AMERISAFE (AMSF) 10-K 24 Feb 17 2016 FY Annual report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Feb. 15, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2016
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,016
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		19,230,135
Entity Public Float			$ 1,164.7

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Investments:
Fixed maturity securities—held-to-maturity, at amortized cost (fair value $568,931 and $662,276 in 2016 and 2015, respectively)	$ 562,434	$ 645,164
Fixed maturity securities—available-for-sale, at fair value (cost $479,871 and $376,109 in 2016 and 2015, respectively)	479,097	380,022
Equity securities—available-for-sale, at fair value (cost $0, in 2016 and 2015)	33	31
Short-term investments	29,580	7,718
Other investments	13,330	12,217
Total investments	1,084,474	1,045,152
Cash and cash equivalents	58,936	69,481
Amounts recoverable from reinsurers	83,666	91,077
Premiums receivable, net of allowance	183,005	185,364
Deferred income taxes	33,811	29,905
Accrued interest receivable	11,360	11,685
Property and equipment, net	6,636	6,181
Deferred policy acquisition costs	19,300	20,412
Other assets	37,668	42,788
Total assets	1,518,856	1,502,045
Liabilities:
Reserves for loss and loss adjustment expenses	742,776	718,033
Unearned premiums	162,028	167,983
Reinsurance premiums payable	28	154
Amounts held for others	31,974	49,790
Policyholder deposits	49,130	48,380
Insurance-related assessments	31,742	32,329
Federal income tax payable	4,017	911
Accounts payable and other liabilities	31,510	30,484
Payable for investments purchased	9,501
Total liabilities	1,062,706	1,048,064
Shareholders’ equity:
Voting—$0.01 par value authorized shares—50,000,000 in 2016 and 2015; 20,488,385 and 20,388,396 shares issued and 19,230,135 and 19,130,146 shares outstanding in 2016 and 2015, respectively	204	203
Additional paid-in capital	208,390	204,688
Treasury stock at cost (1,258,250 shares in 2016 and 2015)	(22,370)	(22,370)
Accumulated earnings	270,418	268,873
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net	(492)	2,587
Total shareholders’ equity	456,150	453,981
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$ 1,518,856	$ 1,502,045

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Statement Of Financial Position [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities, fair value	$ 568,931	$ 662,276
Fixed maturity securities, cost	479,871	376,109
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	20,488,385	20,388,396
Common stock, shares outstanding	19,230,135	19,130,146
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, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Revenues
Net premiums earned	$ 368,704	$ 375,894	$ 375,747
Net investment income	28,106	27,902	27,214
Net realized gains (losses) on investments	(494)	(2,494)	697
Loss on disposal of assets	(1)	(664)
Fee and other income	347	316	361
Total revenues	396,662	400,954	404,019
Expenses
Loss and loss adjustment expenses incurred	199,031	214,573	244,916
Underwriting and certain other operating costs	29,470	32,162	32,573
Commissions	26,243	27,509	27,872
Salaries and benefits	24,881	24,442	24,518
Policyholder dividends	4,216	1,301	391
Total expenses	283,841	299,987	330,270
Income before income taxes	112,821	100,967	73,749
Income tax expense	34,956	30,505	20,083
Net income	77,865	70,462	53,666
Net income available to common shareholders	$ 77,865	$ 70,462	$ 53,666
Earnings per share
Basic	$ 4.08	$ 3.72	$ 2.88
Diluted	$ 4.05	$ 3.69	$ 2.84
Shares used in computing earnings per share
Basic	19,105,806	18,941,077	18,646,128
Diluted	19,203,650	19,119,186	18,928,504
Extraordinary cash dividends declared per common share	$ 3.25	$ 3	$ 1.50
Cash dividends declared per common share	$ 0.72	$ 0.60	$ 0.48

Consolidated Statements of Comp

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 19,073	$ 17,896	$ 16,639	$ 24,257	$ 23,073	$ 17,940	$ 14,319	$ 15,130	$ 77,865	$ 70,462	$ 53,666
Other comprehensive income:
Unrealized gain (loss) on securities, net of tax									(3,079)	(223)	7,105
Comprehensive income	$ 11,985	$ 16,183	$ 19,568	$ 27,051	$ 22,299	$ 19,248	$ 12,744	$ 15,948	$ 74,786	$ 70,239	$ 60,771

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 Income (Loss) [Member]
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	$ 416,814	$ 198	$ (22,370)	$ 192,537	$ 250,744	$ (4,295)
Beginning Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2013		19,855,430
Treasury Stock Beginning 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
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		20,155,936
Treasury Stock Ending Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2014			(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
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	20,388,396	20,388,396
Treasury Stock Ending Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2015	(1,258,250)		(1,258,250)
Comprehensive income:
Net income	$ 77,865				77,865
Other comprehensive income:
Change in unrealized gains loss, net of tax	(3,079)					(3,079)
Comprehensive income	74,786
Common stock issued upon exercise of options	837	$ 1		836
Common stock issued upon exercise of options, Shares		68,879
Restricted common stock issued	603			603
Restricted common stock issued, Shares		31,110
Share-based compensation	1,268			1,268
Tax benefit from share-based payments	995			995
Dividends to shareholders	(76,320)				(76,320)
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2016	$ 456,150	$ 204	$ (22,370)	$ 208,390	$ 270,418	$ (492)
Ending Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2016	20,488,385	20,488,385
Treasury Stock Ending Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2016	(1,258,250)		(1,258,250)

Consolidated Statements of Cash

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Operating activities
Net income	$ 77,865	$ 70,462	$ 53,666
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation	1,181	1,348	1,298
Net amortization of investments	16,247	16,424	15,243
Deferred income taxes	(2,249)	1,446	(1,412)
Net realized (gains) losses on investments	509	2,494	(697)
Net realized losses on disposal of assets	1	664
Share-based compensation	1,603	1,223	1,519
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Premiums receivable, net	2,359	(6,447)	(7,338)
Accrued interest receivable	325	(48)	(395)
Deferred policy acquisition costs	1,112	(763)	(478)
Amounts held by others	1,016	(27,847)	(1,082)
Other assets	1,631	(1,042)	(4,306)
Reserves for loss and loss adjustment expenses	24,743	30,431	73,045
Unearned premiums	(5,955)	(593)	4,280
Reinsurance balances	7,285	(5,878)	(10,326)
Amounts held for others and policyholder deposits	(17,066)	6,621	11,190
Accounts payable and other liabilities	3,605	4,364	6,477
Net cash provided by operating activities	114,212	92,859	140,684
Investing activities
Purchases of investments held-to-maturity	(102,830)	(178,010)	(223,028)
Purchases of investments available-for-sale	(216,466)	(135,915)	(149,956)
Purchases of short-term investments	(35,295)	(12,246)	(79,957)
Proceeds from maturities of investments held-to-maturity	177,159	160,834	112,100
Proceeds from sales and maturities of investments available-for-sale	115,552	78,637	72,535
Proceeds from sales and maturities of short-term investments	13,040	37,833	128,043
Purchases of property and equipment	(1,638)	(953)	(989)
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	(50,478)	(49,820)	(141,252)
Financing activities
Proceeds from stock option exercises	837	1,844	2,674
Tax benefit from share-based payments	995	2,203	2,841
Dividends to shareholders	(76,111)	(68,561)	(37,068)
Net cash used in financing activities	(74,279)	(64,514)	(31,553)
Change in cash and cash equivalents	(10,545)	(21,475)	(32,121)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	69,481	90,956	123,077
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	58,936	69,481	90,956
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information
Income taxes paid	$ 31,500	$ 23,851	$ 19,926

Summary of Significant Accounti

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
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 2016, 2015 and 2014. 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. Adopted Accounting Guidance In May 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-07, Fair Value Measurements (Topic 820): Disclosures for Investments in Certain Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value per Share (or Its Equivalent) In May 2015, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2015-09, Financial Services – Insurance (Topic 944): Disclosures about Short-Duration Contracts. The guidance requires additional disclosures for short-duration insurance contracts. New disclosures are to include more information about initial claim estimates and subsequent adjustments to those estimates, the methodologies and judgments used to estimate claims, and the timing, frequency, and severity of claims. This standard is effective for us beginning with this 2016 annual financial statement. The guidance requires a change in disclosure only (see Note 9 to our financial statements), and thus has no impact on our financial condition or results of operations. Prospective Accounting Guidance In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting. The new guidance requires that all tax effects related to share-based payments be made through the income statement at the time of settlement as opposed to recognizing excess tax benefits in additional paid-in capital. It also requires the cash flows resulting from share-based payments to be included as an operating activity. In addition to the changes, the guidance permits reporting entities to elect to estimate forfeitures related to share-based payments or recognize them as they occur. The threshold to qualify for equity classification has also been revised to permit withholding up to the maximum statutory tax rates in the applicable jurisdictions. The standard is effective for us in the first quarter of 2017. Adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on our financial condition and results of operations. In May 2014, the FASB Issued ASU 2014-09 (Topic 606): Revenue from Contract s s In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments – Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. This guidance requires fair value measurement for equity investments (not including those that result in consolidation of the investee or use the equity method of accounting) and the recognition of changes in fair value to be presented as a component of net income. The guidance also revises the disclosure requirements related to fair value changes of liabilities presented in comprehensive income, eliminates disclosure related to the methods and assumptions underlying fair value for financial instruments measured at amortized cost, and simplifies impairment assessments for equity investments without readily determinable fair values. This standard is effective for us in the first quarter of 2018. The Company will continue to monitor the impact as the implementation date approaches. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). Under current guidance for lessees, leases are only included on the balance sheet if certain criteria, classifying the contract as a capital lease, are met. The new guidance requires a lessee to recognize a lease liability and a right of use asset for all leases extending beyond twelve months. The new guidance is effective for us in the first quarter of 2019. Upon adoption, leases will be recognized and measured at the beginning of the earliest period presented using a modified retrospective approach. Adoption of the guidance is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements as the Company does not have any significant leases. In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses. The new guidance replaces the methodology of credit loss impairment, which currently, delays the recognition of credit losses until a probable loss has been incurred. The new guidance requires credit losses for securities measured at amortized cost, to be determined using current expected credit losses estimates. These estimates are to be derived from historical, current and reasonable supporting forecasts, including prepayments and estimates, and will be recorded through a valuation allowance account that will run through the income statement. The same method will be used for available-for-sale securities, but the valuation allowance will be limited to the amount by which the fair value is below amortized cost. The standard is effective for us in the first quarter of 2020. The Company will continue to monitor the impact as the implementation date approaches. 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 90 days but less than one year. Other Investments Other investments consist of a limited partnership interest that is accounted for under the equity method, valued using the net asset value provided by the general partner of the limited partnership, which approximates the fair value of the interest. The limited partnership’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 to the limited partnership. 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 2016, 2015 or 2014. 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 economic conditions, 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 no impact on underwriting and certain other operating costs in 2016 compared to $0.3 in 2015 and no impact in 2014. In December 2016, the Company commuted reinsurance agreements with Hannover Reinsurance Limited (Ireland) (“Hannover”) and Tokio Millennium Re Limited (“Tokio”) covering portions of accident years 2011 through 2013. The Company received cash of $0.2 million and an additional $25.4 million payment effectuated solely through offset against the balance of the funds withheld account under the reinsurance agreements in exchange for releasing Hannover and Tokio from their reinsurance obligations under the commuted agreements. Both Hannover and Tokio remain obligated to the subsidiaries of the Company under other reinsurance agreements. As a result of the commutation, the effect on the Company’s net income in the year ended December 31, 2016 was immaterial. 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 2016 and 2015 and $0.5 million in 2014. 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. 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. Prior to 2014, we determined 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, 2016
Investments Debt And Equity Securities [Abstract]
Investments	2. Investments Short-term investments held at December 31, 2016 include $ 21.9 million of U.S. Treasury securities and obligation of U.S. government agencies, $4.9 million of states and political subdivisions and $2.8 million of corporate bonds. Short-term investments held at December 31, 2015 include $7.7 million of corporate bonds. AMERISAFE holds an investment in a limited partnership hedge fund accounted for under the equity method. The carrying value of this investment is $ 13.3 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, 2016 are summarized as follows: Amortized Cost Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Losses Fair Value (in thousands) States and political subdivisions $ 394,875 $ 7,622 $ (3,014 ) $ 399,483 Corporate bonds 143,858 423 (265 ) 144,016 Commercial mortgage-backed securities 70 — — 70 U.S. agency-based mortgage-backed securities 9,967 948 — 10,915 U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government agencies 11,737 746 (67 ) 12,416 Asset-backed securities 1,927 163 (59 ) 2,031 Totals $ 562,434 $ 9,902 $ (3,405 ) $ 568,931 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, 2016 are summarized as follows: Cost or Amortized Cost Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Losses Fair Value (in thousands) Fixed maturity: States and political subdivisions $ 231,168 $ 4,340 $ (3,215 ) $ 232,293 Corporate bonds 182,350 436 (271 ) 182,515 U.S. agency-based mortgage-backed securities 10,428 17 (1,103 ) 9,342 U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government agencies 55,925 — (978 ) 54,947 Total fixed maturity 479,871 4,793 (5,567 ) 479,097 Other investments 10,000 3,330 — 13,330 Equity securities — 33 — 33 Totals $ 489,871 $ 8,156 $ (5,567 ) $ 492,460 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 Cost Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Losses 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 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 A summary of the amortized cost and fair value of investments in fixed maturity securities, classified as held-to-maturity at December 31, 2016, by contractual maturity, is as follows: Amortized Cost Fair Value (in thousands) Maturity: Within one year $ 109,707 $ 110,469 After one year through five years 259,942 263,620 After five years through ten years 105,396 106,341 After ten years 75,425 75,485 Commercial mortgage-backed securities 70 70 U.S. agency-based mortgage-backed securities 9,967 10,915 Asset-backed securities 1,927 2,031 Totals $ 562,434 $ 568,931 A summary of the amortized cost and fair value of investments in fixed maturity securities, classified as available-for-sale at December 31, 2016, by contractual maturity, is as follows: Amortized Cost Fair Value (in thousands) Maturity: Within one year $ 64,852 $ 65,174 After one year through five years 215,486 215,624 After five years through ten years 30,846 30,488 After ten years 158,259 158,469 U.S. agency-based mortgage-backed securities 10,428 9,342 Totals $ 479,871 $ 479,097 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, 2016, there were $21.2 million of held-to-maturity investments, $0.4 million of available-for-sale investments and $0.1 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 2016, 2015 and 2014 is as follows: Fixed Maturity Securities Available for Sale Equity Securities Other Total (in thousands) Year ended December 31, 2016 Proceeds from sales $ 54,730 $ — $ 4,609 $ 59,339 Gross realized investment gains $ 823 $ — $ 68 $ 891 Gross realized investment losses (1,728 ) — — (1,728 ) Net realized investment gains (losses) (905 ) — 68 (837 ) Other, including gains on calls and redemptions 274 — 69 343 Net realized gains (losses) on investments $ (631 ) $ — $ 137 $ (494 ) 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 In 2016, the Company sold bonds that were classified as held-to-maturity. In February, Moody’s downgraded the bonds to B2 from B1 citing increasing liquidity concerns and also placed the bonds on negative outlook indicating the rating could be downgraded further. Given the evidence of significant deterioration, the Company elected to sell the bonds for $3.0 million, recognizing a $0.1 million realized gain. Major categories of the Company’s net investment income are summarized as follows: Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 (in thousands) Gross investment income: Fixed maturity securities $ 27,837 $ 28,498 $ 26,622 Short-term investments and cash and cash equivalents 348 149 426 Equity securities — — 232 Other investments 1,568 763 1,611 Total gross investment income 29,753 29,410 28,891 Investment expenses (1,647 ) (1,508 ) (1,677 ) Net investment income $ 28,106 $ 27,902 $ 27,214 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 Investments with Unrealized Losses Gross Unrealized Losses Fair Value of Investments with Unrealized Losses Gross Unrealized Losses Fair Value of Investments with Unrealized Losses Gross Unrealized Losses (in thousands) December 31, 2016 Held-to-Maturity Fixed maturity securities: States and political subdivisions $ 157,507 $ 3,014 $ — $ — $ 157,507 $ 3,014 Corporate bonds 44,654 202 6,292 63 50,946 265 U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government agencies 3,968 67 — — 3,968 67 Asset-backed securities — — 1,173 59 1,173 59 Total held-to-maturity securities 206,129 3,283 7,465 122 213,594 3,405 Available-for Sale Fixed maturity securities: States and political subdivisions $ 73,505 $ 2,976 $ 4,523 $ 239 $ 78,028 $ 3,215 Corporate bonds 41,419 111 7,922 160 49,341 271 U.S. agency-based mortgage-backed securities 3,702 48 3,607 1,055 7,309 1,103 U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government agencies 54,947 978 — — 54,947 978 Total available-for-sale securities 173,573 4,113 16,052 1,454 189,625 5,567 Total $ 379,702 $ 7,396 $ 23,517 $ 1,576 $ 403,219 $ 8,972 December 31, 2015 Held-to-Maturity Fixed maturity securities: States and political subdivisions $ 24,068 $ 45 $ — $ — $ 24,068 $ 45 Corporate bonds 128,436 687 18,139 123 146,575 810 Commercial mortgage-backed securities 9,784 15 — — 9,784 15 U.S. agency-based mortgage-backed securities 18 — 28 1 46 1 U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government agencies 2,980 4 — — 2,980 4 Asset-backed securities — — 1,389 76 1,389 76 Total held-to-maturity securities 165,286 751 19,556 200 184,842 951 Available-for Sale Fixed maturity securities: States and political subdivisions $ 6,560 $ 9 $ 4,439 $ 198 $ 10,999 $ 207 Corporate bonds 141,857 1,475 4,216 11 146,073 1,486 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 At December 31, 2016, the Company held 260 individual fixed maturity securities that were in an unrealized loss position, of which 17 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. We reviewed all securities with unrealized losses in accordance with the impairment policy described above. 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. 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 securities before the recovery of its amortized cost basis. In 2016, there were no impairment losses recognized for other-than-temporary declines in the fair value of our investments.

Premiums Receivable

Premiums Receivable	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
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, 2016 2015 (in thousands) Premiums receivable $ 188,217 $ 190,216 Allowance for doubtful accounts (5,212 ) (4,852 ) Premiums receivable, net $ 183,005 $ 185,364 The following summarizes the activity in the allowance for doubtful accounts: December 31, 2016 2015 2014 (in thousands) Balance, beginning of year $ 4,852 $ 5,211 $ 5,458 Provision for bad debts 1,646 806 673 Write-offs (1,286 ) (1,165 ) (920 ) Balance, end of year $ 5,212 $ 4,852 $ 5,211 Included in premiums receivable at December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 is the Company’s estimate for EBUB premium of $7.7 million, $7.6 million and $5.2 million, respectively.

Deferred Policy Acquisition Cos

Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
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, 2016 2015 (in thousands) Agents’ commissions $ 15,286 $ 15,997 Premium taxes 2,578 3,121 Deferred underwriting expenses 1,436 1,294 Total deferred policy acquisition costs $ 19,300 $ 20,412 The following summarizes the activity in the deferred policy acquisition costs: Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 (in thousands) Balance, beginning of year $ 20,412 $ 19,649 $ 19,171 Policy acquisition costs deferred 43,209 45,604 44,295 Amortization expense during the year (44,321 ) (44,841 ) (43,817 ) Balance, end of year $ 19,300 $ 20,412 $ 19,649

Property and Equipment

Property and Equipment	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]
Property and Equipment	5. Property and Equipment Property and equipment consist of the following: December 31, 2016 2015 (in thousands) Land and office building $ 7,515 $ 7,069 Furniture and equipment 6,509 6,227 Software 6,739 6,277 Automobiles 74 74 20,837 19,647 Accumulated depreciation (14,201 ) (13,466 ) Property and equipment, net $ 6,636 $ 6,181 Furniture and equipment included property held under capital leases of $0.2 million at December 31, 2016. Accumulated depreciation includes $80,000 that is related to these properties at December 31, 2016. Furniture and equipment included property held under capital leases of $ 0.1 97,000 0.1 49,000 Future minimum lease payments related to the capital lease obligations are detailed below (in thousands): 2017 $ 56 2018 42 2019 42 2020 42 Present value of net minimum lease payments $ 182 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, 2016
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 2016, 2015 and 2014 was as follows: 2016 Premiums 2015 Premiums 2014 Premiums Written Earned Written Earned Written Earned (in thousands) Gross $ 373,055 $ 379,011 $ 386,529 $ 387,122 $ 393,819 $ 389,540 Ceded (10,307 ) (10,307 ) (11,228 ) (11,228 ) (13,793 ) (13,793 ) Net premiums $ 362,748 $ 368,704 $ 375,301 $ 375,894 $ 380,026 $ 375,747 The amounts recoverable from reinsurers consist of the following: December 31, 2016 2015 (in thousands) Unpaid losses recoverable: Case basis $ 49,361 $ 37,207 Incurred but not reported 28,895 27,651 Paid losses recoverable 485 414 Experience-rated commissions recoverable 4,925 25,805 Total $ 83,666 $ 91,077 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, 2016, 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, and these amounts declined during 2016 as a result of the December 2016 commutation of the 2011 through 2013 reinsurance agreements with Hannover and Tokio. The Company received reinsurance recoveries of $0.5 million in 2016, $1.0 The Company generally secures large reinsurance recoverable balances with various forms of collateral, including funds withheld accounts, irrevocable letters of credit and secured trusts. At December 31, 2016, reinsurance recoverables from reinsurers that exceeded 1.5% of statutory surplus of the Company’s insurance subsidiaries are shown below (in thousands). The A.M. Best Company rating for the reinsurer is shown parenthetically. Hannover Reinsurance Limited (Ireland) (A+) $ 29,670 Odyssey America Reinsurance Corporation (A) 12,600 Minnesota Workers’ Compensation Reinsurance Association (NR) 9,623 Other reinsurers 31,773 Total amounts recoverable from reinsurers 83,666 Funds withheld and letters of credit related to the above recoverables (38,453 ) Total unsecured amounts recoverable from reinsurers $ 45,213

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	7. Income Taxes The Company’s deferred income tax assets and liabilities are as follows: December 31, 2016 2015 (in thousands) Deferred income tax assets: Discounting of net unpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses $ 16,035 $ 15,415 Unearned premiums 14,483 14,839 Accrued expenses and other 3,640 3,904 State income tax 617 488 Accrued policyholder dividends 2,024 719 Impaired securities 70 238 Capital loss carryforward 15 715 Accrued insurance-related assessments 5,323 4,953 Net unrealized loss on securities 265 — Total deferred tax assets 42,472 41,271 Deferred income tax liabilities: Deferred policy acquisition costs (8,492 ) (9,012 ) Callable bond amortization (10 ) — Unrealized gain on securities available-for-sale — (1,393 ) Property and equipment and other 204 (696 ) Salvage and subrogation (363 ) (265 ) Guaranty fund related items — — Total deferred income tax liabilities (8,661 ) (11,366 ) Net deferred income taxes $ 33,811 $ 29,905 The components of consolidated income tax expense (benefit) are as follows: Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 (in thousands) Current: Federal $ 35,602 $ 28,047 $ 20,811 State 1,603 1,012 684 37,205 29,059 21,495 Deferred: Federal (2,120 ) 1,343 (821 ) State (129 ) 103 (591 ) (2,249 ) 1,446 (1,412 ) Total $ 34,956 $ 30,505 $ 20,083 During 2016, 2015 and 2014, there was no valuation allowance on the Company’s deferred income tax assets and liabilities. 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, 2016 2015 2014 (in thousands) Income tax computed at federal statutory tax rate $ 39,487 $ 35,338 $ 25,812 Tax-exempt interest, net (5,370 ) (5,630 ) (5,620 ) State income tax 913 762 (146 ) Dividends received deduction (125 ) (19 ) (60 ) Other 51 54 97 $ 34,956 $ 30,505 $ 20,083 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, 2016, 2015 and 2014. Tax years 2013 through 2016 are subject to examination by the federal and state taxing authorities. In 2016, the Company was notified by the Illinois Department of Revenue that the examination of tax years 2011 and 2012 had been completed with no findings.

Line of Credit

Line of Credit	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
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. In December 2016, the agreement was renewed. The agreement expires in December 2019. 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, 2016 or 2015.

Loss and Loss Adjustment Expens

Loss and Loss Adjustment Expenses	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Insurance [Abstract]
Loss and Loss Adjustment Expenses	9. Loss and Loss Adjustment Expenses The following development tables provide the incurred and paid claims and allocated claim adjustment expenses, net of reinsurance, for workers’ compensation and general liability for accident years 2007 through 2016. The incurred but not reported (“IBNR”) claims and claims frequency is included for each accident year presented. Incurred Claims and Allocated Claim Adjustment Expenses, Net of Reinsurance As of For the Years Ended December 31, December 31,2016 (Dollars in thousands) Accident Year 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Total IBNR plus Expected Development on Reported Claims Cumulative Number of Claims Reported 2007 $ 208,480 $ 218,448 $ 206,044 $ 196,773 $ 185,225 $ 181,633 $ 180,229 $ 179,373 $ 178,608 $ 178,582 $ 1,620 7,122 2008 - 196,923 200,371 195,619 190,905 187,695 184,547 182,846 183,608 182,901 2,751 6,486 2009 - - 185,359 188,746 188,462 187,943 184,006 182,274 177,795 176,586 3,199 5,371 2010 - - - 179,156 202,479 208,035 205,769 198,861 193,029 191,000 5,786 5,970 2011 - - - - 196,384 199,522 199,163 198,213 195,262 192,988 7,461 6,040 2012 - - - - - 222,549 222,075 212,738 193,515 184,460 7,798 5,743 2013 - - - - - - 241,810 241,811 233,656 220,457 11,868 5,761 2014 - - - - - - - 268,846 268,846 249,097 21,004 5,815 2015 - - - - - - - - 262,573 262,573 28,658 5,477 2016 - - - - - - - - - 250,491 34,737 5,104 Total $ 2,089,136 $ 124,882 Cumulative Paid Claims and Allocated Claim Adjustment Expenses, Net of Reinsurance For the Years Ended December 31, (Dollars in thousands) Accident Year 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Claim Frequency * 2007 $ 43,470 $ 97,657 $ 128,254 $ 141,595 $ 152,136 $ 158,056 $ 162,903 $ 164,970 $ 166,734 $ 167,996 21.77 2008 - 47,685 103,057 132,515 147,377 157,388 163,933 166,814 170,347 171,496 20.98 2009 - - 42,332 96,173 123,946 142,667 150,925 155,365 158,214 159,345 19.82 2010 - - - 47,520 108,714 141,029 156,974 165,834 169,565 172,426 24.93 2011 - - - - 53,329 111,029 140,831 153,968 161,639 165,967 22.80 2012 - - - - - 50,579 107,467 133,658 149,161 154,553 18.71 2013 - - - - - - 51,396 119,507 150,304 165,994 16.54 2014 - - - - - - - 53,060 119,820 153,320 14.93 2015 - - - - - - - - 54,141 121,599 14.15 2016 - - - - - - - - - 52,238 13.47 Total 1,484,933 All outstanding claim liabilities before 2007, net of reinsurance 60,317 Liabilities for claims and claim adjustment expenses, net of reinsurance 664,520 *Frequency, as calculated above, refers to reported claims divided by gross premium earned The average annual percentage payout of incurred claims by age, net of reinsurance, for workers’ compensation and general liability as of December 31, 2016 is summarized below. Since workers’ compensation has long payout periods, the table below shows less than 100% in the years disclosed. Average Annual Percentage Payout of Incurred Claims by Age, Net of Reinsurance (Unaudited) Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6 Year 7 Year 8 Year 9 Year 10 24.0% 29.7% 15.4% 8.1% 4.6% 2.7% 1.9% 1.2% 0.8% 0.7% The following table provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending reserve balances, net of related amounts recoverable from reinsurers, for 2016, 2015 and 2014: Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 (in thousands) Balance, beginning of period $ 718,033 $ 687,602 $ 614,557 Less amounts recoverable from reinsurers on unpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses 64,858 59,334 48,699 Net balance, beginning of period 653,175 628,268 565,858 Add incurred related to: Current accident year 250,337 262,387 268,633 Prior accident years (51,306 ) (47,814 ) (23,717 ) Total incurred 199,031 214,573 244,916 Less paid related to: Current accident year 52,085 53,955 52,848 Prior accident years 135,601 135,711 129,658 Total paid 187,686 189,666 182,506 Net balance, end of period 664,520 653,175 628,268 Add amounts recoverable from reinsurers on unpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses 78,256 64,858 59,334 Balance, end of period $ 742,776 $ 718,033 $ 687,602 The foregoing reconciliation reflects favorable development of the net reserves at December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014. The favorable development reduced loss and loss adjustment expense incurred by $51.3 million in 2016 driven primarily by accident years 2012, 2013 and 2014 of $9.1 million, $13.2 million and $19.7 million, respectively. In 2015 and 2014, the Company recorded favorable development of $47.8 million and $23.7 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. Multiple factors can cause loss development both unfavorable and favorable. The favorable loss development we experienced across accident years was largely due to favorable case reserve development from closed claims and claims where the worker had reached maximum medical improvement. 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, 2016 2015 2014 (in thousands) Reserves for loss and LAE at beginning of year $ 958 $ 819 $ 219 Incurred losses and LAE during the current year 816 444 882 Loss and LAE payments (287 ) (305 ) (282 ) Reserves for loss and LAE at end of year $ 1,487 $ 958 $ 819 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, 2016
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, 2016, 2015 and 2014 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, 2016, were as follows (in thousands): 2016 2015 2014 Capital and surplus $ 394,016 $ 371,365 $ 377,742 Net income 79,858 71,937 50,205 Net realized gains (losses) on investments (504 ) (3,131 ) 693 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, 2016, 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 greater 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 $67.0 million in dividends to the Company in 2016, $50.0 million in 2015 and $25.0 million in 2014. Based upon the dividend limitation described above, AIIC could pay to the Company dividends of up to $68.7 million in 2017 without seeking regulatory approval.

Capital Stock

Capital Stock	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Equity [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, 2016, there were 20,488,385 shares of common stock issued and 19,230,135 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, 2016, there were no shares of preferred stock outstanding.

Stock Options and Restricted St

Stock Options and Restricted Stock	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased 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 was designed to provide incentive compensation to executive officers and other key management personnel. The 2005 Incentive Plan permitted 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 grants will be made under the 2005 Incentive Plan. All grants made under the 2005 Incentive plan will continue in effect, subject to the terms and conditions of the 2005 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. 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. 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, 2014, 2015 and 2016: Shares Weighted- Average Exercise Price Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years) 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 Outstanding at January 1, 2016 88,879 12.10 4.3 Granted — — — Exercised (68,879 ) 12.14 3.3 Canceled, forfeited, or expired — — — Outstanding at December 31, 2016 20,000 8.71 3.1 Exercisable at December 31, 2016 20,000 8.71 3.1 2016 2015 2014 (in thousands) Cash received from option exercises $ 837 $ 1,844 $ 2,674 Total tax benefits realized for tax deductions from options exercised 833 2,109 2,797 Total intrinsic value of options exercised 2,967 6,969 9,145 Grant date fair value of options vested — — 144 Aggregate intrinsic value of vested options outstanding 1,073 3,448 8,763 The following table summarizes information about the restricted stock outstanding under the 2005 Incentive Plan at December 31, 2016: Shares Weighted- Average Grant- Date Fair Value per Share Nonvested balance at January 1, 2014 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 Granted — — Vested (800 ) 27.35 Forfeited — — Nonvested balance at December 31, 2016 800 27.35 The Company recognized compensation expense of $58,000 in 2016 and $138,000 in 2015 and $325,000 in 2014, related to awards made under the 2005 Incentive Plan. Total tax benefits realized for tax deductions from vesting of restricted stock in 2016, 2015 and 2014 were $110,000, $81,000 and $38,000, respectively. Non-Employee Director Restricted Stock Plan The AMERISAFE Non-Employee Director Restricted Stock Plan (the “Restricted Stock 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 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, 2016, there were 20,122 shares of common stock available for future awards under the Restricted Stock Plan. Under the Restricted Stock Plan, each non-employee director is automatically granted a restricted stock award for a number of shares equal to $45,000 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. Under the terms of the Restricted Stock Plan, the Company’s Board of Directors may increase the dollar amount of the annual award to an amount up to $75,000 without shareholder approval. As of December 31, 2016, there were 5,576 shares of restricted stock outstanding under the Non-Employee Director Restricted Stock Plan, all of which will vest on the date of the annual meeting of shareholders in 2017. The following table summarizes information about the restricted stock outstanding under the Non-Employee Director Restricted Stock Plan at December 31, 2016: Shares Weighted- Average Grant- Date Fair Value per Share Nonvested balance at January 1, 2014 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 Granted 5,952 63.57 Vested (7,488 ) 44.54 Forfeited — — Nonvested balance at December 31, 2016 5,576 64.50 The Company recognized compensation expense of $361,000 in 2016, $266,000 in 2015 and $184,000 in 2014 related to the Non-Employee Director Restricted Stock Plan. Total tax benefits realized for tax deductions from vesting of restricted stock in 2016, 2015 and 2014 were $52,000, $13,000 and $7,000, 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, 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 2016, 27,077 shares of restricted stock were granted under the 2012 Incentive Plan, which will vest through 2021. In 2015, 50,461 shares of restricted stock were granted under the 2012 Incentive Plan, which will vest through 2020. At December 31, 2016, there were 355,777 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, 2016: Shares Weighted- AverageGrant- Date Fair Value per Share Nonvested balance at January 1, 2014 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 Granted 27,077 54.44 Vested (26,294 ) 45.18 Forfeited (1,919 ) — Nonvested balance at December 31, 2016 76,392 43.91 The Company recognized compensation expense of $849,000, $599,000 and $580,000 in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively, related to share-based grants. The Company recognized compensation expense of $334,000, $220,000 and $429,000 million in 2016 2015 and 2014, 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, 2016
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. The calculation of basic and diluted EPS for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 are presented below. For the Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 (in thousands, except earnings per share amounts) Basic EPS: Net income available to common shareholders – basic $ 77,865 $ 70,462 $ 53,666 Basic weighted-average common shares 19,106 18,941 18,646 Basic earnings per share $ 4.08 $ 3.72 $ 2.88 Diluted EPS: Net income available to common shareholders - diluted $ 77,865 $ 70,462 $ 53,666 Diluted weighted average common shares: Weighted average common shares 19,106 18,941 18,646 Stock options and performance shares 98 178 282 Diluted weighted average common shares 19,204 19,119 18,928 Diluted earnings per common share $ 4.05 $ 3.69 $ 2.84 The table below sets forth the reconciliation of the weighted average shares used for the basic and diluted EPS calculation. Years Ended 2016 2015 2014 Basic weighted average common shares 19,105,806 18,941,077 18,646,128 Add: Other common shares eligible for common dividends: Weighted average restricted shares and stock options (including tax benefit component) 97,844 178,109 282,376 Diluted weighted average common shares 19,203,650 19,119,186 18,928,504

Comprehensive Income and Accumu

Comprehensive Income and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
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, 2016 2015 2014 (in thousands) Beginning balance $ 2,587 $ 2,810 $ (4,295 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification (3,231 ) (1,584 ) 6,558 Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income 152 1,361 547 Net current period other comprehensive income (loss) (3,079 ) (223 ) 7,105 Ending balance $ (492 ) $ 2,587 $ 2,810 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 income 2016 2015 2014 (in thousands) Unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities $ (234 ) $ (494 ) $ (825 ) Net realized gains (losses) on investments Other-than-temporary impairment — (1,600 ) (16 ) Net realized gains (losses) on investments (234 ) (2,094 ) (841 ) Income before income taxes 82 733 294 Income tax expense $ (152 ) $ (1,361 ) $ (547 ) Net income Pre-Tax Amount Tax Expense Net-of-Tax Amount (in thousands) December 31, 2016 Unrealized loss on securities: Unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities $ (4,908 ) $ (1,718 ) $ (3,190 ) Less amortization of differences between fair value and amortized cost for fixed maturity security transfer (63 ) (22 ) (41 ) Reclassification adjustment for gains realized in net income 234 82 152 Net unrealized loss (4,737 ) (1,658 ) (3,079 ) Other comprehensive income $ (4,737 ) $ (1,658 ) $ (3,079 ) 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

Employee Benefit Plan

Employee Benefit Plan	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
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 2016, 2015 and 2014.

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
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, 2016, 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+) $ 17,098 Pacific Life and Annuity Company (A+) 16,688 American General Life Insurance (A) 15,049 New York Life Insurance Company (A++) 11,408 John Hancock Life Insurance Company USA (A+) 6,724 Athene Annuity and Life Assurance Company (A-) 5,164 Other 23,925 $ 96,056 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. In February 2015, the Company was notified of an adverse verdict against its subsidiary, AIIC, 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. AIIC 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. As of December 31, 2016, the Company’s total reserve for the claim was $2.4 million. The $2.4 million reserve does not include payments that the Company has previously paid in this case. The payments, plus the $2.4 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. The Company presently believes that the reserve amount, together with its reinsurance coverage, is adequate to satisfy this claim. The Company leases equipment and office space under noncancelable operating leases. At December 31, 2016, future minimum lease payments are as follows (in thousands): 2017 $ 131 2018 74 2019 6 $ 211 Rental expense was $0.2 million in 2016, 2015 and 2014.

Concentration of Operations

Concentration of Operations	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
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: 2016 2015 2014 Dollars Percent Dollars Percent Dollars Percent (Dollars in thousands) Workers’ compensation $ 368,704 100.0 % $ 375,894 100.0 % $ 375,746 100.0 % General liability — 0.0 % — 0.0 % 1 0.0 % Total net premiums earned $ 368,704 100.0 % $ 375,894 100.0 % $ 375,747 100.0 % Net premiums earned during 2016, 2015 and 2014 for the top ten states in 2016 and all others are shown below: 2016 2015 2014 Dollars Percent Dollars Percent Dollars Percent (Dollars in thousands) Pennsylvania $ 39,460 10.7 % $ 36,294 9.7 % $ 35,488 9.4 % Georgia 38,168 10.4 % 40,497 10.8 % 36,761 9.8 % Louisiana 30,426 8.3 % 38,874 10.3 % 47,643 12.7 % Florida 29,051 7.9 % 24,792 6.6 % 20,691 5.5 % Illinois 25,796 7.0 % 23,285 6.2 % 20,606 5.5 % North Carolina 20,784 5.6 % 20,062 5.3 % 20,872 5.6 % Virginia 16,599 4.5 % 15,656 4.2 % 16,764 4.5 % Minnesota 15,130 4.1 % 14,618 3.9 % 13,159 3.5 % South Carolina 13,897 3.8 % 12,955 3.4 % 12,414 3.3 % Wisconsin 13,544 3.7 % 11,203 3.0 % 9,408 2.5 % All others 125,849 34.0 % 137,658 36.6 % 141,941 37.7 % Total net premiums earned $ 368,704 100.0 % $ 375,894 100.0 % $ 375,747 100.0 %

Fair Values of Financial Instru

Fair Values of Financial Instruments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
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 —The carrying amounts reported in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets for these financial instruments approximate their fair values. Investments —The fair values for fixed maturity and equity securities are based on quoted market prices where available. For those securities not actively traded, fair values were obtained from a third-party investment manager. Short Term Investments —The carrying amounts reported in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets for these financial instruments approximate their fair value. Other Investments — Other investments consist of a limited partnership interest that is accounted for under the equity method valued using the net asset value provided by the general partner of the limited partnership, which approximates the fair value of the interest. The limited partnership’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 to the limited partnership. The following table summarizes the carrying or reported values and corresponding fair values for financial instruments: December 31, 2016 2015 Carrying Amount Fair Value Carrying Amount Fair Value (in thousands) Assets: Fixed maturity securities—held to maturity $ 562,434 $ 568,931 $ 645,164 $ 662,276 Fixed maturity securities—available for sale 479,097 479,097 380,022 380,022 Equity securities 33 33 31 31 Cash and cash equivalents 58,936 58,936 69,481 69,481 Short-term investments 29,580 29,580 7,718 7,718 Other investments 13,330 13,330 12,217 12,217 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, 2016. Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 are as follows: December 31, 2016 Level 1 Inputs Level 2 Inputs Level 3 Inputs Total Fair Value (in thousands) Financial instruments carried at fair value, classified as part of: Securities available for sale—equity: Domestic common stock $ 33 $ — $ — $ 33 Securities available for sale—fixed maturity: States and political subdivisions — 232,293 — 232,293 Corporate bonds — 182,515 — 182,515 U.S. agency-based mortgage-backed securities — 9,342 — 9,342 U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government agencies 54,947 — — 54,947 Total available for sale—fixed maturity 54,947 424,150 — 479,097 Total available for sale $ 54,980 $ 424,150 $ — $ 479,130 December 31, 2015 Level 1 Inputs Level 2 Inputs Level 3 Inputs Total Fair Value (in thousands) Financial instruments carried at fair value, classified as part of: Securities available for sale—equity: Domestic common stock $ 31 $ — $ — $ 31 Securities available for sale—fixed maturity: States and political subdivisions — 171,419 — 171,419 Corporate bonds — 201,304 — 201,304 U.S. agency-based mortgage-backed securities — 7,299 — 7,299 Total available for sale—fixed maturity — 380,022 — 380,022 Total available for sale $ 31 $ 380,022 $ — $ 380,053 Assets and liabilities measured at amortized cost as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 are as follows: December 31, 2016 Level 1 Inputs Level 2 Inputs Level 3 Inputs Total Fair Value (in thousands) Securities held-to-maturity—fixed maturity: States and political subdivisions $ — $ 399,483 $ — $ 399,483 Corporate bonds — 144,016 — 144,016 Commercial mortgage-backed securities — 70 — 70 U.S. agency-based mortgage-backed securities — 10,915 — 10,915 U.S. Treasury securities 6,779 — — 6,779 Obligations of U.S. government agencies — 5,637 — 5,637 Asset-backed securities — 2,031 — 2,031 Total held-to-maturity $ 6,779 $ 562,152 $ — $ 568,931 December 31, 2015 Level 1 Inputs Level 2 Inputs Level 3 Inputs Total Fair Value (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 7,599 — — 7,599 Obligations of U.S. government agencies — 5,781 — 5,781 Asset-backed securities — 2,415 — 2,415 Total held-to-maturity $ 7,599 $ 654,677 $ — $ 662,276 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, 2016, 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, 2016. 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, 2016.

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaud

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
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, 2016 and 2015. Three Months Ended March 31 June 30 September 30 December 31 (in thousands, except per share amounts) 2016 Net premiums earned $ 95,961 $ 90,728 $ 89,918 $ 92,097 Net investment income 6,044 6,201 8,006 7,855 Net realized gains (losses) on investments 248 545 181 (1,468 ) Total revenues 102,335 97,563 98,206 98,558 Income before income taxes 34,395 24,615 26,027 27,784 Net income 24,257 16,639 17,896 19,073 Net income available to common shareholders 24,257 16,639 17,896 19,073 Earnings per share: Basic $ 1.27 $ 0.87 $ 0.94 $ 1.00 Diluted $ 1.27 $ 0.87 $ 0.93 $ 0.99 Comprehensive income 27,051 19,568 16,183 11,985 Extraordinary cash dividends declared per common share $ — $ — $ — $ 3.25 Cash dividends declared per common share $ 0.18 $ 0.18 $ 0.18 $ 0.18 2015 Net 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

Capital Management

Capital Management	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Text Block [Abstract]
Capital Management	20. Capital Management The Company’s Board of Directors initiated a share repurchase program in February 2010. In October 2016, the Board reauthorized this program with a limit of $25.0 million with no expiration date. There were no shares repurchased under this program in 2016. Since the 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 regular quarterly dividend. During 2016, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.18 per share compared to $0.15 per share in 2015, $0.12 per share in 2014 and $0.08 per share in 2013. The Company declared extraordinary dividends totaling $3.25 per share in 2016, $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, 2016
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events	21. Subsequent Events On February 21, 2017 the Company declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.xx per share payable on March 24, 2017 to shareholders of record on March 10, 2017. In 2016, the Company paid a quarterly cash dividend of $0.18 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 $x.xx per share.

Schedule II. Condensed Financia

Schedule II. Condensed Financial Information of Registrant	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
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, 2016 2015 (in thousands) Assets Investments: Short-term investments $ 11,939 $ — Other investments 13,330 12,217 Investment in subsidiaries 415,767 408,135 Total investments 441,036 420,352 Cash and cash equivalents 9,596 26,968 Deferred income taxes 675 292 Notes receivable from subsidiaries 1,587 1,505 Property and equipment, net 1,942 1,817 Other assets 1,314 3,047 $ 456,150 $ 453,981 Liabilities, redeemable preferred stock and shareholders’ equity Total liabilities — — Shareholders' equity (net of Treasury stock of $22,370 at December 31, 2016 and 2015 456,150 453,981 $ 456,150 $ 453,981 Schedule II. Condensed Financial Information of Registrant – (Continued) AMERISAFE, INC. CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 (in thousands) Revenues Net investment income $ 1,509 $ 854 $ 1,541 Fee and other income 5,843 5,893 5,368 Total revenues 7,352 6,747 6,909 Expenses Other operating costs 7,352 6,747 6,909 Total expenses 7,352 6,747 6,909 Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings of subsidiaries — — — Income tax expense (benefit) (156 ) (57 ) (13 ) Gain (loss) before equity in earnings of subsidiaries 156 57 13 Equity in net income of subsidiaries 77,709 70,405 53,653 Net income $ 77,865 $ 70,462 $ 53,666 Schedule II. Condensed Financial Information of Registrant – (Continued) AMERISAFE, INC. CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 (in thousands) Operating activities Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities $ 2,771 $ (1,727 ) $ 2,161 Investing activities Purchases of investments (11,940 ) — (1,462 ) Proceeds from sales of investments — 250 2,404 Purchases of property and equipment (924 ) (627 ) (691 ) Dividends from subsidiary 67,000 50,000 25,000 Net cash provided by investing activities 54,136 49,623 25,251 Financing activities Proceeds from stock option exercises 837 1,844 2,674 Tax benefit from share-based payments 995 2,204 2,841 Dividends to shareholders (76,111 ) (68,561 ) (37,068 ) Net cash used in financing activities (74,279 ) (64,513 ) (31,553 ) Change in cash and cash equivalents (17,372 ) (16,617 ) (4,141 ) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 26,968 43,585 47,726 Cash and cash equivalents at end of year $ 9,596 $ 26,968 $ 43,585

Schedule VI. Supplemental Infor

Schedule VI. Supplemental Information Concerning Property-Casualty Insurance Operations	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
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 Policy Acquisition Costs Reserves for Unpaid Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense Unearned Premium Earned Premium Net Investment Income Loss and LAE Related to Current Period Loss and LAE Related to Prior Periods Amortization of Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs Paid Claims and Claim Adjustment Expenses Net Premiums Written (in thousands) 2016 $ 19,300 $ 742,776 $ 162,028 $ 368,704 $ 28,106 $ 250,337 $ (51,306 ) $ (44,321 ) $ 187,686 $ 362,748 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

Summary of Significant Accoun31

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
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 2016, 2015 and 2014.
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.
Adopted Accounting Guidance	Adopted Accounting Guidance In May 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-07, Fair Value Measurements (Topic 820): Disclosures for Investments in Certain Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value per Share (or Its Equivalent) In May 2015, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2015-09, Financial Services – Insurance (Topic 944): Disclosures about Short-Duration Contracts. The guidance requires additional disclosures for short-duration insurance contracts. New disclosures are to include more information about initial claim estimates and subsequent adjustments to those estimates, the methodologies and judgments used to estimate claims, and the timing, frequency, and severity of claims. This standard is effective for us beginning with this 2016 annual financial statement. The guidance requires a change in disclosure only (see Note 9 to our financial statements), and thus has no impact on our financial condition or results of operations.
Prospective Accounting Guidance	Prospective Accounting Guidance In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting. The new guidance requires that all tax effects related to share-based payments be made through the income statement at the time of settlement as opposed to recognizing excess tax benefits in additional paid-in capital. It also requires the cash flows resulting from share-based payments to be included as an operating activity. In addition to the changes, the guidance permits reporting entities to elect to estimate forfeitures related to share-based payments or recognize them as they occur. The threshold to qualify for equity classification has also been revised to permit withholding up to the maximum statutory tax rates in the applicable jurisdictions. The standard is effective for us in the first quarter of 2017. Adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on our financial condition and results of operations. In May 2014, the FASB Issued ASU 2014-09 (Topic 606): Revenue from Contract s s In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments – Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. This guidance requires fair value measurement for equity investments (not including those that result in consolidation of the investee or use the equity method of accounting) and the recognition of changes in fair value to be presented as a component of net income. The guidance also revises the disclosure requirements related to fair value changes of liabilities presented in comprehensive income, eliminates disclosure related to the methods and assumptions underlying fair value for financial instruments measured at amortized cost, and simplifies impairment assessments for equity investments without readily determinable fair values. This standard is effective for us in the first quarter of 2018. The Company will continue to monitor the impact as the implementation date approaches. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). Under current guidance for lessees, leases are only included on the balance sheet if certain criteria, classifying the contract as a capital lease, are met. The new guidance requires a lessee to recognize a lease liability and a right of use asset for all leases extending beyond twelve months. The new guidance is effective for us in the first quarter of 2019. Upon adoption, leases will be recognized and measured at the beginning of the earliest period presented using a modified retrospective approach. Adoption of the guidance is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements as the Company does not have any significant leases. In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses. The new guidance replaces the methodology of credit loss impairment, which currently, delays the recognition of credit losses until a probable loss has been incurred. The new guidance requires credit losses for securities measured at amortized cost, to be determined using current expected credit losses estimates. These estimates are to be derived from historical, current and reasonable supporting forecasts, including prepayments and estimates, and will be recorded through a valuation allowance account that will run through the income statement. The same method will be used for available-for-sale securities, but the valuation allowance will be limited to the amount by which the fair value is below amortized cost. The standard is effective for us in the first quarter of 2020. The Company will continue to monitor the impact as the implementation date approaches.
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 Policy Text Block	Short-Term Investments Short-term investments include municipal securities, corporate bonds and certificates of deposit with an original maturity greater than 90 days but less than one year.
Other Investments Policy Text Block	Other Investments Other investments consist of a limited partnership interest that is accounted for under the equity method, valued using the net asset value provided by the general partner of the limited partnership, which approximates the fair value of the interest. The limited partnership’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 to the limited partnership.
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 2016, 2015 or 2014.
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 economic conditions, 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 no impact on underwriting and certain other operating costs in 2016 compared to $0.3 in 2015 and no impact in 2014. In December 2016, the Company commuted reinsurance agreements with Hannover Reinsurance Limited (Ireland) (“Hannover”) and Tokio Millennium Re Limited (“Tokio”) covering portions of accident years 2011 through 2013. The Company received cash of $0.2 million and an additional $25.4 million payment effectuated solely through offset against the balance of the funds withheld account under the reinsurance agreements in exchange for releasing Hannover and Tokio from their reinsurance obligations under the commuted agreements. Both Hannover and Tokio remain obligated to the subsidiaries of the Company under other reinsurance agreements. As a result of the commutation, the effect on the Company’s net income in the year ended December 31, 2016 was immaterial.
Fee And Other Income Policy Text Block	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 2016 and 2015 and $0.5 million in 2014.
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. 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. Prior to 2014, we determined 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.

Investments (Tables)

Investments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
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, 2016 are summarized as follows: Amortized Cost Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Losses Fair Value (in thousands) States and political subdivisions $ 394,875 $ 7,622 $ (3,014 ) $ 399,483 Corporate bonds 143,858 423 (265 ) 144,016 Commercial mortgage-backed securities 70 — — 70 U.S. agency-based mortgage-backed securities 9,967 948 — 10,915 U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government agencies 11,737 746 (67 ) 12,416 Asset-backed securities 1,927 163 (59 ) 2,031 Totals $ 562,434 $ 9,902 $ (3,405 ) $ 568,931 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 Cost Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Losses 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
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, 2016 are summarized as follows: Cost or Amortized Cost Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Losses Fair Value (in thousands) Fixed maturity: States and political subdivisions $ 231,168 $ 4,340 $ (3,215 ) $ 232,293 Corporate bonds 182,350 436 (271 ) 182,515 U.S. agency-based mortgage-backed securities 10,428 17 (1,103 ) 9,342 U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government agencies 55,925 — (978 ) 54,947 Total fixed maturity 479,871 4,793 (5,567 ) 479,097 Other investments 10,000 3,330 — 13,330 Equity securities — 33 — 33 Totals $ 489,871 $ 8,156 $ (5,567 ) $ 492,460 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
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 2016, 2015 and 2014 is as follows: Fixed Maturity Securities Available for Sale Equity Securities Other Total (in thousands) Year ended December 31, 2016 Proceeds from sales $ 54,730 $ — $ 4,609 $ 59,339 Gross realized investment gains $ 823 $ — $ 68 $ 891 Gross realized investment losses (1,728 ) — — (1,728 ) Net realized investment gains (losses) (905 ) — 68 (837 ) Other, including gains on calls and redemptions 274 — 69 343 Net realized gains (losses) on investments $ (631 ) $ — $ 137 $ (494 ) 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
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, 2016 2015 2014 (in thousands) Gross investment income: Fixed maturity securities $ 27,837 $ 28,498 $ 26,622 Short-term investments and cash and cash equivalents 348 149 426 Equity securities — — 232 Other investments 1,568 763 1,611 Total gross investment income 29,753 29,410 28,891 Investment expenses (1,647 ) (1,508 ) (1,677 ) Net investment income $ 28,106 $ 27,902 $ 27,214
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 Investments with Unrealized Losses Gross Unrealized Losses Fair Value of Investments with Unrealized Losses Gross Unrealized Losses Fair Value of Investments with Unrealized Losses Gross Unrealized Losses (in thousands) December 31, 2016 Held-to-Maturity Fixed maturity securities: States and political subdivisions $ 157,507 $ 3,014 $ — $ — $ 157,507 $ 3,014 Corporate bonds 44,654 202 6,292 63 50,946 265 U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government agencies 3,968 67 — — 3,968 67 Asset-backed securities — — 1,173 59 1,173 59 Total held-to-maturity securities 206,129 3,283 7,465 122 213,594 3,405 Available-for Sale Fixed maturity securities: States and political subdivisions $ 73,505 $ 2,976 $ 4,523 $ 239 $ 78,028 $ 3,215 Corporate bonds 41,419 111 7,922 160 49,341 271 U.S. agency-based mortgage-backed securities 3,702 48 3,607 1,055 7,309 1,103 U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government agencies 54,947 978 — — 54,947 978 Total available-for-sale securities 173,573 4,113 16,052 1,454 189,625 5,567 Total $ 379,702 $ 7,396 $ 23,517 $ 1,576 $ 403,219 $ 8,972 December 31, 2015 Held-to-Maturity Fixed maturity securities: States and political subdivisions $ 24,068 $ 45 $ — $ — $ 24,068 $ 45 Corporate bonds 128,436 687 18,139 123 146,575 810 Commercial mortgage-backed securities 9,784 15 — — 9,784 15 U.S. agency-based mortgage-backed securities 18 — 28 1 46 1 U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government agencies 2,980 4 — — 2,980 4 Asset-backed securities — — 1,389 76 1,389 76 Total held-to-maturity securities 165,286 751 19,556 200 184,842 951 Available-for Sale Fixed maturity securities: States and political subdivisions $ 6,560 $ 9 $ 4,439 $ 198 $ 10,999 $ 207 Corporate bonds 141,857 1,475 4,216 11 146,073 1,486 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
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, 2016, by contractual maturity, is as follows: Amortized Cost Fair Value (in thousands) Maturity: Within one year $ 109,707 $ 110,469 After one year through five years 259,942 263,620 After five years through ten years 105,396 106,341 After ten years 75,425 75,485 Commercial mortgage-backed securities 70 70 U.S. agency-based mortgage-backed securities 9,967 10,915 Asset-backed securities 1,927 2,031 Totals $ 562,434 $ 568,931
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, 2016, by contractual maturity, is as follows: Amortized Cost Fair Value (in thousands) Maturity: Within one year $ 64,852 $ 65,174 After one year through five years 215,486 215,624 After five years through ten years 30,846 30,488 After ten years 158,259 158,469 U.S. agency-based mortgage-backed securities 10,428 9,342 Totals $ 479,871 $ 479,097

Premiums Receivable (Tables)

Premiums Receivable (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Insurance [Abstract]
Components of Premiums Receivable	The components of premiums receivable are shown below: December 31, 2016 2015 (in thousands) Premiums receivable $ 188,217 $ 190,216 Allowance for doubtful accounts (5,212 ) (4,852 ) Premiums receivable, net $ 183,005 $ 185,364
Summarizes the Activity in the Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	The following summarizes the activity in the allowance for doubtful accounts: December 31, 2016 2015 2014 (in thousands) Balance, beginning of year $ 4,852 $ 5,211 $ 5,458 Provision for bad debts 1,646 806 673 Write-offs (1,286 ) (1,165 ) (920 ) Balance, end of year $ 5,212 $ 4,852 $ 5,211

Deferred Policy Acquisition C34

Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
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, 2016 2015 (in thousands) Agents’ commissions $ 15,286 $ 15,997 Premium taxes 2,578 3,121 Deferred underwriting expenses 1,436 1,294 Total deferred policy acquisition costs $ 19,300 $ 20,412
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, 2016 2015 2014 (in thousands) Balance, beginning of year $ 20,412 $ 19,649 $ 19,171 Policy acquisition costs deferred 43,209 45,604 44,295 Amortization expense during the year (44,321 ) (44,841 ) (43,817 ) Balance, end of year $ 19,300 $ 20,412 $ 19,649

Property and Equipment (Tables)

Property and Equipment (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]
Schedule of Property and Equipment	Property and equipment consist of the following: December 31, 2016 2015 (in thousands) Land and office building $ 7,515 $ 7,069 Furniture and equipment 6,509 6,227 Software 6,739 6,277 Automobiles 74 74 20,837 19,647 Accumulated depreciation (14,201 ) (13,466 ) Property and equipment, net $ 6,636 $ 6,181
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): 2017 $ 56 2018 42 2019 42 2020 42 Present value of net minimum lease payments $ 182

Reinsurance (Tables)

Reinsurance (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Insurance [Abstract]
Schedule of the Effect of Reinsurance on Premiums Written and Earned	The effect of reinsurance on premiums written and earned in 2016, 2015 and 2014 was as follows: 2016 Premiums 2015 Premiums 2014 Premiums Written Earned Written Earned Written Earned (in thousands) Gross $ 373,055 $ 379,011 $ 386,529 $ 387,122 $ 393,819 $ 389,540 Ceded (10,307 ) (10,307 ) (11,228 ) (11,228 ) (13,793 ) (13,793 ) Net premiums $ 362,748 $ 368,704 $ 375,301 $ 375,894 $ 380,026 $ 375,747
Schedule of the Amounts Recoverable from Reinsurers	The amounts recoverable from reinsurers consist of the following: December 31, 2016 2015 (in thousands) Unpaid losses recoverable: Case basis $ 49,361 $ 37,207 Incurred but not reported 28,895 27,651 Paid losses recoverable 485 414 Experience-rated commissions recoverable 4,925 25,805 Total $ 83,666 $ 91,077
Schedule of Unsecured Reinsurance Recoverables from Reinsurers	The A.M. Best Company rating for the reinsurer is shown parenthetically. Hannover Reinsurance Limited (Ireland) (A+) $ 29,670 Odyssey America Reinsurance Corporation (A) 12,600 Minnesota Workers’ Compensation Reinsurance Association (NR) 9,623 Other reinsurers 31,773 Total amounts recoverable from reinsurers 83,666 Funds withheld and letters of credit related to the above recoverables (38,453 ) Total unsecured amounts recoverable from reinsurers $ 45,213

Income Taxes (Tables)

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
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, 2016 2015 (in thousands) Deferred income tax assets: Discounting of net unpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses $ 16,035 $ 15,415 Unearned premiums 14,483 14,839 Accrued expenses and other 3,640 3,904 State income tax 617 488 Accrued policyholder dividends 2,024 719 Impaired securities 70 238 Capital loss carryforward 15 715 Accrued insurance-related assessments 5,323 4,953 Net unrealized loss on securities 265 — Total deferred tax assets 42,472 41,271 Deferred income tax liabilities: Deferred policy acquisition costs (8,492 ) (9,012 ) Callable bond amortization (10 ) — Unrealized gain on securities available-for-sale — (1,393 ) Property and equipment and other 204 (696 ) Salvage and subrogation (363 ) (265 ) Guaranty fund related items — — Total deferred income tax liabilities (8,661 ) (11,366 ) Net deferred income taxes $ 33,811 $ 29,905
Components of Consolidated Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	The components of consolidated income tax expense (benefit) are as follows: Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 (in thousands) Current: Federal $ 35,602 $ 28,047 $ 20,811 State 1,603 1,012 684 37,205 29,059 21,495 Deferred: Federal (2,120 ) 1,343 (821 ) State (129 ) 103 (591 ) (2,249 ) 1,446 (1,412 ) Total $ 34,956 $ 30,505 $ 20,083
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, 2016 2015 2014 (in thousands) Income tax computed at federal statutory tax rate $ 39,487 $ 35,338 $ 25,812 Tax-exempt interest, net (5,370 ) (5,630 ) (5,620 ) State income tax 913 762 (146 ) Dividends received deduction (125 ) (19 ) (60 ) Other 51 54 97 $ 34,956 $ 30,505 $ 20,083

Loss and Loss Adjustment Expe38

Loss and Loss Adjustment Expenses (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Insurance [Abstract]
Summary of Development Tables of Incurred and Paid Claims and Allocated Claim Adjustment Expenses Net of Reinsurance	Incurred Claims and Allocated Claim Adjustment Expenses, Net of Reinsurance As of For the Years Ended December 31, December 31,2016 (Dollars in thousands) Accident Year 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Total IBNR plus Expected Development on Reported Claims Cumulative Number of Claims Reported 2007 $ 208,480 $ 218,448 $ 206,044 $ 196,773 $ 185,225 $ 181,633 $ 180,229 $ 179,373 $ 178,608 $ 178,582 $ 1,620 7,122 2008 - 196,923 200,371 195,619 190,905 187,695 184,547 182,846 183,608 182,901 2,751 6,486 2009 - - 185,359 188,746 188,462 187,943 184,006 182,274 177,795 176,586 3,199 5,371 2010 - - - 179,156 202,479 208,035 205,769 198,861 193,029 191,000 5,786 5,970 2011 - - - - 196,384 199,522 199,163 198,213 195,262 192,988 7,461 6,040 2012 - - - - - 222,549 222,075 212,738 193,515 184,460 7,798 5,743 2013 - - - - - - 241,810 241,811 233,656 220,457 11,868 5,761 2014 - - - - - - - 268,846 268,846 249,097 21,004 5,815 2015 - - - - - - - - 262,573 262,573 28,658 5,477 2016 - - - - - - - - - 250,491 34,737 5,104 Total $ 2,089,136 $ 124,882 Cumulative Paid Claims and Allocated Claim Adjustment Expenses, Net of Reinsurance For the Years Ended December 31, (Dollars in thousands) Accident Year 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Claim Frequency * 2007 $ 43,470 $ 97,657 $ 128,254 $ 141,595 $ 152,136 $ 158,056 $ 162,903 $ 164,970 $ 166,734 $ 167,996 21.77 2008 - 47,685 103,057 132,515 147,377 157,388 163,933 166,814 170,347 171,496 20.98 2009 - - 42,332 96,173 123,946 142,667 150,925 155,365 158,214 159,345 19.82 2010 - - - 47,520 108,714 141,029 156,974 165,834 169,565 172,426 24.93 2011 - - - - 53,329 111,029 140,831 153,968 161,639 165,967 22.80 2012 - - - - - 50,579 107,467 133,658 149,161 154,553 18.71 2013 - - - - - - 51,396 119,507 150,304 165,994 16.54 2014 - - - - - - - 53,060 119,820 153,320 14.93 2015 - - - - - - - - 54,141 121,599 14.15 2016 - - - - - - - - - 52,238 13.47 Total 1,484,933 All outstanding claim liabilities before 2007, net of reinsurance 60,317 Liabilities for claims and claim adjustment expenses, net of reinsurance 664,520 *Frequency, as calculated above, refers to reported claims divided by gross premium earned
Summary of Average Annual Percentage Payout of Incurred Claims by Age Net of Reinsurance for Worker's Compensation and General Liability	The average annual percentage payout of incurred claims by age, net of reinsurance, for workers’ compensation and general liability as of December 31, 2016 is summarized below. Since workers’ compensation has long payout periods, the table below shows less than 100% in the years disclosed. Average Annual Percentage Payout of Incurred Claims by Age, Net of Reinsurance (Unaudited) Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6 Year 7 Year 8 Year 9 Year 10 24.0% 29.7% 15.4% 8.1% 4.6% 2.7% 1.9% 1.2% 0.8% 0.7%
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 2016, 2015 and 2014: Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 (in thousands) Balance, beginning of period $ 718,033 $ 687,602 $ 614,557 Less amounts recoverable from reinsurers on unpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses 64,858 59,334 48,699 Net balance, beginning of period 653,175 628,268 565,858 Add incurred related to: Current accident year 250,337 262,387 268,633 Prior accident years (51,306 ) (47,814 ) (23,717 ) Total incurred 199,031 214,573 244,916 Less paid related to: Current accident year 52,085 53,955 52,848 Prior accident years 135,601 135,711 129,658 Total paid 187,686 189,666 182,506 Net balance, end of period 664,520 653,175 628,268 Add amounts recoverable from reinsurers on unpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses 78,256 64,858 59,334 Balance, end of period $ 742,776 $ 718,033 $ 687,602
Summary Exposures to Various Asbestos Related Claims	The following table details our exposures to various asbestos related claims: Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 (in thousands) Reserves for loss and LAE at beginning of year $ 958 $ 819 $ 219 Incurred losses and LAE during the current year 816 444 882 Loss and LAE payments (287 ) (305 ) (282 ) Reserves for loss and LAE at end of year $ 1,487 $ 958 $ 819

Statutory Accounting and Regu39

Statutory Accounting and Regulatory Requirements (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Text Block [Abstract]
Insurance Subsidiaries	Statutory-basis shareholders’ capital and surplus at December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 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, 2016, were as follows (in thousands): 2016 2015 2014 Capital and surplus $ 394,016 $ 371,365 $ 377,742 Net income 79,858 71,937 50,205 Net realized gains (losses) on investments (504 ) (3,131 ) 693

Stock Options and Restricted 40

Stock Options and Restricted Stock (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]
Stock Options Outstanding	The following table summarizes information about the stock options outstanding under the 2005 Incentive Plan at December 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016: Shares Weighted- Average Exercise Price Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years) 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 Outstanding at January 1, 2016 88,879 12.10 4.3 Granted — — — Exercised (68,879 ) 12.14 3.3 Canceled, forfeited, or expired — — — Outstanding at December 31, 2016 20,000 8.71 3.1 Exercisable at December 31, 2016 20,000 8.71 3.1
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Values of Options Granted	2016 2015 2014 (in thousands) Cash received from option exercises $ 837 $ 1,844 $ 2,674 Total tax benefits realized for tax deductions from options exercised 833 2,109 2,797 Total intrinsic value of options exercised 2,967 6,969 9,145 Grant date fair value of options vested — — 144 Aggregate intrinsic value of vested options outstanding 1,073 3,448 8,763
Restricted Stock Outstanding	The following table summarizes information about the restricted stock outstanding under the 2005 Incentive Plan at December 31, 2016: Shares Weighted- Average Grant- Date Fair Value per Share Nonvested balance at January 1, 2014 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 Granted — — Vested (800 ) 27.35 Forfeited — — Nonvested balance at December 31, 2016 800 27.35 The following table summarizes information about the restricted stock outstanding under the Non-Employee Director Restricted Stock Plan at December 31, 2016: Shares Weighted- Average Grant- Date Fair Value per Share Nonvested balance at January 1, 2014 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 Granted 5,952 63.57 Vested (7,488 ) 44.54 Forfeited — — Nonvested balance at December 31, 2016 5,576 64.50 The following table summarizes information about the restricted stock outstanding under the 2012 Incentive Plan at December 31, 2016: Shares Weighted- AverageGrant- Date Fair Value per Share Nonvested balance at January 1, 2014 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 Granted 27,077 54.44 Vested (26,294 ) 45.18 Forfeited (1,919 ) — Nonvested balance at December 31, 2016 76,392 43.91

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
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, 2016, 2015 and 2014 are presented below. For the Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 (in thousands, except earnings per share amounts) Basic EPS: Net income available to common shareholders – basic $ 77,865 $ 70,462 $ 53,666 Basic weighted-average common shares 19,106 18,941 18,646 Basic earnings per share $ 4.08 $ 3.72 $ 2.88 Diluted EPS: Net income available to common shareholders - diluted $ 77,865 $ 70,462 $ 53,666 Diluted weighted average common shares: Weighted average common shares 19,106 18,941 18,646 Stock options and performance shares 98 178 282 Diluted weighted average common shares 19,204 19,119 18,928 Diluted earnings per common share $ 4.05 $ 3.69 $ 2.84
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. Years Ended 2016 2015 2014 Basic weighted average common shares 19,105,806 18,941,077 18,646,128 Add: Other common shares eligible for common dividends: Weighted average restricted shares and stock options (including tax benefit component) 97,844 178,109 282,376 Diluted weighted average common shares 19,203,650 19,119,186 18,928,504

Comprehensive Income and Accu42

Comprehensive Income and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
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, 2016 2015 2014 (in thousands) Beginning balance $ 2,587 $ 2,810 $ (4,295 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification (3,231 ) (1,584 ) 6,558 Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income 152 1,361 547 Net current period other comprehensive income (loss) (3,079 ) (223 ) 7,105 Ending balance $ (492 ) $ 2,587 $ 2,810
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 income 2016 2015 2014 (in thousands) Unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities $ (234 ) $ (494 ) $ (825 ) Net realized gains (losses) on investments Other-than-temporary impairment — (1,600 ) (16 ) Net realized gains (losses) on investments (234 ) (2,094 ) (841 ) Income before income taxes 82 733 294 Income tax expense $ (152 ) $ (1,361 ) $ (547 ) Net income
Other Comprehensive Income	Pre-Tax Amount Tax Expense Net-of-Tax Amount (in thousands) December 31, 2016 Unrealized loss on securities: Unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities $ (4,908 ) $ (1,718 ) $ (3,190 ) Less amortization of differences between fair value and amortized cost for fixed maturity security transfer (63 ) (22 ) (41 ) Reclassification adjustment for gains realized in net income 234 82 152 Net unrealized loss (4,737 ) (1,658 ) (3,079 ) Other comprehensive income $ (4,737 ) $ (1,658 ) $ (3,079 ) 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

Commitments and Contingencies (

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Fair Value of Annuities	The following table summarizes (in thousands) the fair value of the annuities at December 31, 2016, 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+) $ 17,098 Pacific Life and Annuity Company (A+) 16,688 American General Life Insurance (A) 15,049 New York Life Insurance Company (A++) 11,408 John Hancock Life Insurance Company USA (A+) 6,724 Athene Annuity and Life Assurance Company (A-) 5,164 Other 23,925 $ 96,056
Future Minimum Lease Payments	The Company leases equipment and office space under noncancelable operating leases. At December 31, 2016, future minimum lease payments are as follows (in thousands): 2017 $ 131 2018 74 2019 6 $ 211

Concentration of Operations (Ta

Concentration of Operations (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Text Block [Abstract]
Net Premiums Earned for the Different Lines of Business	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: 2016 2015 2014 Dollars Percent Dollars Percent Dollars Percent (Dollars in thousands) Workers’ compensation $ 368,704 100.0 % $ 375,894 100.0 % $ 375,746 100.0 % General liability — 0.0 % — 0.0 % 1 0.0 % Total net premiums earned $ 368,704 100.0 % $ 375,894 100.0 % $ 375,747 100.0 %
Net Premiums Earned for the Top Ten States	Net premiums earned during 2016, 2015 and 2014 for the top ten states in 2016 and all others are shown below: 2016 2015 2014 Dollars Percent Dollars Percent Dollars Percent (Dollars in thousands) Pennsylvania $ 39,460 10.7 % $ 36,294 9.7 % $ 35,488 9.4 % Georgia 38,168 10.4 % 40,497 10.8 % 36,761 9.8 % Louisiana 30,426 8.3 % 38,874 10.3 % 47,643 12.7 % Florida 29,051 7.9 % 24,792 6.6 % 20,691 5.5 % Illinois 25,796 7.0 % 23,285 6.2 % 20,606 5.5 % North Carolina 20,784 5.6 % 20,062 5.3 % 20,872 5.6 % Virginia 16,599 4.5 % 15,656 4.2 % 16,764 4.5 % Minnesota 15,130 4.1 % 14,618 3.9 % 13,159 3.5 % South Carolina 13,897 3.8 % 12,955 3.4 % 12,414 3.3 % Wisconsin 13,544 3.7 % 11,203 3.0 % 9,408 2.5 % All others 125,849 34.0 % 137,658 36.6 % 141,941 37.7 % Total net premiums earned $ 368,704 100.0 % $ 375,894 100.0 % $ 375,747 100.0 %

Fair Values of Financial Inst45

Fair Values of Financial Instruments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Summary of Carrying or Reported 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, 2016 2015 Carrying Amount Fair Value Carrying Amount Fair Value (in thousands) Assets: Fixed maturity securities—held to maturity $ 562,434 $ 568,931 $ 645,164 $ 662,276 Fixed maturity securities—available for sale 479,097 479,097 380,022 380,022 Equity securities 33 33 31 31 Cash and cash equivalents 58,936 58,936 69,481 69,481 Short-term investments 29,580 29,580 7,718 7,718 Other investments 13,330 13,330 12,217 12,217
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, 2016 and 2015 are as follows: December 31, 2016 Level 1 Inputs Level 2 Inputs Level 3 Inputs Total Fair Value (in thousands) Financial instruments carried at fair value, classified as part of: Securities available for sale—equity: Domestic common stock $ 33 $ — $ — $ 33 Securities available for sale—fixed maturity: States and political subdivisions — 232,293 — 232,293 Corporate bonds — 182,515 — 182,515 U.S. agency-based mortgage-backed securities — 9,342 — 9,342 U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government agencies 54,947 — — 54,947 Total available for sale—fixed maturity 54,947 424,150 — 479,097 Total available for sale $ 54,980 $ 424,150 $ — $ 479,130 December 31, 2015 Level 1 Inputs Level 2 Inputs Level 3 Inputs Total Fair Value (in thousands) Financial instruments carried at fair value, classified as part of: Securities available for sale—equity: Domestic common stock $ 31 $ — $ — $ 31 Securities available for sale—fixed maturity: States and political subdivisions — 171,419 — 171,419 Corporate bonds — 201,304 — 201,304 U.S. agency-based mortgage-backed securities — 7,299 — 7,299 Total available for sale—fixed maturity — 380,022 — 380,022 Total available for sale $ 31 $ 380,022 $ — $ 380,053
Schedule of Assets and Liabilities Measured at Amortized Cost	Assets and liabilities measured at amortized cost as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 are as follows: December 31, 2016 Level 1 Inputs Level 2 Inputs Level 3 Inputs Total Fair Value (in thousands) Securities held-to-maturity—fixed maturity: States and political subdivisions $ — $ 399,483 $ — $ 399,483 Corporate bonds — 144,016 — 144,016 Commercial mortgage-backed securities — 70 — 70 U.S. agency-based mortgage-backed securities — 10,915 — 10,915 U.S. Treasury securities 6,779 — — 6,779 Obligations of U.S. government agencies — 5,637 — 5,637 Asset-backed securities — 2,031 — 2,031 Total held-to-maturity $ 6,779 $ 562,152 $ — $ 568,931 December 31, 2015 Level 1 Inputs Level 2 Inputs Level 3 Inputs Total Fair Value (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 7,599 — — 7,599 Obligations of U.S. government agencies — 5,781 — 5,781 Asset-backed securities — 2,415 — 2,415 Total held-to-maturity $ 7,599 $ 654,677 $ — $ 662,276

Quarterly Financial Data (Una46

Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Unaudited Quarterly Financial Data	The following table represents unaudited quarterly financial data for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015. Three Months Ended March 31 June 30 September 30 December 31 (in thousands, except per share amounts) 2016 Net premiums earned $ 95,961 $ 90,728 $ 89,918 $ 92,097 Net investment income 6,044 6,201 8,006 7,855 Net realized gains (losses) on investments 248 545 181 (1,468 ) Total revenues 102,335 97,563 98,206 98,558 Income before income taxes 34,395 24,615 26,027 27,784 Net income 24,257 16,639 17,896 19,073 Net income available to common shareholders 24,257 16,639 17,896 19,073 Earnings per share: Basic $ 1.27 $ 0.87 $ 0.94 $ 1.00 Diluted $ 1.27 $ 0.87 $ 0.93 $ 0.99 Comprehensive income 27,051 19,568 16,183 11,985 Extraordinary cash dividends declared per common share $ — $ — $ — $ 3.25 Cash dividends declared per common share $ 0.18 $ 0.18 $ 0.18 $ 0.18 2015 Net 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

Summary of Significant Accoun47

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Schedule Of Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Percentage of comparable consolidated amounts	95.00%	95.00%	95.00%
Original maturity of cash equivalent	90 days
Monthly redemption of investments notice period	60 days
Experience rated commission and other operating costs	$ 0	$ 300,000	$ 0
Cash received, under reinsurance agreements	200,000
Commutation payment adjusted through offset against balance of funds	25,400,000
Advertising expense	$ 700,000	$ 700,000	$ 500,000
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
Minimum [Member]
Schedule Of Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Short-term investments maturity period	90 days
Minimum [Member] | Other Fixed Assets [Member]
Schedule Of Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated useful life of assets	3 years
Maximum [Member]
Schedule Of Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Short-term investments maturity period	one year
Maximum [Member] | Other Fixed Assets [Member]
Schedule Of Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Estimated useful life of assets	7 years

Investments - Additional Inform

Investments - Additional Information (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)Security	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)
Investment [Line Items]
Short-term investments	$ 29,580,000	$ 7,718,000
Carrying value of investments	13,330,000	12,217,000
Sale of securities classified as held to maturity	3,000,000
Gain of held-to-maturity investment securities	$ 100,000
Individual fixed maturity held in unrealized loss position | Security	260
Individual fixed maturity held in unrealized loss position longer than 12 months | Security	17
Impairment losses recognized	$ 0	2,653,000	$ 222,000
Cash [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Cash or cash held by insurance regulators	100,000
Held-to-Maturity Securities [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Cash or cash held by insurance regulators	21,200,000
Available-for-Sale Securities [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Cash or cash held by insurance regulators	400,000
Corporate Bonds [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Short-term investments	2,800,000	$ 7,700,000
U.S. Treasury Securities and Obligations of U.S. Government Agencies [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Short-term investments	21,900,000
States and Political Subdivisions [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Short-term investments	$ 4,900,000

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, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Investment [Line Items]
Held-to-Maturity, Amortized Cost	$ 562,434	$ 645,164
Held-to-Maturity, Gross Unrealized Gains	9,902	18,063
Held-to-Maturity, Gross Unrealized Losses	(3,405)	(951)
Held-to-Maturity, Fair Value	568,931	662,276
States and Political Subdivisions [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Held-to-Maturity, Amortized Cost	394,875	408,447
Held-to-Maturity, Gross Unrealized Gains	7,622	15,352
Held-to-Maturity, Gross Unrealized Losses	(3,014)	(45)
Held-to-Maturity, Fair Value	399,483	423,754
Corporate Bonds [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Held-to-Maturity, Amortized Cost	143,858	171,224
Held-to-Maturity, Gross Unrealized Gains	423	159
Held-to-Maturity, Gross Unrealized Losses	(265)	(810)
Held-to-Maturity, Fair Value	144,016	170,573
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Held-to-Maturity, Amortized Cost	70	37,494
Held-to-Maturity, Gross Unrealized Gains		204
Held-to-Maturity, Gross Unrealized Losses		(15)
Held-to-Maturity, Fair Value	70	37,683
U.S. Agency-Based Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Held-to-Maturity, Amortized Cost	9,967	13,223
Held-to-Maturity, Gross Unrealized Gains	948	1,249
Held-to-Maturity, Gross Unrealized Losses		(1)
Held-to-Maturity, Fair Value	10,915	14,471
U.S. Treasury Securities and Obligations of U.S. Government Agencies [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Held-to-Maturity, Amortized Cost	11,737	12,487
Held-to-Maturity, Gross Unrealized Gains	746	897
Held-to-Maturity, Gross Unrealized Losses	(67)	(4)
Held-to-Maturity, Fair Value	12,416	13,380
Asset-Backed Securities [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Held-to-Maturity, Amortized Cost	1,927	2,289
Held-to-Maturity, Gross Unrealized Gains	163	202
Held-to-Maturity, Gross Unrealized Losses	(59)	(76)
Held-to-Maturity, Fair Value	$ 2,031	$ 2,415

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, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Investment [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale, Cost or Amortized Cost	$ 489,871	$ 386,109
Available-for-Sale, Fair Value	492,460	392,270
Available-for-Sale, Gross Unrealized Gains	8,156	9,447
Available-for-Sale, Gross Unrealized Losses	(5,567)	(3,286)
Other Investments [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale, Cost or Amortized Cost	10,000	10,000
Available-for-Sale, Fair Value	13,330	12,217
Available-for-Sale, Gross Unrealized Gains	3,330	2,217
Total Fixed Maturity [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale, Cost or Amortized Cost	479,871	376,109
Available-for-Sale, Gross Unrealized Gains	4,793	7,199
Available-for-Sale, Gross Unrealized Losses	(5,567)	(3,286)
Available-for-Sale, Fair Value	479,097	380,022
States and Political Subdivisions [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale, Cost or Amortized Cost	231,168	164,684
Available-for-Sale, Gross Unrealized Gains	4,340	6,942
Available-for-Sale, Gross Unrealized Losses	(3,215)	(207)
Available-for-Sale, Fair Value	232,293	171,419
Corporate Bonds [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale, Cost or Amortized Cost	182,350	202,537
Available-for-Sale, Gross Unrealized Gains	436	253
Available-for-Sale, Gross Unrealized Losses	(271)	(1,486)
Available-for-Sale, Fair Value	182,515	201,304
U.S. Agency-Based Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale, Cost or Amortized Cost	10,428	8,888
Available-for-Sale, Gross Unrealized Gains	17	4
Available-for-Sale, Gross Unrealized Losses	(1,103)	(1,593)
Available-for-Sale, Fair Value	9,342	7,299
U.S. Treasury Securities and Obligations of U.S. Government Agencies [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale, Cost or Amortized Cost	55,925
Available-for-Sale, Gross Unrealized Losses	(978)
Available-for-Sale, Fair Value	54,947
Equity Securities [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale, Fair Value	33	31
Available-for-Sale, Gross Unrealized Gains	$ 33	$ 31

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, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Investment [Line Items]
Within one year, Amortized Cost Basis	$ 109,707
After one year through five years, Amortized Cost Basis	259,942
After five years through ten years, Amortized Cost Basis	105,396
After ten years, Amortized Cost Basis	75,425
Held-to-Maturity, Amortized Cost	562,434	$ 645,164
Within one year, Fair Value	110,469
After one year through five years, Fair Value	263,620
After five years through ten years, Fair Value	106,341
After ten years, Fair Value	75,485
Total, Fair Value	568,931	$ 662,276
U.S. Agency-Based Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Held-to-maturity, Amortized Cost Basis	9,967
Held-to-maturity, Fair Value	10,915
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Held-to-maturity, Amortized Cost Basis	70
Held-to-maturity, Fair Value	70
Asset-Backed Securities [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Held-to-maturity, Amortized Cost Basis	1,927
Held-to-maturity, Fair Value	$ 2,031

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, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Investment [Line Items]
Within one year, Amortized Cost Basis	$ 64,852
After one year through five years, Amortized Cost Basis	215,486
After five years through ten years, Amortized Cost Basis	30,846
After ten years, Amortized Cost Basis	158,259
Total , Amortized Cost Basis	479,871	$ 376,109
Within one year, Fair Value	65,174
After one year through five years, Fair Value	215,624
After five years through ten years, Fair Value	30,488
After ten years, Fair Value	158,469
Total, Fair Value	479,097	$ 380,022
U.S. Agency-Based Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, Amortized Cost Basis	10,428
Available-for-sale securities, Fair value	$ 9,342

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 ($)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Investment [Line Items]
Proceeds from sales									$ 59,339,000	$ 4,432,000	$ 10,548,000
Gross realized investment gains									891,000	177,000	750,000
Gross realized investment losses									(1,728,000)	(162,000)	(451,000)
Net realized investment gains (losses)									(837,000)	15,000	299,000
Impairments									0	(2,653,000)	(222,000)
Other, including gains on calls and redemptions									343,000	144,000	620,000
Net realized gains (losses) on investments	$ (1,468,000)	$ 181,000	$ 545,000	$ 248,000	$ 24,000	$ 40,000	$ (2,617,000)	$ 59,000	(494,000)	(2,494,000)	697,000
Fixed Maturity Securities Available for Sale [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Proceeds from sales									54,730,000	4,432,000	768,000
Gross realized investment gains									823,000	177,000	1,000
Gross realized investment losses									(1,728,000)	(162,000)
Net realized investment gains (losses)									(905,000)	15,000	1,000
Impairments										(2,653,000)	(222,000)
Other, including gains on calls and redemptions									274,000	102,000	244,000
Net realized gains (losses) on investments									(631,000)	(2,536,000)	23,000
Equity Securities [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Proceeds from sales											9,780,000
Gross realized investment gains											749,000
Gross realized investment losses											(451,000)
Net realized investment gains (losses)											298,000
Net realized gains (losses) on investments											298,000
Other [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Proceeds from sales									4,609,000
Gross realized investment gains									68,000
Net realized investment gains (losses)									68,000
Other, including gains on calls and redemptions									69,000	42,000	376,000
Net realized gains (losses) on investments									$ 137,000	$ 42,000	$ 376,000

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, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Investment [Line Items]
Total gross investment income									$ 29,753	$ 29,410	$ 28,891
Investment expenses									(1,647)	(1,508)	(1,677)
Net investment income	$ 7,855	$ 8,006	$ 6,201	$ 6,044	$ 7,256	$ 6,923	$ 6,890	$ 6,833	28,106	27,902	27,214
Fixed Maturity Securities Available for Sale [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Total gross investment income									27,837	28,498	26,622
Short-term Investments [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Total gross investment income									348	149	426
Equity Securities [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Total gross investment income											232
Other Investments [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Total gross investment income									$ 1,568	$ 763	$ 1,611

Investments - Investment Securi

Investments - Investment Securities Continuous Unrealized Loss Position (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Investment [Line Items]
Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	$ 206,129	$ 165,286
Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less Than Twelve Months, Accumulated Loss	3,283	751
Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	7,465	19,556
Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Twelve Months Or Longer, Accumulated Loss	122	200
Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	213,594	184,842
Held-to-maturity Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	3,405	951
Available-for Sale, Fair value of Investments with Unrealized Losses, Less Than 12 Months	173,573	148,851
Available-for Sale, Gross Unrealized Losses, Less Than 12 Months	4,113	1,521
Available-for Sale, Fair Value of Investments with Unrealized Losses, 12 Months or Greater	16,052	15,449
Available-for Sale, Gross Unrealized Losses, 12 Months or Greater	1,454	1,765
Available-for Sale, Fair Value of Investments with Unrealized Losses, Total	189,625	164,300
Available-for Sale, Gross Unrealized Losses, Total	5,567	3,286
Fair Value of Investments with Unrealized Losses, Less Than 12 months	379,702	314,137
Gross Unrealized Loss, Less Than 12 Months	7,396	2,272
Fair Value of Investments with Unrealized Losses, 12 Months or Greater	23,517	35,005
Gross Unrealized Losses, 12 Months or Greater	1,576	1,965
Fair Value of Investments with Unrealized Losses, Total	403,219	349,142
Gross Unrealized Losses, Total	8,972	4,237
States and Political Subdivisions [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	157,507	24,068
Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less Than Twelve Months, Accumulated Loss	3,014	45
Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	157,507	24,068
Held-to-maturity Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	3,014	45
Available-for Sale, Fair value of Investments with Unrealized Losses, Less Than 12 Months	73,505	6,560
Available-for Sale, Gross Unrealized Losses, Less Than 12 Months	2,976	9
Available-for Sale, Fair Value of Investments with Unrealized Losses, 12 Months or Greater	4,523	4,439
Available-for Sale, Gross Unrealized Losses, 12 Months or Greater	239	198
Available-for Sale, Fair Value of Investments with Unrealized Losses, Total	78,028	10,999
Available-for Sale, Gross Unrealized Losses, Total	3,215	207
Corporate Bonds [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	44,654	128,436
Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less Than Twelve Months, Accumulated Loss	202	687
Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	6,292	18,139
Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Twelve Months Or Longer, Accumulated Loss	63	123
Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	50,946	146,575
Held-to-maturity Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	265	810
Available-for Sale, Fair value of Investments with Unrealized Losses, Less Than 12 Months	41,419	141,857
Available-for Sale, Gross Unrealized Losses, Less Than 12 Months	111	1,475
Available-for Sale, Fair Value of Investments with Unrealized Losses, 12 Months or Greater	7,922	4,216
Available-for Sale, Gross Unrealized Losses, 12 Months or Greater	160	11
Available-for Sale, Fair Value of Investments with Unrealized Losses, Total	49,341	146,073
Available-for Sale, Gross Unrealized Losses, Total	271	1,486
Asset-Backed Securities [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	1,173	1,389
Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Twelve Months Or Longer, Accumulated Loss	59	76
Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	1,173	1,389
Held-to-maturity Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	59	76
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
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
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
Held-to-maturity Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses		1
Available-for Sale, Fair value of Investments with Unrealized Losses, Less Than 12 Months	3,702	434
Available-for Sale, Gross Unrealized Losses, Less Than 12 Months	48	37
Available-for Sale, Fair Value of Investments with Unrealized Losses, 12 Months or Greater	3,607	6,794
Available-for Sale, Gross Unrealized Losses, 12 Months or Greater	1,055	1,556
Available-for Sale, Fair Value of Investments with Unrealized Losses, Total	7,309	7,228
Available-for Sale, Gross Unrealized Losses, Total	1,103	1,593
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	3,968	2,980
Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less Than Twelve Months, Accumulated Loss	67	4
Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	3,968	2,980
Held-to-maturity Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	67	$ 4
Available-for Sale, Fair value of Investments with Unrealized Losses, Less Than 12 Months	54,947
Available-for Sale, Gross Unrealized Losses, Less Than 12 Months	978
Available-for Sale, Fair Value of Investments with Unrealized Losses, Total	54,947
Available-for Sale, Gross Unrealized Losses, Total	$ 978

Premiums Receivable - Component

Premiums Receivable - Components of Premiums Receivable (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Premiums Receivable, Net [Abstract]
Premiums receivable	$ 188,217	$ 190,216
Allowance for doubtful accounts	(5,212)	(4,852)	$ (5,211)	$ (5,458)
Premiums receivable, net	$ 183,005	$ 185,364

Premiums Receivable - Summarize

Premiums Receivable - Summarizes the Activity in the Allowance for Doubtful Accounts (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Premiums Receivable, Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of year	$ 4,852	$ 5,211	$ 5,458
Provision for bad debts	1,646	806	673
Write-offs	(1,286)	(1,165)	(920)
Balance, end of year	$ 5,212	$ 4,852	$ 5,211

Premiums Receivable - Additiona

Premiums Receivable - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Premiums Receivable, Net [Abstract]
Earned but Unbilled	$ 7.7	$ 7.6	$ 5.2

Deferred Policy Acquisition C59

Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs - Schedule of Major Categories of the Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Deferred Charges Insurers [Abstract]
Agents’ commissions	$ 15,286	$ 15,997
Premium taxes	2,578	3,121
Deferred underwriting expenses	1,436	1,294
Total deferred policy acquisition costs	$ 19,300	$ 20,412	$ 19,649	$ 19,171

Deferred Policy Acquisition C60

Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs - Schedule of Activity in the Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Movement Analysis of Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of year	$ 20,412	$ 19,649	$ 19,171
Policy acquisition costs deferred	43,209	45,604	44,295
Amortization expense during the year	(44,321)	(44,841)	(43,817)
Balance, end of year	$ 19,300	$ 20,412	$ 19,649

Property and Equipment - Schedu

Property and Equipment - Schedule of Property and Equipment (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, Gross	$ 20,837	$ 19,647
Accumulated depreciation	(14,201)	(13,466)
Property and equipment, net	6,636	6,181
Land and Office Building [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, Gross	7,515	7,069
Furniture and Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, Gross	6,509	6,227
Software [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, Gross	6,739	6,277
Automobiles [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, Gross	$ 74	$ 74

Property and Equipment - Additi

Property and Equipment - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2014
Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]
Property and equipment held under capital lease	$ 100,000	$ 200,000	$ 100,000
Accumulated depreciation	97,000	$ 80,000	$ 49,000
Loss on disposal of assets	$ (664,000)

Property and Equipment - Sche63

Property and Equipment - Schedule of Future Minimum Lease Payments for Capital Lease Obligations (Detail) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]
2,017	$ 56
2,018	42
2,019	42
2,020	42
Present value of net minimum lease payments	$ 182

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, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Premiums Written and Earned [Abstract]
Gross Written									$ 373,055	$ 386,529	$ 393,819
Ceded Written									(10,307)	(11,228)	(13,793)
Net premiums Written									362,748	375,301	380,026
Gross Earned									379,011	387,122	389,540
Ceded Earned									(10,307)	(11,228)	(13,793)
Net premiums Earned	$ 92,097	$ 89,918	$ 90,728	$ 95,961	$ 95,034	$ 90,504	$ 95,569	$ 94,787	$ 368,704	$ 375,894	$ 375,747

Reinsurance - Schedule of the A

Reinsurance - Schedule of the Amounts Recoverable from Reinsurers (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Unpaid losses recoverable:
Case basis	$ 49,361	$ 37,207
Incurred but not reported	28,895	27,651
Paid losses recoverable	485	414
Experience-rated commissions recoverable	4,925	25,805
Total reinsurance recoverables	$ 83,666	$ 91,077

Reinsurance - Additional Inform

Reinsurance - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Insurance [Abstract]
Paid losses recoverable outstanding due date	90 days
Paid losses recoverable past due	$ 0
Received reinsurance recoveries	$ 500,000	$ 1,000,000	$ 1,500,000
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, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Ceded Credit Risk [Line Items]
Amounts recoverable from reinsurers	$ 83,666	$ 91,077
Funds withheld and letters of credit related to the above recoverables	(38,453)
Total unsecured amounts recoverable from reinsurers	45,213
Reinsurance Recoverable [Member] | Reinsurer Concentration Risk [Member]
Ceded Credit Risk [Line Items]
Amounts recoverable from reinsurers	83,666
Reinsurance Recoverable [Member] | Reinsurer Concentration Risk [Member] | Hannover Reinsurance Limited (Ireland) (A+) [Member]
Ceded Credit Risk [Line Items]
Amounts recoverable from reinsurers	29,670
Reinsurance Recoverable [Member] | Reinsurer Concentration Risk [Member] | Odyssey America Reinsurance Corporation (A) [Member]
Ceded Credit Risk [Line Items]
Amounts recoverable from reinsurers	12,600
Reinsurance Recoverable [Member] | Reinsurer Concentration Risk [Member] | Minnesota Workers' Compensation Reinsurance Association (NR) [Member]
Ceded Credit Risk [Line Items]
Amounts recoverable from reinsurers	9,623
Reinsurance Recoverable [Member] | Reinsurer Concentration Risk [Member] | Other Reinsurers [Member]
Ceded Credit Risk [Line Items]
Amounts recoverable from reinsurers	$ 31,773

Income Taxes - Schedule of Comp

Income Taxes - Schedule of Company's Deferred Income Tax Assets and Liabilities (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Deferred income tax assets:
Discounting of net unpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses	$ 16,035	$ 15,415
Unearned premiums	14,483	14,839
Accrued expenses and other	3,640	3,904
State income tax	617	488
Accrued policyholder dividends	2,024	719
Impaired securities	70	238
Capital loss carryforward	15	715
Accrued insurance-related assessments	5,323	4,953
Net unrealized loss on securities	265
Total deferred tax assets	42,472	41,271
Deferred income tax liabilities:
Deferred policy acquisition costs	(8,492)	(9,012)
Callable bond amortization	(10)
Unrealized gain on securities available-for-sale		(1,393)
Property and equipment and other	204	(696)
Salvage and subrogation	(363)	(265)
Total deferred income tax liabilities	(8,661)	(11,366)
Net deferred income taxes	$ 33,811	$ 29,905

Income Taxes - Components of Co

Income Taxes - Components of Consolidated Income Tax Expense (Benefit) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Current:
Federal	$ 35,602	$ 28,047	$ 20,811
State	1,603	1,012	684
Total Current	37,205	29,059	21,495
Deferred:
Federal	(2,120)	1,343	(821)
State	(129)	103	(591)
Total Deferred	(2,249)	1,446	(1,412)
Income tax expense, Total	$ 34,956	$ 30,505	$ 20,083

Income Taxes - Additional Infor

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Valuation allowance	$ 0	$ 0	$ 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, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income tax computed at federal statutory tax rate	$ 39,487	$ 35,338	$ 25,812
Tax-exempt interest, net	(5,370)	(5,630)	(5,620)
State income tax	913	762	(146)
Dividends received deduction	(125)	(19)	(60)
Other	51	54	97
Income tax expense, Total	$ 34,956	$ 30,505	$ 20,083

Line of Credit - Additional Inf

Line of Credit - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2013
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum amount of line of credit			$ 20,000,000
Line of credit facility renewed date	Dec. 31, 2016
Line of credit facility expiration date	Dec. 31, 2019
Outstanding borrowings or letters of credit	$ 0	$ 0
Line of Credit Facility Expired December 2019 [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Payment on unused portion of the loan	0.25%
Total fee	$ 50,000

Loss and Loss Adjustment Expe73

Loss and Loss Adjustment Expenses - Development Tables of Incurred and Paid Claims and Allocated Claim Adjustment Expenses Net of Reinsurance (Detail) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)Claim	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2012USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2011USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2010USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2009USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2008USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2007USD ($)
Claims Development [Line Items]
Incurred Claims and Allocated Claim Adjustment Expenses, Net of Reinsurance		$ 2,089,136
Total IBNR plus Expected Development on Reported Claims		124,882
Cumulative Paid Claims and Allocated Claim Adjustment Expenses, Net of Reinsurance		1,484,933
All outstanding claim liabilities before 2007, net of reinsurance		60,317
Liabilities for claims and claim adjustment expenses, net of reinsurance		664,520
Accident Year 2007 [Member]
Claims Development [Line Items]
Incurred Claims and Allocated Claim Adjustment Expenses, Net of Reinsurance		178,582	$ 178,608	$ 179,373	$ 180,229	$ 181,633	$ 185,225	$ 196,773	$ 206,044	$ 218,448	$ 208,480
Total IBNR plus Expected Development on Reported Claims		$ 1,620
Cumulative Number of Claims Reported | Claim		7,122
Cumulative Paid Claims and Allocated Claim Adjustment Expenses, Net of Reinsurance		$ 167,996	166,734	164,970	162,903	158,056	152,136	141,595	128,254	97,657	$ 43,470
Claim Frequency	[1]	21.77%
Accident Year 2008 [Member]
Claims Development [Line Items]
Incurred Claims and Allocated Claim Adjustment Expenses, Net of Reinsurance		$ 182,901	183,608	182,846	184,547	187,695	190,905	195,619	200,371	196,923
Total IBNR plus Expected Development on Reported Claims		$ 2,751
Cumulative Number of Claims Reported | Claim		6,486
Cumulative Paid Claims and Allocated Claim Adjustment Expenses, Net of Reinsurance		$ 171,496	170,347	166,814	163,933	157,388	147,377	132,515	103,057	$ 47,685
Claim Frequency	[1]	20.98%
Accident Year 2009 [Member]
Claims Development [Line Items]
Incurred Claims and Allocated Claim Adjustment Expenses, Net of Reinsurance		$ 176,586	177,795	182,274	184,006	187,943	188,462	188,746	185,359
Total IBNR plus Expected Development on Reported Claims		$ 3,199
Cumulative Number of Claims Reported | Claim		5,371
Cumulative Paid Claims and Allocated Claim Adjustment Expenses, Net of Reinsurance		$ 159,345	158,214	155,365	150,925	142,667	123,946	96,173	$ 42,332
Claim Frequency	[1]	19.82%
Accident Year 2010 [Member]
Claims Development [Line Items]
Incurred Claims and Allocated Claim Adjustment Expenses, Net of Reinsurance		$ 191,000	193,029	198,861	205,769	208,035	202,479	179,156
Total IBNR plus Expected Development on Reported Claims		$ 5,786
Cumulative Number of Claims Reported | Claim		5,970
Cumulative Paid Claims and Allocated Claim Adjustment Expenses, Net of Reinsurance		$ 172,426	169,565	165,834	156,974	141,029	108,714	$ 47,520
Claim Frequency	[1]	24.93%
Accident Year 2011 [Member]
Claims Development [Line Items]
Incurred Claims and Allocated Claim Adjustment Expenses, Net of Reinsurance		$ 192,988	195,262	198,213	199,163	199,522	196,384
Total IBNR plus Expected Development on Reported Claims		$ 7,461
Cumulative Number of Claims Reported | Claim		6,040
Cumulative Paid Claims and Allocated Claim Adjustment Expenses, Net of Reinsurance		$ 165,967	161,639	153,968	140,831	111,029	$ 53,329
Claim Frequency	[1]	22.80%
Accident Year 2012 [Member]
Claims Development [Line Items]
Incurred Claims and Allocated Claim Adjustment Expenses, Net of Reinsurance		$ 184,460	193,515	212,738	222,075	222,549
Total IBNR plus Expected Development on Reported Claims		$ 7,798
Cumulative Number of Claims Reported | Claim		5,743
Cumulative Paid Claims and Allocated Claim Adjustment Expenses, Net of Reinsurance		$ 154,553	149,161	133,658	107,467	$ 50,579
Claim Frequency	[1]	18.71%
Accident Year 2013 [Member]
Claims Development [Line Items]
Incurred Claims and Allocated Claim Adjustment Expenses, Net of Reinsurance		$ 220,457	233,656	241,811	241,810
Total IBNR plus Expected Development on Reported Claims		$ 11,868
Cumulative Number of Claims Reported | Claim		5,761
Cumulative Paid Claims and Allocated Claim Adjustment Expenses, Net of Reinsurance		$ 165,994	150,304	119,507	$ 51,396
Claim Frequency	[1]	16.54%
Accident Year 2014 [Member]
Claims Development [Line Items]
Incurred Claims and Allocated Claim Adjustment Expenses, Net of Reinsurance		$ 249,097	268,846	268,846
Total IBNR plus Expected Development on Reported Claims		$ 21,004
Cumulative Number of Claims Reported | Claim		5,815
Cumulative Paid Claims and Allocated Claim Adjustment Expenses, Net of Reinsurance		$ 153,320	119,820	$ 53,060
Claim Frequency	[1]	14.93%
Accident Year 2015 [Member]
Claims Development [Line Items]
Incurred Claims and Allocated Claim Adjustment Expenses, Net of Reinsurance		$ 262,573	262,573
Total IBNR plus Expected Development on Reported Claims		$ 28,658
Cumulative Number of Claims Reported | Claim		5,477
Cumulative Paid Claims and Allocated Claim Adjustment Expenses, Net of Reinsurance		$ 121,599	$ 54,141
Claim Frequency	[1]	14.15%
Accident Year 2016 [Member]
Claims Development [Line Items]
Incurred Claims and Allocated Claim Adjustment Expenses, Net of Reinsurance		$ 250,491
Total IBNR plus Expected Development on Reported Claims		$ 34,737
Cumulative Number of Claims Reported | Claim		5,104
Cumulative Paid Claims and Allocated Claim Adjustment Expenses, Net of Reinsurance		$ 52,238
Claim Frequency	[1]	13.47%
[1]	Frequency, as calculated above, refers to reported claims divided by gross premium earned

Loss and Loss Adjustment Expe74

Loss and Loss Adjustment Expenses - Summary of Average Annual Percentage Payout Of Incurred Claims By Age Net of Reinsurance For Worker's Compensation and general Liability (Unaudited) (Detail)	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2008	Dec. 31, 2007
Shortduration Insurance Contracts Liability For Unpaid Claims And Allocated Claim Adjustment Expense Net [Abstract]
Average Annual Percentage Payout of Incurred Claims by Age, Net of Reinsurance 1	24.00%
Average Annual Percentage Payout of Incurred Claims by Age, Net of Reinsurance 2		29.70%
Average Annual Percentage Payout of Incurred Claims by Age, Net of Reinsurance 3			15.40%
Average Annual Percentage Payout of Incurred Claims by Age, Net of Reinsurance 4				8.10%
Average Annual Percentage Payout of Incurred Claims by Age, Net of Reinsurance 5					4.60%
Average Annual Percentage Payout of Incurred Claims by Age, Net of Reinsurance 6						2.70%
Average Annual Percentage Payout of Incurred Claims by Age, Net of Reinsurance 7							1.90%
Average Annual Percentage Payout of Incurred Claims by Age, Net of Reinsurance 8								1.20%
Average Annual Percentage Payout of Incurred Claims by Age, Net of Reinsurance 9									0.80%
Average Annual Percentage Payout of Incurred Claims by Age, Net of Reinsurance 10										0.70%

Loss and Loss Adjustment Expe75

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, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Roll Forward In Liability For Unpaid Claims And Claims Adjustment Expense [Abstract]
Balance, beginning of period	$ 718,033	$ 687,602	$ 614,557
Less amounts recoverable from reinsurers on unpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses	64,858	59,334	48,699
Net balance, beginning of period	653,175	628,268	565,858
Add incurred related to:
Current accident year	250,337	262,387	268,633
Prior accident years	(51,306)	(47,814)	(23,717)
Total incurred	199,031	214,573	244,916
Less paid related to:
Current accident year	52,085	53,955	52,848
Prior accident years	135,601	135,711	129,658
Total paid	187,686	189,666	182,506
Net balance, end of period	664,520	653,175	628,268
Add amounts recoverable from reinsurers on unpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses	78,256	64,858	59,334
Balance, end of period	$ 742,776	$ 718,033	$ 687,602

Loss and Loss Adjustment Expe76

Loss and Loss Adjustment Expenses - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Unpaid Losses And Loss Expenses [Line Items]
Loss and LAE Related to Prior Periods	$ (51,306)	$ (47,814)	$ (23,717)
Accident Year 2012 [Member]
Unpaid Losses And Loss Expenses [Line Items]
Loss and LAE Related to Prior Periods	9,100
Accident Year 2013 [Member]
Unpaid Losses And Loss Expenses [Line Items]
Loss and LAE Related to Prior Periods	13,200
Accident Year 2014 [Member]
Unpaid Losses And Loss Expenses [Line Items]
Loss and LAE Related to Prior Periods	$ 19,700

Loss and Loss Adjustment Expe77

Loss and Loss Adjustment Expenses - Summary Exposures to Various Asbestos Related Claims (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Asbestos Claims [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of period	$ 718,033	$ 687,602	$ 614,557
Incurred losses and LAE during the current year	199,031	214,573	244,916
Loss and LAE payments	(52,085)	(53,955)	(52,848)
Balance, end of period	742,776	718,033	687,602
Asbestos Issue [Member]
Asbestos Claims [Line Items]
Balance, beginning of period	958	819	219
Incurred losses and LAE during the current year	816	444	882
Loss and LAE payments	(287)	(305)	(282)
Balance, end of period	$ 1,487	$ 958	$ 819

Statutory Accounting and Regu78

Statutory Accounting and Regulatory Requirements - Insurance Subsidiaries (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Insurance [Abstract]
Capital and surplus	$ 394,016	$ 371,365	$ 377,742
Net income	79,858	71,937	50,205
Net realized gains (losses) on investments	$ (504)	$ (3,131)	$ 693

Statutory Accounting and Regu79

Statutory Accounting and Regulatory Requirements - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Insurance [Abstract]
Dividends to the Company	10.00%
Dividends paid	$ 67	$ 50	$ 25
Dividends permissible to pay without seeking regulatory approval	$ 68.7

Capital Stock - Additional Info

Capital Stock - Additional Information (Detail) - $ / shares	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Common stock, shares authorized	50,000,000	50,000,000
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares issued	20,488,385	20,388,396
Common stock, shares outstanding	19,230,135	19,130,146
Preferred stock, shares authorized	10,000,000
Preferred stock, par value	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0

Stock Options and Restricted 81

Stock Options and Restricted Stock - Additional Information (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)Companyshares	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)shares	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)shares	Dec. 31, 2013USD ($)shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total tax expense	$ 995,000	$ 2,203,000	$ 2,841,000
2005 Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock options exercise price	100.00%
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 | Company	6
Dividend yield assumed	0.00%
Cash dividends paid				$ 0
Compensation expense	$ 58,000	138,000	325,000
Total tax expense	$ 110,000	$ 81,000	$ 38,000
Restricted stock outstanding | shares	800	1,600	2,400	6,400
Non-Employee Director Restricted Stock Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Compensation expense	$ 361,000	$ 266,000	$ 184,000
Total tax expense	$ 52,000	$ 13,000	$ 7,000
Shares authorized under incentive plan | shares	100,000
Common stock available for future awards | shares	20,122
Restricted stock award for a number of shares	$ 45,000
Restricted stock outstanding | shares	5,576	7,112	5,229	5,376
Restricted stock granted | shares	5,952	7,112	5,229
Non-Employee Director Restricted Stock Plan [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Increase in annual restricted stock award	$ 75,000
2012 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares authorized under incentive plan | shares	500,000
Common stock available for future awards | shares	355,777
Restricted stock granted | shares	27,077	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	$ 849,000	$ 599,000	$ 580,000
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	$ 334,000	$ 220,000	$ 429,000

Stock Options and Restricted 82

Stock Options and Restricted Stock - Stock Options Outstanding (Detail) - 2005 Incentive Plan [Member] - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares outstanding, Beginning balance	88,879	282,083	576,248
Shares, Granted	0	0	0
Shares, Exercised	(68,879)	(193,204)	(294,165)
Shares Canceled, forfeited, or expired	0	0	0
Shares outstanding, Ending balance	20,000	88,879	282,083	576,248
Shares exercisable, Ending balance	20,000	88,879	282,083
Weighted- Average Exercise Price, Beginning balance	$ 12.10	$ 11.30	$ 11.12
Weighted- Average Exercise Price, Granted	0	0	0
Weighted- Average Exercise Price, Exercised	12.14	9.55	9.09
Weighted- Average Exercise Price, Canceled, forfeited, or expired	0	0	0
Weighted- Average Exercise Price, Ending balance	8.71	12.10	11.30	$ 11.12
Weighted- Average Exercise Price, Exercisable Ending balance	$ 8.71	$ 12.10	$ 11.30
Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	3 years 1 month 6 days	4 years 3 months 18 days	3 years 7 months 6 days	3 years 9 months 18 days
Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years), Exercised	3 years 3 months 18 days
Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years), Exercisable	3 years 1 month 6 days	4 years 3 months 18 days	3 years 7 months 6 days

Stock Options and Restricted 83

Stock Options and Restricted Stock - Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Values of Options Granted (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]
Cash received from option exercises	$ 837	$ 1,844	$ 2,674
Total tax benefits realized for tax deductions from options exercised	833	2,109	2,797
Total intrinsic value of options exercised	2,967	6,969	9,145
Grant date fair value of options vested			144
Aggregate intrinsic value of vested options outstanding	$ 1,073	$ 3,448	$ 8,763

Stock Options and Restricted 84

Stock Options and Restricted Stock - Restricted Stock Outstanding (Detail) - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
2005 Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares, Nonvested outstanding, Beginning balance	1,600	2,400	6,400
Shares, Vested	(800)	(800)	(800)
Shares, Forfeited			(3,200)
Shares, Nonvested outstanding, Ending balance	800	1,600	2,400
Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value per Share, Beginning balance	$ 27.35	$ 27.35	$ 27.47
Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value per Share, Vested	27.35	27.35	27.35
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	$ 27.35
Non-Employee Director Restricted Stock Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares, Nonvested outstanding, Beginning balance	7,112	5,229	5,376
Shares, Granted	5,952	7,112	5,229
Shares, Vested	(7,488)	(5,229)	(5,376)
Shares, Nonvested outstanding, Ending balance	5,576	7,112	5,229
Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value per Share, Beginning balance	$ 44.26	$ 37.27	$ 33.47
Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value per Share, Granted	63.57	44.26	37.27
Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value per Share, Vested	44.54	37.27	33.47
Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value per Share, Ending balance	$ 64.50	$ 44.26	$ 37.27
2012 Incentive Plan [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares, Nonvested outstanding, Beginning balance	77,528	72,921	82,609
Shares, Granted	27,077	50,461	4,312
Shares, Vested	(26,294)	(27,537)	(14,000)
Shares, Forfeited	(1,919)	(18,317)
Shares, Nonvested outstanding, Ending balance	76,392	77,528	72,921
Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value per Share, Beginning balance	$ 40.57	$ 34.59	$ 33.93
Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value per Share, Granted	54.44	45.80	43.83
Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value per Share, Vested	45.18	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	$ 43.91	$ 40.57	$ 34.59

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, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share Basic [Abstract]
Net income available to common shareholders – basic									$ 77,865	$ 70,462	$ 53,666
Basic weighted-average common shares									19,105,806	18,941,077	18,646,128
Basic earnings per share	$ 1	$ 0.94	$ 0.87	$ 1.27	$ 1.21	$ 0.95	$ 0.76	$ 0.80	$ 4.08	$ 3.72	$ 2.88
Net income available to common shareholders - diluted	$ 19,073	$ 17,896	$ 16,639	$ 24,257	$ 23,073	$ 17,940	$ 14,319	$ 15,130	$ 77,865	$ 70,462	$ 53,666
Weighted average common shares									19,105,806	18,941,077	18,646,128
Stock options and performance shares									97,844	178,109	282,376
Diluted weighted average common shares									19,203,650	19,119,186	18,928,504
Diluted earnings per common share	$ 0.99	$ 0.93	$ 0.87	$ 1.27	$ 1.21	$ 0.94	$ 0.75	$ 0.79	$ 4.05	$ 3.69	$ 2.84

Earnings Per Share - Calculat86

Earnings Per Share - Calculation of Percentage of Net Income Allocable to Common Shareholders (Detail) - shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Basic weighted-average common shares	19,105,806	18,941,077	18,646,128
Add: Other common shares eligible for common dividends:
Weighted average restricted shares and stock options (including tax benefit component)	97,844	178,109	282,376
Diluted weighted average common shares	19,203,650	19,119,186	18,928,504

Comprehensive Income and Accu87

Comprehensive Income and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income - Additional Information (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax [Abstract]
Comprehensive income tax rate	35.00%

Comprehensive Income and Accu88

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, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	$ 453,981	$ 446,968	$ 416,814
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)	(3,079)	(223)	7,105
Ending Balance	456,150	453,981	446,968
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	2,587	2,810	(4,295)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification	(3,231)	(1,584)	6,558
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	152	1,361	547
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)	(3,079)	(223)	7,105
Ending Balance	$ (492)	$ 2,587	$ 2,810

Comprehensive Income and Accu89

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, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Income before income taxes	$ 27,784	$ 26,027	$ 24,615	$ 34,395	$ 33,768	$ 25,890	$ 20,112	$ 21,197	$ 112,821	$ 100,967	$ 73,749
Income tax expense									(34,956)	(30,505)	(20,083)
Net income	$ 19,073	$ 17,896	$ 16,639	$ 24,257	$ 23,073	$ 17,940	$ 14,319	$ 15,130	77,865	70,462	53,666
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 losses on available-for-sale securities									(234)	(494)	(825)
Other-than-temporary impairment										(1,600)	(16)
Income before income taxes									(234)	(2,094)	(841)
Income tax expense									82	733	294
Net income									$ (152)	$ (1,361)	$ (547)

Comprehensive Income and Accu90

Comprehensive Income and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income - Other Comprehensive Income (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Equity [Abstract]
Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities, Pre-tax Amount	$ (4,908)	$ (2,572)	$ 10,133
Change in unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities with OTTI, Pre-Tax Amount		176
Less amortization of differences between fair value and amortized cost for fixed maturity security transfer, Pre-tax Amount	(63)	(40)	(44)
Less reclassification adjustment for gains realized in net income, Pre-Tax Amount	234	2,093	842
Net unrealized gain loss, Pre-Tax Amount	(4,737)	(343)	10,931
Other comprehensive income, Pre-Tax Amount	(4,737)	(343)	10,931
Unrealized gain loss on available-for-sale securities, Tax Expense	(1,718)	(900)	3,546
Change in unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities with OTTI, Tax Expense		62
Less amortization of differences between fair value and amortized cost for fixed maturity security transfer, Tax Expense	(22)	(14)	(15)
Less reclassification adjustment for gains realized in net income, Tax Expense	82	732	295
Net unrealized gain loss, Tax Expense	(1,658)	(120)	3,826
Other comprehensive income, Tax Expense	(1,658)	(120)	3,826
Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities, Net-of-Tax Amount	(3,190)	(1,672)	6,587
Change in unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities with OTTI, Net-of-Tax Amount		114
Less amortization of differences between fair value and amortized cost for fixed maturity security transfer, Net-of-Tax Amount	(41)	(26)	(29)
Reclassification adjustment for gains realized in net income, Net-of-Tax Amount	152	1,361	547
Net unrealized gain loss, Net-of-Tax Amount	(3,079)	(223)	7,105
Other comprehensive income, Net-of-Tax Amount	$ (3,079)	$ (223)	$ 7,105

Employee Benefit Plan - Additio

Employee Benefit Plan - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
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	$ 0.4

Commitments and Contingencies -

Commitments and Contingencies - Fair Value of Annuities (Detail) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Statement value of annuities exceeding 1% of statutory surplus	$ 96,056
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (A+) [Member]
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Statement value of annuities exceeding 1% of statutory surplus	17,098
Pacific Life and Annuity Company (A+) [Member]
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Statement value of annuities exceeding 1% of statutory surplus	16,688
American General Life Insurance (A) [Member]
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Statement value of annuities exceeding 1% of statutory surplus	15,049
New York Life Insurance Company (A++) [Member]
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Statement value of annuities exceeding 1% of statutory surplus	11,408
John Hancock Life Insurance Company USA (A+) [Member]
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Statement value of annuities exceeding 1% of statutory surplus	6,724
Athene Annuity and Life Assurance Company (A-) [Member]
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Statement value of annuities exceeding 1% of statutory surplus	5,164
Other [Member]
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Statement value of annuities exceeding 1% of statutory surplus	$ 23,925

Commitments and Contingencies93

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Retention amount		$ 5
Rent expense		0.2	$ 0.2	$ 0.2
AIIC [Member] | Iowa [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Appeal bond		27.8
AIIC [Member] | 2009 Workers' Compensation Claim [Member] | Iowa [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Workers compensation claim, damages awarded	$ 25.3
Workers compensation claims contingency reserves		2.4
Total amount expensed on workers compensation claim		$ 5.4
AIIC [Member] | Plaintiff Seeking Actual Damages [Member] | Iowa [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Amount of damages	0.3
AIIC [Member] | Plaintiff Seeking Punitive Damages [Member] | Iowa [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Amount of damages	$ 25

Commitments and Contingencies94

Commitments and Contingencies - Future Minimum Lease Payments (Detail) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Operating Leases Future Minimum Payments Due [Abstract]
2,017	$ 131
2,018	74
2,019	6
Total future minimum lease payments	$ 211

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, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Schedule Of Premiums Earned Net By Segment [Line Items]
Net premiums earned	$ 92,097	$ 89,918	$ 90,728	$ 95,961	$ 95,034	$ 90,504	$ 95,569	$ 94,787	$ 368,704	$ 375,894	$ 375,747
Premium earned percentage									100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
Workers Compensation [Member]
Schedule Of Premiums Earned Net By Segment [Line Items]
Net premiums earned									$ 368,704	$ 375,894	$ 375,746
Premium earned percentage									100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
General Liability [Member]
Schedule Of Premiums Earned Net By Segment [Line Items]
Net premiums earned											$ 1
Premium earned percentage									0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Concentration of Operations -96

Concentration of Operations - Net Premiums Earned for the Top Ten States (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Schedule Of Premiums Earned Net By Segment [Line Items]
Net premiums earned	$ 92,097	$ 89,918	$ 90,728	$ 95,961	$ 95,034	$ 90,504	$ 95,569	$ 94,787	$ 368,704	$ 375,894	$ 375,747
Premium earned percentage									100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
Pennsylvania [Member]
Schedule Of Premiums Earned Net By Segment [Line Items]
Net premiums earned									$ 39,460	$ 36,294	$ 35,488
Premium earned percentage									10.70%	9.70%	9.40%
Georgia [Member]
Schedule Of Premiums Earned Net By Segment [Line Items]
Net premiums earned									$ 38,168	$ 40,497	$ 36,761
Premium earned percentage									10.40%	10.80%	9.80%
Louisiana [Member]
Schedule Of Premiums Earned Net By Segment [Line Items]
Net premiums earned									$ 30,426	$ 38,874	$ 47,643
Premium earned percentage									8.30%	10.30%	12.70%
Florida [Member]
Schedule Of Premiums Earned Net By Segment [Line Items]
Net premiums earned									$ 29,051	$ 24,792	$ 20,691
Premium earned percentage									7.90%	6.60%	5.50%
Illinois [Member]
Schedule Of Premiums Earned Net By Segment [Line Items]
Net premiums earned									$ 25,796	$ 23,285	$ 20,606
Premium earned percentage									7.00%	6.20%	5.50%
North Carolina [Member]
Schedule Of Premiums Earned Net By Segment [Line Items]
Net premiums earned									$ 20,784	$ 20,062	$ 20,872
Premium earned percentage									5.60%	5.30%	5.60%
Virginia [Member]
Schedule Of Premiums Earned Net By Segment [Line Items]
Net premiums earned									$ 16,599	$ 15,656	$ 16,764
Premium earned percentage									4.50%	4.20%	4.50%
Minnesota [Member]
Schedule Of Premiums Earned Net By Segment [Line Items]
Net premiums earned									$ 15,130	$ 14,618	$ 13,159
Premium earned percentage									4.10%	3.90%	3.50%
South Carolina [Member]
Schedule Of Premiums Earned Net By Segment [Line Items]
Net premiums earned									$ 13,897	$ 12,955	$ 12,414
Premium earned percentage									3.80%	3.40%	3.30%
Wisconsin [Member]
Schedule Of Premiums Earned Net By Segment [Line Items]
Net premiums earned									$ 13,544	$ 11,203	$ 9,408
Premium earned percentage									3.70%	3.00%	2.50%
All Others [Member]
Schedule Of Premiums Earned Net By Segment [Line Items]
Net premiums earned									$ 125,849	$ 137,658	$ 141,941
Premium earned percentage									34.00%	36.60%	37.70%

Fair Values of Financial Inst97

Fair Values of Financial Instruments - Summary of Carrying or Reported Values and Corresponding Fair Values for Financial Instruments (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fixed maturity securities—held to maturity	$ 568,931	$ 662,276
Fixed maturity securities—held to maturity	562,434	645,164
Fixed maturity securities—available for sale	479,097	380,022
Equity securities	33	31
Cash and cash equivalents	58,936	69,481
Short-term investments	29,580	7,718
Other investments	13,330	12,217
Carrying Amount [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fixed maturity securities—held to maturity	562,434	645,164
Fixed maturity securities—available for sale	479,097	380,022
Equity securities	33	31
Cash and cash equivalents	58,936	69,481
Short-term investments	29,580	7,718
Other investments	$ 13,330	$ 12,217

Fair Values of Financial Inst98

Fair Values of Financial Instruments - Schedule of Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Fair Value Measurements Disclosure [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale, Fair Value	$ 492,460	$ 392,270
Equity Securities [Member]
Fair Value Measurements Disclosure [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale, Fair Value	33	31
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value Measurements Disclosure [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale, Fair Value	479,130	380,053
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Debt Securities [Member]
Fair Value Measurements Disclosure [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale, Fair Value	479,097	380,022
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Common Stock [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]
Fair Value Measurements Disclosure [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale, Fair Value	33	31
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | States and Political Subdivisions [Member] | Debt Securities [Member]
Fair Value Measurements Disclosure [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale, Fair Value	232,293	171,419
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Corporate Bonds [Member] | Debt Securities [Member]
Fair Value Measurements Disclosure [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale, Fair Value	182,515	201,304
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	9,342	7,299
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | U.S. Treasury Securities [Member] | Debt Securities [Member]
Fair Value Measurements Disclosure [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale, Fair Value	54,947
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value Measurements Disclosure [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale, Fair Value	54,980	31
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Debt Securities [Member]
Fair Value Measurements Disclosure [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale, Fair Value	54,947
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	33	31
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | U.S. Treasury Securities [Member] | Debt Securities [Member]
Fair Value Measurements Disclosure [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale, Fair Value	54,947
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value Measurements Disclosure [Line Items]
Available-for-Sale, Fair Value	424,150	380,022
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	424,150	380,022
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	232,293	171,419
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	182,515	201,304
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	$ 9,342	$ 7,299

Fair Values of Financial Inst99

Fair Values of Financial Instruments - Schedule of Assets and Liabilities Measured at Amortized Cost (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Fair Value Measurements Disclosure [Line Items]
Securities held-to-maturity-fixed maturity, Fair Value	$ 568,931	$ 662,276
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value Measurements Disclosure [Line Items]
Securities held-to-maturity-fixed maturity, Fair Value	6,779	7,599
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value Measurements Disclosure [Line Items]
Securities held-to-maturity-fixed maturity, Fair Value	562,152	654,677
States and Political Subdivisions [Member]
Fair Value Measurements Disclosure [Line Items]
Securities held-to-maturity-fixed maturity, Fair Value	399,483	423,754
States and Political Subdivisions [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value Measurements Disclosure [Line Items]
Securities held-to-maturity-fixed maturity, Fair Value	399,483	423,754
Corporate Bonds [Member]
Fair Value Measurements Disclosure [Line Items]
Securities held-to-maturity-fixed maturity, Fair Value	144,016	170,573
Corporate Bonds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value Measurements Disclosure [Line Items]
Securities held-to-maturity-fixed maturity, Fair Value	144,016	170,573
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value Measurements Disclosure [Line Items]
Securities held-to-maturity-fixed maturity, Fair Value	70	37,683
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value Measurements Disclosure [Line Items]
Securities held-to-maturity-fixed maturity, Fair Value	70	37,683
U.S. Agency-Based Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value Measurements Disclosure [Line Items]
Securities held-to-maturity-fixed maturity, Fair Value	10,915	14,471
U.S. Agency-Based Mortgage-Backed Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value Measurements Disclosure [Line Items]
Securities held-to-maturity-fixed maturity, Fair Value	10,915	14,471
U.S. Treasury Securities [Member]
Fair Value Measurements Disclosure [Line Items]
Securities held-to-maturity-fixed maturity, Fair Value	6,779	7,599
U.S. Treasury Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value Measurements Disclosure [Line Items]
Securities held-to-maturity-fixed maturity, Fair Value	6,779	7,599
US Government-sponsored Enterprises Debt Securities [Member]
Fair Value Measurements Disclosure [Line Items]
Securities held-to-maturity-fixed maturity, Fair Value	5,637	5,781
US Government-sponsored Enterprises Debt Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value Measurements Disclosure [Line Items]
Securities held-to-maturity-fixed maturity, Fair Value	5,637	5,781
Asset-Backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value Measurements Disclosure [Line Items]
Securities held-to-maturity-fixed maturity, Fair Value	2,031	2,415
Asset-Backed Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value Measurements Disclosure [Line Items]
Securities held-to-maturity-fixed maturity, Fair Value	$ 2,031	$ 2,415

Fair Values of Financial Ins100

Fair Values of Financial Instruments - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Fair Value Measurements Disclosure [Line Items]
Securities held to maturity, carrying value	$ 562,434	$ 645,164
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, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Net premiums earned	$ 92,097	$ 89,918	$ 90,728	$ 95,961	$ 95,034	$ 90,504	$ 95,569	$ 94,787	$ 368,704	$ 375,894	$ 375,747
Net investment income	7,855	8,006	6,201	6,044	7,256	6,923	6,890	6,833	28,106	27,902	27,214
Net realized gains (losses) on investments	(1,468)	181	545	248	24	40	(2,617)	59	(494)	(2,494)	697
Total revenues	98,558	98,206	97,563	102,335	101,760	97,470	99,936	101,788	396,662	400,954	404,019
Income before income taxes	27,784	26,027	24,615	34,395	33,768	25,890	20,112	21,197	112,821	100,967	73,749
Net income	19,073	17,896	16,639	24,257	23,073	17,940	14,319	15,130	77,865	70,462	53,666
Net income available to common shareholders	$ 19,073	$ 17,896	$ 16,639	$ 24,257	$ 23,073	$ 17,940	$ 14,319	$ 15,130	$ 77,865	$ 70,462	$ 53,666
Earnings per share:
Basic	$ 1	$ 0.94	$ 0.87	$ 1.27	$ 1.21	$ 0.95	$ 0.76	$ 0.80	$ 4.08	$ 3.72	$ 2.88
Diluted	$ 0.99	$ 0.93	$ 0.87	$ 1.27	$ 1.21	$ 0.94	$ 0.75	$ 0.79	$ 4.05	$ 3.69	$ 2.84
Comprehensive income	$ 11,985	$ 16,183	$ 19,568	$ 27,051	$ 22,299	$ 19,248	$ 12,744	$ 15,948	$ 74,786	$ 70,239	$ 60,771
Extraordinary cash dividends declared per common share	$ 3.25				$ 3				$ 3.25	$ 3	$ 1.50	$ 0
Cash dividends declared per common share	$ 0.18	$ 0.18	$ 0.18	$ 0.18	$ 0.15	$ 0.15	$ 0.15	$ 0.15	$ 0.72	$ 0.60	$ 0.48

Capital Management - Additional

Capital Management - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2016
Equity [Abstract]
Share repurchase new limit amount							$ 25,000,000
Shares repurchased under the program			0
Shares repurchased	1,258,250	1,258,250	1,258,250	1,258,250
Shares repurchased, value	$ 22,400,000		$ 22,400,000
Shares repurchased, average price			$ 17.78
Quarterly dividend	$ 0.18	$ 0.15	0.18	$ 0.15	$ 0.12	$ 0.08
Extraordinary cash dividends declared per common share	$ 3.25	$ 3	$ 3.25	$ 3	$ 1.50	$ 0

Subsequent Events - Additional

Subsequent Events - Additional Information (Detail) - $ / shares	Feb. 21, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Cash dividend per share		$ 0.18	$ 0.15	$ 0.12	$ 0.08
Dividend Declared [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Cash dividend per share		$ 0.18
Subsequent Event [Member] | Dividend Declared [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Date of payment to shareholders entitled to dividends	Mar. 24, 2017
Date of record of shareholders entitled to dividends	Mar. 10, 2017

Schedule II. Condensed Finan104

Schedule II. Condensed Financial Information of Registrant - Condensed Balance Sheets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Assets
Short-term investments	$ 29,580	$ 7,718
Other investments	13,330	12,217
Total investments	1,084,474	1,045,152
Cash and cash equivalents	58,936	69,481	$ 90,956	$ 123,077
Deferred income taxes	33,811	29,905
Property and equipment, net	6,636	6,181
Other assets	37,668	42,788
Total assets	1,518,856	1,502,045
Liabilities, redeemable preferred stock and shareholders’ equity
Total liabilities	1,062,706	1,048,064
Shareholders' equity (net of Treasury stock of $22,370 at December 31, 2016 and 2015	456,150	453,981	446,968	416,814
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	1,518,856	1,502,045
Parent Company [Member]
Assets
Short-term investments	11,939
Other investments	13,330	12,217
Investment in subsidiaries	415,767	408,135
Total investments	441,036	420,352
Cash and cash equivalents	9,596	26,968	$ 43,585	$ 47,726
Deferred income taxes	675	292
Notes receivable from subsidiaries	1,587	1,505
Property and equipment, net	1,942	1,817
Other assets	1,314	3,047
Total assets	456,150	453,981
Liabilities, redeemable preferred stock and shareholders’ equity
Shareholders' equity (net of Treasury stock of $22,370 at December 31, 2016 and 2015	456,150	453,981
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$ 456,150	$ 453,981

Schedule II. Condensed Finan105

Schedule II. Condensed Financial Information of Registrant - Condensed Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
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, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Revenues
Net investment income	$ 7,855	$ 8,006	$ 6,201	$ 6,044	$ 7,256	$ 6,923	$ 6,890	$ 6,833	$ 28,106	$ 27,902	$ 27,214
Fee and other income									347	316	361
Total revenues	98,558	98,206	97,563	102,335	101,760	97,470	99,936	101,788	396,662	400,954	404,019
Expenses
Total expenses									283,841	299,987	330,270
Income tax expense (benefit)									34,956	30,505	20,083
Net income	$ 19,073	$ 17,896	$ 16,639	$ 24,257	$ 23,073	$ 17,940	$ 14,319	$ 15,130	77,865	70,462	53,666
Parent Company [Member]
Revenues
Net investment income									1,509	854	1,541
Fee and other income									5,843	5,893	5,368
Total revenues									7,352	6,747	6,909
Expenses
Other operating costs									7,352	6,747	6,909
Total expenses									7,352	6,747	6,909
Income tax expense (benefit)									(156)	(57)	(13)
Gain (loss) before equity in earnings of subsidiaries									156	57	13
Equity in net income of subsidiaries									77,709	70,405	53,653
Net income									$ 77,865	$ 70,462	$ 53,666

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, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Operating activities
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	$ 114,212	$ 92,859	$ 140,684
Investing activities
Purchases of property and equipment	(1,638)	(953)	(989)
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	(50,478)	(49,820)	(141,252)
Financing activities
Proceeds from stock option exercises	837	1,844	2,674
Tax benefit from share-based payments	995	2,203	2,841
Dividends to shareholders	(76,111)	(68,561)	(37,068)
Net cash used in financing activities	(74,279)	(64,514)	(31,553)
Change in cash and cash equivalents	(10,545)	(21,475)	(32,121)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	69,481	90,956	123,077
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	58,936	69,481	90,956
Parent Company [Member]
Operating activities
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	2,771	(1,727)	2,161
Investing activities
Purchases of investments	(11,940)		(1,462)
Proceeds from sales of investments		250	2,404
Purchases of property and equipment	(924)	(627)	(691)
Dividends from subsidiary	67,000	50,000	25,000
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	54,136	49,623	25,251
Financing activities
Proceeds from stock option exercises	837	1,844	2,674
Tax benefit from share-based payments	995	2,204	2,841
Dividends to shareholders	(76,111)	(68,561)	(37,068)
Net cash used in financing activities	(74,279)	(64,513)	(31,553)
Change in cash and cash equivalents	(17,372)	(16,617)	(4,141)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	26,968	43,585	47,726
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$ 9,596	$ 26,968	$ 43,585

Schedule VI. Supplemental In108

Schedule VI. Supplemental Information Concerning Property-Casualty Insurance Operations (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Supplemental Information For Property Casualty Insurance Underwriters [Abstract]
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs	$ 19,300	$ 20,412	$ 19,649
Reserves for Unpaid Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense	742,776	718,033	687,602
Unearned Premium	162,028	167,983	168,576
Earned Premium	368,704	375,894	375,747
Net Investment Income	28,106	27,902	27,214
Loss and LAE Related to Current Period	250,337	262,387	268,633
Loss and LAE Related to Prior Periods	(51,306)	(47,814)	(23,717)
Amortization of Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs	(44,321)	(44,841)	(43,817)
Paid Claims and Claim Adjustment Expenses	187,686	189,666	182,506
Net Premiums Written	$ 362,748	$ 375,301	$ 380,026