EMC Insurance (EMCI) 10-Q 4 May 18 2018 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Apr. 30, 2018
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		21,541,316
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,018
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2018

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Un

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Investments:
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost $1,258,390 and $1,253,166)	$ 1,256,473	$ 1,275,016
Equity investments, at fair value (cost $146,520 and $144,274)	220,498
Equity investments, at fair value (cost $146,520 and $144,274)		228,115
Equity investments, at alternative measurement of cost less impairments	2,000	0
Other long-term investments	17,212	13,648
Short-term investments	21,664	23,613
Total investments	1,517,847	1,540,392
Cash	382	347
Reinsurance receivables due from affiliate	31,276	31,650
Prepaid reinsurance premiums due from affiliate	11,601	12,789
Deferred policy acquisition costs (affiliated $42,667 and $40,848)	42,892	41,114
Prepaid pension and postretirement benefits due from affiliate	20,593	20,683
Accrued investment income	11,616	11,286
Amounts receivable under reverse repurchase agreements	22,250	16,500
Accounts receivable	906	1,604
Goodwill	942	942
Other assets (affiliated $4,034 and $4,423)	4,848	4,633
Total assets	1,665,153	1,681,940
LIABILITIES
Losses and settlement expenses (affiliated $732,840 and $726,413)	737,055	732,612
Unearned premiums (affiliated $257,992 and $256,434)	259,071	257,797
Other policyholders' funds (all affiliated)	9,586	10,013
Surplus notes payable to affiliate	25,000	25,000
Amounts due affiliate to settle inter-company transaction balances	214	367
Pension benefits payable to affiliate	3,953	4,185
Income taxes payable	1,751	544
Deferred income taxes	8,227	15,020
Other liabilities (affiliated $18,493 and $27,520)	38,947	32,556
Total liabilities	1,083,804	1,078,094
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common stock, $1 par value, authorized 30,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding, 21,519,498 shares in 2018 and 21,455,545 shares in 2017	21,519	21,455
Additional paid-in capital	126,106	124,556
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(2,167)	83,384
Retained earnings	435,891	374,451
Total stockholders' equity	581,349	603,846
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 1,665,153	$ 1,681,940

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (U3

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Investments:
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, amortized cost	$ 1,258,390	$ 1,253,166
Equity investments, cost	146,520
Equity investments, cost		144,274
Deferred policy acquisition costs from affiliates	42,667	40,848
Affiliated other assets	4,034	4,423
LIABILITIES
Affiliated losses and settlement expenses	732,840	726,413
Unearned premiums from affiliates	257,992	256,434
Affiliated other liabilities	$ 18,493	$ 27,520
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)	21,519,498	21,455,545
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	21,519,498	21,455,545

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCO

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
REVENUES
Premiums earned (affiliated $154,246 and $143,611)	$ 155,786	$ 144,487
Net investment income	11,371	11,007
Net realized investment gains (losses) and, beginning in 2018, change in unrealized investment gains on equity investments	(5,393)	(627)
Other income (affiliated $1,581 and $1,009)	1,615	870
Total revenues	163,379	155,737
LOSSES AND EXPENSES
Losses and settlement expenses (affiliated $110,570 and $94,771)	110,628	96,285
Dividends to policyholders (all affiliated)	2,120	2,722
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs (affiliated $26,917 and $26,595)	27,292	26,811
Other underwriting expenses (affiliated $22,920 and $20,693)	22,855	20,634
Interest expense (all affiliated)	142	84
Other expenses (affiliated $498 and $467)	870	761
Total losses and expenses	163,907	147,297
Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)	(528)	8,440
INCOME TAX EXPENSE (BENEFIT)
Current	1,206	2,046
Deferred	(1,658)	(410)
Total income tax expense (benefit)	(452)	1,636
Net income (loss)	$ (76)	$ 6,804
Net income (loss) per common share - basic and diluted	$ 0	$ 0.32
Dividend per common share	$ 0.22	$ 0.21
Average number of common shares outstanding - basic and diluted (in shares)	21,501,897	21,254,430

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INC5

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
REVENUES
Premiums earned, affiliated	$ 154,246	$ 143,611
Other income, affiliated	1,581	1,009
LOSSES AND EXPENSES
Losses and settlement expenses, affiliated	110,570	94,771
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs, affiliated	26,917	26,595
Other underwriting expenses, affiliated	22,920	20,693
Other expense, affiliated	$ 498	$ 467

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMP

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Net income (loss)	$ (76)	$ 6,804
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on investment securities not reflected in net income, net of deferred income tax expense (benefit) of $(5,042) and $5,226	(18,969)	9,705
Reclassification adjustment for net realized investment (gains) losses included in net income (loss), net of income tax (expense) benefit of $51 and $(581)	193	(1,079)
Reclassification adjustment for amounts amortized into net periodic pension and postretirement benefit income, net of deferred income tax expense of $(144) and $(147):
Net actuarial loss	81	239
Prior service credit	(622)	(511)
Total reclassification adjustment associated with affiliate's pension and postretirement benefit plans	(541)	(272)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(19,317)	8,354
Total comprehensive income (loss)	$ (19,393)	$ 15,158

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COM7

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on investment securities, deferred income tax expense (benefit)	$ (5,042)	$ 5,226
Reclassification adjustment for net realized investment (gains) losses included in net income (loss), income tax (expense) benefit	51	(581)
Reclassification adjustment for amounts amortized into net periodic pension and postretirement benefit cost (income), deferred income tax (expense) benefit	$ (144)	$ (147)

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, 2016	$ 553,342	$ 21,223	$ 119,054	$ 46,081	$ 366,984
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issuance of common stock through stock plans	1,953	76	1,877
Repurchase of common stock	(1,758)	(64)	(1,694)
Increase resulting from stock-based compensation expense	7		7
Other comprehensive income (loss)	8,354			8,354
Net income (loss)	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
Balance at Dec. 31, 2017	603,846	21,455	124,556	83,384	374,451
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issuance of common stock through stock plans	2,398	94	2,304
Repurchase of common stock	(802)	(30)	(772)
Increase resulting from stock-based compensation expense	18		18
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(19,317)			(19,317)
Net income (loss)	(76)				(76)
Dividends paid to public stockholders	(2,128)				(2,128)
Dividends paid to affiliate	(2,590)				(2,590)
Balance at Mar. 31, 2018	581,349	$ 21,519	$ 126,106	(2,167)	435,891
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Cumulative adjustment for adoption of financial instruments recognition and measurement changes	$ 0			$ (66,234)	$ 66,234

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCK

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Dividends paid to public stockholders (per share)	$ 0.22	$ 0.21
Dividends paid to affiliate (per share)	$ 0.22	$ 0.21

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income (loss)	$ (76)	$ 6,804
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Losses and settlement expenses (affiliated $6,427 and $5,016)	4,443	4,597
Unearned premiums (affiliated $1,558 and $2,021)	1,274	1,595
Other policyholders' funds due to affiliate	(427)	550
Amounts due to/from affiliate to settle inter-company transaction balances	(153)	(12,135)
Net pension and postretirement benefits due from affiliate	(827)	(512)
Reinsurance receivables due from affiliate	374	(171)
Prepaid reinsurance premiums due from affiliate	1,188	(1,035)
Commissions payable (affiliated $(7,893) and $(7,270))	(7,817)	(7,270)
Deferred policy acquisition costs (affiliated $(1,819) and $905)	(1,778)	1,023
Accrued investment income	(330)	(1,081)
Current income tax	1,207	1,682
Deferred income tax	(1,658)	(410)
Net realized investment gains (losses) and, beginning in 2018, change in unrealized investment gains on equity investments	5,393	627
Other, net (affiliated $(727) and $(3,145))	2,644	1,997
Total adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	3,533	(10,543)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	3,457	(3,739)
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchases of fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	(53,019)	(39,461)
Disposals of fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	51,447	41,013
Purchases of equity investments	(20,143)
Purchases of equity investments		(17,490)
Disposals of equity investments	19,168
Disposals of equity investments		12,134
Purchases of other long-term investments	(4,507)	(6,087)
Disposals of other long-term investments	2,305	365
Net (purchases) disposals of short-term investments	1,949	14,140
Net receipts under reverse repurchase agreements	2,500	3,500
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	(300)	8,114
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Issuance of common stock through affiliate’s stock plans	2,398	1,953
Repurchase of common stock	(802)	(1,758)
Dividends paid to stockholders (affiliated $(2,590) and $(2,472))	(4,718)	(4,428)
Net cash used in financing activities	(3,122)	(4,233)
NET INCREASE IN CASH	35	142
Cash at the beginning of the year	347	307
Cash at the end of the quarter	$ 382	$ 449

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CA11

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Losses and settlement expenses, affiliated	$ 6,427	$ 5,016
Unearned premiums, affiliated	1,558	2,021
Commissions payable, affiliated	(7,893)	(7,270)
Deferred policy acquisition costs, affiliated	(1,819)	905
Other, net, affiliated	(727)	(3,145)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Dividends paid to stockholders, affiliated	$ (2,590)	$ (2,472)

BASIS OF PRESENTATION

BASIS OF PRESENTATION	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
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, 2017 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 2017 Form 10-K or the 2017 Annual Report to Stockholders for more detailed footnote information. Accounting Pronouncements Adopted In January 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) updated its guidance related to the Financial Instruments-Overall Subtopic 825-10 of the Accounting Standards Codification TM (Codification or 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 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. All of the Company's common and preferred stock equity investments were already measured at fair value, as they were classified as available-for-sale with changes in fair value recognized in other comprehensive income (excludes those investments that were consolidated and those that were accounted for under the equity method of accounting). The Company adopted this guidance on January 1, 2018, recording a cumulative-effect adjustment that moved $66.2 million from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings, which is the amount of net unrealized investment gains on available-for-sale equity securities as of December 31, 2017, net of deferred income taxes. A privately placed non-redeemable convertible preferred stock investment in a start-up technology company was determined to not have a readily determinable fair value. As such, the cost less impairment alternative measurement is being used for this investment in lieu of fair value. Management uses the equity method of accounting for certain investment company limited partnerships classified as other long-term investments in which the Company has minor ownership interests. In connection with the adoption of this new guidance, beginning January 1, 2018, the equity adjustments for these investments are being reported as realized investment gains and losses from other long-term investments, rather than net investment income. 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, if a subtotal of income from operations is presented. 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. In conjunction with the adoption of this updated guidance, management elected to report all components of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit income, other than the service cost component, as other income in the consolidated statements of income. The service cost component continues to be reported in other underwriting expenses. This change in reporting was applied retrospectively for comparison purposes and did not impact net income/loss amounts reported for the first quarters of 2018 or 2017, as other income and other underwriting expenses increased by the same amount ( $1.9 million and $1.3 million , in the first quarters of 2018 and 2017, respectively). The prohibition against including net periodic pension and postretirement benefit costs, other than the service cost component, in capitalized assets was adopted prospectively on January 1, 2018. The impact of the exclusion of these costs from capitalized assets resulted in a negligible impact on the deferred policy acquisition cost asset calculation at March 31, 2018 compared to that which would have been calculated under previous guidance.

TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
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, 2018 through June 30, 2018, and has a retention of $22.0 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, 2018 through December 31, 2018, 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 . The terms of these treaties were the same in 2017, with the exception of the retention amount contained in the treaty covering the first half of the year, which was $20.0 million . Losses and settlement expenses ceded to Employers Mutual under the inter-company reinsurance program totaled $467,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared to $573,000 in 2017. 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 $1.6 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 $3.6 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. The terms of the program were the same in 2017 with the exception of the costs, which were $1.7 million for the per occurrence treaty and $3.2 million for the annual aggregate treaty. Losses and settlement expenses ceded to Employers Mutual under the inter-company reinsurance program totaled a negative $753,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared to $9,000 in 2017. 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. No recoveries have been made from external parties in 2018 or 2017.

REINSURANCE

REINSURANCE	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
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, 2018 and 2017 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, 2018 ($ in thousands) Property and Reinsurance Total Premiums written Direct $ 100,044 $ — $ 100,044 Assumed from nonaffiliates 1,018 41,121 42,139 Assumed from affiliates 130,201 — 130,201 Ceded to nonaffiliates (7,970 ) (2,005 ) (9,975 ) Ceded to affiliates (103,024 ) (1,313 ) (104,337 ) Net premiums written $ 120,269 $ 37,803 $ 158,072 Premiums earned Direct $ 95,745 $ — $ 95,745 Assumed from nonaffiliates 1,002 41,092 42,094 Assumed from affiliates 129,148 — 129,148 Ceded to nonaffiliates (8,538 ) (2,625 ) (11,163 ) Ceded to affiliates (98,725 ) (1,313 ) (100,038 ) Net premiums earned $ 118,632 $ 37,154 $ 155,786 Losses and settlement expenses incurred Direct $ 52,287 $ — $ 52,287 Assumed from nonaffiliates 992 26,415 27,407 Assumed from affiliates 85,967 358 86,325 Ceded to nonaffiliates (2,991 ) (399 ) (3,390 ) Ceded to affiliates (52,754 ) 753 (52,001 ) Net losses and settlement expenses incurred $ 83,501 $ 27,127 $ 110,628 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 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 in peak exposure territories from external parties. • “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, 2018
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) 2018 2017 Gross reserves at beginning of year $ 732,612 $ 690,532 Re-valuation due to foreign currency exchange rates 525 (1,913 ) Less ceded reserves at beginning of year 30,923 20,664 Net reserves at beginning of year 701,164 671,781 Incurred losses and settlement expenses related to: Current year 116,204 111,189 Prior years (5,576 ) (14,904 ) Total incurred losses and settlement expenses 110,628 96,285 Paid losses and settlement expenses related to: Current year 24,262 22,923 Prior years 81,877 69,826 Total paid losses and settlement expenses 106,139 92,749 Net reserves at end of period 705,653 675,317 Plus ceded reserves at end of period 30,549 20,788 Re-valuation due to foreign currency exchange rates 853 (976 ) Gross reserves at end of period $ 737,055 $ 695,129 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. 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, 2018 and 2017 . 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. 2018 Development For the property and casualty insurance segment, the March 31, 2018 estimate of loss and settlement expense reserves for accident years 2017 and prior decreased $2.1 million from the estimate at December 31, 2017 . This decrease represents 0.4 percent of the December 31, 2017 gross carried reserves and is primarily attributed to decreases in the ultimate loss ratios for several accident years, including 2017, due to reductions in expected ultimate frequency and/or severity in the workers' compensation line of business. The commercial auto liability of business experienced adverse development due to higher than expected severity in the 2017 accident year. For the reinsurance segment, the March 31, 2018 estimate of loss and settlement expense reserves for accident years 2017 and prior decreased $3.4 million from the estimate at December 31, 2017 . This decrease represents 1.5 percent of the December 31, 2017 gross carried reserves and is primarily attributed to lower ultimate loss estimates impacting accident years 2014-2017 for the property pro rata, catastrophe and per risk excess, and property-casualty global excess lines of business. The favorable development was partially offset by adverse development on casualty excess contracts for years 2007, 2012, 2014 and 2017, whose ultimates were increased in response to higher than expected reported losses. 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 represented 1.7 percent of the December 31, 2016 gross carried reserves and was 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 represented 3.2 percent of the December 31, 2016 gross carried reserves and was primarily attributed to favorable prior year reserve development in the casualty excess and property/casualty global excess contract types.

SEGMENT INFORMATION

SEGMENT INFORMATION	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
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, 2018 Property and Reinsurance Parent Consolidated ($ in thousands) Premiums earned $ 118,632 $ 37,154 $ — $ 155,786 Underwriting profit (loss): SAP underwriting profit (loss) (9,036 ) 1,563 — (7,473 ) GAAP adjustments 262 102 — 364 GAAP underwriting profit (loss) (8,774 ) 1,665 — (7,109 ) Net investment income 8,148 3,218 5 11,371 Net realized investment gains (losses) and, beginning in 2018, change in unrealized investment gains on equity investments (3,293 ) (2,100 ) — (5,393 ) Other income (loss) 2,051 (436 ) — 1,615 Interest expense 142 — — 142 Other expenses 233 — 637 870 Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit) $ (2,243 ) $ 2,347 $ (632 ) $ (528 ) Assets $ 1,185,069 $ 481,257 $ 581,742 $ 2,248,068 Eliminations — — (576,656 ) (576,656 ) Reclassifications (316 ) (5,045 ) (898 ) (6,259 ) Total assets $ 1,184,753 $ 476,212 $ 4,188 $ 1,665,153 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 (2,287 ) (331 ) — (2,618 ) GAAP underwriting profit (loss) (4,881 ) 2,916 — (1,965 ) Net investment income 8,015 2,983 9 11,007 Net realized investment gains (losses) and, beginning in 2018, change in unrealized investment gains on equity investments (597 ) (30 ) — (627 ) Other income (loss) 1,441 (571 ) — 870 Interest expense 84 — — 84 Other expenses 179 — 582 761 Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit) $ 3,715 $ 5,298 $ (573 ) $ 8,440 Year ended December 31, 2017 Assets $ 1,200,636 $ 484,678 $ 604,105 $ 2,289,419 Eliminations — — (599,036 ) (599,036 ) Reclassifications (1,393 ) (6,273 ) (777 ) (8,443 ) Total assets $ 1,199,243 $ 478,405 $ 4,292 $ 1,681,940 The following table displays the premiums earned for the property and casualty insurance segment and the reinsurance segment for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 , by line of insurance. Three months ended March 31, ($ in thousands) 2018 2017 Property and casualty insurance segment Commercial lines: Automobile $ 30,644 $ 28,032 Property 26,429 25,502 Workers' compensation 24,902 24,703 Other liability 24,962 24,128 Other 2,186 2,109 Total commercial lines 109,123 104,474 Personal lines 9,509 9,174 Total property and casualty insurance $ 118,632 $ 113,648 Reinsurance segment Pro rata reinsurance $ 13,073 $ 10,435 Excess of loss reinsurance 24,081 20,404 Total reinsurance $ 37,154 $ 30,839 Consolidated $ 155,786 $ 144,487

INCOME TAXES

INCOME TAXES	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
INCOME TAXES	INCOME TAXES The actual income tax expense (benefit) for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 differed from the “expected” income tax expense (benefit) for those periods (computed by applying the United States federal corporate tax rates of 21 percent during 2018 and 35 percent during 2017 to income (loss) before income tax) as follows: Three months ended ($ in thousands) 2018 2017 Computed "expected" income tax expense (benefit) $ (111 ) $ 2,954 Increases (decreases) in tax resulting from: Tax-exempt interest income (310 ) (705 ) Dividends received deduction (123 ) (306 ) Proration of tax-exempt interest and dividends received deduction 108 152 Other, net (16 ) (459 ) Total income tax expense (benefit) $ (452 ) $ 1,636 Pursuant to Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 issued by the Securities Exchange Commission, the Company made reasonable estimates of the effects the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA) had on deferred income tax assets and liabilities at December 31, 2017. For items where the Company could not make a reasonable estimate, primarily loss reserve discounting, the Company used existing accounting guidance and the provisions of the tax laws that were in place prior to the enactment. Beginning in the first quarter of 2018, the Company is using estimated industry discount factors until further guidance and updated discount factors are released by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The Company continues to gather information to provide a more precise re-measurement of deferred income tax assets and liabilities, and expects to complete its analysis of the effects of the TCJA within a year of the enactment date. The Company had no provision for uncertain income tax positions at March 31, 2018 or December 31, 2017 . 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, 2018 or 2017 . 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 2014.

EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT PLANS

EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT PLANS	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Retirement Benefits [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) 2018 2017 Pension plans: Service cost $ 4,126 $ 3,860 Interest cost 2,665 2,795 Expected return on plan assets (5,978 ) (5,191 ) Amortization of net actuarial loss 125 908 Amortization of prior service cost — 5 Net periodic pension benefit cost $ 938 $ 2,377 Postretirement benefit plans: Service cost $ 368 $ 341 Interest cost 521 570 Expected return on plan assets (1,204 ) (1,078 ) Amortization of net actuarial loss 234 343 Amortization of prior service credit (2,782 ) (2,789 ) Net periodic postretirement benefit income $ (2,863 ) $ (2,613 ) Net periodic pension benefit cost allocated to the Company amounted to $282,000 and $713,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 , respectively. Net periodic postretirement benefit income allocated to the Company amounted to $806,000 and $736,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 , respectively. The service cost component of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit cost/(income) allocated to the Company is included in the income statement line titled "other underwriting expenses". The other components of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit cost/(income) are included in the income statement line titled "other income". The Company’s share of Employers Mutual’s 2018 planned contribution to the pension plan, if made, will be approximately $2.4 million . No contributions will be made to the Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association (VEBA) trust in 2018 .

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION	STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION The Company has a stock-based compensation plan for non-employee directors. Employers Mutual also has several stock plans which utilize the common stock of the Company. Employers Mutual can provide the common stock required under its plans by: 1) using shares of common stock that it currently owns; 2) purchasing common stock in the open market; or 3) directly purchasing common stock from the Company at the current fair value. Employers Mutual's current practice is to purchase common stock from the Company for use in all of its stock plans (including its non-employee director stock purchase plan and its employee stock purchase plan). A portion of the compensation expense recognized by Employers Mutual (as the requisite service period for granted options and restricted stock awards/units is rendered) is allocated to the Company’s property and casualty insurance subsidiaries though their participation in the pooling agreement. An account Employers Mutual established to hold previously granted restricted stock awards until they vest will periodically contain excess shares of the Company's stock stemming from forfeitures and surrenders. During the first three months of 2018 , the Company repurchased 30,523 shares of stock from this unvested restricted stock account at an average cost of $26.30 . During the first three months of 2018 , 120,251 restricted stock units were granted to eligible employees of Employers Mutual. Under the stock plans, 89,550 shares of restricted stock vested, and 51,250 options were exercised at a weighted average exercise price of $14.95 . The Company recognized compensation expense from these plans of $413,000 ( $326,000 net of tax) and $(323,000) ( $(210,000) net of tax) for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 , respectively.

DISCLOSURES ABOUT THE FAIR VALU

DISCLOSURES ABOUT THE FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
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, 2018 and December 31, 2017 are summarized in the tables below. March 31, 2018 Carrying Estimated ($ in thousands) Assets: Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale: U.S. treasury $ 7,956 $ 7,956 U.S. government-sponsored agencies 302,476 302,476 Obligations of states and political subdivisions 293,931 293,931 Commercial mortgage-backed 76,660 76,660 Residential mortgage-backed 132,350 132,350 Other asset-backed 22,748 22,748 Corporate 420,352 420,352 Total fixed maturity securities available-for-sale 1,256,473 1,256,473 Equity investments, at fair value Common stocks: Financial services 44,895 44,895 Information technology 33,886 33,886 Healthcare 28,372 28,372 Consumer staples 14,715 14,715 Consumer discretionary 21,966 21,966 Energy 15,620 15,620 Industrials 25,235 25,235 Other 15,762 15,762 Non-redeemable preferred stocks 19,224 19,224 Investment funds 823 823 Total equity investments 220,498 220,498 Short-term investments 21,664 21,664 Liabilities: Surplus notes 25,000 15,731 December 31, 2017 Carrying Estimated ($ in thousands) Assets: Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale: U.S. treasury $ 8,078 $ 8,078 U.S. government-sponsored agencies 297,949 297,949 Obligations of states and political subdivisions 307,536 307,536 Commercial mortgage-backed 83,980 83,980 Residential mortgage-backed 119,799 119,799 Other asset-backed 24,114 24,114 Corporate 433,560 433,560 Total fixed maturity securities available-for-sale 1,275,016 1,275,016 Equity securities available-for-sale: Common stocks: Financial services 43,522 43,522 Information technology 35,810 35,810 Healthcare 30,595 30,595 Consumer staples 14,127 14,127 Consumer discretionary 20,538 20,538 Energy 16,905 16,905 Industrials 28,489 28,489 Other 16,421 16,421 Non-redeemable preferred stocks 21,708 21,708 Total equity securities available-for-sale 228,115 228,115 Short-term investments 23,613 23,613 Liabilities: Surplus notes 25,000 16,689 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. At both March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 the Company held $2.0 million of privately placed non-redeemable convertible preferred stocks in a start-up technology company that Employers Mutual works with in its data analytics activities. In accordance with the new guidance related to financial instruments that was adopted January 1, 2018, this investment does not have a readily determinable fair value. Therefore, the Company has elected to measure this investment at the alternative measurement of cost, adjusted for impairments and observable price changes. No impairment losses or adjustments have been made to this investment, either cumulatively or during the current period, as there have been no indications of impairment or observable price changes. Due to its alternative measurement classification, this investment is excluded from the 2018 disclosures in this footnote, but is included in the 2017 disclosures as a Level 3 fair value measurement carried at cost, which was presumed to approximate fair value. 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 over a 25 -year term (the surplus notes have no stated maturity date, and the interest to be paid is assumed to continue at the current interest rate in place of 2.73 percent ). 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. NAV - The fair values of investment company limited partnership investments and similar vehicles (referred to as investment funds) are based on the capital account balances reported by the investment funds subject to their management review and adjustment. These capital account balances reflect the fair value of the investment funds. 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, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , the Company had no securities priced solely from broker quotes. A small number of the Company’s securities are not priced by the independent pricing service. One of these is an equity security that is reported as a Level 3 fair value measurement since no observable inputs are used in its valuation. This security continues to be reported at the fair value obtained from the Securities Valuation Office (SVO) of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). The SVO establishes a per share price for this security based on an annual review of that company’s financial statements, typically performed during the second quarter. The other securities not priced by the Company’s independent pricing service consist of six fixed maturity securities ( eight at December 31, 2017). 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, 2018 and December 31, 2017 . March 31, 2018 Fair value measurements using ($ in thousands) Total Investments measured at net asset value (NAV) Quoted Significant Significant Financial instruments reported at fair value on recurring basis: Assets: Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale: U.S. treasury $ 7,956 $ — $ — $ 7,956 $ — U.S. government-sponsored agencies 302,476 — — 302,476 — Obligations of states and political subdivisions 293,931 — — 293,931 — Commercial mortgage-backed 76,660 — — 76,660 — Residential mortgage-backed 132,350 — — 132,350 — Other asset-backed 22,748 — — 22,748 — Corporate 420,352 — — 419,790 562 Total fixed maturity securities available-for-sale 1,256,473 — — 1,255,911 562 Equity investments, at fair value: Common stocks: Financial services 44,895 — 44,892 — 3 Information technology 33,886 — 33,886 — — Healthcare 28,372 — 28,372 — — Consumer staples 14,715 — 14,715 — — Consumer discretionary 21,966 — 21,966 — — Energy 15,620 — 15,620 — — Industrials 25,235 — 25,235 — — Other 15,762 — 15,762 — — Non-redeemable preferred stocks 19,224 — 9,443 9,781 — Investment funds 823 823 — — — Total equity investments 220,498 823 209,891 9,781 3 Short-term investments 21,664 — 21,664 — — Financial instruments not reported at fair value: Liabilities: Surplus notes 15,731 — — — 15,731 December 31, 2017 Fair value measurements using ($ in thousands) Total Investments measured at net asset value (NAV) Quoted Significant Significant Financial instruments reported at fair value on recurring basis: Assets: Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale: U.S. treasury $ 8,078 $ — $ — $ 8,078 $ — U.S. government-sponsored agencies 297,949 — — 297,949 — Obligations of states and political subdivisions 307,536 — — 307,536 — Commercial mortgage-backed 83,980 — — 83,980 — Residential mortgage-backed 119,799 — — 119,799 — Other asset-backed 24,114 — — 24,114 — Corporate 433,560 — — 432,940 620 Total fixed maturity securities available-for-sale 1,275,016 — — 1,274,396 620 Equity securities available-for-sale: Common stocks: Financial services 43,522 — 43,519 — 3 Information technology 35,810 — 35,810 — — Healthcare 30,595 — 30,595 — — Consumer staples 14,127 — 14,127 — — Consumer discretionary 20,538 — 20,538 — — Energy 16,905 — 16,905 — — Industrials 28,489 — 28,489 — — Other 16,421 — 16,421 — — Non-redeemable preferred stocks 21,708 — 9,512 10,196 2,000 Total equity securities available-for-sale 228,115 — 215,916 10,196 2,003 Short-term investments 23,613 — 23,613 — — Financial instruments not reported at fair value: Liabilities: Surplus notes 16,689 — — — 16,689 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, 2018 and 2017 . Any unrealized gains or losses on these securities are recognized in other comprehensive income (loss). Any gains or losses from settlements, disposals or impairments of these securities are reported as realized investment gains or losses in net income. ($ in thousands) Fair value measurements using significant unobservable (Level 3) inputs Three months ended March 31, 2018 Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, corporate Equity securities, Total Beginning balance $ 620 $ 3 $ 623 Settlements (56 ) — (56 ) Unrealized losses included in other comprehensive income (loss) (2 ) — (2 ) Balance at March 31, 2018 $ 562 $ 3 $ 565 ($ in thousands) Fair value measurements using significant unobservable (Level 3) inputs Three months ended March 31, 2017 Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, corporate Equity securities available-for-sale, financial services Equity securities available-for-sale, non-redeemable preferred stocks Total Beginning balance $ 982 $ 3 $ 2,000 $ 2,985 Settlements (50 ) — — (50 ) Unrealized losses included in other comprehensive income (loss) (3 ) — — (3 ) Balance at March 31, 2017 $ 929 $ 3 $ 2,000 $ 2,932 There were no transfers into or out of Levels 1 or 2 during the three months ended March 31, 2018 or 2017 . 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, 2018
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, 2018 and December 31, 2017 are as follows. All fixed maturity securities are classified as available-for-sale and are carried at fair value. March 31, 2018 Amortized Gross Gross Estimated ($ in thousands) Securities available-for-sale: Fixed maturity securities: U.S. treasury $ 8,121 $ — $ 165 $ 7,956 U.S. government-sponsored agencies 313,212 36 10,772 302,476 Obligations of states and political subdivisions 282,149 12,391 609 293,931 Commercial mortgage-backed 79,011 311 2,662 76,660 Residential mortgage-backed 134,691 1,898 4,239 132,350 Other asset-backed 23,148 418 818 22,748 Corporate 418,058 4,742 2,448 420,352 Total fixed maturity securities $ 1,258,390 $ 19,796 $ 21,713 $ 1,256,473 December 31, 2017 Amortized Gross Gross Estimated ($ in thousands) Securities available-for-sale: Fixed maturity securities: U.S. treasury $ 8,115 $ — $ 37 $ 8,078 U.S. government-sponsored agencies 303,932 122 6,105 297,949 Obligations of states and political subdivisions 290,038 17,729 231 307,536 Commercial mortgage-backed 84,058 591 669 83,980 Residential mortgage-backed 120,554 2,479 3,234 119,799 Other asset-backed 23,934 625 445 24,114 Corporate 422,535 11,490 465 433,560 Total fixed maturity securities 1,253,166 33,036 11,186 1,275,016 Equity securities: Common stocks: Financial services 30,103 13,594 175 43,522 Information technology 18,308 17,504 2 35,810 Healthcare 18,877 11,876 158 30,595 Consumer staples 9,275 4,917 65 14,127 Consumer discretionary 10,935 9,640 37 20,538 Energy 12,441 5,381 917 16,905 Industrials 12,746 15,757 14 28,489 Other 11,058 5,363 — 16,421 Non-redeemable preferred stocks 20,531 1,216 39 21,708 Total equity securities 144,274 85,248 1,407 228,115 Total securities available-for-sale $ 1,397,440 $ 118,284 $ 12,593 $ 1,503,131 The following tables set forth the estimated fair values and gross unrealized losses associated with investment securities that were in an unrealized loss position recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , listed by length of time the securities were consistently in an unrealized loss position. March 31, 2018 Less than twelve months Twelve months or longer Total ($ in thousands) Fair Unrealized Fair Unrealized Fair Unrealized Securities available-for-sale: Fixed maturity securities: U.S. treasury $ 7,956 $ 165 $ — $ — $ 7,956 $ 165 U.S. government-sponsored agencies 159,653 3,831 125,284 6,941 284,937 10,772 Obligations of states and political subdivisions 11,287 78 14,057 531 25,344 609 Commercial mortgage-backed 61,143 1,971 8,280 691 69,423 2,662 Residential mortgage-backed 67,489 1,568 21,858 2,671 89,347 4,239 Other asset-backed 5,158 79 12,963 739 18,121 818 Corporate 167,148 2,263 3,999 185 171,147 2,448 Total fixed maturity securities $ 479,834 $ 9,955 $ 186,441 $ 11,758 $ 666,275 $ 21,713 December 31, 2017 Less than twelve months Twelve months or longer Total ($ in thousands) Fair Unrealized Fair Unrealized Fair Unrealized Securities available-for-sale: Fixed maturity securities: U.S. treasury $ 8,078 $ 37 $ — $ — $ 8,078 $ 37 U.S. government-sponsored agencies 134,284 1,491 127,604 4,614 261,888 6,105 Obligations of states and political subdivisions — — 14,416 231 14,416 231 Commercial mortgage-backed 32,155 221 8,530 448 40,685 669 Residential mortgage-backed 30,003 394 22,948 2,840 52,951 3,234 Other asset-backed — — 13,440 445 13,440 445 Corporate 28,314 329 4,047 136 32,361 465 Total fixed maturity securities 232,834 2,472 190,985 8,714 423,819 11,186 Equity securities: Common stocks: Financial services 4,391 175 — — 4,391 175 Information technology 344 2 — — 344 2 Healthcare 2,532 158 — — 2,532 158 Consumer staples 575 65 — — 575 65 Consumer discretionary 992 37 — — 992 37 Energy 3,181 917 — — 3,181 917 Industrials 3,016 14 — — 3,016 14 Non-redeemable preferred stocks — — 1,961 39 1,961 39 Total equity securities 15,031 1,368 1,961 39 16,992 1,407 Total temporarily impaired securities $ 247,865 $ 3,840 $ 192,946 $ 8,753 $ 440,811 $ 12,593 Nearly all 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, 2018 . 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, 2018 . The amortized cost and estimated fair values of fixed maturity securities at March 31, 2018 , 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 $ 35,995 $ 36,421 Due after one year through five years 189,333 191,111 Due after five years through ten years 348,705 347,330 Due after ten years 468,751 470,731 Securities not due at a single maturity date 215,606 210,880 Totals $ 1,258,390 $ 1,256,473 A summary of realized investment gains and (losses) and the change in unrealized investment gains on equity investments is as follows: Three months ended March 31, ($ in thousands) 2018 2017 Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale: Gross realized investment gains $ 234 $ 90 Gross realized investment losses (478 ) (1,206 ) Equity securities: Net realized investment gains, excluding "other-than-temporary" impairments 2,716 2,776 Change in unrealized investment gains (9,854 ) XXXX Other long-term investments, net 1,989 (2,287 ) Totals $ (5,393 ) $ (627 ) 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 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, 2018
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, 2017 . The Company had a contingent liability for the aggregate guaranteed amount of the annuities of $183,000 at December 31, 2017 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, 2018 . 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, 2018
Equity [Abstract]
STOCK REPURCHASE PROGRAM	STOCK REPURCHASE PROGRAM On November 3, 2011, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a $15.0 million stock repurchase program. This program does not have an expiration date. The timing and terms of the purchases are determined by management based on board approved parameters and market conditions, and are conducted in accordance with the applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Common stock repurchased under this program will be retired by the Company. The Company did not repurchase any shares during the first three months of either 2018 or 2017.

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
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 (loss), net of tax. Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component Unrealized Unrecognized pension and postretirement benefit obligations ($ in thousands) Net actuarial loss Prior service credit Total Total Balance at December 31, 2017 $ 83,497 $ (13,074 ) $ 12,961 $ (113 ) $ 83,384 Cumulative adjustment for adoption of financial instruments recognition and measurement changes (66,234 ) — — — (66,234 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications (18,969 ) — — — (18,969 ) Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) 193 81 (622 ) (541 ) (348 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) (18,776 ) 81 (622 ) (541 ) (19,317 ) Balance at March 31, 2018 $ (1,513 ) $ (12,993 ) $ 12,339 $ (654 ) $ (2,167 ) Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component Unrealized Unrecognized pension and postretirement benefit obligations ($ in thousands) Net actuarial loss Prior service credit Total Total Balance at December 31, 2016 $ 49,748 $ (16,299 ) $ 12,632 $ (3,667 ) $ 46,081 Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications 9,705 — — — 9,705 Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (1,079 ) 239 (511 ) (272 ) (1,351 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) 8,626 239 (511 ) (272 ) 8,354 Balance at March 31, 2017 $ 58,374 $ (16,060 ) $ 12,121 $ (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, 2018 and 2017 , respectively. ($ in thousands) Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) Accumulated other comprehensive Three months ended Affected line item in the Unrealized gains (losses) on investments: Reclassification adjustment for net realized investment gains (losses) included in net income $ (244 ) Net realized investment gains (losses) and, beginning in 2018, change in unrealized investment gains on equity investments Deferred income tax (expense) benefit 51 Total income tax expense (benefit) Net reclassification adjustment (193 ) Net income (loss) Unrecognized pension and postretirement benefit obligations: Reclassification adjustment for amounts amortized into net periodic pension and postretirement benefit income: Net actuarial loss (103 ) (1) Prior service credit 788 (1) Total before tax 685 Deferred income tax (expense) benefit (144 ) Net reclassification adjustment 541 Total reclassification adjustment $ 348 (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 (loss) Accumulated other comprehensive Three months ended March 31, 2017 Affected line item in the Unrealized gains (losses) on investments: Reclassification adjustment for net realized investment gains (losses) included in net income $ 1,660 Net realized investment gains (losses) and, beginning in 2018, change in unrealized investment gains on equity investments Deferred income tax (expense) benefit (581 ) Total income tax expense (benefit) Net reclassification adjustment 1,079 Net income (loss) 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) benefit (147 ) 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).

NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS N

NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS NOT YET ADOPTED	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]
NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS NOT YET ADOPTED	NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS NOT YET ADOPTED 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 lease costs allocated to the Company through the pooling and quota share agreements can not be attributed to a specified asset, and therefore do not meet the definition of a leased asset contained in the guidance. As a result, adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial condition or net income. 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 which 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 net income.

REINSURANCE (Tables)

REINSURANCE (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
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, 2018 and 2017 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, 2018 ($ in thousands) Property and Reinsurance Total Premiums written Direct $ 100,044 $ — $ 100,044 Assumed from nonaffiliates 1,018 41,121 42,139 Assumed from affiliates 130,201 — 130,201 Ceded to nonaffiliates (7,970 ) (2,005 ) (9,975 ) Ceded to affiliates (103,024 ) (1,313 ) (104,337 ) Net premiums written $ 120,269 $ 37,803 $ 158,072 Premiums earned Direct $ 95,745 $ — $ 95,745 Assumed from nonaffiliates 1,002 41,092 42,094 Assumed from affiliates 129,148 — 129,148 Ceded to nonaffiliates (8,538 ) (2,625 ) (11,163 ) Ceded to affiliates (98,725 ) (1,313 ) (100,038 ) Net premiums earned $ 118,632 $ 37,154 $ 155,786 Losses and settlement expenses incurred Direct $ 52,287 $ — $ 52,287 Assumed from nonaffiliates 992 26,415 27,407 Assumed from affiliates 85,967 358 86,325 Ceded to nonaffiliates (2,991 ) (399 ) (3,390 ) Ceded to affiliates (52,754 ) 753 (52,001 ) Net losses and settlement expenses incurred $ 83,501 $ 27,127 $ 110,628 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

LIABILITY FOR LOSSES AND SETT27

LIABILITY FOR LOSSES AND SETTLEMENT EXPENSES (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
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) 2018 2017 Gross reserves at beginning of year $ 732,612 $ 690,532 Re-valuation due to foreign currency exchange rates 525 (1,913 ) Less ceded reserves at beginning of year 30,923 20,664 Net reserves at beginning of year 701,164 671,781 Incurred losses and settlement expenses related to: Current year 116,204 111,189 Prior years (5,576 ) (14,904 ) Total incurred losses and settlement expenses 110,628 96,285 Paid losses and settlement expenses related to: Current year 24,262 22,923 Prior years 81,877 69,826 Total paid losses and settlement expenses 106,139 92,749 Net reserves at end of period 705,653 675,317 Plus ceded reserves at end of period 30,549 20,788 Re-valuation due to foreign currency exchange rates 853 (976 ) Gross reserves at end of period $ 737,055 $ 695,129

SEGMENT INFORMATION (Tables)

SEGMENT INFORMATION (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Summarized financial information for segments	Summarized financial information for the Company’s segments is as follows: Three months ended March 31, 2018 Property and Reinsurance Parent Consolidated ($ in thousands) Premiums earned $ 118,632 $ 37,154 $ — $ 155,786 Underwriting profit (loss): SAP underwriting profit (loss) (9,036 ) 1,563 — (7,473 ) GAAP adjustments 262 102 — 364 GAAP underwriting profit (loss) (8,774 ) 1,665 — (7,109 ) Net investment income 8,148 3,218 5 11,371 Net realized investment gains (losses) and, beginning in 2018, change in unrealized investment gains on equity investments (3,293 ) (2,100 ) — (5,393 ) Other income (loss) 2,051 (436 ) — 1,615 Interest expense 142 — — 142 Other expenses 233 — 637 870 Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit) $ (2,243 ) $ 2,347 $ (632 ) $ (528 ) Assets $ 1,185,069 $ 481,257 $ 581,742 $ 2,248,068 Eliminations — — (576,656 ) (576,656 ) Reclassifications (316 ) (5,045 ) (898 ) (6,259 ) Total assets $ 1,184,753 $ 476,212 $ 4,188 $ 1,665,153 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 (2,287 ) (331 ) — (2,618 ) GAAP underwriting profit (loss) (4,881 ) 2,916 — (1,965 ) Net investment income 8,015 2,983 9 11,007 Net realized investment gains (losses) and, beginning in 2018, change in unrealized investment gains on equity investments (597 ) (30 ) — (627 ) Other income (loss) 1,441 (571 ) — 870 Interest expense 84 — — 84 Other expenses 179 — 582 761 Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit) $ 3,715 $ 5,298 $ (573 ) $ 8,440 Year ended December 31, 2017 Assets $ 1,200,636 $ 484,678 $ 604,105 $ 2,289,419 Eliminations — — (599,036 ) (599,036 ) Reclassifications (1,393 ) (6,273 ) (777 ) (8,443 ) Total assets $ 1,199,243 $ 478,405 $ 4,292 $ 1,681,940
Summary of net premiums earned by line of insurance	The following table displays the premiums earned for the property and casualty insurance segment and the reinsurance segment for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 , by line of insurance. Three months ended March 31, ($ in thousands) 2018 2017 Property and casualty insurance segment Commercial lines: Automobile $ 30,644 $ 28,032 Property 26,429 25,502 Workers' compensation 24,902 24,703 Other liability 24,962 24,128 Other 2,186 2,109 Total commercial lines 109,123 104,474 Personal lines 9,509 9,174 Total property and casualty insurance $ 118,632 $ 113,648 Reinsurance segment Pro rata reinsurance $ 13,073 $ 10,435 Excess of loss reinsurance 24,081 20,404 Total reinsurance $ 37,154 $ 30,839 Consolidated $ 155,786 $ 144,487

INCOME TAXES (Tables)

INCOME TAXES (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Reconciliation of income tax expense (benefit)	The actual income tax expense (benefit) for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 differed from the “expected” income tax expense (benefit) for those periods (computed by applying the United States federal corporate tax rates of 21 percent during 2018 and 35 percent during 2017 to income (loss) before income tax) as follows: Three months ended ($ in thousands) 2018 2017 Computed "expected" income tax expense (benefit) $ (111 ) $ 2,954 Increases (decreases) in tax resulting from: Tax-exempt interest income (310 ) (705 ) Dividends received deduction (123 ) (306 ) Proration of tax-exempt interest and dividends received deduction 108 152 Other, net (16 ) (459 ) Total income tax expense (benefit) $ (452 ) $ 1,636

EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT PLANS (Tabl

EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT PLANS (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Retirement Benefits [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) 2018 2017 Pension plans: Service cost $ 4,126 $ 3,860 Interest cost 2,665 2,795 Expected return on plan assets (5,978 ) (5,191 ) Amortization of net actuarial loss 125 908 Amortization of prior service cost — 5 Net periodic pension benefit cost $ 938 $ 2,377 Postretirement benefit plans: Service cost $ 368 $ 341 Interest cost 521 570 Expected return on plan assets (1,204 ) (1,078 ) Amortization of net actuarial loss 234 343 Amortization of prior service credit (2,782 ) (2,789 ) Net periodic postretirement benefit income $ (2,863 ) $ (2,613 )

DISCLOSURES ABOUT THE FAIR VA31

DISCLOSURES ABOUT THE FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
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, 2018 and December 31, 2017 are summarized in the tables below. March 31, 2018 Carrying Estimated ($ in thousands) Assets: Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale: U.S. treasury $ 7,956 $ 7,956 U.S. government-sponsored agencies 302,476 302,476 Obligations of states and political subdivisions 293,931 293,931 Commercial mortgage-backed 76,660 76,660 Residential mortgage-backed 132,350 132,350 Other asset-backed 22,748 22,748 Corporate 420,352 420,352 Total fixed maturity securities available-for-sale 1,256,473 1,256,473 Equity investments, at fair value Common stocks: Financial services 44,895 44,895 Information technology 33,886 33,886 Healthcare 28,372 28,372 Consumer staples 14,715 14,715 Consumer discretionary 21,966 21,966 Energy 15,620 15,620 Industrials 25,235 25,235 Other 15,762 15,762 Non-redeemable preferred stocks 19,224 19,224 Investment funds 823 823 Total equity investments 220,498 220,498 Short-term investments 21,664 21,664 Liabilities: Surplus notes 25,000 15,731 December 31, 2017 Carrying Estimated ($ in thousands) Assets: Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale: U.S. treasury $ 8,078 $ 8,078 U.S. government-sponsored agencies 297,949 297,949 Obligations of states and political subdivisions 307,536 307,536 Commercial mortgage-backed 83,980 83,980 Residential mortgage-backed 119,799 119,799 Other asset-backed 24,114 24,114 Corporate 433,560 433,560 Total fixed maturity securities available-for-sale 1,275,016 1,275,016 Equity securities available-for-sale: Common stocks: Financial services 43,522 43,522 Information technology 35,810 35,810 Healthcare 30,595 30,595 Consumer staples 14,127 14,127 Consumer discretionary 20,538 20,538 Energy 16,905 16,905 Industrials 28,489 28,489 Other 16,421 16,421 Non-redeemable preferred stocks 21,708 21,708 Total equity securities available-for-sale 228,115 228,115 Short-term investments 23,613 23,613 Liabilities: Surplus notes 25,000 16,689
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, 2018 and December 31, 2017 . March 31, 2018 Fair value measurements using ($ in thousands) Total Investments measured at net asset value (NAV) Quoted Significant Significant Financial instruments reported at fair value on recurring basis: Assets: Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale: U.S. treasury $ 7,956 $ — $ — $ 7,956 $ — U.S. government-sponsored agencies 302,476 — — 302,476 — Obligations of states and political subdivisions 293,931 — — 293,931 — Commercial mortgage-backed 76,660 — — 76,660 — Residential mortgage-backed 132,350 — — 132,350 — Other asset-backed 22,748 — — 22,748 — Corporate 420,352 — — 419,790 562 Total fixed maturity securities available-for-sale 1,256,473 — — 1,255,911 562 Equity investments, at fair value: Common stocks: Financial services 44,895 — 44,892 — 3 Information technology 33,886 — 33,886 — — Healthcare 28,372 — 28,372 — — Consumer staples 14,715 — 14,715 — — Consumer discretionary 21,966 — 21,966 — — Energy 15,620 — 15,620 — — Industrials 25,235 — 25,235 — — Other 15,762 — 15,762 — — Non-redeemable preferred stocks 19,224 — 9,443 9,781 — Investment funds 823 823 — — — Total equity investments 220,498 823 209,891 9,781 3 Short-term investments 21,664 — 21,664 — — Financial instruments not reported at fair value: Liabilities: Surplus notes 15,731 — — — 15,731 December 31, 2017 Fair value measurements using ($ in thousands) Total Investments measured at net asset value (NAV) Quoted Significant Significant Financial instruments reported at fair value on recurring basis: Assets: Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale: U.S. treasury $ 8,078 $ — $ — $ 8,078 $ — U.S. government-sponsored agencies 297,949 — — 297,949 — Obligations of states and political subdivisions 307,536 — — 307,536 — Commercial mortgage-backed 83,980 — — 83,980 — Residential mortgage-backed 119,799 — — 119,799 — Other asset-backed 24,114 — — 24,114 — Corporate 433,560 — — 432,940 620 Total fixed maturity securities available-for-sale 1,275,016 — — 1,274,396 620 Equity securities available-for-sale: Common stocks: Financial services 43,522 — 43,519 — 3 Information technology 35,810 — 35,810 — — Healthcare 30,595 — 30,595 — — Consumer staples 14,127 — 14,127 — — Consumer discretionary 20,538 — 20,538 — — Energy 16,905 — 16,905 — — Industrials 28,489 — 28,489 — — Other 16,421 — 16,421 — — Non-redeemable preferred stocks 21,708 — 9,512 10,196 2,000 Total equity securities available-for-sale 228,115 — 215,916 10,196 2,003 Short-term investments 23,613 — 23,613 — — Financial instruments not reported at fair value: Liabilities: Surplus notes 16,689 — — — 16,689
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, 2018 and 2017 . Any unrealized gains or losses on these securities are recognized in other comprehensive income (loss). Any gains or losses from settlements, disposals or impairments of these securities are reported as realized investment gains or losses in net income. ($ in thousands) Fair value measurements using significant unobservable (Level 3) inputs Three months ended March 31, 2018 Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, corporate Equity securities, Total Beginning balance $ 620 $ 3 $ 623 Settlements (56 ) — (56 ) Unrealized losses included in other comprehensive income (loss) (2 ) — (2 ) Balance at March 31, 2018 $ 562 $ 3 $ 565 ($ in thousands) Fair value measurements using significant unobservable (Level 3) inputs Three months ended March 31, 2017 Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, corporate Equity securities available-for-sale, financial services Equity securities available-for-sale, non-redeemable preferred stocks Total Beginning balance $ 982 $ 3 $ 2,000 $ 2,985 Settlements (50 ) — — (50 ) Unrealized losses included in other comprehensive income (loss) (3 ) — — (3 ) Balance at March 31, 2017 $ 929 $ 3 $ 2,000 $ 2,932

INVESTMENTS (Tables)

INVESTMENTS (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
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, 2018 and December 31, 2017 are as follows. All fixed maturity securities are classified as available-for-sale and are carried at fair value. March 31, 2018 Amortized Gross Gross Estimated ($ in thousands) Securities available-for-sale: Fixed maturity securities: U.S. treasury $ 8,121 $ — $ 165 $ 7,956 U.S. government-sponsored agencies 313,212 36 10,772 302,476 Obligations of states and political subdivisions 282,149 12,391 609 293,931 Commercial mortgage-backed 79,011 311 2,662 76,660 Residential mortgage-backed 134,691 1,898 4,239 132,350 Other asset-backed 23,148 418 818 22,748 Corporate 418,058 4,742 2,448 420,352 Total fixed maturity securities $ 1,258,390 $ 19,796 $ 21,713 $ 1,256,473 December 31, 2017 Amortized Gross Gross Estimated ($ in thousands) Securities available-for-sale: Fixed maturity securities: U.S. treasury $ 8,115 $ — $ 37 $ 8,078 U.S. government-sponsored agencies 303,932 122 6,105 297,949 Obligations of states and political subdivisions 290,038 17,729 231 307,536 Commercial mortgage-backed 84,058 591 669 83,980 Residential mortgage-backed 120,554 2,479 3,234 119,799 Other asset-backed 23,934 625 445 24,114 Corporate 422,535 11,490 465 433,560 Total fixed maturity securities 1,253,166 33,036 11,186 1,275,016 Equity securities: Common stocks: Financial services 30,103 13,594 175 43,522 Information technology 18,308 17,504 2 35,810 Healthcare 18,877 11,876 158 30,595 Consumer staples 9,275 4,917 65 14,127 Consumer discretionary 10,935 9,640 37 20,538 Energy 12,441 5,381 917 16,905 Industrials 12,746 15,757 14 28,489 Other 11,058 5,363 — 16,421 Non-redeemable preferred stocks 20,531 1,216 39 21,708 Total equity securities 144,274 85,248 1,407 228,115 Total securities available-for-sale $ 1,397,440 $ 118,284 $ 12,593 $ 1,503,131
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 recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , listed by length of time the securities were consistently in an unrealized loss position. March 31, 2018 Less than twelve months Twelve months or longer Total ($ in thousands) Fair Unrealized Fair Unrealized Fair Unrealized Securities available-for-sale: Fixed maturity securities: U.S. treasury $ 7,956 $ 165 $ — $ — $ 7,956 $ 165 U.S. government-sponsored agencies 159,653 3,831 125,284 6,941 284,937 10,772 Obligations of states and political subdivisions 11,287 78 14,057 531 25,344 609 Commercial mortgage-backed 61,143 1,971 8,280 691 69,423 2,662 Residential mortgage-backed 67,489 1,568 21,858 2,671 89,347 4,239 Other asset-backed 5,158 79 12,963 739 18,121 818 Corporate 167,148 2,263 3,999 185 171,147 2,448 Total fixed maturity securities $ 479,834 $ 9,955 $ 186,441 $ 11,758 $ 666,275 $ 21,713 December 31, 2017 Less than twelve months Twelve months or longer Total ($ in thousands) Fair Unrealized Fair Unrealized Fair Unrealized Securities available-for-sale: Fixed maturity securities: U.S. treasury $ 8,078 $ 37 $ — $ — $ 8,078 $ 37 U.S. government-sponsored agencies 134,284 1,491 127,604 4,614 261,888 6,105 Obligations of states and political subdivisions — — 14,416 231 14,416 231 Commercial mortgage-backed 32,155 221 8,530 448 40,685 669 Residential mortgage-backed 30,003 394 22,948 2,840 52,951 3,234 Other asset-backed — — 13,440 445 13,440 445 Corporate 28,314 329 4,047 136 32,361 465 Total fixed maturity securities 232,834 2,472 190,985 8,714 423,819 11,186 Equity securities: Common stocks: Financial services 4,391 175 — — 4,391 175 Information technology 344 2 — — 344 2 Healthcare 2,532 158 — — 2,532 158 Consumer staples 575 65 — — 575 65 Consumer discretionary 992 37 — — 992 37 Energy 3,181 917 — — 3,181 917 Industrials 3,016 14 — — 3,016 14 Non-redeemable preferred stocks — — 1,961 39 1,961 39 Total equity securities 15,031 1,368 1,961 39 16,992 1,407 Total temporarily impaired securities $ 247,865 $ 3,840 $ 192,946 $ 8,753 $ 440,811 $ 12,593
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of fixed maturity securities	The amortized cost and estimated fair values of fixed maturity securities at March 31, 2018 , 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 $ 35,995 $ 36,421 Due after one year through five years 189,333 191,111 Due after five years through ten years 348,705 347,330 Due after ten years 468,751 470,731 Securities not due at a single maturity date 215,606 210,880 Totals $ 1,258,390 $ 1,256,473
Summary of realized investment gains and (losses)	A summary of realized investment gains and (losses) and the change in unrealized investment gains on equity investments is as follows: Three months ended March 31, ($ in thousands) 2018 2017 Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale: Gross realized investment gains $ 234 $ 90 Gross realized investment losses (478 ) (1,206 ) Equity securities: Net realized investment gains, excluding "other-than-temporary" impairments 2,716 2,776 Change in unrealized investment gains (9,854 ) XXXX Other long-term investments, net 1,989 (2,287 ) Totals $ (5,393 ) $ (627 )

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSI33

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
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 (loss), net of tax. Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component Unrealized Unrecognized pension and postretirement benefit obligations ($ in thousands) Net actuarial loss Prior service credit Total Total Balance at December 31, 2017 $ 83,497 $ (13,074 ) $ 12,961 $ (113 ) $ 83,384 Cumulative adjustment for adoption of financial instruments recognition and measurement changes (66,234 ) — — — (66,234 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications (18,969 ) — — — (18,969 ) Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) 193 81 (622 ) (541 ) (348 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) (18,776 ) 81 (622 ) (541 ) (19,317 ) Balance at March 31, 2018 $ (1,513 ) $ (12,993 ) $ 12,339 $ (654 ) $ (2,167 ) Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component Unrealized Unrecognized pension and postretirement benefit obligations ($ in thousands) Net actuarial loss Prior service credit Total Total Balance at December 31, 2016 $ 49,748 $ (16,299 ) $ 12,632 $ (3,667 ) $ 46,081 Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications 9,705 — — — 9,705 Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (1,079 ) 239 (511 ) (272 ) (1,351 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) 8,626 239 (511 ) (272 ) 8,354 Balance at March 31, 2017 $ 58,374 $ (16,060 ) $ 12,121 $ (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, 2018 and 2017 , respectively. ($ in thousands) Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) Accumulated other comprehensive Three months ended Affected line item in the Unrealized gains (losses) on investments: Reclassification adjustment for net realized investment gains (losses) included in net income $ (244 ) Net realized investment gains (losses) and, beginning in 2018, change in unrealized investment gains on equity investments Deferred income tax (expense) benefit 51 Total income tax expense (benefit) Net reclassification adjustment (193 ) Net income (loss) Unrecognized pension and postretirement benefit obligations: Reclassification adjustment for amounts amortized into net periodic pension and postretirement benefit income: Net actuarial loss (103 ) (1) Prior service credit 788 (1) Total before tax 685 Deferred income tax (expense) benefit (144 ) Net reclassification adjustment 541 Total reclassification adjustment $ 348 (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 (loss) Accumulated other comprehensive Three months ended March 31, 2017 Affected line item in the Unrealized gains (losses) on investments: Reclassification adjustment for net realized investment gains (losses) included in net income $ 1,660 Net realized investment gains (losses) and, beginning in 2018, change in unrealized investment gains on equity investments Deferred income tax (expense) benefit (581 ) Total income tax expense (benefit) Net reclassification adjustment 1,079 Net income (loss) 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) benefit (147 ) 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).

BASIS OF PRESENTATION (Details)

BASIS OF PRESENTATION (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Cumulative adjustment for adoption of financial instruments recognition and measurement changes	$ 0
Defined benefit plan net periodic benefit cost other than service cost component	1,900	$ 1,300
Retained Earnings [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Cumulative adjustment for adoption of financial instruments recognition and measurement changes	$ 66,234

TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES (D

TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES (Details) - Affiliated Entity [Member] $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)Plan	Jun. 30, 2018USD ($)Plan	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)Plan	Jun. 30, 2017USD ($)Plan	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)Plan	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)Plan
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Ceded premiums earned	$ 100,038	$ 100,091
Ceded losses and settlement expenses incurred	52,001	63,343
Property and casualty insurance [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Number of reinsurance program treaties | Plan			1	1	1	1	2	2
Ceded premiums earned	98,725	98,878
Ceded losses and settlement expenses incurred	52,754	63,334
Property and casualty insurance [Member] | Annual Aggregate Catastrophe Excess of Loss [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Catastrophe claims, retention amount			$ 15,000	$ 22,000	$ 15,000	$ 20,000
Affiliated reinsurance contract first layer limit			12,000	24,000	12,000	24,000
Ceded premiums earned			$ 1,400	$ 6,000	$ 1,400	$ 6,000
Ceded losses and settlement expenses incurred	467	573
Reinsurance [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Number of reinsurance program treaties | Plan							2	2
Ceded premiums earned	1,313	1,213
Ceded losses and settlement expenses incurred	$ (753)	$ 9
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%
Ceded premiums earned							$ 1,600	$ 1,700
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%
Ceded premiums earned							$ 3,600	$ 3,200
Catastrophe event minimum amount							$ 500	$ 500

REINSURANCE (Details)

REINSURANCE (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Premiums written
Net premiums written	$ 158,072	$ 144,875
Premiums earned
Net premiums earned	155,786	144,487
Losses and settlement expenses incurred
Net losses and settlement expenses incurred	110,628	96,285
Affiliated Entity [Member]
Premiums written
Assumed	130,201	124,800
Ceded	(104,337)	(100,944)
Premiums earned
Assumed	129,148	122,097
Ceded	(100,038)	(100,091)
Losses and settlement expenses incurred
Assumed	86,325	77,106
Ceded	(52,001)	(63,343)
Non Affiliated Entity [Member]
Premiums written
Direct	100,044	96,752
Assumed	42,139	34,424
Ceded	(9,975)	(10,157)
Premiums earned
Direct	95,745	95,898
Assumed	42,094	35,704
Ceded	(11,163)	(9,121)
Losses and settlement expenses incurred
Direct	52,287	62,761
Assumed	27,407	21,992
Ceded	$ (3,390)	$ (2,231)
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	$ 120,269	$ 114,607
Premiums earned
Net premiums earned	118,632	113,648
Losses and settlement expenses incurred
Net losses and settlement expenses incurred	83,501	75,520
Property and casualty insurance [Member] | Affiliated Entity [Member]
Premiums written
Assumed	130,201	124,800
Ceded	(103,024)	(99,731)
Premiums earned
Assumed	129,148	122,097
Ceded	(98,725)	(98,878)
Losses and settlement expenses incurred
Assumed	85,967	76,742
Ceded	(52,754)	(63,334)
Property and casualty insurance [Member] | Non Affiliated Entity [Member]
Premiums written
Direct	100,044	96,752
Assumed	1,018	919
Ceded	(7,970)	(8,133)
Premiums earned
Direct	95,745	95,898
Assumed	1,002	1,015
Ceded	(8,538)	(6,484)
Losses and settlement expenses incurred
Direct	52,287	62,761
Assumed	992	752
Ceded	(2,991)	(1,401)
Reinsurance [Member]
Premiums written
Net premiums written	37,803	30,268
Premiums earned
Net premiums earned	37,154	30,839
Losses and settlement expenses incurred
Net losses and settlement expenses incurred	27,127	20,765
Reinsurance [Member] | Affiliated Entity [Member]
Premiums written
Assumed	0	0
Ceded	(1,313)	(1,213)
Premiums earned
Assumed	0	0
Ceded	(1,313)	(1,213)
Losses and settlement expenses incurred
Assumed	358	364
Ceded	753	(9)
Reinsurance [Member] | Non Affiliated Entity [Member]
Premiums written
Direct	0	0
Assumed	41,121	33,505
Ceded	(2,005)	(2,024)
Premiums earned
Direct	0	0
Assumed	41,092	34,689
Ceded	(2,625)	(2,637)
Losses and settlement expenses incurred
Direct	0	0
Assumed	26,415	21,240
Ceded	$ (399)	$ (830)

LIABILITY FOR LOSSES AND SETTEL

LIABILITY FOR LOSSES AND SETTELEMT EXPENSES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Reconciliation of beginning and ending reserves for losses and settlement expenses [Roll Forward]
Gross reserves at beginning of year	$ 732,612	$ 690,532
Re-evaluation due to foreign currency exchange rates	525	(1,913)
Less ceded reserves at beginning of year	30,923	20,664
Net reserves at beginning of year	701,164	671,781
Incurred losses and settlement expenses related to:
Current year	116,204	111,189
Prior years	(5,576)	(14,904)
Total incurred losses and settlement expenses	110,628	96,285
Paid losses and settlement expenses related to:
Current year	24,262	22,923
Prior years	81,877	69,826
Total paid losses and settlement expenses	106,139	92,749
Net reserves at end of period	705,653	675,317
Plus ceded reserves at end of period	30,549	20,788
Re-evaluation due to foreign currency exchange rates	853	(976)
Gross reserves at end of period	737,055	695,129
Property and casualty insurance [Member]
Incurred losses and settlement expenses related to:
Prior years	$ (2,100)	$ (8,500)
Percentage change in loss and settlement expense reserves for prior accident years (in hundredths)	(0.40%)	(1.70%)
Reinsurance [Member]
Incurred losses and settlement expenses related to:
Prior years	$ (3,400)	$ (6,400)
Percentage change in loss and settlement expense reserves for prior accident years (in hundredths)	(1.50%)	(3.20%)

SEGMENT INFORMATION - Summarize

SEGMENT INFORMATION - Summarized financial information by segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Reconciliation of operating profit loss from segment to consolidated
Premiums earned	$ 155,786	$ 144,487
SAP underwriting profit (loss)	(7,473)	653
GAAP adjustments	364	(2,618)
GAAP underwriting profit (loss)	(7,109)	(1,965)
Net investment income	11,371	11,007
Net realized investment gains (losses) and, beginning in 2018, change in unrealized investment gains on equity investments	(5,393)	(627)
Other income (loss)	1,615	870
Interest expense	142	84
Other expenses	870	761
Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)	(528)	8,440
Reconciliation of assets from segment to consolidated
Assets	2,248,068		$ 2,289,419
Eliminations	(576,656)		(599,036)
Reclassifications	(6,259)		(8,443)
Total assets	1,665,153		1,681,940
Property and casualty insurance [Member]
Reconciliation of operating profit loss from segment to consolidated
Premiums earned	118,632	113,648
SAP underwriting profit (loss)	(9,036)	(2,594)
GAAP adjustments	262	(2,287)
GAAP underwriting profit (loss)	(8,774)	(4,881)
Net investment income	8,148	8,015
Net realized investment gains (losses) and, beginning in 2018, change in unrealized investment gains on equity investments	(3,293)	(597)
Other income (loss)	2,051	1,441
Interest expense	142	84
Other expenses	233	179
Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)	(2,243)	3,715
Reconciliation of assets from segment to consolidated
Assets	1,185,069		1,200,636
Eliminations	0		0
Reclassifications	(316)		(1,393)
Total assets	1,184,753		1,199,243
Reinsurance [Member]
Reconciliation of operating profit loss from segment to consolidated
Premiums earned	37,154	30,839
SAP underwriting profit (loss)	1,563	3,247
GAAP adjustments	102	(331)
GAAP underwriting profit (loss)	1,665	2,916
Net investment income	3,218	2,983
Net realized investment gains (losses) and, beginning in 2018, change in unrealized investment gains on equity investments	(2,100)	(30)
Other income (loss)	(436)	(571)
Interest expense	0	0
Other expenses	0	0
Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)	2,347	5,298
Reconciliation of assets from segment to consolidated
Assets	481,257		484,678
Eliminations	0		0
Reclassifications	(5,045)		(6,273)
Total assets	476,212		478,405
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	5	9
Net realized investment gains (losses) and, beginning in 2018, change in unrealized investment gains on equity investments	0	0
Other income (loss)	0	0
Interest expense	0	0
Other expenses	637	582
Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)	(632)	$ (573)
Reconciliation of assets from segment to consolidated
Assets	581,742		604,105
Eliminations	(576,656)		(599,036)
Reclassifications	(898)		(777)
Total assets	$ 4,188		$ 4,292

SEGMENT INFORMATION - Net premi

SEGMENT INFORMATION - Net premiums earned by segment and lines of insurance (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Premiums earned	$ 155,786	$ 144,487
Property and casualty insurance [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Premiums earned	118,632	113,648
Property and casualty insurance [Member] | Commercial Lines [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Premiums earned	109,123	104,474
Property and casualty insurance [Member] | Commercial Lines [Member] | Automobile Insurance L O B [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Premiums earned	30,644	28,032
Property and casualty insurance [Member] | Commercial Lines [Member] | Property Insurance L O B [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Premiums earned	26,429	25,502
Property and casualty insurance [Member] | Commercial Lines [Member] | Workers' Compensation [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Premiums earned	24,902	24,703
Property and casualty insurance [Member] | Commercial Lines [Member] | Other Liability [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Premiums earned	24,962	24,128
Property and casualty insurance [Member] | Commercial Lines [Member] | Other Insurance L O B [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Premiums earned	2,186	2,109
Property and casualty insurance [Member] | Personal Lines [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Premiums earned	9,509	9,174
Reinsurance [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Premiums earned	37,154	30,839
Reinsurance [Member] | Assumed Pro Rata [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Premiums earned	13,073	10,435
Reinsurance [Member] | Assumed Excess of Loss [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Premiums earned	$ 24,081	$ 20,404

INCOME TAXES (Details)

INCOME TAXES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Income tax expense (benefit) reconciliation [Abstract]
United States federal corporate tax rate (in hundredths)	21.00%	35.00%
Computed expected income tax expense (benefit)	$ (111)	$ 2,954
Increases (decreases) in tax resulting from:
Tax-exempt interest income	(310)	(705)
Dividends received deduction	(123)	(306)
Proration of tax-exempt interest and dividends received deduction	108	152
Other, net	(16)	(459)
Total income tax expense (benefit)	(452)	$ 1,636
Provision for uncertain tax positions	$ 0		$ 0

EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT PLANS (Deta

EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT PLANS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Pension plans [Member] | Emc Insurance Companies [Member]
Components of net periodic benefit cost [Abstract]
Service cost	$ 4,126	$ 3,860
Interest cost	2,665	2,795
Expected return on plan assets	(5,978)	(5,191)
Amortization of net actuarial loss	125	908
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)	0	5
Net periodic benefit cost (income)	938	2,377
Pension plans [Member] | EMC Insurance Group, Inc. [Member]
Components of net periodic benefit cost [Abstract]
Net periodic benefit cost (income)	282	713
Entity's share of estimated contributions to employee benefit plan	2,400
Postretirement benefit plans [Member] | Emc Insurance Companies [Member]
Components of net periodic benefit cost [Abstract]
Service cost	368	341
Interest cost	521	570
Expected return on plan assets	(1,204)	(1,078)
Amortization of net actuarial loss	234	343
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)	(2,782)	(2,789)
Net periodic benefit cost (income)	(2,863)	(2,613)
Postretirement benefit plans [Member] | EMC Insurance Group, Inc. [Member]
Components of net periodic benefit cost [Abstract]
Net periodic benefit cost (income)	(806)	$ (736)
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, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock repurchased and retired during period, shares	30,523
Average cost per share of stock repurchased	$ 26.30
Recognized compensation expense	$ 413	$ (323)
Recognized compensation expense, net of tax	$ 326	$ (210)
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of restricted stock shares vested during period (in shares)	89,550
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of restricted stock awards or units granted during period (in shares)	120,251
Stock Option [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options exercised during period (in shares)	51,250
Weighted average exercise price of options exercised during period (in dollars per share)	$ 14.95

DISCLOSURES ABOUT THE FAIR VA43

DISCLOSURES ABOUT THE FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018USD ($)Security	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)Security
Assets [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	$ 1,256,473	$ 1,275,016
Equity investments, at fair value	220,498
Equity securities available-for-sale		228,115
Equity investments, at alternative measurement of cost less impairments	2,000	0
Short-term investments	21,664	23,613
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	2.73%	1.35%
Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	$ 1,256,473	$ 1,275,016
Number of broker quoted securities | Security	0	0
Number of securities not priced by independent pricing service | Security	6	8
US Treasury Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	$ 7,956	$ 8,078
US Government-sponsored Enterprises Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	302,476	297,949
US States and Political Subdivisions Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	293,931	307,536
Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	76,660	83,980
Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	132,350	119,799
Collateralized Debt Obligations [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	22,748	24,114
Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	420,352	433,560
Equity Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity securities available-for-sale		228,115
Common stocks Financial services [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity securities available-for-sale		43,522
Common stocks Information technology [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity securities available-for-sale		35,810
Common stocks Healthcare [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity securities available-for-sale		30,595
Common stocks Consumer staples [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity securities available-for-sale		14,127
Common stocks Consumer discretionary [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity securities available-for-sale		20,538
Common stocks Energy [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity securities available-for-sale		16,905
Common stocks Industrials [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity securities available-for-sale		28,489
Common stocks Other [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity securities available-for-sale		16,421
Nonredeemable Preferred Stock [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity securities available-for-sale		21,708
Carrying amount [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Short-term investments	21,664	23,613
Liabilities [Abstract]
Surplus notes	25,000	25,000
Carrying amount [Member] | Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	1,256,473	1,275,016
Carrying amount [Member] | US Treasury Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	7,956	8,078
Carrying amount [Member] | US Government-sponsored Enterprises Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	302,476	297,949
Carrying amount [Member] | US States and Political Subdivisions Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	293,931	307,536
Carrying amount [Member] | Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	76,660	83,980
Carrying amount [Member] | Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	132,350	119,799
Carrying amount [Member] | Collateralized Debt Obligations [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	22,748	24,114
Carrying amount [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	420,352	433,560
Carrying amount [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity investments, at fair value	220,498
Equity securities available-for-sale		228,115
Carrying amount [Member] | Common stocks Financial services [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity investments, at fair value	44,895
Equity securities available-for-sale		43,522
Carrying amount [Member] | Common stocks Information technology [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity investments, at fair value	33,886
Equity securities available-for-sale		35,810
Carrying amount [Member] | Common stocks Healthcare [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity investments, at fair value	28,372
Equity securities available-for-sale		30,595
Carrying amount [Member] | Common stocks Consumer staples [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity investments, at fair value	14,715
Equity securities available-for-sale		14,127
Carrying amount [Member] | Common stocks Consumer discretionary [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity investments, at fair value	21,966
Equity securities available-for-sale		20,538
Carrying amount [Member] | Common stocks Energy [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity investments, at fair value	15,620
Equity securities available-for-sale		16,905
Carrying amount [Member] | Common stocks Industrials [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity investments, at fair value	25,235
Equity securities available-for-sale		28,489
Carrying amount [Member] | Common stocks Other [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity investments, at fair value	15,762
Equity securities available-for-sale		16,421
Carrying amount [Member] | Nonredeemable Preferred Stock [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity investments, at fair value	19,224
Equity securities available-for-sale		21,708
Carrying amount [Member] | Investment funds [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity investments, at fair value	823
Estimated fair value [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Short-term investments	21,664	23,613
Liabilities [Abstract]
Surplus notes	15,731	16,689
Estimated fair value [Member] | Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	1,256,473	1,275,016
Estimated fair value [Member] | US Treasury Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	7,956	8,078
Estimated fair value [Member] | US Government-sponsored Enterprises Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	302,476	297,949
Estimated fair value [Member] | US States and Political Subdivisions Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	293,931	307,536
Estimated fair value [Member] | Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	76,660	83,980
Estimated fair value [Member] | Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	132,350	119,799
Estimated fair value [Member] | Collateralized Debt Obligations [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	22,748	24,114
Estimated fair value [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	420,352	433,560
Estimated fair value [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity investments, at fair value	220,498
Equity securities available-for-sale		228,115
Estimated fair value [Member] | Common stocks Financial services [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity investments, at fair value	44,895
Equity securities available-for-sale		43,522
Estimated fair value [Member] | Common stocks Information technology [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity investments, at fair value	33,886
Equity securities available-for-sale		35,810
Estimated fair value [Member] | Common stocks Healthcare [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity investments, at fair value	28,372
Equity securities available-for-sale		30,595
Estimated fair value [Member] | Common stocks Consumer staples [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity investments, at fair value	14,715
Equity securities available-for-sale		14,127
Estimated fair value [Member] | Common stocks Consumer discretionary [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity investments, at fair value	21,966
Equity securities available-for-sale		20,538
Estimated fair value [Member] | Common stocks Energy [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity investments, at fair value	15,620
Equity securities available-for-sale		16,905
Estimated fair value [Member] | Common stocks Industrials [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity investments, at fair value	25,235
Equity securities available-for-sale		28,489
Estimated fair value [Member] | Common stocks Other [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity investments, at fair value	15,762
Equity securities available-for-sale		16,421
Estimated fair value [Member] | Nonredeemable Preferred Stock [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity investments, at fair value	19,224
Equity securities available-for-sale		$ 21,708
Estimated fair value [Member] | Investment funds [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity investments, at fair value	$ 823

DISCLOSURES ABOUT THE FAIR VA44

DISCLOSURES ABOUT THE FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS, Recurring Measurement Inputs (Details) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2018USD ($)Security	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)Security
Assets [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	$ 1,256,473	$ 1,275,016
Equity investments, at fair value	220,498
Equity securities available-for-sale		228,115
Short-term investments	21,664	23,613
Liabilities [Abstract]
Surplus notes	25,000	25,000
Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	1,256,473	1,275,016
US Treasury Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	7,956	8,078
US Government-sponsored Enterprises Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	302,476	297,949
US States and Political Subdivisions Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	293,931	307,536
Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	76,660	83,980
Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	132,350	119,799
Collateralized Debt Obligations [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	22,748	24,114
Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	420,352	433,560
Equity Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity securities available-for-sale		228,115
Common stocks Financial services [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity securities available-for-sale		43,522
Common stocks Information technology [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity securities available-for-sale		35,810
Common stocks Healthcare [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity securities available-for-sale		30,595
Common stocks Consumer staples [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity securities available-for-sale		14,127
Common stocks Consumer discretionary [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity securities available-for-sale		20,538
Common stocks Energy [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity securities available-for-sale		16,905
Common stocks Industrials [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity securities available-for-sale		28,489
Common stocks Other [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity securities available-for-sale		16,421
Nonredeemable Preferred Stock [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity securities available-for-sale		21,708
Recurring [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Short-term investments	21,664	23,613
Recurring [Member] | Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	1,256,473	1,275,016
Recurring [Member] | US Treasury Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	7,956	8,078
Recurring [Member] | US Government-sponsored Enterprises Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	302,476	297,949
Recurring [Member] | US States and Political Subdivisions Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	293,931	307,536
Recurring [Member] | Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	76,660	83,980
Recurring [Member] | Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	132,350	119,799
Recurring [Member] | Collateralized Debt Obligations [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	22,748	24,114
Recurring [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	420,352	433,560
Recurring [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity investments, at fair value	220,498
Equity securities available-for-sale		228,115
Recurring [Member] | Common stocks Financial services [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity investments, at fair value	44,895
Equity securities available-for-sale		43,522
Recurring [Member] | Common stocks Information technology [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity investments, at fair value	33,886
Equity securities available-for-sale		35,810
Recurring [Member] | Common stocks Healthcare [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity investments, at fair value	28,372
Equity securities available-for-sale		30,595
Recurring [Member] | Common stocks Consumer staples [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity investments, at fair value	14,715
Equity securities available-for-sale		14,127
Recurring [Member] | Common stocks Consumer discretionary [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity investments, at fair value	21,966
Equity securities available-for-sale		20,538
Recurring [Member] | Common stocks Energy [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity investments, at fair value	15,620
Equity securities available-for-sale		16,905
Recurring [Member] | Common stocks Industrials [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity investments, at fair value	25,235
Equity securities available-for-sale		28,489
Recurring [Member] | Common stocks Other [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity investments, at fair value	15,762
Equity securities available-for-sale		16,421
Recurring [Member] | Nonredeemable Preferred Stock [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity investments, at fair value	19,224
Equity securities available-for-sale		21,708
Recurring [Member] | Investment funds [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity investments, at fair value	823
Recurring [Member] | Investments measured at net asset value (NAV)
Assets [Abstract]
Short-term investments	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Investments measured at net asset value (NAV) | Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Investments measured at net asset value (NAV) | US Treasury Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Investments measured at net asset value (NAV) | US Government-sponsored Enterprises Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Investments measured at net asset value (NAV) | US States and Political Subdivisions Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Investments measured at net asset value (NAV) | Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Investments measured at net asset value (NAV) | Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Investments measured at net asset value (NAV) | Collateralized Debt Obligations [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Investments measured at net asset value (NAV) | Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Investments measured at net asset value (NAV) | Equity Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity investments, at fair value	823
Equity securities available-for-sale		0
Recurring [Member] | Investments measured at net asset value (NAV) | Common stocks Financial services [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity investments, at fair value	0
Equity securities available-for-sale		0
Recurring [Member] | Investments measured at net asset value (NAV) | Common stocks Information technology [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity investments, at fair value	0
Equity securities available-for-sale		0
Recurring [Member] | Investments measured at net asset value (NAV) | Common stocks Healthcare [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity investments, at fair value	0
Equity securities available-for-sale		0
Recurring [Member] | Investments measured at net asset value (NAV) | Common stocks Consumer staples [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity investments, at fair value	0
Equity securities available-for-sale		0
Recurring [Member] | Investments measured at net asset value (NAV) | Common stocks Consumer discretionary [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity investments, at fair value	0
Equity securities available-for-sale		0
Recurring [Member] | Investments measured at net asset value (NAV) | Common stocks Energy [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity investments, at fair value	0
Equity securities available-for-sale		0
Recurring [Member] | Investments measured at net asset value (NAV) | Common stocks Industrials [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity investments, at fair value	0
Equity securities available-for-sale		0
Recurring [Member] | Investments measured at net asset value (NAV) | Common stocks Other [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity investments, at fair value	0
Equity securities available-for-sale		0
Recurring [Member] | Investments measured at net asset value (NAV) | Nonredeemable Preferred Stock [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity investments, at fair value	0
Equity securities available-for-sale		0
Recurring [Member] | Investments measured at net asset value (NAV) | Investment funds [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity investments, at fair value	823
Recurring [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Short-term investments	21,664	23,613
Recurring [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member] | Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member] | US Treasury Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member] | US Government-sponsored Enterprises Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	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]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member] | Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member] | Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member] | Collateralized Debt Obligations [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity investments, at fair value	209,891
Equity securities available-for-sale		215,916
Recurring [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member] | Common stocks Financial services [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity investments, at fair value	44,892
Equity securities available-for-sale		43,519
Recurring [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member] | Common stocks Information technology [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity investments, at fair value	33,886
Equity securities available-for-sale		35,810
Recurring [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member] | Common stocks Healthcare [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity investments, at fair value	28,372
Equity securities available-for-sale		30,595
Recurring [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member] | Common stocks Consumer staples [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity investments, at fair value	14,715
Equity securities available-for-sale		14,127
Recurring [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member] | Common stocks Consumer discretionary [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity investments, at fair value	21,966
Equity securities available-for-sale		20,538
Recurring [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member] | Common stocks Energy [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity investments, at fair value	15,620
Equity securities available-for-sale		16,905
Recurring [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member] | Common stocks Industrials [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity investments, at fair value	25,235
Equity securities available-for-sale		28,489
Recurring [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member] | Common stocks Other [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity investments, at fair value	15,762
Equity securities available-for-sale		16,421
Recurring [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member] | Nonredeemable Preferred Stock [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity investments, at fair value	9,443
Equity securities available-for-sale		9,512
Recurring [Member] | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member] | Investment funds [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity investments, at fair value	0
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]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	1,255,911	1,274,396
Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | US Treasury Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	7,956	8,078
Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | US Government-sponsored Enterprises Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	302,476	297,949
Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | US States and Political Subdivisions Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	293,931	307,536
Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	76,660	83,980
Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	132,350	119,799
Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Collateralized Debt Obligations [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	22,748	24,114
Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	419,790	432,940
Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity investments, at fair value	9,781
Equity securities available-for-sale		10,196
Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Common stocks Financial services [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity investments, at fair value	0
Equity securities available-for-sale		0
Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Common stocks Information technology [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity investments, at fair value	0
Equity securities available-for-sale		0
Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Common stocks Healthcare [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity investments, at fair value	0
Equity securities available-for-sale		0
Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Common stocks Consumer staples [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity investments, at fair value	0
Equity securities available-for-sale		0
Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Common stocks Consumer discretionary [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity investments, at fair value	0
Equity securities available-for-sale		0
Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Common stocks Energy [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity investments, at fair value	0
Equity securities available-for-sale		0
Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Common stocks Industrials [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity investments, at fair value	0
Equity securities available-for-sale		0
Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Common stocks Other [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity investments, at fair value	0
Equity securities available-for-sale		0
Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Nonredeemable Preferred Stock [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity investments, at fair value	9,781
Equity securities available-for-sale		10,196
Recurring [Member] | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Investment funds [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity investments, at fair value	0
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]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	$ 562	$ 620
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]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	$ 0	$ 0
Recurring [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | US Government-sponsored Enterprises Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | US States and Political Subdivisions Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Collateralized Debt Obligations [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	0	0
Recurring [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	562	620
Recurring [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity investments, at fair value	$ 3
Equity securities available-for-sale		$ 2,003
Number of securities categorized as Level 3 fair value measurements | Security	1	2
Recurring [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Common stocks Financial services [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity investments, at fair value	$ 3
Equity securities available-for-sale		$ 3
Recurring [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Common stocks Information technology [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity investments, at fair value	0
Equity securities available-for-sale		0
Recurring [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Common stocks Healthcare [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity investments, at fair value	0
Equity securities available-for-sale		0
Recurring [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Common stocks Consumer staples [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity investments, at fair value	0
Equity securities available-for-sale		0
Recurring [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Common stocks Consumer discretionary [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity investments, at fair value	0
Equity securities available-for-sale		0
Recurring [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Common stocks Energy [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity investments, at fair value	0
Equity securities available-for-sale		0
Recurring [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Common stocks Industrials [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity investments, at fair value	0
Equity securities available-for-sale		0
Recurring [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Common stocks Other [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity investments, at fair value	0
Equity securities available-for-sale		0
Recurring [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Nonredeemable Preferred Stock [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity investments, at fair value	0
Equity securities available-for-sale		2,000
Recurring [Member] | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Investment funds [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Equity investments, at fair value	0
Not Reported At Fair Value [Member]
Liabilities [Abstract]
Surplus notes	15,731	16,689
Not Reported At Fair Value [Member] | Investments measured at net asset value (NAV)
Liabilities [Abstract]
Surplus notes	0	0
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	$ 15,731	$ 16,689

DISCLOSURES ABOUT THE FAIR VA45

DISCLOSURES ABOUT THE FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS, Unobservable Input Reconciliation (Details) - Recurring [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Reconciliation of assets measured at fair value on recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 623	$ 2,985
Settlements	(56)	(50)
Unrealized losses included in other comprehensive income (loss)	(2)	(3)
Balance at end of period	565	2,932
Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Reconciliation of assets measured at fair value on recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	620	982
Settlements	(56)	(50)
Unrealized losses included in other comprehensive income (loss)	(2)	(3)
Balance at end of period	562	929
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 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
Settlements		0
Unrealized losses included in other comprehensive income (loss)		0
Balance at end of period		$ 2,000

INVESTMENTS (Details)

INVESTMENTS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, Amortized cost	$ 1,258,390		$ 1,253,166
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	1,256,473		1,275,016
Equity securities available-for-sale, Amortized cost			144,274
Equity securities available-for-sale			228,115
Available-for-sale securities, Amortized cost			1,397,440
Available-for-sale securities, Gross unrealized gains			118,284
Available-for-sale securities, Gross unrealized losses			12,593
Available-for-sale securities			1,503,131
Available for sale securities continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
Less than twelve months, Fair value			247,865
Less than twelve months, Unrealized losses			3,840
Twelve months or longer, Fair value			192,946
Twelve months or longer, Unrealized losses			8,753
Total, Fair value			440,811
Total, Unrealized losses			12,593
Amortized cost
Due in one year or less	35,995
Due after one year through five years	189,333
Due after five years through ten years	348,705
Due after ten years	468,751
Securities not due at a single maturity date	215,606
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, Amortized cost	1,258,390		1,253,166
Estimated fair value
Due in one year or less	36,421
Due after one year through five years	191,111
Due after five years through ten years	347,330
Due after ten years	470,731
Securities not due at a single maturity date	210,880
Totals	1,256,473		1,275,016
Realized Investment Gains (Losses) [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale gross realized gains	234
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale gross realized losses	(478)
Equity securities net realized investment gains (losses)	2,716
Equity securities net unrealized investment gains (losses) on securities still held	(9,854)
Net realized investment gains (losses) and, beginning in 2018, change in unrealized investment gains on equity investments	(5,393)	$ (627)
Debt Securities [Member]
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, Amortized cost	1,258,390		1,253,166
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, Gross unrealized gains	19,796		33,036
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, Gross unrealized losses	21,713		11,186
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	1,256,473		1,275,016
Available for sale securities continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
Less than twelve months, Fair value	479,834		232,834
Less than twelve months, Unrealized losses	9,955		2,472
Twelve months or longer, Fair value	186,441		190,985
Twelve months or longer, Unrealized losses	11,758		8,714
Total, Fair value	666,275		423,819
Total, Unrealized losses	21,713		11,186
Amortized cost
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, Amortized cost	1,258,390		1,253,166
Estimated fair value
Totals	1,256,473		1,275,016
Realized Investment Gains (Losses) [Abstract]
Available-for-sale, Gross realized investment gains		90
Available-for-sale, Gross realized investment losses		(1,206)
US Treasury Securities [Member]
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, Amortized cost	8,121		8,115
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, Gross unrealized gains	0		0
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, Gross unrealized losses	165		37
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	7,956		8,078
Available for sale securities continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
Less than twelve months, Fair value	7,956		8,078
Less than twelve months, Unrealized losses	165		37
Twelve months or longer, Fair value	0		0
Twelve months or longer, Unrealized losses	0		0
Total, Fair value	7,956		8,078
Total, Unrealized losses	165		37
Amortized cost
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, Amortized cost	8,121		8,115
Estimated fair value
Totals	7,956		8,078
US Government-sponsored Enterprises Debt Securities [Member]
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, Amortized cost	313,212		303,932
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, Gross unrealized gains	36		122
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, Gross unrealized losses	10,772		6,105
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	302,476		297,949
Available for sale securities continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
Less than twelve months, Fair value	159,653		134,284
Less than twelve months, Unrealized losses	3,831		1,491
Twelve months or longer, Fair value	125,284		127,604
Twelve months or longer, Unrealized losses	6,941		4,614
Total, Fair value	284,937		261,888
Total, Unrealized losses	10,772		6,105
Amortized cost
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, Amortized cost	313,212		303,932
Estimated fair value
Totals	302,476		297,949
US States and Political Subdivisions Debt Securities [Member]
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, Amortized cost	282,149		290,038
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, Gross unrealized gains	12,391		17,729
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, Gross unrealized losses	609		231
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	293,931		307,536
Available for sale securities continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
Less than twelve months, Fair value	11,287		0
Less than twelve months, Unrealized losses	78		0
Twelve months or longer, Fair value	14,057		14,416
Twelve months or longer, Unrealized losses	531		231
Total, Fair value	25,344		14,416
Total, Unrealized losses	609		231
Amortized cost
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, Amortized cost	282,149		290,038
Estimated fair value
Totals	293,931		307,536
Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, Amortized cost	79,011		84,058
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, Gross unrealized gains	311		591
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, Gross unrealized losses	2,662		669
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	76,660		83,980
Available for sale securities continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
Less than twelve months, Fair value	61,143		32,155
Less than twelve months, Unrealized losses	1,971		221
Twelve months or longer, Fair value	8,280		8,530
Twelve months or longer, Unrealized losses	691		448
Total, Fair value	69,423		40,685
Total, Unrealized losses	2,662		669
Amortized cost
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, Amortized cost	79,011		84,058
Estimated fair value
Totals	76,660		83,980
Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, Amortized cost	134,691		120,554
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, Gross unrealized gains	1,898		2,479
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, Gross unrealized losses	4,239		3,234
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	132,350		119,799
Available for sale securities continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
Less than twelve months, Fair value	67,489		30,003
Less than twelve months, Unrealized losses	1,568		394
Twelve months or longer, Fair value	21,858		22,948
Twelve months or longer, Unrealized losses	2,671		2,840
Total, Fair value	89,347		52,951
Total, Unrealized losses	4,239		3,234
Amortized cost
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, Amortized cost	134,691		120,554
Estimated fair value
Totals	132,350		119,799
Collateralized Debt Obligations [Member]
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, Amortized cost	23,148		23,934
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, Gross unrealized gains	418		625
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, Gross unrealized losses	818		445
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	22,748		24,114
Available for sale securities continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
Less than twelve months, Fair value	5,158		0
Less than twelve months, Unrealized losses	79		0
Twelve months or longer, Fair value	12,963		13,440
Twelve months or longer, Unrealized losses	739		445
Total, Fair value	18,121		13,440
Total, Unrealized losses	818		445
Amortized cost
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, Amortized cost	23,148		23,934
Estimated fair value
Totals	22,748		24,114
Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, Amortized cost	418,058		422,535
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, Gross unrealized gains	4,742		11,490
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, Gross unrealized losses	2,448		465
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	420,352		433,560
Available for sale securities continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
Less than twelve months, Fair value	167,148		28,314
Less than twelve months, Unrealized losses	2,263		329
Twelve months or longer, Fair value	3,999		4,047
Twelve months or longer, Unrealized losses	185		136
Total, Fair value	171,147		32,361
Total, Unrealized losses	2,448		465
Amortized cost
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, Amortized cost	418,058		422,535
Estimated fair value
Totals	420,352		433,560
Equity Securities [Member]
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Equity securities available-for-sale, Amortized cost			144,274
Equity securities available-for-sale, Gross unrealized gains			85,248
Equity securities available-for-sale, Gross unrealized loss			1,407
Equity securities available-for-sale			228,115
Available for sale securities continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
Less than twelve months, Fair value			15,031
Less than twelve months, Unrealized losses			1,368
Twelve months or longer, Fair value			1,961
Twelve months or longer, Unrealized losses			39
Total, Fair value			16,992
Total, Unrealized losses			1,407
Realized Investment Gains (Losses) [Abstract]
Equity securities available-for-sale net realized investment gains (losses) excluding other than temporary impairments		2,776
Common stocks Financial services [Member]
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Equity securities available-for-sale, Amortized cost			30,103
Equity securities available-for-sale, Gross unrealized gains			13,594
Equity securities available-for-sale, Gross unrealized loss			175
Equity securities available-for-sale			43,522
Available for sale securities continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
Less than twelve months, Fair value			4,391
Less than twelve months, Unrealized losses			175
Twelve months or longer, Fair value			0
Twelve months or longer, Unrealized losses			0
Total, Fair value			4,391
Total, Unrealized losses			175
Common stocks Information technology [Member]
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Equity securities available-for-sale, Amortized cost			18,308
Equity securities available-for-sale, Gross unrealized gains			17,504
Equity securities available-for-sale, Gross unrealized loss			2
Equity securities available-for-sale			35,810
Available for sale securities continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
Less than twelve months, Fair value			344
Less than twelve months, Unrealized losses			2
Twelve months or longer, Fair value			0
Twelve months or longer, Unrealized losses			0
Total, Fair value			344
Total, Unrealized losses			2
Common stocks Healthcare [Member]
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Equity securities available-for-sale, Amortized cost			18,877
Equity securities available-for-sale, Gross unrealized gains			11,876
Equity securities available-for-sale, Gross unrealized loss			158
Equity securities available-for-sale			30,595
Available for sale securities continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
Less than twelve months, Fair value			2,532
Less than twelve months, Unrealized losses			158
Twelve months or longer, Fair value			0
Twelve months or longer, Unrealized losses			0
Total, Fair value			2,532
Total, Unrealized losses			158
Common stocks Consumer staples [Member]
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Equity securities available-for-sale, Amortized cost			9,275
Equity securities available-for-sale, Gross unrealized gains			4,917
Equity securities available-for-sale, Gross unrealized loss			65
Equity securities available-for-sale			14,127
Available for sale securities continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
Less than twelve months, Fair value			575
Less than twelve months, Unrealized losses			65
Twelve months or longer, Fair value			0
Twelve months or longer, Unrealized losses			0
Total, Fair value			575
Total, Unrealized losses			65
Common stocks Consumer discretionary [Member]
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Equity securities available-for-sale, Amortized cost			10,935
Equity securities available-for-sale, Gross unrealized gains			9,640
Equity securities available-for-sale, Gross unrealized loss			37
Equity securities available-for-sale			20,538
Available for sale securities continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
Less than twelve months, Fair value			992
Less than twelve months, Unrealized losses			37
Twelve months or longer, Fair value			0
Twelve months or longer, Unrealized losses			0
Total, Fair value			992
Total, Unrealized losses			37
Common stocks Energy [Member]
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Equity securities available-for-sale, Amortized cost			12,441
Equity securities available-for-sale, Gross unrealized gains			5,381
Equity securities available-for-sale, Gross unrealized loss			917
Equity securities available-for-sale			16,905
Available for sale securities continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
Less than twelve months, Fair value			3,181
Less than twelve months, Unrealized losses			917
Twelve months or longer, Fair value			0
Twelve months or longer, Unrealized losses			0
Total, Fair value			3,181
Total, Unrealized losses			917
Common stocks Industrials [Member]
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Equity securities available-for-sale, Amortized cost			12,746
Equity securities available-for-sale, Gross unrealized gains			15,757
Equity securities available-for-sale, Gross unrealized loss			14
Equity securities available-for-sale			28,489
Available for sale securities continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
Less than twelve months, Fair value			3,016
Less than twelve months, Unrealized losses			14
Twelve months or longer, Fair value			0
Twelve months or longer, Unrealized losses			0
Total, Fair value			3,016
Total, Unrealized losses			14
Common stocks Other [Member]
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Equity securities available-for-sale, Amortized cost			11,058
Equity securities available-for-sale, Gross unrealized gains			5,363
Equity securities available-for-sale, Gross unrealized loss			0
Equity securities available-for-sale			16,421
Nonredeemable Preferred Stock [Member]
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities [Abstract]
Equity securities available-for-sale, Amortized cost			20,531
Equity securities available-for-sale, Gross unrealized gains			1,216
Equity securities available-for-sale, Gross unrealized loss			39
Equity securities available-for-sale			21,708
Available for sale securities continuous unrealized loss position [Abstract]
Less than twelve months, Fair value			0
Less than twelve months, Unrealized losses			0
Twelve months or longer, Fair value			1,961
Twelve months or longer, Unrealized losses			39
Total, Fair value			1,961
Total, Unrealized losses			$ 39
Other Long-term Investments [Member]
Realized Investment Gains (Losses) [Abstract]
Net realized investment gains (losses) and, beginning in 2018, change in unrealized investment gains on equity investments	$ 1,989	$ (2,287)

CONTINGENT LIABILITIES (Details

CONTINGENT LIABILITIES (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)
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) $ in Thousands	Nov. 03, 2011USD ($)
Equity [Abstract]
Authorized amount of stock repurchase program	$ 15,000

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSI49

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Cumulative adjustment for adoption of financial instruments recognition and measurement changes	$ 0
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(18,969)	$ 9,705
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(348)	(1,351)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(19,317)	8,354
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Cumulative adjustment for adoption of financial instruments recognition and measurement changes	(66,234)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(19,317)	8,354
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for- sale securities
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance	83,497	49,748
Cumulative adjustment for adoption of financial instruments recognition and measurement changes	(66,234)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(18,969)	9,705
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	193	(1,079)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(18,776)	8,626
Balance	(1,513)	58,374
Unrecognized pension and postretirement benefit obligations, net actuarial loss
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance	(13,074)	(16,299)
Cumulative adjustment for adoption of financial instruments recognition and measurement changes	0
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	0	0
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	81	239
Other comprehensive income (loss)	81	239
Balance	(12,993)	(16,060)
Unrecognized pension and postretirement benefit obligations, prior service credit
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance	12,961	12,632
Cumulative adjustment for adoption of financial instruments recognition and measurement changes	0
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	0	0
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(622)	(511)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(622)	(511)
Balance	12,339	12,121
Total
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance	(113)	(3,667)
Cumulative adjustment for adoption of financial instruments recognition and measurement changes	0
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	0	0
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(541)	(272)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(541)	(272)
Balance	(654)	(3,939)
Total
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance	83,384	46,081
Cumulative adjustment for adoption of financial instruments recognition and measurement changes	(66,234)
Balance	$ (2,167)	$ 54,435

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSI50

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - Reclassifications out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net realized investment gains (losses) and, beginning in 2018, change in unrealized investment gains on equity investments		$ (5,393)	$ (627)
Total income tax expense (benefit)		452	(1,636)
Net income (loss)		(76)	6,804
Net reclassification adjustment		348	1,351
Unrealized gains (losses) on investments: | Reclassification Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net realized investment gains (losses) and, beginning in 2018, change in unrealized investment gains on equity investments		(244)	1,660
Total income tax expense (benefit)		51	(581)
Net income (loss)		(193)	1,079
Unrecognized pension and postretirement benefit obligations, net actuarial loss
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Reclassification adjustment for amounts amortized into net periodic pension and postretirement benefit income:	[1]	(103)	(368)
Net reclassification adjustment		(81)	(239)
Unrecognized pension and postretirement benefit obligations, prior service credit
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Reclassification adjustment for amounts amortized into net periodic pension and postretirement benefit income:	[1]	788	787
Net reclassification adjustment		622	511
Total
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Reclassification adjustment for amounts amortized into net periodic pension and postretirement benefit income:		685	419
Deferred income tax (expense) benefit		(144)	(147)
Net reclassification adjustment		$ 541	$ 272
[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).