110,622 487 18,104 3,007 128,726 3,494 Total $ 260,769 $ 1,069 $ 19,766 $ 3,089 $ 280,535 $ 4,158 At December 31, 2015, the Company held 198 individual fixed maturity securities that were in an unrealized loss position, of which 29 were in a continuous unrealized loss position for longer than 12 months. The Company regularly reviews its investment portfolio to evaluate the necessity of recording impairment losses for other-than-temporary declines in the fair value of our investments. The Company considers various factors in determining if a decline in the fair value of an individual security is other-than-temporary. The key factors considered are: • any reduction or elimination of preferred dividends, or nonpayment of scheduled principal or interest payments; • the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer of the applicable security, including any specific events that may affect its operations or earnings; • how long and by how much the fair value of the security has been below its cost or amortized cost; • any downgrades of the security by a rating agency; • our intent not to sell the security for a sufficient time period for it to recover its value; • the likelihood of being forced to sell the security before the recovery of its value; and • an evaluation as to whether there are any credit losses on debt securities. The Company reviewed all securities with unrealized losses in accordance with the impairment policy described above. With the exception of four securities deemed to be other-than-temporarily impaired, the Company determined that the unrealized losses in the fixed maturity securities portfolio related primarily to changes in market interest rates since the date of purchase, current conditions in the capital markets and the impact of those conditions on market liquidity and prices generally, and the transfer of the investments from the available-for-sale classification to the held-to-maturity classification in January 2004. We expect to recover the carrying value of these securities as it is not more likely than not that we will be required to sell the security before the recovery of its amortized cost basis. In 2015, the Company impaired four fixed maturity securities in the amount of $2.7 million. The impairment charge is included in “Net realized gains (losses) on investments” for 2015. We impaired the securities due to a downgrade of the securities and the amount of the accumulated unrealized loss.

Premiums Receivable

Premiums Receivable	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Insurance [Abstract]
Premiums Receivable	3. Premiums Receivable Premiums receivable consist primarily of premium-related balances due from policyholders. The balance is shown net of the allowance for doubtful accounts. The components of premiums receivable are shown below: December 31, 2015 2014 (in thousands) Premiums receivable $ 190,216 $ 184,128 Allowance for doubtful accounts (4,852 ) (5,211 ) Premiums receivable, net $ 185,364 $ 178,917 The following summarizes the activity in the allowance for doubtful accounts: December 31, 2015 2014 2013 (in thousands) Balance, beginning of year $ 5,211 $ 5,458 $ 6,424 Provision for bad debts (1) 806 673 52 Write-offs (1,165 ) (920 ) (1,018 ) Balance, end of year $ 4,852 $ 5,211 $ 5,458 (1) Includes a one-time adjustment of $1.7 million in 2013 as a result of a change in accounting estimate of uncollectible accounts based on historical experience. Included in premiums receivable at December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 is the Company’s estimate for EBUB premium of $7.6 million, $5.2 million and $4.3 million, respectively.

Deferred Policy Acquisition Cos

Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Insurance [Abstract]
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs	4. Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs Deferred policy acquisition costs represent those costs that are incremental and directly related to the successful acquisition of new or the renewal of existing insurance contracts. We defer incremental costs that result directly from, and are essential to, the acquisition or renewal of an insurance contract. We also defer a portion of employee total compensation costs directly related to time spent performing specific acquisition or renewal activities. These costs are deferred and expensed over the life of the related policies. Major categories of the Company’s deferred policy acquisition costs are summarized as follows: December 31, 2015 2014 (in thousands) Agents’ commissions $ 15,997 $ 15,351 Premium taxes 3,121 3,100 Deferred underwriting expenses 1,294 1,198 Total deferred policy acquisition costs $ 20,412 $ 19,649 The following summarizes the activity in the deferred policy acquisition costs: Year Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 (in thousands) Balance, beginning of year $ 19,649 $ 19,171 $ 18,419 Policy acquisition costs deferred 45,604 44,295 41,278 Amortization expense during the year (44,841 ) (43,817 ) (40,526 ) Balance, end of year $ 20,412 $ 19,649 $ 19,171

Property and Equipment

Property and Equipment	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property and Equipment	5. Property and Equipment Property and equipment consist of the following: December 31, 2015 2014 (in thousands) Land and office building $ 7,069 $ 7,758 Furniture and equipment 6,227 6,593 Software 6,277 9,875 Automobiles 74 73 19,647 24,299 Accumulated depreciation (13,466 ) (17,059 ) Property and equipment, net $ 6,181 $ 7,240 Furniture and equipment included property held under capital leases of $0.1 million at December 31, 2015. Accumulated depreciation includes $97,000 that is related to these properties at December 31, 2015. Furniture and equipment included property held under capital leases of $0.1 million at December 31, 2014. Accumulated depreciation includes $49,000 that is related to these properties at December 31, 2014. The capital lease obligations related to these properties are included in accounts payable and other liabilities. The Company had no capital lease obligations at December 31, 2013. Future minimum lease payments related to the capital lease obligations are detailed below (in thousands): 2016 $ 39 2017 28 Present value of net minimum lease payments $ 67 The company made a partial disposition election under tax regulations to write-off capitalized amounts for book and tax purposes of certain fixed assets and deductible repairs in the amount of $0.6 million in 2015 and this amount is included in “Loss on disposal of assets.”

Reinsurance

Reinsurance	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Insurance [Abstract]
Reinsurance	6. Reinsurance The Company cedes certain premiums and losses to various reinsurers under quota share and excess-of-loss treaties. These reinsurance arrangements provide for greater diversification of business, allow management to control exposure to potential losses arising from large risks, and provide additional capacity for growth. Ceded reinsurance contracts do not relieve the Company from its obligations to policyholders. The Company remains liable to its policyholders for the portion reinsured to the extent that any reinsurer does not meet the obligations assumed under the reinsurance agreements. To minimize its exposure to significant losses from reinsurer insolvencies, the Company evaluates the financial condition of its reinsurers and monitors concentrations of credit risk arising from similar geographic regions, activities, or economic characteristics of the reinsurers on a continual basis. The effect of reinsurance on premiums written and earned in 2015, 2014 and 2013 was as follows: 2015 Premiums 2014 Premiums 2013 Premiums Written Earned Written Earned Written Earned (in thousands) Gross $ 386,529 $ 387,122 $ 393,819 $ 389,540 $ 372,177 $ 348,408 Ceded (11,228 ) (11,228 ) (13,793 ) (13,793 ) (18,425 ) (18,425 ) Net premiums $ 375,301 $ 375,894 $ 380,026 $ 375,747 $ 353,752 $ 329,983 The amounts recoverable from reinsurers consist of the following: December 31, 2015 2014 (in thousands) Unpaid losses recoverable: Case basis $ 37,207 $ 34,196 Incurred but not reported 27,651 25,138 Paid losses recoverable 414 424 Experience-rated commissions recoverable 25,805 26,130 Total $ 91,077 $ 85,888 Amounts recoverable from reinsurers consists of ceded case reserves, ceded incurred but not reported (“IBNR”) reserves, paid losses recoverable and experience-rated commissions recoverable. Ceded case and ceded IBNR reserves represent the portion of gross loss and loss adjustment expense liabilities that are recoverable under reinsurance agreements, but are not yet due from reinsurers. Paid losses recoverable are receivables currently due from reinsurers for ceded paid losses. The Company considers paid losses recoverable outstanding for more than 90 days to be past due. At December 31, 2015, there were no paid losses recoverable past due. Experience-rated commissions recoverable represents earned commission from certain reinsurance companies based on the financial results of the applicable risks ceded to the reinsurers. In 2013, the Company returned previous recoveries of $2.3 million due to a single closed claim. Excluding this impact, the Company received reinsurance recoveries of $1.0 million in 2015, $1.5 million in 2014 and $2.1 million in 2013. At December 31, 2015, unsecured reinsurance recoverables from reinsurers that exceeded 1.5% of statutory surplus of the Company’s insurance subsidiary are shown below (in thousands). The A.M. Best Company rating for the reinsurer is shown parenthetically. Hannover Reinsurance (Ireland) Limited (A+) $ 35,530 Odyssey America Reinsurance Corporation (A) 12,127 Minnesota Workers’ Compensation Reinsurance Association (NR) 9,034 Tokio Millenium Reinsurance Limited (A++) 7,294 Clearwater Insurance Company (bbb) 5,610 Other reinsurers 21,482 Total reinsurance recoverables 91,077 Letters of credit and funds held (53,572 ) Total unsecured reinsurance recoverables $ 37,505

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	7. Income Taxes The Company’s deferred income tax assets and liabilities are as follows: December 31, 2015 2014 (in thousands) Deferred income tax assets: Discounting of net unpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses $ 15,415 $ 17,952 Unearned premiums 14,839 14,788 Accrued expenses and other 3,904 4,306 State income tax 488 591 Accrued policyholder dividends 719 438 Impaired securities 238 80 Capital loss carryforward 715 — Accrued insurance-related assessments 4,953 4,804 Total deferred tax assets 41,271 42,959 Deferred income tax liabilities: Deferred policy acquisition costs (9,012 ) (8,815 ) Unrealized gain (loss) on securities available-for-sale (1,393 ) (1,513 ) Property and equipment and other (696 ) (331 ) Salvage and subrogation (265 ) (289 ) Guaranty fund related items — (780 ) Total deferred income tax liabilities (11,366 ) (11,728 ) Net deferred income taxes $ 29,905 $ 31,231 The components of consolidated income tax expense (benefit) are as follows: Year Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 (in thousands) Current: Federal $ 28,047 $ 20,811 $ 15,270 State 1,012 684 504 29,059 21,495 15,774 Deferred: Federal 1,343 (821 ) (207 ) State 103 (591 ) — 1,446 (1,412 ) (207 ) Total $ 30,505 $ 20,083 $ 15,567 In 2013, 2014 and 2015, the Company made no adjustment to the valuation allowance. As of December 31, 2015, there is no valuation allowance. Income tax expense from operations is different from the amount computed by applying the U.S. federal income tax statutory rate of 35% to income before income taxes as follows: Year Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 (in thousands) Income tax computed at federal statutory tax rate $ 35,338 $ 25,812 $ 20,721 Tax-exempt interest, net (5,630 ) (5,620 ) (5,458 ) State income tax 762 (146 ) 504 Dividends received deduction (19 ) (60 ) (113 ) Other 54 97 (87 ) $ 30,505 $ 20,083 $ 15,567 The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense. There were no uncertain tax positions as of December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013. Tax years 2012 through 2015 are subject to examination by the federal and state taxing authorities. Tax year 2011 is currently being examined by the state of Illinois.

Line of Credit

Line of Credit	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Text Block [Abstract]
Line of Credit	8. Line of Credit In 2013, the Company entered into an agreement providing for a line of credit in the maximum amount of $20.0 million with Frost Bank, NA. The agreement expires in December 2016. Under the agreement, advances may be made either in the form of loans or letters of credit. Borrowings under the agreement accrue at interest rates based upon prime rate or LIBOR. Under the agreement, the Company will pay a fee of 0.25% on the unused portion of the loan in arrears quarterly for a fee of $50,000 annually, assuming the line of credit is not used during the calendar year. The line of credit is unsecured. No borrowings or letters of credit were outstanding under the line of credit arrangement at December 31, 2015 or 2014.

Loss and Loss Adjustment Expens

Loss and Loss Adjustment Expenses	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Insurance [Abstract]
Loss and Loss Adjustment Expenses	9. Loss and Loss Adjustment Expenses The following table provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending reserve balances, net of related amounts recoverable from reinsurers, for 2015, 2014 and 2013: Year Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 (in thousands) Balance, beginning of period $ 687,602 $ 614,557 $ 570,450 Less amounts recoverable from reinsurers on unpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses 59,334 48,699 55,190 Net balance, beginning of period 628,268 565,858 515,260 Add incurred related to: Current accident year 262,387 268,633 241,584 Prior accident years (47,814 ) (23,717 ) (12,611 ) Total incurred 214,573 244,916 228,973 Less paid related to: Current accident year 53,955 52,848 51,169 Prior accident years 135,711 129,658 127,206 Total paid 189,666 182,506 178,375 Net balance, end of period 653,175 628,268 565,858 Add amounts recoverable from reinsurers on unpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses 64,858 59,334 48,699 Balance, end of period $ 718,033 $ 687,602 $ 614,557 The foregoing reconciliation reflects favorable development of the net reserves at December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013. The favorable development reduced loss and loss adjustment expense incurred by $47.8 million in 2015 driven primarily by accident years 2012, 2013 and 2008 of $19.2 million, $8.2 million and $7.2 million, respectively. In 2014 and 2013, the Company recorded favorable development of $23.7 million and $12.6 million, respectively. The revisions to the Company’s reserves reflect new information gained by claims adjusters in the normal course of adjusting claims and is reflected in the financial statements when the information becomes available. It is typical for more serious claims to take several years or longer to settle and the Company continually revises estimates as more information about claimants’ medical conditions and potential disability becomes known and the claims get closer to being settled. Reserves established for workers’ compensation insurance have included the exposure to occupational disease or accidents related to asbestos or environmental claims. The exposure to asbestos claims emanate from the direct sale of workers’ compensation insurance. These claims resulted from industry workers who were exposed to tremolite asbestos dust and electricians and carpenters who were exposed to products that contained asbestos. There has been no known exposure to asbestos claims arising from assumed business. The emergence of these claims is slow and highly unpredictable. The Company estimates full impact of the asbestos exposure by establishing full case basis reserves on all known losses. Reserves for losses incurred but not reported (IBNR) include a provision for development of reserves on reported losses. Reserves are established for loss adjustment expenses (LAE) associated with these case and IBNR loss reserves. The following table details our exposures to various asbestos related claims: Year Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 (in thousands) Reserves for loss and LAE at beginning of year $ 819 $ 219 $ 167 Incurred losses and LAE during the current year 444 882 53 Loss and LAE payments (305 ) (282 ) (1 ) Reserves for loss and LAE at end of year $ 958 $ 819 $ 219 The Company has historically written general liability coverages that are reported in other liability lines of business. These coverages may be associated with the property and casualty industry’s exposure to environmental claims. However, the Company has not been notified by any insured for which exposure exists due to these types of claims. Company management believes potential exposure to environmental claims to be remote. Therefore, the Company has no loss or loss adjustment expense reserves for such liabilities. The anticipated effect of inflation is implicitly considered when estimating liabilities for loss and loss adjustment expenses. Average severities are projected based on historical trends adjusted for implemented changes in underwriting standards, policy provisions and general economic trends. These anticipated trends are monitored based on actual development and are modified if necessary.

Statutory Accounting and Regula

Statutory Accounting and Regulatory Requirements	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Text Block [Abstract]
Statutory Accounting and Regulatory Requirements	10. Statutory Accounting and Regulatory Requirements The Company’s insurance subsidiaries file financial statements prepared in accordance with statutory accounting principles prescribed or permitted by the insurance regulatory authorities of the states in which the subsidiaries are domiciled. Statutory-basis shareholders’ capital and surplus at December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 of the directly owned insurance subsidiary, AIIC, and the combined statutory-basis net income and realized investment gains for all AMERISAFE’s insurance subsidiaries for the three years in the period ended December 31, 2015, were as follows (in thousands): 2015 2014 2013 Capital and surplus $ 371,365 $ 377,742 $ 354,293 Net income 71,937 50,205 44,751 Net realized gains (losses) on investments (3,131 ) 693 (1,214 ) Property and casualty insurance companies are subject to certain risk-based capital (“RBC”) requirements specified by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. Under these requirements, a target minimum amount of capital and surplus maintained by a property/casualty insurance company is determined based on the various risk factors related to it. At December 31, 2015, the capital and surplus of AIIC and its subsidiaries exceeded the minimum RBC requirement. Pursuant to regulatory requirements, AIIC cannot pay dividends to the Company in excess of the lesser of 10% of statutory surplus, or statutory net income, excluding realized investment gains, for the preceding 12-month period, without the prior approval of the Nebraska Director of Insurance. However, for purposes of this dividend calculation, net income from the previous two calendar years may be carried forward to the extent that it has not already been paid out as dividends. AIIC paid $50.0 million in dividends to the Company in 2015, $25.0 million in 2014 and $15.0 million in 2013. Based upon the dividend limitation described above, AIIC could pay to the Company dividends of up to $57.1 million in 2016 without seeking regulatory approval.

Capital Stock

Capital Stock	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Text Block [Abstract]
Capital Stock	11. Capital Stock Common Stock The Company is authorized to issue 50,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share. At December 31, 2015, there were 20,388,396 shares of common stock issued and 19,130,146 shares outstanding. Preferred Stock The Company is authorized to issue 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share. At December 31, 2015, there were no shares of preferred stock outstanding.

Stock Options and Restricted St

Stock Options and Restricted Stock	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Stock Options and Restricted Stock	12. Stock Options and Restricted Stock 2005 Incentive Plan The AMERISAFE 2005 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2005 Incentive Plan”) is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board and is designed to provide incentive compensation to executive officers and other key management personnel. The 2005 Incentive Plan permits awards in the form of incentive stock options, as defined in Section 422(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, non-qualified stock options, restricted shares of common stock and restricted stock units. In connection with the approval of the 2012 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan by the Company’s shareholders, no further awards will be made under the 2005 Equity Incentive Plan. Stock options granted under the 2005 Incentive Plan have an exercise price of not less than 100% of the fair value of the common stock on the date of grant. However, any stock options granted to holders of more than 10% of the Company’s voting stock will have an exercise price of not less than 110% of the fair value of the common stock on the date of grant. Stock option grants are exercisable, subject to vesting requirements determined by the Compensation Committee, for periods of up to ten years from the date of grant, except for any grants to holders of more than 10% of the Company’s voting stock, which will have exercise periods limited to a maximum of five years. Stock options generally expire 90 days after the cessation of an optionee’s service as an employee. However, in the case of an optionee’s death or disability, the unexercised portion of a stock option remains exercisable for up to one year after the optionee’s death or disability. Stock options granted under the 2005 Incentive Plan are not transferable, except by will or the laws of descent and distribution. The Company uses the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model to estimate the fair value of each option on the date of grant. The expected terms of options are developed by considering the Company’s historical attrition rate for those employees at the officer level, who are eligible to receive options. Further, the Company aggregates individual awards into homogenous groups based upon grant date. Expected volatility is estimated using daily historical volatility for six companies within the property and casualty insurance sector. The Company believes that historical volatility of this peer group is currently the best estimate of expected volatility of the market price of the Company’s common shares. The dividend yield was assumed to be zero as the Company did not pay cash dividends until 2013. The risk-free interest rate is the yield on the grant date of U.S. Treasury zero coupon securities with a maturity comparable to the expected term of the options. The following table summarizes information about the stock options outstanding under the 2005 Incentive Plan at December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015: Shares Weighted- Average Exercise Price Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years) Outstanding at January 1, 2013 832,548 10.51 4.6 Granted — — — Exercised (256,300 ) 9.00 — Canceled, forfeited, or expired — — — Outstanding at December 31, 2013 576,248 11.12 3.8 Exercisable at December 31, 2013 557,448 10.91 3.7 Outstanding at January 1, 2014 576,248 11.12 3.8 Granted — — — Exercised (294,165 ) 9.09 — Canceled, forfeited, or expired — — — Outstanding at December 31, 2014 282,083 11.30 3.6 Exercisable at December 31, 2014 282,083 11.30 3.6 Outstanding at January 1, 2015 282,083 11.30 3.6 Granted — — — Exercised (193,204 ) 9.55 — Canceled, forfeited, or expired — — — Outstanding at December 31, 2015 88,879 12.10 4.3 Exercisable at December 31, 2015 88,879 12.10 4.3 2015 2014 2013 (in thousands) Cash received from option exercises $ 1,844 $ 2,674 $ 2,344 Total tax benefits realized for tax deductions from options exercised 2,109 2,797 2,002 Total intrinsic value of options exercised 6,969 9,145 6,654 Grant date fair value of options vested — 144 226 Aggregate intrinsic value of vested options outstanding 3,448 8,763 17,467 The following table summarizes information about the restricted stock outstanding under the 2005 Incentive Plan at December 31, 2015: Shares Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value per Share Nonvested balance at January 1, 2013 8,000 27.47 Granted — — Vested (1,600 ) 27.47 Forfeited — — Nonvested balance at December 31, 2013 6,400 27.47 Granted — — Vested (800 ) 27.35 Forfeited (3,200 ) 27.59 Nonvested balance at December 31, 2014 2,400 27.35 Granted — — Vested (800 ) 27.35 Forfeited — — Nonvested balance at December 31, 2015 1,600 27.35 The Company recognized compensation expense of $0.1 million in 2015 and $0.3 million in 2014 and 2013, related to awards made under the 2005 Incentive Plan. Total tax benefits realized for tax deductions from vesting of restricted stock in 2015 and 2014 were $81,000 and $38,000, respectively. 2010 Restricted Stock Plan In 2010, the Company’s shareholders approved an amendment to the AMERISAFE Non-Employee Director Restricted Stock Plan (the “2010 Restricted Stock Plan”). The Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board and provides for the automatic grant of restricted stock awards to non-employee directors of the Company. Awards to non-employee directors are generally subject to terms including non-transferability, immediate vesting upon death or total disability of a director, forfeiture of unvested shares upon termination of service by a director and acceleration of vesting upon a change of control of the Company. The maximum number of shares of common stock that may be issued pursuant to restricted stock awards under the 2010 Restricted Stock Plan is 100,000 shares, subject to the authority of the Board to adjust this amount in the event of a merger, consolidation, reorganization, stock split, combination of shares, recapitalization or similar transaction affecting the common stock. At December 31, 2015, there were 26,074 shares of common stock available for future awards under the 2010 Restricted Stock Plan. Under the 2010 Restricted Stock Plan, each non-employee director is automatically granted a restricted stock award for a number of shares equal to $30,000 divided by the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date of the annual meeting of shareholders at which the non-employee director is elected or is continuing as a member of the Board. Each restricted stock award vests on the date of the next annual meeting of shareholders following the date of grant, subject to the continued service of the non-employee director. The Board approved an amendment to increase the restricted stock award from $30,000 to $45,000, effective with the grants to be awarded at the annual meeting in 2015 with $15,000 of that grant subject to shareholder approval at the annual meeting of shareholders to be held in 2016. As of December 31, 2015, there were 7,112 shares of restricted stock outstanding under the 2010 Restricted Stock Plan, all of which will vest on the date of the annual meeting of shareholders in 2016. The following table summarizes information about the restricted stock outstanding under the 2010 Restricted Stock Plan at December 31, 2015: Shares Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value per Share Nonvested balance at January 1, 2012 7,833 26.79 Granted 5,376 33.47 Vested (7,833 ) 26.79 Forfeited — — Nonvested balance at December 31, 2013 5,376 33.47 Granted 5,229 37.27 Vested (5,376 ) 33.47 Forfeited — — Nonvested balance at December 31, 2014 5,229 37.27 Granted 7,112 44.26 Vested (5,229 ) 37.27 Forfeited — — Nonvested balance at December 31, 2015 7,112 44.26 The Company recognized compensation expense of $0.3 million in 2015, and $0.2 million in 2014 and 2013 related to the 2010 Restricted Stock Plan. Total tax benefits realized for tax deductions from vesting of restricted stock in 2015, 2014 and 2013 were $13,000, $7,000 and $18,000, respectively. 2012 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan In 2012, the Company’s shareholders approved the AMERISAFE 2012 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan (the “2012 Incentive Plan”). The 2012 Incentive Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board and is designed to attract, retain and motivate non-employee directors, officers, key employees and consultants by providing incentives for superior performance. The 2012 Incentive Plan authorizes the grant of equity-based compensation in the form of option rights, appreciation rights, restricted shares, restricted stock units, cash incentive awards, performance shares and units, and other types of awards. A maximum of 500,000 shares of common stock may be issued or transferred upon the exercise of option rights or appreciation rights, as restricted shares and released from substantial risk of forfeiture, in payment of restricted stock units, in payment of performance shares or performance units that have been earned, as awards of shares of common stock to non-employee directors, as other awards granted under the 2012 Incentive Plan, or in payment of dividend equivalents paid with respect to awards made under the plan subject to adjustment in the event of a merger, stock dividend, stock split or similar event, which may be original issue shares or treasury shares or a combination of the two. In 2015, 50,461 shares of restricted stock were granted under the 2012 Incentive Plan, which will vest through 2020. In 2014, 4,312 shares of restricted stock were granted under the 2012 Incentive Plan, which will vest through 2017. At December 31, 2015, there were 380,935 shares of common stock available for future awards under the 2012 Incentive Plan. The following table summarizes information about the restricted stock outstanding under the 2012 Incentive Plan at December 31, 2015: Shares Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value per Share Nonvested balance at January 1, 2013 2,331 26.79 Granted 80,278 34.14 Vested — — Forfeited — — Nonvested balance at December 31, 2013 82,609 33.93 Granted 4,312 43.83 Vested (14,000 ) 33.58 Forfeited — — Nonvested balance at December 31, 2014 72,921 34.59 Granted 50,461 45.80 Vested (27,537 ) 37.27 Forfeited (18,317 ) 35.48 Nonvested balance at December 31, 2015 77,528 40.57 The Company recognized compensation expense of $0.6 million, $0.6 million and $0.3 million in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively, related to share-based grants. The Company recognized compensation expense of $0.2 million, $0.4 million and $0.6 million in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively, related to long-term incentive awards under the 2012 Incentive Plan. The long-term incentive award is a liability award.

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share	13. Earnings Per Share Diluted earnings per share includes common shares assumed issued under the “treasury stock method,” which reflects the potential dilution that would occur if any outstanding options are exercised. Diluted earnings per share also includes the “if converted” method for participating securities if the result is dilutive. Diluted EPS is calculated as the more dilutive result of either the treasury method or the two-class method. The calculation of basic and diluted EPS for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 are presented below. For the Year Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 (in thousands, except earnings per share amounts) Basic EPS: Net income, as reported $ 70,462 $ 53,666 $ 43,637 Less allocated income to participating securities — — 142 Net income available to common shareholders – basic $ 70,462 $ 53,666 $ 43,495 Basic weighted-average common shares 18,941 18,646 18,373 Basic earnings per share $ 3.72 $ 2.88 $ 2.37 Diluted EPS: Net income available to common shareholders—diluted $ 70,462 $ 53,666 $ 43,495 Diluted weighted average common shares: Weighted average common shares 18,941 18,646 18,373 Stock options and performance shares 178 282 376 Diluted weighted average common shares 19,119 18,928 18,749 Diluted earnings per common share $ 3.69 $ 2.84 $ 2.32 The table below sets forth the reconciliation of the weighted average shares used for the basic and diluted EPS calculation. Under the two-class method, unvested stock options, and out-of-money vested stock options are not considered to be participating securities. Years Ended 2015 2014 2013 Basic weighted average common shares 18,941,077 18,646,128 18,373,033 Add: Other common shares eligible for common dividends: Weighted average restricted shares and stock options (including tax benefit component) 178,109 282,376 375,776 Diluted weighted average common shares 19,119,186 18,928,504 18,748,809

Comprehensive Income and Accumu

Comprehensive Income and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Comprehensive Income and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	14. Comprehensive Income and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Comprehensive income includes net income plus unrealized gains/losses on our available-for-sale investment securities, net of tax. In reporting comprehensive income on a net basis in the statement of income, we used a 35 percent tax rate. The following table illustrates the changes in the balance of each component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for each period presented in the financial statements. Year Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 (in thousands) Beginning balance $ 2,810 $ (4,295 ) $ 2,979 Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification (1,584 ) 6,558 (7,525 ) Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income 1,361 547 251 Net current period other comprehensive income (loss) (223 ) 7,105 (7,274 ) Ending balance $ 2,587 $ 2,810 $ (4,295 ) The sale or other-than-temporary impairment (OTTI) of an available-for-sale security results in amounts being reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to current period net income. The effects of reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income by the respective line items of net income are presented in the following table. Component of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Year Ended December 31, Affected line item in the statement of 2015 2014 2013 (in thousands) Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities $ (494 ) $ (825 ) $ 30 Net realized gains (losses) on investments Other-than-temporary impairment (1,600 ) (16 ) (416 ) Net realized gains (losses) on investments (2,094 ) (841 ) (386 ) Income before income taxes 733 294 135 Income tax expense $ (1,361 ) $ (547 ) $ (251 ) Net income Pre-Tax Amount Tax Expense Net-of-Tax Amount (in thousands) December 31, 2015 Unrealized loss on securities: Unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities $ (2,572 ) $ (900 ) $ (1,672 ) Change in unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities with OTTI 176 62 114 Less amortization of differences between fair value and amortized cost for fixed maturity security transfer (40 ) (14 ) (26 ) Reclassification adjustment for gains realized in net income 2,093 732 1,361 Net unrealized loss (343 ) (120 ) (223 ) Other comprehensive income $ (343 ) $ (120 ) $ (223 ) December 31, 2014 Unrealized gain on securities: Unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities $ 10,133 $ 3,546 $ 6,587 Less amortization of differences between fair value and amortized cost for fixed maturity security transfer (44 ) (15 ) (29 ) Reclassification adjustment for gains realized in net income 842 295 547 Net unrealized gain 10,931 3,826 7,105 Other comprehensive income $ 10,931 $ 3,826 $ 7,105 December 31, 2013 Unrealized loss on securities: Unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities $ (11,724 ) $ (4,104 ) $ (7,620 ) Change in unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities with OTTI 222 78 144 Less amortization of differences between fair value and amortized cost for fixed maturity security transfer (75 ) (26 ) (49 ) Reclassification adjustment for gains realized in net income 386 135 251 Net unrealized loss (11,191 ) (3,917 ) (7,274 ) Other comprehensive income $ (11,191 ) $ (3,917 ) $ (7,274 )

Employee Benefit Plan

Employee Benefit Plan	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Employee Benefit Plan	15. Employee Benefit Plan The Company’s 401(k) benefit plan is available to all employees. The Company matches up to 2% of employee compensation for participating employees, subject to certain limitations. Employees are fully vested in employer contributions to this plan after five years. Company contributions to this plan were $0.4 million in 2015, $0.4 million in 2014 and $0.3 million in 2013.

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	16. Commitments and Contingencies The Company is a party to various legal actions arising principally from claims made under insurance policies and contracts. Those actions are considered by the Company in estimating reserves for loss and loss adjustment expenses. In the opinion of management, the ultimate disposition of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations. The Company provides workers’ compensation insurance in several states that maintain second-injury funds. Incurred losses on qualifying claims that exceed certain amounts may be recovered from these state funds. There is no assurance that the applicable states will continue to provide funding under these programs. The Company manages risk on certain long-duration claims by settling these claims through the purchase of annuities from unaffiliated carriers. In the event these carriers are unable to meet their obligations under these contracts, the Company could be liable to the claimants. The following table summarizes (in thousands) the fair value of the annuities at December 31, 2015, that the Company has purchased to satisfy its obligations. The A.M. Best Company rating is shown parenthetically. Life Insurance Company Statement Value of Annuities Exceeding 1% of Statutory Surplus Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (A+) $ 16,279 Pacific Life and Annuity Company (A+) 15,739 American General Life Insurance (A) 15,364 New York Life Insurance Company (A++) 11,303 John Hancock Life Insurance Company USA (A+) 7,596 Athene Annuity and Life Assurance Company (A-) 6,133 Liberty Life Assurance Company of Boston (A) 3,837 Other 19,441 $ 95,692 Substantially all of the annuities are issued or guaranteed by life insurance companies that have an A.M. Best Company rating of “A” (Excellent) or better. The Company leases equipment and office space under noncancelable operating leases. At December 31, 2015, future minimum lease payments are as follows (in thousands): 2016 $ 152 2017 114 2018 68 2019 6 $ 340 Rental expense was $0.2 million in 2015, 2014 and 2013. In February 2015, the Company was notified of an adverse verdict against its subsidiary, American Interstate Insurance Company, related to a 2009 workers’ compensation claim in the State of Iowa. The verdict was for $25.3 million, of which $0.3 million was for actual damages and $25.0 million was awarded for punitive damages. American Interstate is appealing both the verdict and the damage awards. The Company has posted an appeal bond in the amount of $27.8 million, as required by law. The Company maintains reinsurance against catastrophic losses, including court ordered judgments. The Company presently believes that this reserve amount, together with its reinsurance coverage, is adequate to satisfy this claim. As of December 31, 2015, the Company’s total reserve for the claim was $2.5 million. The $2.5 million reserve does not include payments that the Company has previously paid in this case. The expenses, plus the $2.5 million reserve, total $5.4 million. The Company’s retention is $5.0 million before its reinsurance providers are obligated to reimburse the Company for additional costs.

Concentration of Operations

Concentration of Operations	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Text Block [Abstract]
Concentration of Operations	17. Concentration of Operations The Company derives its revenues almost entirely from its operations in the workers’ compensation insurance line of business. Total net premiums earned for the different lines of business are shown below: 2015 2014 2013 Dollars Percent Dollars Percent Dollars Percent (Dollars in thousands) Workers’ compensation $ 375,894 100.0% $ 375,746 100.0% $ 329,986 100.0% General liability — 0.0% 1 0.0% (3) 0.0% Total net premiums earned $ 375,894 100.0% $ 375,747 100.0% $ 329,983 100.0% Net premiums earned during 2015, 2014 and 2013 for the top ten states in 2015 and all others are shown below: 2015 2014 2013 Dollars Percent Dollars Percent Dollars Percent (Dollars in thousands) Georgia $ 40,497 10.8% $ 36,761 9.8% $ 30,096 9.1% Louisiana 38,874 10.3 47,643 12.7 42,110 12.8 Pennsylvania 36,294 9.7 35,488 9.4 28,880 8.8 Florida 24,792 6.6 20,691 5.5 12,950 3.9 Illinois 23,285 6.2 20,606 5.5 18,445 5.6 North Carolina 20,062 5.3 20,872 5.6 21,019 6.4 Virginia 15,656 4.2 16,764 4.5 15,751 4.8 Texas 15,226 4.0 14,846 4.0 14,949 4.5 Minnesota 14,618 3.9 13,159 3.5 10,470 3.2 Oklahoma 13,420 3.6 16,599 4.4 17,473 5.3 All others 133,170 35.4 132,318 35.1 117,840 35.6 Total net premiums earned $ 375,894 100.0% $ 375,747 100.0% $ 329,983 100.0%

Fair Values of Financial Instru

Fair Values of Financial Instruments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Values of Financial Instruments	18. Fair Values of Financial Instruments The Company determines fair value amounts for financial instruments using available third-party market information. When such information is not available, the Company determines the fair value amounts using appropriate valuation methodologies. Nonfinancial instruments such as real estate, property and equipment, deferred policy acquisition costs, deferred income taxes and loss and loss adjustment expense reserves are excluded from the fair value disclosure. Cash and Cash Equivalents Investments Short Term Investments Other Investments The following table summarizes the carrying or reported values and corresponding fair values for financial instruments: December 31, 2015 2014 Carrying Fair Carrying Fair (in thousands) Assets: Fixed maturity securities—held to maturity $ 645,164 $ 662,276 $ 639,631 $ 664,371 Fixed maturity securities—available for sale 380,022 380,022 331,242 331,242 Equity securities 31 31 28 28 Cash and cash equivalents 69,481 69,481 90,956 90,956 Short-term investments 7,718 7,718 33,684 33,684 Other investments 12,217 12,217 11,748 11,748 The Company carries available-for-sale securities at fair value in our consolidated financial statements and determines fair value measurements and disclosure in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures. The Company determines the fair values of its financial instruments based on the fair value hierarchy established in ASC Topic 820, which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The standard defines fair value, describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. Fair value is defined in ASC Topic 820 as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Fair value is the price to sell an asset or transfer a liability and, therefore, represents an exit price, not an entry price. Fair value is the exit price in the principal market (or, if lacking a principal market, the most advantageous market) in which the reporting entity would transact. Fair value is a market-based measurement, not an entity-specific measurement, and, as such, is determined based on the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. The exit price objective of a fair value measurement applies regardless of the reporting entity’s intent and/or ability to sell the asset or transfer the liability at the measurement date. ASC Topic 820 requires the use of valuation techniques that are consistent with the market approach, the income approach and/or the cost approach. The market approach uses prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets and liabilities. The income approach uses valuation techniques to convert future amounts, such as cash flows or earnings, to a single present value amount on a discounted basis. The cost approach is based on the amount that currently would be required to replace the service capacity of an asset, also known as current replacement cost. Valuation techniques used to measure fair value are to be consistently applied. In ASC Topic 820, inputs refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk, for example, the risk inherent in a particular valuation technique used to measure fair value (such as a pricing model) and/or the risk inherent in the inputs to the valuation technique. Inputs may be observable or unobservable: • Observable inputs are inputs that reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity. • Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. Valuation techniques used to measure fair value are intended to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. ASC Topic 820 establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the use of inputs used in valuation techniques into the following three levels: • Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the reporting entity has the ability to access at the measurement date. • Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, or inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data. • Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability. Unobservable inputs are to be used to measure fair value to the extent that observable inputs are not available, thereby allowing for situations in which there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability at the measurement date. In general, fair value is based upon quoted market prices, where available. If such quoted market prices are not available, fair value is based upon internally developed models that primarily use, as inputs, observable market-based parameters. The fair values of the Company’s investments are based upon prices provided by an independent pricing service. The Company has reviewed these prices for reasonableness and has not adjusted any prices received from the independent provider. Securities reported at fair value utilizing Level 1 inputs represent assets whose fair value is determined based upon observable unadjusted quoted market prices for identical assets in active markets. Level 2 securities represent assets whose fair value is determined using observable market information such as previous day trade prices, quotes from less active markets or quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics. There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 during the year ended December 31, 2015. Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 are as follows: December 31, 2015 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Fair (in thousands) Financial instruments carried at fair value, classified as part of: Other investments $ — $ — $ 12,217 $ 12,217 Securities available for sale—equity: Domestic common stock 31 — — 31 Securities available for sale—fixed maturity: States and political subdivisions — 171,419 — 171,419 U.S. agency-based mortgage-backed securities — 7,299 — 7,299 Corporate bonds — 201,304 — 201,304 Total available for sale—fixed maturity $ — $ 380,022 $ — $ 380,022 Total available for sale $ 31 $ 380,022 $ 12,217 $ 392,270 December 31, 2014 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Fair (in thousands) Financial instruments carried at fair value, classified as part of: Other investments $ — $ — $ 11,748 $ 11,748 Securities available for sale—equity: Domestic common stock 28 — — 28 Securities available for sale—fixed maturity: States and political subdivisions — 157,374 — 157,374 U.S. agency-based mortgage-backed securities — 8,498 — 8,498 Corporate bonds — 165,370 — 165,370 Total available for sale—fixed maturity $ — $ 331,242 $ — $ 331,242 Total available for sale $ 28 $ 331,242 $ 11,748 $ 343,018 Assets and liabilities measured at amortized cost as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 are as follows: December 31, 2015 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Inputs Total Fair (in thousands) Securities held-to-maturity—fixed maturity: States and political subdivisions $ — $ 423,754 $ — $ 423,754 Corporate bonds — 170,573 — 170,573 Commercial mortgage-backed securities — 37,683 — 37,683 U.S. agency-based mortgage-backed securities — 14,471 — 14,471 U.S. Treasury securities 13,380 — — 13,380 Asset-backed securities — 2,415 — 2,415 Total held-to-maturity $ 13,380 $ 648,896 $ — $ 662,276 December 31, 2014 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Fair (in thousands) Securities held-to-maturity—fixed maturity: States and political subdivisions $ — $ 405,665 $ — $ 405,665 Corporate bonds — 176,734 — 176,734 Commercial mortgage-backed securities — 48,529 — 48,529 U.S. agency-based mortgage-backed securities — 18,672 — 18,672 U.S. Treasury securities 11,792 — — 11,792 Asset-backed securities — 2,979 — 2,979 Total held-to-maturity $ 11,792 $ 652,579 $ — $ 664,371 The following table presents summary information regarding changes in the fair value of assets measured at fair value using Level 3 input. December 31, December 31, (in thousands) Balance at beginning of year $ 11,748 $ 10,591 Total unrealized gains 469 1,157 Balance at end of year $ 12,217 $ 11,748 The Company determines fair value amounts for financial instruments using available third-party market information. When such information is not available, the Company determines the fair value amounts using appropriate valuation methodologies. Nonfinancial instruments such as real estate, property and equipment, deferred policy acquisition costs, deferred income taxes and loss and loss adjustment expense reserves are excluded from the fair value disclosure. At December 31, 2015, the Company held two securities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis due to a recognized impairment of $0.3 million. The securities are valued using Level 2 inputs and had a value of $0.3 million at December 31, 2015. The securities were valued at fair value at the time of impairment and are currently being carried at the adjusted amortized cost. The fair value of the securities was $0.5 million at December 31, 2015.

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaud

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)	19. Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) The following table represents unaudited quarterly financial data for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014. Three Months Ended March 31 June 30 September 30 December 31 (in thousands, except per share amounts) 2015 Premiums earned $ 94,787 $ 95,569 $ 90,504 $ 95,034 Net investment income 6,833 6,890 6,923 7,256 Net realized gains (losses) on investments 59 (2,617 ) 40 24 Total revenues 101,788 99,936 97,470 101,760 Income before income taxes 21,197 20,112 25,890 33,768 Net income 15,130 14,319 17,940 23,073 Net income available to common shareholders 15,130 14,319 17,940 23,073 Earnings per share: Basic 0.80 0.76 0.95 1.21 Diluted 0.79 0.75 0.94 1.21 Comprehensive income 15,948 12,744 19,248 22,299 Extraordinary cash dividends declared per common share $ — $ — $ — $ 3.00 Cash dividends declared per common share $ 0.15 $ 0.15 $ 0.15 $ 0.15 2014 Premiums earned $ 89,233 $ 93,516 $ 95,928 $ 97,070 Net investment income 6,708 6,845 6,495 7,166 Net realized gains (losses) on investments 101 232 (152 ) 516 Total revenues 96,173 100,624 102,336 104,886 Income before income taxes 13,404 17,061 19,348 23,936 Net income 10,549 12,773 13,479 16,865 Net income available to common shareholders 10,549 12,773 13,479 16,865 Earnings per share: Basic 0.57 0.69 0.72 0.90 Diluted 0.56 0.68 0.71 0.89 Comprehensive income 13,789 15,789 13,596 17,597 Extraordinary cash dividends declared per common share $ 0.50 $ — $ — $ 1.00 Cash dividends declared per common share $ 0.12 $ 0.12 $ 0.12 $ 0.12

Capital Management

Capital Management	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Text Block [Abstract]
Capital Management	20. Capital Management The Company’s Board of Directors initiated a share repurchase program in February 2010. In October 2015, the Board reauthorized this program with a limit of $25.0 million. Unless reauthorized, the program will expire on December 31, 2016. Since beginning of this plan, the Company has repurchased a total of 1,258,250 shares for $22.4 million, or an average price of $17.78, including commissions. In 2013, the Company’s Board of Directors initiated a quarterly dividend. During 2015, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.15 per share compared to $0.12 per share in 2014 and $0.08 per share in 2013. The Company declared extraordinary dividends totaling $3.00 per share in 2015 and $1.50 per share in 2014. There were no extraordinary dividends declared in 2013.

Subsequent Events

Subsequent Events	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events	21. Subsequent Events On February 23, 2016 the Company declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.18 per share payable on March 28, 2016 to shareholders of record on March 14, 2016. In 2015, the Company paid a quarterly cash dividend of $0.15 per share. The Board intends to continue to consider the payment of a regular cash dividend each calendar quarter. On an annualized basis, the cash dividend is expected to be $0.72 per share.

Schedule II. Condensed Financia

Schedule II. Condensed Financial Information of Registrant	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company Only Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule II. Condensed Financial Information of Registrant	Schedule II. Condensed Financial Information of Registrant AMERISAFE, INC. CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS December 31, 2015 2014 (in thousands) Assets Investments: Short-term investments $ — $ 250 Other investments 12,217 11,748 Investment in subsidiaries 408,135 387,954 Total investments 420,352 399,952 Cash and cash equivalents 26,968 43,585 Deferred income taxes 292 1,001 Notes receivable from subsidiaries 1,505 (1) Property and equipment, net 1,817 2,070 Other assets 3,047 4,992 $ 453,981 $ 451,599 Liabilities, redeemable preferred stock and shareholders’ equity Liabilities: Accounts payable and other liabilities $ — $ 3,853 Notes payable to subsidiaries — 778 Total liabilities — 4,631 Shareholders’ equity (net of Treasury stock of $22,370 at December 31, 2015 and 2014) 453,981 446,968 $ 453,981 $ 451,599 AMERISAFE, INC. CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME Year Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 (in thousands) Revenues Net investment income $ 854 $ 1,541 $ 1,051 Fee and other income 5,893 5,368 5,453 Total revenues 6,747 6,909 6,504 Expenses Other operating costs 6,747 6,909 6,504 Total expenses 6,747 6,909 6,504 Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings of subsidiaries — — — Income tax expense (benefit) (57) (13) 6 Gain (loss) before equity in earnings of subsidiaries 57 13 (6) Equity in net income of subsidiaries 70,405 53,653 43,643 Net income $ 70,462 $ 53,666 $ 43,637 AMERISAFE, INC. CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS Year Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 (in thousands) Operating activities Net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities $ (1,727) $ 2,161 $ 1,829 Investing activities Purchases of investments — (1,462) (10,248) Proceeds from sales of investments 250 2,404 11,674 Purchases of property and equipment (627) (691) (779) Dividends from subsidiary 50,000 25,000 15,000 Net cash provided by investing activities 49,623 25,251 15,647 Financing activities Proceeds from stock option exercises 1,844 2,674 2,344 Tax benefit from share-based payments 2,204 2,841 2,024 Dividends to shareholders (68,561) (37,068) (5,910) Net cash used in financing activities (64,513) (31,553) (1,542) Change in cash and cash equivalents (16,617) (4,141) 15,934 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 43,585 47,726 31,792 Cash and cash equivalents at end of year $ 26,968 $ 43,585 $ 47,726

Schedule VI. Supplemental Infor

Schedule VI. Supplemental Information Concerning Property-Casualty Insurance Operations	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Supplemental Information for Property, Casualty Insurance Underwriters [Abstract]
Schedule VI. Supplemental Information Concerning Property-Casualty Insurance Operations	Schedule VI. Supplemental Information Concerning Property—Casualty Insurance Operations AMERISAFE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Deferred Reserves for Unearned Earned Net Loss and Loss and Amortization Paid Claims Net (in thousands) 2015 $ 20,412 $ 718,033 $ 167,983 $ 375,894 $ 27,902 $ 262,387 $ (47,814 ) $ (44,841 ) $ 189,666 $ 375,301 2014 19,649 687,602 168,576 375,747 27,214 268,633 (23,717 ) (43,817 ) 182,506 380,026 2013 19,171 614,557 164,296 329,983 27,029 241,584 (12,611 ) (40,526 ) 178,375 353,752

Summary of Significant Accoun31

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Organization	Organization AMERISAFE, Inc. is an insurance holding company incorporated in the state of Texas. The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of AMERISAFE and its subsidiaries: American Interstate Insurance Company (“AIIC”) and its insurance subsidiaries, Silver Oak Casualty, Inc. (“SOCI”) and American Interstate Insurance Company of Texas (“AIICTX”), Amerisafe Risk Services, Inc. (“RISK”) and Amerisafe General Agency, Inc. (“AGAI”). AIIC and SOCI are property and casualty insurance companies organized under the laws of the state of Nebraska. AIICTX is a property and casualty insurance company organized under the laws of the state of Texas. RISK, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, is a claims and safety service company currently servicing only affiliated insurance companies. AGAI, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, is a general agent for the Company. AGAI sells insurance, which is underwritten by AIIC, SOCI and AIICTX, as well as by nonaffiliated insurance carriers. The assets and operations of AGAI are not significant to that of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries. The terms “AMERISAFE,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our” refer to AMERISAFE, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries, as the context requires. The Company provides workers’ compensation insurance for small to mid-sized employers engaged in hazardous industries, principally construction, trucking, manufacturing, agriculture and oil and gas. Assets and revenues of AIIC represent at least 95% of comparable consolidated amounts of the Company for each of 2015, 2014 and 2013.
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements in accordance 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.
Reclassifications	Reclassifications Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current year presentation.
Investments	Investments The Company has the ability and positive intent to hold certain investments until maturity. Therefore, fixed maturity securities classified as held-to-maturity are recorded at amortized cost. Equity securities and fixed maturity securities classified as available-for-sale are recorded at fair value. Temporary changes in the fair value of these securities are reported in shareholders’ equity as a component of other comprehensive income, net of deferred income taxes. Investment income is recognized as it is earned. The discount or premium on fixed maturity securities is amortized using the “constant yield” method. Anticipated prepayments, where applicable, are considered when determining the amortization of premiums or discounts. Realized investment gains and losses are determined using the specific identification method. The Company regularly reviews the fair value of its investments. Impairment of an investment security results in a reduction of the carrying value of the security and the realization of a loss when the fair value of the security declines below the cost or amortized cost, as applicable, for the security and the impairment is deemed to be other-than-temporary. The Company regularly reviews its investment portfolio to evaluate the existence of other-than-temporary declines in the fair value of investments. The Company considers various factors in determining if a decline in the fair value of an individual security is other-than-temporary, including but not limited to a reduction or interruption in scheduled cash flows, the financial condition of the issuer, how long and by how much the fair value has been below amortized cost, losses due to credit concerns, downgrades and the Company’s intent to sell or ability to hold the security. Other-than-temporary impairment losses on equity securities are recognized in net income and are measured as the difference between cost and fair value. Impairment losses on fixed maturities are recognized in the financial statements depending on the facts and circumstances related to the specific security. If we intend to sell a security or it is more likely than not that we would be required to sell a security before the recovery of its amortized cost, less any current period credit loss, an other-than-temporary impairment would be recognized in net income for the difference between amortized cost and fair value. If we do not expect to recover the amortized cost basis, we do not plan to sell the security and if it is not more likely than not that we would be required to sell a security before the recovery of its amortized cost, less any current period credit loss, the recognition of the other-than-temporary impairment is bifurcated. The credit loss portion would be recognized in net income and the noncredit loss portion in other comprehensive income.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash equivalents include short-term money market funds and corporate bonds with an original maturity of 90 days or less.
Short-Term Investments	Short-Term Investments Short-term investments include municipal securities, corporate bonds and certificates of deposit with an original maturity greater than three months but less than one year.
Other Investments	Other Investments Other investments consist of a limited partnership (“LP”) interest that is accounted for under the equity method valued using the net asset value provided by the general partner of the LP, which approximates the fair value of the interest. The LP’s objective is to generate absolute returns by investing long and short in publicly-traded global securities. Redemptions are allowed monthly following a 60 day notice with no lock up periods. The Company has no unfunded commitments related to the LP.
Premiums Receivable	Premiums Receivable Premiums receivable consist primarily of premium-related balances due from policyholders. The Company considers premiums receivable as past due based on the payment terms of the underlying policy. The balance is shown net of the allowance for doubtful accounts. Receivables due from insureds are charged off when a determination has been made by management that a specific balance will not be collected. An estimate of amounts that are likely to be charged off is established as an allowance for doubtful accounts as of the balance sheet date. The estimate is primarily comprised of specific balances that are considered probable to be charged off after all collection efforts have ceased, as well as historical trends and an analysis of the aging of the receivables.
Property and Equipment	Property and Equipment The Company’s property and equipment, including certain costs incurred to develop or obtain software for internal use, are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is calculated primarily by the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets, generally 39 years for buildings and three to seven years for all other fixed assets.
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs	Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs The direct costs of successfully acquiring and renewing business are capitalized to the extent recoverable and are amortized over the effective period of the related insurance policies in proportion to premium revenue earned. These capitalized costs consist mainly of sales commissions, premium taxes and other underwriting costs. The Company evaluates deferred policy acquisition costs for recoverability by comparing the unearned premiums to the estimated total expected claim costs and related expenses, offset by anticipated investment income. The Company would reduce the deferred costs if the unearned premiums were less than expected claims and expenses after considering investment income, and report any adjustments in amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs. There were no adjustments necessary in 2015, 2014 or 2013.
Reserves for Loss and Loss Adjustment Expenses	Reserves for Loss and Loss Adjustment Expenses Reserves for loss and loss adjustment expenses represent the estimated ultimate cost of all reported and unreported losses incurred through December 31. The Company does not discount loss and loss adjustment expense reserves. The reserves for loss and loss adjustment expenses are estimated using individual case-basis valuations, statistical analyses and estimates based upon experience for unreported claims and their associated loss and loss adjustment expenses. Such estimates may be more or less than the amounts ultimately paid when the claims are settled. The estimates are subject to the effects of trends in loss severity and frequency. Although considerable variability is inherent in these estimates, management believes that the reserves for loss and loss adjustment expenses are adequate. The estimates are continually reviewed and adjusted as necessary as experience develops or new information becomes known. Any adjustments are included in current operations. Subrogation recoverables, as well as deductible recoverables from policyholders, are estimated using individual case-basis valuations and aggregate estimates. Deductibles that are recoverable from policyholders and other recoverables from state funds decrease the liability for loss and loss adjustment expenses. The Company funds its obligations under certain settled claims where the payment pattern and ultimate cost are fixed and determinable on an individual claim basis through the purchase of annuities. These annuities are purchased from unaffiliated carriers and name the claimant as payee. The cost of purchasing the annuity is recorded as paid loss and loss adjustment expenses. To the extent the annuity funds estimated future claims, reserves for loss and loss adjustment expense are reduced.
Premium Revenue	Premium Revenue Premiums on workers’ compensation insurance are based on actual payroll costs or production during the policy term and are normally billed monthly in arrears or annually. However, the Company generally requires a deposit at the inception of a policy. Premium revenue is earned on a pro rata basis over periods covered by the policies. The reserve for unearned premiums on these policies is computed on a daily pro rata basis. The Company estimates the annual premiums to be paid by its policyholders when the Company issues the policies and records those amounts on the balance sheet as premiums receivable. The Company conducts premium audits on all of its voluntary business policyholders annually, upon the expiration of each policy, including when the policy is renewed. The purpose of these audits is to verify that policyholders have accurately reported their payroll expenses and employee job classifications, and therefore have paid the Company the premium required under the terms of the policies. The difference between the estimated premium and the ultimate premium is referred to as “earned but unbilled” premium, or EBUB premium. EBUB premium can be higher or lower than the estimated premium. EBUB premium is subject to significant variability and can either increase or decrease earned premium based upon several factors, including changes in premium growth, industry mix and economic conditions. Due to the timing of audits and other adjustments, ultimate premium earned is generally not determined for several months after the expiration of the policy. The Company estimates EBUB premiums on a quarterly basis using historical data and applying various assumptions based on the current market and records an adjustment to premium, related losses, and expenses as warranted.
Reinsurance	Reinsurance Reinsurance premiums, losses and allocated loss adjustment expenses are accounted for on a basis consistent with those used in accounting for the original policies issued and the terms of the reinsurance contracts. Amounts recoverable from reinsurers include balances currently owed to the Company for losses and allocated loss adjustment expenses that have been paid to policyholders, amounts that are currently reserved for and will be recoverable once the related expense has been paid and experience-rated commissions recoverable upon commutation. Upon management’s determination that an amount due from a reinsurer is uncollectible due to the reinsurer’s insolvency or other matters, the amount is written off. Ceding commissions are earned from certain reinsurance companies and are intended to reimburse the Company for policy acquisition costs related to those premiums ceded to the reinsurers. Ceding commission income is recognized over the effective period of the related insurance policies in proportion to premium revenue earned and is reflected as a reduction in underwriting and certain other operating costs. Experience-rated commissions are earned from certain reinsurance companies based on the financial results of the applicable risks ceded to the reinsurers. These commission revenues on reinsurance contracts are recognized during the related reinsurance treaty period and are based on the same assumptions used for recording loss and allocated loss adjustment expenses. These commissions are reflected as a reduction in underwriting and certain other operating costs and are adjusted as necessary as experience develops or new information becomes known. Any such adjustments are included in income from current operations. Experience-rated commissions had an impact of $0.3 million on underwriting and certain other operating costs in 2015 compared to no impact in 2014 and $(9.3) million in 2013.
Fee and Other Income	Fee and Other Income The Company recognizes income related to commissions earned by AGAI as the related services are performed.
Advertising	Advertising All advertising expenditures incurred by the Company are charged to expense in the period to which they relate and are included in underwriting and certain other operating costs in the consolidated statements of income. Total advertising expenses incurred were $0.7 million in 2015, $0.5 million in 2014 and $0.5 million in 2013.
Income Taxes	Income Taxes The Company accounts for income taxes using the liability method. The provision for income taxes has two components, amounts currently payable or receivable and deferred amounts. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are measured using tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred income tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. The Company considers deferred tax assets to be recoverable if it is probable that the related tax losses can be offset by future taxable income. The Company includes reversal of existing temporary differences, tax planning strategies available and future operating income in this assessment. To the extent the deferred tax assets exceed the amount expected to be recovered in future years, the Company records a valuation allowance for the amount determined unrecoverable.
Insurance-Related Assessments	Insurance-Related Assessments Insurance-related assessments are accrued in the period in which they have been incurred. The Company is subject to a variety of assessments related to insurance commerce, including those by state guaranty funds and workers’ compensation second-injury funds. State guaranty fund assessments are used by state insurance oversight agencies to cover losses of policyholders of insolvent or rehabilitated insurance companies and for the operating expenses of such agencies. The Company has a premium tax benefit accrued of $3.8 million and $4.0 million as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, for mandatory assessments that may be recovered through a reduction in future premium taxes in certain states. Assessments based on premiums are generally paid one year after the calendar year in which the premium is written, while assessments based on losses are generally paid within one year of the calendar year in which the loss is paid.
Policyholder Dividends	Policyholder Dividends The Company writes certain policies for which the policyholder may participate in favorable claims experience through a dividend. An estimated provision for workers’ compensation policyholders’ dividends is accrued as the related premiums are earned. Dividends do not become a fixed liability unless and until declared by the respective Boards of Directors of AMERISAFE’s insurance subsidiaries. The dividend to which a policyholder may be entitled is set forth in the policy and is related to the amount of losses sustained under the policy. Dividends are calculated after the policy expiration. The Company is able to estimate the policyholder dividend liability because the Company has information regarding the underlying loss experience of the policies written with dividend provisions and can estimate future dividend payments from the policy terms.
Earnings Per Share	Earnings Per Share The Company computes earnings per share (EPS) in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 260, Earnings Per Share. Under the two-class method, net income available to common and participating common shareholders is reduced by the amount of dividends declared in the current period and by the contractual amount of dividends that must be paid for the current period related to the Company’s common and participating common shares. Participating common shares include unvested share-based payment awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends, whether paid or unpaid. Any remaining undistributed earnings are allocated to the common and participating common shareholders to the extent that each security shares in earnings as if all of the earnings for the period had been distributed. The amount of earnings allocable to each security is divided by the number of outstanding shares of the security to which the earnings are allocated to determine the EPS for the security. In a period of loss, no losses are allocated to the participating common shareholders. Instead, all such losses are allocated to the common shareholders. Basic EPS is calculated by dividing income available to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. The diluted EPS calculation includes potential common shares assumed issued under the treasury stock method, which reflects the potential dilution that would occur if any outstanding options or warrants were exercised or restricted stock becomes vested, and includes the “if converted” method for participating securities if the effect is dilutive. We determine diluted EPS as the more dilutive result of either the treasury method or the two-class method.
Share-Based Compensation	Share-Based Compensation The Company recognizes the impact of its share-based compensation in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation
Fair Value Measurements	The Company carries available-for-sale securities at fair value in our consolidated financial statements and determines fair value measurements and disclosure in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures. The Company determines the fair values of its financial instruments based on the fair value hierarchy established in ASC Topic 820, which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The standard defines fair value, describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.

Investments (Tables)

Investments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Gross Unrealized Gains and Losses and Amortized Cost and Fair Value of Investments Classified as Held-to-maturity	The gross unrealized gains and losses on, and the amortized cost and fair value of, those investments classified as held-to-maturity at December 31, 2015 are summarized as follows: Amortized Gross Gross Fair Value (in thousands) States and political subdivisions $ 408,447 $ 15,352 $ (45) $ 423,754 Corporate bonds 171,224 159 (810) 170,573 Commercial mortgage-backed securities 37,494 204 (15) 37,683 U.S. agency-based mortgage-backed securities 13,223 1,249 (1) 14,471 U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government agencies 12,487 897 (4) 13,380 Asset-backed securities 2,289 202 (76) 2,415 Totals $ 645,164 $ 18,063 $ (951) $ 662,276 The gross unrealized gains and losses on, and the amortized cost and fair value of, those investments classified as held-to-maturity at December 31, 2014 are summarized as follows: Amortized Gross Gross Fair Value (in thousands) States and political subdivisions $ 385,623 $ 20,100 $ (58) $ 405,665 Corporate bonds 176,880 374 (520) 176,734 Commercial mortgage-backed securities 46,662 1,867 — 48,529 U.S. agency-based mortgage-backed securities 16,972 1,702 (2) 18,672 U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government agencies 10,697 1,097 (2) 11,792 Asset-backed securities 2,797 264 (82) 2,979 Totals $ 639,631 $ 25,404 $ (664) $ 664,371
Gross Unrealized Gains and Losses and Cost or Amortized Cost and Fair Value of Investments Classified as Available-for-sale	The gross unrealized gains and losses on, and the cost or amortized cost and fair value of, those investments classified as available-for-sale at December 31, 2015 are summarized as follows: Cost or Amortized Cost Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Losses Fair Value (in thousands) Fixed maturity: States and political subdivisions $ 164,684 $ 6,942 $ (207 ) $ 171,419 Corporate bonds 202,537 253 (1,486 ) 201,304 U.S. agency-based mortgage-backed securities 8,888 4 (1,593 ) 7,299 Total fixed maturity 376,109 7,199 (3,286 ) 380,022 Other investments 10,000 2,217 — 12,217 Equity securities — 31 — 31 Totals $ 386,109 $ 9,447 $ (3,286 ) $ 392,270 The gross unrealized gains and losses on, and the cost or amortized cost and fair value of, those investments classified as available-for-sale at December 31, 2014 are summarized as follows: Cost or Amortized Cost Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Losses Fair Value (in thousands) Fixed maturity: States and political subdivisions $ 151,744 $ 7,302 $ (1,672 ) $ 157,374 Corporate bonds 165,412 428 (470 ) 165,370 U.S. agency-based mortgage-backed securities 9,848 2 (1,352 ) 8,498 Total fixed maturity 327,004 7,732 (3,494 ) 331,242 Other investments 10,000 1,748 — 11,748 Equity securities — 28 — 28 Totals $ 337,004 $ 9,508 $ (3,494 ) $ 343,018
A Summary of the Company's Realized Gains and Losses on Sales, Calls or Redemptions of Investments	A summary of the Company’s realized gains and losses on sales, calls or redemptions of investments for 2015, 2014 and 2013 is as follows: Fixed Equity Other Total (in thousands) Year ended December 31, 2015 Proceeds from sales $ 4,432 $ — $ — $ 4,432 Gross realized investment gains $ 177 $ — $ — $ 177 Gross realized investment (losses) (162 ) — — (162 ) Net realized investment gains 15 — — 15 Impairments (2,653 ) — — (2,653 ) Other, including gains on calls and redemptions 102 — 42 144 Net realized gains (losses) on investments $ (2,536 ) $ — $ 42 $ (2,494 ) Year ended December 31, 2014 Proceeds from sales $ 768 $ 9,780 $ — $ 10,548 Gross realized investment gains $ 1 $ 749 $ — $ 750 Gross realized investment (losses) — (451 ) — (451 ) Net realized investment gains 1 298 — 299 Impairments (222 ) — — (222 ) Other, including gains on calls and redemptions 244 — 376 620 Net realized gains on investments $ 23 $ 298 $ 376 $ 697 Year ended December 31, 2013 Proceeds from sales $ 2,090 $ 8,900 $ — $ 10,990 Gross realized investment gains $ 90 $ 1,264 $ — $ 1,354 Gross realized investment (losses) — (471 ) — (471 ) Net realized investment gains 90 793 — 883 Impairments — (2,229 ) — (2,229 ) Other, including gains on calls and redemptions 38 — 97 135 Net realized gains (losses) on investments $ 128 $ (1,436 ) $ 97 $ (1,211 )
Major Categories of the Company's Net Investment Income	Major categories of the Company’s net investment income are summarized as follows: Year Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 (in thousands) Gross investment income: Fixed maturity securities $ 28,498 $ 26,622 $ 26,422 Short-term investments and cash and cash equivalents 149 426 634 Equity securities — 232 543 Other investments 763 1,611 803 Total gross investment income 29,410 28,891 28,402 Investment expenses (1,508 ) (1,677 ) (1,373 ) Net investment income $ 27,902 $ 27,214 $ 27,029
Investment Securities Continuous Unrealized Loss Position	The following table summarizes the fair value and gross unrealized losses on securities, aggregated by major investment category and length of time that the individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position: Less Than 12 Months 12 Months or Greater Total Fair Value of Gross Fair Value of Gross Fair Value of Gross (in thousands) December 31, 2015 Held-to-Maturity Fixed maturity securities: Corporate bonds $ 128,436 $ 687 $ 18,139 $ 123 $ 146,575 $ 810 States and political subdivisions 24,068 45 — — 24,068 45 U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. Government agencies 2,980 4 — — 2,980 4 U.S. agency-based mortgage-backed securities 18 — 28 1 46 1 Asset-backed securities — — 1,389 76 1,389 76 Commercial mortgage-backed securities 9,784 15 — — 9,784 15 Total held-to-maturity securities 165,286 751 19,556 200 184,842 951 Available-for Sale Fixed maturity securities: Corporate bonds $ 141,857 $ 1,475 $ 4,216 $ 11 $ 146,073 $ 1,486 States and political subdivisions 6,560 9 4,439 198 10,999 207 U.S. agency-based mortgage-backed securities 434 37 6,794 1,556 7,228 1,593 Total available-for-sale securities 148,851 1,521 15,449 1,765 164,300 3,286 Total $ 314,137 $ 2,272 $ 35,005 $ 1,965 $ 349,142 $ 4,237 December 31, 2014 Held-to-Maturity Fixed maturity securities: Corporate bonds $ 129,788 $ 520 $ — $ — $ 129,788 $ 520 States and political subdivisions 16,896 58 — — 16,896 58 U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. Government agencies 3,385 2 — — 3,385 2 U.S. agency-based mortgage-backed securities 78 2 — — 78 2 Asset-backed securities — — 1,662 82 1,662 82 Total held-to-maturity securities 150,147 582 1,662 82 151,809 664 Available-for Sale Fixed maturity securities: Corporate bonds $ 106,185 $ 470 $ — $ — $ 106,185 $ 470 States and political subdivisions 3,810 6 10,347 1,666 14,157 1,672 U.S. agency-based mortgage-backed securities 627 11 7,757 1,341 8,384 1,352 Total available-for-sale securities 110,622 487 18,104 3,007 128,726 3,494 Total $ 260,769 $ 1,069 $ 19,766 $ 3,089 $ 280,535 $ 4,158
Held-to-Maturity Securities [Member]
Summary of Amortized Cost and Fair Value of Investments in Fixed Maturity Securities, by Contractual Maturity	A summary of the amortized cost and fair value of investments in fixed maturity securities, classified as held-to-maturity at December 31, 2015, by contractual maturity, is as follows: Amortized Fair Value (in thousands) Maturity: Within one year $ 112,187 $ 112,830 After one year through five years 299,100 306,633 After five years through ten years 109,901 114,362 After ten years 70,970 73,882 U.S. agency-based mortgage-backed securities 13,223 14,471 Commercial mortgage-backed securities 37,494 37,683 Asset-backed securities 2,289 2,415 Totals $ 645,164 $ 662,276
Available-for-Sale Securities [Member]
Summary of Amortized Cost and Fair Value of Investments in Fixed Maturity Securities, by Contractual Maturity	A summary of the amortized cost and fair value of investments in fixed maturity securities, classified as available-for-sale at December 31, 2015, by contractual maturity, is as follows: Amortized Fair Value (in thousands) Maturity: Within one year $ 32,687 $ 32,724 After one year through five years 206,409 206,375 After five years through ten years 19,394 19,585 After ten years 108,731 114,039 U.S. agency-based mortgage-backed securities 8,888 7,299 Totals $ 376,109 $ 380,022

Premiums Receivable (Tables)

Premiums Receivable (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Insurance [Abstract]
Components of Premiums Receivable	The components of premiums receivable are shown below: December 31, 2015 2014 (in thousands) Premiums receivable $ 190,216 $ 184,128 Allowance for doubtful accounts (4,852 ) (5,211 ) Premiums receivable, net $ 185,364 $ 178,917
Summarizes the Activity in the Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	The following summarizes the activity in the allowance for doubtful accounts: December 31, 2015 2014 2013 (in thousands) Balance, beginning of year $ 5,211 $ 5,458 $ 6,424 Provision for bad debts (1) 806 673 52 Write-offs (1,165 ) (920 ) (1,018 ) Balance, end of year $ 4,852 $ 5,211 $ 5,458 (1) Includes a one-time adjustment of $1.7 million in 2013 as a result of a change in accounting estimate of uncollectible accounts based on historical experience.

Deferred Policy Acquisition C34

Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Insurance [Abstract]
Schedule of Major Categories of the Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs	Major categories of the Company’s deferred policy acquisition costs are summarized as follows: December 31, 2015 2014 (in thousands) Agents’ commissions $ 15,997 $ 15,351 Premium taxes 3,121 3,100 Deferred underwriting expenses 1,294 1,198 Total deferred policy acquisition costs $ 20,412 $ 19,649
Schedule of the Activity in the Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs	The following summarizes the activity in the deferred policy acquisition costs: Year Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 (in thousands) Balance, beginning of year $ 19,649 $ 19,171 $ 18,419 Policy acquisition costs deferred 45,604 44,295 41,278 Amortization expense during the year (44,841 ) (43,817 ) (40,526 ) Balance, end of year $ 20,412 $ 19,649 $ 19,171

Property and Equipment (Tables)

Property and Equipment (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Schedule of Property and Equipment	Property and equipment consist of the following: December 31, 2015 2014 (in thousands) Land and office building $ 7,069 $ 7,758 Furniture and equipment 6,227 6,593 Software 6,277 9,875 Automobiles 74 73 19,647 24,299 Accumulated depreciation (13,466 ) (17,059 ) Property and equipment, net $ 6,181 $ 7,240
Schedule of Future Minimum Lease Payments for Capital Lease Obligations	Future minimum lease payments related to the capital lease obligations are detailed below (in thousands): 2016 $ 39 2017 28 Present value of net minimum lease payments $ 67

Reinsurance (Tables)

Reinsurance (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Insurance [Abstract]
Schedule of the Effect of Reinsurance on Premiums Written and Earned	The effect of reinsurance on premiums written and earned in 2015, 2014 and 2013 was as follows: 2015 Premiums 2014 Premiums 2013 Premiums Written Earned Written Earned Written Earned (in thousands) Gross $ 386,529 $ 387,122 $ 393,819 $ 389,540 $ 372,177 $ 348,408 Ceded (11,228 ) (11,228 ) (13,793 ) (13,793 ) (18,425 ) (18,425 ) Net premiums $ 375,301 $ 375,894 $ 380,026 $ 375,747 $ 353,752 $ 329,983
Schedule of the Amounts Recoverable from Reinsurers	The amounts recoverable from reinsurers consist of the following: December 31, 2015 2014 (in thousands) Unpaid losses recoverable: Case basis $ 37,207 $ 34,196 Incurred but not reported 27,651 25,138 Paid losses recoverable 414 424 Experience-rated commissions recoverable 25,805 26,130 Total $ 91,077 $ 85,888
Schedule of Unsecured Reinsurance Recoverables from Reinsurers	The A.M. Best Company rating for the reinsurer is shown parenthetically. Hannover Reinsurance (Ireland) Limited (A+) $ 35,530 Odyssey America Reinsurance Corporation (A) 12,127 Minnesota Workers’ Compensation Reinsurance Association (NR) 9,034 Tokio Millenium Reinsurance Limited (A++) 7,294 Clearwater Insurance Company (bbb) 5,610 Other reinsurers 21,482 Total reinsurance recoverables 91,077 Letters of credit and funds held (53,572 ) Total unsecured reinsurance recoverables $ 37,505

Income Taxes (Tables)

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Company's Deferred Income Tax Assets and Liabilities	The Company’s deferred income tax assets and liabilities are as follows: December 31, 2015 2014 (in thousands) Deferred income tax assets: Discounting of net unpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses $ 15,415 $ 17,952 Unearned premiums 14,839 14,788 Accrued expenses and other 3,904 4,306 State income tax 488 591 Accrued policyholder dividends 719 438 Impaired securities 238 80 Capital loss carryforward 715 — Accrued insurance-related assessments 4,953 4,804 Total deferred tax assets 41,271 42,959 Deferred income tax liabilities: Deferred policy acquisition costs (9,012 ) (8,815 ) Unrealized gain (loss) on securities available-for-sale (1,393 ) (1,513 ) Property and equipment and other (696 ) (331 ) Salvage and subrogation (265 ) (289 ) Guaranty fund related items — (780 ) Total deferred income tax liabilities (11,366 ) (11,728 ) Net deferred income taxes $ 29,905 $ 31,231
Components of Consolidated Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	The components of consolidated income tax expense (benefit) are as follows: Year Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 (in thousands) Current: Federal $ 28,047 $ 20,811 $ 15,270 State 1,012 684 504 29,059 21,495 15,774 Deferred: Federal 1,343 (821 ) (207 ) State 103 (591 ) — 1,446 (1,412 ) (207 ) Total $ 30,505 $ 20,083 $ 15,567
Income Tax Expense from Operations from the Amount Computed by Applying the U.S. Federal Income Tax Statutory Rate of 35% to Income Before Income Taxes	Income tax expense from operations is different from the amount computed by applying the U.S. federal income tax statutory rate of 35% to income before income taxes as follows: Year Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 (in thousands) Income tax computed at federal statutory tax rate $ 35,338 $ 25,812 $ 20,721 Tax-exempt interest, net (5,630 ) (5,620 ) (5,458 ) State income tax 762 (146 ) 504 Dividends received deduction (19 ) (60 ) (113 ) Other 54 97 (87 ) $ 30,505 $ 20,083 $ 15,567

Loss and Loss Adjustment Expe38

Loss and Loss Adjustment Expenses (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Insurance [Abstract]
Reconciliation of Beginning and Ending Reserve Balances, Net of Related Amounts Recoverable from Reinsurers	The following table provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending reserve balances, net of related amounts recoverable from reinsurers, for 2015, 2014 and 2013: Year Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 (in thousands) Balance, beginning of period $ 687,602 $ 614,557 $ 570,450 Less amounts recoverable from reinsurers on unpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses 59,334 48,699 55,190 Net balance, beginning of period 628,268 565,858 515,260 Add incurred related to: Current accident year 262,387 268,633 241,584 Prior accident years (47,814 ) (23,717 ) (12,611 ) Total incurred 214,573 244,916 228,973 Less paid related to: Current accident year 53,955 52,848 51,169 Prior accident years 135,711 129,658 127,206 Total paid 189,666 182,506 178,375 Net balance, end of period 653,175 628,268 565,858 Add amounts recoverable from reinsurers on unpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses 64,858 59,334 48,699 Balance, end of period $ 718,033 $ 687,602 $ 614,557
Summary Exposures to Various Asbestos Related Claims	The following table details our exposures to various asbestos related claims: Year Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 (in thousands) Reserves for loss and LAE at beginning of year $ 819 $ 219 $ 167 Incurred losses and LAE during the current year 444 882 53 Loss and LAE payments (305 ) (282 ) (1 ) Reserves for loss and LAE at end of year $ 958 $ 819 $ 219

Statutory Accounting and Regu39

Statutory Accounting and Regulatory Requirements (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Text Block [Abstract]
Insurance Subsidiaries	Statutory-basis shareholders’ capital and surplus at December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 of the directly owned insurance subsidiary, AIIC, and the combined statutory-basis net income and realized investment gains for all AMERISAFE’s insurance subsidiaries for the three years in the period ended December 31, 2015, were as follows (in thousands): 2015 2014 2013 Capital and surplus $ 371,365 $ 377,742 $ 354,293 Net income 71,937 50,205 44,751 Net realized gains (losses) on investments (3,131 ) 693 (1,214 )

Stock Options and Restricted 40

Stock Options and Restricted Stock (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Stock Options Outstanding	The following table summarizes information about the stock options outstanding under the 2005 Incentive Plan at December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015: Shares Weighted- Average Exercise Price Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years) Outstanding at January 1, 2013 832,548 10.51 4.6 Granted — — — Exercised (256,300 ) 9.00 — Canceled, forfeited, or expired — — — Outstanding at December 31, 2013 576,248 11.12 3.8 Exercisable at December 31, 2013 557,448 10.91 3.7 Outstanding at January 1, 2014 576,248 11.12 3.8 Granted — — — Exercised (294,165 ) 9.09 — Canceled, forfeited, or expired — — — Outstanding at December 31, 2014 282,083 11.30 3.6 Exercisable at December 31, 2014 282,083 11.30 3.6 Outstanding at January 1, 2015 282,083 11.30 3.6 Granted — — — Exercised (193,204 ) 9.55 — Canceled, forfeited, or expired — — — Outstanding at December 31, 2015 88,879 12.10 4.3 Exercisable at December 31, 2015 88,879 12.10 4.3
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Values of Options Granted	2015 2014 2013 (in thousands) Cash received from option exercises $ 1,844 $ 2,674 $ 2,344 Total tax benefits realized for tax deductions from options exercised 2,109 2,797 2,002 Total intrinsic value of options exercised 6,969 9,145 6,654 Grant date fair value of options vested — 144 226 Aggregate intrinsic value of vested options outstanding 3,448 8,763 17,467
Restricted Stock Outstanding	The following table summarizes information about the restricted stock outstanding under the 2005 Incentive Plan at December 31, 2015: Shares Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value per Share Nonvested balance at January 1, 2013 8,000 27.47 Granted — — Vested (1,600 ) 27.47 Forfeited — — Nonvested balance at December 31, 2013 6,400 27.47 Granted — — Vested (800 ) 27.35 Forfeited (3,200 ) 27.59 Nonvested balance at December 31, 2014 2,400 27.35 Granted — — Vested (800 ) 27.35 Forfeited — — Nonvested balance at December 31, 2015 1,600 27.35 Shares Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value per Share Nonvested balance at January 1, 2012 7,833 26.79 Granted 5,376 33.47 Vested (7,833 ) 26.79 Forfeited — — Nonvested balance at December 31, 2013 5,376 33.47 Granted 5,229 37.27 Vested (5,376 ) 33.47 Forfeited — — Nonvested balance at December 31, 2014 5,229 37.27 Granted 7,112 44.26 Vested (5,229 ) 37.27 Forfeited — — Nonvested balance at December 31, 2015 7,112 44.26 Shares Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value per Share Nonvested balance at January 1, 2013 2,331 26.79 Granted 80,278 34.14 Vested — — Forfeited — — Nonvested balance at December 31, 2013 82,609 33.93 Granted 4,312 43.83 Vested (14,000 ) 33.58 Forfeited — — Nonvested balance at December 31, 2014 72,921 34.59 Granted 50,461 45.80 Vested (27,537 ) 37.27 Forfeited (18,317 ) 35.48 Nonvested balance at December 31, 2015 77,528 40.57

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Calculation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share	The calculation of basic and diluted EPS for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 are presented below. For the Year Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 (in thousands, except earnings per share amounts) Basic EPS: Net income, as reported $ 70,462 $ 53,666 $ 43,637 Less allocated income to participating securities — — 142 Net income available to common shareholders – basic $ 70,462 $ 53,666 $ 43,495 Basic weighted-average common shares 18,941 18,646 18,373 Basic earnings per share $ 3.72 $ 2.88 $ 2.37 Diluted EPS: Net income available to common shareholders—diluted $ 70,462 $ 53,666 $ 43,495 Diluted weighted average common shares: Weighted average common shares 18,941 18,646 18,373 Stock options and performance shares 178 282 376 Diluted weighted average common shares 19,119 18,928 18,749 Diluted earnings per common share $ 3.69 $ 2.84 $ 2.32
Calculation of Percentage of Net Income Allocable to Common Shareholders	The table below sets forth the reconciliation of the weighted average shares used for the basic and diluted EPS calculation. Under the two-class method, unvested stock options, and out-of-money vested stock options are not considered to be participating securities. Years Ended 2015 2014 2013 Basic weighted average common shares 18,941,077 18,646,128 18,373,033 Add: Other common shares eligible for common dividends: Weighted average restricted shares and stock options (including tax benefit component) 178,109 282,376 375,776 Diluted weighted average common shares 19,119,186 18,928,504 18,748,809

Comprehensive Income and Accu42

Comprehensive Income and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Schedule of Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (AOCI)	The following table illustrates the changes in the balance of each component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for each period presented in the financial statements. Year Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 (in thousands) Beginning balance $ 2,810 $ (4,295 ) $ 2,979 Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification (1,584 ) 6,558 (7,525 ) Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income 1,361 547 251 Net current period other comprehensive income (loss) (223 ) 7,105 (7,274 ) Ending balance $ 2,587 $ 2,810 $ (4,295 )
Reclassification Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	The effects of reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income by the respective line items of net income are presented in the following table. Component of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Year Ended December 31, Affected line item in the statement of 2015 2014 2013 (in thousands) Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities $ (494 ) $ (825 ) $ 30 Net realized gains (losses) on investments Other-than-temporary impairment (1,600 ) (16 ) (416 ) Net realized gains (losses) on investments (2,094 ) (841 ) (386 ) Income before income taxes 733 294 135 Income tax expense $ (1,361 ) $ (547 ) $ (251 ) Net income
Other Comprehensive Income	Pre-Tax Amount Tax Expense Net-of-Tax Amount (in thousands) December 31, 2015 Unrealized loss on securities: Unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities $ (2,572 ) $ (900 ) $ (1,672 ) Change in unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities with OTTI 176 62 114 Less amortization of differences between fair value and amortized cost for fixed maturity security transfer (40 ) (14 ) (26 ) Reclassification adjustment for gains realized in net income 2,093 732 1,361 Net unrealized loss (343 ) (120 ) (223 ) Other comprehensive income $ (343 ) $ (120 ) $ (223 ) December 31, 2014 Unrealized gain on securities: Unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities $ 10,133 $ 3,546 $ 6,587 Less amortization of differences between fair value and amortized cost for fixed maturity security transfer (44 ) (15 ) (29 ) Reclassification adjustment for gains realized in net income 842 295 547 Net unrealized gain 10,931 3,826 7,105 Other comprehensive income $ 10,931 $ 3,826 $ 7,105 December 31, 2013 Unrealized loss on securities: Unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities $ (11,724 ) $ (4,104 ) $ (7,620 ) Change in unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities with OTTI 222 78 144 Less amortization of differences between fair value and amortized cost for fixed maturity security transfer (75 ) (26 ) (49 ) Reclassification adjustment for gains realized in net income 386 135 251 Net unrealized loss (11,191 ) (3,917 ) (7,274 ) Other comprehensive income $ (11,191 ) $ (3,917 ) $ (7,274 )

Commitments and Contingencies (

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Fair Value of Annuities	The following table summarizes (in thousands) the fair value of the annuities at December 31, 2015, that the Company has purchased to satisfy its obligations. The A.M. Best Company rating is shown parenthetically. Life Insurance Company Statement Value of Annuities Exceeding 1% of Statutory Surplus Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (A+) $ 16,279 Pacific Life and Annuity Company (A+) 15,739 American General Life Insurance (A) 15,364 New York Life Insurance Company (A++) 11,303 John Hancock Life Insurance Company USA (A+) 7,596 Athene Annuity and Life Assurance Company (A-) 6,133 Liberty Life Assurance Company of Boston (A) 3,837 Other 19,441 $ 95,692
Future Minimum Lease Payments	The Company leases equipment and office space under noncancelable operating leases. At December 31, 2015, future minimum lease payments are as follows (in thousands): 2016 $ 152 2017 114 2018 68 2019 6 $ 340

Concentration of Operations (Ta

Concentration of Operations (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Text Block [Abstract]
Net Premiums Earned for the Different Lines of Business	Total net premiums earned for the different lines of business are shown below: 2015 2014 2013 Dollars Percent Dollars Percent Dollars Percent (Dollars in thousands) Workers’ compensation $ 375,894 100.0% $ 375,746 100.0% $ 329,986 100.0% General liability — 0.0% 1 0.0% (3) 0.0% Total net premiums earned $ 375,894 100.0% $ 375,747 100.0% $ 329,983 100.0%
Net Premiums Earned for the Top Ten States	Net premiums earned during 2015, 2014 and 2013 for the top ten states in 2015 and all others are shown below: 2015 2014 2013 Dollars Percent Dollars Percent Dollars Percent (Dollars in thousands) Georgia $ 40,497 10.8% $ 36,761 9.8% $ 30,096 9.1% Louisiana 38,874 10.3 47,643 12.7 42,110 12.8 Pennsylvania 36,294 9.7 35,488 9.4 28,880 8.8 Florida 24,792 6.6 20,691 5.5 12,950 3.9 Illinois 23,285 6.2 20,606 5.5 18,445 5.6 North Carolina 20,062 5.3 20,872 5.6 21,019 6.4 Virginia 15,656 4.2 16,764 4.5 15,751 4.8 Texas 15,226 4.0 14,846 4.0 14,949 4.5 Minnesota 14,618 3.9 13,159 3.5 10,470 3.2 Oklahoma 13,420 3.6 16,599 4.4 17,473 5.3 All others 133,170 35.4 132,318 35.1 117,840 35.6 Total net premiums earned $ 375,894 100.0% $ 375,747 100.0% $ 329,983 100.0%

Fair Values of Financial Inst45

Fair Values of Financial Instruments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Summary of Carrying Values and Corresponding Fair Values for Financial Instruments	The following table summarizes the carrying or reported values and corresponding fair values for financial instruments: December 31, 2015 2014 Carrying Fair Carrying Fair (in thousands) Assets: Fixed maturity securities—held to maturity $ 645,164 $ 662,276 $ 639,631 $ 664,371 Fixed maturity securities—available for sale 380,022 380,022 331,242 331,242 Equity securities 31 31 28 28 Cash and cash equivalents 69,481 69,481 90,956 90,956 Short-term investments 7,718 7,718 33,684 33,684 Other investments 12,217 12,217 11,748 11,748
Schedule of Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis	Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 are as follows: December 31, 2015 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Fair (in thousands) Financial instruments carried at fair value, classified as part of: Other investments $ — $ — $ 12,217 $ 12,217 Securities available for sale—equity: Domestic common stock 31 — — 31 Securities available for sale—fixed maturity: States and political subdivisions — 171,419 — 171,419 U.S. agency-based mortgage-backed securities — 7,299 — 7,299 Corporate bonds — 201,304 — 201,304 Total available for sale—fixed maturity $ — $ 380,022 $ — $ 380,022 Total available for sale $ 31 $ 380,022 $ 12,217 $ 392,270 December 31, 2014 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Fair (in thousands) Financial instruments carried at fair value, classified as part of: Other investments $ — $ — $ 11,748 $ 11,748 Securities available for sale—equity: Domestic common stock 28 — — 28 Securities available for sale—fixed maturity: States and political subdivisions — 157,374 — 157,374 U.S. agency-based mortgage-backed securities — 8,498 — 8,498 Corporate bonds — 165,370 — 165,370 Total available for sale—fixed maturity $ — $ 331,242 $ — $ 331,242 Total available for sale $ 28 $ 331,242 $ 11,748 $ 343,018
Schedule of Assets and Liabilities Measured at Amortized Cost	Assets and liabilities measured at amortized cost as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 are as follows: December 31, 2015 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Inputs Total Fair (in thousands) Securities held-to-maturity—fixed maturity: States and political subdivisions $ — $ 423,754 $ — $ 423,754 Corporate bonds — 170,573 — 170,573 Commercial mortgage-backed securities — 37,683 — 37,683 U.S. agency-based mortgage-backed securities — 14,471 — 14,471 U.S. Treasury securities 13,380 — — 13,380 Asset-backed securities — 2,415 — 2,415 Total held-to-maturity $ 13,380 $ 648,896 $ — $ 662,276 December 31, 2014 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Fair (in thousands) Securities held-to-maturity—fixed maturity: States and political subdivisions $ — $ 405,665 $ — $ 405,665 Corporate bonds — 176,734 — 176,734 Commercial mortgage-backed securities — 48,529 — 48,529 U.S. agency-based mortgage-backed securities — 18,672 — 18,672 U.S. Treasury securities 11,792 — — 11,792 Asset-backed securities — 2,979 — 2,979 Total held-to-maturity $ 11,792 $ 652,579 $ — $ 664,371
Summary of Changes in Fair Value of Assets Measured at Fair Value	The following table presents summary information regarding changes in the fair value of assets measured at fair value using Level 3 input. December 31, December 31, (in thousands) Balance at beginning of year $ 11,748 $ 10,591 Total unrealized gains 469 1,157 Balance at end of year $ 12,217 $ 11,748

Quarterly Financial Data (Una46

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Unaudited Quarterly Financial Data	The following table represents unaudited quarterly financial data for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014. Three Months Ended March 31 June 30 September 30 December 31 (in thousands, except per share amounts) 2015 Premiums earned $ 94,787 $ 95,569 $ 90,504 $ 95,034 Net investment income 6,833 6,890 6,923 7,256 Net realized gains (losses) on investments 59 (2,617 ) 40 24 Total revenues 101,788 99,936 97,470 101,760 Income before income taxes 21,197 20,112 25,890 33,768 Net income 15,130 14,319 17,940 23,073 Net income available to common shareholders 15,130 14,319 17,940 23,073 Earnings per share: Basic 0.80 0.76 0.95 1.21 Diluted 0.79 0.75 0.94 1.21 Comprehensive income 15,948 12,744 19,248 22,299 Extraordinary cash dividends declared per common share $ — $ — $ — $ 3.00 Cash dividends declared per common share $ 0.15 $ 0.15 $ 0.15 $ 0.15 2014 Premiums earned $ 89,233 $ 93,516 $ 95,928 $ 97,070 Net investment income 6,708 6,845 6,495 7,166 Net realized gains (losses) on investments 101 232 (152 ) 516 Total revenues 96,173 100,624 102,336 104,886 Income before income taxes 13,404 17,061 19,348 23,936 Net income 10,549 12,773 13,479 16,865 Net income available to common shareholders 10,549 12,773 13,479 16,865 Earnings per share: Basic 0.57 0.69 0.72 0.90 Diluted 0.56 0.68 0.71 0.89 Comprehensive income 13,789 15,789 13,596 17,597 Extraordinary cash dividends declared per common share $ 0.50 $ — $ — $ 1.00 Cash dividends declared per common share $ 0.12 $ 0.12 $ 0.12 $ 0.12

Summary of Significant Accoun47

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Schedule Of Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Percentage of comparable consolidated amounts	95.00%	95.00%	95.00%
Original maturity of cash equivalent	90 days
Experience rated commission and other operating costs	$ 300,000	$ 0	$ (9,300,000)
Advertising expense	700,000	500,000	$ 500,000
Premium tax benefit	$ 3,800,000	$ 4,000,000
Assessment Related premium Payment period	1 year
Assessment Related loss Payment period	1 year
Land and Office Building [Member]
Schedule Of Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated useful life of assets	39 years
Limited Partnership [Member]
Schedule Of Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Unfunded commitments	$ 0
Maximum [Member]
Schedule Of Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Short-term investments maturity period	P1Y
Maximum [Member] | Other Fixed Assets [Member]
Schedule Of Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated useful life of assets	7 years
Minimum [Member]
Schedule Of Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Short-term investments maturity period	P3M
Minimum [Member] | Other Fixed Assets [Member]
Schedule Of Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated useful life of assets	3 years

Investments - Additional Inform

Investments - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)Securities	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013USD ($)
Investment [Line Items]
Short-term investments	$ 7,718	$ 33,684
Carrying value of investments	$ 12,200
Individual fixed maturity held in unrealized loss position | Securities	198
Individual fixed maturity held in unrealized loss position longer than 12 months | Securities	29
Number of fixed maturity securities to be deemed other-than-temporarily impaired | Securities	4
Impairment losses recognized	$ 2,653	222	$ 2,229
Held-to-Maturity Securities [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Cash or cash held by insurance regulators	20,300
Fixed Maturity Securities Available for Sale [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Impairment losses recognized	2,653	222
Cash [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Cash or cash held by insurance regulators	1,500
Corporate Bonds [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Short-term investments	$ 7,700	32,700
Certificates of Deposit [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Short-term investments		$ 1,000

Investments - Gross Unrealized

Investments - Gross Unrealized Gains and Losses and Amortized Cost and Fair Value of Investments Classified as Held-to-Maturity (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Investment [Line Items]
Held-to-Maturity, Amortized Cost	$ 645,164	$ 639,631
Held-to-Maturity, Gross Unrealized Gains	18,063	25,404
Held-to-Maturity, Gross Unrealized Losses	(951)	(664)
Held-to-Maturity, Fair Value	662,276	664,371
States and Political Subdivisions [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Held-to-Maturity, Amortized Cost	408,447	385,623
Held-to-Maturity, Gross Unrealized Gains	15,352	20,100
Held-to-Maturity, Gross Unrealized Losses	(45)	(58)
Held-to-Maturity, Fair Value	423,754	405,665
Corporate Bonds [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Held-to-Maturity, Amortized Cost	171,224	176,880
Held-to-Maturity, Gross Unrealized Gains	159	374
Held-to-Maturity, Gross Unrealized Losses	(810)	(520)
Held-to-Maturity, Fair Value	170,573	176,734
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Held-to-Maturity, Amortized Cost	37,494	46,662
Held-to-Maturity, Gross Unrealized Gains	204	1,867
Held-to-Maturity, Gross Unrealized Losses	(15)
Held-to-Maturity, Fair Value	37,683	48,529
U.S. Agency-Based Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Held-to-Maturity, Amortized Cost	13,223	16,972
Held-to-Maturity, Gross Unrealized Gains	1,249	1,702
Held-to-Maturity, Gross Unrealized Losses	(1)	(2)
Held-to-Maturity, Fair Value	14,471	18,672
U.S. Treasury Securities and Obligations of U.S. Government Agencies [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Held-to-Maturity, Amortized Cost	12,487	10,697
Held-to-Maturity, Gross Unrealized Gains	897	1,097
Held-to-Maturity, Gross Unrealized Losses	(4)	(2)
Held-to-Maturity, Fair Value	13,380	11,792
Asset-Backed Securities [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Held-to-Maturity, Amortized Cost	2,289	2,797
Held-to-Maturity, Gross Unrealized Gains	202	264
Held-to-Maturity, Gross Unrealized Losses	(76)	(82)
Held-to-Maturity, Fair Value	$ 2,415	$ 2,979

Investments - Gross Unrealize50

Investments - Gross Unrealized Gains and Losses and Cost or Amortized Cost and Fair Value of Investments Classified as Available-for-Sale (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Investment [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale, Cost or Amortized Cost	$ 386,109	$ 337,004
Available-for-Sale, Gross Unrealized Gains	9,447	9,508
Available-for-Sale, Gross Unrealized Losses	(3,286)	(3,494)
Available-for-Sale, Fair Value	392,270	343,018
Total Fixed Maturity [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale, Cost or Amortized Cost	376,109	327,004
Available-for-Sale, Gross Unrealized Gains	7,199	7,732
Available-for-Sale, Gross Unrealized Losses	(3,286)	(3,494)
Available-for-Sale, Fair Value	380,022	331,242
Other Investments [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale, Cost or Amortized Cost	10,000	10,000
Available-for-Sale, Gross Unrealized Gains	2,217	1,748
Available-for-Sale, Fair Value	12,217	11,748
States and Political Subdivisions [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale, Cost or Amortized Cost	164,684	151,744
Available-for-Sale, Gross Unrealized Gains	6,942	7,302
Available-for-Sale, Gross Unrealized Losses	(207)	(1,672)
Available-for-Sale, Fair Value	171,419	157,374
Corporate Bonds [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale, Cost or Amortized Cost	202,537	165,412
Available-for-Sale, Gross Unrealized Gains	253	428
Available-for-Sale, Gross Unrealized Losses	(1,486)	(470)
Available-for-Sale, Fair Value	201,304	165,370
U.S. Agency-Based Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale, Cost or Amortized Cost	8,888	9,848
Available-for-Sale, Gross Unrealized Gains	4	2
Available-for-Sale, Gross Unrealized Losses	(1,593)	(1,352)
Available-for-Sale, Fair Value	7,299	8,498
Equity Securities [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale, Gross Unrealized Gains	31	28
Available-for-Sale, Fair Value	$ 31	$ 28

Investments - Summary of Amorti

Investments - Summary of Amortized Cost and Fair Value of Investments in Fixed Maturity Securities, Classified as Held-to-Maturity (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Investment [Line Items]
Within one year, Amortized Cost Basis	$ 112,187
After one year through five years, Amortized Cost Basis	299,100
After five years through ten years, Amortized Cost Basis	109,901
After ten years, Amortized Cost Basis	70,970
Held-to-Maturity, Amortized Cost	645,164	$ 639,631
Within one year, Fair Value	112,830
After one year through five years, Fair Value	306,633
After five years through ten years, Fair Value	114,362
After ten years, Fair Value	73,882
Total, Fair Value	662,276	$ 664,371
U.S. Agency-Based Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Held-to-maturity, Amortized Cost Basis	13,223
Held-to-maturity, Fair Value	14,471
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Held-to-maturity, Amortized Cost Basis	37,494
Held-to-maturity, Fair Value	37,683
Asset-Backed Securities [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Held-to-maturity, Amortized Cost Basis	2,289
Held-to-maturity, Fair Value	$ 2,415

Investments - Summary of Amor52

Investments - Summary of Amortized Cost and Fair Value of Investments in Fixed Maturity Securities, Classified as Available-for-Sale (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Investment [Line Items]
Due in 2015, Amortized Cost Basis	$ 32,687
In 2016 through 2019, Amortized Cost Basis	206,409
In 2020 through 2024, Amortized Cost Basis	19,394
After 2024, Amortized Cost Basis	108,731
Total , Amortized Cost Basis	376,109	$ 327,004
Due in 2015, Fair Value	32,724
In 2016 through 2019, Fair Value	206,375
In 2020 through 2024, Fair Value	19,585
After 2024, Fair Value	114,039
Total, Fair Value	380,022	$ 331,242
U.S. Agency-Based Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, Amortized Cost Basis	8,888
Available-for-sale securities, Fair value	$ 7,299

Investments - A Summary of the

Investments - A Summary of the Company's Realized Gains and Losses on Sales, Calls or Redemptions of Investments (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Investment [Line Items]
Proceeds from sales									$ 4,432	$ 10,548	$ 10,990
Gross realized investment gains									177	750	1,354
Gross realized investment (losses)									(162)	(451)	(471)
Net realized investment gains									15	299	883
Impairments									(2,653)	(222)	(2,229)
Other, including gains on calls and redemptions									144	620	135
Net realized gains (losses) on investments	$ 24	$ 40	$ (2,617)	$ 59	$ 516	$ (152)	$ 232	$ 101	(2,494)	697	(1,211)
Fixed Maturity Securities Available for Sale [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Proceeds from sales									4,432	768	2,090
Gross realized investment gains									177	1	90
Gross realized investment (losses)									(162)
Net realized investment gains									15	1	90
Impairments									(2,653)	(222)
Other, including gains on calls and redemptions									102	244	38
Net realized gains (losses) on investments									(2,536)	23	128
Equity Securities [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Proceeds from sales										9,780	8,900
Gross realized investment gains										749	1,264
Gross realized investment (losses)										(451)	(471)
Net realized investment gains										298	793
Impairments											(2,229)
Net realized gains (losses) on investments										298	(1,436)
Other [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Other, including gains on calls and redemptions									42	376	97
Net realized gains (losses) on investments									$ 42	$ 376	$ 97

Investments - Major Categories

Investments - Major Categories of the Company's Net Investment Income (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Investment [Line Items]
Total gross investment income									$ 29,410	$ 28,891	$ 28,402
Investment expenses									(1,508)	(1,677)	(1,373)
Net investment income	$ 7,256	$ 6,923	$ 6,890	$ 6,833	$ 7,166	$ 6,495	$ 6,845	$ 6,708	27,902	27,214	27,029
Fixed Maturity Securities Available for Sale [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Total gross investment income									28,498	26,622	26,422
Short-term Investments [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Total gross investment income									149	426	634
Equity Securities [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Total gross investment income										232	543
Other Investments [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Total gross investment income									$ 763	$ 1,611	$ 803

Investments - Investment Securi

Investments - Investment Securities Continuous Unrealized Loss Position (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Investment [Line Items]
Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	$ 165,286	$ 150,147
Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less Than Twelve Months, Accumulated Loss	751	582
Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	19,556	1,662
Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Twelve Months Or Longer, Accumulated Loss	200	82
Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	184,842	151,809
Held-to-maturity Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	951	664
Available-for Sale, Fair value of Investments with Unrealized Losses, Less Than 12 Months	148,851	110,622
Available-for Sale, Gross Unrealized Losses, Less Than 12 Months	1,521	487
Available-for Sale, Fair Value of Investments with Unrealized Losses, 12 Months or Greater	15,449	18,104
Available-for Sale, Gross Unrealized Losses, 12 Months or Greater	1,765	3,007
Available-for Sale, Fair Value of Investments with Unrealized Losses, Total	164,300	128,726
Available-for Sale, Gross Unrealized Losses, Total	3,286	3,494
Fair Value of Investments with Unrealized Losses, Less Than 12 months	314,137	260,769
Gross Unrealized Loss, Less Than 12 Months	2,272	1,069
Fair Value of Investments with Unrealized Losses, 12 Months or Greater	35,005	19,766
Gross Unrealized Losses, 12 Months or Greater	1,965	3,089
Fair Value of Investments with Unrealized Losses, Total	349,142	280,535
Gross Unrealized Losses, Total	4,237	4,158
U.S. Treasury Securities and Obligations of U.S. Government Agencies [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	2,980	3,385
Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less Than Twelve Months, Accumulated Loss	4	2
Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	2,980	3,385
Held-to-maturity Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	4	2
Corporate Bonds [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	128,436	129,788
Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less Than Twelve Months, Accumulated Loss	687	520
Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	18,139
Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Twelve Months Or Longer, Accumulated Loss	123
Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	146,575	129,788
Held-to-maturity Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	810	520
Available-for Sale, Fair value of Investments with Unrealized Losses, Less Than 12 Months	141,857	106,185
Available-for Sale, Gross Unrealized Losses, Less Than 12 Months	1,475	470
Available-for Sale, Fair Value of Investments with Unrealized Losses, 12 Months or Greater	4,216
Available-for Sale, Gross Unrealized Losses, 12 Months or Greater	11
Available-for Sale, Fair Value of Investments with Unrealized Losses, Total	146,073	106,185
Available-for Sale, Gross Unrealized Losses, Total	1,486	470
States and Political Subdivisions [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	24,068	16,896
Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less Than Twelve Months, Accumulated Loss	45	58
Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	24,068	16,896
Held-to-maturity Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	45	58
Available-for Sale, Fair value of Investments with Unrealized Losses, Less Than 12 Months	6,560	3,810
Available-for Sale, Gross Unrealized Losses, Less Than 12 Months	9	6
Available-for Sale, Fair Value of Investments with Unrealized Losses, 12 Months or Greater	4,439	10,347
Available-for Sale, Gross Unrealized Losses, 12 Months or Greater	198	1,666
Available-for Sale, Fair Value of Investments with Unrealized Losses, Total	10,999	14,157
Available-for Sale, Gross Unrealized Losses, Total	207	1,672
U.S. Agency-Based Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	18	78
Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less Than Twelve Months, Accumulated Loss		2
Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	28
Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Twelve Months Or Longer, Accumulated Loss	1
Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	46	78
Held-to-maturity Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	1	2
Available-for Sale, Fair value of Investments with Unrealized Losses, Less Than 12 Months	434	627
Available-for Sale, Gross Unrealized Losses, Less Than 12 Months	37	11
Available-for Sale, Fair Value of Investments with Unrealized Losses, 12 Months or Greater	6,794	7,757
Available-for Sale, Gross Unrealized Losses, 12 Months or Greater	1,556	1,341
Available-for Sale, Fair Value of Investments with Unrealized Losses, Total	7,228	8,384
Available-for Sale, Gross Unrealized Losses, Total	1,593	1,352
Asset-Backed Securities [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	1,389	1,662
Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Twelve Months Or Longer, Accumulated Loss	76	82
Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	1,389	1,662
Held-to-maturity Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	76	$ 82
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	9,784
Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less Than Twelve Months, Accumulated Loss	15
Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	9,784
Held-to-maturity Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	$ 15

Premiums Receivable - Component

Premiums Receivable - Components of Premiums Receivable (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Premiums Receivable, Net [Abstract]
Premiums receivable	$ 190,216	$ 184,128
Allowance for doubtful accounts	(4,852)	(5,211)	$ (5,458)	$ (6,424)
Premiums receivable, net	$ 185,364	$ 178,917

Premiums Receivable - Summarize

Premiums Receivable - Summarizes the Activity in the Allowance for Doubtful Accounts (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Premiums Receivable, Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of year	$ 5,211	$ 5,458	$ 6,424
Provision for bad debts	806	673	52
Write-offs	(1,165)	(920)	(1,018)
Balance, end of year	$ 4,852	$ 5,211	$ 5,458

Premiums Receivable - Summari58

Premiums Receivable - Summarizes the Activity in the Allowance for Doubtful Accounts (Parenthetical) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Receivables [Line Items]
Provision for bad debts	$ 806	$ 673	$ 52
One-Time Adjustment [Member]
Receivables [Line Items]
Provision for bad debts			$ 1,700

Premiums Receivable - Additiona

Premiums Receivable - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Premiums Receivable, Net [Abstract]
Earned but Unbilled	$ 7.6	$ 5.2	$ 4.3

Deferred Policy Acquisition C60

Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs - Schedule of Major Categories of the Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Deferred Charges, Insurers [Abstract]
Agents' commissions	$ 15,997	$ 15,351
Premium taxes	3,121	3,100
Deferred underwriting expenses	1,294	1,198
Total deferred policy acquisition costs	$ 20,412	$ 19,649	$ 19,171	$ 18,419

Deferred Policy Acquisition C61

Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs - Schedule of Activity in the Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Movement Analysis of Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of year	$ 19,649	$ 19,171	$ 18,419
Policy acquisition costs deferred	45,604	44,295	41,278
Amortization expense during the year	(44,841)	(43,817)	(40,526)
Balance, end of year	$ 20,412	$ 19,649	$ 19,171

Property and Equipment - Schedu

Property and Equipment - Schedule of Property and Equipment (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, Gross	$ 19,647	$ 24,299
Accumulated depreciation	(13,466)	(17,059)
Property and equipment, net	6,181	7,240
Land and Office Building [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, Gross	7,069	7,758
Furniture and Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, Gross	6,227	6,593
Software [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, Gross	6,277	9,875
Automobiles [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, Gross	$ 74	$ 73

Property and Equipment - Additi

Property and Equipment - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property and equipment held under capital lease	$ 100,000		$ 100,000
Accumulated depreciation	97,000		$ 49,000
Capital lease obligations		$ 0
Loss on disposal of assets	$ (664,000)	$ (2,000)

Property and Equipment - Sche64

Property and Equipment - Schedule of Future Minimum Lease Payments for Capital Lease Obligations (Detail) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
2,016	$ 39
2,017	28
Present value of net minimum lease payments	$ 67

Reinsurance - Schedule of the E

Reinsurance - Schedule of the Effect of Reinsurance on Premiums Written and Earned (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Premiums Written and Earned [Abstract]
Gross Written									$ 386,529	$ 393,819	$ 372,177
Ceded Written									(11,228)	(13,793)	(18,425)
Net premiums Written									375,301	380,026	353,752
Gross Earned									387,122	389,540	348,408
Ceded Earned									(11,228)	(13,793)	(18,425)
Net premiums Earned	$ 95,034	$ 90,504	$ 95,569	$ 94,787	$ 97,070	$ 95,928	$ 93,516	$ 89,233	$ 375,894	$ 375,747	$ 329,983

Reinsurance - Schedule of the A

Reinsurance - Schedule of the Amounts Recoverable from Reinsurers (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Unpaid losses recoverable:
Case basis	$ 37,207	$ 34,196
Incurred but not reported	27,651	25,138
Paid losses recoverable	414	424
Experience-rated commissions recoverable	25,805	26,130
Total reinsurance recoverables	$ 91,077	$ 85,888

Reinsurance - Additional Inform

Reinsurance - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Insurance [Abstract]
Paid losses recoverable outstanding due date	90 days
Paid losses recoverable past due	$ 0
Return of previous recoveries			$ 2,300,000
Received reinsurance recoveries	$ 1,000,000	$ 1,500,000	$ 2,100,000
Unsecured reinsurance recoverable by reinsurer reporting threshold	1.50%

Reinsurance - Schedule of Unsec

Reinsurance - Schedule of Unsecured Reinsurance Recoverables from Reinsurers (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Ceded Credit Risk [Line Items]
Total reinsurance recoverables	$ 91,077	$ 85,888
Letters of credit and funds held	(53,572)
Total unsecured reinsurance recoverables	37,505
Reinsurance Recoverable [Member] | Reinsurer Concentration Risk [Member] | Hannover Reinsurance (Ireland) Limited (A+) [Member]
Ceded Credit Risk [Line Items]
Total reinsurance recoverables	35,530
Reinsurance Recoverable [Member] | Reinsurer Concentration Risk [Member] | Odyssey America Reinsurance Corporation (A) [Member]
Ceded Credit Risk [Line Items]
Total reinsurance recoverables	12,127
Reinsurance Recoverable [Member] | Reinsurer Concentration Risk [Member] | Minnesota Workers' Compensation Reinsurance Association (NR) [Member]
Ceded Credit Risk [Line Items]
Total reinsurance recoverables	9,034
Reinsurance Recoverable [Member] | Reinsurer Concentration Risk [Member] | Tokio Millenium Reinsurance Limited (A++) [Member]
Ceded Credit Risk [Line Items]
Total reinsurance recoverables	7,294
Reinsurance Recoverable [Member] | Reinsurer Concentration Risk [Member] | Clearwater Insurance Company (bbb) [Member]
Ceded Credit Risk [Line Items]
Total reinsurance recoverables	5,610
Reinsurance Recoverable [Member] | Reinsurer Concentration Risk [Member] | Other Reinsurers [Member]
Ceded Credit Risk [Line Items]
Total reinsurance recoverables	$ 21,482

Income Taxes - Schedule of Comp

Income Taxes - Schedule of Company's Deferred Income Tax Assets and Liabilities (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Deferred income tax assets:
Discounting of net unpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses	$ 15,415	$ 17,952
Unearned premiums	14,839	14,788
Accrued expenses and other	3,904	4,306
State income tax	488	591
Accrued policyholder dividends	719	438
Impaired securities	238	80
Capital loss carryforward	715
Accrued insurance-related assessments	4,953	4,804
Total deferred tax assets	41,271	42,959
Deferred income tax liabilities:
Deferred policy acquisition costs	(9,012)	(8,815)
Unrealized gain (loss) on securities available-for-sale	(1,393)	(1,513)
Property and equipment and other	(696)	(331)
Salvage and subrogation	(265)	(289)
Guaranty fund related items		(780)
Total deferred income tax liabilities	(11,366)	(11,728)
Net deferred income taxes	$ 29,905	$ 31,231

Income Taxes - Components of Co

Income Taxes - Components of Consolidated Income Tax Expense (Benefit) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Current:
Federal	$ 28,047	$ 20,811	$ 15,270
State	1,012	684	504
Total Current	29,059	21,495	15,774
Deferred:
Federal	1,343	(821)	(207)
State	103	(591)
Total Deferred	1,446	(1,412)	(207)
Income tax expense, Total	$ 30,505	$ 20,083	$ 15,567

Income Taxes - Additional Infor

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Change in deferred tax valuation allowance	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Valuation allowance	$ 0
U.S. federal income tax statutory rate	35.00%
Company recognized uncertain tax positions	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0

Income Taxes - Income Tax Expen

Income Taxes - Income Tax Expense from Operations from the Amount Computed by Applying the U.S. Federal Income Tax Statutory Rate of 35% to Income Before Income Taxes (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income tax computed at federal statutory tax rate	$ 35,338	$ 25,812	$ 20,721
Tax-exempt interest, net	(5,630)	(5,620)	(5,458)
State income tax	762	(146)	504
Dividends received deduction	(19)	(60)	(113)
Other	54	97	(87)
Income tax expense, Total	$ 30,505	$ 20,083	$ 15,567

Line of Credit - Additional Inf

Line of Credit - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum amount of line of credit			$ 20,000,000
Line of credit facility expiration date	Dec. 31, 2016
Outstanding borrowings or letters of credit	$ 0	$ 0
Line of Credit Facility Expired December 2016 [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Payment on unused portion of the loan	0.25%
Total fee	$ 50,000

Loss and Loss Adjustment Expe74

Loss and Loss Adjustment Expenses - Reconciliation of Beginning and Ending Reserve Balances, Net of Related Amounts Recoverable from Reinsurers (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Activity in Liability [Abstract]
Balance, beginning of period	$ 687,602	$ 614,557	$ 570,450
Less amounts recoverable from reinsurers on unpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses	59,334	48,699	55,190
Net balance, beginning of period	628,268	565,858	515,260
Add incurred related to:
Current accident year	262,387	268,633	241,584
Prior accident years	(47,814)	(23,717)	(12,611)
Total incurred	214,573	244,916	228,973
Less paid related to:
Current accident year	53,955	52,848	51,169
Prior accident years	135,711	129,658	127,206
Total paid	189,666	182,506	178,375
Net balance, end of period	653,175	628,268	565,858
Net balance, end of period	653,175	628,268	565,858
Add amounts recoverable from reinsurers on unpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses	64,858	59,334	48,699
Balance, end of period	$ 718,033	$ 687,602	$ 614,557

Loss and Loss Adjustment Expe75

Loss and Loss Adjustment Expenses - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Unpaid Losses And Loss Expenses [Line Items]
Loss and LAE Related to Prior Periods	$ (47,814)	$ (23,717)	$ (12,611)
Accident Year 2012 [Member]
Unpaid Losses And Loss Expenses [Line Items]
Loss and LAE Related to Prior Periods	19,200
Accident Year 2013 [Member]
Unpaid Losses And Loss Expenses [Line Items]
Loss and LAE Related to Prior Periods	8,200
Accident Year 2008 [Member]
Unpaid Losses And Loss Expenses [Line Items]
Loss and LAE Related to Prior Periods	$ 7,200

Loss and Loss Adjustment Expe76

Loss and Loss Adjustment Expenses - Summary Exposures to Various Asbestos Related Claims (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Asbestos Claims [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of period	$ 687,602	$ 614,557	$ 570,450
Incurred losses and LAE during the current year	214,573	244,916	228,973
Loss and LAE payments	(53,955)	(52,848)	(51,169)
Balance, end of period	718,033	687,602	614,557
Asbestos Issue [Member]
Asbestos Claims [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of period	819	219	167
Incurred losses and LAE during the current year	444	882	53
Loss and LAE payments	(305)	(282)	(1)
Balance, end of period	$ 958	$ 819	$ 219

Statutory Accounting and Regu77

Statutory Accounting and Regulatory Requirements - Insurance Subsidiaries (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Insurance [Abstract]
Capital and surplus	$ 371,365	$ 377,742	$ 354,293
Net income	71,937	50,205	44,751
Net realized gains (losses) on investments	$ (3,131)	$ 693	$ (1,214)

Statutory Accounting and Regu78

Statutory Accounting and Regulatory Requirements - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Insurance [Abstract]
Dividends to the Company	10.00%
Dividends paid	$ 50	$ 25	$ 15
Dividends permissible to pay without seeking regulatory approval	$ 57.1

Capital Stock - Additional Info

Capital Stock - Additional Information (Detail) - $ / shares	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Equity [Abstract]
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	50,000,000	50,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	20,388,396	20,155,936
Common stock, shares outstanding	19,130,146	18,897,686
Preferred stock, shares authorized	10,000,000
Preferred stock, par value	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0

Stock Options and Restricted 80

Stock Options and Restricted Stock - Additional Information (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)Companiesshares	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)shares	Dec. 31, 2013USD ($)shares	Dec. 31, 2012shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total tax expense | $	$ 2,203,000	$ 2,841,000	$ 2,024,000
2005 Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock options exercise price	100.00%
Company's voting stock	10.00%
Stock options exercise price	110.00%
Duration for Stock option grants exercisable	10 years
Stock options exercise period	5 years
Expiration of stock option	90 days
Unexercised portion of stock option remains exercisable	1 year
Number of companies used for the estimation of expected volatility | Companies	6
Dividend yield assumed	0.00%
Cash dividends paid | $			0
Compensation expense | $	$ 100,000	300,000	$ 300,000
Total tax expense | $	$ 81,000	$ 38,000
Restricted stock outstanding	1,600	2,400	6,400	8,000
2010 Restricted Stock Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Compensation expense | $	$ 300,000	$ 200,000	$ 200,000
Total tax expense | $	$ 13,000	7,000	$ 18,000
Shares authorized under incentive plan	100,000
Common stock available for future awards	26,074
Restricted stock award for a number of shares | $	$ 45,000	$ 30,000
Restricted stock outstanding	7,112	5,229	5,376	7,833
Restricted stock granted	7,112	5,229	5,376
2010 Restricted Stock Plan [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Additional restricted stock award for a number of shares	15,000
2012 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares authorized under incentive plan	500,000
Common stock available for future awards	380,935
Restricted stock granted	50,461
2012 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan [Member] | Share Based Grants [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Compensation expense | $	$ 600,000	$ 600,000	$ 300,000
2012 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan [Member] | Long-Term Incentive Awards [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Compensation expense | $	$ 200,000	$ 400,000	$ 600,000
2012 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan [Member] | Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted stock granted		4,312

Stock Options and Restricted 81

Stock Options and Restricted Stock - Stock Options Outstanding (Detail) - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares, Exercised	(193,204)	(294,165)	(256,300)
2005 Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares outstanding, Beginning balance	282,083	576,248	832,548
Shares, Granted	0	0	0
Shares, Exercised	(193,204)	(294,165)	(256,300)
Shares Canceled, forfeited, or expired	0	0	0
Shares outstanding, Ending balance	88,879	282,083	576,248	832,548
Shares exercisable, Ending balance	88,879	282,083	557,448
Weighted- Average Exercise Price, Beginning balance	$ 11.30	$ 11.12	$ 10.51
Weighted- Average Exercise Price, Granted	0	0	0
Weighted- Average Exercise Price, Exercised	9.55	9.09	9
Weighted- Average Exercise Price, Canceled, forfeited, or expired	0	0	0
Weighted- Average Exercise Price, Ending balance	12.10	11.30	11.12	$ 10.51
Weighted- Average Exercise Price, Exercisable Ending balance	$ 12.10	$ 11.30	$ 10.91
Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	4 years 3 months 18 days	3 years 7 months 6 days	3 years 9 months 18 days	4 years 7 months 6 days
Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years), Exercisable	4 years 3 months 18 days	3 years 7 months 6 days	3 years 8 months 12 days
Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	4 years 3 months 18 days	3 years 7 months 6 days	3 years 9 months 18 days	4 years 7 months 6 days

Stock Options and Restricted 82

Stock Options and Restricted Stock - Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Values of Options Granted (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Cash received from option exercises	$ 1,844	$ 2,674	$ 2,344
Total tax benefits realized for tax deductions from options exercised	2,109	2,797	2,002
Total intrinsic value of options exercised	6,969	9,145	6,654
Grant date fair value of options vested		144	226
Aggregate intrinsic value of vested options outstanding	$ 3,448	$ 8,763	$ 17,467

Stock Options and Restricted 83

Stock Options and Restricted Stock - Restricted Stock Outstanding (Detail) - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
2005 Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares, Nonvested outstanding, Beginning balance	2,400	6,400	8,000
Shares, Vested	(800)	(800)	(1,600)
Shares, Forfeited		(3,200)
Shares, Nonvested outstanding, Ending balance	1,600	2,400	6,400
Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value per Share, Beginning balance	$ 27.35	$ 27.47	$ 27.47
Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value per Share, Vested	27.35	27.35	27.47
Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value per Share, Forfeited		27.59
Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value per Share, Ending balance	$ 27.35	$ 27.35	$ 27.47
2010 Restricted Stock Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares, Nonvested outstanding, Beginning balance	5,229	5,376	7,833
Shares, Granted	7,112	5,229	5,376
Shares, Vested	(5,229)	(5,376)	(7,833)
Shares, Nonvested outstanding, Ending balance	7,112	5,229	5,376
Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value per Share, Beginning balance	$ 37.27	$ 33.47	$ 26.79
Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value per Share, Granted	44.26	37.27	33.47
Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value per Share, Vested	37.27	33.47	26.79
Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value per Share, Ending balance	$ 44.26	$ 37.27	$ 33.47
2012 Incentive Plan [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares, Nonvested outstanding, Beginning balance	72,921	82,609	2,331
Shares, Granted	50,461	4,312	80,278
Shares, Vested	(27,537)	(14,000)
Shares, Forfeited	(18,317)
Shares, Nonvested outstanding, Ending balance	77,528	72,921	82,609
Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value per Share, Beginning balance	$ 34.59	$ 33.93	$ 26.79
Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value per Share, Granted	45.80	43.83	34.14
Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value per Share, Vested	37.27	33.58
Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value per Share, Forfeited	35.48
Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value per Share, Ending balance	$ 40.57	$ 34.59	$ 33.93

Earnings Per Share - Calculatio

Earnings Per Share - Calculation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Earnings Per Share, Basic [Abstract]
Net income	$ 23,073	$ 17,940	$ 14,319	$ 15,130	$ 16,865	$ 13,479	$ 12,773	$ 10,549	$ 70,462	$ 53,666	$ 43,637
Less allocated income to participating securities											142
Net income available to common shareholders - basic									$ 70,462	$ 53,666	$ 43,495
Basic weighted-average common shares									18,941,077	18,646,128	18,373,033
Basic earnings per share	$ 1.21	$ 0.95	$ 0.76	$ 0.80	$ 0.90	$ 0.72	$ 0.69	$ 0.57	$ 3.72	$ 2.88	$ 2.37
Net income available to common shareholders - diluted	$ 23,073	$ 17,940	$ 14,319	$ 15,130	$ 16,865	$ 13,479	$ 12,773	$ 10,549	$ 70,462	$ 53,666	$ 43,495
Weighted average common shares									18,941,077	18,646,128	18,373,033
Stock options and performance shares									178,109	282,376	375,776
Diluted weighted average common shares									19,119,186	18,928,504	18,748,809
Diluted earnings per common share	$ 1.21	$ 0.94	$ 0.75	$ 0.79	$ 0.89	$ 0.71	$ 0.68	$ 0.56	$ 3.69	$ 2.84	$ 2.32

Earnings Per Share - Calculat85

Earnings Per Share - Calculation of Percentage of Net Income Allocable to Common Shareholders (Detail) - shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Basic weighted average common shares	18,941,077	18,646,128	18,373,033
Add: Other common shares eligible for common dividends:
Weighted average restricted shares and stock options (including tax benefit component)	178,109	282,376	375,776
Diluted weighted average common shares	19,119,186	18,928,504	18,748,809

Comprehensive Income and Accu86

Comprehensive Income and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income - Additional Information (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Comprehensive income tax rate	35.00%

Comprehensive Income and Accu87

Comprehensive Income and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income - Schedule of Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (AOCI) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Beginning balance	$ 2,810	$ (4,295)	$ 2,979
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification	(1,584)	6,558	(7,525)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	1,361	547	251
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)	(223)	7,105	(7,274)
Ending balance	$ 2,587	$ 2,810	$ (4,295)

Comprehensive Income and Accu88

Comprehensive Income and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income - Reclassification Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Income before income taxes	$ 33,768	$ 25,890	$ 20,112	$ 21,197	$ 23,936	$ 19,348	$ 17,061	$ 13,404	$ 100,967	$ 73,749	$ 59,204
Income tax expense									(30,505)	(20,083)	(15,567)
Net income	$ 23,073	$ 17,940	$ 14,319	$ 15,130	$ 16,865	$ 13,479	$ 12,773	$ 10,549	70,462	53,666	43,637
Changes in Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Investment Securities [Member] | Reclassification Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities									(494)	(825)	30
Other-than-temporary impairment									(1,600)	(16)	(416)
Income before income taxes									(2,094)	(841)	(386)
Income tax expense									733	294	135
Net income									$ (1,361)	$ (547)	$ (251)

Comprehensive Income and Accu89

Comprehensive Income and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income - Other Comprehensive Income (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Equity [Abstract]
Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities, Pre-tax Amount	$ (2,572)	$ 10,133	$ (11,724)
Change in unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities with OTTI, Pre-Tax Amount	176		222
Less amortization of differences between fair value and amortized cost for fixed maturity security transfer, Pre-tax Amount	(40)	(44)	(75)
Less reclassification adjustment for gains realized in net income, Pre-Tax Amount	2,093	842	386
Net unrealized gain loss, Pre-Tax Amount	(343)	10,931	(11,191)
Other comprehensive income, Pre-Tax Amount	(343)	10,931	(11,191)
Unrealized gain loss on available-for-sale securities, Tax Expense	(900)	3,546	(4,104)
Change in unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities with OTTI, Tax Expense	62		78
Less amortization of differences between fair value and amortized cost for fixed maturity security transfer, Tax Expense	(14)	(15)	(26)
Less reclassification adjustment for gains realized in net income, Tax Expense	732	295	135
Net unrealized gain loss, Tax Expense	(120)	3,826	(3,917)
Other comprehensive income, Tax Expense	(120)	3,826	(3,917)
Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities, Net-of-Tax Amount	(1,672)	6,587	(7,620)
Change in unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities with OTTI, Net-of-Tax Amount	114		144
Less amortization of differences between fair value and amortized cost for fixed maturity security transfer, Net-of-Tax Amount	(26)	(29)	(49)
Reclassification adjustment for gains realized in net income, Net-of-Tax Amount	1,361	547	251
Net unrealized gain loss, Net-of-Tax Amount	(223)	7,105	(7,274)
Other comprehensive income, Net-of-Tax Amount	$ (223)	$ 7,105	$ (7,274)

Employee Benefit Plan - Additio

Employee Benefit Plan - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Matches employee compensation for participating employees	2.00%
Fully vested in employer contributions	5 years
Defined contribution this plan	$ 0.4	$ 0.4	$ 0.3

Commitments and Contingencies -

Commitments and Contingencies - Fair Value of Annuities (Detail) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Statement value of annuities exceeding 1% of statutory surplus	$ 95,692
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (A+) [Member]
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Statement value of annuities exceeding 1% of statutory surplus	16,279
Pacific Life and Annuity Company (A+) [Member]
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Statement value of annuities exceeding 1% of statutory surplus	15,739
American General Life Insurance (A) [Member]
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Statement value of annuities exceeding 1% of statutory surplus	15,364
New York Life Insurance Company (A++) [Member]
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Statement value of annuities exceeding 1% of statutory surplus	11,303
John Hancock Life Insurance Company USA (A+) [Member]
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Statement value of annuities exceeding 1% of statutory surplus	7,596
Athene Annuity and Life Assurance Company (A-) [Member]
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Statement value of annuities exceeding 1% of statutory surplus	6,133
Liberty Life Assurance Company of Boston (A) [Member]
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Statement value of annuities exceeding 1% of statutory surplus	3,837
Other [Member]
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Statement value of annuities exceeding 1% of statutory surplus	$ 19,441

Commitments and Contingencies92

Commitments and Contingencies - Future Minimum Lease Payments (Detail) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Operating Leases Future Minimum Payments Due [Abstract]
2,016	$ 152
2,017	114
2,018	68
2,019	6
Total future minimum lease payments	$ 340

Commitments and Contingencies93

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Rent expense		$ 0.2	$ 0.2	$ 0.2
Retention amount		5
American Interstate Insurance Company [Member] | Iowa [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Appeal bond		27.8
American Interstate Insurance Company [Member] | 2009 Workers' Compensation Claim [Member] | Iowa [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Workers compensation claim, damages awarded	$ 25.3
Workers compensation claims contingency reserves		2.5
Total amount expensed on workers compensation claim		$ 5.4
American Interstate Insurance Company [Member] | Plaintiff Seeking Actual Damages [Member] | Iowa [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Amount of damages	0.3
American Interstate Insurance Company [Member] | Plaintiff Seeking Punitive Damages [Member] | Iowa [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Amount of damages	$ 25

Concentration of Operations - N

Concentration of Operations - Net Premiums Earned for the Different Lines of Business (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Schedule Of Premiums Earned Net By Segment [Line Items]
Premiums earned	$ 95,034	$ 90,504	$ 95,569	$ 94,787	$ 97,070	$ 95,928	$ 93,516	$ 89,233	$ 375,894	$ 375,747	$ 329,983
Premium earned percentage									100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
Workers Compensation [Member]
Schedule Of Premiums Earned Net By Segment [Line Items]
Premiums earned									$ 375,894	$ 375,746	$ 329,986
Premium earned percentage									100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
General Liability [Member]
Schedule Of Premiums Earned Net By Segment [Line Items]
Premiums earned										$ 1	$ (3)
Premium earned percentage									0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Concentration of Operations -95

Concentration of Operations - Net Premiums Earned for the Top Ten States (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Schedule Of Premiums Earned Net By Segment [Line Items]
Premiums earned	$ 95,034	$ 90,504	$ 95,569	$ 94,787	$ 97,070	$ 95,928	$ 93,516	$ 89,233	$ 375,894	$ 375,747	$ 329,983
Premium earned percentage									100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
Georgia [Member]
Schedule Of Premiums Earned Net By Segment [Line Items]
Premiums earned									$ 40,497	$ 36,761	$ 30,096
Premium earned percentage									10.80%	9.80%	9.10%
Louisiana [Member]
Schedule Of Premiums Earned Net By Segment [Line Items]
Premiums earned									$ 38,874	$ 47,643	$ 42,110
Premium earned percentage									10.30%	12.70%	12.80%
Pennsylvania [Member]
Schedule Of Premiums Earned Net By Segment [Line Items]
Premiums earned									$ 36,294	$ 35,488	$ 28,880
Premium earned percentage									9.70%	9.40%	8.80%
Florida [Member]
Schedule Of Premiums Earned Net By Segment [Line Items]
Premiums earned									$ 24,792	$ 20,691	$ 12,950
Premium earned percentage									6.60%	5.50%	3.90%
Illinois [Member]
Schedule Of Premiums Earned Net By Segment [Line Items]
Premiums earned									$ 23,285	$ 20,606	$ 18,445
Premium earned percentage									6.20%	5.50%	5.60%
North Carolina [Member]
Schedule Of Premiums Earned Net By Segment [Line Items]
Premiums earned									$ 20,062	$ 20,872	$ 21,019
Premium earned percentage									5.30%	5.60%	6.40%
Virginia [Member]
Schedule Of Premiums Earned Net By Segment [Line Items]
Premiums earned									$ 15,656	$ 16,764	$ 15,751
Premium earned percentage									4.20%	4.50%	4.80%
Texas [Member]
Schedule Of Premiums Earned Net By Segment [Line Items]
Premiums earned									$ 15,226	$ 14,846	$ 14,949
Premium earned percentage									4.00%	4.00%	4.50%
Minnesota [Member]
Schedule Of Premiums Earned Net By Segment [Line Items]
Premiums earned									$ 14,618	$ 13,159	$ 10,470
Premium earned percentage									3.90%	3.50%	3.20%
Oklahoma [Member]
Schedule Of Premiums Earned Net By Segment [Line Items]
Premiums earned									$ 13,420	$ 16,599	$ 17,473
Premium earned percentage									3.60%	4.40%	5.30%
All Others [Member]
Schedule Of Premiums Earned Net By Segment [Line Items]
Premiums earned									$ 133,170	$ 132,318	$ 117,840
Premium earned percentage									35.40%	35.10%	35.60%

Fair Values of Financial Inst96

Fair Values of Financial Instruments - Summary of Carrying Values and Corresponding Fair Values for Financial Instruments (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fixed maturity securities-held-to-maturity	$ 662,276	$ 664,371
Fixed maturity securities-held-to-maturity	645,164	639,631
Fixed maturity securities-available-for-sale	380,022	331,242
Equity securities	31	28
Short-term investments	7,718	33,684
Carrying Amount [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fixed maturity securities-held-to-maturity	645,164	639,631
Fixed maturity securities-available-for-sale	380,022	331,242
Equity securities	31	28
Cash and cash equivalents	69,481	90,956
Short-term investments	7,718	33,684
Other investments	12,217	11,748
Fair Value [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fixed maturity securities-held-to-maturity	662,276	664,371
Fixed maturity securities-available-for-sale	380,022	331,242
Equity securities	31	28
Cash and cash equivalents	69,481	90,956
Short-term investments	7,718	33,684
Other investments	$ 12,217	$ 11,748

Fair Values of Financial Inst97

Fair Values of Financial Instruments - Schedule of Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value Measurements Disclosure [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale, Fair Value	$ 392,270	$ 343,018
Equity Securities [Member]
Fair Value Measurements Disclosure [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale, Fair Value	31	28
Other Investments [Member]
Fair Value Measurements Disclosure [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale, Fair Value	12,217	11,748
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value Measurements Disclosure [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale, Fair Value	392,270	343,018
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Debt Securities [Member]
Fair Value Measurements Disclosure [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale, Fair Value	380,022	331,242
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Other Investments [Member]
Fair Value Measurements Disclosure [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale, Fair Value	12,217	11,748
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Common Stock [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]
Fair Value Measurements Disclosure [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale, Fair Value	31	28
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | States and Political Subdivisions [Member] | Debt Securities [Member]
Fair Value Measurements Disclosure [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale, Fair Value	171,419	157,374
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Corporate Bonds [Member] | Debt Securities [Member]
Fair Value Measurements Disclosure [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale, Fair Value	201,304	165,370
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | U.S. Agency-Based Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member] | Debt Securities [Member]
Fair Value Measurements Disclosure [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale, Fair Value	7,299	8,498
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value Measurements Disclosure [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale, Fair Value	31	28
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Common Stock [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]
Fair Value Measurements Disclosure [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale, Fair Value	31	28
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value Measurements Disclosure [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale, Fair Value	380,022	331,242
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Debt Securities [Member]
Fair Value Measurements Disclosure [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale, Fair Value	380,022	331,242
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | States and Political Subdivisions [Member] | Debt Securities [Member]
Fair Value Measurements Disclosure [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale, Fair Value	171,419	157,374
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Corporate Bonds [Member] | Debt Securities [Member]
Fair Value Measurements Disclosure [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale, Fair Value	201,304	165,370
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | U.S. Agency-Based Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member] | Debt Securities [Member]
Fair Value Measurements Disclosure [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale, Fair Value	7,299	8,498
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value Measurements Disclosure [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale, Fair Value	12,217	11,748
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Other Investments [Member]
Fair Value Measurements Disclosure [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale, Fair Value	$ 12,217	$ 11,748

Fair Values of Financial Inst98

Fair Values of Financial Instruments - Schedule of Assets and Liabilities Measured at Amortized Cost (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value Measurements Disclosure [Line Items]
Securities held-to-maturity-fixed maturity, Fair Value	$ 662,276	$ 664,371
States and Political Subdivisions [Member]
Fair Value Measurements Disclosure [Line Items]
Securities held-to-maturity-fixed maturity, Fair Value	423,754	405,665
Corporate Bonds [Member]
Fair Value Measurements Disclosure [Line Items]
Securities held-to-maturity-fixed maturity, Fair Value	170,573	176,734
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value Measurements Disclosure [Line Items]
Securities held-to-maturity-fixed maturity, Fair Value	37,683	48,529
U.S. Agency-Based Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value Measurements Disclosure [Line Items]
Securities held-to-maturity-fixed maturity, Fair Value	14,471	18,672
US Treasury Securities [Member]
Fair Value Measurements Disclosure [Line Items]
Securities held-to-maturity-fixed maturity, Fair Value	13,380	11,792
Asset-Backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value Measurements Disclosure [Line Items]
Securities held-to-maturity-fixed maturity, Fair Value	2,415	2,979
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value Measurements Disclosure [Line Items]
Securities held-to-maturity-fixed maturity, Fair Value	13,380	11,792
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | US Treasury Securities [Member]
Fair Value Measurements Disclosure [Line Items]
Securities held-to-maturity-fixed maturity, Fair Value	13,380	11,792
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value Measurements Disclosure [Line Items]
Securities held-to-maturity-fixed maturity, Fair Value	648,896	652,579
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | States and Political Subdivisions [Member]
Fair Value Measurements Disclosure [Line Items]
Securities held-to-maturity-fixed maturity, Fair Value	423,754	405,665
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Corporate Bonds [Member]
Fair Value Measurements Disclosure [Line Items]
Securities held-to-maturity-fixed maturity, Fair Value	170,573	176,734
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value Measurements Disclosure [Line Items]
Securities held-to-maturity-fixed maturity, Fair Value	37,683	48,529
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | U.S. Agency-Based Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value Measurements Disclosure [Line Items]
Securities held-to-maturity-fixed maturity, Fair Value	14,471	18,672
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Asset-Backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value Measurements Disclosure [Line Items]
Securities held-to-maturity-fixed maturity, Fair Value	$ 2,415	$ 2,979

Fair Values of Financial Inst99

Fair Values of Financial Instruments - Summary of Changes in Fair Value of Assets Measured at Fair Value (Detail) - Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value Measurements Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of year	$ 11,748	$ 10,591
Total unrealized gains	469	1,157
Balance at end of year	$ 12,217	$ 11,748

Fair Values of Financial Ins100

Fair Values of Financial Instruments - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value Measurements Disclosure [Line Items]
Securities held to maturity, carrying value	$ 645,164	$ 639,631
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value Measurements Disclosure [Line Items]
Recognized impairment	300
Securities held to maturity, carrying value	300
Securities held to maturity, fair value	$ 500

Quarterly Financial Data (Un101

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) - Unaudited Quarterly Financial Data (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Premiums earned	$ 95,034	$ 90,504	$ 95,569	$ 94,787	$ 97,070	$ 95,928	$ 93,516	$ 89,233	$ 375,894	$ 375,747	$ 329,983
Net investment income	7,256	6,923	6,890	6,833	7,166	6,495	6,845	6,708	27,902	27,214	27,029
Net realized gains (losses) on investments	24	40	(2,617)	59	516	(152)	232	101	(2,494)	697	(1,211)
Total revenues	101,760	97,470	99,936	101,788	104,886	102,336	100,624	96,173	400,954	404,019	356,335
Income before income taxes	33,768	25,890	20,112	21,197	23,936	19,348	17,061	13,404	100,967	73,749	59,204
Net income	23,073	17,940	14,319	15,130	16,865	13,479	12,773	10,549	70,462	53,666	43,637
Net income available to common shareholders	$ 23,073	$ 17,940	$ 14,319	$ 15,130	$ 16,865	$ 13,479	$ 12,773	$ 10,549	$ 70,462	$ 53,666	$ 43,495
Earnings per share:
Basic	$ 1.21	$ 0.95	$ 0.76	$ 0.80	$ 0.90	$ 0.72	$ 0.69	$ 0.57	$ 3.72	$ 2.88	$ 2.37
Diluted	$ 1.21	$ 0.94	$ 0.75	$ 0.79	$ 0.89	$ 0.71	$ 0.68	$ 0.56	$ 3.69	$ 2.84	$ 2.32
Comprehensive income	$ 22,299	$ 19,248	$ 12,744	$ 15,948	$ 17,597	$ 13,596	$ 15,789	$ 13,789	$ 70,239	$ 60,771	$ 36,363
Extraordinary cash dividends declared per common share	$ 3				$ 1			$ 0.50	$ 3	$ 1.50	$ 0
Cash dividends declared per common share	$ 0.15	$ 0.15	$ 0.15	$ 0.15	$ 0.12	$ 0.12	$ 0.12	$ 0.12	$ 0.60	$ 0.48	$ 0.32

Capital Management - Additional

Capital Management - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Share repurchase new limit amount							$ 25
Share repurchase program expiration date				Dec. 31, 2016
Shares repurchased	1,258,250	1,258,250		1,258,250	1,258,250
Shares repurchased, value	$ 22.4			$ 22.4
Shares repurchased, average price				$ 17.78
Quarterly dividend	$ 0.15	$ 0.12		0.15	$ 0.12	$ 0.08
Extraordinary cash dividends declared per common share	$ 3	$ 1	$ 0.50	$ 3	$ 1.50	$ 0

Subsequent Events - Additional

Subsequent Events - Additional Information (Detail) - $ / shares	Feb. 23, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Cash dividend per share		$ 0.15	$ 0.12	$ 0.08
Expected cash dividend per share		0.72
Dividend Declared [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Cash dividend per share		$ 0.15
Dividend Declared [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Cash dividend per share	$ 0.18
Date of payment to shareholders entitled to dividends	Mar. 28, 2016
Date of record of shareholders entitled to dividends	Mar. 14, 2016

Schedule II. Condensed Finan104

Schedule II. Condensed Financial Information of Registrant - Condensed Balance Sheets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Assets
Short-term investments	$ 7,718	$ 33,684
Other investments	12,217	11,748
Total investments	1,045,152	1,016,333
Cash and cash equivalents	69,481	90,956	$ 123,077	$ 92,676
Deferred income taxes	29,905	31,231
Property and equipment, net	6,181	7,240
Other assets	42,788	14,287
Total assets	1,502,045	1,457,220
Liabilities:
Accounts payable and other liabilities	30,484	30,110
Total liabilities	1,048,064	1,010,252
Shareholders' equity (net of Treasury stock of $22,370 at December 31, 2015 and 2014)	453,981	446,968	416,814	381,222
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	1,502,045	1,457,220
Parent Company [Member]
Assets
Short-term investments		250
Other investments	12,217	11,748
Investment in subsidiaries	408,135	387,954
Total investments	420,352	399,952
Cash and cash equivalents	26,968	43,585	$ 47,726	$ 31,792
Deferred income taxes	292	1,001
Notes receivable from subsidiaries	1,505	(1)
Property and equipment, net	1,817	2,070
Other assets	3,047	4,992
Total assets	453,981	451,599
Liabilities:
Accounts payable and other liabilities		3,853
Notes payable to subsidiaries		778
Total liabilities		4,631
Shareholders' equity (net of Treasury stock of $22,370 at December 31, 2015 and 2014)	453,981	446,968
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$ 453,981	$ 451,599

Schedule II. Condensed Finan105

Schedule II. Condensed Financial Information of Registrant - Condensed Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Condensed Balance Sheet Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net of Treasury stock	$ 22,370	$ 22,370
Parent Company [Member]
Condensed Balance Sheet Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net of Treasury stock	$ 22,370	$ 22,370

Schedule II. Condensed Finan106

Schedule II. Condensed Financial Information of Registrant - Condensed Statements of Income (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Revenues
Net investment income	$ 7,256	$ 6,923	$ 6,890	$ 6,833	$ 7,166	$ 6,495	$ 6,845	$ 6,708	$ 27,902	$ 27,214	$ 27,029
Fee and other income									316	361	536
Total revenues	101,760	97,470	99,936	101,788	104,886	102,336	100,624	96,173	400,954	404,019	356,335
Expenses
Total expenses									299,987	330,270	297,131
Income tax expense (benefit)									30,505	20,083	15,567
Net income	$ 23,073	$ 17,940	$ 14,319	$ 15,130	$ 16,865	$ 13,479	$ 12,773	$ 10,549	70,462	53,666	43,637
Parent Company [Member]
Revenues
Net investment income									854	1,541	1,051
Fee and other income									5,893	5,368	5,453
Total revenues									6,747	6,909	6,504
Expenses
Other operating costs									6,747	6,909	6,504
Total expenses									6,747	6,909	6,504
Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings of subsidiaries									0	0	0
Income tax expense (benefit)									(57)	(13)	6
Gain (loss) before equity in earnings of subsidiaries									57	13	(6)
Equity in net income of subsidiaries									70,405	53,653	43,643
Net income									$ 70,462	$ 53,666	$ 43,637

Schedule II. Condensed Finan107

Schedule II. Condensed Financial Information of Registrant - Condensed Statements of Cash Flows (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Operating activities
Net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities	$ 92,859	$ 140,684	$ 129,159
Investing activities
Purchases of property and equipment	(953)	(989)	(1,140)
Net cash (used in)/provided by investing activities	(49,820)	(141,252)	(97,216)
Financing activities
Proceeds from stock option exercises	1,844	2,674	2,344
Tax benefit from share-based payments	2,203	2,841	2,024
Dividends to shareholders	(68,561)	(37,068)	(5,910)
Net cash used in financing activities	(64,514)	(31,553)	(1,542)
Change in cash and cash equivalents	(21,475)	(32,121)	30,401
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	90,956	123,077	92,676
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	69,481	90,956	123,077
Parent Company [Member]
Operating activities
Net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities	(1,727)	2,161	1,829
Investing activities
Purchases of investments		(1,462)	(10,248)
Proceeds from sales of investments	250	2,404	11,674
Purchases of property and equipment	(627)	(691)	(779)
Dividends from subsidiary	50,000	25,000	15,000
Net cash (used in)/provided by investing activities	49,623	25,251	15,647
Financing activities
Proceeds from stock option exercises	1,844	2,674	2,344
Tax benefit from share-based payments	2,204	2,841	2,024
Dividends to shareholders	(68,561)	(37,068)	(5,910)
Net cash used in financing activities	(64,513)	(31,553)	(1,542)
Change in cash and cash equivalents	(16,617)	(4,141)	15,934
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	43,585	47,726	31,792
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$ 26,968	$ 43,585	$ 47,726

Schedule VI. Supplemental In108

Schedule VI. Supplemental Information Concerning Property-Casualty Insurance Operations (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Supplemental Information for Property, Casualty Insurance Underwriters [Abstract]
Deferred Policy Acquisition Cost	$ 20,412	$ 19,649	$ 19,171
Reserves for Unpaid Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense	718,033	687,602	614,557
Unearned Premium	167,983	168,576	164,296
Earned Premium	375,894	375,747	329,983
Net Investment Income	27,902	27,214	27,029
Loss and LAE Related to Current Period	262,387	268,633	241,584
Loss and LAE Related to Prior Periods	(47,814)	(23,717)	(12,611)
Amortization of Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs	(44,841)	(43,817)	(40,526)
Paid Claims and Claim Adjustment Expenses	189,666	182,506	178,375
Net Premiums Written	$ 375,301	$ 380,026	$ 353,752