EMC Insurance (EMCI) 10-Q 7 May 15 2015 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Apr. 30, 2015
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	EMC INSURANCE GROUP INC
Entity Central Index Key	356130
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		13,723,395
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-15

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS_Un

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Investments:
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost $1,084,305 and $1,080,006)	$1,138,223	$1,127,499
Equity securities available-for-sale, at fair value (cost $127,418 and $123,972)	199,557	197,036
Other long-term investments	9,717	6,227
Short-term investments	47,233	53,262
Total investments	1,394,730	1,384,024
Cash	404	383
Reinsurance receivables due from affiliate	27,304	28,603
Prepaid reinsurance premiums due from affiliate	7,098	8,865
Deferred policy acquisition costs (affiliated $40,605 and $38,930)	41,128	39,343
Amounts due from affiliate to settle inter-company transaction balances	7,594	0
Prepaid pension and postretirement benefits due from affiliate	17,134	17,360
Accrued investment income	11,403	10,295
Accounts receivable	2,179	1,767
Goodwill	942	942
Other assets (affiliated $3,966 and $4,900)	4,043	6,238
Total assets	1,513,959	1,497,820
LIABILITIES
Losses and settlement expenses (affiliated $647,663 and $650,652)	657,285	661,309
Unearned premiums (affiliated $232,814 and $230,460)	234,471	232,093
Other policyholders' funds (all affiliated)	11,109	10,153
Surplus notes payable to affiliate	25,000	25,000
Amounts due affiliate to settle inter-company transaction balances	0	8,559
Pension benefits payable to affiliate	3,963	4,162
Income taxes payable	8,671	3
Deferred income taxes	30,791	28,654
Other liabilities (affiliated $15,394 and $23,941)	15,470	25,001
Total liabilities	986,760	994,934
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common stock, $1 par value, authorized 20,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding, 13,700,025 shares in 2015 and 13,562,980 shares in 2014	13,700	13,563
Additional paid-in capital	110,684	106,672
Accumulated other comprehensive income	84,884	81,662
Retained earnings	317,931	300,989
Total stockholders' equity	527,199	502,886
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$1,513,959	$1,497,820

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS_Un1

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Investments:
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, amortized cost	$1,084,305	$1,080,006
Equity securities available-for-sale, cost	127,418	123,972
Deferred policy acquisition costs from affiliates	40,605	38,930
Affiliated other assets	3,966	4,900
LIABILITIES
Affiliated losses and settlement expenses	647,663	650,652
Unearned premiums from affiliates	232,814	230,460
Affiliated other liabilities	$15,394	$23,941
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$1	$1
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	20,000,000	20,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	13,700,025	13,562,980
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	13,700,025	13,562,980

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_INC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
REVENUES
Premiums earned (affiliated $137,419 and $131,932)	$138,731	$133,080
Investment income, net	11,206	11,855
Net realized investment gains, excluding impairment losses on securities available-for-sale	1,401	1,578
Total other-than-temporary impairment losses on securities available-for-sale	-618	-316
Portion of other-than-temporary impairment losses on fixed maturity securities available-for-sale reclassified from other comprehensive income (before taxes)	0	0
Net impairment losses on securities available-for-sale	-618	-316
Net realized investment gains	783	1,262
Other income (affiliated $657 and $129)	1,615	34
Total revenues	152,335	146,231
LOSSES AND EXPENSES
Losses and settlement expenses (affiliated $75,272 and $88,691)	75,785	88,969
Dividends to policyholders (all affiliated)	2,900	1,716
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs (affiliated $25,212 and $24,429)	25,441	24,615
Other underwriting expenses (all affiliated)	17,521	15,430
Interest expense (all affiliated)	84	84
Other expense (affiliated $441 and $324)	667	528
Total losses and expenses	122,398	131,342
Income before income tax expense	29,937	14,889
INCOME TAX EXPENSE
Current	9,205	4,102
Deferred	402	192
Total income tax expense	9,607	4,294
Net income	$20,330	$10,595
Net income per common share - basic and diluted	$1.49	$0.79
Dividend per common share	$0.25	$0.23
Average number of common shares outstanding - basic and diluted (in shares)	13,624,201	13,348,730

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_INC1

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
REVENUES
Premiums earned, affiliated	$137,419	$131,932
Other income, affiliated	657	129
LOSSES AND EXPENSES
Losses and settlement expenses, affiliated	75,272	88,691
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs, affiliated	25,212	24,429
Other expense, affiliated	$441	$324

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_COM

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Net income	$20,330	$10,595
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
Change in unrealized holding gains on investment securities, net of deferred income tax expense of $2,689 and $5,866	4,993	10,894
Reclassification adjustment for realized investment gains included in net income, net of income tax expense of $(764) and $(571)	-1,418	-1,059
Reclassification adjustment for amounts amortized into net periodic pension and postretirement benefit income, net of deferred income tax expense of $(190) and $(242):
Net actuarial loss	184	88
Prior service credit	-537	-537
Total reclassification adjustment associated with affiliate's pension and postretirement benefit plans	-353	-449
Other comprehensive income (loss)	3,222	9,386
Total comprehensive income	$23,552	$19,981

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_COM1

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
Change in unrealized holding gains on investment securities, deferred income tax expense	$2,689	$5,866
Reclassification adjustment for realized investment (gains) included in net income, income tax (expense)	-764	-571
Reclassification adjustment for amounts amortized into net periodic pension and postretirement benefit (income), deferred income tax (expense)	($190)	($242)

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CAS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$20,330	$10,595
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Losses and settlement expenses (affiliated $(2,989) and $17,442)	-4,024	17,168
Unearned premiums (affiliated $2,354 and $1,872)	2,378	1,986
Other policyholders' funds due to affiliate	956	-20
Amounts due to/from affiliate to settle inter-company transaction balances	-16,153	-16,482
Net pension and postretirement benefits due from affiliate	-516	-809
Reinsurance receivables due from affiliate	1,299	-696
Prepaid reinsurance premiums due from affiliate	1,767	651
Commissions payable (affiliated $(6,075) and $(6,518))	-6,072	-6,516
Deferred policy acquisition costs (affiliated $(1,675) and $(673))	-1,785	-726
Accrued investment income	-1,108	-578
Current income tax	8,702	2,532
Deferred income tax	402	192
Net realized investment gains	-783	-1,262
Other, net (affiliated $(1,540) and $(3,930))	291	-3,887
Total adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities	-14,646	-8,447
Net cash provided by operating activities	5,684	2,148
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchases of fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	-66,928	-14,494
Disposals of fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	61,119	22,216
Purchases of equity securities available-for-sale	-17,269	-12,664
Disposals of equity securities available-for-sale	15,710	10,283
Purchases of other long-term investments	-5,141	-4,367
Disposals of other long-term investments	88	0
Net purchases of short-term investments	6,029	-4,151
Net cash used in investing activities	-6,392	-3,177
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Issuance of common stock through affiliatebs stock plans	4,083	4,364
Excess tax benefit associated with affiliatebs stock plans	34	58
Dividends paid to stockholders (affiliated $(1,962) and $(1,805))	-3,388	-3,064
Net cash provided by financing activities	729	1,358
NET INCREASE IN CASH	21	329
Cash at the beginning of the year	383	239
Cash at the end of the quarter	$404	$568

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CAS1

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Losses and settlement expenses, affiliated	($2,989)	$17,442
Unearned premiums, affiliated	2,354	1,872
Commissions payable, affiliated	-6,075	-6,518
Deferred policy acquisition costs, affiliated	-1,675	-673
Other, net, affiliated	-1,540	-3,930
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Dividends paid to stockholders, affiliated	($1,962)	($1,805)

BASIS_OF_PRESENTATION

BASIS OF PRESENTATION	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
BASIS OF PRESENTATION	BASIS OF PRESENTATION
	EMC Insurance Group Inc., a majority owned subsidiary of Employers Mutual Casualty Company (Employers Mutual), is an insurance holding company with operations in property and casualty insurance and reinsurance.  The Company writes property and casualty insurance in both commercial and personal lines of insurance, with a focus on medium-sized commercial accounts.  The term “Company” is used interchangeably to describe EMC Insurance Group Inc. (Parent Company only) and EMC Insurance Group Inc. and its subsidiaries.
	The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the basis of U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X.  Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by GAAP for complete financial statements.  The Company has evaluated all subsequent events through the date the financial statements were issued.  In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation of the interim financial statements have been included.  The results of operations for the interim periods reported are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the year.  The consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2014 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date, but does not include all of the information and notes required by GAAP for complete financial statements.
	During the first quarters of 2015 and 2014, the Company invested $4.0 million and $4.4 million, respectively, in a limited partnership that is designed to help protect the Company from a sudden and significant decline in the value of its equity portfolio. This investment is included in "other long-term investments" in the Company's financial statements and is carried under the equity method of accounting. Because of the nature of this investment, which is used solely to support the equity tail-risk hedging strategy, changes in the carrying value of the limited partnership are recorded as realized investment gains (losses), rather than as a component of investment income.
	Certain amounts previously reported in the prior years’ consolidated financial statements have been reclassified or adjusted to conform to current year presentation.
	In reading these financial statements, reference should be made to the Company’s 2014 Form 10-K or the 2014 Annual Report to Stockholders for more detailed footnote information.

REINSURANCE

REINSURANCE	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Reinsurance Disclosures [Abstract]
REINSURANCE	REINSURANCE
	The effect of reinsurance on premiums written and earned, and losses and settlement expenses incurred, for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 is presented below.  The classification of the assumed and ceded reinsurance amounts between affiliates and nonaffiliates is based on the participants in the underlying reinsurance agreements, and is intended to provide an understanding of the actual source of the reinsurance activities.  This presentation differs from the classifications used in the consolidated financial statements, where all amounts flowing through the pooling, quota share and excess of loss agreements with Employers Mutual are reported as “affiliated” balances.
			Three months ended March 31, 2015
	($ in thousands)		Property and			Reinsurance			Total
			casualty
			insurance
	Premiums written
	Direct		$	88,760		$	—		$	88,760
	Assumed from nonaffiliates		971			37,977			38,948
	Assumed from affiliates		113,145			—			113,145
	Ceded to nonaffiliates		(5,320		)	(881		)	(6,201		)
	Ceded to affiliates		(88,760		)	(2,968		)	(91,728		)
	Net premiums written		$	108,796		$	34,128		$	142,924
	Premiums earned
	Direct		$	89,852		$	—		$	89,852
	Assumed from nonaffiliates		1,033			35,871			36,904
	Assumed from affiliates		112,761			—			112,761
	Ceded to nonaffiliates		(5,589		)	(2,377		)	(7,966		)
	Ceded to affiliates		(89,852		)	(2,968		)	(92,820		)
	Net premiums earned		$	108,205		$	30,526		$	138,731
	Losses and settlement expenses incurred
	Direct		$	35,437		$	—		$	35,437
	Assumed from nonaffiliates		546			20,900			21,446
	Assumed from affiliates		55,898			243			56,141
	Ceded to nonaffiliates		231			(1,926		)	(1,695		)
	Ceded to affiliates		(35,437		)	(107		)	(35,544		)
	Net losses and settlement expenses incurred		$	56,675		$	19,110		$	75,785
			Three months ended March 31, 2014
	($ in thousands)		Property and			Reinsurance			Total
			casualty
			insurance
	Premiums written
	Direct		$	90,040		$	—		$	90,040
	Assumed from nonaffiliates		788			39,514			40,302
	Assumed from affiliates		107,048			—			107,048
	Ceded to nonaffiliates		(5,322		)	(3,762		)	(9,084		)
	Ceded to affiliates		(90,041		)	(2,860		)	(92,901		)
	Net premiums written		$	102,513		$	32,892		$	135,405
	Premiums earned
	Direct		$	91,075		$	—		$	91,075
	Assumed from nonaffiliates		844			38,950			39,794
	Assumed from affiliates		105,881			—			105,881
	Ceded to nonaffiliates		(5,478		)	(4,257		)	(9,735		)
	Ceded to affiliates		(91,075		)	(2,860		)	(93,935		)
	Net premiums earned		$	101,247		$	31,833		$	133,080
	Losses and settlement expenses incurred
	Direct		$	48,010		$	—		$	48,010
	Assumed from nonaffiliates		602			24,400			25,002
	Assumed from affiliates		68,172			291			68,463
	Ceded to nonaffiliates		(1,048		)	(3,467		)	(4,515		)
	Ceded to affiliates		(48,010		)	19			(47,991		)
	Net losses and settlement expenses incurred		$	67,726		$	21,243		$	88,969
	Individual lines in the above tables are defined as follows:
	•	“Direct” represents business produced by the property and casualty insurance subsidiaries.
	•	“Assumed from nonaffiliates” for the property and casualty insurance subsidiaries represents their aggregate 30 percent pool participation percentage of involuntary business assumed by the pool participants pursuant to state law. For the reinsurance subsidiary, this line represents the reinsurance business assumed through the quota share agreement (including “fronting” activities initiated by Employers Mutual) and the business assumed outside the quota share agreement.
	•	“Assumed from affiliates” for the property and casualty insurance subsidiaries represents their aggregate 30 percent pool participation percentage of all the pool members’ direct business.  The amounts reported under the caption “Losses and settlement expenses incurred” also include claim-related services provided by Employers Mutual that are allocated to the property and casualty insurance subsidiaries and the reinsurance subsidiary.
	•	“Ceded to nonaffiliates” for the property and casualty insurance subsidiaries represents their aggregate 30 percent pool participation percentage of 1) the amounts ceded to nonaffiliated reinsurance companies in accordance with the terms of the reinsurance agreements providing protection to the pool and each of its participants, and 2) the amounts ceded on a mandatory basis to state organizations in connection with various programs.  For the reinsurance subsidiary, this line includes reinsurance business that is ceded to other insurance companies in connection with “fronting” activities initiated by Employers Mutual.
	•	“Ceded to affiliates” for the property and casualty insurance subsidiaries represents the cession of their direct business to Employers Mutual under the terms of the pooling agreement.  For the reinsurance subsidiary this line represents amounts ceded to Employers Mutual under the terms of the excess of loss reinsurance agreement.

SEGMENT_INFORMATION

SEGMENT INFORMATION	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
SEGMENT INFORMATION	SEGMENT INFORMATION
	The Company’s operations consist of a property and casualty insurance segment and a reinsurance segment.  The property and casualty insurance segment writes both commercial and personal lines of insurance, with a focus on medium-sized commercial accounts.  The reinsurance segment provides reinsurance for other insurers and reinsurers.  The segments are managed separately due to differences in the insurance products sold and the business environments in which they operate.
	Summarized financial information for the Company’s segments is as follows:
	Three months ended March 31, 2015	Property and			Reinsurance			Parent			Consolidated
		casualty						company
	($ in thousands)	insurance
	Premiums earned	$	108,205		$	30,526		$	—		$	138,731
	Underwriting profit (loss)	14,078			3,006			—			17,084
	Net investment income (loss)	8,026			3,184			(4		)	11,206
	Realized investment gains	700			83			—			783
	Other income (loss)	182			1,433			—			1,615
	Interest expense	84			—			—			84
	Other expenses	206			—			461			667
	Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)	$	22,696		$	7,706		$	(465	)	$	29,937
	Assets	$	1,066,912		$	439,382		$	527,485		$	2,033,779
	Eliminations	—			—			(518,915		)	(518,915		)
	Reclassifications	—			—			(905		)	(905		)
	Total assets	$	1,066,912		$	439,382		$	7,665		$	1,513,959
	Three months ended March 31, 2014	Property and			Reinsurance			Parent			Consolidated
		casualty						company
	($ in thousands)	insurance
	Premiums earned	$	101,247		$	31,833		$	—		$	133,080
	Underwriting profit (loss)	(475		)	2,825			—			2,350
	Net investment income (loss)	8,616			3,243			(4		)	11,855
	Realized investment gains	1,011			251			—			1,262
	Other income (loss)	201			(167		)	—			34
	Interest expense	84			—			—			84
	Other expenses	174			—			354			528
	Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)	$	9,095		$	6,152		$	(358	)	$	14,889
	Year ended December 31, 2014
	Assets	$	1,057,429		$	434,139		$	503,008		$	1,994,576
	Eliminations	—			—			(495,288		)	(495,288		)
	Reclassifications	(909		)	—			(559		)	(1,468		)
	Total assets	$	1,056,520		$	434,139		$	7,161		$	1,497,820
	The following table displays the net premiums earned of the property and casualty insurance segment and the reinsurance segment for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, by line of insurance.
		Three months ended March 31,
	($ in thousands)	2015			2014
	Property and casualty insurance segment
	Commercial lines:
	Automobile	$	25,396		$	22,802
	Property	25,066			23,317
	Workers' compensation	22,367			21,053
	Liability	22,416			20,455
	Other	1,966			1,779
	Total commercial lines	97,211			89,406
	Personal lines:
	Automobile	5,817			6,411
	Property	4,974			5,244
	Liability	203			186
	Total personal lines	10,994			11,841
	Total property and casualty insurance	$	108,205		$	101,247
	Reinsurance segment
	Pro rata reinsurance:
	Property and liability	$	1,239		$	1,064
	Property	3,567			5,777
	Crop	294			438
	Liability	3,801			2,792
	Marine	3,403			3,411
	Total pro rata reinsurance	12,304			13,482
	Excess of loss reinsurance:
	Property	14,462			15,459
	Liability	3,756			2,891
	Surety	4			1
	Total excess of loss reinsurance	18,222			18,351
Total reinsurance	$	30,526		$	31,833
Consolidated	$	138,731		$	133,080

INCOME_TAXES

INCOME TAXES	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
INCOME TAXES	INCOME TAXES
	The actual income tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 differed from the “expected” income tax expense for those periods (computed by applying the United States federal corporate tax rate of 35 percent to income before income tax expense) as follows:
		Three months ended
		March 31,
	($ in thousands)	2015			2014
	Computed "expected" income tax expense	$	10,478		$	5,211
	Increases (decreases) in tax resulting from:
	Tax-exempt interest income	(698		)	(944		)
	Dividends received deduction	(258		)	(220		)
	Proration of tax-exempt interest and dividends received deduction	143			175
	Other, net	(58		)	72
	Total income tax expense	$	9,607		$	4,294
	The Company had no provision for uncertain income tax positions at March 31, 2015 or December 31, 2014.  The Company did not recognize any interest expense or other penalties related to U.S. federal or state income taxes during the three months ended March 31, 2015 or 2014.  It is the Company’s accounting policy to reflect income tax penalties as other expense, and interest as interest expense.
	The Company files a U.S. federal income tax return, along with various state income tax returns.  The Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal and state income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2011.  The Company’s 2011 income tax return has been audited and no adjustments were proposed.

EMPLOYEE_RETIREMENT_PLANS

EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT PLANS	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT PLANS	EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT PLANS
	The components of net periodic benefit cost (income) for Employers Mutual’s pension and postretirement benefit plans is as follows:
		Three months ended
		March 31,
	($ in thousands)	2015			2014
	Pension plans:
	Service cost	$	3,644		$	3,191
	Interest cost	2,278			2,381
	Expected return on plan assets	(5,075		)	(5,183		)
	Amortization of net actuarial loss	517			64
	Amortization of prior service cost	8			8
	Net periodic pension benefit cost	$	1,372		$	461
	Postretirement benefit plans:
	Service cost	$	353		$	315
	Interest cost	537			564
	Expected return on plan assets	(1,104		)	(1,099		)
	Amortization of net actuarial loss	436			413
	Amortization of prior service credit	(2,866		)	(2,867		)
	Net periodic postretirement benefit income	$	(2,644	)	$	(2,674	)
	Net periodic pension benefit cost allocated to the Company amounted to $421,000 and $144,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.  Net periodic postretirement benefit income allocated to the Company amounted to $762,000 and $771,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
	The Company’s share of Employers Mutual’s 2015 planned contribution to the pension plan, if made, will be approximately $2.1 million. No contributions will be made to the Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association (VEBA) trust in 2015.

STOCKBASED_COMPENSATION

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION	STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
	The Company has no stock-based compensation plans of its own; however, Employers Mutual has several stock plans which utilize the common stock of the Company.  Employers Mutual can provide the common stock required under its plans by: 1) using shares of common stock that it currently owns; 2) purchasing common stock on the open market; or 3) directly purchasing common stock from the Company at the current fair value.  Employers Mutual has historically purchased common stock from the Company for use in its stock plans and its non-employee director stock plans.  Beginning in the second quarter of 2014, Employers Mutual is also purchasing common stock from the Company to fulfill its obligations under its employee stock purchase plan (previously the shares needed for this plan were purchased in the open market).
	Stock Plans
	Employers Mutual currently maintains two separate stock plans for the benefit of officers and key employees of Employers Mutual and its subsidiaries.  A total of 1,500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock have been reserved for issuance under the 2003 Employers Mutual Casualty Company Incentive Stock Option Plan (2003 Plan) and a total of 2,000,000 shares have been reserved for issuance under the 2007 Employers Mutual Casualty Company Stock Incentive Plan (2007 Plan).
	The 2003 Plan permitted the issuance of incentive stock options only, while the 2007 Plan permits the issuance of performance shares, performance units, and other stock-based awards, in addition to qualified (incentive) and non-qualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock and restricted stock units.  Both plans provide for a ten-year time limit for granting awards.  No additional options can be granted under the 2003 Plan due to the expiration of the term of the plan. Options granted under the plans generally have a vesting period of five years, with options becoming exercisable in equal annual cumulative increments commencing on the first anniversary of the option grant.  Option prices cannot be less than the fair value of the common stock on the date of grant. Restricted stock awards granted under the 2007 Plan generally have a vesting period of four years, with shares vesting in equal annual cumulative increments commencing on the first anniversary of the grant. Holders of unvested shares of restricted stock receive compensation income equal to the amount of any dividends declared on the common stock.
	The Senior Executive Compensation Committee of Employers Mutual’s Board of Directors grants the awards and is the administrator of the plans.  The Company’s Compensation Committee must consider and approve all awards granted to the Company’s executive officers.
	The Company recognized compensation expense from these plans of $73,000 ($48,000 net of tax) and $51,000 ($33,000 net of tax) for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.  During the first three months of 2015, 68,764 shares of restricted stock were granted under the 2007 Plan to eligible participants and 27,357 shares of restricted stock vested. In addition, 92,017 options were exercised under the plans at a weighted average exercise price of $21.39.

DISCLOSURES_ABOUT_THE_FAIR_VAL

DISCLOSURES ABOUT THE FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
DISCLOSURES ABOUT THE FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS	DISCLOSURES ABOUT THE FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
	The carrying amount and the estimated fair value of the Company’s financial instruments is summarized below.
	March 31, 2015		Carrying			Estimated
	($ in thousands)		amount			fair value
	Assets:
	Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale:
	U.S. treasury		$	9,792		$	9,792
	U.S. government-sponsored agencies		223,029			223,029
	Obligations of states and political subdivisions		322,293			322,293
	Commercial mortgage-backed		44,858			44,858
	Residential mortgage-backed		94,331			94,331
	Other asset-backed		14,985			14,985
	Corporate		428,935			428,935
	Total fixed maturity securities available-for-sale		1,138,223			1,138,223
	Equity securities available-for-sale:
	Common stocks:
	Financial services		34,277			34,277
	Information technology		27,380			27,380
	Healthcare		29,199			29,199
	Consumer staples		14,923			14,923
	Consumer discretionary		24,559			24,559
	Energy		23,582			23,582
	Industrials		18,161			18,161
	Other		14,744			14,744
	Non-redeemable preferred stocks		12,732			12,732
	Total equity securities available-for-sale		199,557			199,557
	Short-term investments		47,233			47,233
	Liabilities:
	Surplus notes		25,000			12,738
	December 31, 2014		Carrying			Estimated
	($ in thousands)		amount			fair value
	Assets:
	Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale:
	U.S. treasury		$	9,703		$	9,703
	U.S. government-sponsored agencies		215,616			215,616
	Obligations of states and political subdivisions		326,058			326,058
	Commercial mortgage-backed		46,762			46,762
	Residential mortgage-backed		97,953			97,953
	Other asset-backed		16,005			16,005
	Corporate		415,402			415,402
	Total fixed maturity securities available-for-sale		1,127,499			1,127,499
	Equity securities available-for-sale:
	Common stocks:
	Financial services		34,379			34,379
	Information technology		26,865			26,865
	Healthcare		26,852			26,852
	Consumer staples		16,694			16,694
	Consumer discretionary		22,691			22,691
	Energy		22,863			22,863
	Industrials		18,221			18,221
	Other		16,056			16,056
	Non-redeemable preferred stocks		12,415			12,415
	Total equity securities available-for-sale		197,036			197,036
	Short-term investments		53,262			53,262
	Liabilities:
	Surplus notes		25,000			12,308
	The estimated fair value of fixed maturity and equity securities is based on quoted market prices, where available.  In cases where quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based on a variety of valuation techniques depending on the type of security.
	Short-term investments generally include money market funds, U.S. Treasury bills and commercial paper.  Short-term investments are carried at fair value, which approximates cost, due to the highly liquid nature of the securities.   Short-term securities are classified as Level 1 fair value measurements when the fair values can be validated by recent trades.  When recent trades are not available, fair value is deemed to be the cost basis and the securities are classified as Level 2 fair value measurements.
	The estimated fair value of the surplus notes is derived by discounting future expected cash flows at a rate deemed appropriate.  The discount rate was set at the average of current yields-to-maturity on several insurance company surplus notes that are traded in observable markets, adjusted upward by 50 basis points to reflect illiquidity and perceived risk premium differences. Other assumptions include a 25-year term (the surplus notes have no stated maturity date) and an interest rate that continues at the current 1.35 percent interest rate. The rate is typically adjusted every five years and is based upon the then-current Federal Home Loan Bank borrowing rate for 5-year funds available to Employers Mutual.
	Fair value is defined 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.  The following fair value hierarchy prioritizes inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value:
		Level 1 -	Unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the Company has the ability to access.
		Level 2 -	Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets; or valuations based on models where the significant inputs are observable (e.g., interest rates, yield curves, prepayment speeds, default rates, loss severities, etc.) or can be corroborated by observable market data.
		Level 3 -	Prices or valuation techniques that require significant unobservable inputs because observable inputs are not available.  The unobservable inputs may reflect the Company’s own judgments about the assumptions that market participants would use.
	The Company uses an independent pricing source to obtain the estimated fair values of a majority of its securities, subject to an internal validation.  The fair values are based on quoted market prices, where available.  This is typically the case for equity securities and money market funds, which are accordingly classified as Level 1 fair value measurements.  In cases where quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based on a variety of valuation techniques depending on the type of security.  Fixed maturity securities, non-redeemable preferred stocks and various short-term investments in the Company’s portfolio may not trade on a daily basis; however, observable inputs are utilized in their valuations, and these securities are therefore classified as Level 2 fair value measurements.  Following is a brief description of the various pricing techniques used by the independent pricing source for different asset classes.
•	U.S. Treasury securities (including bonds, notes, and bills) are priced according to a number of live data sources, including active market makers and inter-dealer brokers.  Prices from these sources are reviewed based on the sources’ historical accuracy for individual issues and maturity ranges.
•	U.S. government-sponsored agencies and corporate securities (including fixed-rate corporate bonds and medium-term notes) are priced by determining a bullet (non-call) spread scale for each issuer for maturities going out to forty years.  These spreads represent credit risk and are obtained from the new issue market, secondary trading, and dealer quotes.  An option adjusted spread model is incorporated to adjust spreads of issues that have early redemption features.  The final spread is then added to the U.S. Treasury curve.
•	Obligations of states and political subdivisions are priced by tracking and analyzing actively quoted issues and reported trades, material event notices and benchmark yields.  Municipal bonds with similar characteristics are grouped together into market sectors, and internal yield curves are constructed daily for these sectors.  Individual bond evaluations are extrapolated from these sectors, with the ability to make individual spread adjustments for attributes such as discounts, premiums, alternative minimum tax, and/or whether or not the bond is callable.
•	Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities are first reviewed for the appropriate pricing speed (if prepayable), spread, yield and volatility.  The securities are priced with models using spreads and other information solicited from Wall Street buy- and sell-side sources, including primary and secondary dealers, portfolio managers, and research analysts.  To determine a tranche’s price, first the benchmark yield is determined and adjusted for collateral performance, tranche level attributes and market conditions.  Then the cash flow for each tranche is generated (using consensus prepayment speed assumptions including, as appropriate, a prepayment projection based on historical statistics of the underlying collateral).  The tranche-level yield is used to discount the cash flows and generate the price.  Depending on the characteristics of the tranche, a volatility-driven, multi-dimensional single cash flow stream model or an option-adjusted spread model may be used.  When cash flows or other security structure or market information is not available, broker quotes may be used.
On a quarterly basis, the Company receives from its independent pricing service a list of fixed maturity securities, if any, that were priced solely from broker quotes.  For these securities, fair value may be determined using the broker quotes, or by the Company using similar pricing techniques as the Company’s independent pricing service.  Depending on the level of observable inputs, these securities would be classified as Level 2 or Level 3 fair value measurements.   At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company had no securities priced solely from broker quotes.
A small number of the Company’s securities are not priced by the independent pricing service.  One equity security is reported as a Level 3 fair value measurement at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, since no reliable observable inputs are used in its valuation.  This equity security continues to be reported at the fair value obtained from the Securities Valuation Office (SVO) of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).  The SVO establishes a per share price for this security based on an annual review of that company’s financial statements, typically performed during the second quarter.  The other securities not priced by the Company’s independent pricing service at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 include ten fixed maturity securities. Two of these fixed maturity securities, classified as Level 3 fair value measurements, are corporate securities that convey premium tax benefits and are not publicly traded. The fair values for these securities are based on discounted cash flow analyses. The other fixed maturity securities are classified as Level 2 fair value measurements.  The fair values for these fixed maturity securities were obtained from either the SVO or the Company's investment custodian using similar pricing techniques as the Company’s independent pricing service.
Presented in the table below are the estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.
31-Mar-15					Fair value measurements using
($ in thousands)		Total			Quoted		Significant			Significant
					prices in		other			unobservable
					active markets		observable			inputs
					for identical		inputs			(Level 3)
					assets		(Level 2)
					(Level 1)
Financial instruments reported at fair value on recurring basis:
Assets:
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale:
U.S. treasury		$	9,792		$	—	$	9,792		$	—
U.S. government-sponsored agencies		223,029			—		223,029			—
Obligations of states and political subdivisions		322,293			—		322,293			—
Commercial mortgage-backed		44,858			—		44,858			—
Residential mortgage-backed		94,331			—		94,331			—
Other asset-backed		14,985			—		14,985			—
Corporate		428,935			—		427,272			1,663
Total fixed maturity securities available-for-sale		1,138,223			—		1,136,560			1,663
Equity securities available-for-sale:
Common stocks:
Financial services		34,277			34,274		—			3
Information technology		27,380			27,380		—			—
Healthcare		29,199			29,199		—			—
Consumer staples		14,923			14,923		—			—
Consumer discretionary		24,559			24,559		—			—
Energy		23,582			23,582		—			—
Industrials		18,161			18,161		—			—
Other		14,744			14,744		—			—
Non-redeemable preferred stocks		12,732			8,039		4,693			—
Total equity securities available-for-sale		199,557			194,861		4,693			3
Short-term investments		47,233			47,233		—			—
Financial instruments not reported at fair value:
Liabilities:
Surplus notes		12,738			—		—			12,738
31-Dec-14					Fair value measurements using
($ in thousands)		Total			Quoted		Significant			Significant
					prices in		other			unobservable
					active markets		observable			inputs
					for identical		inputs			(Level 3)
					assets		(Level 2)
					(Level 1)
Financial instruments reported at fair value on recurring basis:
Assets:
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale:
U.S. treasury		$	9,703		$	—	$	9,703		$	—
U.S. government-sponsored agencies		215,616			—		215,616			—
Obligations of states and political subdivisions		326,058			—		326,058			—
Commercial mortgage-backed		46,762			—		46,762			—
Residential mortgage-backed		97,953			—		97,953			—
Other asset-backed		16,005			—		16,005			—
Corporate		415,402			—		413,740			1,662
Total fixed maturity securities available-for-sale		1,127,499			—		1,125,837			1,662
Equity securities available-for-sale:
Common stocks:
Financial services		34,379			34,376		—			3
Information technology		26,865			26,865		—			—
Healthcare		26,852			26,852		—			—
Consumer staples		16,694			16,694		—			—
Consumer discretionary		22,691			22,691		—			—
Energy		22,863			22,863		—			—
Industrials		18,221			18,221		—			—
Other		16,056			16,056		—			—
Non-redeemable preferred stocks		12,415			7,745		4,670			—
Total equity securities available-for-sale		197,036			192,363		4,670			3
Short-term investments		53,262			53,262		—			—
Financial instruments not reported at fair value:
Liabilities:
Surplus notes		12,308			—		—			12,308
Presented in the table below is a reconciliation of the assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.  Any unrealized gains or losses on these securities are recognized in other comprehensive income.  Any gains or losses from disposals or impairments of these securities are reported as realized investment gains or losses in net income.
		Fair value measurements using significant unobservable (Level 3) inputs ($ in thousands)
Three months ended March 31, 2015		Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, corporate			Equity securities		Total
					available-for-sale,
					financial services
Beginning balance		$	1,662		$	3	$	1,665
Settlements		(4		)	—		(4		)
Unrealized gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income		5			—		5
Balance at March 31, 2015		$	1,663		$	3	$	1,666
		Fair value measurements using significant unobservable (Level 3) inputs ($ in thousands)
Three months ended March 31, 2014		Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, corporate			Equity securities		Total
					available-for-sale,
					financial services
Beginning balance		$	1,976		$	3	$	1,979
Unrealized gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income		(1		)	—		(1		)
Balance at March 31, 2014		$	1,975		$	3	$	1,978
There were no transfers into or out of Levels 1 or 2 during the three months ended March 31, 2015 or 2014.  It is the Company’s policy to recognize transfers between levels at the beginning of the reporting period.

INVESTMENTS

INVESTMENTS	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
INVESTMENTS	INVESTMENTS
	Investments of the Company’s insurance subsidiaries are subject to the insurance laws of the state of their incorporation. These laws prescribe the kind, quality and concentration of investments that may be made by insurance companies.  In general, these laws permit investments, within specified limits and subject to certain qualifications, in federal, state and municipal obligations, corporate bonds, preferred and common stocks and real estate mortgages.  The Company believes that it is in compliance with these laws.
	The amortized cost and estimated fair value of securities available-for-sale as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are as follows.  All securities are classified as available-for-sale and are carried at fair value.
	March 31, 2015	Amortized			Gross			Gross		Estimated
		cost			unrealized			unrealized		fair value
	($ in thousands)				gains			losses
	Securities available-for-sale:
	Fixed maturity securities:
	U.S. treasury	$	9,582		$	210		$	—	$	9,792
	U.S. government-sponsored agencies	220,768			3,295			1,034		223,029
	Obligations of states and political subdivisions	294,630			27,704			41		322,293
	Commercial mortgage-backed	41,277			3,581			—		44,858
	Residential mortgage-backed	97,867			1,484			5,020		94,331
	Other asset-backed	13,742			1,243			—		14,985
	Corporate	406,439			22,727			231		428,935
	Total fixed maturity securities	1,084,305			60,244			6,326		1,138,223
	Equity securities:
	Common stocks:
	Financial services	23,724			10,719			166		34,277
	Information technology	17,470			9,964			54		27,380
	Healthcare	15,536			13,665			2		29,199
	Consumer staples	8,827			6,106			10		14,923
	Consumer discretionary	12,706			11,868			15		24,559
	Energy	16,375			7,558			351		23,582
	Industrials	9,555			8,695			89		18,161
	Other	11,143			3,669			68		14,744
	Non-redeemable preferred stocks	12,082			820			170		12,732
	Total equity securities	127,418			73,064			925		199,557
	Total securities available-for-sale	$	1,211,723		$	133,308		$	7,251	$	1,337,780
	December 31, 2014	Amortized			Gross			Gross		Estimated
		cost			unrealized			unrealized		fair value
	($ in thousands)				gains			losses
	Securities available-for-sale:
	Fixed maturity securities:
	U.S. treasury	$	9,574		$	129		$	—	$	9,703
	U.S. government-sponsored agencies	215,425			2,313			2,122		215,616
	Obligations of states and political subdivisions	299,258			26,840			40		326,058
	Commercial mortgage-backed	42,996			3,766			—		46,762
	Residential mortgage-backed	100,296			1,402			3,745		97,953
	Other asset-backed	14,798			1,213			6		16,005
	Corporate	397,659			18,485			742		415,402
	Total fixed maturity securities	1,080,006			54,148			6,655		1,127,499
	Equity securities:
	Common stocks:
	Financial services	22,586			11,835			42		34,379
	Information technology	15,755			11,110			—		26,865
	Healthcare	14,673			12,179			—		26,852
	Consumer staples	10,584			6,112			2		16,694
	Consumer discretionary	11,304			11,420			33		22,691
	Energy	15,837			7,458			432		22,863
	Industrials	9,658			8,596			33		18,221
	Other	11,493			4,563			—		16,056
	Non-redeemable preferred stocks	12,082			617			284		12,415
	Total equity securities	123,972			73,890			826		197,036
	Total securities available-for-sale	$	1,203,978		$	128,038		$	7,481	$	1,324,535
	The following table sets forth the estimated fair value and gross unrealized losses associated with investment securities that were in an unrealized loss position as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, listed by length of time the securities were in an unrealized loss position.
	March 31, 2015	Less than twelve months						Twelve months or longer				Total
	($ in thousands)	Fair			Unrealized			Fair		Unrealized		Fair		Unrealized
		value			losses			value		losses		value		losses
	Fixed maturity securities:
	U.S. government-sponsored agencies	$	51,725		$	226		$	37,523	$	808	$	89,248	$	1,034
	Obligations of states and political subdivisions	4,894			41			—		—		4,894		41
	Commercial mortgage-backed	221			—			—		—		221		—
	Residential mortgage-backed	18,318			1,161			23,684		3,859		42,002		5,020
Corporate	11,730			46			12,540		185		24,270		231
Total, fixed maturity securities	86,888			1,474			73,747		4,852		160,635		6,326
Equity securities:
Common stocks:
Financial services	5,130			158			57		8		5,187		166
Information technology	1,867			54			—		—		1,867		54
Healthcare	161			2			—		—		161		2
Consumer staples	266			10			—		—		266		10
Consumer discretionary	1,324			15			—		—		1,324		15
Energy	3,460			351			—		—		3,460		351
Industrials	2,189			89			—		—		2,189		89
Other	1,467			68			—		—		1,467		68
Non-redeemable preferred stocks	—			—			1,830		170		1,830		170
Total equity securities	15,864			747			1,887		178		17,751		925
Total temporarily impaired securities	$	102,752		$	2,221		$	75,634	$	5,030	$	178,386	$	7,251
December 31, 2014	Less than twelve months						Twelve months or longer				Total
($ in thousands)	Fair			Unrealized			Fair		Unrealized		Fair		Unrealized
	value			losses			value		losses		value		losses
Fixed maturity securities:
U.S. government-sponsored agencies	$	24,473		$	94		$	97,446	$	2,028	$	121,919	$	2,122
Obligations of states and political subdivisions	—			—			3,757		40		3,757		40
Commercial mortgage-backed	1,102			—			—		—		1,102		—
Residential mortgage-backed	21,451			1,252			21,163		2,493		42,614		3,745
Other asset-backed	1,889			6			—		—		1,889		6
Corporate	16,740			281			28,257		461		44,997		742
Total, fixed maturity securities	65,655			1,633			150,623		5,022		216,278		6,655
Equity securities:
Common stocks:
Financial services	1,162			9			187		33		1,349		42
Consumer staples	1,051			2			—		—		1,051		2
Consumer discretionary	822			33			—		—		822		33
Energy	4,298			432			—		—		4,298		432
Industrials	1,406			33			—		—		1,406		33
Non-redeemable preferred stocks	—			—			1,716		284		1,716		284
Total equity securities	8,739			509			1,903		317		10,642		826
Total temporarily impaired securities	$	74,394		$	2,142		$	152,526	$	5,339	$	226,920	$	7,481
Unrealized losses on fixed maturity securities did not materially change at March 31, 2015.  Most of these securities are considered investment grade by credit rating agencies. Because management does not intend to sell these securities, does not believe it will be required to sell these securities before recovery, and believes it will collect the amounts due on these securities, it was determined that these securities were not “other-than-temporarily” impaired at March 31, 2015.
No particular sector or individual security accounted for a material amount of unrealized losses on common stocks at March 31, 2015.  The Company believes the unrealized losses on common stocks are primarily due to general fluctuations in the equity markets.  Because the Company has the ability and intent to hold these securities for a reasonable amount of time to allow for recovery, it was determined that these securities were not “other-than-temporarily” impaired at March 31, 2015.
All of the Company’s preferred stock holdings are perpetual preferred stocks.  The Company evaluates perpetual preferred stocks with unrealized losses for “other-than-temporary” impairment similar to fixed maturity securities since they have debt-like characteristics such as periodic cash flows in the form of dividends and call features, are rated by rating agencies and are priced like other long-term callable fixed maturity securities.  There was no evidence of any credit deterioration in the issuers of the preferred stocks and the Company does not intend to sell these securities before recovery, nor does it believe it will be required to sell these securities before recovery; therefore, it was determined that these securities were not “other-than-temporarily” impaired at March 31, 2015.
The amortized cost and estimated fair value of fixed maturity securities at March 31, 2015, by contractual maturity, are shown below.  Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations, with or without call or prepayment penalties.
($ in thousands)	Amortized			Estimated
	cost			fair value
Securities available-for-sale:
Due in one year or less	$	40,128		$	40,717
Due after one year through five years	176,529			187,627
Due after five years through ten years	233,367			244,118
Due after ten years	495,137			526,572
Mortgage-backed securities	139,144			139,189
Totals	$	1,084,305		$	1,138,223
A summary of realized investment gains and (losses) is as follows:
	Three months ended March 31,
($ in thousands)	2015			2014
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale:
Gross realized investment gains	$	535		$	81
Gross realized investment losses	—			(92		)
Equity securities available-for-sale:
Gross realized investment gains	2,594			2,033
Gross realized investment losses	(329		)	(76		)
"Other-than-temporary" impairments	(618		)	(316		)
Other long-term investments:
Gross realized investment losses	(1,399		)	(368		)
Totals	$	783		$	1,262
Gains and losses realized on the disposition of investments are included in net income.  The cost of investments sold is determined on the specific identification method using the highest cost basis first.  The Company did not have any outstanding cumulative credit losses on fixed maturity securities that have been recognized in earnings from “other-than-temporary” impairments during any of the reported periods. The amounts reported as “other-than-temporary” impairments on equity securities do not include any individually significant items. The realized investment losses recognized on other long-term investments for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 represent changes in the carrying value of a limited partnership that is used solely to support an equity tail-risk hedging strategy.

CONTINGENT_LIABILITIES

CONTINGENT LIABILITIES	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
CONTINGENT LIABILITIES	CONTINGENT LIABILITIES
	The Company and Employers Mutual and its other subsidiaries are parties to numerous lawsuits arising in the normal course of the insurance business.  The Company believes that the resolution of these lawsuits will not have a material adverse effect on its financial condition or its results of operations.  The companies involved have established reserves which are believed adequate to cover any potential liabilities arising out of all such pending or threatened proceedings.
	The participants in the pooling agreement have purchased annuities from life insurance companies, under which the claimant is payee, to fund future payments that are fixed pursuant to specific claim settlement provisions.  The Company’s share of case loss reserves eliminated by the purchase of those annuities was $110,000 at December 31, 2014.  The Company had a contingent liability for the aggregate guaranteed amount of the annuities of $183,000 at December 31, 2014 should the issuers of those annuities fail to perform.  Although management is not able to verify the amount, the Company would likely have a similar contingent liability at March 31, 2015.  The probability of a material loss due to failure of performance by the issuers of these annuities is considered remote.

STOCK_REPURCHASE_PROGRAM

STOCK REPURCHASE PROGRAM	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
STOCK REPURCHASE PROGRAM	STOCK REPURCHASE PROGRAM
	On November 3, 2011, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a $15 million stock repurchase program.  This program became effective immediately and does not have an expiration date.  The timing and terms of the purchases are determined by management based on board approved parameters and market conditions, and are conducted in accordance with the applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Common stock repurchased under this program will be retired by the Company.  No purchases have been made under this program.

ACCUMULATED_OTHER_COMPREHENSIV

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
	The Company has available-for-sale securities and receives an allocation of the actuarial losses and net prior service credits associated with Employers Mutual’s pension and postretirement benefit plans, both of which generate accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) amounts.  The following table reconciles, by component, the beginning and ending balances of accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax.
			Accumulated other comprehensive income by component
	($ in thousands)		Unrealized			Unrecognized			Total
			gains (losses) on			pension and
			available-for-			postretirement
			sale securities			benefit obligations
	Balance at December 31, 2014		$	78,362		$	3,300		$	81,662
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications		4,993			—			4,993
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income		(1,418		)	(353		)	(1,771		)
	Other comprehensive income (loss)		3,575			(353		)	3,222
	Balance at March 31, 2015		$	81,937		$	2,947		$	84,884
	The following tables display amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income and into net income during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
			Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income
			($ in thousands)
	Accumulated other comprehensive		Three months ended			Affected line item in the
	income components		March 31, 2015			consolidated statements
						of income
	Unrealized gains on investments:
	Reclassification adjustment for realized investment gains included in net income		$	2,182		Net realized investment gains
	Deferred income tax expense		(764		)	Income tax expense, current
	Net reclassification adjustment		1,418
	Unrecognized pension and postretirement benefit obligations:
	Reclassification adjustment for amounts amortized into net periodic pension and postretirement benefit income:
	Net actuarial loss		(284		)	-1
	Prior service credit		827			-1
	Total before tax		543
	Deferred income tax expense		(190		)	Income tax expense, current
	Net reclassification adjustment		353
	Total reclassification adjustment		$	1,771
	-1	These reclassified accumulated other comprehensive income components are included in the computation of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit income (see Note 5, Employee Retirement Plans, for additional details).
			Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income
			($ in thousands)
	Accumulated other comprehensive		Three months ended March 31, 2014			Affected line item in the
	income components					consolidated statements
						of income
	Unrealized gains on investments:
	Reclassification adjustment for realized investment gains included in net income		$	1,630		Net realized investment gains
	Deferred income tax expense		(571		)	Income tax expense, current
	Net reclassification adjustment		1,059
	Unrecognized pension and postretirement benefit obligations:
	Reclassification adjustment for amounts amortized into net periodic pension and postretirement benefit income:
	Net actuarial loss		(136		)	-1
	Prior service credit		827			-1
	Total before tax		691
	Deferred income tax expense		(242		)	Income tax expense, current
	Net reclassification adjustment		449
	Total reclassification adjustment		$	1,508
	-1	These reclassified accumulated other comprehensive income components are included in the computation of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit income (see Note 5, Employee Retirement Plans, for additional details).

NEW_ACCOUNTING_PRONOUNCEMENTS

NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]
NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS	NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
	In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) updated its guidance related to the Revenue from Contracts with Customers Topic 606 of the Accounting Standards CodificationTM (Codification or ASC).  The objective of this update is to improve the reporting of revenue by providing a more robust framework for addressing revenue issues, and improved disclosure requirements. Current revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP is comprised of broad revenue recognition concepts together with numerous revenue requirements for particular industries or transactions, which sometimes result in different accounting for economically similar transactions. This guidance is to be applied retrospectively to annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016.  Early adoption is not permitted.  The Company will adopt this guidance during the first quarter of 2017. Since premium revenue from insurance contracts is excluded from the scope of this updated guidance, adoption is expected to have little or no impact on the consolidated financial condition or operating results of the Company. The Company's largest non-premium revenue item is service charges related to the billing of the pool participants' direct written premiums to policyholders, which is included in "Other income" in the consolidated statements of income.

SUBSEQUENT_EVENTS

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS	SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
	On May 7, 2015, the Company announced that its board of directors has approved a three-for-two stock split of the Company’s outstanding shares of common stock, to be effected in the form of a 50 percent stock dividend. Stockholders of record at the close of business on June 16, 2015 will receive one additional share of EMC Insurance Group Inc. common stock for every two shares of common stock held. The additional shares of EMC Insurance Group Inc. common stock will be distributed on June 23, 2015. The par value of the common stock will remain at $1.00 per share after the completion of the stock split.

REINSURANCE_Tables

REINSURANCE (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Reinsurance Disclosures [Abstract]
Schedule of reinsurance transactions for insurance companies	The effect of reinsurance on premiums written and earned, and losses and settlement expenses incurred, for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 is presented below.  The classification of the assumed and ceded reinsurance amounts between affiliates and nonaffiliates is based on the participants in the underlying reinsurance agreements, and is intended to provide an understanding of the actual source of the reinsurance activities.  This presentation differs from the classifications used in the consolidated financial statements, where all amounts flowing through the pooling, quota share and excess of loss agreements with Employers Mutual are reported as “affiliated” balances.
		Three months ended March 31, 2015
	($ in thousands)	Property and			Reinsurance			Total
		casualty
		insurance
	Premiums written
	Direct	$	88,760		$	—		$	88,760
	Assumed from nonaffiliates	971			37,977			38,948
	Assumed from affiliates	113,145			—			113,145
	Ceded to nonaffiliates	(5,320		)	(881		)	(6,201		)
	Ceded to affiliates	(88,760		)	(2,968		)	(91,728		)
	Net premiums written	$	108,796		$	34,128		$	142,924
	Premiums earned
	Direct	$	89,852		$	—		$	89,852
	Assumed from nonaffiliates	1,033			35,871			36,904
	Assumed from affiliates	112,761			—			112,761
	Ceded to nonaffiliates	(5,589		)	(2,377		)	(7,966		)
	Ceded to affiliates	(89,852		)	(2,968		)	(92,820		)
	Net premiums earned	$	108,205		$	30,526		$	138,731
	Losses and settlement expenses incurred
	Direct	$	35,437		$	—		$	35,437
	Assumed from nonaffiliates	546			20,900			21,446
	Assumed from affiliates	55,898			243			56,141
	Ceded to nonaffiliates	231			(1,926		)	(1,695		)
	Ceded to affiliates	(35,437		)	(107		)	(35,544		)
	Net losses and settlement expenses incurred	$	56,675		$	19,110		$	75,785
		Three months ended March 31, 2014
	($ in thousands)	Property and			Reinsurance			Total
		casualty
		insurance
	Premiums written
	Direct	$	90,040		$	—		$	90,040
	Assumed from nonaffiliates	788			39,514			40,302
	Assumed from affiliates	107,048			—			107,048
	Ceded to nonaffiliates	(5,322		)	(3,762		)	(9,084		)
	Ceded to affiliates	(90,041		)	(2,860		)	(92,901		)
	Net premiums written	$	102,513		$	32,892		$	135,405
	Premiums earned
	Direct	$	91,075		$	—		$	91,075
	Assumed from nonaffiliates	844			38,950			39,794
	Assumed from affiliates	105,881			—			105,881
	Ceded to nonaffiliates	(5,478		)	(4,257		)	(9,735		)
	Ceded to affiliates	(91,075		)	(2,860		)	(93,935		)
	Net premiums earned	$	101,247		$	31,833		$	133,080
	Losses and settlement expenses incurred
	Direct	$	48,010		$	—		$	48,010
	Assumed from nonaffiliates	602			24,400			25,002
	Assumed from affiliates	68,172			291			68,463
	Ceded to nonaffiliates	(1,048		)	(3,467		)	(4,515		)
	Ceded to affiliates	(48,010		)	19			(47,991		)
	Net losses and settlement expenses incurred	$	67,726		$	21,243		$	88,969

SEGMENT_INFORMATION_Tables

SEGMENT INFORMATION (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Summarized financial information for segments
	The Company’s operations consist of a property and casualty insurance segment and a reinsurance segment.  The property and casualty insurance segment writes both commercial and personal lines of insurance, with a focus on medium-sized commercial accounts.  The reinsurance segment provides reinsurance for other insurers and reinsurers.  The segments are managed separately due to differences in the insurance products sold and the business environments in which they operate.
	Summarized financial information for the Company’s segments is as follows:
	Three months ended March 31, 2015	Property and			Reinsurance			Parent			Consolidated
		casualty						company
	($ in thousands)	insurance
	Premiums earned	$	108,205		$	30,526		$	—		$	138,731
	Underwriting profit (loss)	14,078			3,006			—			17,084
	Net investment income (loss)	8,026			3,184			(4		)	11,206
	Realized investment gains	700			83			—			783
	Other income (loss)	182			1,433			—			1,615
	Interest expense	84			—			—			84
	Other expenses	206			—			461			667
	Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)	$	22,696		$	7,706		$	(465	)	$	29,937
	Assets	$	1,066,912		$	439,382		$	527,485		$	2,033,779
	Eliminations	—			—			(518,915		)	(518,915		)
	Reclassifications	—			—			(905		)	(905		)
	Total assets	$	1,066,912		$	439,382		$	7,665		$	1,513,959
	Three months ended March 31, 2014	Property and			Reinsurance			Parent			Consolidated
		casualty						company
	($ in thousands)	insurance
	Premiums earned	$	101,247		$	31,833		$	—		$	133,080
	Underwriting profit (loss)	(475		)	2,825			—			2,350
	Net investment income (loss)	8,616			3,243			(4		)	11,855
	Realized investment gains	1,011			251			—			1,262
	Other income (loss)	201			(167		)	—			34
	Interest expense	84			—			—			84
	Other expenses	174			—			354			528
	Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)	$	9,095		$	6,152		$	(358	)	$	14,889
	Year ended December 31, 2014
	Assets	$	1,057,429		$	434,139		$	503,008		$	1,994,576
	Eliminations	—			—			(495,288		)	(495,288		)
	Reclassifications	(909		)	—			(559		)	(1,468		)
	Total assets	$	1,056,520		$	434,139		$	7,161		$	1,497,820
Summary of net premiums earned by line of insurance	The following table displays the net premiums earned of the property and casualty insurance segment and the reinsurance segment for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, by line of insurance.
		Three months ended March 31,
	($ in thousands)	2015			2014
	Property and casualty insurance segment
	Commercial lines:
	Automobile	$	25,396		$	22,802
	Property	25,066			23,317
	Workers' compensation	22,367			21,053
	Liability	22,416			20,455
	Other	1,966			1,779
	Total commercial lines	97,211			89,406
	Personal lines:
	Automobile	5,817			6,411
	Property	4,974			5,244
	Liability	203			186
	Total personal lines	10,994			11,841
	Total property and casualty insurance	$	108,205		$	101,247
	Reinsurance segment
	Pro rata reinsurance:
	Property and liability	$	1,239		$	1,064
	Property	3,567			5,777
	Crop	294			438
	Liability	3,801			2,792
	Marine	3,403			3,411
	Total pro rata reinsurance	12,304			13,482
	Excess of loss reinsurance:
	Property	14,462			15,459
	Liability	3,756			2,891
	Surety	4			1
	Total excess of loss reinsurance	18,222			18,351
	Total reinsurance	$	30,526		$	31,833
	Consolidated	$	138,731		$	133,080

INCOME_TAXES_Tables

INCOME TAXES (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Reconciliation of income tax expense (benefit)	The actual income tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 differed from the “expected” income tax expense for those periods (computed by applying the United States federal corporate tax rate of 35 percent to income before income tax expense) as follows:
		Three months ended
		March 31,
	($ in thousands)	2015			2014
	Computed "expected" income tax expense	$	10,478		$	5,211
	Increases (decreases) in tax resulting from:
	Tax-exempt interest income	(698		)	(944		)
	Dividends received deduction	(258		)	(220		)
	Proration of tax-exempt interest and dividends received deduction	143			175
	Other, net	(58		)	72
	Total income tax expense	$	9,607		$	4,294

EMPLOYEE_RETIREMENT_PLANS_Tabl

EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT PLANS (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Components of net periodic benefit cost	The components of net periodic benefit cost (income) for Employers Mutual’s pension and postretirement benefit plans is as follows:
		Three months ended
		March 31,
	($ in thousands)	2015			2014
	Pension plans:
	Service cost	$	3,644		$	3,191
	Interest cost	2,278			2,381
	Expected return on plan assets	(5,075		)	(5,183		)
	Amortization of net actuarial loss	517			64
	Amortization of prior service cost	8			8
	Net periodic pension benefit cost	$	1,372		$	461
	Postretirement benefit plans:
	Service cost	$	353		$	315
	Interest cost	537			564
	Expected return on plan assets	(1,104		)	(1,099		)
	Amortization of net actuarial loss	436			413
	Amortization of prior service credit	(2,866		)	(2,867		)
	Net periodic postretirement benefit income	$	(2,644	)	$	(2,674	)

DISCLOSURES_ABOUT_THE_FAIR_VAL1

DISCLOSURES ABOUT THE FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Summary of carrying amount and estimated fair value of financial instruments	The carrying amount and the estimated fair value of the Company’s financial instruments is summarized below.
	March 31, 2015	Carrying			Estimated
	($ in thousands)	amount			fair value
	Assets:
	Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale:
	U.S. treasury	$	9,792		$	9,792
	U.S. government-sponsored agencies	223,029			223,029
	Obligations of states and political subdivisions	322,293			322,293
	Commercial mortgage-backed	44,858			44,858
	Residential mortgage-backed	94,331			94,331
	Other asset-backed	14,985			14,985
	Corporate	428,935			428,935
	Total fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	1,138,223			1,138,223
	Equity securities available-for-sale:
	Common stocks:
	Financial services	34,277			34,277
	Information technology	27,380			27,380
	Healthcare	29,199			29,199
	Consumer staples	14,923			14,923
	Consumer discretionary	24,559			24,559
	Energy	23,582			23,582
	Industrials	18,161			18,161
	Other	14,744			14,744
	Non-redeemable preferred stocks	12,732			12,732
	Total equity securities available-for-sale	199,557			199,557
	Short-term investments	47,233			47,233
	Liabilities:
	Surplus notes	25,000			12,738
	December 31, 2014	Carrying			Estimated
	($ in thousands)	amount			fair value
	Assets:
	Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale:
	U.S. treasury	$	9,703		$	9,703
	U.S. government-sponsored agencies	215,616			215,616
	Obligations of states and political subdivisions	326,058			326,058
	Commercial mortgage-backed	46,762			46,762
	Residential mortgage-backed	97,953			97,953
	Other asset-backed	16,005			16,005
	Corporate	415,402			415,402
	Total fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	1,127,499			1,127,499
	Equity securities available-for-sale:
	Common stocks:
	Financial services	34,379			34,379
	Information technology	26,865			26,865
	Healthcare	26,852			26,852
	Consumer staples	16,694			16,694
	Consumer discretionary	22,691			22,691
	Energy	22,863			22,863
	Industrials	18,221			18,221
	Other	16,056			16,056
	Non-redeemable preferred stocks	12,415			12,415
	Total equity securities available-for-sale	197,036			197,036
	Short-term investments	53,262			53,262
	Liabilities:
	Surplus notes	25,000			12,308
Summary of assets and liabilities measured on recurring and non-recurring basis	Presented in the table below are the estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.
	31-Mar-15				Fair value measurements using
	($ in thousands)	Total			Quoted		Significant			Significant
					prices in		other			unobservable
					active markets		observable			inputs
					for identical		inputs			(Level 3)
					assets		(Level 2)
					(Level 1)
	Financial instruments reported at fair value on recurring basis:
	Assets:
	Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale:
	U.S. treasury	$	9,792		$	—	$	9,792		$	—
	U.S. government-sponsored agencies	223,029			—		223,029			—
	Obligations of states and political subdivisions	322,293			—		322,293			—
	Commercial mortgage-backed	44,858			—		44,858			—
	Residential mortgage-backed	94,331			—		94,331			—
	Other asset-backed	14,985			—		14,985			—
	Corporate	428,935			—		427,272			1,663
	Total fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	1,138,223			—		1,136,560			1,663
	Equity securities available-for-sale:
	Common stocks:
	Financial services	34,277			34,274		—			3
	Information technology	27,380			27,380		—			—
	Healthcare	29,199			29,199		—			—
	Consumer staples	14,923			14,923		—			—
	Consumer discretionary	24,559			24,559		—			—
	Energy	23,582			23,582		—			—
	Industrials	18,161			18,161		—			—
	Other	14,744			14,744		—			—
	Non-redeemable preferred stocks	12,732			8,039		4,693			—
	Total equity securities available-for-sale	199,557			194,861		4,693			3
	Short-term investments	47,233			47,233		—			—
	Financial instruments not reported at fair value:
	Liabilities:
	Surplus notes	12,738			—		—			12,738
	31-Dec-14				Fair value measurements using
	($ in thousands)	Total			Quoted		Significant			Significant
					prices in		other			unobservable
					active markets		observable			inputs
					for identical		inputs			(Level 3)
					assets		(Level 2)
					(Level 1)
	Financial instruments reported at fair value on recurring basis:
	Assets:
	Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale:
	U.S. treasury	$	9,703		$	—	$	9,703		$	—
	U.S. government-sponsored agencies	215,616			—		215,616			—
	Obligations of states and political subdivisions	326,058			—		326,058			—
	Commercial mortgage-backed	46,762			—		46,762			—
	Residential mortgage-backed	97,953			—		97,953			—
	Other asset-backed	16,005			—		16,005			—
	Corporate	415,402			—		413,740			1,662
	Total fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	1,127,499			—		1,125,837			1,662
	Equity securities available-for-sale:
	Common stocks:
	Financial services	34,379			34,376		—			3
	Information technology	26,865			26,865		—			—
	Healthcare	26,852			26,852		—			—
	Consumer staples	16,694			16,694		—			—
	Consumer discretionary	22,691			22,691		—			—
	Energy	22,863			22,863		—			—
	Industrials	18,221			18,221		—			—
	Other	16,056			16,056		—			—
	Non-redeemable preferred stocks	12,415			7,745		4,670			—
Total equity securities available-for-sale	197,036			192,363		4,670			3
Short-term investments	53,262			53,262		—			—
Financial instruments not reported at fair value:
Liabilities:
Surplus notes	12,308			—		—			12,308
Reconciliation of assets measured at fair value on recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs	Presented in the table below is a reconciliation of the assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.  Any unrealized gains or losses on these securities are recognized in other comprehensive income.  Any gains or losses from disposals or impairments of these securities are reported as realized investment gains or losses in net income.
		Fair value measurements using significant unobservable (Level 3) inputs ($ in thousands)
	Three months ended March 31, 2015	Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, corporate			Equity securities		Total
					available-for-sale,
					financial services
	Beginning balance	$	1,662		$	3	$	1,665
	Settlements	(4		)	—		(4		)
	Unrealized gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income	5			—		5
	Balance at March 31, 2015	$	1,663		$	3	$	1,666
		Fair value measurements using significant unobservable (Level 3) inputs ($ in thousands)
	Three months ended March 31, 2014	Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, corporate			Equity securities		Total
					available-for-sale,
					financial services
	Beginning balance	$	1,976		$	3	$	1,979
	Unrealized gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income	(1		)	—		(1		)
	Balance at March 31, 2014	$	1,975		$	3	$	1,978

INVESTMENTS_Tables

INVESTMENTS (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Reconciliation of available-for-sale securities from cost basis to fair value	The amortized cost and estimated fair value of securities available-for-sale as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are as follows.  All securities are classified as available-for-sale and are carried at fair value.
	March 31, 2015	Amortized			Gross			Gross		Estimated
		cost			unrealized			unrealized		fair value
	($ in thousands)				gains			losses
	Securities available-for-sale:
	Fixed maturity securities:
	U.S. treasury	$	9,582		$	210		$	—	$	9,792
	U.S. government-sponsored agencies	220,768			3,295			1,034		223,029
	Obligations of states and political subdivisions	294,630			27,704			41		322,293
	Commercial mortgage-backed	41,277			3,581			—		44,858
	Residential mortgage-backed	97,867			1,484			5,020		94,331
	Other asset-backed	13,742			1,243			—		14,985
	Corporate	406,439			22,727			231		428,935
	Total fixed maturity securities	1,084,305			60,244			6,326		1,138,223
	Equity securities:
	Common stocks:
	Financial services	23,724			10,719			166		34,277
	Information technology	17,470			9,964			54		27,380
	Healthcare	15,536			13,665			2		29,199
	Consumer staples	8,827			6,106			10		14,923
	Consumer discretionary	12,706			11,868			15		24,559
	Energy	16,375			7,558			351		23,582
	Industrials	9,555			8,695			89		18,161
	Other	11,143			3,669			68		14,744
	Non-redeemable preferred stocks	12,082			820			170		12,732
	Total equity securities	127,418			73,064			925		199,557
	Total securities available-for-sale	$	1,211,723		$	133,308		$	7,251	$	1,337,780
	December 31, 2014	Amortized			Gross			Gross		Estimated
		cost			unrealized			unrealized		fair value
	($ in thousands)				gains			losses
	Securities available-for-sale:
	Fixed maturity securities:
	U.S. treasury	$	9,574		$	129		$	—	$	9,703
	U.S. government-sponsored agencies	215,425			2,313			2,122		215,616
	Obligations of states and political subdivisions	299,258			26,840			40		326,058
	Commercial mortgage-backed	42,996			3,766			—		46,762
	Residential mortgage-backed	100,296			1,402			3,745		97,953
	Other asset-backed	14,798			1,213			6		16,005
	Corporate	397,659			18,485			742		415,402
	Total fixed maturity securities	1,080,006			54,148			6,655		1,127,499
	Equity securities:
	Common stocks:
	Financial services	22,586			11,835			42		34,379
	Information technology	15,755			11,110			—		26,865
	Healthcare	14,673			12,179			—		26,852
	Consumer staples	10,584			6,112			2		16,694
	Consumer discretionary	11,304			11,420			33		22,691
	Energy	15,837			7,458			432		22,863
	Industrials	9,658			8,596			33		18,221
	Other	11,493			4,563			—		16,056
	Non-redeemable preferred stocks	12,082			617			284		12,415
	Total equity securities	123,972			73,890			826		197,036
	Total securities available-for-sale	$	1,203,978		$	128,038		$	7,481	$	1,324,535
Estimated fair value and gross unrealized losses associated with investment securities	The following table sets forth the estimated fair value and gross unrealized losses associated with investment securities that were in an unrealized loss position as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, listed by length of time the securities were in an unrealized loss position.
	March 31, 2015	Less than twelve months						Twelve months or longer				Total
	($ in thousands)	Fair			Unrealized			Fair		Unrealized		Fair		Unrealized
		value			losses			value		losses		value		losses
	Fixed maturity securities:
	U.S. government-sponsored agencies	$	51,725		$	226		$	37,523	$	808	$	89,248	$	1,034
	Obligations of states and political subdivisions	4,894			41			—		—		4,894		41
	Commercial mortgage-backed	221			—			—		—		221		—
	Residential mortgage-backed	18,318			1,161			23,684		3,859		42,002		5,020
	Corporate	11,730			46			12,540		185		24,270		231
	Total, fixed maturity securities	86,888			1,474			73,747		4,852		160,635		6,326
	Equity securities:
	Common stocks:
	Financial services	5,130			158			57		8		5,187		166
	Information technology	1,867			54			—		—		1,867		54
	Healthcare	161			2			—		—		161		2
	Consumer staples	266			10			—		—		266		10
	Consumer discretionary	1,324			15			—		—		1,324		15
	Energy	3,460			351			—		—		3,460		351
	Industrials	2,189			89			—		—		2,189		89
	Other	1,467			68			—		—		1,467		68
	Non-redeemable preferred stocks	—			—			1,830		170		1,830		170
	Total equity securities	15,864			747			1,887		178		17,751		925
	Total temporarily impaired securities	$	102,752		$	2,221		$	75,634	$	5,030	$	178,386	$	7,251
	December 31, 2014	Less than twelve months						Twelve months or longer				Total
	($ in thousands)	Fair			Unrealized			Fair		Unrealized		Fair		Unrealized
		value			losses			value		losses		value		losses
	Fixed maturity securities:
	U.S. government-sponsored agencies	$	24,473		$	94		$	97,446	$	2,028	$	121,919	$	2,122
	Obligations of states and political subdivisions	—			—			3,757		40		3,757		40
	Commercial mortgage-backed	1,102			—			—		—		1,102		—
	Residential mortgage-backed	21,451			1,252			21,163		2,493		42,614		3,745
	Other asset-backed	1,889			6			—		—		1,889		6
	Corporate	16,740			281			28,257		461		44,997		742
	Total, fixed maturity securities	65,655			1,633			150,623		5,022		216,278		6,655
	Equity securities:
	Common stocks:
	Financial services	1,162			9			187		33		1,349		42
	Consumer staples	1,051			2			—		—		1,051		2
	Consumer discretionary	822			33			—		—		822		33
	Energy	4,298			432			—		—		4,298		432
	Industrials	1,406			33			—		—		1,406		33
	Non-redeemable preferred stocks	—			—			1,716		284		1,716		284
	Total equity securities	8,739			509			1,903		317		10,642		826
	Total temporarily impaired securities	$	74,394		$	2,142		$	152,526	$	5,339	$	226,920	$	7,481
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of fixed maturity securities	The amortized cost and estimated fair value of fixed maturity securities at March 31, 2015, by contractual maturity, are shown below.  Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations, with or without call or prepayment penalties.
	($ in thousands)	Amortized			Estimated
		cost			fair value
	Securities available-for-sale:
	Due in one year or less	$	40,128		$	40,717
	Due after one year through five years	176,529			187,627
	Due after five years through ten years	233,367			244,118
	Due after ten years	495,137			526,572
	Mortgage-backed securities	139,144			139,189
	Totals	$	1,084,305		$	1,138,223
Summary of realized investment gains and (losses)	A summary of realized investment gains and (losses) is as follows:
		Three months ended March 31,
	($ in thousands)	2015			2014
	Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale:
	Gross realized investment gains	$	535		$	81
	Gross realized investment losses	—			(92		)
	Equity securities available-for-sale:
	Gross realized investment gains	2,594			2,033
	Gross realized investment losses	(329		)	(76		)
	"Other-than-temporary" impairments	(618		)	(316		)
	Other long-term investments:
	Gross realized investment losses	(1,399		)	(368		)
	Totals	$	783		$	1,262

ACCUMULATED_OTHER_COMPREHENSIV1

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Schedule of beginning and ending balances of accumulated other comprehensive income	The following table reconciles, by component, the beginning and ending balances of accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax.
			Accumulated other comprehensive income by component
	($ in thousands)		Unrealized			Unrecognized			Total
			gains (losses) on			pension and
			available-for-			postretirement
			sale securities			benefit obligations
	Balance at December 31, 2014		$	78,362		$	3,300		$	81,662
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications		4,993			—			4,993
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income		(1,418		)	(353		)	(1,771		)
	Other comprehensive income (loss)		3,575			(353		)	3,222
	Balance at March 31, 2015		$	81,937		$	2,947		$	84,884
Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	The following tables display amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income and into net income during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
			Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income
			($ in thousands)
	Accumulated other comprehensive		Three months ended			Affected line item in the
	income components		March 31, 2015			consolidated statements
						of income
	Unrealized gains on investments:
	Reclassification adjustment for realized investment gains included in net income		$	2,182		Net realized investment gains
	Deferred income tax expense		(764		)	Income tax expense, current
	Net reclassification adjustment		1,418
	Unrecognized pension and postretirement benefit obligations:
	Reclassification adjustment for amounts amortized into net periodic pension and postretirement benefit income:
	Net actuarial loss		(284		)	-1
	Prior service credit		827			-1
	Total before tax		543
	Deferred income tax expense		(190		)	Income tax expense, current
	Net reclassification adjustment		353
	Total reclassification adjustment		$	1,771
	-1	These reclassified accumulated other comprehensive income components are included in the computation of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit income (see Note 5, Employee Retirement Plans, for additional details).
			Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income
			($ in thousands)
	Accumulated other comprehensive		Three months ended March 31, 2014			Affected line item in the
	income components					consolidated statements
						of income
	Unrealized gains on investments:
	Reclassification adjustment for realized investment gains included in net income		$	1,630		Net realized investment gains
	Deferred income tax expense		(571		)	Income tax expense, current
	Net reclassification adjustment		1,059
	Unrecognized pension and postretirement benefit obligations:
	Reclassification adjustment for amounts amortized into net periodic pension and postretirement benefit income:
	Net actuarial loss		(136		)	-1
	Prior service credit		827			-1
	Total before tax		691
	Deferred income tax expense		(242		)	Income tax expense, current
	Net reclassification adjustment		449
	Total reclassification adjustment		$	1,508
	-1	These reclassified accumulated other comprehensive income components are included in the computation of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit income (see Note 5, Employee Retirement Plans, for additional details).

BASIS_OF_PRESENTATION_Details

BASIS OF PRESENTATION (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Payments to Acquire Investments [Abstract]
Payments to Acquire Universa Limited Partnership Interest	$4,000	$4,400

REINSURANCE_Details

REINSURANCE (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Premiums written
Net premiums written	$142,924	$135,405
Premiums earned
Net premiums earned	138,731	133,080
Losses and settlement expenses incurred
Net losses and settlement expenses incurred	75,785	88,969
Affiliated Entity [Member]
Premiums written
Assumed	113,145	107,048
Ceded	-91,728	-92,901
Premiums earned
Assumed	112,761	105,881
Ceded	-92,820	-93,935
Losses and settlement expenses incurred
Assumed	56,141	68,463
Ceded	-35,544	-47,991
Non Affiliated Entity [Member]
Premiums written
Direct	88,760	90,040
Assumed	38,948	40,302
Ceded	-6,201	-9,084
Premiums earned
Direct	89,852	91,075
Assumed	36,904	39,794
Ceded	-7,966	-9,735
Losses and settlement expenses incurred
Direct	35,437	48,010
Assumed	21,446	25,002
Ceded	-1,695	-4,515
Property and casualty insurance [Member]
Reinsurance Transactions For Insurance Companies, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Percentage of pool participation (in hundredths)	30.00%	30.00%
Premiums written
Net premiums written	108,796	102,513
Premiums earned
Net premiums earned	108,205	101,247
Losses and settlement expenses incurred
Net losses and settlement expenses incurred	56,675	67,726
Property and casualty insurance [Member] | Affiliated Entity [Member]
Premiums written
Assumed	113,145	107,048
Ceded	-88,760	-90,041
Premiums earned
Assumed	112,761	105,881
Ceded	-89,852	-91,075
Losses and settlement expenses incurred
Assumed	55,898	68,172
Ceded	-35,437	-48,010
Property and casualty insurance [Member] | Non Affiliated Entity [Member]
Premiums written
Direct	88,760	90,040
Assumed	971	788
Ceded	-5,320	-5,322
Premiums earned
Direct	89,852	91,075
Assumed	1,033	844
Ceded	-5,589	-5,478
Losses and settlement expenses incurred
Direct	35,437	48,010
Assumed	546	602
Ceded	231	-1,048
Reinsurance [Member]
Premiums written
Net premiums written	34,128	32,892
Premiums earned
Net premiums earned	30,526	31,833
Losses and settlement expenses incurred
Net losses and settlement expenses incurred	19,110	21,243
Reinsurance [Member] | Affiliated Entity [Member]
Premiums written
Assumed	0	0
Ceded	-2,968	-2,860
Premiums earned
Assumed	0	0
Ceded	-2,968	-2,860
Losses and settlement expenses incurred
Assumed	243	291
Ceded	-107	19
Reinsurance [Member] | Non Affiliated Entity [Member]
Premiums written
Direct	0	0
Assumed	37,977	39,514
Ceded	-881	-3,762
Premiums earned
Direct	0	0
Assumed	35,871	38,950
Ceded	-2,377	-4,257
Losses and settlement expenses incurred
Direct	0	0
Assumed	20,900	24,400
Ceded	($1,926)	($3,467)

SEGMENT_INFORMATION_Summarized

SEGMENT INFORMATION - Summarized financial information by segment (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Reconciliation of operating profit loss from segment to consolidated
Premiums earned	$138,731	$133,080
Underwriting profit (loss)	17,084	2,350
Net investment income (loss)	11,206	11,855
Realized investment gains	783	1,262
Other income (loss)	1,615	34
Interest expense	84	84
Other expenses	667	528
Income before income tax expense	29,937	14,889
Reconciliation of assets from segment to consolidated
Assets	2,033,779		1,994,576
Eliminations	-518,915		-495,288
Reclassifications	-905		-1,468
Total assets	1,513,959		1,497,820
Property and casualty insurance [Member]
Reconciliation of operating profit loss from segment to consolidated
Premiums earned	108,205	101,247
Underwriting profit (loss)	14,078	-475
Net investment income (loss)	8,026	8,616
Realized investment gains	700	1,011
Other income (loss)	182	201
Interest expense	84	84
Other expenses	206	174
Income before income tax expense	22,696	9,095
Reconciliation of assets from segment to consolidated
Assets	1,066,912		1,057,429
Eliminations	0		0
Reclassifications	0		-909
Total assets	1,066,912		1,056,520
Reinsurance [Member]
Reconciliation of operating profit loss from segment to consolidated
Premiums earned	30,526	31,833
Underwriting profit (loss)	3,006	2,825
Net investment income (loss)	3,184	3,243
Realized investment gains	83	251
Other income (loss)	1,433	-167
Interest expense	0	0
Other expenses	0	0
Income before income tax expense	7,706	6,152
Reconciliation of assets from segment to consolidated
Assets	439,382		434,139
Eliminations	0		0
Reclassifications	0		0
Total assets	439,382		434,139
Parent company [Member]
Reconciliation of operating profit loss from segment to consolidated
Premiums earned	0	0
Underwriting profit (loss)	0	0
Net investment income (loss)	-4	-4
Realized investment gains	0	0
Other income (loss)	0	0
Interest expense	0	0
Other expenses	461	354
Income before income tax expense	-465	-358
Reconciliation of assets from segment to consolidated
Assets	527,485		503,008
Eliminations	-518,915		-495,288
Reclassifications	-905		-559
Total assets	$7,665		$7,161

SEGMENT_INFORMATION_Net_premiu

SEGMENT INFORMATION - Net premiums earned by segment and lines of insurance (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Premiums earned	$138,731	$133,080
Property and casualty insurance [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Premiums earned	108,205	101,247
Property and casualty insurance [Member] | Commercial Lines [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Premiums earned	97,211	89,406
Property and casualty insurance [Member] | Commercial Lines [Member] | Automobile Insurance L O B [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Premiums earned	25,396	22,802
Property and casualty insurance [Member] | Commercial Lines [Member] | Property Insurance L O B [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Premiums earned	25,066	23,317
Property and casualty insurance [Member] | Commercial Lines [Member] | Workers Compensation Insurance L O B [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Premiums earned	22,367	21,053
Property and casualty insurance [Member] | Commercial Lines [Member] | Liability Insurance L O B [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Premiums earned	22,416	20,455
Property and casualty insurance [Member] | Commercial Lines [Member] | Other Insurance L O B [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Premiums earned	1,966	1,779
Property and casualty insurance [Member] | Personal Lines [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Premiums earned	10,994	11,841
Property and casualty insurance [Member] | Personal Lines [Member] | Automobile Insurance L O B [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Premiums earned	5,817	6,411
Property and casualty insurance [Member] | Personal Lines [Member] | Property Insurance L O B [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Premiums earned	4,974	5,244
Property and casualty insurance [Member] | Personal Lines [Member] | Liability Insurance L O B [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Premiums earned	203	186
Reinsurance [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Premiums earned	30,526	31,833
Reinsurance [Member] | Pro rata reinsurance [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Premiums earned	12,304	13,482
Reinsurance [Member] | Pro rata reinsurance [Member] | Property And Liability Insurance L O B [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Premiums earned	1,239	1,064
Reinsurance [Member] | Pro rata reinsurance [Member] | Property Insurance L O B [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Premiums earned	3,567	5,777
Reinsurance [Member] | Pro rata reinsurance [Member] | Crop Insurance L O B [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Premiums earned	294	438
Reinsurance [Member] | Pro rata reinsurance [Member] | Liability Insurance L O B [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Premiums earned	3,801	2,792
Reinsurance [Member] | Pro rata reinsurance [Member] | Marine And Aviation Insurance L O B [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Premiums earned	3,403	3,411
Reinsurance [Member] | Excess of loss reinsurance [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Premiums earned	18,222	18,351
Reinsurance [Member] | Excess of loss reinsurance [Member] | Property Insurance L O B [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Premiums earned	14,462	15,459
Reinsurance [Member] | Excess of loss reinsurance [Member] | Liability Insurance L O B [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Premiums earned	3,756	2,891
Reinsurance [Member] | Excess of loss reinsurance [Member] | Fidelity And Surety Insurance L O B [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Premiums earned	$4	$1

INCOME_TAXES_Details

INCOME TAXES (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Income tax expense (benefit) reconciliation [Abstract]
United States federal corporate tax rate (in hundredths)	35.00%	35.00%
Computed expected income tax expense	$10,478	$5,211
Increases (decreases) in tax resulting from:
Tax-exempt interest income	-698	-944
Dividends received deduction	-258	-220
Proration of tax-exempt interest and dividends received deduction	143	175
Other, net	-58	72
Total income tax expense	9,607	4,294
Provision for uncertain tax positions	$0		$0

EMPLOYEE_RETIREMENT_PLANS_Deta

EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT PLANS (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Pension plans [Member] | Emc Insurance Companies [Member]
Components of net periodic benefit cost [Abstract]
Service cost	$3,644	$3,191
Interest cost	2,278	2,381
Expected return on plan assets	-5,075	-5,183
Amortization of net actuarial loss	517	64
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)	8	8
Net periodic benefit cost (income)	1,372	461
Pension plans [Member] | EMC Insurance Group, Inc. [Member]
Components of net periodic benefit cost [Abstract]
Net periodic benefit cost (income)	421	144
Entity's share of estimated contributions to employee benefit plan	2,100
Postretirement benefit plans [Member] | Emc Insurance Companies [Member]
Components of net periodic benefit cost [Abstract]
Service cost	353	315
Interest cost	537	564
Expected return on plan assets	-1,104	-1,099
Amortization of net actuarial loss	436	413
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)	-2,866	-2,867
Net periodic benefit cost (income)	-2,644	-2,674
Postretirement benefit plans [Member] | EMC Insurance Group, Inc. [Member]
Components of net periodic benefit cost [Abstract]
Net periodic benefit cost (income)	-762	-771
Entity's share of estimated contributions to employee benefit plan	$0

STOCKBASED_COMPENSATION_Detail

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
	Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of stock option plans	2
Recognized compensation expense	$73	$51
Recognized compensation expense, net of tax	$48	$33
Employers Mutual Casualty Company Incentive Stock Option 2003 Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Registered shares (in shares)	1,500,000
Time limit for granting awards	10 years	10 years
Employers Mutual Casualty Company Stock Incentive 2007 Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Registered shares (in shares)	2,000,000
Time limit for granting awards	10 years	10 years
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period	4 years	4 years
Number of restricted stock shares granted during period (in shares)	68,764
Number of restricted stock shares vested during period (in shares)	27,357
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period	5 years	5 years
Options exercised during period (in shares)	92,017
Weighted average exercise price of options exercised during period (in dollars per share)	$21.39

DISCLOSURES_ABOUT_THE_FAIR_VAL2

DISCLOSURES ABOUT THE FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	$1,337,780	$1,324,535
Short-term investments	47,233	53,262
Liabilities [Abstract]
Surplus notes	25,000	25,000
Period for surplus notes included in assumptions	25 years	25 years
Current interest rate on surplus notes	1.35%	1.35%
Upward adjustment to fair value input discount rate (percent)	0.50%	0.50%
Period after which rate is adjusted	5 years	5 years
Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Number Of Broker Quoted Securities	0	0
Number of securities not priced by independent pricing service	10	10
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	1,138,223	1,127,499
US Treasury Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	9,792	9,703
US Government-sponsored Enterprises Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	223,029	215,616
US States and Political Subdivisions Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	322,293	326,058
Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	44,858	46,762
Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	94,331	97,953
Collateralized Debt Obligations [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	14,985	16,005
Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	428,935	415,402
Equity Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	199,557	197,036
Common stocks Financial services [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	34,277	34,379
Common stocks Information technology [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	27,380	26,865
Common stocks Healthcare [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	29,199	26,852
Common stocks Consumer staples [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	14,923	16,694
Common stocks Consumer discretionary [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	24,559	22,691
Common stocks Energy [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	23,582	22,863
Common stocks Industrials [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	18,161	18,221
Common stocks Other [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	14,744	16,056
Nonredeemable Preferred Stock [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	12,732	12,415
Carrying amount [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Short-term investments	47,233	53,262
Liabilities [Abstract]
Surplus notes	25,000	25,000
Carrying amount [Member] | Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	1,138,223	1,127,499
Carrying amount [Member] | US Treasury Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	9,792	9,703
Carrying amount [Member] | US Government-sponsored Enterprises Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	223,029	215,616
Carrying amount [Member] | US States and Political Subdivisions Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	322,293	326,058
Carrying amount [Member] | Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	44,858	46,762
Carrying amount [Member] | Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	94,331	97,953
Carrying amount [Member] | Collateralized Debt Obligations [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	14,985	16,005
Carrying amount [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	428,935	415,402
Carrying amount [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	199,557	197,036
Carrying amount [Member] | Common stocks Financial services [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	34,277	34,379
Carrying amount [Member] | Common stocks Information technology [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	27,380	26,865
Carrying amount [Member] | Common stocks Healthcare [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	29,199	26,852
Carrying amount [Member] | Common stocks Consumer staples [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	14,923	16,694
Carrying amount [Member] | Common stocks Consumer discretionary [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	24,559	22,691
Carrying amount [Member] | Common stocks Energy [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	23,582	22,863
Carrying amount [Member] | Common stocks Industrials [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	18,161	18,221
Carrying amount [Member] | Common stocks Other [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	14,744	16,056
Carrying amount [Member] | Nonredeemable Preferred Stock [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	12,732	12,415
Estimated fair value [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Short-term investments	47,233	53,262
Liabilities [Abstract]
Surplus notes	12,738	12,308
Estimated fair value [Member] | Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	1,138,223	1,127,499
Estimated fair value [Member] | US Treasury Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	9,792	9,703
Estimated fair value [Member] | US Government-sponsored Enterprises Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	223,029	215,616
Estimated fair value [Member] | US States and Political Subdivisions Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	322,293	326,058
Estimated fair value [Member] | Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	44,858	46,762
Estimated fair value [Member] | Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	94,331	97,953
Estimated fair value [Member] | Collateralized Debt Obligations [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	14,985	16,005
Estimated fair value [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	428,935	415,402
Estimated fair value [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	199,557	197,036
Estimated fair value [Member] | Common stocks Financial services [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	34,277	34,379
Estimated fair value [Member] | Common stocks Information technology [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	27,380	26,865
Estimated fair value [Member] | Common stocks Healthcare [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	29,199	26,852
Estimated fair value [Member] | Common stocks Consumer staples [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	14,923	16,694
Estimated fair value [Member] | Common stocks Consumer discretionary [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	24,559	22,691
Estimated fair value [Member] | Common stocks Energy [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	23,582	22,863
Estimated fair value [Member] | Common stocks Industrials [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	18,161	18,221
Estimated fair value [Member] | Common stocks Other [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	14,744	16,056
Estimated fair value [Member] | Nonredeemable Preferred Stock [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	$12,732	$12,415

DISCLOSURES_ABOUT_THE_FAIR_VAL3

DISCLOSURES ABOUT THE FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS, Recurring Measurement Inputs (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	$1,337,780	$1,324,535
Short-term investments	47,233	53,262
Liabilities [Abstract]
Surplus notes	25,000	25,000
Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	1,138,223	1,127,499
US Treasury Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	9,792	9,703
US Government-sponsored Enterprises Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	223,029	215,616
US States and Political Subdivisions Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	322,293	326,058
Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	44,858	46,762
Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	94,331	97,953
Collateralized Debt Obligations [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	14,985	16,005
Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	428,935	415,402
Equity Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	199,557	197,036
Common stocks Financial services [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	34,277	34,379
Common stocks Information technology [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	27,380	26,865
Common stocks Healthcare [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	29,199	26,852
Common stocks Consumer staples [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	14,923	16,694
Common stocks Consumer discretionary [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	24,559	22,691
Common stocks Energy [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	23,582	22,863
Common stocks Industrials [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	18,161	18,221
Common stocks Other [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	14,744	16,056
Nonredeemable Preferred Stock [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	12,732	12,415
Recurring [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Short-term investments	47,233	53,262
Recurring [Member] | Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	1,138,223	1,127,499
Recurring [Member] | US Treasury Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	9,792	9,703
Recurring [Member] | US Government-sponsored Enterprises Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	223,029	215,616
Recurring [Member] | US States and Political Subdivisions Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	322,293	326,058
Recurring [Member] | Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	44,858	46,762
Recurring [Member] | Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	94,331	97,953
Recurring [Member] | Collateralized Debt Obligations [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	14,985	16,005
Recurring [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	428,935	415,402
Recurring [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	199,557	197,036
Recurring [Member] | Common stocks Financial services [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	34,277	34,379
Recurring [Member] | Common stocks Information technology [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	27,380	26,865
Recurring [Member] | Common stocks Healthcare [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	29,199	26,852
Recurring [Member] | Common stocks Consumer staples [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	14,923	16,694
Recurring [Member] | Common stocks Consumer discretionary [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	24,559	22,691
Recurring [Member] | Common stocks Energy [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	23,582	22,863
Recurring [Member] | Common stocks Industrials [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	18,161	18,221
Recurring [Member] | Common stocks Other [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	14,744	16,056
Recurring [Member] | Nonredeemable Preferred Stock [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	12,732	12,415
Recurring [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Short-term investments	47,233	53,262
Recurring [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member] | Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member] | US Treasury Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member] | US Government-sponsored Enterprises Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member] | US States and Political Subdivisions Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member] | Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member] | Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member] | Collateralized Debt Obligations [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	194,861	192,363
Recurring [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member] | Common stocks Financial services [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	34,274	34,376
Recurring [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member] | Common stocks Information technology [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	27,380	26,865
Recurring [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member] | Common stocks Healthcare [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	29,199	26,852
Recurring [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member] | Common stocks Consumer staples [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	14,923	16,694
Recurring [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member] | Common stocks Consumer discretionary [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	24,559	22,691
Recurring [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member] | Common stocks Energy [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	23,582	22,863
Recurring [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member] | Common stocks Industrials [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	18,161	18,221
Recurring [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member] | Common stocks Other [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	14,744	16,056
Recurring [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member] | Nonredeemable Preferred Stock [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	8,039	7,745
Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Short-term investments	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	1,136,560	1,125,837
Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | US Treasury Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	9,792	9,703
Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | US Government-sponsored Enterprises Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	223,029	215,616
Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | US States and Political Subdivisions Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	322,293	326,058
Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	44,858	46,762
Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	94,331	97,953
Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Collateralized Debt Obligations [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	14,985	16,005
Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	427,272	413,740
Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	4,693	4,670
Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Common stocks Financial services [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Common stocks Information technology [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Common stocks Healthcare [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Common stocks Consumer staples [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Common stocks Consumer discretionary [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Common stocks Energy [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Common stocks Industrials [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Common stocks Other [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Nonredeemable Preferred Stock [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	4,693	4,670
Recurring [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Short-term investments	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	1,663	1,662
Number of securities categorized as Level 3 fair value measurements	2	2
Recurring [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | US Treasury Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | US Government-sponsored Enterprises Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | US States and Political Subdivisions Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Collateralized Debt Obligations [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	1,663	1,662
Recurring [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	3	3
Number of securities categorized as Level 3 fair value measurements	1	1
Recurring [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Common stocks Financial services [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	3	3
Recurring [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Common stocks Information technology [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Common stocks Healthcare [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Common stocks Consumer staples [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Common stocks Consumer discretionary [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Common stocks Energy [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Common stocks Industrials [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Common stocks Other [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Nonredeemable Preferred Stock [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Not Reported At Fair Value [Member]
Liabilities [Abstract]
Surplus notes	12,738	12,308
Not Reported At Fair Value [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member]
Liabilities [Abstract]
Surplus notes	0	0
Not Reported At Fair Value [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Liabilities [Abstract]
Surplus notes	0	0
Not Reported At Fair Value [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Liabilities [Abstract]
Surplus notes	$12,738	$12,308

DISCLOSURES_ABOUT_THE_FAIR_VAL4

DISCLOSURES ABOUT THE FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS, Unobservable Input Reconciliation (Details) (Recurring [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Reconciliation of assets measured at fair value on recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$1,665	$1,979
Settlements	-4
Unrealized gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income	5	-1
Balance at end of period	1,666	1,978
Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Reconciliation of assets measured at fair value on recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	1,662	1,976
Settlements	-4
Unrealized gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income	5	-1
Balance at end of period	1,663	1,975
Common stocks Financial services [Member]
Reconciliation of assets measured at fair value on recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	3	3
Settlements	0
Unrealized gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income	0	0
Balance at end of period	$3	$3

INVESTMENTS_Details

INVESTMENTS (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost	$1,211,723		$1,203,978
Gross unrealized gains	133,308		128,038
Gross unrealized losses	7,251		7,481
Estimated fair value	1,337,780		1,324,535
Available for sale securities continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
Less than twelve months, Fair value	102,752		74,394
Less than twelve months, Unrealized losses	2,221		2,142
Twelve months or longer, Fair value	75,634		152,526
Twelve months or longer, Unrealized losses	5,030		5,339
Total, Fair value	178,386		226,920
Total, Unrealized losses	7,251		7,481
Amortized cost
Due in one year or less	40,128
Due after one year through five years	176,529
Due after five years through ten years	233,367
Due after ten years	495,137
Mortgage-backed securities	139,144
Totals	1,084,305		1,080,006
Estimated fair value
Due in one year or less	40,717
Due after one year through five years	187,627
Due after five years through ten years	244,118
Due after ten years	526,572
Mortgage-backed securities	139,189
Totals	1,138,223		1,127,499
Realized Investment Gains (Losses) [Abstract]
'Other-than-temporary' impairments	-618	-316
Net realized investment gains (losses)	783	1,262
Debt Securities [Member]
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost	1,084,305		1,080,006
Gross unrealized gains	60,244		54,148
Gross unrealized losses	6,326		6,655
Estimated fair value	1,138,223		1,127,499
Available for sale securities continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
Less than twelve months, Fair value	86,888		65,655
Less than twelve months, Unrealized losses	1,474		1,633
Twelve months or longer, Fair value	73,747		150,623
Twelve months or longer, Unrealized losses	4,852		5,022
Total, Fair value	160,635		216,278
Total, Unrealized losses	6,326		6,655
Realized Investment Gains (Losses) [Abstract]
Available-for-sale, Gross realized investment gains	535	81
Available-for-sale, Gross realized investment losses	0	-92
US Treasury Securities [Member]
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost	9,582		9,574
Gross unrealized gains	210		129
Gross unrealized losses	0		0
Estimated fair value	9,792		9,703
US Government-sponsored Enterprises Debt Securities [Member]
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost	220,768		215,425
Gross unrealized gains	3,295		2,313
Gross unrealized losses	1,034		2,122
Estimated fair value	223,029		215,616
Available for sale securities continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
Less than twelve months, Fair value	51,725		24,473
Less than twelve months, Unrealized losses	226		94
Twelve months or longer, Fair value	37,523		97,446
Twelve months or longer, Unrealized losses	808		2,028
Total, Fair value	89,248		121,919
Total, Unrealized losses	1,034		2,122
US States and Political Subdivisions Debt Securities [Member]
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost	294,630		299,258
Gross unrealized gains	27,704		26,840
Gross unrealized losses	41		40
Estimated fair value	322,293		326,058
Available for sale securities continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
Less than twelve months, Fair value	4,894		0
Less than twelve months, Unrealized losses	41		0
Twelve months or longer, Fair value	0		3,757
Twelve months or longer, Unrealized losses	0		40
Total, Fair value	4,894		3,757
Total, Unrealized losses	41		40
Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost	41,277		42,996
Gross unrealized gains	3,581		3,766
Gross unrealized losses	0		0
Estimated fair value	44,858		46,762
Available for sale securities continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
Less than twelve months, Fair value	221		1,102
Less than twelve months, Unrealized losses	0		0
Twelve months or longer, Fair value	0		0
Twelve months or longer, Unrealized losses	0		0
Total, Fair value	221		1,102
Total, Unrealized losses	0		0
Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost	97,867		100,296
Gross unrealized gains	1,484		1,402
Gross unrealized losses	5,020		3,745
Estimated fair value	94,331		97,953
Available for sale securities continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
Less than twelve months, Fair value	18,318		21,451
Less than twelve months, Unrealized losses	1,161		1,252
Twelve months or longer, Fair value	23,684		21,163
Twelve months or longer, Unrealized losses	3,859		2,493
Total, Fair value	42,002		42,614
Total, Unrealized losses	5,020		3,745
Collateralized Debt Obligations [Member]
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost	13,742		14,798
Gross unrealized gains	1,243		1,213
Gross unrealized losses	0		6
Estimated fair value	14,985		16,005
Available for sale securities continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
Less than twelve months, Fair value			1,889
Less than twelve months, Unrealized losses			6
Twelve months or longer, Fair value			0
Twelve months or longer, Unrealized losses			0
Total, Fair value			1,889
Total, Unrealized losses			6
Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost	406,439		397,659
Gross unrealized gains	22,727		18,485
Gross unrealized losses	231		742
Estimated fair value	428,935		415,402
Available for sale securities continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
Less than twelve months, Fair value	11,730		16,740
Less than twelve months, Unrealized losses	46		281
Twelve months or longer, Fair value	12,540		28,257
Twelve months or longer, Unrealized losses	185		461
Total, Fair value	24,270		44,997
Total, Unrealized losses	231		742
Equity Securities [Member]
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost	127,418		123,972
Gross unrealized gains	73,064		73,890
Gross unrealized losses	925		826
Estimated fair value	199,557		197,036
Available for sale securities continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
Less than twelve months, Fair value	15,864		8,739
Less than twelve months, Unrealized losses	747		509
Twelve months or longer, Fair value	1,887		1,903
Twelve months or longer, Unrealized losses	178		317
Total, Fair value	17,751		10,642
Total, Unrealized losses	925		826
Realized Investment Gains (Losses) [Abstract]
Available-for-sale, Gross realized investment gains	2,594	2,033
Available-for-sale, Gross realized investment losses	-329	-76
'Other-than-temporary' impairments	-618	-316
Common stocks Financial services [Member]
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost	23,724		22,586
Gross unrealized gains	10,719		11,835
Gross unrealized losses	166		42
Estimated fair value	34,277		34,379
Available for sale securities continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
Less than twelve months, Fair value	5,130		1,162
Less than twelve months, Unrealized losses	158		9
Twelve months or longer, Fair value	57		187
Twelve months or longer, Unrealized losses	8		33
Total, Fair value	5,187		1,349
Total, Unrealized losses	166		42
Common stocks Information technology [Member]
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost	17,470		15,755
Gross unrealized gains	9,964		11,110
Gross unrealized losses	54		0
Estimated fair value	27,380		26,865
Available for sale securities continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
Less than twelve months, Fair value	1,867
Less than twelve months, Unrealized losses	54
Twelve months or longer, Fair value	0
Twelve months or longer, Unrealized losses	0
Total, Fair value	1,867
Total, Unrealized losses	54
Common stocks Healthcare [Member]
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost	15,536		14,673
Gross unrealized gains	13,665		12,179
Gross unrealized losses	2		0
Estimated fair value	29,199		26,852
Available for sale securities continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
Less than twelve months, Fair value	161
Less than twelve months, Unrealized losses	2
Twelve months or longer, Fair value	0
Twelve months or longer, Unrealized losses	0
Total, Fair value	161
Total, Unrealized losses	2
Common stocks Consumer staples [Member]
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost	8,827		10,584
Gross unrealized gains	6,106		6,112
Gross unrealized losses	10		2
Estimated fair value	14,923		16,694
Available for sale securities continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
Less than twelve months, Fair value	266		1,051
Less than twelve months, Unrealized losses	10		2
Twelve months or longer, Fair value	0		0
Twelve months or longer, Unrealized losses	0		0
Total, Fair value	266		1,051
Total, Unrealized losses	10		2
Common stocks Consumer discretionary [Member]
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost	12,706		11,304
Gross unrealized gains	11,868		11,420
Gross unrealized losses	15		33
Estimated fair value	24,559		22,691
Available for sale securities continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
Less than twelve months, Fair value	1,324		822
Less than twelve months, Unrealized losses	15		33
Twelve months or longer, Fair value	0		0
Twelve months or longer, Unrealized losses	0		0
Total, Fair value	1,324		822
Total, Unrealized losses	15		33
Common stocks Energy [Member]
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost	16,375		15,837
Gross unrealized gains	7,558		7,458
Gross unrealized losses	351		432
Estimated fair value	23,582		22,863
Available for sale securities continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
Less than twelve months, Fair value	3,460		4,298
Less than twelve months, Unrealized losses	351		432
Twelve months or longer, Fair value	0		0
Twelve months or longer, Unrealized losses	0		0
Total, Fair value	3,460		4,298
Total, Unrealized losses	351		432
Common stocks Industrials [Member]
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost	9,555		9,658
Gross unrealized gains	8,695		8,596
Gross unrealized losses	89		33
Estimated fair value	18,161		18,221
Available for sale securities continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
Less than twelve months, Fair value	2,189		1,406
Less than twelve months, Unrealized losses	89		33
Twelve months or longer, Fair value	0		0
Twelve months or longer, Unrealized losses	0		0
Total, Fair value	2,189		1,406
Total, Unrealized losses	89		33
Common stocks Other [Member]
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost	11,143		11,493
Gross unrealized gains	3,669		4,563
Gross unrealized losses	68		0
Estimated fair value	14,744		16,056
Available for sale securities continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
Less than twelve months, Fair value	1,467
Less than twelve months, Unrealized losses	68
Twelve months or longer, Fair value	0
Twelve months or longer, Unrealized losses	0
Total, Fair value	1,467
Total, Unrealized losses	68
Nonredeemable Preferred Stock [Member]
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost	12,082		12,082
Gross unrealized gains	820		617
Gross unrealized losses	170		284
Estimated fair value	12,732		12,415
Available for sale securities continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
Less than twelve months, Fair value	0		0
Less than twelve months, Unrealized losses	0		0
Twelve months or longer, Fair value	1,830		1,716
Twelve months or longer, Unrealized losses	170		284
Total, Fair value	1,830		1,716
Total, Unrealized losses	170		284
Other Long-term Investments [Member]
Realized Investment Gains (Losses) [Abstract]
Other long-term investments, Gross realized investment losses	($1,399)	($368)

CONTINGENT_LIABILITIES_Details

CONTINGENT LIABILITIES (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Entity's share of case loss reserves, eliminated by the purchase of annuities	$110
Contingent liability for aggregate guaranteed amount of annuities	$183

STOCK_REPURCHASE_PROGRAM_Detai

STOCK REPURCHASE PROGRAM (Details) (USD $)	Nov. 03, 2011
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Equity [Abstract]
Authorized amount of stock repurchase program	$15,000

ACCUMULATED_OTHER_COMPREHENSIV2

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Balance at December 31, 2014	$81,662
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	4,993
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	-1,771
Other comprehensive income (loss)	3,222	9,386
Balance at March 31, 2015	84,884
Unrealized Gains and (Losses) on Available-for-sale securities
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Balance at December 31, 2014	78,362
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	4,993
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	-1,418
Other comprehensive income (loss)	3,575
Balance at March 31, 2015	81,937
Unrecognized pension and postretirement benefit obligations
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Balance at December 31, 2014	3,300
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	0
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	-353
Other comprehensive income (loss)	-353
Balance at March 31, 2015	$2,947

ACCUMULATED_OTHER_COMPREHENSIV3

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - Reclassifications out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Net realized investment gains (losses)	$783		$1,262
Income tax expense (benefit), current	-9,205		-4,102
Total reclassification adjustment	1,771		1,508
Unrealized Gains and (Losses) on Available-for-sale securities | Reclassification Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Net realized investment gains (losses)	2,182		1,630
Income tax expense (benefit), current	-764		-571
Total reclassification adjustment	1,418		1,059
Unrecognized pension and postretirement benefit obligations | Reclassification Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Net actuarial loss	-284	[1]	-136	[1]
Prior service credit	827	[1]	827	[1]
Total before tax	543		691
Income tax expense (benefit), current	-190		-242
Total reclassification adjustment	$353		$449
[1]	These reclassified accumulated other comprehensive income components are included in the computation of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit income (see Note 5, Employee Retirement Plans, for additional details).

SUBSEQUENT_EVENTS_Details

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended
	7-May-15	7-May-15	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Stock Split Conversion Ratio	1.5
Stock Split Terms	three-for-two
Common Stock, par value (in dollars per share)		$1	$1	$1