EMC Insurance (EMCI) 10-Q 4 Nov 16 2016 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Oct. 31, 2016
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	EMC INSURANCE GROUP INC.
Entity Central Index Key	356,130
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
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		21,103,634
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2016

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Un

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Investments:
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost $1,184,470 and $1,130,217)	$ 1,237,150	$ 1,161,025
Equity securities available-for-sale, at fair value (cost $151,852 and $144,176)	219,282	206,243
Other long-term investments	9,941	9,930
Short-term investments	42,611	38,599
Total investments	1,508,984	1,415,797
Cash	350	224
Reinsurance receivables due from affiliate	22,590	24,236
Prepaid reinsurance premiums due from affiliate	11,588	6,563
Deferred policy acquisition costs (affiliated $44,320 and $40,535)	44,620	40,720
Prepaid pension and postretirement benefits due from affiliate	11,043	12,133
Accrued investment income	12,143	10,789
Amounts receivable under reverse repurchase agreements	16,850	16,850
Accounts receivable	2,958	804
Income taxes recoverable	0	1,735
Goodwill	942	942
Other assets (affiliated $4,838 and $4,595)	5,437	5,162
Total assets	1,637,505	1,535,955
LIABILITIES
Losses and settlement expenses (affiliated $695,461 and $671,169)	700,565	678,774
Unearned premiums (affiliated $271,539 and $238,637)	272,900	239,435
Other policyholders' funds (all affiliated)	11,809	8,721
Surplus notes payable to affiliate	25,000	25,000
Amounts due affiliate to settle inter-company transaction balances	4,025	6,408
Pension benefits payable to affiliate	3,826	4,299
Income taxes payable	156	0
Deferred income taxes	25,894	19,029
Other liabilities (affiliated $24,659 and $28,598)	30,921	29,351
Total liabilities	1,075,096	1,011,017
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common stock, $1 par value, authorized 30,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding, 21,084,948 shares in 2016 and 20,780,439 shares in 2015	21,085	20,781
Additional paid-in capital	115,724	108,747
Accumulated other comprehensive income	75,529	58,433
Retained earnings	350,071	336,977
Total stockholders' equity	562,409	524,938
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 1,637,505	$ 1,535,955

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (U3

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Investments:
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, amortized cost	$ 1,184,470	$ 1,130,217
Equity securities available-for-sale, cost	151,852	144,176
Deferred policy acquisition costs from affiliates	44,320	40,535
Affiliated other assets	4,838	4,595
LIABILITIES
Affiliated losses and settlement expenses	695,461	671,169
Unearned premiums from affiliates	271,539	238,637
Affiliated other liabilities	$ 24,659	$ 28,598
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 1	$ 1
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	30,000,000	30,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	21,084,948	20,780,439
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	21,084,948	20,780,439

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCO

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
REVENUES
Premiums earned (affiliated $149,988, $144,540, $436,804 and $425,513)	$ 152,181	$ 145,788	$ 441,364	$ 429,124
Net investment income	11,474	11,299	35,883	33,946
Net realized investment gains (losses), excluding impairment losses on securities available-for-sale	(917)	8,126	333	12,848
Total other-than-temporary impairment losses on securities available-for-sale	(275)	(628)	(976)	(1,293)
Portion of other-than-temporary impairment losses on fixed maturity securities available-for-sale reclassified from other comprehensive income (before taxes)	0	0	0	0
Net impairment losses on securities available-for-sale	(275)	(628)	(976)	(1,293)
Net realized investment gains (losses)	(1,192)	7,498	(643)	11,555
Other income (loss) (affiliated $39, $420, $307 and $1,119)	(85)	519	(19)	1,622
Total revenues	162,378	165,104	476,585	476,247
LOSSES AND EXPENSES
Losses and settlement expenses (affiliated $106,795, $101,323, $295,061 and $278,915)	108,173	102,685	296,102	280,603
Dividends to policyholders (all affiliated)	3,944	3,555	11,292	6,492
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs (affiliated $26,256, $25,835, $79,584 and $77,872)	26,845	26,139	80,740	78,823
Other underwriting expenses (affiliated $17,600, $16,046, $52,120 and $50,297)	17,606	16,045	52,134	50,351
Interest expense (all affiliated)	84	84	253	253
Other expenses (affiliated $481, $473, $1,414 and $1,363)	679	675	2,053	1,992
Total losses and expenses	157,331	149,183	442,574	418,514
Income before income tax expense	5,047	15,921	34,011	57,733
INCOME TAX EXPENSE (BENEFIT)
Current	1,448	3,081	11,440	15,594
Deferred	(530)	1,651	(2,340)	1,872
Total income tax expense	918	4,732	9,100	17,466
Net income	$ 4,129	$ 11,189	$ 24,911	$ 40,267
Net income per common share - basic and diluted	$ 0.20	$ 0.54	$ 1.19	$ 1.96
Dividend per common share	$ 0.190	$ 0.170	$ 0.570	$ 0.503
Average number of common shares outstanding - basic and diluted (in shares)	21,060,665	20,684,890	20,964,236	20,577,493

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INC5

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
REVENUES
Premiums earned, affiliated	$ 149,988	$ 144,540	$ 436,804	$ 425,513
Other income, affiliated	39	420	307	1,119
LOSSES AND EXPENSES
Losses and settlement expenses, affiliated	106,795	101,323	295,061	278,915
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs, affiliated	26,256	25,835	79,584	77,872
Other underwriting expenses, affiliated	17,600	16,046	52,120	50,297
Other expense, affiliated	$ 481	$ 473	$ 1,414	$ 1,363

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Net income	$ 4,129	$ 11,189	$ 24,911	$ 40,267
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on investment securities, net of deferred income tax expense (benefit) of $(1,226), $(2,288), $11,145 and $(7,998)	(2,275)	(4,252)	20,698	(14,855)
Reclassification adjustment for realized investment gains included in net income, net of income tax expense of $(252), $(89), $(1,613) and $(2,713)	(466)	(164)	(2,995)	(5,039)
Reclassification adjustment for amounts amortized into net periodic pension and postretirement benefit income, net of deferred income tax expense of $(62), $(169), $(327) and $(520):
Net actuarial loss	722	224	1,271	648
Prior service credit	(839)	(537)	(1,878)	(1,612)
Total reclassification adjustment associated with affiliate's pension and postretirement benefit plans	(117)	(313)	(607)	(964)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(2,858)	(4,729)	17,096	(20,858)
Total comprehensive income	$ 1,271	$ 6,460	$ 42,007	$ 19,409

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COM7

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on investment securities, deferred income tax expense (benefit)	$ (1,226)	$ (2,288)	$ 11,145	$ (7,998)
Reclassification adjustment for realized investment (gains) included in net income, income tax (expense)	(252)	(89)	(1,613)	(2,713)
Reclassification adjustment for amounts amortized into net periodic pension and postretirement benefit income, deferred income tax (expense)	$ (62)	$ (169)	$ (327)	$ (520)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$ 24,911	$ 40,267
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Losses and settlement expenses (affiliated $24,292 and $24,595)	21,791	22,621
Unearned premiums (affiliated $32,902 and $32,636)	33,465	31,593
Other policyholders' funds due to affiliate	3,088	(1,560)
Amounts due to/from affiliate to settle inter-company transaction balances	(2,383)	(1,212)
Net pension and postretirement benefits due from affiliate	(317)	(2,366)
Reinsurance receivables due from affiliate	1,646	3,204
Prepaid reinsurance premiums due from affiliate	(5,025)	1,227
Commissions payable (affiliated $(3,682) and $(801))	(3,743)	(778)
Deferred policy acquisition costs (affiliated $(3,785) and $(5,629))	(3,900)	(5,367)
Accrued investment income	(1,354)	(1,421)
Current income tax	1,891	(2,577)
Deferred income tax	(2,340)	1,872
Net realized investment (gains) losses	643	(11,555)
Other, net (affiliated $(451) and $704)	6,769	9,092
Total adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities	50,231	42,773
Net cash provided by operating activities	75,142	83,040
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchases of fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	(338,659)	(185,108)
Disposals of fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	282,787	118,513
Purchases of equity securities available-for-sale	(45,632)	(66,030)
Disposals of equity securities available-for-sale	40,525	54,411
Purchases of other long-term investments	(5,920)	(7,758)
Disposals of other long-term investments	480	1,958
Net (purchases) disposals of short-term investments	(4,012)	20,464
Net disbursements under reverse repurchase agreements	0	(16,850)
Net cash used in investing activities	(70,431)	(80,400)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Issuance of common stock through affiliate’s stock plans	7,615	7,738
Repurchase of common stock	(383)	0
Excess tax benefit associated with affiliate’s stock plans	0	83
Dividends paid to stockholders (affiliated $(6,710) and $(5,925))	(11,817)	(10,274)
Net cash used in financing activities	(4,585)	(2,453)
NET INCREASE IN CASH	126	187
Cash at the beginning of the year	224	383
Cash at the end of the quarter	$ 350	$ 570

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CAS9

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Losses and settlement expenses, affiliated	$ 24,292	$ 24,595
Unearned premiums, affiliated	32,902	32,636
Commissions payable, affiliated	(3,682)	(801)
Deferred policy acquisition costs, affiliated	(3,785)	(5,629)
Other, net, affiliated	(451)	704
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Dividends paid to stockholders, affiliated	$ (6,710)	$ (5,925)

BASIS OF PRESENTATION

BASIS OF PRESENTATION	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
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, 2015 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. In reading these financial statements, reference should be made to the Company’s 2015 Form 10-K or the 2015 Annual Report to Stockholders for more detailed footnote information. Accounting Pronouncements Adopted In February 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) updated its guidance related to the Consolidation Topic 810 of the Accounting Standards Codification TM (Codification or ASC). The objective of this update is to improve consolidation guidance through changes in the analysis that a reporting entity must perform to determine whether it should consolidate certain types of legal entities. The guidance modifies the evaluation of whether limited partnerships and similar legal entities are variable interest entities or voting interest entities, while also eliminating the presumption that a general partner should consolidate a limited partnership. This guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015, and is to be applied either retrospectively or through a modified retrospective approach by recording a cumulative-effect adjustment to equity as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. The Company adopted this guidance in the first quarter of 2016. Adoption of this guidance did not have an impact on the consolidated financial condition or operating results of the Company. In March 2016, the FASB updated its guidance related to Stock Compensation Topic 718 of the ASC. The objective of this update was to simplify the accounting for employee share-based payments. The provisions applicable to the Company primarily involve the accounting treatment for excess tax benefits, which is the excess of the actual tax benefit realized by the Company upon the exercise of non-qualified stock options (by Employers Mutual's employees) over the deferred income tax benefit previously recognized in conjunction with the compensation expense (tax deficiency if the actual tax benefit realized is less than the previously recognized deferred income tax benefit). The FASB permitted early prospective adoption of these provisions, and the Company elected to adopt effective January 1, 2016. As a result, effective January 1, 2016 the Company no longer records to additional paid-in capital the excess tax benefits (deficiencies) allocated to it through the pooling agreement, but instead recognizes these amounts through the consolidated statements of income as components of current and deferred income taxes. The requirement that these excess tax benefits (deficiencies) be reflected as financing cash flows in the consolidated statements of cash flows was also removed, and these amounts are now reflected as cash flows from operating activities on a prospective basis.

TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES	TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES The Inter-Company Committees of the boards of directors of the Company and Employers Mutual approved a new inter-company reinsurance program between the Company's insurance subsidiaries in the property and casualty insurance segment and Employers Mutual for calendar year 2016. This reinsurance program is intended to reduce the volatility of the Company's quarterly results caused by excessive catastrophe and storm losses, and provide protection from both the frequency and severity of such losses. The reinsurance program consists of two semi-annual aggregate catastrophe excess of loss treaties. The first treaty was effective from January 1, 2016 through June 30, 2016, and had a retention of $20.0 million and a limit of $24.0 million . The total cost of this treaty was approximately $6.3 million . The second treaty is effective from July 1, 2016 through December 31, 2016, and has a retention of $15.0 million and a limit of $12.0 million . The total cost of this treaty is approximately $1.5 million . All catastrophe and storm losses assumed by the property and casualty insurance subsidiaries (net of applicable reinsurance recoveries from external reinsurance protections purchased by the pool participants) are subject to the terms of these treaties, and there is no co-participation provision. Losses and settlement expenses ceded to Employers Mutual under these treaties totaled $3.5 million and $5.1 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 , respectively. Only $213,000 remains in the $15.0 million retention before recoveries will be realized under the July 1, 2016 through December 31, 2016 treaty. The Inter-Company Committees of the boards of directors of the Company and Employers Mutual also approved a change in the inter-company reinsurance program between the Company's reinsurance subsidiary and Employers Mutual for calendar year 2016. The reinsurance program consists of two treaties. The first is a per occurrence catastrophe excess of loss treaty with a retention of $10.0 million , a limit of $10.0 million , 20 percent co-participation, and no reinstatement. The total cost of this treaty is approximately $2.0 million . The second is an annual aggregate catastrophe excess of loss treaty with a retention of $20.0 million , a limit of $100.0 million , and 20 percent co-participation. The total cost of this treaty is approximately $3.1 million . Any losses recovered under the per occurrence treaty inure to the benefit of the aggregate treaty. Only catastrophic events with total losses greater than $500,000 are subject to the terms of the aggregate treaty. The reinsurance subsidiary has purchased additional reinsurance protection (Industry Loss Warranties) in peak exposure territories from external parties in which coverage is triggered when losses experienced by the insurance industry from a catastrophic event exceed a specified threshold. Any reinsurance recoveries received from external parties reduce the amount of losses ceded to Employers Mutual under the catastrophe excess of loss program. The net cost of the external reinsurance protection will be approximately $3.5 million in 2016. There were no recoveries under the reinsurance program during the first nine months of 2016.

REINSURANCE

REINSURANCE	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Reinsurance Disclosures [Abstract]
REINSURANCE	REINSURANCE The effect of reinsurance on premiums written and earned, and losses and settlement expenses incurred, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 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 September 30, 2016 ($ in thousands) Property and Reinsurance Total Premiums written Direct $ 119,849 $ — $ 119,849 Assumed from nonaffiliates 1,221 39,592 40,813 Assumed from affiliates 146,289 — 146,289 Ceded to nonaffiliates (7,841 ) (983 ) (8,824 ) Ceded to affiliates (120,614 ) (1,270 ) (121,884 ) Net premiums written $ 138,904 $ 37,339 $ 176,243 Premiums earned Direct $ 96,730 $ — $ 96,730 Assumed from nonaffiliates 1,170 39,394 40,564 Assumed from affiliates 122,058 — 122,058 Ceded to nonaffiliates (6,091 ) (2,315 ) (8,406 ) Ceded to affiliates (97,495 ) (1,270 ) (98,765 ) Net premiums earned $ 116,372 $ 35,809 $ 152,181 Losses and settlement expenses incurred Direct $ 59,831 $ — $ 59,831 Assumed from nonaffiliates 793 27,206 27,999 Assumed from affiliates 85,196 280 85,476 Ceded to nonaffiliates (895 ) (944 ) (1,839 ) Ceded to affiliates (63,282 ) (12 ) (63,294 ) Net losses and settlement expenses incurred $ 81,643 $ 26,530 $ 108,173 Three months ended September 30, 2015 ($ in thousands) Property and Reinsurance Total Premiums written Direct $ 117,187 $ — $ 117,187 Assumed from nonaffiliates 1,178 34,954 36,132 Assumed from affiliates 141,200 — 141,200 Ceded to nonaffiliates (7,656 ) (774 ) (8,430 ) Ceded to affiliates (117,187 ) (2,734 ) (119,921 ) Net premiums written $ 134,722 $ 31,446 $ 166,168 Premiums earned Direct $ 92,083 $ — $ 92,083 Assumed from nonaffiliates 1,073 35,939 37,012 Assumed from affiliates 118,784 — 118,784 Ceded to nonaffiliates (6,104 ) (1,170 ) (7,274 ) Ceded to affiliates (92,083 ) (2,734 ) (94,817 ) Net premiums earned $ 113,753 $ 32,035 $ 145,788 Losses and settlement expenses incurred Direct $ 53,717 $ — $ 53,717 Assumed from nonaffiliates 655 27,677 28,332 Assumed from affiliates 76,697 252 76,949 Ceded to nonaffiliates (1,376 ) (877 ) (2,253 ) Ceded to affiliates (53,717 ) (343 ) (54,060 ) Net losses and settlement expenses incurred $ 75,976 $ 26,709 $ 102,685 Nine months ended September 30, 2016 ($ in thousands) Property and Reinsurance Total Premiums written Direct $ 311,542 $ — $ 311,542 Assumed from nonaffiliates 3,430 111,378 114,808 Assumed from affiliates 393,418 — 393,418 Ceded to nonaffiliates (19,069 ) (8,814 ) (27,883 ) Ceded to affiliates (318,617 ) (3,810 ) (322,427 ) Net premiums written $ 370,704 $ 98,754 $ 469,458 Premiums earned Direct $ 284,281 $ — $ 284,281 Assumed from nonaffiliates 3,332 111,790 115,122 Assumed from affiliates 359,985 — 359,985 Ceded to nonaffiliates (17,653 ) (5,205 ) (22,858 ) Ceded to affiliates (291,356 ) (3,810 ) (295,166 ) Net premiums earned $ 338,589 $ 102,775 $ 441,364 Losses and settlement expenses incurred Direct $ 167,827 $ — $ 167,827 Assumed from nonaffiliates 2,298 71,787 74,085 Assumed from affiliates 232,472 1,033 233,505 Ceded to nonaffiliates (4,498 ) (2,336 ) (6,834 ) Ceded to affiliates (172,892 ) 411 (172,481 ) Net losses and settlement expenses incurred $ 225,207 $ 70,895 $ 296,102 Nine months ended September 30, 2015 ($ in thousands) Property and Reinsurance Total Premiums written Direct $ 297,974 $ — $ 297,974 Assumed from nonaffiliates 3,296 107,821 111,117 Assumed from affiliates 379,761 — 379,761 Ceded to nonaffiliates (18,728 ) (2,480 ) (21,208 ) Ceded to affiliates (297,974 ) (8,427 ) (306,401 ) Net premiums written $ 364,329 $ 96,914 $ 461,243 Premiums earned Direct $ 273,441 $ — $ 273,441 Assumed from nonaffiliates 3,165 109,134 112,299 Assumed from affiliates 347,686 — 347,686 Ceded to nonaffiliates (17,639 ) (4,795 ) (22,434 ) Ceded to affiliates (273,441 ) (8,427 ) (281,868 ) Net premiums earned $ 333,212 $ 95,912 $ 429,124 Losses and settlement expenses incurred Direct $ 151,565 $ — $ 151,565 Assumed from nonaffiliates 1,878 69,041 70,919 Assumed from affiliates 216,197 721 216,918 Ceded to nonaffiliates (2,607 ) (4,065 ) (6,672 ) Ceded to affiliates (151,565 ) (562 ) (152,127 ) Net losses and settlement expenses incurred $ 215,468 $ 65,135 $ 280,603 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 1) reinsurance business that is ceded to other insurance companies in connection with “fronting” activities initiated by Employers Mutual, and 2) starting in 2016, amounts ceded to purchase Industry Loss Warranties (ILWs) from external parties that provide additional reinsurance protection for the assumed reinsurance business. • “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 and amounts ceded to Employers Mutual under the terms of the catastrophe excess of loss reinsurance program. For the reinsurance subsidiary this line represents amounts ceded to Employers Mutual under the terms of the catastrophe excess of loss reinsurance program.

SEGMENT INFORMATION

SEGMENT INFORMATION	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
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. Management evaluates the performance of its insurance segments using financial measurements based on Statutory Accounting Principles (SAP) instead of GAAP. Such measures include premiums written, premiums earned, statutory underwriting profit (loss), and investment results, as well as loss and loss adjustment expense ratios, trade underwriting expense ratios, and combined ratios. Summarized financial information for the Company’s segments is as follows: Three months ended September 30, 2016 Property and Reinsurance Parent Consolidated ($ in thousands) Premiums earned $ 116,372 $ 35,809 $ — $ 152,181 Underwriting profit (loss): SAP underwriting profit (loss) (8,081 ) 689 — (7,392 ) GAAP adjustments 2,970 35 — 3,005 GAAP underwriting profit (loss) (5,111 ) 724 — (4,387 ) Net investment income (loss) 8,185 3,285 4 11,474 Net realized investment gains (losses) (799 ) (393 ) — (1,192 ) Other income (loss) 172 (257 ) — (85 ) Interest expense 84 — — 84 Other expenses 190 — 489 679 Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit) $ 2,173 $ 3,359 $ (485 ) $ 5,047 Three months ended September 30, 2015 Property and Reinsurance Parent Consolidated ($ in thousands) Premiums earned $ 113,753 $ 32,035 $ — $ 145,788 Underwriting profit (loss): SAP underwriting profit (loss) (2,487 ) (2,167 ) — (4,654 ) GAAP adjustments 2,386 (368 ) — 2,018 GAAP underwriting profit (loss) (101 ) (2,535 ) — (2,636 ) Net investment income (loss) 8,125 3,176 (2 ) 11,299 Net realized investment gains (losses) 4,889 2,609 — 7,498 Other income (loss) 210 309 — 519 Interest expense 84 — — 84 Other expenses 196 — 479 675 Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit) $ 12,843 $ 3,559 $ (481 ) $ 15,921 Nine months ended September 30, 2016 Property and Reinsurance Parent Consolidated ($ in thousands) Premiums earned $ 338,589 $ 102,775 $ — $ 441,364 Underwriting profit (loss): SAP underwriting profit (loss) (8,904 ) 7,777 — (1,127 ) GAAP adjustments 3,026 (803 ) — 2,223 GAAP underwriting profit (loss) (5,878 ) 6,974 — 1,096 Net investment income (loss) 25,524 10,350 9 35,883 Net realized investment gains (losses) (627 ) (16 ) — (643 ) Other income (loss) 466 (485 ) — (19 ) Interest expense 253 — — 253 Other expenses 558 — 1,495 2,053 Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit) $ 18,674 $ 16,823 $ (1,486 ) $ 34,011 Assets $ 1,170,108 $ 465,733 $ 562,535 $ 2,198,376 Eliminations — — (554,093 ) (554,093 ) Reclassifications (2,187 ) (3,426 ) (1,165 ) (6,778 ) Total assets $ 1,167,921 $ 462,307 $ 7,277 $ 1,637,505 Nine months ended September 30, 2015 Property and Reinsurance Parent Consolidated ($ in thousands) Premiums earned $ 333,212 $ 95,912 $ — $ 429,124 Underwriting profit (loss): SAP underwriting profit (loss) (497 ) 4,685 — 4,188 GAAP adjustments 7,962 705 — 8,667 GAAP underwriting profit (loss) 7,465 5,390 — 12,855 Net investment income (loss) 24,301 9,654 (9 ) 33,946 Net realized investment gains (losses) 7,866 3,689 — 11,555 Other income (loss) 582 1,040 — 1,622 Interest expense 253 — — 253 Other expenses 568 — 1,424 1,992 Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit) $ 39,393 $ 19,773 $ (1,433 ) $ 57,733 Year ended December 31, 2015 Assets $ 1,092,820 $ 437,575 $ 525,042 $ 2,055,437 Eliminations — — (514,309 ) (514,309 ) Reclassifications — (5,173 ) — (5,173 ) Total assets $ 1,092,820 $ 432,402 $ 10,733 $ 1,535,955 The following table displays the net premiums earned for the property and casualty insurance segment and the reinsurance segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , by line of insurance. Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30, ($ in thousands) 2016 2015 2016 2015 Property and casualty insurance segment Commercial lines: Automobile $ 28,113 $ 27,080 $ 82,449 $ 78,698 Property 27,471 26,526 77,292 77,518 Workers' compensation 24,536 23,777 71,272 69,150 Liability 24,277 23,449 72,086 68,952 Other 2,102 2,032 6,246 6,044 Total commercial lines 106,499 102,864 309,345 300,362 Personal lines 9,873 10,889 29,244 32,850 Total property and casualty insurance $ 116,372 $ 113,753 $ 338,589 $ 333,212 Reinsurance segment Pro rata reinsurance $ 15,066 $ 13,037 $ 44,175 $ 40,154 Excess of loss reinsurance 20,743 18,998 58,600 55,758 Total reinsurance $ 35,809 $ 32,035 $ 102,775 $ 95,912 Consolidated $ 152,181 $ 145,788 $ 441,364 $ 429,124

INCOME TAXES

INCOME TAXES	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
INCOME TAXES	INCOME TAXES The actual income tax expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 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 Nine months ended ($ in thousands) 2016 2015 2016 2015 Computed "expected" income tax expense $ 1,767 $ 5,573 $ 11,904 $ 20,207 Increases (decreases) in tax resulting from: Tax-exempt interest income (709 ) (687 ) (2,101 ) (2,072 ) Dividends received deduction (336 ) (266 ) (1,110 ) (809 ) Proration of tax-exempt interest and dividends received deduction 157 143 482 432 Other, net 39 (31 ) (75 ) (292 ) Total income tax expense $ 918 $ 4,732 $ 9,100 $ 17,466 The Company had no provision for uncertain income tax positions at September 30, 2016 or December 31, 2015 . The Company did not recognize any interest expense or other penalties related to U.S. federal or state income taxes during the three or nine months ended September 30, 2016 or 2015 . 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 2013.

EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT PLANS

EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT PLANS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
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 Nine months ended ($ in thousands) 2016 2015 2016 2015 Pension plans: Service cost $ 3,639 $ 3,497 $ 10,824 $ 10,471 Interest cost 2,551 2,341 7,620 6,983 Expected return on plan assets (4,841 ) (5,074 ) (14,521 ) (15,223 ) Amortization of net actuarial loss 1,111 719 3,233 2,033 Amortization of prior service cost 9 8 24 23 Net periodic pension benefit cost $ 2,469 $ 1,491 $ 7,180 $ 4,287 Postretirement benefit plans: Service cost $ 319 $ 353 $ 955 $ 1,059 Interest cost 553 537 1,661 1,611 Expected return on plan assets (1,056 ) (1,104 ) (3,168 ) (3,312 ) Amortization of net actuarial loss 374 437 1,121 1,309 Amortization of prior service credit (2,835 ) (2,867 ) (8,504 ) (8,600 ) Net periodic postretirement benefit income $ (2,645 ) $ (2,644 ) $ (7,935 ) $ (7,933 ) Net periodic pension benefit cost allocated to the Company amounted to $1.1 million and $456,000 for the three months and $2.5 million and $1.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , respectively. Net periodic postretirement benefit income allocated to the Company amounted to $937,000 and $761,000 for the three months and $2.4 million and $2.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , respectively. The Company’s share of Employers Mutual’s remaining 2016 planned contribution to the pension plan, if made, will be approximately $2.5 million . No contributions will be made to the Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association (VEBA) trust in 2016 .

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
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 in the open market; or 3) directly purchasing common stock from the Company at the current fair value. Employers Mutual's current practice is to purchase common stock from the Company for use in all of its stock plans (including its non-employee director stock purchase plan and its employee stock purchase plan). 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 2,250,000 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 3,000,000 shares have been reserved for issuance under the 2007 Employers Mutual Casualty Company Stock Incentive Plan (2007 Plan). During the second quarter of 2016, the compensation committees of Employers Mutual and the Company approved the issuance of restricted stock awards to the non-employee directors of the Company under the 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, with the exception of death or permanent disability, any unvested shares of restricted stock are forfeited on termination of employment, including retirement. Holders of unvested shares of restricted stock receive compensation income equal to the amount of any dividends declared on the common stock. During the second quarter of 2016, 2,000 shares of restricted stock was granted to non-employee directors of the Company. The restricted stock vests over a period of three years or upon a director reaching 75 years of age while an active director. 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 and directors. The Company recognized compensation expense from these plans of $218,000 ( $142,000 net of tax) and $167,000 ( $108,000 net of tax) for the three months and $542,000 ( $353,000 net of tax) and $351,000 ( $228,000 net of tax) for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , respectively. During the first nine months of 2016 , 118,588 shares of restricted stock were granted under the 2007 Plan to eligible participants, 69,057 shares of restricted stock vested, and 196,248 options were exercised under the plans at a weighted average exercise price of $15.54 .

DISCLOSURES ABOUT THE FAIR VALU

DISCLOSURES ABOUT THE FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
DISCLOSURES ABOUT THE FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS	DISCLOSURES ABOUT THE FAIR VALUES OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 are summarized in the tables below. September 30, 2016 Carrying Estimated ($ in thousands) Assets: Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale: U.S. treasury $ 8,207 $ 8,207 U.S. government-sponsored agencies 237,494 237,494 Obligations of states and political subdivisions 349,912 349,912 Commercial mortgage-backed 41,882 41,882 Residential mortgage-backed 99,509 99,509 Other asset-backed 28,251 28,251 Corporate 471,895 471,895 Total fixed maturity securities available-for-sale 1,237,150 1,237,150 Equity securities available-for-sale: Common stocks: Financial services 32,419 32,419 Information technology 30,937 30,937 Healthcare 27,519 27,519 Consumer staples 21,066 21,066 Consumer discretionary 24,046 24,046 Energy 18,829 18,829 Industrials 23,694 23,694 Other 21,322 21,322 Non-redeemable preferred stocks 19,450 19,450 Total equity securities available-for-sale 219,282 219,282 Short-term investments 42,611 42,611 Liabilities: Surplus notes 25,000 12,131 December 31, 2015 Carrying Estimated ($ in thousands) Assets: Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale: U.S. treasury $ 12,589 $ 12,589 U.S. government-sponsored agencies 202,666 202,666 Obligations of states and political subdivisions 344,359 344,359 Commercial mortgage-backed 46,108 46,108 Residential mortgage-backed 88,543 88,543 Other asset-backed 17,844 17,844 Corporate 448,916 448,916 Total fixed maturity securities available-for-sale 1,161,025 1,161,025 Equity securities available-for-sale: Common stocks: Financial services 33,955 33,955 Information technology 28,102 28,102 Healthcare 25,894 25,894 Consumer staples 18,200 18,200 Consumer discretionary 18,923 18,923 Energy 21,068 21,068 Industrials 20,416 20,416 Other 20,683 20,683 Non-redeemable preferred stocks 19,002 19,002 Total equity securities available-for-sale 206,243 206,243 Short-term investments 38,599 38,599 Liabilities: Surplus notes 25,000 10,823 The estimated fair values 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 September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , 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 September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , 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 September 30, 2016 include nine fixed maturity securities ( seven at December 31, 2015 ). 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, the Company's investment custodian, or the Company's investment department using similar pricing techniques as the Company’s independent pricing service. Presented in the tables below are the estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 . September 30, 2016 Fair value measurements using ($ in thousands) Total Quoted Significant Significant Financial instruments reported at fair value on recurring basis: Assets: Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale: U.S. treasury $ 8,207 $ — $ 8,207 $ — U.S. government-sponsored agencies 237,494 — 237,494 — Obligations of states and political subdivisions 349,912 — 349,912 — Commercial mortgage-backed 41,882 — 41,882 — Residential mortgage-backed 99,509 — 99,509 — Other asset-backed 28,251 — 28,251 — Corporate 471,895 — 470,825 1,070 Total fixed maturity securities available-for-sale 1,237,150 — 1,236,080 1,070 Equity securities available-for-sale: Common stocks: Financial services 32,419 32,416 — 3 Information technology 30,937 30,937 — — Healthcare 27,519 27,519 — — Consumer staples 21,066 21,066 — — Consumer discretionary 24,046 24,046 — — Energy 18,829 18,829 — — Industrials 23,694 23,694 — — Other 21,322 21,322 — — Non-redeemable preferred stocks 19,450 11,991 7,459 — Total equity securities available-for-sale 219,282 211,820 7,459 3 Short-term investments 42,611 42,611 — — Financial instruments not reported at fair value: Liabilities: Surplus notes 12,131 — — 12,131 December 31, 2015 Fair value measurements using ($ in thousands) Total Quoted Significant Significant Financial instruments reported at fair value on recurring basis: Assets: Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale: U.S. treasury $ 12,589 $ — $ 12,589 $ — U.S. government-sponsored agencies 202,666 — 202,666 — Obligations of states and political subdivisions 344,359 — 344,359 — Commercial mortgage-backed 46,108 — 46,108 — Residential mortgage-backed 88,543 — 88,543 — Other asset-backed 17,844 — 17,844 — Corporate 448,916 — 447,587 1,329 Total fixed maturity securities available-for-sale 1,161,025 — 1,159,696 1,329 Equity securities available-for-sale: Common stocks: Financial services 33,955 33,952 — 3 Information technology 28,102 28,102 — — Healthcare 25,894 25,894 — — Consumer staples 18,200 18,200 — — Consumer discretionary 18,923 18,923 — — Energy 21,068 21,068 — — Industrials 20,416 20,416 — — Other 20,683 20,683 — — Non-redeemable preferred stocks 19,002 11,706 7,296 — Total equity securities available-for-sale 206,243 198,944 7,296 3 Short-term investments 38,599 38,599 — — Financial instruments not reported at fair value: Liabilities: Surplus notes 10,823 — — 10,823 Presented in the tables below are a reconciliation of the assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 . Any unrealized gains or losses on these securities are recognized in other comprehensive income. Any gains or losses from settlements, disposals or impairments of these securities are reported as realized investment gains or losses in net income. Three months ended September 30, 2016 Fair value measurements using significant unobservable (Level 3) inputs ($ in thousands) Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, corporate Equity securities Total Beginning balance $ 1,191 $ 3 $ 1,194 Settlements (117 ) — (117 ) Unrealized gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income (loss) (4 ) — (4 ) Balance at September 30, 2016 $ 1,070 $ 3 $ 1,073 Nine months ended September 30, 2016 Beginning balance $ 1,329 $ 3 $ 1,332 Settlements (262 ) — (262 ) Unrealized gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income (loss) 3 — 3 Balance at September 30, 2016 $ 1,070 $ 3 $ 1,073 Three months ended September 30, 2015 Fair value measurements using significant unobservable (Level 3) inputs ($ in thousands) Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, corporate Equity securities Total Beginning balance $ 1,622 $ 3 $ 1,625 Settlements (171 ) — (171 ) Unrealized gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income (loss) 2 — 2 Balance at September 30, 2015 $ 1,453 $ 3 $ 1,456 Nine months ended September 30, 2015 Beginning balance $ 1,662 $ 3 $ 1,665 Settlements (214 ) — (214 ) Unrealized gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income (loss) 5 — 5 Balance at September 30, 2015 $ 1,453 $ 3 $ 1,456 There were no transfers into or out of Levels 1 or 2 during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 or 2015 . It is the Company’s policy to recognize transfers between levels at the beginning of the reporting period.

INVESTMENTS

INVESTMENTS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
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 September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 are as follows. All securities are classified as available-for-sale and are carried at fair value. September 30, 2016 Amortized Gross Gross Estimated ($ in thousands) Securities available-for-sale: Fixed maturity securities: U.S. treasury $ 7,835 $ 372 $ — $ 8,207 U.S. government-sponsored agencies 236,698 1,408 612 237,494 Obligations of states and political subdivisions 320,330 29,601 19 349,912 Commercial mortgage-backed 40,800 1,208 126 41,882 Residential mortgage-backed 106,044 2,245 8,780 99,509 Other asset-backed 27,239 1,112 100 28,251 Corporate 445,524 26,584 213 471,895 Total fixed maturity securities 1,184,470 62,530 9,850 1,237,150 Equity securities: Common stocks: Financial services 24,115 8,748 444 32,419 Information technology 19,482 11,457 2 30,937 Healthcare 16,522 11,040 43 27,519 Consumer staples 14,059 7,066 59 21,066 Consumer discretionary 15,399 8,983 336 24,046 Energy 14,021 5,167 359 18,829 Industrials 13,390 10,375 71 23,694 Other 16,833 4,700 211 21,322 Non-redeemable preferred stocks 18,031 1,501 82 19,450 Total equity securities 151,852 69,037 1,607 219,282 Total securities available-for-sale $ 1,336,322 $ 131,567 $ 11,457 $ 1,456,432 December 31, 2015 Amortized Gross Gross Estimated ($ in thousands) Securities available-for-sale: Fixed maturity securities: U.S. treasury $ 12,566 $ 23 $ — $ 12,589 U.S. government-sponsored agencies 202,486 1,817 1,637 202,666 Obligations of states and political subdivisions 319,940 24,419 — 344,359 Commercial mortgage-backed 44,433 1,692 17 46,108 Residential mortgage-backed 94,279 1,059 6,795 88,543 Other asset-backed 17,000 883 39 17,844 Corporate 439,513 12,992 3,589 448,916 Total fixed maturity securities 1,130,217 42,885 12,077 1,161,025 Equity securities: Common stocks: Financial services 24,557 9,731 333 33,955 Information technology 19,427 8,807 132 28,102 Healthcare 15,599 10,359 64 25,894 Consumer staples 11,136 7,090 26 18,200 Consumer discretionary 10,270 8,658 5 18,923 Energy 16,384 5,972 1,288 21,068 Industrials 11,525 8,902 11 20,416 Other 17,246 3,672 235 20,683 Non-redeemable preferred stocks 18,032 1,168 198 19,002 Total equity securities 144,176 64,359 2,292 206,243 Total securities available-for-sale $ 1,274,393 $ 107,244 $ 14,369 $ 1,367,268 The following tables set forth the estimated fair values and gross unrealized losses associated with investment securities that were in an unrealized loss position as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , listed by length of time the securities were in an unrealized loss position. September 30, 2016 Less than twelve months Twelve months or longer Total ($ in thousands) Fair Unrealized Fair Unrealized Fair Unrealized Fixed maturity securities: U.S. government-sponsored agencies $ 56,223 $ 612 $ — $ — $ 56,223 $ 612 Obligations of states and political subdivisions 2,836 19 — — 2,836 19 Commercial mortgage-backed 20,698 126 — — 20,698 126 Residential mortgage-backed 24,298 1,103 25,791 7,677 50,089 8,780 Other asset-backed 7,526 100 — — 7,526 100 Corporate 22,582 134 8,646 79 31,228 213 Total fixed maturity securities 134,163 2,094 34,437 7,756 168,600 9,850 Equity securities: Common stocks: Financial services 4,802 444 — — 4,802 444 Information technology 52 2 — — 52 2 Healthcare 873 43 — — 873 43 Consumer staples 1,079 59 — — 1,079 59 Consumer discretionary 3,813 336 — — 3,813 336 Energy 4,899 359 — — 4,899 359 Industrials 1,097 71 — — 1,097 71 Other 2,448 211 — — 2,448 211 Non-redeemable preferred stocks — — 1,918 82 1,918 82 Total equity securities 19,063 1,525 1,918 82 20,981 1,607 Total temporarily impaired securities $ 153,226 $ 3,619 $ 36,355 $ 7,838 $ 189,581 $ 11,457 December 31, 2015 Less than twelve months Twelve months or longer Total ($ in thousands) Fair Unrealized Fair Unrealized Fair Unrealized Fixed maturity securities: U.S. government-sponsored agencies $ 78,800 $ 1,228 $ 34,079 $ 409 $ 112,879 $ 1,637 Commercial mortgage-backed 6,807 17 — — 6,807 17 Residential mortgage-backed 22,028 1,694 22,781 5,101 44,809 6,795 Other asset-backed 6,013 39 — — 6,013 39 Corporate 101,088 2,683 14,212 906 115,300 3,589 Total fixed maturity securities 214,736 5,661 71,072 6,416 285,808 12,077 Equity securities: Common stocks: Financial services 6,387 333 — — 6,387 333 Information technology 1,316 132 — — 1,316 132 Healthcare 3,199 64 — — 3,199 64 Consumer staples 1,244 26 — — 1,244 26 Consumer discretionary 176 5 — — 176 5 Energy 8,233 1,272 116 16 8,349 1,288 Industrials 1,263 11 — — 1,263 11 Other 4,064 235 — — 4,064 235 Non-redeemable preferred stocks 2,450 53 1,855 145 4,305 198 Total equity securities 28,332 2,131 1,971 161 30,303 2,292 Total temporarily impaired securities $ 243,068 $ 7,792 $ 73,043 $ 6,577 $ 316,111 $ 14,369 The fair values of fixed maturity securities generally increased during the first nine months of 2016 due to a decline in interest rates. Most of the securities that are in an unrealized loss position 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 September 30, 2016 . The majority of the unrealized losses on common stocks at September 30, 2016 are from the financial services, energy and consumer discretionary sectors, though no individual security accounted for a material amount of unrealized losses. 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 September 30, 2016 . 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 September 30, 2016 . The amortized cost and estimated fair values of fixed maturity securities at September 30, 2016 , 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 Securities available-for-sale: Due in one year or less $ 33,776 $ 34,148 Due after one year through five years 165,885 174,885 Due after five years through ten years 324,442 344,608 Due after ten years 510,334 538,909 Securities not due at a single maturity date 150,033 144,600 Totals $ 1,184,470 $ 1,237,150 A summary of realized investment gains and (losses) is as follows: Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30, ($ in thousands) 2016 2015 2016 2015 Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale: Gross realized investment gains $ 261 $ 61 $ 1,935 $ 642 Gross realized investment losses (218 ) — (517 ) — Equity securities available-for-sale: Gross realized investment gains 1,001 3,345 5,849 11,681 Gross realized investment losses (50 ) (2,525 ) (1,683 ) (3,278 ) "Other-than-temporary" impairments (275 ) (628 ) (976 ) (1,293 ) Other long-term investments, net (1,911 ) 7,245 (5,251 ) 3,803 Totals $ (1,192 ) $ 7,498 $ (643 ) $ 11,555 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 net realized investment losses recognized on other long-term investments during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 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	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
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, 2015 . The Company had a contingent liability for the aggregate guaranteed amount of the annuities of $183,000 at December 31, 2015 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 September 30, 2016 . 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	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Equity [Abstract]
STOCK REPURCHASE PROGRAM	STOCK REPURCHASE PROGRAM On November 3, 2011, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a $15.0 million stock repurchase program. This program 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. The Company repurchased 17,300 shares of its common stock at an average cost of $22.14 during the first nine months of 2016. No other purchases have been made under this program.

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
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 Balance at December 31, 2015 $ 60,369 $ (1,936 ) $ 58,433 Other comprehensive income before reclassifications 20,698 — 20,698 Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (2,995 ) (607 ) (3,602 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) 17,703 (607 ) 17,096 Balance at September 30, 2016 $ 78,072 $ (2,543 ) $ 75,529 The following tables display amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income and into net income during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , respectively. ($ in thousands) Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income Accumulated other comprehensive Three months ended Nine months ended Affected line item in the Unrealized gains on investments: Reclassification adjustment for realized investment gains included in net income $ 718 $ 4,608 Net realized investment gains Deferred income tax expense (252 ) (1,613 ) Income tax expense, current Net reclassification adjustment 466 2,995 Unrecognized pension and postretirement benefit obligations: Reclassification adjustment for amounts amortized into net periodic pension and postretirement benefit income: Net actuarial loss (1,112 ) (1,956 ) (1) Prior service credit 1,291 2,890 (1) Total before tax 179 934 Deferred income tax expense (62 ) (327 ) Income tax expense, current Net reclassification adjustment 117 607 Total reclassification adjustment $ 583 $ 3,602 (1) These reclassified components of accumulated other comprehensive income are included in the computation of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit income (see Note 6, Employee Retirement Plans, for additional details). ($ in thousands) Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income Accumulated other comprehensive Three months ended September 30, 2015 Nine months ended September 30, 2015 Affected line item in the Unrealized gains on investments: Reclassification adjustment for realized investment gains included in net income $ 253 $ 7,752 Net realized investment gains Deferred income tax expense (89 ) (2,713 ) Income tax expense, current Net reclassification adjustment 164 5,039 Unrecognized pension and postretirement benefit obligations: Reclassification adjustment for amounts amortized into net periodic pension and postretirement benefit income: Net actuarial loss (345 ) (996 ) (1) Prior service credit 827 2,480 (1) Total before tax 482 1,484 Deferred income tax expense (169 ) (520 ) Income tax expense, current Net reclassification adjustment 313 964 Total reclassification adjustment $ 477 $ 6,003 (1) These reclassified components of accumulated other comprehensive income are included in the computation of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit income (see Note 6, Employee Retirement Plans, for additional details).

NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS N

NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS NOT YET ADOPTED	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]
NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS NOT YET ADOPTED	NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS NOT YET ADOPTED In May 2014, the FASB updated its guidance related to the Revenue from Contracts with Customers Topic 606 of the ASC. The objective of this update (and other related following updates) 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, 2017, with early adoption permitted as of the original effective date (annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016). The Company will adopt this guidance during the first quarter of 2018. 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 items are service charges related to the billing of the pool participants' direct written premiums to policyholders, and commission income on excess and surplus lines business marketed by EMC Underwriters, LLC, both of which are included in "Other income" in the consolidated statements of income. In May 2015, the FASB updated its guidance related to the Financial Services-Insurance Topic 944 of the ASC. The objective of this update is to add disclosures which provide transparency of significant estimates made in measuring the liability for losses and settlement expenses, thus providing more insight into an insurance entity's ability to underwrite and anticipate costs associated with claims. The new disclosures primarily include incurred and paid claims development tables prepared net of reinsurance (not to exceed ten years), and a reconciliation of the carrying amount of the liability for losses and settlement expenses. Also included (for each accident year of incurred claims development disclosed), is disclosure of incurred but not reported (IBNR) loss reserves, claim frequency information, and the average annual percentage payout of incurred claims by age. This guidance is to be applied retrospectively to annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, and certain disclosures to interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company will adopt this guidance during the fourth quarter of 2016. Since the guidance only affects disclosure, adoption will have no impact on the consolidated financial condition or operating results of the Company. In January 2016, the FASB updated its guidance related to the Financial Instruments-Overall Subtopic 825-10 of the ASC. The objective of this update is to enhance the reporting model for financial instruments to provide financial statement users with more decision-useful information. The major change in reporting from this update that will impact the Company is a requirement that equity investments (excluding those accounted for under the equity method of accounting or those that are consolidated) be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. While all of the Company's equity investments are already measured at fair value (with the exception of those that are consolidated and those that are accounted for under the equity method of accounting), the Company currently classifies all of its investments in equity securities as available-for-sale, and as such, the changes in fair value are currently recognized in other comprehensive income rather than net income. This guidance is to be applied to annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with recognition of a cumulative-effect adjustment to the balance sheet as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. Early adoption is not permitted. The Company will adopt this guidance during the first quarter of 2018. Adoption is not expected to impact consolidated stockholders' equity, but is expected to introduce a material amount of volatility to the Company's consolidated net income. In February 2016, the FASB issued updated guidance in Leases Topic 842 of the ASC, which supersedes the guidance in Leases Topic 840 of the ASC. The objective of this update is to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by requiring recognition of lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet, and disclosure of key information about leasing arrangements. This guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and is to be applied using a modified retrospective approach. Early adoption is permitted. The Company will adopt this guidance during the first quarter of 2019. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this guidance will have on the Company's consolidated financial condition and operating results. In June 2016, the FASB issued updated guidance in Financial Instruments-Credit Losses Topic 326 of the ASC. The objective of this update is to provide information about expected credit losses on financial instruments and other commitments to extend credit. Specifically, this updated guidance replaces the current incurred loss impairment methodology, that delays recognition of a loss until it is probable a loss has been incurred, with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses considering a broader range of reasonable and supportable information. This guidance covers financial assets that are not accounted for at fair value through net income, thus will not be applicable to the Company's equity investments upon implementation of the updated guidance described above for the Financial Instruments-Overall Subtopic 825-10. This guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019, and is to be applied with a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is effective (modified-retrospective approach). Early adoption is permitted, but only to fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company will adopt this guidance during the first quarter of 2020. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this guidance will have on the Company's consolidated financial condition and operating results.

REINSURANCE (Tables)

REINSURANCE (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
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 and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 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 September 30, 2016 ($ in thousands) Property and Reinsurance Total Premiums written Direct $ 119,849 $ — $ 119,849 Assumed from nonaffiliates 1,221 39,592 40,813 Assumed from affiliates 146,289 — 146,289 Ceded to nonaffiliates (7,841 ) (983 ) (8,824 ) Ceded to affiliates (120,614 ) (1,270 ) (121,884 ) Net premiums written $ 138,904 $ 37,339 $ 176,243 Premiums earned Direct $ 96,730 $ — $ 96,730 Assumed from nonaffiliates 1,170 39,394 40,564 Assumed from affiliates 122,058 — 122,058 Ceded to nonaffiliates (6,091 ) (2,315 ) (8,406 ) Ceded to affiliates (97,495 ) (1,270 ) (98,765 ) Net premiums earned $ 116,372 $ 35,809 $ 152,181 Losses and settlement expenses incurred Direct $ 59,831 $ — $ 59,831 Assumed from nonaffiliates 793 27,206 27,999 Assumed from affiliates 85,196 280 85,476 Ceded to nonaffiliates (895 ) (944 ) (1,839 ) Ceded to affiliates (63,282 ) (12 ) (63,294 ) Net losses and settlement expenses incurred $ 81,643 $ 26,530 $ 108,173 Three months ended September 30, 2015 ($ in thousands) Property and Reinsurance Total Premiums written Direct $ 117,187 $ — $ 117,187 Assumed from nonaffiliates 1,178 34,954 36,132 Assumed from affiliates 141,200 — 141,200 Ceded to nonaffiliates (7,656 ) (774 ) (8,430 ) Ceded to affiliates (117,187 ) (2,734 ) (119,921 ) Net premiums written $ 134,722 $ 31,446 $ 166,168 Premiums earned Direct $ 92,083 $ — $ 92,083 Assumed from nonaffiliates 1,073 35,939 37,012 Assumed from affiliates 118,784 — 118,784 Ceded to nonaffiliates (6,104 ) (1,170 ) (7,274 ) Ceded to affiliates (92,083 ) (2,734 ) (94,817 ) Net premiums earned $ 113,753 $ 32,035 $ 145,788 Losses and settlement expenses incurred Direct $ 53,717 $ — $ 53,717 Assumed from nonaffiliates 655 27,677 28,332 Assumed from affiliates 76,697 252 76,949 Ceded to nonaffiliates (1,376 ) (877 ) (2,253 ) Ceded to affiliates (53,717 ) (343 ) (54,060 ) Net losses and settlement expenses incurred $ 75,976 $ 26,709 $ 102,685 Nine months ended September 30, 2016 ($ in thousands) Property and Reinsurance Total Premiums written Direct $ 311,542 $ — $ 311,542 Assumed from nonaffiliates 3,430 111,378 114,808 Assumed from affiliates 393,418 — 393,418 Ceded to nonaffiliates (19,069 ) (8,814 ) (27,883 ) Ceded to affiliates (318,617 ) (3,810 ) (322,427 ) Net premiums written $ 370,704 $ 98,754 $ 469,458 Premiums earned Direct $ 284,281 $ — $ 284,281 Assumed from nonaffiliates 3,332 111,790 115,122 Assumed from affiliates 359,985 — 359,985 Ceded to nonaffiliates (17,653 ) (5,205 ) (22,858 ) Ceded to affiliates (291,356 ) (3,810 ) (295,166 ) Net premiums earned $ 338,589 $ 102,775 $ 441,364 Losses and settlement expenses incurred Direct $ 167,827 $ — $ 167,827 Assumed from nonaffiliates 2,298 71,787 74,085 Assumed from affiliates 232,472 1,033 233,505 Ceded to nonaffiliates (4,498 ) (2,336 ) (6,834 ) Ceded to affiliates (172,892 ) 411 (172,481 ) Net losses and settlement expenses incurred $ 225,207 $ 70,895 $ 296,102 Nine months ended September 30, 2015 ($ in thousands) Property and Reinsurance Total Premiums written Direct $ 297,974 $ — $ 297,974 Assumed from nonaffiliates 3,296 107,821 111,117 Assumed from affiliates 379,761 — 379,761 Ceded to nonaffiliates (18,728 ) (2,480 ) (21,208 ) Ceded to affiliates (297,974 ) (8,427 ) (306,401 ) Net premiums written $ 364,329 $ 96,914 $ 461,243 Premiums earned Direct $ 273,441 $ — $ 273,441 Assumed from nonaffiliates 3,165 109,134 112,299 Assumed from affiliates 347,686 — 347,686 Ceded to nonaffiliates (17,639 ) (4,795 ) (22,434 ) Ceded to affiliates (273,441 ) (8,427 ) (281,868 ) Net premiums earned $ 333,212 $ 95,912 $ 429,124 Losses and settlement expenses incurred Direct $ 151,565 $ — $ 151,565 Assumed from nonaffiliates 1,878 69,041 70,919 Assumed from affiliates 216,197 721 216,918 Ceded to nonaffiliates (2,607 ) (4,065 ) (6,672 ) Ceded to affiliates (151,565 ) (562 ) (152,127 ) Net losses and settlement expenses incurred $ 215,468 $ 65,135 $ 280,603

SEGMENT INFORMATION (Tables)

SEGMENT INFORMATION (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Summarized financial information for segments	Summarized financial information for the Company’s segments is as follows: Three months ended September 30, 2016 Property and Reinsurance Parent Consolidated ($ in thousands) Premiums earned $ 116,372 $ 35,809 $ — $ 152,181 Underwriting profit (loss): SAP underwriting profit (loss) (8,081 ) 689 — (7,392 ) GAAP adjustments 2,970 35 — 3,005 GAAP underwriting profit (loss) (5,111 ) 724 — (4,387 ) Net investment income (loss) 8,185 3,285 4 11,474 Net realized investment gains (losses) (799 ) (393 ) — (1,192 ) Other income (loss) 172 (257 ) — (85 ) Interest expense 84 — — 84 Other expenses 190 — 489 679 Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit) $ 2,173 $ 3,359 $ (485 ) $ 5,047 Three months ended September 30, 2015 Property and Reinsurance Parent Consolidated ($ in thousands) Premiums earned $ 113,753 $ 32,035 $ — $ 145,788 Underwriting profit (loss): SAP underwriting profit (loss) (2,487 ) (2,167 ) — (4,654 ) GAAP adjustments 2,386 (368 ) — 2,018 GAAP underwriting profit (loss) (101 ) (2,535 ) — (2,636 ) Net investment income (loss) 8,125 3,176 (2 ) 11,299 Net realized investment gains (losses) 4,889 2,609 — 7,498 Other income (loss) 210 309 — 519 Interest expense 84 — — 84 Other expenses 196 — 479 675 Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit) $ 12,843 $ 3,559 $ (481 ) $ 15,921 Nine months ended September 30, 2016 Property and Reinsurance Parent Consolidated ($ in thousands) Premiums earned $ 338,589 $ 102,775 $ — $ 441,364 Underwriting profit (loss): SAP underwriting profit (loss) (8,904 ) 7,777 — (1,127 ) GAAP adjustments 3,026 (803 ) — 2,223 GAAP underwriting profit (loss) (5,878 ) 6,974 — 1,096 Net investment income (loss) 25,524 10,350 9 35,883 Net realized investment gains (losses) (627 ) (16 ) — (643 ) Other income (loss) 466 (485 ) — (19 ) Interest expense 253 — — 253 Other expenses 558 — 1,495 2,053 Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit) $ 18,674 $ 16,823 $ (1,486 ) $ 34,011 Assets $ 1,170,108 $ 465,733 $ 562,535 $ 2,198,376 Eliminations — — (554,093 ) (554,093 ) Reclassifications (2,187 ) (3,426 ) (1,165 ) (6,778 ) Total assets $ 1,167,921 $ 462,307 $ 7,277 $ 1,637,505 Nine months ended September 30, 2015 Property and Reinsurance Parent Consolidated ($ in thousands) Premiums earned $ 333,212 $ 95,912 $ — $ 429,124 Underwriting profit (loss): SAP underwriting profit (loss) (497 ) 4,685 — 4,188 GAAP adjustments 7,962 705 — 8,667 GAAP underwriting profit (loss) 7,465 5,390 — 12,855 Net investment income (loss) 24,301 9,654 (9 ) 33,946 Net realized investment gains (losses) 7,866 3,689 — 11,555 Other income (loss) 582 1,040 — 1,622 Interest expense 253 — — 253 Other expenses 568 — 1,424 1,992 Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit) $ 39,393 $ 19,773 $ (1,433 ) $ 57,733 Year ended December 31, 2015 Assets $ 1,092,820 $ 437,575 $ 525,042 $ 2,055,437 Eliminations — — (514,309 ) (514,309 ) Reclassifications — (5,173 ) — (5,173 ) Total assets $ 1,092,820 $ 432,402 $ 10,733 $ 1,535,955
Summary of net premiums earned by line of insurance	The following table displays the net premiums earned for the property and casualty insurance segment and the reinsurance segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , by line of insurance. Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30, ($ in thousands) 2016 2015 2016 2015 Property and casualty insurance segment Commercial lines: Automobile $ 28,113 $ 27,080 $ 82,449 $ 78,698 Property 27,471 26,526 77,292 77,518 Workers' compensation 24,536 23,777 71,272 69,150 Liability 24,277 23,449 72,086 68,952 Other 2,102 2,032 6,246 6,044 Total commercial lines 106,499 102,864 309,345 300,362 Personal lines 9,873 10,889 29,244 32,850 Total property and casualty insurance $ 116,372 $ 113,753 $ 338,589 $ 333,212 Reinsurance segment Pro rata reinsurance $ 15,066 $ 13,037 $ 44,175 $ 40,154 Excess of loss reinsurance 20,743 18,998 58,600 55,758 Total reinsurance $ 35,809 $ 32,035 $ 102,775 $ 95,912 Consolidated $ 152,181 $ 145,788 $ 441,364 $ 429,124

INCOME TAXES (Tables)

INCOME TAXES (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Reconciliation of income tax expense (benefit)	The actual income tax expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 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 Nine months ended ($ in thousands) 2016 2015 2016 2015 Computed "expected" income tax expense $ 1,767 $ 5,573 $ 11,904 $ 20,207 Increases (decreases) in tax resulting from: Tax-exempt interest income (709 ) (687 ) (2,101 ) (2,072 ) Dividends received deduction (336 ) (266 ) (1,110 ) (809 ) Proration of tax-exempt interest and dividends received deduction 157 143 482 432 Other, net 39 (31 ) (75 ) (292 ) Total income tax expense $ 918 $ 4,732 $ 9,100 $ 17,466

EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT PLANS (Tabl

EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT PLANS (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
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 Nine months ended ($ in thousands) 2016 2015 2016 2015 Pension plans: Service cost $ 3,639 $ 3,497 $ 10,824 $ 10,471 Interest cost 2,551 2,341 7,620 6,983 Expected return on plan assets (4,841 ) (5,074 ) (14,521 ) (15,223 ) Amortization of net actuarial loss 1,111 719 3,233 2,033 Amortization of prior service cost 9 8 24 23 Net periodic pension benefit cost $ 2,469 $ 1,491 $ 7,180 $ 4,287 Postretirement benefit plans: Service cost $ 319 $ 353 $ 955 $ 1,059 Interest cost 553 537 1,661 1,611 Expected return on plan assets (1,056 ) (1,104 ) (3,168 ) (3,312 ) Amortization of net actuarial loss 374 437 1,121 1,309 Amortization of prior service credit (2,835 ) (2,867 ) (8,504 ) (8,600 ) Net periodic postretirement benefit income $ (2,645 ) $ (2,644 ) $ (7,935 ) $ (7,933 )

DISCLOSURES ABOUT THE FAIR VA27

DISCLOSURES ABOUT THE FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Summary of carrying amount and estimated fair value of financial instruments	The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 are summarized in the tables below. September 30, 2016 Carrying Estimated ($ in thousands) Assets: Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale: U.S. treasury $ 8,207 $ 8,207 U.S. government-sponsored agencies 237,494 237,494 Obligations of states and political subdivisions 349,912 349,912 Commercial mortgage-backed 41,882 41,882 Residential mortgage-backed 99,509 99,509 Other asset-backed 28,251 28,251 Corporate 471,895 471,895 Total fixed maturity securities available-for-sale 1,237,150 1,237,150 Equity securities available-for-sale: Common stocks: Financial services 32,419 32,419 Information technology 30,937 30,937 Healthcare 27,519 27,519 Consumer staples 21,066 21,066 Consumer discretionary 24,046 24,046 Energy 18,829 18,829 Industrials 23,694 23,694 Other 21,322 21,322 Non-redeemable preferred stocks 19,450 19,450 Total equity securities available-for-sale 219,282 219,282 Short-term investments 42,611 42,611 Liabilities: Surplus notes 25,000 12,131 December 31, 2015 Carrying Estimated ($ in thousands) Assets: Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale: U.S. treasury $ 12,589 $ 12,589 U.S. government-sponsored agencies 202,666 202,666 Obligations of states and political subdivisions 344,359 344,359 Commercial mortgage-backed 46,108 46,108 Residential mortgage-backed 88,543 88,543 Other asset-backed 17,844 17,844 Corporate 448,916 448,916 Total fixed maturity securities available-for-sale 1,161,025 1,161,025 Equity securities available-for-sale: Common stocks: Financial services 33,955 33,955 Information technology 28,102 28,102 Healthcare 25,894 25,894 Consumer staples 18,200 18,200 Consumer discretionary 18,923 18,923 Energy 21,068 21,068 Industrials 20,416 20,416 Other 20,683 20,683 Non-redeemable preferred stocks 19,002 19,002 Total equity securities available-for-sale 206,243 206,243 Short-term investments 38,599 38,599 Liabilities: Surplus notes 25,000 10,823
Summary of assets and liabilities measured on recurring and non-recurring basis	Presented in the tables below are the estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 . September 30, 2016 Fair value measurements using ($ in thousands) Total Quoted Significant Significant Financial instruments reported at fair value on recurring basis: Assets: Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale: U.S. treasury $ 8,207 $ — $ 8,207 $ — U.S. government-sponsored agencies 237,494 — 237,494 — Obligations of states and political subdivisions 349,912 — 349,912 — Commercial mortgage-backed 41,882 — 41,882 — Residential mortgage-backed 99,509 — 99,509 — Other asset-backed 28,251 — 28,251 — Corporate 471,895 — 470,825 1,070 Total fixed maturity securities available-for-sale 1,237,150 — 1,236,080 1,070 Equity securities available-for-sale: Common stocks: Financial services 32,419 32,416 — 3 Information technology 30,937 30,937 — — Healthcare 27,519 27,519 — — Consumer staples 21,066 21,066 — — Consumer discretionary 24,046 24,046 — — Energy 18,829 18,829 — — Industrials 23,694 23,694 — — Other 21,322 21,322 — — Non-redeemable preferred stocks 19,450 11,991 7,459 — Total equity securities available-for-sale 219,282 211,820 7,459 3 Short-term investments 42,611 42,611 — — Financial instruments not reported at fair value: Liabilities: Surplus notes 12,131 — — 12,131 December 31, 2015 Fair value measurements using ($ in thousands) Total Quoted Significant Significant Financial instruments reported at fair value on recurring basis: Assets: Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale: U.S. treasury $ 12,589 $ — $ 12,589 $ — U.S. government-sponsored agencies 202,666 — 202,666 — Obligations of states and political subdivisions 344,359 — 344,359 — Commercial mortgage-backed 46,108 — 46,108 — Residential mortgage-backed 88,543 — 88,543 — Other asset-backed 17,844 — 17,844 — Corporate 448,916 — 447,587 1,329 Total fixed maturity securities available-for-sale 1,161,025 — 1,159,696 1,329 Equity securities available-for-sale: Common stocks: Financial services 33,955 33,952 — 3 Information technology 28,102 28,102 — — Healthcare 25,894 25,894 — — Consumer staples 18,200 18,200 — — Consumer discretionary 18,923 18,923 — — Energy 21,068 21,068 — — Industrials 20,416 20,416 — — Other 20,683 20,683 — — Non-redeemable preferred stocks 19,002 11,706 7,296 — Total equity securities available-for-sale 206,243 198,944 7,296 3 Short-term investments 38,599 38,599 — — Financial instruments not reported at fair value: Liabilities: Surplus notes 10,823 — — 10,823
Reconciliation of assets measured at fair value on recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs	Presented in the tables below are a reconciliation of the assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 . Any unrealized gains or losses on these securities are recognized in other comprehensive income. Any gains or losses from settlements, disposals or impairments of these securities are reported as realized investment gains or losses in net income. Three months ended September 30, 2016 Fair value measurements using significant unobservable (Level 3) inputs ($ in thousands) Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, corporate Equity securities Total Beginning balance $ 1,191 $ 3 $ 1,194 Settlements (117 ) — (117 ) Unrealized gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income (loss) (4 ) — (4 ) Balance at September 30, 2016 $ 1,070 $ 3 $ 1,073 Nine months ended September 30, 2016 Beginning balance $ 1,329 $ 3 $ 1,332 Settlements (262 ) — (262 ) Unrealized gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income (loss) 3 — 3 Balance at September 30, 2016 $ 1,070 $ 3 $ 1,073 Three months ended September 30, 2015 Fair value measurements using significant unobservable (Level 3) inputs ($ in thousands) Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, corporate Equity securities Total Beginning balance $ 1,622 $ 3 $ 1,625 Settlements (171 ) — (171 ) Unrealized gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income (loss) 2 — 2 Balance at September 30, 2015 $ 1,453 $ 3 $ 1,456 Nine months ended September 30, 2015 Beginning balance $ 1,662 $ 3 $ 1,665 Settlements (214 ) — (214 ) Unrealized gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income (loss) 5 — 5 Balance at September 30, 2015 $ 1,453 $ 3 $ 1,456

INVESTMENTS (Tables)

INVESTMENTS (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
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 September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 are as follows. All securities are classified as available-for-sale and are carried at fair value. September 30, 2016 Amortized Gross Gross Estimated ($ in thousands) Securities available-for-sale: Fixed maturity securities: U.S. treasury $ 7,835 $ 372 $ — $ 8,207 U.S. government-sponsored agencies 236,698 1,408 612 237,494 Obligations of states and political subdivisions 320,330 29,601 19 349,912 Commercial mortgage-backed 40,800 1,208 126 41,882 Residential mortgage-backed 106,044 2,245 8,780 99,509 Other asset-backed 27,239 1,112 100 28,251 Corporate 445,524 26,584 213 471,895 Total fixed maturity securities 1,184,470 62,530 9,850 1,237,150 Equity securities: Common stocks: Financial services 24,115 8,748 444 32,419 Information technology 19,482 11,457 2 30,937 Healthcare 16,522 11,040 43 27,519 Consumer staples 14,059 7,066 59 21,066 Consumer discretionary 15,399 8,983 336 24,046 Energy 14,021 5,167 359 18,829 Industrials 13,390 10,375 71 23,694 Other 16,833 4,700 211 21,322 Non-redeemable preferred stocks 18,031 1,501 82 19,450 Total equity securities 151,852 69,037 1,607 219,282 Total securities available-for-sale $ 1,336,322 $ 131,567 $ 11,457 $ 1,456,432 December 31, 2015 Amortized Gross Gross Estimated ($ in thousands) Securities available-for-sale: Fixed maturity securities: U.S. treasury $ 12,566 $ 23 $ — $ 12,589 U.S. government-sponsored agencies 202,486 1,817 1,637 202,666 Obligations of states and political subdivisions 319,940 24,419 — 344,359 Commercial mortgage-backed 44,433 1,692 17 46,108 Residential mortgage-backed 94,279 1,059 6,795 88,543 Other asset-backed 17,000 883 39 17,844 Corporate 439,513 12,992 3,589 448,916 Total fixed maturity securities 1,130,217 42,885 12,077 1,161,025 Equity securities: Common stocks: Financial services 24,557 9,731 333 33,955 Information technology 19,427 8,807 132 28,102 Healthcare 15,599 10,359 64 25,894 Consumer staples 11,136 7,090 26 18,200 Consumer discretionary 10,270 8,658 5 18,923 Energy 16,384 5,972 1,288 21,068 Industrials 11,525 8,902 11 20,416 Other 17,246 3,672 235 20,683 Non-redeemable preferred stocks 18,032 1,168 198 19,002 Total equity securities 144,176 64,359 2,292 206,243 Total securities available-for-sale $ 1,274,393 $ 107,244 $ 14,369 $ 1,367,268
Estimated fair value and gross unrealized losses associated with investment securities	The following tables set forth the estimated fair values and gross unrealized losses associated with investment securities that were in an unrealized loss position as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , listed by length of time the securities were in an unrealized loss position. September 30, 2016 Less than twelve months Twelve months or longer Total ($ in thousands) Fair Unrealized Fair Unrealized Fair Unrealized Fixed maturity securities: U.S. government-sponsored agencies $ 56,223 $ 612 $ — $ — $ 56,223 $ 612 Obligations of states and political subdivisions 2,836 19 — — 2,836 19 Commercial mortgage-backed 20,698 126 — — 20,698 126 Residential mortgage-backed 24,298 1,103 25,791 7,677 50,089 8,780 Other asset-backed 7,526 100 — — 7,526 100 Corporate 22,582 134 8,646 79 31,228 213 Total fixed maturity securities 134,163 2,094 34,437 7,756 168,600 9,850 Equity securities: Common stocks: Financial services 4,802 444 — — 4,802 444 Information technology 52 2 — — 52 2 Healthcare 873 43 — — 873 43 Consumer staples 1,079 59 — — 1,079 59 Consumer discretionary 3,813 336 — — 3,813 336 Energy 4,899 359 — — 4,899 359 Industrials 1,097 71 — — 1,097 71 Other 2,448 211 — — 2,448 211 Non-redeemable preferred stocks — — 1,918 82 1,918 82 Total equity securities 19,063 1,525 1,918 82 20,981 1,607 Total temporarily impaired securities $ 153,226 $ 3,619 $ 36,355 $ 7,838 $ 189,581 $ 11,457 December 31, 2015 Less than twelve months Twelve months or longer Total ($ in thousands) Fair Unrealized Fair Unrealized Fair Unrealized Fixed maturity securities: U.S. government-sponsored agencies $ 78,800 $ 1,228 $ 34,079 $ 409 $ 112,879 $ 1,637 Commercial mortgage-backed 6,807 17 — — 6,807 17 Residential mortgage-backed 22,028 1,694 22,781 5,101 44,809 6,795 Other asset-backed 6,013 39 — — 6,013 39 Corporate 101,088 2,683 14,212 906 115,300 3,589 Total fixed maturity securities 214,736 5,661 71,072 6,416 285,808 12,077 Equity securities: Common stocks: Financial services 6,387 333 — — 6,387 333 Information technology 1,316 132 — — 1,316 132 Healthcare 3,199 64 — — 3,199 64 Consumer staples 1,244 26 — — 1,244 26 Consumer discretionary 176 5 — — 176 5 Energy 8,233 1,272 116 16 8,349 1,288 Industrials 1,263 11 — — 1,263 11 Other 4,064 235 — — 4,064 235 Non-redeemable preferred stocks 2,450 53 1,855 145 4,305 198 Total equity securities 28,332 2,131 1,971 161 30,303 2,292 Total temporarily impaired securities $ 243,068 $ 7,792 $ 73,043 $ 6,577 $ 316,111 $ 14,369
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of fixed maturity securities	The amortized cost and estimated fair values of fixed maturity securities at September 30, 2016 , 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 Securities available-for-sale: Due in one year or less $ 33,776 $ 34,148 Due after one year through five years 165,885 174,885 Due after five years through ten years 324,442 344,608 Due after ten years 510,334 538,909 Securities not due at a single maturity date 150,033 144,600 Totals $ 1,184,470 $ 1,237,150
Summary of realized investment gains and (losses)	A summary of realized investment gains and (losses) is as follows: Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30, ($ in thousands) 2016 2015 2016 2015 Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale: Gross realized investment gains $ 261 $ 61 $ 1,935 $ 642 Gross realized investment losses (218 ) — (517 ) — Equity securities available-for-sale: Gross realized investment gains 1,001 3,345 5,849 11,681 Gross realized investment losses (50 ) (2,525 ) (1,683 ) (3,278 ) "Other-than-temporary" impairments (275 ) (628 ) (976 ) (1,293 ) Other long-term investments, net (1,911 ) 7,245 (5,251 ) 3,803 Totals $ (1,192 ) $ 7,498 $ (643 ) $ 11,555

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSI29

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
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 Balance at December 31, 2015 $ 60,369 $ (1,936 ) $ 58,433 Other comprehensive income before reclassifications 20,698 — 20,698 Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (2,995 ) (607 ) (3,602 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) 17,703 (607 ) 17,096 Balance at September 30, 2016 $ 78,072 $ (2,543 ) $ 75,529
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 and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , respectively. ($ in thousands) Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income Accumulated other comprehensive Three months ended Nine months ended Affected line item in the Unrealized gains on investments: Reclassification adjustment for realized investment gains included in net income $ 718 $ 4,608 Net realized investment gains Deferred income tax expense (252 ) (1,613 ) Income tax expense, current Net reclassification adjustment 466 2,995 Unrecognized pension and postretirement benefit obligations: Reclassification adjustment for amounts amortized into net periodic pension and postretirement benefit income: Net actuarial loss (1,112 ) (1,956 ) (1) Prior service credit 1,291 2,890 (1) Total before tax 179 934 Deferred income tax expense (62 ) (327 ) Income tax expense, current Net reclassification adjustment 117 607 Total reclassification adjustment $ 583 $ 3,602 (1) These reclassified components of accumulated other comprehensive income are included in the computation of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit income (see Note 6, Employee Retirement Plans, for additional details). ($ in thousands) Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income Accumulated other comprehensive Three months ended September 30, 2015 Nine months ended September 30, 2015 Affected line item in the Unrealized gains on investments: Reclassification adjustment for realized investment gains included in net income $ 253 $ 7,752 Net realized investment gains Deferred income tax expense (89 ) (2,713 ) Income tax expense, current Net reclassification adjustment 164 5,039 Unrecognized pension and postretirement benefit obligations: Reclassification adjustment for amounts amortized into net periodic pension and postretirement benefit income: Net actuarial loss (345 ) (996 ) (1) Prior service credit 827 2,480 (1) Total before tax 482 1,484 Deferred income tax expense (169 ) (520 ) Income tax expense, current Net reclassification adjustment 313 964 Total reclassification adjustment $ 477 $ 6,003 (1) These reclassified components of accumulated other comprehensive income are included in the computation of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit income (see Note 6, Employee Retirement Plans, for additional details).

TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES (D

TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES (Details) - Affiliated Entity [Member] $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended		9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)Plan	Jun. 30, 2016USD ($)Plan	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)Plan
Property and casualty insurance [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Number of reinsurance program treaties | Plan		1	1		2
Property and casualty insurance [Member] | Annual Aggregate Catastrophe Excess of Loss [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Catastrophe claims, retention amount		$ 15,000	$ 20,000
Affiliated reinsurance contract first layer limit		12,000	24,000
Dollar amount of cost of affiliated reinsurance contract		1,500	$ 6,300
Ceded Losses and settlement expenses incurred	$ 3,500			$ 5,100
Reinsurance retention balance		$ 213
Reinsurance [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Number of reinsurance program treaties | Plan					2
Reinsurance [Member] | Per Occurrence Catastrophe Excess of Loss [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Catastrophe claims, retention amount					$ 10,000
Affiliated reinsurance contract first layer limit					$ 10,000
First layer excess of loss coinsurance percentage (in hundreths)					20.00%
Dollar amount of cost of affiliated reinsurance contract					$ 2,000
Reinsurance [Member] | Annual Aggregate Catastrophe Excess of Loss [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Catastrophe claims, retention amount					20,000
Affiliated reinsurance contract first layer limit					$ 100,000
First layer excess of loss coinsurance percentage (in hundreths)					20.00%
Dollar amount of cost of affiliated reinsurance contract					$ 3,100
Catastrophe event minimum amount					500
Dollar amount of cost of protection provided by industry loss warranties					$ 3,500
Ceded Losses and settlement expenses incurred	$ 0			$ 0

REINSURANCE (Details)

REINSURANCE (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Premiums written
Net premiums written	$ 176,243	$ 166,168	$ 469,458	$ 461,243
Premiums earned
Net premiums earned	152,181	145,788	441,364	429,124
Losses and settlement expenses incurred
Net losses and settlement expenses incurred	108,173	102,685	296,102	280,603
Affiliated Entity [Member]
Premiums written
Assumed	146,289	141,200	393,418	379,761
Ceded	(121,884)	(119,921)	(322,427)	(306,401)
Premiums earned
Assumed	122,058	118,784	359,985	347,686
Ceded	(98,765)	(94,817)	(295,166)	(281,868)
Losses and settlement expenses incurred
Assumed	85,476	76,949	233,505	216,918
Ceded	(63,294)	(54,060)	(172,481)	(152,127)
Non Affiliated Entity [Member]
Premiums written
Direct	119,849	117,187	311,542	297,974
Assumed	40,813	36,132	114,808	111,117
Ceded	(8,824)	(8,430)	(27,883)	(21,208)
Premiums earned
Direct	96,730	92,083	284,281	273,441
Assumed	40,564	37,012	115,122	112,299
Ceded	(8,406)	(7,274)	(22,858)	(22,434)
Losses and settlement expenses incurred
Direct	59,831	53,717	167,827	151,565
Assumed	27,999	28,332	74,085	70,919
Ceded	$ (1,839)	$ (2,253)	$ (6,834)	$ (6,672)
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%	30.00%	30.00%
Premiums written
Net premiums written	$ 138,904	$ 134,722	$ 370,704	$ 364,329
Premiums earned
Net premiums earned	116,372	113,753	338,589	333,212
Losses and settlement expenses incurred
Net losses and settlement expenses incurred	81,643	75,976	225,207	215,468
Property and casualty insurance [Member] | Affiliated Entity [Member]
Premiums written
Assumed	146,289	141,200	393,418	379,761
Ceded	(120,614)	(117,187)	(318,617)	(297,974)
Premiums earned
Assumed	122,058	118,784	359,985	347,686
Ceded	(97,495)	(92,083)	(291,356)	(273,441)
Losses and settlement expenses incurred
Assumed	85,196	76,697	232,472	216,197
Ceded	(63,282)	(53,717)	(172,892)	(151,565)
Property and casualty insurance [Member] | Non Affiliated Entity [Member]
Premiums written
Direct	119,849	117,187	311,542	297,974
Assumed	1,221	1,178	3,430	3,296
Ceded	(7,841)	(7,656)	(19,069)	(18,728)
Premiums earned
Direct	96,730	92,083	284,281	273,441
Assumed	1,170	1,073	3,332	3,165
Ceded	(6,091)	(6,104)	(17,653)	(17,639)
Losses and settlement expenses incurred
Direct	59,831	53,717	167,827	151,565
Assumed	793	655	2,298	1,878
Ceded	(895)	(1,376)	(4,498)	(2,607)
Reinsurance [Member]
Premiums written
Net premiums written	37,339	31,446	98,754	96,914
Premiums earned
Net premiums earned	35,809	32,035	102,775	95,912
Losses and settlement expenses incurred
Net losses and settlement expenses incurred	26,530	26,709	70,895	65,135
Reinsurance [Member] | Affiliated Entity [Member]
Premiums written
Assumed	0	0	0	0
Ceded	(1,270)	(2,734)	(3,810)	(8,427)
Premiums earned
Assumed	0	0	0	0
Ceded	(1,270)	(2,734)	(3,810)	(8,427)
Losses and settlement expenses incurred
Assumed	280	252	1,033	721
Ceded	(12)	(343)	411	(562)
Reinsurance [Member] | Non Affiliated Entity [Member]
Premiums written
Direct	0	0	0	0
Assumed	39,592	34,954	111,378	107,821
Ceded	(983)	(774)	(8,814)	(2,480)
Premiums earned
Direct	0	0	0	0
Assumed	39,394	35,939	111,790	109,134
Ceded	(2,315)	(1,170)	(5,205)	(4,795)
Losses and settlement expenses incurred
Direct	0	0	0	0
Assumed	27,206	27,677	71,787	69,041
Ceded	$ (944)	$ (877)	$ (2,336)	$ (4,065)

SEGMENT INFORMATION - Summarize

SEGMENT INFORMATION - Summarized financial information by segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Reconciliation of operating profit loss from segment to consolidated
Premiums earned	$ 152,181	$ 145,788	$ 441,364	$ 429,124
SAP underwriting profit (loss)	(7,392)	(4,654)	(1,127)	4,188
GAAP adjustments	3,005	2,018	2,223	8,667
GAAP underwriting profit (loss)	(4,387)	(2,636)	1,096	12,855
Net investment income (loss)	11,474	11,299	35,883	33,946
Net realized investment gains (losses)	(1,192)	7,498	(643)	11,555
Other income (loss)	(85)	519	(19)	1,622
Interest expense	84	84	253	253
Other expenses	679	675	2,053	1,992
Income before income tax expense	5,047	15,921	34,011	57,733
Reconciliation of assets from segment to consolidated
Assets	2,198,376		2,198,376		$ 2,055,437
Eliminations	(554,093)		(554,093)		(514,309)
Reclassifications	(6,778)		(6,778)		(5,173)
Total assets	1,637,505		1,637,505		1,535,955
Property and casualty insurance [Member]
Reconciliation of operating profit loss from segment to consolidated
Premiums earned	116,372	113,753	338,589	333,212
SAP underwriting profit (loss)	(8,081)	(2,487)	(8,904)	(497)
GAAP adjustments	2,970	2,386	3,026	7,962
GAAP underwriting profit (loss)	(5,111)	(101)	(5,878)	7,465
Net investment income (loss)	8,185	8,125	25,524	24,301
Net realized investment gains (losses)	(799)	4,889	(627)	7,866
Other income (loss)	172	210	466	582
Interest expense	84	84	253	253
Other expenses	190	196	558	568
Income before income tax expense	2,173	12,843	18,674	39,393
Reconciliation of assets from segment to consolidated
Assets	1,170,108		1,170,108		1,092,820
Eliminations	0		0		0
Reclassifications	(2,187)		(2,187)		0
Total assets	1,167,921		1,167,921		1,092,820
Reinsurance [Member]
Reconciliation of operating profit loss from segment to consolidated
Premiums earned	35,809	32,035	102,775	95,912
SAP underwriting profit (loss)	689	(2,167)	7,777	4,685
GAAP adjustments	35	(368)	(803)	705
GAAP underwriting profit (loss)	724	(2,535)	6,974	5,390
Net investment income (loss)	3,285	3,176	10,350	9,654
Net realized investment gains (losses)	(393)	2,609	(16)	3,689
Other income (loss)	(257)	309	(485)	1,040
Interest expense	0	0	0	0
Other expenses	0	0	0	0
Income before income tax expense	3,359	3,559	16,823	19,773
Reconciliation of assets from segment to consolidated
Assets	465,733		465,733		437,575
Eliminations	0		0		0
Reclassifications	(3,426)		(3,426)		(5,173)
Total assets	462,307		462,307		432,402
Parent company [Member]
Reconciliation of operating profit loss from segment to consolidated
Premiums earned	0	0	0	0
SAP underwriting profit (loss)	0	0	0	0
GAAP adjustments	0	0	0	0
GAAP underwriting profit (loss)	0	0	0	0
Net investment income (loss)	4	(2)	9	(9)
Net realized investment gains (losses)	0	0	0	0
Other income (loss)	0	0	0	0
Interest expense	0	0	0	0
Other expenses	489	479	1,495	1,424
Income before income tax expense	(485)	$ (481)	(1,486)	$ (1,433)
Reconciliation of assets from segment to consolidated
Assets	562,535		562,535		525,042
Eliminations	(554,093)		(554,093)		(514,309)
Reclassifications	(1,165)		(1,165)		0
Total assets	$ 7,277		$ 7,277		$ 10,733

SEGMENT INFORMATION - Net premi

SEGMENT INFORMATION - Net premiums earned by segment and lines of insurance (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Premiums earned	$ 152,181	$ 145,788	$ 441,364	$ 429,124
Property and casualty insurance [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Premiums earned	116,372	113,753	338,589	333,212
Property and casualty insurance [Member] | Commercial Lines [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Premiums earned	106,499	102,864	309,345	300,362
Property and casualty insurance [Member] | Commercial Lines [Member] | Automobile Insurance L O B [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Premiums earned	28,113	27,080	82,449	78,698
Property and casualty insurance [Member] | Commercial Lines [Member] | Property Insurance L O B [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Premiums earned	27,471	26,526	77,292	77,518
Property and casualty insurance [Member] | Commercial Lines [Member] | Workers Compensation Insurance L O B [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Premiums earned	24,536	23,777	71,272	69,150
Property and casualty insurance [Member] | Commercial Lines [Member] | Liability Insurance L O B [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Premiums earned	24,277	23,449	72,086	68,952
Property and casualty insurance [Member] | Commercial Lines [Member] | Other Insurance L O B [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Premiums earned	2,102	2,032	6,246	6,044
Property and casualty insurance [Member] | Personal Lines [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Premiums earned	9,873	10,889	29,244	32,850
Reinsurance [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Premiums earned	35,809	32,035	102,775	95,912
Reinsurance [Member] | Pro rata reinsurance [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Premiums earned	15,066	13,037	44,175	40,154
Reinsurance [Member] | Excess of loss reinsurance [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Premiums earned	$ 20,743	$ 18,998	$ 58,600	$ 55,758

INCOME TAXES (Details)

INCOME TAXES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Income tax expense (benefit) reconciliation [Abstract]
United States federal corporate tax rate (in hundredths)	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
Computed expected income tax expense	$ 1,767	$ 5,573	$ 11,904	$ 20,207
Increases (decreases) in tax resulting from:
Tax-exempt interest income	(709)	(687)	(2,101)	(2,072)
Dividends received deduction	(336)	(266)	(1,110)	(809)
Proration of tax-exempt interest and dividends received deduction	157	143	482	432
Other, net	39	(31)	(75)	(292)
Total income tax expense	918	$ 4,732	9,100	$ 17,466
Provision for uncertain tax positions	$ 0		$ 0		$ 0

EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT PLANS (Deta

EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT PLANS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Pension plans [Member] | Emc Insurance Companies [Member]
Components of net periodic benefit cost [Abstract]
Service cost	$ 3,639	$ 3,497	$ 10,824	$ 10,471
Interest cost	2,551	2,341	7,620	6,983
Expected return on plan assets	(4,841)	(5,074)	(14,521)	(15,223)
Amortization of net actuarial loss	1,111	719	3,233	2,033
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)	9	8	24	23
Net periodic benefit cost (income)	2,469	1,491	7,180	4,287
Pension plans [Member] | EMC Insurance Group, Inc. [Member]
Components of net periodic benefit cost [Abstract]
Net periodic benefit cost (income)	1,100	456	2,500	1,300
Entity's share of estimated contributions to employee benefit plan			2,500
Postretirement benefit plans [Member] | Emc Insurance Companies [Member]
Components of net periodic benefit cost [Abstract]
Service cost	319	353	955	1,059
Interest cost	553	537	1,661	1,611
Expected return on plan assets	(1,056)	(1,104)	(3,168)	(3,312)
Amortization of net actuarial loss	374	437	1,121	1,309
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)	(2,835)	(2,867)	(8,504)	(8,600)
Net periodic benefit cost (income)	(2,645)	(2,644)	(7,935)	(7,933)
Postretirement benefit plans [Member] | EMC Insurance Group, Inc. [Member]
Components of net periodic benefit cost [Abstract]
Net periodic benefit cost (income)	$ 937	$ 761	2,400	$ 2,300
Entity's share of estimated contributions to employee benefit plan			$ 0

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Detai

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)shares	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)Plan$ / sharesshares	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of stock option plans | Plan			2
Recognized compensation expense | $	$ 218	$ 167	$ 542	$ 351
Recognized compensation expense, net of tax | $	$ 142	$ 108	$ 353	$ 228
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)	2,250,000		2,250,000
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)	3,000,000		3,000,000
Time limit for granting awards			10 years	10 years
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of restricted stock shares granted during period (in shares)			118,588
Number of restricted stock shares vested during period (in shares)			69,057
Restricted Stock [Member] | Employee [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period			4 years	4 years
Restricted Stock [Member] | Non-Employee Director [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period			3 years
Age to attain automatic vesting			75 years
Number of restricted stock shares granted during period (in shares)			2,000
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)			196,248
Weighted average exercise price of options exercised during period (in dollars per share) | $ / shares			$ 15.54

DISCLOSURES ABOUT THE FAIR VA37

DISCLOSURES ABOUT THE FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Details) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)Security	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)Security
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 1,456,432	$ 1,367,268
Short-term investments	42,611	38,599
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 | Security	0	0
Number of securities not priced by independent pricing service | Security	9	7
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 1,237,150	$ 1,161,025
US Treasury Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	8,207	12,589
US Government-sponsored Enterprises Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	237,494	202,666
US States and Political Subdivisions Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	349,912	344,359
Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	41,882	46,108
Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	99,509	88,543
Collateralized Debt Obligations [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	28,251	17,844
Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	471,895	448,916
Equity Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	219,282	206,243
Common stocks Financial services [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	32,419	33,955
Common stocks Information technology [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	30,937	28,102
Common stocks Healthcare [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	27,519	25,894
Common stocks Consumer staples [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	21,066	18,200
Common stocks Consumer discretionary [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	24,046	18,923
Common stocks Energy [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	18,829	21,068
Common stocks Industrials [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	23,694	20,416
Common stocks Other [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	21,322	20,683
Nonredeemable Preferred Stock [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	19,450	19,002
Carrying amount [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Short-term investments	42,611	38,599
Liabilities [Abstract]
Surplus notes	25,000	25,000
Carrying amount [Member] | Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	1,237,150	1,161,025
Carrying amount [Member] | US Treasury Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	8,207	12,589
Carrying amount [Member] | US Government-sponsored Enterprises Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	237,494	202,666
Carrying amount [Member] | US States and Political Subdivisions Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	349,912	344,359
Carrying amount [Member] | Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	41,882	46,108
Carrying amount [Member] | Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	99,509	88,543
Carrying amount [Member] | Collateralized Debt Obligations [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	28,251	17,844
Carrying amount [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	471,895	448,916
Carrying amount [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	219,282	206,243
Carrying amount [Member] | Common stocks Financial services [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	32,419	33,955
Carrying amount [Member] | Common stocks Information technology [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	30,937	28,102
Carrying amount [Member] | Common stocks Healthcare [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	27,519	25,894
Carrying amount [Member] | Common stocks Consumer staples [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	21,066	18,200
Carrying amount [Member] | Common stocks Consumer discretionary [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	24,046	18,923
Carrying amount [Member] | Common stocks Energy [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	18,829	21,068
Carrying amount [Member] | Common stocks Industrials [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	23,694	20,416
Carrying amount [Member] | Common stocks Other [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	21,322	20,683
Carrying amount [Member] | Nonredeemable Preferred Stock [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	19,450	19,002
Estimated fair value [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Short-term investments	42,611	38,599
Liabilities [Abstract]
Surplus notes	12,131	10,823
Estimated fair value [Member] | Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	1,237,150	1,161,025
Estimated fair value [Member] | US Treasury Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	8,207	12,589
Estimated fair value [Member] | US Government-sponsored Enterprises Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	237,494	202,666
Estimated fair value [Member] | US States and Political Subdivisions Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	349,912	344,359
Estimated fair value [Member] | Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	41,882	46,108
Estimated fair value [Member] | Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	99,509	88,543
Estimated fair value [Member] | Collateralized Debt Obligations [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	28,251	17,844
Estimated fair value [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	471,895	448,916
Estimated fair value [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	219,282	206,243
Estimated fair value [Member] | Common stocks Financial services [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	32,419	33,955
Estimated fair value [Member] | Common stocks Information technology [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	30,937	28,102
Estimated fair value [Member] | Common stocks Healthcare [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	27,519	25,894
Estimated fair value [Member] | Common stocks Consumer staples [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	21,066	18,200
Estimated fair value [Member] | Common stocks Consumer discretionary [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	24,046	18,923
Estimated fair value [Member] | Common stocks Energy [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	18,829	21,068
Estimated fair value [Member] | Common stocks Industrials [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	23,694	20,416
Estimated fair value [Member] | Common stocks Other [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	21,322	20,683
Estimated fair value [Member] | Nonredeemable Preferred Stock [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 19,450	$ 19,002

DISCLOSURES ABOUT THE FAIR VA38

DISCLOSURES ABOUT THE FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS, Recurring Measurement Inputs (Details) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)Security	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)Security
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 1,456,432	$ 1,367,268
Short-term investments	42,611	38,599
Liabilities [Abstract]
Surplus notes	25,000	25,000
Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	1,237,150	1,161,025
US Treasury Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	8,207	12,589
US Government-sponsored Enterprises Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	237,494	202,666
US States and Political Subdivisions Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	349,912	344,359
Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	41,882	46,108
Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	99,509	88,543
Collateralized Debt Obligations [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	28,251	17,844
Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	471,895	448,916
Equity Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	219,282	206,243
Common stocks Financial services [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	32,419	33,955
Common stocks Information technology [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	30,937	28,102
Common stocks Healthcare [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	27,519	25,894
Common stocks Consumer staples [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	21,066	18,200
Common stocks Consumer discretionary [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	24,046	18,923
Common stocks Energy [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	18,829	21,068
Common stocks Industrials [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	23,694	20,416
Common stocks Other [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	21,322	20,683
Nonredeemable Preferred Stock [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	19,450	19,002
Recurring [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Short-term investments	42,611	38,599
Recurring [Member] | Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	1,237,150	1,161,025
Recurring [Member] | US Treasury Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	8,207	12,589
Recurring [Member] | US Government-sponsored Enterprises Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	237,494	202,666
Recurring [Member] | US States and Political Subdivisions Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	349,912	344,359
Recurring [Member] | Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	41,882	46,108
Recurring [Member] | Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	99,509	88,543
Recurring [Member] | Collateralized Debt Obligations [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	28,251	17,844
Recurring [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	471,895	448,916
Recurring [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	219,282	206,243
Recurring [Member] | Common stocks Financial services [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	32,419	33,955
Recurring [Member] | Common stocks Information technology [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	30,937	28,102
Recurring [Member] | Common stocks Healthcare [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	27,519	25,894
Recurring [Member] | Common stocks Consumer staples [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	21,066	18,200
Recurring [Member] | Common stocks Consumer discretionary [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	24,046	18,923
Recurring [Member] | Common stocks Energy [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	18,829	21,068
Recurring [Member] | Common stocks Industrials [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	23,694	20,416
Recurring [Member] | Common stocks Other [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	21,322	20,683
Recurring [Member] | Nonredeemable Preferred Stock [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	19,450	19,002
Recurring [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Short-term investments	42,611	38,599
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	211,820	198,944
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	32,416	33,952
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	30,937	28,102
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	27,519	25,894
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	21,066	18,200
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	24,046	18,923
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	18,829	21,068
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	23,694	20,416
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	21,322	20,683
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	11,991	11,706
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	1,236,080	1,159,696
Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | US Treasury Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	8,207	12,589
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	237,494	202,666
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	349,912	344,359
Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	41,882	46,108
Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	99,509	88,543
Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Collateralized Debt Obligations [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	28,251	17,844
Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	470,825	447,587
Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	7,459	7,296
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	7,459	7,296
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	$ 1,070	$ 1,329
Number of securities categorized as Level 3 fair value measurements | Security	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	1,070	1,329
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 | Security	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	12,131	10,823
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	$ 12,131	$ 10,823

DISCLOSURES ABOUT THE FAIR VA39

DISCLOSURES ABOUT THE FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS, Unobservable Input Reconciliation (Details) - Recurring [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Reconciliation of assets measured at fair value on recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 1,194	$ 1,625	$ 1,332	$ 1,665
Settlements	(117)	(171)	(262)	(214)
Unrealized gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income (loss)	(4)	2	3	5
Balance at end of period	1,073	1,456	1,073	1,456
Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Reconciliation of assets measured at fair value on recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	1,191	1,622	1,329	1,662
Settlements	(117)	(171)	(262)	(214)
Unrealized gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income (loss)	(4)	2	3	5
Balance at end of period	1,070	1,453	1,070	1,453
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	3	3
Settlements	0	0	0	0
Unrealized gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income (loss)	0	0	0	0
Balance at end of period	$ 3	$ 3	$ 3	$ 3

INVESTMENTS (Details)

INVESTMENTS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost	$ 1,336,322		$ 1,336,322		$ 1,274,393
Gross unrealized gains	131,567		131,567		107,244
Gross unrealized losses	11,457		11,457		14,369
Estimated fair values	1,456,432		1,456,432		1,367,268
Available for sale securities continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
Less than twelve months, Fair value	153,226		153,226		243,068
Less than twelve months, Unrealized losses	3,619		3,619		7,792
Twelve months or longer, Fair value	36,355		36,355		73,043
Twelve months or longer, Unrealized losses	7,838		7,838		6,577
Total, Fair value	189,581		189,581		316,111
Total, Unrealized losses	11,457		11,457		14,369
Amortized cost
Due in one year or less	33,776		33,776
Due after one year through five years	165,885		165,885
Due after five years through ten years	324,442		324,442
Due after ten years	510,334		510,334
Securities not due at a single maturity date	150,033		150,033
Totals	1,184,470		1,184,470		1,130,217
Estimated fair value
Due in one year or less	34,148		34,148
Due after one year through five years	174,885		174,885
Due after five years through ten years	344,608		344,608
Due after ten years	538,909		538,909
Securities not due at a single maturity date	144,600		144,600
Totals	1,237,150		1,237,150		1,161,025
Realized Investment Gains (Losses) [Abstract]
'Other-than-temporary' impairments	(275)	$ (628)	(976)	$ (1,293)
Net realized investment gains (losses)	(1,192)	7,498	(643)	11,555
Debt Securities [Member]
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost	1,184,470		1,184,470		1,130,217
Gross unrealized gains	62,530		62,530		42,885
Gross unrealized losses	9,850		9,850		12,077
Estimated fair values	1,237,150		1,237,150		1,161,025
Available for sale securities continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
Less than twelve months, Fair value	134,163		134,163		214,736
Less than twelve months, Unrealized losses	2,094		2,094		5,661
Twelve months or longer, Fair value	34,437		34,437		71,072
Twelve months or longer, Unrealized losses	7,756		7,756		6,416
Total, Fair value	168,600		168,600		285,808
Total, Unrealized losses	9,850		9,850		12,077
Realized Investment Gains (Losses) [Abstract]
Available-for-sale, Gross realized investment gains	261	61	1,935	642
Available-for-sale, Gross realized investment losses	(218)	0	(517)	0
US Treasury Securities [Member]
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost	7,835		7,835		12,566
Gross unrealized gains	372		372		23
Gross unrealized losses	0		0		0
Estimated fair values	8,207		8,207		12,589
US Government-sponsored Enterprises Debt Securities [Member]
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost	236,698		236,698		202,486
Gross unrealized gains	1,408		1,408		1,817
Gross unrealized losses	612		612		1,637
Estimated fair values	237,494		237,494		202,666
Available for sale securities continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
Less than twelve months, Fair value	56,223		56,223		78,800
Less than twelve months, Unrealized losses	612		612		1,228
Twelve months or longer, Fair value	0		0		34,079
Twelve months or longer, Unrealized losses	0		0		409
Total, Fair value	56,223		56,223		112,879
Total, Unrealized losses	612		612		1,637
US States and Political Subdivisions Debt Securities [Member]
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost	320,330		320,330		319,940
Gross unrealized gains	29,601		29,601		24,419
Gross unrealized losses	19		19		0
Estimated fair values	349,912		349,912		344,359
Available for sale securities continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
Less than twelve months, Fair value	2,836		2,836
Less than twelve months, Unrealized losses	19		19
Twelve months or longer, Fair value	0		0
Twelve months or longer, Unrealized losses	0		0
Total, Fair value	2,836		2,836
Total, Unrealized losses	19		19
Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost	40,800		40,800		44,433
Gross unrealized gains	1,208		1,208		1,692
Gross unrealized losses	126		126		17
Estimated fair values	41,882		41,882		46,108
Available for sale securities continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
Less than twelve months, Fair value	20,698		20,698		6,807
Less than twelve months, Unrealized losses	126		126		17
Twelve months or longer, Fair value	0		0		0
Twelve months or longer, Unrealized losses	0		0		0
Total, Fair value	20,698		20,698		6,807
Total, Unrealized losses	126		126		17
Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost	106,044		106,044		94,279
Gross unrealized gains	2,245		2,245		1,059
Gross unrealized losses	8,780		8,780		6,795
Estimated fair values	99,509		99,509		88,543
Available for sale securities continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
Less than twelve months, Fair value	24,298		24,298		22,028
Less than twelve months, Unrealized losses	1,103		1,103		1,694
Twelve months or longer, Fair value	25,791		25,791		22,781
Twelve months or longer, Unrealized losses	7,677		7,677		5,101
Total, Fair value	50,089		50,089		44,809
Total, Unrealized losses	8,780		8,780		6,795
Collateralized Debt Obligations [Member]
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost	27,239		27,239		17,000
Gross unrealized gains	1,112		1,112		883
Gross unrealized losses	100		100		39
Estimated fair values	28,251		28,251		17,844
Available for sale securities continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
Less than twelve months, Fair value	7,526		7,526		6,013
Less than twelve months, Unrealized losses	100		100		39
Twelve months or longer, Fair value	0		0		0
Twelve months or longer, Unrealized losses	0		0		0
Total, Fair value	7,526		7,526		6,013
Total, Unrealized losses	100		100		39
Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost	445,524		445,524		439,513
Gross unrealized gains	26,584		26,584		12,992
Gross unrealized losses	213		213		3,589
Estimated fair values	471,895		471,895		448,916
Available for sale securities continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
Less than twelve months, Fair value	22,582		22,582		101,088
Less than twelve months, Unrealized losses	134		134		2,683
Twelve months or longer, Fair value	8,646		8,646		14,212
Twelve months or longer, Unrealized losses	79		79		906
Total, Fair value	31,228		31,228		115,300
Total, Unrealized losses	213		213		3,589
Equity Securities [Member]
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost	151,852		151,852		144,176
Gross unrealized gains	69,037		69,037		64,359
Gross unrealized losses	1,607		1,607		2,292
Estimated fair values	219,282		219,282		206,243
Available for sale securities continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
Less than twelve months, Fair value	19,063		19,063		28,332
Less than twelve months, Unrealized losses	1,525		1,525		2,131
Twelve months or longer, Fair value	1,918		1,918		1,971
Twelve months or longer, Unrealized losses	82		82		161
Total, Fair value	20,981		20,981		30,303
Total, Unrealized losses	1,607		1,607		2,292
Realized Investment Gains (Losses) [Abstract]
Available-for-sale, Gross realized investment gains	1,001	3,345	5,849	11,681
Available-for-sale, Gross realized investment losses	(50)	(2,525)	(1,683)	(3,278)
'Other-than-temporary' impairments	(275)	(628)	(976)	(1,293)
Common stocks Financial services [Member]
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost	24,115		24,115		24,557
Gross unrealized gains	8,748		8,748		9,731
Gross unrealized losses	444		444		333
Estimated fair values	32,419		32,419		33,955
Available for sale securities continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
Less than twelve months, Fair value	4,802		4,802		6,387
Less than twelve months, Unrealized losses	444		444		333
Twelve months or longer, Fair value	0		0		0
Twelve months or longer, Unrealized losses	0		0		0
Total, Fair value	4,802		4,802		6,387
Total, Unrealized losses	444		444		333
Common stocks Information technology [Member]
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost	19,482		19,482		19,427
Gross unrealized gains	11,457		11,457		8,807
Gross unrealized losses	2		2		132
Estimated fair values	30,937		30,937		28,102
Available for sale securities continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
Less than twelve months, Fair value	52		52		1,316
Less than twelve months, Unrealized losses	2		2		132
Twelve months or longer, Fair value	0		0		0
Twelve months or longer, Unrealized losses	0		0		0
Total, Fair value	52		52		1,316
Total, Unrealized losses	2		2		132
Common stocks Healthcare [Member]
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost	16,522		16,522		15,599
Gross unrealized gains	11,040		11,040		10,359
Gross unrealized losses	43		43		64
Estimated fair values	27,519		27,519		25,894
Available for sale securities continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
Less than twelve months, Fair value	873		873		3,199
Less than twelve months, Unrealized losses	43		43		64
Twelve months or longer, Fair value	0		0		0
Twelve months or longer, Unrealized losses	0		0		0
Total, Fair value	873		873		3,199
Total, Unrealized losses	43		43		64
Common stocks Consumer staples [Member]
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost	14,059		14,059		11,136
Gross unrealized gains	7,066		7,066		7,090
Gross unrealized losses	59		59		26
Estimated fair values	21,066		21,066		18,200
Available for sale securities continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
Less than twelve months, Fair value	1,079		1,079		1,244
Less than twelve months, Unrealized losses	59		59		26
Twelve months or longer, Fair value	0		0		0
Twelve months or longer, Unrealized losses	0		0		0
Total, Fair value	1,079		1,079		1,244
Total, Unrealized losses	59		59		26
Common stocks Consumer discretionary [Member]
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost	15,399		15,399		10,270
Gross unrealized gains	8,983		8,983		8,658
Gross unrealized losses	336		336		5
Estimated fair values	24,046		24,046		18,923
Available for sale securities continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
Less than twelve months, Fair value	3,813		3,813		176
Less than twelve months, Unrealized losses	336		336		5
Twelve months or longer, Fair value	0		0		0
Twelve months or longer, Unrealized losses	0		0		0
Total, Fair value	3,813		3,813		176
Total, Unrealized losses	336		336		5
Common stocks Energy [Member]
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost	14,021		14,021		16,384
Gross unrealized gains	5,167		5,167		5,972
Gross unrealized losses	359		359		1,288
Estimated fair values	18,829		18,829		21,068
Available for sale securities continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
Less than twelve months, Fair value	4,899		4,899		8,233
Less than twelve months, Unrealized losses	359		359		1,272
Twelve months or longer, Fair value	0		0		116
Twelve months or longer, Unrealized losses	0		0		16
Total, Fair value	4,899		4,899		8,349
Total, Unrealized losses	359		359		1,288
Common stocks Industrials [Member]
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost	13,390		13,390		11,525
Gross unrealized gains	10,375		10,375		8,902
Gross unrealized losses	71		71		11
Estimated fair values	23,694		23,694		20,416
Available for sale securities continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
Less than twelve months, Fair value	1,097		1,097		1,263
Less than twelve months, Unrealized losses	71		71		11
Twelve months or longer, Fair value	0		0		0
Twelve months or longer, Unrealized losses	0		0		0
Total, Fair value	1,097		1,097		1,263
Total, Unrealized losses	71		71		11
Common stocks Other [Member]
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost	16,833		16,833		17,246
Gross unrealized gains	4,700		4,700		3,672
Gross unrealized losses	211		211		235
Estimated fair values	21,322		21,322		20,683
Available for sale securities continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
Less than twelve months, Fair value	2,448		2,448		4,064
Less than twelve months, Unrealized losses	211		211		235
Twelve months or longer, Fair value	0		0		0
Twelve months or longer, Unrealized losses	0		0		0
Total, Fair value	2,448		2,448		4,064
Total, Unrealized losses	211		211		235
Nonredeemable Preferred Stock [Member]
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost	18,031		18,031		18,032
Gross unrealized gains	1,501		1,501		1,168
Gross unrealized losses	82		82		198
Estimated fair values	19,450		19,450		19,002
Available for sale securities continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
Less than twelve months, Fair value	0		0		2,450
Less than twelve months, Unrealized losses	0		0		53
Twelve months or longer, Fair value	1,918		1,918		1,855
Twelve months or longer, Unrealized losses	82		82		145
Total, Fair value	1,918		1,918		4,305
Total, Unrealized losses	82		82		$ 198
Other Long-term Investments [Member]
Realized Investment Gains (Losses) [Abstract]
Other long-term investments, net	$ (1,911)	$ 7,245	$ (5,251)	$ 3,803

CONTINGENT LIABILITIES (Details

CONTINGENT LIABILITIES (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
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 ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Nov. 03, 2011
Equity [Abstract]
Authorized amount of stock repurchase program		$ 15,000
Stock repurchased and retired during period, shares	17,300
Average cost per share of stock repurchased	$ 22.14

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSI43

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Balance at December 31, 2015			$ 58,433
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications			20,698
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income			(3,602)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	$ (2,858)	$ (4,729)	17,096	$ (20,858)
Balance at September 30, 2016	75,529		75,529
Unrealized Gains and (Losses) on Available-for-sale securities
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Balance at December 31, 2015			60,369
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications			20,698
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income			(2,995)
Other comprehensive income (loss)			17,703
Balance at September 30, 2016	78,072		78,072
Unrecognized pension and postretirement benefit obligations
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Balance at December 31, 2015			(1,936)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications			0
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income			(607)
Other comprehensive income (loss)			(607)
Balance at September 30, 2016	$ (2,543)		$ (2,543)

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSI44

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - Reclassifications out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Net realized investment gains (losses)		$ (1,192)	$ 7,498	$ (643)	$ 11,555
Income tax expense, current		(1,448)	(3,081)	(11,440)	(15,594)
Total reclassification adjustment		583	477	3,602	6,003
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)		718	253	4,608	7,752
Income tax expense, current		(252)	(89)	(1,613)	(2,713)
Total reclassification adjustment		466	164	2,995	5,039
Unrecognized pension and postretirement benefit obligations | Reclassification Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Net actuarial loss	[1]	(1,112)	(345)	(1,956)	(996)
Prior service credit	[1]	1,291	827	2,890	2,480
Total before tax		179	482	934	1,484
Income tax expense, current		(62)	(169)	(327)	(520)
Total reclassification adjustment		$ 117	$ 313	$ 607	$ 964
[1]	These reclassified components of accumulated other comprehensive income are included in the computation of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit income (see Note 6, Employee Retirement Plans, for additional details).