EMC Insurance (EMCI) 10-Q 5 May 17 2017 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Apr. 28, 2017
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		21,259,186
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,017
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2017

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Un

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Investments:
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost $1,183,078 and $1,189,525)	$ 1,198,293	$ 1,199,699
Equity securities available-for-sale, at fair value (cost $155,612 and $147,479)	230,202	213,839
Other long-term investments	16,183	12,506
Short-term investments	25,530	39,670
Total investments	1,470,208	1,465,714
Cash	449	307
Reinsurance receivables due from affiliate	21,497	21,326
Prepaid reinsurance premiums due from affiliate	10,344	9,309
Deferred policy acquisition costs (affiliated $39,755 and $40,660)	39,916	40,939
Amounts due from affiliate to settle inter-company transaction balances	913	0
Prepaid pension and postretirement benefits due from affiliate	11,984	12,314
Accrued investment income	12,131	11,050
Amounts receivable under reverse repurchase agreements	16,500	20,000
Accounts receivable	2,063	2,076
Goodwill	942	942
Other assets (affiliated $4,022 and $4,632)	4,663	4,836
Total assets	1,591,610	1,588,813
LIABILITIES
Losses and settlement expenses (affiliated $690,549 and $685,533)	695,129	690,532
Unearned premiums (affiliated $245,703 and $243,682)	246,480	244,885
Other policyholders' funds (all affiliated)	13,618	13,068
Surplus notes payable to affiliate	25,000	25,000
Amounts due affiliate to settle inter-company transaction balances	0	11,222
Pension benefits payable to affiliate	3,674	4,097
Income taxes payable	4,041	2,359
Deferred income taxes	15,409	11,321
Other liabilities (affiliated $16,839 and $27,871)	23,985	32,987
Total liabilities	1,027,336	1,035,471
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common stock, $1 par value, authorized 30,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding, 21,234,887 shares in 2017 and 21,222,535 shares in 2016	21,235	21,223
Additional paid-in capital	119,244	119,054
Accumulated other comprehensive income	54,435	46,081
Retained earnings	369,360	366,984
Total stockholders' equity	564,274	553,342
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 1,591,610	$ 1,588,813

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (U3

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Investments:
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, amortized cost	$ 1,183,078	$ 1,189,525
Equity securities available-for-sale, cost	155,612	147,479
Deferred policy acquisition costs from affiliates	39,755	40,660
Affiliated other assets	4,022	4,632
LIABILITIES
Affiliated losses and settlement expenses	690,549	685,533
Unearned premiums from affiliates	245,703	243,682
Affiliated other liabilities	$ 16,839	$ 27,871
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)	21,234,887	21,222,535
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	21,234,887	21,222,535

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCO

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
REVENUES
Premiums earned (affiliated $143,611 and $141,715)	$ 144,487	$ 142,737
Net investment income	11,007	12,230
Net realized investment losses, excluding impairment losses on securities available-for-sale	(627)	(654)
Total other-than-temporary impairment losses on securities available-for-sale	0	(431)
Portion of other-than-temporary impairment losses on fixed maturity securities available-for-sale reclassified from other comprehensive income (before taxes)	0	0
Net impairment losses on securities available-for-sale	0	(431)
Net realized investment losses	(627)	(1,085)
Other losses (affiliated $(271) and $123)	(410)	(11)
Total revenues	154,457	153,871
LOSSES AND EXPENSES
Losses and settlement expenses (affiliated $94,771 and $85,258)	96,285	85,109
Dividends to policyholders (all affiliated)	2,722	3,853
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs (affiliated $26,595 and $26,118)	26,811	26,328
Other underwriting expenses (affiliated $19,413 and $16,971)	19,354	16,971
Interest expense (all affiliated)	84	84
Other expenses (affiliated $467 and $437)	761	649
Total losses and expenses	146,017	132,994
Income before income tax expense	8,440	20,877
INCOME TAX EXPENSE (BENEFIT)
Current	2,046	7,618
Deferred	(410)	(1,395)
Total income tax expense	1,636	6,223
Net income	$ 6,804	$ 14,654
Net income per common share - basic and diluted	$ 0.32	$ 0.70
Dividend per common share	$ 0.21	$ 0.19
Average number of common shares outstanding - basic and diluted (in shares)	21,254,430	20,842,199

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INC5

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
REVENUES
Premiums earned, affiliated	$ 143,611	$ 141,715
Other income, affiliated	(271)	123
LOSSES AND EXPENSES
Losses and settlement expenses, affiliated	94,771	85,258
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs, affiliated	26,595	26,118
Other underwriting expenses, affiliated	19,413	16,971
Other expense, affiliated	$ 467	$ 437

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Net income	$ 6,804	$ 14,654
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
Unrealized holding gains on investment securities, net of deferred income tax expense of $5,226 and $6,610	9,705	12,275
Reclassification adjustment for realized investment gains included in net income, net of income tax expense of $(581) and $(290)	(1,079)	(539)
Reclassification adjustment for amounts amortized into net periodic pension and postretirement benefit income, net of deferred income tax expense of $(147) and $(136):
Net actuarial loss	239	279
Prior service credit	(511)	(531)
Total reclassification adjustment associated with affiliate's pension and postretirement benefit plans	(272)	(252)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	8,354	11,484
Total comprehensive income	$ 15,158	$ 26,138

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COM7

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on investment securities, deferred income tax expense (benefit)	$ 5,226	$ 6,610
Reclassification adjustment for realized investment (gains) losses included in net income (loss), income tax (expense) benefit	(581)	(290)
Reclassification adjustment for amounts amortized into net periodic pension and postretirement benefit cost (income), deferred income tax (expense) benefit	$ (147)	$ (136)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]
Balance at Dec. 31, 2015	$ 524,938	$ 20,781	$ 108,747	$ 58,433	$ 336,977
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issuance of common stock through affiliate's stock plans	4,277	182	4,095
Repurchase of common stock	(383)	(17)	(366)
Increase resulting from stock-based compensation expense associated with affiliate's stock plans allocated to the Company	24		24
Other comprehensive income	11,484			11,484
Net income	14,654				14,654
Dividends paid to public stockholders	(1,691)				(1,691)
Dividends paid to affiliate	(2,237)				(2,237)
Balance at Mar. 31, 2016	551,066	20,946	112,500	69,917	347,703
Balance at Dec. 31, 2016	553,342	21,223	119,054	46,081	366,984
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issuance of common stock through affiliate's stock plans	1,953	76	1,877
Repurchase of common stock	(1,758)	(64)	(1,694)
Increase resulting from stock-based compensation expense associated with affiliate's stock plans allocated to the Company	7		7
Other comprehensive income	8,354			8,354
Net income	6,804				6,804
Dividends paid to public stockholders	(1,956)				(1,956)
Dividends paid to affiliate	(2,472)				(2,472)
Balance at Mar. 31, 2017	$ 564,274	$ 21,235	$ 119,244	$ 54,435	$ 369,360

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCK

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Dividends paid to public stockholders (per share)	$ 0.21	$ 0.19
Dividends paid to affiliate (per share)	$ 0.21	$ 0.19

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$ 6,804	$ 14,654
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
Losses and settlement expenses (affiliated $5,016 and $2,962)	4,597	2,805
Unearned premiums (affiliated $2,021 and $(37))	1,595	174
Other policyholders' funds due to affiliate	550	2,304
Amounts due to/from affiliate to settle inter-company transaction balances	(12,135)	(13,717)
Net pension and postretirement benefits due from affiliate	(512)	(350)
Reinsurance receivables due from affiliate	(171)	2,894
Prepaid reinsurance premiums due from affiliate	(1,035)	(517)
Commissions payable (affiliated $(7,270) and $(8,297))	(7,270)	(8,304)
Deferred policy acquisition costs (affiliated $905 and $303)	1,023	258
Accrued investment income	(1,081)	(1,150)
Current income tax	1,682	7,617
Deferred income tax	(410)	(1,395)
Net realized investment losses	627	1,085
Other, net (affiliated $(3,145) and $(2,733))	1,997	(472)
Total adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	(10,543)	(8,768)
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	(3,739)	5,886
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchases of fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	(39,461)	(43,163)
Disposals of fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	41,013	54,269
Purchases of equity securities available-for-sale	(17,490)	(21,284)
Disposals of equity securities available-for-sale	12,134	15,469
Purchases of other long-term investments	(6,087)	(1,020)
Disposals of other long-term investments	365	198
Net (purchases) disposals of short-term investments	14,140	(9,848)
Net receipts under reverse repurchase agreements	3,500	0
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	8,114	(5,379)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Issuance of common stock through affiliate’s stock plans	1,953	4,277
Repurchase of common stock	(1,758)	(383)
Dividends paid to stockholders (affiliated $(2,472) and $(2,237))	(4,428)	(3,928)
Net cash used in financing activities	(4,233)	(34)
NET INCREASE IN CASH	142	473
Cash at the beginning of the year	307	224
Cash at the end of the quarter	$ 449	$ 697

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CA11

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
Losses and settlement expenses, affiliated	$ 5,016	$ 2,962
Unearned premiums, affiliated	2,021	(37)
Commissions payable, affiliated	(7,270)	(8,297)
Deferred policy acquisition costs, affiliated	905	303
Other, net, affiliated	(3,145)	(2,733)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Dividends paid to stockholders, affiliated	$ (2,472)	$ (2,237)

BASIS OF PRESENTATION

BASIS OF PRESENTATION	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
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, 2016 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 2016 Form 10-K or the 2016 Annual Report to Stockholders for more detailed footnote information.

TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES	TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES An inter-company reinsurance program is in place between the Company's insurance subsidiaries in the property and casualty insurance segment and Employers Mutual. 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 is effective from January 1, 2017 through June 30, 2017, and has a retention of $20.0 million and a limit of $24.0 million . The total cost of this treaty is approximately $6.0 million . The second treaty is effective from July 1, 2017 through December 31, 2017, and has a retention of $15.0 million and a limit of $12.0 million . The total cost of this treaty is approximately $1.4 million . There were no recoveries under the January 1 through June 30 treaties in the first quarters of 2017 or 2016. At March 31, 2017, $10.2 million of the $20.0 million retention remains before recoveries will be realized under the January 1, 2017 through June 30, 2017 treaty. The terms of these treaties were the same in 2016 with the exception of the costs, which were $6.3 million during the first half of 2016 and $1.5 million during the second half of 2016. 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. An inter-company reinsurance program is also in place between the Company's reinsurance subsidiary and Employers Mutual. 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 $1.7 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 $3.2 million . Any losses recovered under the per occurrence treaty inure to the benefit of the aggregate treaty, and only catastrophic events with total losses greater than $500,000 are subject to the terms of the aggregate treaty. No recoveries were made under these treaties during the first quarters of 2017 or 2016. The terms of these treaties were the same in 2016 with the exception of the costs, which were $2.0 million for the per occurrence treaty and $3.2 million for the annual aggregate. The reinsurance subsidiary purchases additional reinsurance protection 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 reduces the amount of losses ceded to Employers Mutual under the inter-company reinsurance program.

REINSURANCE

REINSURANCE	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Reinsurance Disclosures [Abstract]
REINSURANCE	REINSURANCE The effect of reinsurance on premiums written and earned, and losses and settlement expenses incurred, for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 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 and quota share agreements and inter-company reinsurance programs with Employers Mutual are reported as “affiliated” balances. Three months ended March 31, 2017 ($ in thousands) Property and Reinsurance Total Premiums written Direct $ 96,752 $ — $ 96,752 Assumed from nonaffiliates 919 33,505 34,424 Assumed from affiliates 124,800 — 124,800 Ceded to nonaffiliates (8,133 ) (2,024 ) (10,157 ) Ceded to affiliates (99,731 ) (1,213 ) (100,944 ) Net premiums written $ 114,607 $ 30,268 $ 144,875 Premiums earned Direct $ 95,898 $ — $ 95,898 Assumed from nonaffiliates 1,015 34,689 35,704 Assumed from affiliates 122,097 — 122,097 Ceded to nonaffiliates (6,484 ) (2,637 ) (9,121 ) Ceded to affiliates (98,878 ) (1,213 ) (100,091 ) Net premiums earned $ 113,648 $ 30,839 $ 144,487 Losses and settlement expenses incurred Direct $ 62,761 $ — $ 62,761 Assumed from nonaffiliates 752 21,240 21,992 Assumed from affiliates 76,742 364 77,106 Ceded to nonaffiliates (1,401 ) (830 ) (2,231 ) Ceded to affiliates (63,334 ) (9 ) (63,343 ) Net losses and settlement expenses incurred $ 75,520 $ 20,765 $ 96,285 Three months ended March 31, 2016 ($ in thousands) Property and Reinsurance Total Premiums written Direct $ 94,986 $ — $ 94,986 Assumed from nonaffiliates 957 34,259 35,216 Assumed from affiliates 118,846 — 118,846 Ceded to nonaffiliates (5,381 ) (1,980 ) (7,361 ) Ceded to affiliates (98,141 ) (1,270 ) (99,411 ) Net premiums written $ 111,267 $ 31,009 $ 142,276 Premiums earned Direct $ 92,836 $ — $ 92,836 Assumed from nonaffiliates 1,027 34,716 35,743 Assumed from affiliates 118,262 — 118,262 Ceded to nonaffiliates (5,688 ) (1,155 ) (6,843 ) Ceded to affiliates (95,991 ) (1,270 ) (97,261 ) Net premiums earned $ 110,446 $ 32,291 $ 142,737 Losses and settlement expenses incurred Direct $ 41,054 $ — $ 41,054 Assumed from nonaffiliates 721 23,202 23,923 Assumed from affiliates 61,454 388 61,842 Ceded to nonaffiliates (77 ) (907 ) (984 ) Ceded to affiliates (41,054 ) 328 (40,726 ) Net losses and settlement expenses incurred $ 62,098 $ 23,011 $ 85,109 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) amounts ceded to purchase additional reinsurance protection from external parties 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 inter-company reinsurance program. For the reinsurance subsidiary this line represents amounts ceded to Employers Mutual under the terms of the inter-company reinsurance program.

LIABILITY FOR LOSSES AND SETTLE

LIABILITY FOR LOSSES AND SETTLEMENT EXPENSES	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Liability for Future Policy Benefits and Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Abstract]
LIABILITY FOR LOSSES AND SETTLEMENT EXPENSES	LIABILITY FOR LOSSES AND SETTLEMENT EXPENSES The following table sets forth a reconciliation of beginning and ending reserves for losses and settlement expenses of the Company. Amounts presented are on a net basis, with a reconciliation of beginning and ending reserves to the gross amounts presented in the consolidated financial statements. Three months ended March 31, ($ in thousands) 2017 2016 Gross reserves at beginning of year $ 690,532 $ 678,774 Re-valuation due to foreign currency exchange rates (1,913 ) (2,475 ) Less ceded reserves at beginning of year 20,664 23,477 Net reserves at beginning of year 671,781 657,772 Incurred losses and settlement expenses related to: Current year 111,189 92,861 Prior years (14,904 ) (7,752 ) Total incurred losses and settlement expenses 96,285 85,109 Paid losses and settlement expenses related to: Current year 22,923 18,536 Prior years 69,826 61,418 Total paid losses and settlement expenses 92,749 79,954 Net reserves at end of period 675,317 662,927 Plus ceded reserves at end of period 20,788 20,802 Re-valuation due to foreign currency exchange rates (976 ) (2,150 ) Gross reserves at end of period $ 695,129 $ 681,579 There is an inherent amount of uncertainty involved in the establishment of insurance liabilities. This uncertainty is greatest in the current and more recent accident years because a smaller percentage of the expected ultimate claims have been reported, adjusted and settled compared to more mature accident years. For this reason, carried reserves for these accident years reflect prudently conservative assumptions. As the carried reserves for these accident years run off, the overall expectation is that, more often than not, favorable development will occur. However, there is also the possibility that the ultimate settlement of liabilities associated with these accident years will show adverse development, and such adverse development could be substantial. During the third quarter of 2016, management implemented a new reserving methodology for the determination of direct bulk reserves in the property and casualty insurance segment. The new methodology, which is referred to as the accident year ultimate estimate approach, better conforms to industry practices and provides increased transparency of the drivers of the property and casualty insurance segment's performance. Changes in reserve estimates are reflected in net income in the year such changes are recorded. Following is an analysis of the reserve development the Company experienced during the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016. Care should be exercised when attempting to analyze the financial impact of the reported development amounts because, as noted above, the overall expectation is that, more often than not, favorable development will occur as the prior accident years’ reserves run off. 2017 Development For the property and casualty insurance segment, the March 31, 2017 estimate of loss and settlement expense reserves for accident years 2016 and prior decreased $8.5 million from the estimate at December 31, 2016 . This decrease represents 1.7% of the December 31, 2016 net carried reserves and is primarily attributed to reductions in prior year ultimate loss ratios for most lines of business except commercial auto liability. The other liability and workers' compensation lines of business were the largest contributors to favorable development. The ultimate loss ratios for accident years 2001 through 2016 in the other liability line of business were decreased slightly due to declines in expected ultimate claim frequency and/or severity, while in workers' compensation the favorable development was concentrated in accident year 2016 as reported losses to date were materially less than anticipated in the original claim frequency and severity assumptions. Due to increases in projected ultimate claim frequency and severity, the ultimate loss ratios in the commercial auto line of business were increased for accident years 2012 through 2014 and 2016, producing adverse reserve development for that line of business. Prior years' asbestos settlement expense reserves were also strengthened producing adverse reserve development. For the reinsurance segment, the March 31, 2017 estimate of loss and settlement expense reserves for accident years 2016 and prior decreased $6.4 million from the estimate at December 31, 2016 . This decrease represents 3.2% of the December 31, 2016 net carried reserves and is primarily attributed to prior year reserve releases in the casualty excess and property/casualty global excess contract types. 2016 Development For the property and casualty insurance segment, the December 31, 2016 estimate of loss and settlement expense reserves for accident years 2015 and prior decreased $3.8 million from the estimate at December 31, 2015 . This decrease represented 0.8 percent of the December 31, 2015 gross carried reserves and was primarily attributed to better than expected outcomes for all lines of business except commercial auto liability and commercial property (workers' compensation, personal auto liability and other liability lines of business were the largest contributors to favorable development). Commercial auto liability experienced adverse development on both claims which had been reported in prior years and emerged incurred but not reported (IBNR) claims, while commercial property experienced adverse development on emerged IBNR claims. Prior years' asbestos loss and settlement expense reserves were also strengthened during the first quarter of 2016 producing adverse reserve development. For the reinsurance segment, the December 31, 2016 estimate of loss and settlement expense reserves for accident years 2015 and prior decreased $4.0 million from the estimate at December 31, 2015 . This decrease represented 2.0 percent of the December 31, 2015 gross carried reserves, with slightly less than half of the favorable development coming from the Mutual Reinsurance Bureau underwriting association (MRB), which included a decrease in bulk reserves.

SEGMENT INFORMATION

SEGMENT INFORMATION	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
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 March 31, 2017 Property and Reinsurance Parent Consolidated ($ in thousands) Premiums earned $ 113,648 $ 30,839 $ — $ 144,487 Underwriting profit (loss): SAP underwriting profit (loss) (2,594 ) 3,247 — 653 GAAP adjustments (1,007 ) (331 ) — (1,338 ) GAAP underwriting profit (loss) (3,601 ) 2,916 — (685 ) Net investment income 8,015 2,983 9 11,007 Net realized investment losses (597 ) (30 ) — (627 ) Other income (loss) 161 (571 ) — (410 ) Interest expense 84 — — 84 Other expenses 179 — 582 761 Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit) $ 3,715 $ 5,298 $ (573 ) $ 8,440 Assets $ 1,119,323 $ 465,017 $ 564,787 $ 2,149,127 Eliminations — — (554,504 ) (554,504 ) Reclassifications (1,716 ) — (1,297 ) (3,013 ) Total assets $ 1,117,607 $ 465,017 $ 8,986 $ 1,591,610 Three months ended March 31, 2016 Property and Reinsurance Parent Consolidated ($ in thousands) Premiums earned $ 110,446 $ 32,291 $ — $ 142,737 Underwriting profit (loss): SAP underwriting profit (loss) 10,466 2,062 — 12,528 GAAP adjustments (1,861 ) (191 ) — (2,052 ) GAAP underwriting profit (loss) 8,605 1,871 — 10,476 Net investment income 8,771 3,457 2 12,230 Net realized investment losses (846 ) (239 ) — (1,085 ) Other income (loss) 132 (143 ) — (11 ) Interest expense 84 — — 84 Other expenses 157 — 492 649 Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit) $ 16,421 $ 4,946 $ (490 ) $ 20,877 Year ended December 31, 2016 Assets $ 1,122,037 $ 455,493 $ 554,164 $ 2,131,694 Eliminations — — (540,249 ) (540,249 ) Reclassifications — (1,932 ) (700 ) (2,632 ) Total assets $ 1,122,037 $ 453,561 $ 13,215 $ 1,588,813 The following table displays the net premiums earned for the property and casualty insurance segment and the reinsurance segment for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 , by line of insurance. Three months ended March 31, ($ in thousands) 2017 2016 Property and casualty insurance segment Commercial lines: Automobile $ 28,032 $ 26,927 Property 25,502 24,748 Workers' compensation 24,703 23,247 Liability 24,128 23,670 Other 2,109 2,071 Total commercial lines 104,474 100,663 Personal lines 9,174 9,783 Total property and casualty insurance $ 113,648 $ 110,446 Reinsurance segment Pro rata reinsurance $ 10,435 $ 13,641 Excess of loss reinsurance 20,404 18,650 Total reinsurance $ 30,839 $ 32,291 Consolidated $ 144,487 $ 142,737

INCOME TAXES

INCOME TAXES	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
INCOME TAXES	INCOME TAXES The actual income tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 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 ($ in thousands) 2017 2016 Computed "expected" income tax expense $ 2,954 $ 7,307 Increases (decreases) in tax resulting from: Tax-exempt interest income (705 ) (695 ) Dividends received deduction (306 ) (425 ) Proration of tax-exempt interest and dividends received deduction 152 168 Other, net (459 ) (132 ) Total income tax expense $ 1,636 $ 6,223 The Company had no provision for uncertain income tax positions at March 31, 2017 or December 31, 2016 . The Company recognized no interest expense or other penalties related to U.S. federal or state income taxes during the three months ended March 31, 2017 or 2016 . 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	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
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 ($ in thousands) 2017 2016 Pension plans: Service cost $ 3,860 $ 3,640 Interest cost 2,795 2,525 Expected return on plan assets (5,191 ) (4,840 ) Amortization of net actuarial loss 908 1,039 Amortization of prior service cost 5 8 Net periodic pension benefit cost $ 2,377 $ 2,372 Postretirement benefit plans: Service cost $ 341 $ 318 Interest cost 570 554 Expected return on plan assets (1,078 ) (1,056 ) Amortization of net actuarial loss 343 374 Amortization of prior service credit (2,789 ) (2,835 ) Net periodic postretirement benefit income $ (2,613 ) $ (2,645 ) Net periodic pension benefit cost allocated to the Company amounted to $713,000 and $730,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 , respectively. Net periodic postretirement benefit income allocated to the Company amounted to $736,000 and $761,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 , respectively. The Company’s share of Employers Mutual’s remaining 2017 planned contribution to the pension plan, if made, will be approximately $2.7 million . No contributions will be made to the Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association (VEBA) trust in 2017 .

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
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. The Company receives the current fair value for all shares issued under these plans. A portion of the compensation expense recognized by Employers Mutual (as the requisite service period for granted options and restricted stock awards is rendered) is allocated to the Company’s property and casualty insurance subsidiaries though their participation in the pooling agreement. During the first quarter of 2017, Employers Mutual began issuing restricted stock units rather than restricted stock awards. In connection with this change, Employers Mutual will now acquire stock to fulfill its obligations to the recipients of the awards on the date the restricted stock units vest, rather than on the grant date of the awards. Because of this change, an account Employers Mutual established to hold previously granted restricted stock awards until they vest, held excess shares of the Company's stock stemming from forfeitures and surrenders. During the first quarter of 2017, the Company repurchased 64,358 shares of stock from the account at an average cost of $27.31 . The Company recognized compensation expense from these plans of $(323,000) ( $(210,000) net of tax) and $137,000 ( $89,000 net of tax) for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 , respectively. During the first three months of 2017 , 116,288 restricted stock units were granted under the 2007 Plan to eligible participants, 84,524 shares of restricted stock vested, and 62,262 options were exercised under the plans at a weighted average exercise price of $15.73 .

DISCLOSURES ABOUT THE FAIR VALU

DISCLOSURES ABOUT THE FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
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 March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 are summarized in the tables below. March 31, 2017 Carrying Estimated ($ in thousands) Assets: Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale: U.S. treasury $ 7,863 $ 7,863 U.S. government-sponsored agencies 229,671 229,671 Obligations of states and political subdivisions 351,708 351,708 Commercial mortgage-backed 35,619 35,619 Residential mortgage-backed 87,099 87,099 Other asset-backed 25,617 25,617 Corporate 460,716 460,716 Total fixed maturity securities available-for-sale 1,198,293 1,198,293 Equity securities available-for-sale: Common stocks: Financial services 39,655 39,655 Information technology 35,575 35,575 Healthcare 27,522 27,522 Consumer staples 19,866 19,866 Consumer discretionary 20,367 20,367 Energy 17,622 17,622 Industrials 25,171 25,171 Other 18,313 18,313 Non-redeemable preferred stocks 26,111 26,111 Total equity securities available-for-sale 230,202 230,202 Short-term investments 25,530 25,530 Liabilities: Surplus notes 25,000 11,735 December 31, 2016 Carrying Estimated ($ in thousands) Assets: Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale: U.S. treasury $ 7,830 $ 7,830 U.S. government-sponsored agencies 239,197 239,197 Obligations of states and political subdivisions 335,757 335,757 Commercial mortgage-backed 37,572 37,572 Residential mortgage-backed 96,434 96,434 Other asset-backed 26,393 26,393 Corporate 456,516 456,516 Total fixed maturity securities available-for-sale 1,199,699 1,199,699 Equity securities available-for-sale: Common stocks: Financial services 35,122 35,122 Information technology 30,542 30,542 Healthcare 24,707 24,707 Consumer staples 19,100 19,100 Consumer discretionary 22,321 22,321 Energy 19,071 19,071 Industrials 24,245 24,245 Other 18,384 18,384 Non-redeemable preferred stocks 20,347 20,347 Total equity securities available-for-sale 213,839 213,839 Short-term investments 39,670 39,670 Liabilities: Surplus notes 25,000 11,228 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 market buy- and sell-side sources, including primary and secondary dealers, portfolio managers, and research analysts. To determine a tranche’s price, first the benchmark yield is determined and adjusted for collateral performance, tranche level attributes and market conditions. Then the cash flow for each tranche is generated (using consensus prepayment speed assumptions including, as appropriate, a prepayment projection based on historical statistics of the underlying collateral). The tranche-level yield is used to discount the cash flows and generate the price. Depending on the characteristics of the tranche, a volatility-driven, multi-dimensional single cash flow stream model or an option-adjusted spread model may be used. When cash flows or other security structure or market information is not available, broker quotes may be used. On a quarterly basis, the Company receives from its independent pricing service a list of fixed maturity securities, if any, that were priced solely from broker quotes. For these securities, fair value may be determined using the broker quotes, or by the Company using similar pricing techniques as the Company’s independent pricing service. Depending on the level of observable inputs, these securities would be classified as Level 2 or Level 3 fair value measurements. At March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , 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. Two of these are equity securities that are reported as Level 3 fair value measurements since no reliable observable inputs are used in their valuations. The largest of these equity security holdings is in a privately placed non-redeemable convertible preferred stock investment in a technology company that Employers Mutual intends to work closely with in its data analytics activities. Due to the recent purchase of this security in November, 2016, this security is currently carried at its acquisition cost, which is presumed to be equivalent to fair value. The other equity security, a much smaller holding, 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 consist of nine fixed maturity securities. Two of these fixed maturity securities, classified as Level 3 fair value measurements, are corporate securities that convey premium tax benefits and are not publicly traded. The fair values for these securities are based on discounted cash flow analyses. The other fixed maturity securities are classified as Level 2 fair value measurements. The fair values for these fixed maturity securities were obtained from either the SVO, 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 March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 . March 31, 2017 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 $ 7,863 $ — $ 7,863 $ — U.S. government-sponsored agencies 229,671 — 229,671 — Obligations of states and political subdivisions 351,708 — 351,708 — Commercial mortgage-backed 35,619 — 35,619 — Residential mortgage-backed 87,099 — 87,099 — Other asset-backed 25,617 — 25,617 — Corporate 460,716 — 459,787 929 Total fixed maturity securities available-for-sale 1,198,293 — 1,197,364 929 Equity securities available-for-sale: Common stocks: Financial services 39,655 39,652 — 3 Information technology 35,575 35,575 — — Healthcare 27,522 27,522 — — Consumer staples 19,866 19,866 — — Consumer discretionary 20,367 20,367 — — Energy 17,622 17,622 — — Industrials 25,171 25,171 — — Other 18,313 18,313 — — Non-redeemable preferred stocks 26,111 11,611 12,500 2,000 Total equity securities available-for-sale 230,202 215,699 12,500 2,003 Short-term investments 25,530 25,530 — — Financial instruments not reported at fair value: Liabilities: Surplus notes 11,735 — — 11,735 December 31, 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 $ 7,830 $ — $ 7,830 $ — U.S. government-sponsored agencies 239,197 — 239,197 — Obligations of states and political subdivisions 335,757 — 335,757 — Commercial mortgage-backed 37,572 — 37,572 — Residential mortgage-backed 96,434 — 96,434 — Other asset-backed 26,393 — 26,393 — Corporate 456,516 — 455,534 982 Total fixed maturity securities available-for-sale 1,199,699 — 1,198,717 982 Equity securities available-for-sale: Common stocks: Financial services 35,122 35,119 — 3 Information technology 30,542 30,542 — — Healthcare 24,707 24,707 — — Consumer staples 19,100 19,100 — — Consumer discretionary 22,321 22,321 — — Energy 19,071 19,071 — — Industrials 24,245 24,245 — — Other 18,384 18,384 — — Non-redeemable preferred stocks 20,347 11,074 7,273 2,000 Total equity securities available-for-sale 213,839 204,563 7,273 2,003 Short-term investments 39,670 39,670 — — Financial instruments not reported at fair value: Liabilities: Surplus notes 11,228 — — 11,228 Presented in the table below is a reconciliation of the assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 . 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 March 31, 2017 Fair value measurements using significant unobservable (Level 3) inputs ($ in thousands) Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, corporate Equity securities Equity securities available-for-sale, non-redeemable preferred stocks Total Beginning balance $ 982 $ 3 $ 2,000 $ 2,985 Settlements (50 ) — — (50 ) Unrealized gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income (loss) (3 ) — — (3 ) Balance at March 31, 2017 $ 929 $ 3 $ 2,000 $ 2,932 Three months ended March 31, 2016 Fair value measurements using significant unobservable (Level 3) inputs ($ in thousands) Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, corporate Equity securities Equity securities available-for-sale, non-redeemable preferred stocks Total Beginning balance $ 1,329 $ 3 $ — $ 1,332 Settlements (61 ) — — (61 ) Unrealized gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income (loss) 3 — — 3 Balance at March 31, 2016 $ 1,271 $ 3 $ — $ 1,274 There were no transfers into or out of Levels 1 or 2 during the three months ended March 31, 2017 or 2016 . It is the Company’s policy to recognize transfers between levels at the beginning of the reporting period.

INVESTMENTS

INVESTMENTS	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
INVESTMENTS	INVESTMENTS Investments of the Company’s insurance subsidiaries are subject to the insurance laws of the state of their incorporation. These laws prescribe the kind, quality and concentration of investments that may be made by insurance companies. In general, these laws permit investments, within specified limits and subject to certain qualifications, in federal, state and municipal obligations, corporate bonds, preferred and common stocks and real estate mortgages. The Company believes that it is in compliance with these laws. The amortized cost and estimated fair value of securities available-for-sale as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 are as follows. All securities are classified as available-for-sale and are carried at fair value. March 31, 2017 Amortized Gross Gross Estimated ($ in thousands) Securities available-for-sale: Fixed maturity securities: U.S. treasury $ 7,848 $ 15 $ — $ 7,863 U.S. government-sponsored agencies 238,001 213 8,543 229,671 Obligations of states and political subdivisions 334,908 17,442 642 351,708 Commercial mortgage-backed 36,048 663 1,092 35,619 Residential mortgage-backed 90,865 2,045 5,811 87,099 Other asset-backed 25,545 682 610 25,617 Corporate 449,863 12,170 1,317 460,716 Total fixed maturity securities 1,183,078 33,230 18,015 1,198,293 Equity securities: Common stocks: Financial services 26,886 12,976 207 39,655 Information technology 20,816 14,773 14 35,575 Healthcare 17,139 10,385 2 27,522 Consumer staples 13,382 6,532 48 19,866 Consumer discretionary 12,430 8,105 168 20,367 Energy 14,276 3,986 640 17,622 Industrials 13,059 12,145 33 25,171 Other 12,594 5,720 1 18,313 Non-redeemable preferred stocks 25,030 1,146 65 26,111 Total equity securities 155,612 75,768 1,178 230,202 Total securities available-for-sale $ 1,338,690 $ 108,998 $ 19,193 $ 1,428,495 December 31, 2016 Amortized Gross Gross Estimated ($ in thousands) Securities available-for-sale: Fixed maturity securities: U.S. treasury $ 7,841 $ — $ 11 $ 7,830 U.S. government-sponsored agencies 249,495 311 10,609 239,197 Obligations of states and political subdivisions 319,663 17,034 940 335,757 Commercial mortgage-backed 37,964 741 1,133 37,572 Residential mortgage-backed 102,307 1,435 7,308 96,434 Other asset-backed 26,592 732 931 26,393 Corporate 445,663 12,232 1,379 456,516 Total fixed maturity securities 1,189,525 32,485 22,311 1,199,699 Equity securities: Common stocks: Financial services 22,922 12,410 210 35,122 Information technology 19,832 10,739 29 30,542 Healthcare 16,092 8,700 85 24,707 Consumer staples 13,438 5,787 125 19,100 Consumer discretionary 14,812 7,672 163 22,321 Energy 14,276 4,873 78 19,071 Industrials 13,005 11,258 18 24,245 Other 13,071 5,345 32 18,384 Non-redeemable preferred stocks 20,031 483 167 20,347 Total equity securities 147,479 67,267 907 213,839 Total securities available-for-sale $ 1,337,004 $ 99,752 $ 23,218 $ 1,413,538 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 March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , listed by length of time the securities were in an unrealized loss position. March 31, 2017 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 $ 201,763 $ 8,543 $ — $ — $ 201,763 $ 8,543 Obligations of states and political subdivisions 32,765 642 — — 32,765 642 Commercial mortgage-backed 20,388 1,092 — — 20,388 1,092 Residential mortgage-backed 17,962 1,150 17,525 4,661 35,487 5,811 Other asset-backed 18,875 610 — — 18,875 610 Corporate 61,276 1,247 8,668 70 69,944 1,317 Total fixed maturity securities 353,029 13,284 26,193 4,731 379,222 18,015 Equity securities: Common stocks: Financial services 4,305 56 956 151 5,261 207 Information technology 836 14 — — 836 14 Healthcare 151 2 — — 151 2 Consumer staples 2,705 46 93 2 2,798 48 Consumer discretionary 2,477 168 — — 2,477 168 Energy 3,720 345 1,846 295 5,566 640 Industrials 1,384 33 — — 1,384 33 Other 777 1 — — 777 1 Non-redeemable preferred stocks — — 1,934 65 1,934 65 Total equity securities 16,355 665 4,829 513 21,184 1,178 Total temporarily impaired securities $ 369,384 $ 13,949 $ 31,022 $ 5,244 $ 400,406 $ 19,193 December 31, 2016 Less than twelve months Twelve months or longer Total ($ in thousands) Fair Unrealized Fair Unrealized Fair Unrealized Fixed maturity securities: U.S. treasury $ 7,830 $ 11 $ — $ — $ 7,830 $ 11 U.S. government-sponsored agencies 202,900 10,609 — — 202,900 10,609 Obligations of states and political subdivisions 43,777 940 — — 43,777 940 Commercial mortgage-backed 21,695 1,133 — — 21,695 1,133 Residential mortgage-backed 26,217 1,232 23,625 6,076 49,842 7,308 Other asset-backed 19,091 931 — — 19,091 931 Corporate 82,657 1,273 8,625 106 91,282 1,379 Total fixed maturity securities 404,167 16,129 32,250 6,182 436,417 22,311 Equity securities: Common stocks: Financial services 1,462 12 908 198 2,370 210 Information technology 1,947 29 — — 1,947 29 Healthcare 3,585 85 — — 3,585 85 Consumer staples 2,427 125 — — 2,427 125 Consumer discretionary 1,637 163 — — 1,637 163 Energy 1,621 33 1,188 45 2,809 78 Industrials 779 18 — — 779 18 Other 1,472 32 — — 1,472 32 Non-redeemable preferred stocks 3,356 44 1,877 123 5,233 167 Total equity securities 18,286 541 3,973 366 22,259 907 Total temporarily impaired securities $ 422,453 $ 16,670 $ 36,223 $ 6,548 $ 458,676 $ 23,218 Most of the fixed maturity 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 March 31, 2017 . No individual equity 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 March 31, 2017 . All of the Company’s preferred stock holdings that are in an unrealized loss position are perpetual preferred stocks. The Company evaluates these perpetual preferred stocks with unrealized losses for “other-than-temporary” impairment similar to fixed maturity securities since they have debt-like characteristics such as periodic cash flows in the form of dividends and call features, are rated by rating agencies and are priced like other long-term callable fixed maturity securities. There was no evidence of any credit deterioration in the issuers of the preferred stocks and the Company does not intend to sell these securities before recovery, nor does it believe it will be required to sell these securities before recovery; therefore, it was determined that these securities were not “other-than-temporarily” impaired at March 31, 2017 . The amortized cost and estimated fair values of fixed maturity securities at March 31, 2017 , 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 $ 54,950 $ 55,913 Due after one year through five years 165,447 172,042 Due after five years through ten years 326,400 331,623 Due after ten years 506,694 513,339 Securities not due at a single maturity date 129,587 125,376 Totals $ 1,183,078 $ 1,198,293 A summary of realized investment gains and (losses) is as follows: Three months ended March 31, ($ in thousands) 2017 2016 Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale: Gross realized investment gains $ 90 $ 669 Gross realized investment losses (1,206 ) (299 ) Equity securities available-for-sale: Gross realized investment gains 2,875 2,082 Gross realized investment losses (99 ) (1,192 ) "Other-than-temporary" impairments — (431 ) Other long-term investments, net (2,287 ) (1,914 ) Totals $ (627 ) $ (1,085 ) 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 primarily represent changes in the carrying value of a limited partnership that is used solely to support an equity tail-risk hedging strategy.

CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

CONTINGENT LIABILITIES	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
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, 2016 . The Company had a contingent liability for the aggregate guaranteed amount of the annuities of $183,000 at December 31, 2016 should the issuers of those annuities fail to perform. Although management is not able to verify the amount, the Company would likely have a similar contingent liability at March 31, 2017 . The probability of a material loss due to failure of performance by the issuers of these annuities is considered remote.

STOCK REPURCHASE PROGRAM

STOCK REPURCHASE PROGRAM	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
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. During the first three months of 2016, the Company repurchased 17,300 shares at an average cost of $22.14 .

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
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, 2016 $ 49,748 $ (3,667 ) $ 46,081 Other comprehensive income before reclassifications 9,705 — 9,705 Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (1,079 ) (272 ) (1,351 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) 8,626 (272 ) 8,354 Balance at March 31, 2017 $ 58,374 $ (3,939 ) $ 54,435 The following tables display amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income and into net income during the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 , respectively. ($ in thousands) Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income Accumulated other comprehensive Three months ended Affected line item in the Unrealized gains on investments: Reclassification adjustment for realized investment gains included in net income $ 1,660 Net realized investment gains Deferred income tax expense (581 ) Income tax expense, current Net reclassification adjustment 1,079 Unrecognized pension and postretirement benefit obligations: Reclassification adjustment for amounts amortized into net periodic pension and postretirement benefit income: Net actuarial loss (368 ) (1) Prior service credit 787 (1) Total before tax 419 Deferred income tax expense (147 ) Income tax expense, current Net reclassification adjustment 272 Total reclassification adjustment $ 1,351 (1) These reclassified components of accumulated other comprehensive income are included in the computation of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit income (see note 7, Employee Retirement Plans, for additional details). ($ in thousands) Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income Accumulated other comprehensive Three months ended March 31, 2016 Affected line item in the Unrealized gains on investments: Reclassification adjustment for realized investment gains included in net income $ 829 Net realized investment gains Deferred income tax expense (290 ) Income tax expense, current Net reclassification adjustment 539 Unrecognized pension and postretirement benefit obligations: Reclassification adjustment for amounts amortized into net periodic pension and postretirement benefit income: Net actuarial loss (429 ) (1) Prior service credit 817 (1) Total before tax 388 Deferred income tax expense (136 ) Income tax expense, current Net reclassification adjustment 252 Total reclassification adjustment $ 791 (1) These reclassified components of accumulated other comprehensive income are included in the computation of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit income (see note 7, Employee Retirement Plans, for additional details).

NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS N

NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS NOT YET ADOPTED	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
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 Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) updated its guidance related to the Revenue from Contracts with Customers Topic 606 of the Accounting Standards Codification TM (Codification or 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 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. Management continues to research this guidance, which thus far has lead management to a preliminary determination that this update will not have a material impact to the Company's consolidated financial condition or 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. In March 2017, the FASB issued updated guidance in Compensation-Retirement Benefits Topic 715 of the ASC. The objective of this update is to improve the presentation of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit costs by disaggregating the components of these expenses (disclosing the service cost component separately from the other components) for income statement reporting. Also included in this update is a prohibition against including components of the net periodic pension and postretirement benefit costs, other than the service cost component, in any capitalized assets. This guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The portion of the guidance related to the income statement display of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit costs is to be applied retrospectively, while the prohibition against including these costs, other than the service cost component, in capitalized assets is to be applied prospectively. Early adoption is permitted. The Company will adopt this guidance during the first quarter of 2018. Adoption will not impact consolidated stockholders' equity initially; however, the prohibition against including components of the net periodic pension and postretirement benefit costs, other than the service cost component, in capitalized assets is expected to result in a relatively small change in the deferred policy acquisition cost asset starting March 31, 2018, which is expected to have an immaterial impact, net of tax, on consolidated stockholders' equity from that which would otherwise be reported.

REINSURANCE (Tables)

REINSURANCE (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Reinsurance Disclosures [Abstract]
Schedule of reinsurance transactions for insurance companies	The effect of reinsurance on premiums written and earned, and losses and settlement expenses incurred, for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 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 and quota share agreements and inter-company reinsurance programs with Employers Mutual are reported as “affiliated” balances. Three months ended March 31, 2017 ($ in thousands) Property and Reinsurance Total Premiums written Direct $ 96,752 $ — $ 96,752 Assumed from nonaffiliates 919 33,505 34,424 Assumed from affiliates 124,800 — 124,800 Ceded to nonaffiliates (8,133 ) (2,024 ) (10,157 ) Ceded to affiliates (99,731 ) (1,213 ) (100,944 ) Net premiums written $ 114,607 $ 30,268 $ 144,875 Premiums earned Direct $ 95,898 $ — $ 95,898 Assumed from nonaffiliates 1,015 34,689 35,704 Assumed from affiliates 122,097 — 122,097 Ceded to nonaffiliates (6,484 ) (2,637 ) (9,121 ) Ceded to affiliates (98,878 ) (1,213 ) (100,091 ) Net premiums earned $ 113,648 $ 30,839 $ 144,487 Losses and settlement expenses incurred Direct $ 62,761 $ — $ 62,761 Assumed from nonaffiliates 752 21,240 21,992 Assumed from affiliates 76,742 364 77,106 Ceded to nonaffiliates (1,401 ) (830 ) (2,231 ) Ceded to affiliates (63,334 ) (9 ) (63,343 ) Net losses and settlement expenses incurred $ 75,520 $ 20,765 $ 96,285 Three months ended March 31, 2016 ($ in thousands) Property and Reinsurance Total Premiums written Direct $ 94,986 $ — $ 94,986 Assumed from nonaffiliates 957 34,259 35,216 Assumed from affiliates 118,846 — 118,846 Ceded to nonaffiliates (5,381 ) (1,980 ) (7,361 ) Ceded to affiliates (98,141 ) (1,270 ) (99,411 ) Net premiums written $ 111,267 $ 31,009 $ 142,276 Premiums earned Direct $ 92,836 $ — $ 92,836 Assumed from nonaffiliates 1,027 34,716 35,743 Assumed from affiliates 118,262 — 118,262 Ceded to nonaffiliates (5,688 ) (1,155 ) (6,843 ) Ceded to affiliates (95,991 ) (1,270 ) (97,261 ) Net premiums earned $ 110,446 $ 32,291 $ 142,737 Losses and settlement expenses incurred Direct $ 41,054 $ — $ 41,054 Assumed from nonaffiliates 721 23,202 23,923 Assumed from affiliates 61,454 388 61,842 Ceded to nonaffiliates (77 ) (907 ) (984 ) Ceded to affiliates (41,054 ) 328 (40,726 ) Net losses and settlement expenses incurred $ 62,098 $ 23,011 $ 85,109

LIABILITY FOR LOSSES AND SETT27

LIABILITY FOR LOSSES AND SETTLEMENT EXPENSES (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Liability for Future Policy Benefits and Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Abstract]
Schedule of reconciliation of beginning and ending reserves for losses and settlement expenses	The following table sets forth a reconciliation of beginning and ending reserves for losses and settlement expenses of the Company. Amounts presented are on a net basis, with a reconciliation of beginning and ending reserves to the gross amounts presented in the consolidated financial statements. Three months ended March 31, ($ in thousands) 2017 2016 Gross reserves at beginning of year $ 690,532 $ 678,774 Re-valuation due to foreign currency exchange rates (1,913 ) (2,475 ) Less ceded reserves at beginning of year 20,664 23,477 Net reserves at beginning of year 671,781 657,772 Incurred losses and settlement expenses related to: Current year 111,189 92,861 Prior years (14,904 ) (7,752 ) Total incurred losses and settlement expenses 96,285 85,109 Paid losses and settlement expenses related to: Current year 22,923 18,536 Prior years 69,826 61,418 Total paid losses and settlement expenses 92,749 79,954 Net reserves at end of period 675,317 662,927 Plus ceded reserves at end of period 20,788 20,802 Re-valuation due to foreign currency exchange rates (976 ) (2,150 ) Gross reserves at end of period $ 695,129 $ 681,579

SEGMENT INFORMATION (Tables)

SEGMENT INFORMATION (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Summarized financial information for segments	Summarized financial information for the Company’s segments is as follows: Three months ended March 31, 2017 Property and Reinsurance Parent Consolidated ($ in thousands) Premiums earned $ 113,648 $ 30,839 $ — $ 144,487 Underwriting profit (loss): SAP underwriting profit (loss) (2,594 ) 3,247 — 653 GAAP adjustments (1,007 ) (331 ) — (1,338 ) GAAP underwriting profit (loss) (3,601 ) 2,916 — (685 ) Net investment income 8,015 2,983 9 11,007 Net realized investment losses (597 ) (30 ) — (627 ) Other income (loss) 161 (571 ) — (410 ) Interest expense 84 — — 84 Other expenses 179 — 582 761 Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit) $ 3,715 $ 5,298 $ (573 ) $ 8,440 Assets $ 1,119,323 $ 465,017 $ 564,787 $ 2,149,127 Eliminations — — (554,504 ) (554,504 ) Reclassifications (1,716 ) — (1,297 ) (3,013 ) Total assets $ 1,117,607 $ 465,017 $ 8,986 $ 1,591,610 Three months ended March 31, 2016 Property and Reinsurance Parent Consolidated ($ in thousands) Premiums earned $ 110,446 $ 32,291 $ — $ 142,737 Underwriting profit (loss): SAP underwriting profit (loss) 10,466 2,062 — 12,528 GAAP adjustments (1,861 ) (191 ) — (2,052 ) GAAP underwriting profit (loss) 8,605 1,871 — 10,476 Net investment income 8,771 3,457 2 12,230 Net realized investment losses (846 ) (239 ) — (1,085 ) Other income (loss) 132 (143 ) — (11 ) Interest expense 84 — — 84 Other expenses 157 — 492 649 Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit) $ 16,421 $ 4,946 $ (490 ) $ 20,877 Year ended December 31, 2016 Assets $ 1,122,037 $ 455,493 $ 554,164 $ 2,131,694 Eliminations — — (540,249 ) (540,249 ) Reclassifications — (1,932 ) (700 ) (2,632 ) Total assets $ 1,122,037 $ 453,561 $ 13,215 $ 1,588,813
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 months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 , by line of insurance. Three months ended March 31, ($ in thousands) 2017 2016 Property and casualty insurance segment Commercial lines: Automobile $ 28,032 $ 26,927 Property 25,502 24,748 Workers' compensation 24,703 23,247 Liability 24,128 23,670 Other 2,109 2,071 Total commercial lines 104,474 100,663 Personal lines 9,174 9,783 Total property and casualty insurance $ 113,648 $ 110,446 Reinsurance segment Pro rata reinsurance $ 10,435 $ 13,641 Excess of loss reinsurance 20,404 18,650 Total reinsurance $ 30,839 $ 32,291 Consolidated $ 144,487 $ 142,737

INCOME TAXES (Tables)

INCOME TAXES (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Reconciliation of income tax expense (benefit)	The actual income tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 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 ($ in thousands) 2017 2016 Computed "expected" income tax expense $ 2,954 $ 7,307 Increases (decreases) in tax resulting from: Tax-exempt interest income (705 ) (695 ) Dividends received deduction (306 ) (425 ) Proration of tax-exempt interest and dividends received deduction 152 168 Other, net (459 ) (132 ) Total income tax expense $ 1,636 $ 6,223

EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT PLANS (Tabl

EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT PLANS (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
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 ($ in thousands) 2017 2016 Pension plans: Service cost $ 3,860 $ 3,640 Interest cost 2,795 2,525 Expected return on plan assets (5,191 ) (4,840 ) Amortization of net actuarial loss 908 1,039 Amortization of prior service cost 5 8 Net periodic pension benefit cost $ 2,377 $ 2,372 Postretirement benefit plans: Service cost $ 341 $ 318 Interest cost 570 554 Expected return on plan assets (1,078 ) (1,056 ) Amortization of net actuarial loss 343 374 Amortization of prior service credit (2,789 ) (2,835 ) Net periodic postretirement benefit income $ (2,613 ) $ (2,645 )

DISCLOSURES ABOUT THE FAIR VA31

DISCLOSURES ABOUT THE FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
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 March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 are summarized in the tables below. March 31, 2017 Carrying Estimated ($ in thousands) Assets: Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale: U.S. treasury $ 7,863 $ 7,863 U.S. government-sponsored agencies 229,671 229,671 Obligations of states and political subdivisions 351,708 351,708 Commercial mortgage-backed 35,619 35,619 Residential mortgage-backed 87,099 87,099 Other asset-backed 25,617 25,617 Corporate 460,716 460,716 Total fixed maturity securities available-for-sale 1,198,293 1,198,293 Equity securities available-for-sale: Common stocks: Financial services 39,655 39,655 Information technology 35,575 35,575 Healthcare 27,522 27,522 Consumer staples 19,866 19,866 Consumer discretionary 20,367 20,367 Energy 17,622 17,622 Industrials 25,171 25,171 Other 18,313 18,313 Non-redeemable preferred stocks 26,111 26,111 Total equity securities available-for-sale 230,202 230,202 Short-term investments 25,530 25,530 Liabilities: Surplus notes 25,000 11,735 December 31, 2016 Carrying Estimated ($ in thousands) Assets: Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale: U.S. treasury $ 7,830 $ 7,830 U.S. government-sponsored agencies 239,197 239,197 Obligations of states and political subdivisions 335,757 335,757 Commercial mortgage-backed 37,572 37,572 Residential mortgage-backed 96,434 96,434 Other asset-backed 26,393 26,393 Corporate 456,516 456,516 Total fixed maturity securities available-for-sale 1,199,699 1,199,699 Equity securities available-for-sale: Common stocks: Financial services 35,122 35,122 Information technology 30,542 30,542 Healthcare 24,707 24,707 Consumer staples 19,100 19,100 Consumer discretionary 22,321 22,321 Energy 19,071 19,071 Industrials 24,245 24,245 Other 18,384 18,384 Non-redeemable preferred stocks 20,347 20,347 Total equity securities available-for-sale 213,839 213,839 Short-term investments 39,670 39,670 Liabilities: Surplus notes 25,000 11,228
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 March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 . March 31, 2017 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 $ 7,863 $ — $ 7,863 $ — U.S. government-sponsored agencies 229,671 — 229,671 — Obligations of states and political subdivisions 351,708 — 351,708 — Commercial mortgage-backed 35,619 — 35,619 — Residential mortgage-backed 87,099 — 87,099 — Other asset-backed 25,617 — 25,617 — Corporate 460,716 — 459,787 929 Total fixed maturity securities available-for-sale 1,198,293 — 1,197,364 929 Equity securities available-for-sale: Common stocks: Financial services 39,655 39,652 — 3 Information technology 35,575 35,575 — — Healthcare 27,522 27,522 — — Consumer staples 19,866 19,866 — — Consumer discretionary 20,367 20,367 — — Energy 17,622 17,622 — — Industrials 25,171 25,171 — — Other 18,313 18,313 — — Non-redeemable preferred stocks 26,111 11,611 12,500 2,000 Total equity securities available-for-sale 230,202 215,699 12,500 2,003 Short-term investments 25,530 25,530 — — Financial instruments not reported at fair value: Liabilities: Surplus notes 11,735 — — 11,735 December 31, 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 $ 7,830 $ — $ 7,830 $ — U.S. government-sponsored agencies 239,197 — 239,197 — Obligations of states and political subdivisions 335,757 — 335,757 — Commercial mortgage-backed 37,572 — 37,572 — Residential mortgage-backed 96,434 — 96,434 — Other asset-backed 26,393 — 26,393 — Corporate 456,516 — 455,534 982 Total fixed maturity securities available-for-sale 1,199,699 — 1,198,717 982 Equity securities available-for-sale: Common stocks: Financial services 35,122 35,119 — 3 Information technology 30,542 30,542 — — Healthcare 24,707 24,707 — — Consumer staples 19,100 19,100 — — Consumer discretionary 22,321 22,321 — — Energy 19,071 19,071 — — Industrials 24,245 24,245 — — Other 18,384 18,384 — — Non-redeemable preferred stocks 20,347 11,074 7,273 2,000 Total equity securities available-for-sale 213,839 204,563 7,273 2,003 Short-term investments 39,670 39,670 — — Financial instruments not reported at fair value: Liabilities: Surplus notes 11,228 — — 11,228
Reconciliation of assets measured at fair value on recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs	Presented in the table below is a reconciliation of the assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 . 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 March 31, 2017 Fair value measurements using significant unobservable (Level 3) inputs ($ in thousands) Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, corporate Equity securities Equity securities available-for-sale, non-redeemable preferred stocks Total Beginning balance $ 982 $ 3 $ 2,000 $ 2,985 Settlements (50 ) — — (50 ) Unrealized gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income (loss) (3 ) — — (3 ) Balance at March 31, 2017 $ 929 $ 3 $ 2,000 $ 2,932 Three months ended March 31, 2016 Fair value measurements using significant unobservable (Level 3) inputs ($ in thousands) Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, corporate Equity securities Equity securities available-for-sale, non-redeemable preferred stocks Total Beginning balance $ 1,329 $ 3 $ — $ 1,332 Settlements (61 ) — — (61 ) Unrealized gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income (loss) 3 — — 3 Balance at March 31, 2016 $ 1,271 $ 3 $ — $ 1,274

INVESTMENTS (Tables)

INVESTMENTS (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Reconciliation of available-for-sale securities from cost basis to fair value	The amortized cost and estimated fair value of securities available-for-sale as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 are as follows. All securities are classified as available-for-sale and are carried at fair value. March 31, 2017 Amortized Gross Gross Estimated ($ in thousands) Securities available-for-sale: Fixed maturity securities: U.S. treasury $ 7,848 $ 15 $ — $ 7,863 U.S. government-sponsored agencies 238,001 213 8,543 229,671 Obligations of states and political subdivisions 334,908 17,442 642 351,708 Commercial mortgage-backed 36,048 663 1,092 35,619 Residential mortgage-backed 90,865 2,045 5,811 87,099 Other asset-backed 25,545 682 610 25,617 Corporate 449,863 12,170 1,317 460,716 Total fixed maturity securities 1,183,078 33,230 18,015 1,198,293 Equity securities: Common stocks: Financial services 26,886 12,976 207 39,655 Information technology 20,816 14,773 14 35,575 Healthcare 17,139 10,385 2 27,522 Consumer staples 13,382 6,532 48 19,866 Consumer discretionary 12,430 8,105 168 20,367 Energy 14,276 3,986 640 17,622 Industrials 13,059 12,145 33 25,171 Other 12,594 5,720 1 18,313 Non-redeemable preferred stocks 25,030 1,146 65 26,111 Total equity securities 155,612 75,768 1,178 230,202 Total securities available-for-sale $ 1,338,690 $ 108,998 $ 19,193 $ 1,428,495 December 31, 2016 Amortized Gross Gross Estimated ($ in thousands) Securities available-for-sale: Fixed maturity securities: U.S. treasury $ 7,841 $ — $ 11 $ 7,830 U.S. government-sponsored agencies 249,495 311 10,609 239,197 Obligations of states and political subdivisions 319,663 17,034 940 335,757 Commercial mortgage-backed 37,964 741 1,133 37,572 Residential mortgage-backed 102,307 1,435 7,308 96,434 Other asset-backed 26,592 732 931 26,393 Corporate 445,663 12,232 1,379 456,516 Total fixed maturity securities 1,189,525 32,485 22,311 1,199,699 Equity securities: Common stocks: Financial services 22,922 12,410 210 35,122 Information technology 19,832 10,739 29 30,542 Healthcare 16,092 8,700 85 24,707 Consumer staples 13,438 5,787 125 19,100 Consumer discretionary 14,812 7,672 163 22,321 Energy 14,276 4,873 78 19,071 Industrials 13,005 11,258 18 24,245 Other 13,071 5,345 32 18,384 Non-redeemable preferred stocks 20,031 483 167 20,347 Total equity securities 147,479 67,267 907 213,839 Total securities available-for-sale $ 1,337,004 $ 99,752 $ 23,218 $ 1,413,538
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 March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , listed by length of time the securities were in an unrealized loss position. March 31, 2017 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 $ 201,763 $ 8,543 $ — $ — $ 201,763 $ 8,543 Obligations of states and political subdivisions 32,765 642 — — 32,765 642 Commercial mortgage-backed 20,388 1,092 — — 20,388 1,092 Residential mortgage-backed 17,962 1,150 17,525 4,661 35,487 5,811 Other asset-backed 18,875 610 — — 18,875 610 Corporate 61,276 1,247 8,668 70 69,944 1,317 Total fixed maturity securities 353,029 13,284 26,193 4,731 379,222 18,015 Equity securities: Common stocks: Financial services 4,305 56 956 151 5,261 207 Information technology 836 14 — — 836 14 Healthcare 151 2 — — 151 2 Consumer staples 2,705 46 93 2 2,798 48 Consumer discretionary 2,477 168 — — 2,477 168 Energy 3,720 345 1,846 295 5,566 640 Industrials 1,384 33 — — 1,384 33 Other 777 1 — — 777 1 Non-redeemable preferred stocks — — 1,934 65 1,934 65 Total equity securities 16,355 665 4,829 513 21,184 1,178 Total temporarily impaired securities $ 369,384 $ 13,949 $ 31,022 $ 5,244 $ 400,406 $ 19,193 December 31, 2016 Less than twelve months Twelve months or longer Total ($ in thousands) Fair Unrealized Fair Unrealized Fair Unrealized Fixed maturity securities: U.S. treasury $ 7,830 $ 11 $ — $ — $ 7,830 $ 11 U.S. government-sponsored agencies 202,900 10,609 — — 202,900 10,609 Obligations of states and political subdivisions 43,777 940 — — 43,777 940 Commercial mortgage-backed 21,695 1,133 — — 21,695 1,133 Residential mortgage-backed 26,217 1,232 23,625 6,076 49,842 7,308 Other asset-backed 19,091 931 — — 19,091 931 Corporate 82,657 1,273 8,625 106 91,282 1,379 Total fixed maturity securities 404,167 16,129 32,250 6,182 436,417 22,311 Equity securities: Common stocks: Financial services 1,462 12 908 198 2,370 210 Information technology 1,947 29 — — 1,947 29 Healthcare 3,585 85 — — 3,585 85 Consumer staples 2,427 125 — — 2,427 125 Consumer discretionary 1,637 163 — — 1,637 163 Energy 1,621 33 1,188 45 2,809 78 Industrials 779 18 — — 779 18 Other 1,472 32 — — 1,472 32 Non-redeemable preferred stocks 3,356 44 1,877 123 5,233 167 Total equity securities 18,286 541 3,973 366 22,259 907 Total temporarily impaired securities $ 422,453 $ 16,670 $ 36,223 $ 6,548 $ 458,676 $ 23,218
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of fixed maturity securities	The amortized cost and estimated fair values of fixed maturity securities at March 31, 2017 , 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 $ 54,950 $ 55,913 Due after one year through five years 165,447 172,042 Due after five years through ten years 326,400 331,623 Due after ten years 506,694 513,339 Securities not due at a single maturity date 129,587 125,376 Totals $ 1,183,078 $ 1,198,293
Summary of realized investment gains and (losses)	A summary of realized investment gains and (losses) is as follows: Three months ended March 31, ($ in thousands) 2017 2016 Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale: Gross realized investment gains $ 90 $ 669 Gross realized investment losses (1,206 ) (299 ) Equity securities available-for-sale: Gross realized investment gains 2,875 2,082 Gross realized investment losses (99 ) (1,192 ) "Other-than-temporary" impairments — (431 ) Other long-term investments, net (2,287 ) (1,914 ) Totals $ (627 ) $ (1,085 )

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSI33

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
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, 2016 $ 49,748 $ (3,667 ) $ 46,081 Other comprehensive income before reclassifications 9,705 — 9,705 Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (1,079 ) (272 ) (1,351 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) 8,626 (272 ) 8,354 Balance at March 31, 2017 $ 58,374 $ (3,939 ) $ 54,435
Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	The following tables display amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income and into net income during the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 , respectively. ($ in thousands) Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income Accumulated other comprehensive Three months ended Affected line item in the Unrealized gains on investments: Reclassification adjustment for realized investment gains included in net income $ 1,660 Net realized investment gains Deferred income tax expense (581 ) Income tax expense, current Net reclassification adjustment 1,079 Unrecognized pension and postretirement benefit obligations: Reclassification adjustment for amounts amortized into net periodic pension and postretirement benefit income: Net actuarial loss (368 ) (1) Prior service credit 787 (1) Total before tax 419 Deferred income tax expense (147 ) Income tax expense, current Net reclassification adjustment 272 Total reclassification adjustment $ 1,351 (1) These reclassified components of accumulated other comprehensive income are included in the computation of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit income (see note 7, Employee Retirement Plans, for additional details). ($ in thousands) Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income Accumulated other comprehensive Three months ended March 31, 2016 Affected line item in the Unrealized gains on investments: Reclassification adjustment for realized investment gains included in net income $ 829 Net realized investment gains Deferred income tax expense (290 ) Income tax expense, current Net reclassification adjustment 539 Unrecognized pension and postretirement benefit obligations: Reclassification adjustment for amounts amortized into net periodic pension and postretirement benefit income: Net actuarial loss (429 ) (1) Prior service credit 817 (1) Total before tax 388 Deferred income tax expense (136 ) Income tax expense, current Net reclassification adjustment 252 Total reclassification adjustment $ 791 (1) These reclassified components of accumulated other comprehensive income are included in the computation of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit income (see note 7, Employee Retirement Plans, for additional details).

TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES (D

TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES (Details) - Affiliated Entity [Member] $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)Plan	Jun. 30, 2017USD ($)Plan	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)Plan	Jun. 30, 2016USD ($)Plan	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)Plan	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)Plan
Property and casualty insurance [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Number of reinsurance program treaties | Plan	1	1	1	1	2	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	$ 15,000	$ 20,000
Affiliated reinsurance contract first layer limit	12,000	24,000	12,000	24,000
Dollar amount of cost of affiliated reinsurance contract	$ 1,400	6,000	$ 1,500	$ 6,300
Reinsurance retention balance		$ 10,200
Reinsurance [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Number of reinsurance program treaties | Plan					2	2
Reinsurance [Member] | Per Occurrence Catastrophe Excess of Loss [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Catastrophe claims, retention amount					$ 10,000	$ 10,000
Affiliated reinsurance contract first layer limit					$ 10,000	$ 10,000
First layer excess of loss coinsurance percentage (in hundreths)					20.00%	20.00%
Dollar amount of cost of affiliated reinsurance contract					$ 1,700	$ 2,000
Reinsurance [Member] | Annual Aggregate Catastrophe Excess of Loss [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Catastrophe claims, retention amount					20,000	20,000
Affiliated reinsurance contract first layer limit					$ 100,000	$ 100,000
First layer excess of loss coinsurance percentage (in hundreths)					20.00%	20.00%
Dollar amount of cost of affiliated reinsurance contract					$ 3,200	$ 3,200
Catastrophe event minimum amount					$ 500	$ 500

REINSURANCE (Details)

REINSURANCE (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Premiums written
Net premiums written	$ 144,875	$ 142,276
Premiums earned
Net premiums earned	144,487	142,737
Losses and settlement expenses incurred
Net losses and settlement expenses incurred		85,109
Affiliated Entity [Member]
Premiums written
Assumed	124,800	118,846
Ceded	(100,944)	(99,411)
Premiums earned
Assumed	122,097	118,262
Ceded	(100,091)	(97,261)
Losses and settlement expenses incurred
Assumed	77,106	61,842
Ceded	(63,343)	(40,726)
Non Affiliated Entity [Member]
Premiums written
Direct	96,752	94,986
Assumed	34,424	35,216
Ceded	(10,157)	(7,361)
Premiums earned
Direct	95,898	92,836
Assumed	35,704	35,743
Ceded	(9,121)	(6,843)
Losses and settlement expenses incurred
Direct	62,761	41,054
Assumed	21,992	23,923
Ceded	$ (2,231)	$ (984)
Property and casualty insurance [Member]
Reinsurance Transactions For Insurance Companies, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Percentage of pool participation (in hundredths)	30.00%	30.00%
Premiums written
Net premiums written	$ 114,607	$ 111,267
Premiums earned
Net premiums earned	113,648	110,446
Losses and settlement expenses incurred
Net losses and settlement expenses incurred	75,520	62,098
Property and casualty insurance [Member] | Affiliated Entity [Member]
Premiums written
Assumed	124,800	118,846
Ceded	(99,731)	(98,141)
Premiums earned
Assumed	122,097	118,262
Ceded	(98,878)	(95,991)
Losses and settlement expenses incurred
Assumed	76,742	61,454
Ceded	(63,334)	(41,054)
Property and casualty insurance [Member] | Non Affiliated Entity [Member]
Premiums written
Direct	96,752	94,986
Assumed	919	957
Ceded	(8,133)	(5,381)
Premiums earned
Direct	95,898	92,836
Assumed	1,015	1,027
Ceded	(6,484)	(5,688)
Losses and settlement expenses incurred
Direct	62,761	41,054
Assumed	752	721
Ceded	(1,401)	(77)
Reinsurance [Member]
Premiums written
Net premiums written	30,268	31,009
Premiums earned
Net premiums earned	30,839	32,291
Losses and settlement expenses incurred
Net losses and settlement expenses incurred	20,765	23,011
Reinsurance [Member] | Affiliated Entity [Member]
Premiums written
Assumed	0	0
Ceded	(1,213)	(1,270)
Premiums earned
Assumed	0	0
Ceded	(1,213)	(1,270)
Losses and settlement expenses incurred
Assumed	364	388
Ceded	(9)	328
Reinsurance [Member] | Non Affiliated Entity [Member]
Premiums written
Direct	0	0
Assumed	33,505	34,259
Ceded	(2,024)	(1,980)
Premiums earned
Direct	0	0
Assumed	34,689	34,716
Ceded	(2,637)	(1,155)
Losses and settlement expenses incurred
Direct	0	0
Assumed	21,240	23,202
Ceded	$ (830)	$ (907)

LIABILITY FOR LOSSES AND SETTEL

LIABILITY FOR LOSSES AND SETTELEMT EXPENSES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Reconciliation of beginning and ending reserves for losses and settlement expenses [Roll Forward]
Gross reserves at beginning of year	$ 690,532	$ 678,774
Re-evaluation due to foreign currency exchange rates	(1,913)	(2,475)
Less ceded reserves at beginning of year	20,664	23,477
Net reserves at beginning of year	671,781	657,772
Incurred losses and settlement expenses related to:
Current year	111,189	92,861
Prior years	(14,904)	(7,752)
Total incurred losses and settlement expenses	96,285	85,109
Paid losses and settlement expenses related to:
Current year	22,923	18,536
Prior years	69,826	61,418
Total paid losses and settlement expenses	92,749	79,954
Net reserves at end of period	675,317	662,927
Plus ceded reserves at end of period	20,788	20,802
Re-evaluation due to foreign currency exchange rates	(976)	(2,150)
Gross reserves at end of period	695,129	681,579
Property and casualty insurance [Member]
Incurred losses and settlement expenses related to:
Prior years	$ (8,500)	$ (3,800)
Percentage change in loss and settlement expense reserves for prior accident years (in hundredths)	(1.70%)	(0.80%)
Reinsurance [Member]
Incurred losses and settlement expenses related to:
Prior years	$ (6,400)	$ (4,000)
Percentage change in loss and settlement expense reserves for prior accident years (in hundredths)	(3.20%)	(2.00%)

SEGMENT INFORMATION - Summarize

SEGMENT INFORMATION - Summarized financial information by segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Reconciliation of operating profit loss from segment to consolidated
Premiums earned	$ 144,487	$ 142,737
SAP underwriting profit (loss)	653	12,528
GAAP adjustments	(1,338)	(2,052)
GAAP underwriting profit (loss)	(685)	10,476
Net investment income	11,007	12,230
Net realized investment losses	(627)	(1,085)
Other income (loss)	(410)	(11)
Interest expense	84	84
Other expenses	761	649
Income before income tax expense	8,440	20,877
Reconciliation of assets from segment to consolidated
Assets	2,149,127		$ 2,131,694
Eliminations	(554,504)		(540,249)
Reclassifications	(3,013)		(2,632)
Total assets	1,591,610		1,588,813
Property and casualty insurance [Member]
Reconciliation of operating profit loss from segment to consolidated
Premiums earned	113,648	110,446
SAP underwriting profit (loss)	(2,594)	10,466
GAAP adjustments	(1,007)	(1,861)
GAAP underwriting profit (loss)	(3,601)	8,605
Net investment income	8,015	8,771
Net realized investment losses	(597)	(846)
Other income (loss)	161	132
Interest expense	84	84
Other expenses	179	157
Income before income tax expense	3,715	16,421
Reconciliation of assets from segment to consolidated
Assets	1,119,323		1,122,037
Eliminations	0		0
Reclassifications	(1,716)		0
Total assets	1,117,607		1,122,037
Reinsurance [Member]
Reconciliation of operating profit loss from segment to consolidated
Premiums earned	30,839	32,291
SAP underwriting profit (loss)	3,247	2,062
GAAP adjustments	(331)	(191)
GAAP underwriting profit (loss)	2,916	1,871
Net investment income	2,983	3,457
Net realized investment losses	(30)	(239)
Other income (loss)	(571)	(143)
Interest expense	0	0
Other expenses	0	0
Income before income tax expense	5,298	4,946
Reconciliation of assets from segment to consolidated
Assets	465,017		455,493
Eliminations	0		0
Reclassifications	0		(1,932)
Total assets	465,017		453,561
Parent company [Member]
Reconciliation of operating profit loss from segment to consolidated
Premiums earned	0	0
SAP underwriting profit (loss)	0	0
GAAP adjustments	0	0
GAAP underwriting profit (loss)	0	0
Net investment income	9	2
Net realized investment losses	0	0
Other income (loss)	0	0
Interest expense	0	0
Other expenses	582	492
Income before income tax expense	(573)	$ (490)
Reconciliation of assets from segment to consolidated
Assets	564,787		554,164
Eliminations	(554,504)		(540,249)
Reclassifications	(1,297)		(700)
Total assets	$ 8,986		$ 13,215

SEGMENT INFORMATION - Net premi

SEGMENT INFORMATION - Net premiums earned by segment and lines of insurance (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Premiums earned	$ 144,487	$ 142,737
Property and casualty insurance [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Premiums earned	113,648	110,446
Property and casualty insurance [Member] | Commercial Lines [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Premiums earned	104,474	100,663
Property and casualty insurance [Member] | Commercial Lines [Member] | Automobile Insurance L O B [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Premiums earned	28,032	26,927
Property and casualty insurance [Member] | Commercial Lines [Member] | Property Insurance L O B [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Premiums earned	25,502	24,748
Property and casualty insurance [Member] | Commercial Lines [Member] | Workers' Compensation [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Premiums earned	24,703	23,247
Property and casualty insurance [Member] | Commercial Lines [Member] | Other Liability [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Premiums earned	24,128	23,670
Property and casualty insurance [Member] | Commercial Lines [Member] | Other Insurance L O B [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Premiums earned	2,109	2,071
Property and casualty insurance [Member] | Personal Lines [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Premiums earned	9,174	9,783
Reinsurance [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Premiums earned	30,839	32,291
Reinsurance [Member] | Assumed Pro Rata [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Premiums earned	10,435	13,641
Reinsurance [Member] | Assumed Excess of Loss [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Premiums earned	$ 20,404	$ 18,650

INCOME TAXES (Details)

INCOME TAXES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Income tax expense (benefit) reconciliation [Abstract]
United States federal corporate tax rate (in hundredths)	35.00%	35.00%
Computed expected income tax expense	$ 2,954	$ 7,307
Increases (decreases) in tax resulting from:
Tax-exempt interest income	(705)	(695)
Dividends received deduction	(306)	(425)
Proration of tax-exempt interest and dividends received deduction	152	168
Other, net	(459)	(132)
Total income tax expense	1,636	$ 6,223
Provision for uncertain tax positions	$ 0		$ 0

EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT PLANS (Deta

EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT PLANS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Pension plans [Member] | Emc Insurance Companies [Member]
Components of net periodic benefit cost [Abstract]
Service cost	$ 3,860	$ 3,640
Interest cost	2,795	2,525
Expected return on plan assets	(5,191)	(4,840)
Amortization of net actuarial loss	908	1,039
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)	5	8
Net periodic benefit cost (income)	2,377	2,372
Pension plans [Member] | EMC Insurance Group, Inc. [Member]
Components of net periodic benefit cost [Abstract]
Net periodic benefit cost (income)	713	730
Entity's share of estimated contributions to employee benefit plan	2,700
Postretirement benefit plans [Member] | Emc Insurance Companies [Member]
Components of net periodic benefit cost [Abstract]
Service cost	341	318
Interest cost	570	554
Expected return on plan assets	(1,078)	(1,056)
Amortization of net actuarial loss	343	374
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)	(2,789)	(2,835)
Net periodic benefit cost (income)	(2,613)	(2,645)
Postretirement benefit plans [Member] | EMC Insurance Group, Inc. [Member]
Components of net periodic benefit cost [Abstract]
Net periodic benefit cost (income)	(736)	$ (761)
Entity's share of estimated contributions to employee benefit plan	$ 0

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Detai

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock repurchased and retired during period, shares	64,358	17,300
Average cost per share of stock repurchased	$ 27.31	$ 22.14
Recognized compensation expense	$ (323)	$ 137
Recognized compensation expense, net of tax	$ (210)	$ 89
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of restricted stock shares vested during period (in shares)	84,524
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of restrticted stock units granted during period (in shares)	116,288
Stock Option [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options exercised during period (in shares)	62,262
Weighted average exercise price of options exercised during period (in dollars per share)	$ 15.73

DISCLOSURES ABOUT THE FAIR VA42

DISCLOSURES ABOUT THE FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017USD ($)Security	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)Security
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 1,428,495	$ 1,413,538
Short-term investments	25,530	39,670
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	9
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 1,198,293	$ 1,199,699
US Treasury Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	7,863	7,830
US Government-sponsored Enterprises Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	229,671	239,197
US States and Political Subdivisions Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	351,708	335,757
Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	35,619	37,572
Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	87,099	96,434
Collateralized Debt Obligations [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	25,617	26,393
Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	460,716	456,516
Equity Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	230,202	213,839
Common stocks Financial services [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	39,655	35,122
Common stocks Information technology [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	35,575	30,542
Common stocks Healthcare [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	27,522	24,707
Common stocks Consumer staples [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	19,866	19,100
Common stocks Consumer discretionary [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	20,367	22,321
Common stocks Energy [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	17,622	19,071
Common stocks Industrials [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	25,171	24,245
Common stocks Other [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	18,313	18,384
Nonredeemable Preferred Stock [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	26,111	20,347
Carrying amount [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Short-term investments	25,530	39,670
Liabilities [Abstract]
Surplus notes	25,000	25,000
Carrying amount [Member] | Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	1,198,293	1,199,699
Carrying amount [Member] | US Treasury Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	7,863	7,830
Carrying amount [Member] | US Government-sponsored Enterprises Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	229,671	239,197
Carrying amount [Member] | US States and Political Subdivisions Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	351,708	335,757
Carrying amount [Member] | Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	35,619	37,572
Carrying amount [Member] | Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	87,099	96,434
Carrying amount [Member] | Collateralized Debt Obligations [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	25,617	26,393
Carrying amount [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	460,716	456,516
Carrying amount [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	230,202	213,839
Carrying amount [Member] | Common stocks Financial services [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	39,655	35,122
Carrying amount [Member] | Common stocks Information technology [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	35,575	30,542
Carrying amount [Member] | Common stocks Healthcare [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	27,522	24,707
Carrying amount [Member] | Common stocks Consumer staples [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	19,866	19,100
Carrying amount [Member] | Common stocks Consumer discretionary [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	20,367	22,321
Carrying amount [Member] | Common stocks Energy [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	17,622	19,071
Carrying amount [Member] | Common stocks Industrials [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	25,171	24,245
Carrying amount [Member] | Common stocks Other [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	18,313	18,384
Carrying amount [Member] | Nonredeemable Preferred Stock [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	26,111	20,347
Estimated fair value [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Short-term investments	25,530	39,670
Liabilities [Abstract]
Surplus notes	11,735	11,228
Estimated fair value [Member] | Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	1,198,293	1,199,699
Estimated fair value [Member] | US Treasury Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	7,863	7,830
Estimated fair value [Member] | US Government-sponsored Enterprises Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	229,671	239,197
Estimated fair value [Member] | US States and Political Subdivisions Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	351,708	335,757
Estimated fair value [Member] | Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	35,619	37,572
Estimated fair value [Member] | Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	87,099	96,434
Estimated fair value [Member] | Collateralized Debt Obligations [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	25,617	26,393
Estimated fair value [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	460,716	456,516
Estimated fair value [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	230,202	213,839
Estimated fair value [Member] | Common stocks Financial services [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	39,655	35,122
Estimated fair value [Member] | Common stocks Information technology [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	35,575	30,542
Estimated fair value [Member] | Common stocks Healthcare [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	27,522	24,707
Estimated fair value [Member] | Common stocks Consumer staples [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	19,866	19,100
Estimated fair value [Member] | Common stocks Consumer discretionary [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	20,367	22,321
Estimated fair value [Member] | Common stocks Energy [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	17,622	19,071
Estimated fair value [Member] | Common stocks Industrials [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	25,171	24,245
Estimated fair value [Member] | Common stocks Other [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	18,313	18,384
Estimated fair value [Member] | Nonredeemable Preferred Stock [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 26,111	$ 20,347

DISCLOSURES ABOUT THE FAIR VA43

DISCLOSURES ABOUT THE FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS, Recurring Measurement Inputs (Details) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017USD ($)Security	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)Security
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 1,428,495	$ 1,413,538
Short-term investments	25,530	39,670
Liabilities [Abstract]
Surplus notes	25,000	25,000
Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	1,198,293	1,199,699
US Treasury Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	7,863	7,830
US Government-sponsored Enterprises Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	229,671	239,197
US States and Political Subdivisions Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	351,708	335,757
Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	35,619	37,572
Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	87,099	96,434
Collateralized Debt Obligations [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	25,617	26,393
Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	460,716	456,516
Equity Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	230,202	213,839
Common stocks Financial services [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	39,655	35,122
Common stocks Information technology [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	35,575	30,542
Common stocks Healthcare [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	27,522	24,707
Common stocks Consumer staples [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	19,866	19,100
Common stocks Consumer discretionary [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	20,367	22,321
Common stocks Energy [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	17,622	19,071
Common stocks Industrials [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	25,171	24,245
Common stocks Other [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	18,313	18,384
Nonredeemable Preferred Stock [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	26,111	20,347
Recurring [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Short-term investments	25,530	39,670
Recurring [Member] | Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	1,198,293	1,199,699
Recurring [Member] | US Treasury Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	7,863	7,830
Recurring [Member] | US Government-sponsored Enterprises Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	229,671	239,197
Recurring [Member] | US States and Political Subdivisions Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	351,708	335,757
Recurring [Member] | Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	35,619	37,572
Recurring [Member] | Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	87,099	96,434
Recurring [Member] | Collateralized Debt Obligations [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	25,617	26,393
Recurring [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	460,716	456,516
Recurring [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	230,202	213,839
Recurring [Member] | Common stocks Financial services [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	39,655	35,122
Recurring [Member] | Common stocks Information technology [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	35,575	30,542
Recurring [Member] | Common stocks Healthcare [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	27,522	24,707
Recurring [Member] | Common stocks Consumer staples [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	19,866	19,100
Recurring [Member] | Common stocks Consumer discretionary [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	20,367	22,321
Recurring [Member] | Common stocks Energy [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	17,622	19,071
Recurring [Member] | Common stocks Industrials [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	25,171	24,245
Recurring [Member] | Common stocks Other [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	18,313	18,384
Recurring [Member] | Nonredeemable Preferred Stock [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	26,111	20,347
Recurring [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Short-term investments	25,530	39,670
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	215,699	204,563
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	39,652	35,119
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	35,575	30,542
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	27,522	24,707
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	19,866	19,100
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	20,367	22,321
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	17,622	19,071
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	25,171	24,245
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	18,313	18,384
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	11,611	11,074
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	1,197,364	1,198,717
Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | US Treasury Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	7,863	7,830
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	229,671	239,197
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	351,708	335,757
Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	35,619	37,572
Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	87,099	96,434
Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Collateralized Debt Obligations [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	25,617	26,393
Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	459,787	455,534
Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	12,500	7,273
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	12,500	7,273
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	$ 929	$ 982
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	929	982
Recurring [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 2,003	$ 2,003
Number of securities categorized as Level 3 fair value measurements | Security	2	2
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	2,000	2,000
Not Reported At Fair Value [Member]
Liabilities [Abstract]
Surplus notes	11,735	11,228
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	$ 11,735	$ 11,228

DISCLOSURES ABOUT THE FAIR VA44

DISCLOSURES ABOUT THE FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS, Unobservable Input Reconciliation (Details) - Recurring [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Reconciliation of assets measured at fair value on recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 2,985	$ 1,332
Settlements	(50)	(61)
Unrealized gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income (loss)	(3)	3
Balance at end of period	2,932	1,274
Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Reconciliation of assets measured at fair value on recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	982	1,329
Settlements	(50)	(61)
Unrealized gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income (loss)	(3)	3
Balance at end of period	929	1,271
Common stocks Financial services [Member]
Reconciliation of assets measured at fair value on recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	3	3
Settlements	0	0
Unrealized gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income (loss)	0	0
Balance at end of period	3	3
Nonredeemable Preferred Stock [Member]
Reconciliation of assets measured at fair value on recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	2,000	0
Settlements	0	0
Unrealized gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income (loss)	0	0
Balance at end of period	$ 2,000	$ 0

INVESTMENTS (Details)

INVESTMENTS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost	$ 1,338,690		$ 1,337,004
Gross unrealized gains	108,998		99,752
Gross unrealized losses	19,193		23,218
Estimated fair values	1,428,495		1,413,538
Available for sale securities continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
Less than twelve months, Fair value	369,384		422,453
Less than twelve months, Unrealized losses	13,949		16,670
Twelve months or longer, Fair value	31,022		36,223
Twelve months or longer, Unrealized losses	5,244		6,548
Total, Fair value	400,406		458,676
Total, Unrealized losses	19,193		23,218
Amortized cost
Due in one year or less	54,950
Due after one year through five years	165,447
Due after five years through ten years	326,400
Due after ten years	506,694
Securities not due at a single maturity date	129,587
Totals	1,183,078		1,189,525
Estimated fair value
Due in one year or less	55,913
Due after one year through five years	172,042
Due after five years through ten years	331,623
Due after ten years	513,339
Securities not due at a single maturity date	125,376
Totals	1,198,293		1,199,699
Realized Investment Gains (Losses) [Abstract]
'Other-than-temporary' impairments	0	$ (431)
Net realized investment gains (losses)	(627)	(1,085)
Debt Securities [Member]
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost	1,183,078		1,189,525
Gross unrealized gains	33,230		32,485
Gross unrealized losses	18,015		22,311
Estimated fair values	1,198,293		1,199,699
Available for sale securities continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
Less than twelve months, Fair value	353,029		404,167
Less than twelve months, Unrealized losses	13,284		16,129
Twelve months or longer, Fair value	26,193		32,250
Twelve months or longer, Unrealized losses	4,731		6,182
Total, Fair value	379,222		436,417
Total, Unrealized losses	18,015		22,311
Realized Investment Gains (Losses) [Abstract]
Available-for-sale, Gross realized investment gains	90	669
Available-for-sale, Gross realized investment losses	(1,206)	(299)
US Treasury Securities [Member]
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost	7,848		7,841
Gross unrealized gains	15		0
Gross unrealized losses	0		11
Estimated fair values	7,863		7,830
Available for sale securities continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
Less than twelve months, Fair value			7,830
Less than twelve months, Unrealized losses			11
Twelve months or longer, Fair value			0
Twelve months or longer, Unrealized losses			0
Total, Fair value			7,830
Total, Unrealized losses			11
US Government-sponsored Enterprises Debt Securities [Member]
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost	238,001		249,495
Gross unrealized gains	213		311
Gross unrealized losses	8,543		10,609
Estimated fair values	229,671		239,197
Available for sale securities continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
Less than twelve months, Fair value	201,763		202,900
Less than twelve months, Unrealized losses	8,543		10,609
Twelve months or longer, Fair value	0		0
Twelve months or longer, Unrealized losses	0		0
Total, Fair value	201,763		202,900
Total, Unrealized losses	8,543		10,609
US States and Political Subdivisions Debt Securities [Member]
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost	334,908		319,663
Gross unrealized gains	17,442		17,034
Gross unrealized losses	642		940
Estimated fair values	351,708		335,757
Available for sale securities continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
Less than twelve months, Fair value	32,765		43,777
Less than twelve months, Unrealized losses	642		940
Twelve months or longer, Fair value	0		0
Twelve months or longer, Unrealized losses	0		0
Total, Fair value	32,765		43,777
Total, Unrealized losses	642		940
Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost	36,048		37,964
Gross unrealized gains	663		741
Gross unrealized losses	1,092		1,133
Estimated fair values	35,619		37,572
Available for sale securities continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
Less than twelve months, Fair value	20,388		21,695
Less than twelve months, Unrealized losses	1,092		1,133
Twelve months or longer, Fair value	0		0
Twelve months or longer, Unrealized losses	0		0
Total, Fair value	20,388		21,695
Total, Unrealized losses	1,092		1,133
Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost	90,865		102,307
Gross unrealized gains	2,045		1,435
Gross unrealized losses	5,811		7,308
Estimated fair values	87,099		96,434
Available for sale securities continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
Less than twelve months, Fair value	17,962		26,217
Less than twelve months, Unrealized losses	1,150		1,232
Twelve months or longer, Fair value	17,525		23,625
Twelve months or longer, Unrealized losses	4,661		6,076
Total, Fair value	35,487		49,842
Total, Unrealized losses	5,811		7,308
Collateralized Debt Obligations [Member]
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost	25,545		26,592
Gross unrealized gains	682		732
Gross unrealized losses	610		931
Estimated fair values	25,617		26,393
Available for sale securities continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
Less than twelve months, Fair value	18,875		19,091
Less than twelve months, Unrealized losses	610		931
Twelve months or longer, Fair value	0		0
Twelve months or longer, Unrealized losses	0		0
Total, Fair value	18,875		19,091
Total, Unrealized losses	610		931
Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost	449,863		445,663
Gross unrealized gains	12,170		12,232
Gross unrealized losses	1,317		1,379
Estimated fair values	460,716		456,516
Available for sale securities continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
Less than twelve months, Fair value	61,276		82,657
Less than twelve months, Unrealized losses	1,247		1,273
Twelve months or longer, Fair value	8,668		8,625
Twelve months or longer, Unrealized losses	70		106
Total, Fair value	69,944		91,282
Total, Unrealized losses	1,317		1,379
Equity Securities [Member]
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost	155,612		147,479
Gross unrealized gains	75,768		67,267
Gross unrealized losses	1,178		907
Estimated fair values	230,202		213,839
Available for sale securities continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
Less than twelve months, Fair value	16,355		18,286
Less than twelve months, Unrealized losses	665		541
Twelve months or longer, Fair value	4,829		3,973
Twelve months or longer, Unrealized losses	513		366
Total, Fair value	21,184		22,259
Total, Unrealized losses	1,178		907
Realized Investment Gains (Losses) [Abstract]
Available-for-sale, Gross realized investment gains	2,875	2,082
Available-for-sale, Gross realized investment losses	(99)	(1,192)
'Other-than-temporary' impairments	0	(431)
Common stocks Financial services [Member]
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost	26,886		22,922
Gross unrealized gains	12,976		12,410
Gross unrealized losses	207		210
Estimated fair values	39,655		35,122
Available for sale securities continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
Less than twelve months, Fair value	4,305		1,462
Less than twelve months, Unrealized losses	56		12
Twelve months or longer, Fair value	956		908
Twelve months or longer, Unrealized losses	151		198
Total, Fair value	5,261		2,370
Total, Unrealized losses	207		210
Common stocks Information technology [Member]
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost	20,816		19,832
Gross unrealized gains	14,773		10,739
Gross unrealized losses	14		29
Estimated fair values	35,575		30,542
Available for sale securities continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
Less than twelve months, Fair value	836		1,947
Less than twelve months, Unrealized losses	14		29
Twelve months or longer, Fair value	0		0
Twelve months or longer, Unrealized losses	0		0
Total, Fair value	836		1,947
Total, Unrealized losses	14		29
Common stocks Healthcare [Member]
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost	17,139		16,092
Gross unrealized gains	10,385		8,700
Gross unrealized losses	2		85
Estimated fair values	27,522		24,707
Available for sale securities continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
Less than twelve months, Fair value	151		3,585
Less than twelve months, Unrealized losses	2		85
Twelve months or longer, Fair value	0		0
Twelve months or longer, Unrealized losses	0		0
Total, Fair value	151		3,585
Total, Unrealized losses	2		85
Common stocks Consumer staples [Member]
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost	13,382		13,438
Gross unrealized gains	6,532		5,787
Gross unrealized losses	48		125
Estimated fair values	19,866		19,100
Available for sale securities continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
Less than twelve months, Fair value	2,705		2,427
Less than twelve months, Unrealized losses	46		125
Twelve months or longer, Fair value	93		0
Twelve months or longer, Unrealized losses	2		0
Total, Fair value	2,798		2,427
Total, Unrealized losses	48		125
Common stocks Consumer discretionary [Member]
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost	12,430		14,812
Gross unrealized gains	8,105		7,672
Gross unrealized losses	168		163
Estimated fair values	20,367		22,321
Available for sale securities continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
Less than twelve months, Fair value	2,477		1,637
Less than twelve months, Unrealized losses	168		163
Twelve months or longer, Fair value	0		0
Twelve months or longer, Unrealized losses	0		0
Total, Fair value	2,477		1,637
Total, Unrealized losses	168		163
Common stocks Energy [Member]
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost	14,276		14,276
Gross unrealized gains	3,986		4,873
Gross unrealized losses	640		78
Estimated fair values	17,622		19,071
Available for sale securities continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
Less than twelve months, Fair value	3,720		1,621
Less than twelve months, Unrealized losses	345		33
Twelve months or longer, Fair value	1,846		1,188
Twelve months or longer, Unrealized losses	295		45
Total, Fair value	5,566		2,809
Total, Unrealized losses	640		78
Common stocks Industrials [Member]
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost	13,059		13,005
Gross unrealized gains	12,145		11,258
Gross unrealized losses	33		18
Estimated fair values	25,171		24,245
Available for sale securities continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
Less than twelve months, Fair value	1,384		779
Less than twelve months, Unrealized losses	33		18
Twelve months or longer, Fair value	0		0
Twelve months or longer, Unrealized losses	0		0
Total, Fair value	1,384		779
Total, Unrealized losses	33		18
Common stocks Other [Member]
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost	12,594		13,071
Gross unrealized gains	5,720		5,345
Gross unrealized losses	1		32
Estimated fair values	18,313		18,384
Available for sale securities continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
Less than twelve months, Fair value	777		1,472
Less than twelve months, Unrealized losses	1		32
Twelve months or longer, Fair value	0		0
Twelve months or longer, Unrealized losses	0		0
Total, Fair value	777		1,472
Total, Unrealized losses	1		32
Nonredeemable Preferred Stock [Member]
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Amortized cost	25,030		20,031
Gross unrealized gains	1,146		483
Gross unrealized losses	65		167
Estimated fair values	26,111		20,347
Available for sale securities continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
Less than twelve months, Fair value	0		3,356
Less than twelve months, Unrealized losses	0		44
Twelve months or longer, Fair value	1,934		1,877
Twelve months or longer, Unrealized losses	65		123
Total, Fair value	1,934		5,233
Total, Unrealized losses	65		$ 167
Other Long-term Investments [Member]
Realized Investment Gains (Losses) [Abstract]
Net realized investment gains (losses)	$ (2,287)	$ (1,914)

CONTINGENT LIABILITIES (Details

CONTINGENT LIABILITIES (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
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	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016	Nov. 03, 2011
Equity [Abstract]
Authorized amount of stock repurchase program			$ 15,000
Stock repurchased and retired during period, shares	64,358	17,300
Average cost per share of stock repurchased	$ 27.31	$ 22.14

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSI48

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Balance at December 31, 2016	$ 46,081
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	9,705
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	(1,351)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	8,354	$ 11,484
Balance at March 31, 2017	54,435
Unrealized Gains and (Losses) on Available-for-sale securities
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Balance at December 31, 2016	49,748
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	9,705
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	(1,079)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	8,626
Balance at March 31, 2017	58,374
Unrecognized pension and postretirement benefit obligations
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Balance at December 31, 2016	(3,667)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	0
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	(272)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(272)
Balance at March 31, 2017	$ (3,939)

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSI49

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - Reclassifications out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Net realized investment gains (losses)		$ (627)	$ (1,085)
Income tax expense, current		(2,046)	(7,618)
Total reclassification adjustment		1,351	791
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)		1,660	829
Income tax expense, current		(581)	(290)
Total reclassification adjustment		1,079	539
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]	(368)	(429)
Prior service credit	[1]	787	817
Total before tax		419	388
Income tax expense, current		(147)	(136)
Total reclassification adjustment		$ 272	$ 252
[1]	These reclassified components of accumulated other comprehensive income are included in the computation of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit income (see note 7, Employee Retirement Plans, for additional details).