HCC Insurance 10-Q 6 May 15 2015 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Apr. 30, 2015
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	HCC INSURANCE HOLDINGS INC/DE/
Entity Central Index Key	888919
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-15
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		95.7

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Investments
Fixed maturity securities - available for sale, at fair value (amortized cost: 2015 - $6,192,036 and 2014 - $6,352,737)	$6,452,444	$6,610,368
Equity securities - available for sale, at fair value (cost: 2015 - $325,435 and 2014 - $291,070)	334,763	296,352
Short-term investments, at cost (approximates fair value)	325,154	258,186
Total investments	7,112,361	7,164,906
Cash	93,464	102,093
Restricted cash and securities	122,526	119,010
Premium, claims and other receivables	727,615	553,027
Reinsurance recoverables	1,176,141	1,168,900
Ceded unearned premium	332,646	316,715
Ceded life and annuity benefits	48,590	48,499
Deferred policy acquisition costs	236,661	220,321
Goodwill	949,351	905,636
Other assets	226,942	115,239
Total assets	11,026,297	10,714,346
LIABILITIES
Loss and loss adjustment expense payable	3,693,165	3,728,085
Life and annuity policy benefits	48,590	48,499
Reinsurance, premium and claims payable	434,198	301,476
Unearned premium	1,305,327	1,198,930
Deferred ceding commissions	101,169	94,202
Notes payable	889,290	824,251
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	621,131	615,552
Total liabilities	7,092,870	6,810,995
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common stock, $1.00 par value; 250,000 shares authorized (shares issued: 2015 - 126,794 and 2014 - 126,472; outstanding: 2015 - 95,868 and 2014 - 96,521)	126,794	126,472
Additional paid-in capital	1,115,796	1,113,551
Retained earnings	3,526,071	3,441,424
Accumulated other comprehensive income	172,262	175,014
Treasury stock, at cost (shares: 2015 - 30,926 and 2014 - 29,951)	-1,007,496	-953,110
Total shareholders' equity	3,933,427	3,903,351
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$11,026,297	$10,714,346

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
Investments
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale, amortized cost	$6,192,036	$6,352,737
Equity securities, available for sale, cost	$325,435	$291,070
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common stock, par value	$1	$1
Common stock, shares authorized	250,000	250,000
Common stock, shares issued	126,794	126,472
Common stock, shares outstanding	95,868	96,521
Treasury stock	30,926	29,951

Consolidated_Statement_of_Earn

Consolidated Statement of Earnings (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
REVENUE
Net earned premium	$600,563	$562,612
Net investment income	53,482	56,806
Other operating income	9,219	9,266
Net realized investment gain	13,186	20,246
Total revenue	676,450	648,930
EXPENSE
Loss and loss adjustment expense, net	365,162	330,746
Policy acquisition costs, net	75,211	69,041
Other operating expense	77,483	87,052
Interest expense	7,766	7,119
Total expense	525,622	493,958
Earnings before income taxes	150,828	154,972
Income tax expense	37,911	47,061
Net earnings	$112,917	$107,911
Earnings per common share
Basic	$1.17	$1.08
Diluted	$1.17	$1.07

Consolidated_Statement_of_Comp

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Statement of Income and Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net earnings	$112,917	$107,911
Investment gains:
Investment gains during the period	20,009	86,080
Income tax charge	7,205	30,570
Investments gains, net of tax	12,804	55,510
Less reclassification adjustments to:
Net realized investment gain	13,186	20,246
Income tax expense	4,615	7,086
Total reclassifications included in net earnings, net of tax	8,571	13,160
Net unrealized investment gains	4,233	42,350
Foreign currency translation adjustment	-7,052	788
Income tax benefit	-67	-432
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax	-6,985	1,220
Other comprehensive income (loss)	-2,752	43,570
Comprehensive income	$110,165	$151,481

Consolidated_Statement_of_Chan

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders' Equity (USD $)	Total	Common stock [Member]	Additional paid-in capital [Member]	Retained earnings [Member]	Accumulated other comprehensive income [Member]	Treasury stock [Member]
In Thousands
Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	$3,903,351	$126,472	$1,113,551	$3,441,424	$175,014	($953,110)
Net earnings	112,917			112,917
Other comprehensive income	-2,752				-2,752
Stock-based compensation	4,631	371	4,260
Issuance of 39 shares for exercise of options, including tax effect	3,609	39	3,570
Issuance of 49 shares for employee stock purchase plan	2,024	49	1,975
Surrender of 137 shares of restricted stock for employee's tax liability	-7,697	-137	-7,560
Purchase of 975 common shares	-54,386					-54,386
Cash dividends declared, $0.295 per share	-28,270			-28,270
Balance at Mar. 31, 2015	$3,933,427	$126,794	$1,115,796	$3,526,071	$172,262	($1,007,496)

Consolidated_Statement_of_Chan1

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders' Equity (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015
Issuance of shares for exercise of options	39
Issuance of shares for employee stock purchase plan	49
Surrender of shares of restricted stock for employee's tax liability	-137
Purchase of common shares	975
Cash dividends declared	$0.30

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Operating activities
Net earnings	$112,917	$107,911
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Change in premium, claims and other receivables	11,039	-44,966
Change in reinsurance recoverables	169,610	55,197
Change in ceded unearned premium	16,972	-5,939
Change in loss and loss adjustment expense payable	-209,125	-53,892
Change in unearned premium	50,280	32,475
Change in reinsurance, premium and claims payable	-893	71,873
Change in accounts payable and accrued liabilities	-70,757	-51,885
Stock-based compensation expense	4,631	4,214
Depreciation and amortization expense	5,517	4,169
Gain on investments	-13,186	-20,246
Other, net	-45,859	-3,447
Cash provided by operating activities	31,146	95,464
Investing activities
Sales of available for sale fixed maturity securities	167,206	119,011
Sales of equity securities	66,412	144,075
Maturity or call of available for sale fixed maturity securities	159,814	131,204
Cost of available for sale fixed maturity securities acquired	-128,692	-179,789
Cost of equity securities acquired	-100,594	-70,841
Change in short-term investments	-73,033	-248,749
Payments for purchase of businesses, net of cash received	-100,398	-2,579
Other, net	-1,328	-2,224
Cash used by investing activities	-10,613	-109,892
Financing activities
Advances on line of credit	150,000	100,000
Payments on line of credit	-100,004	-30,000
Sale of common stock	5,633	8,428
Purchase of common stock	-44,546	-30,774
Dividends paid	-28,451	-22,575
Other, net	-11,794	3,572
Cash provided (used) by financing activities	-29,162	28,651
Net increase (decrease) in cash	-8,629	14,223
Cash at beginning of year	102,093	58,301
Cash at end of period	$93,464	$72,524

General_Information

General Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
General Information [Abstract]
General Information	(1) General Information
	HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc. (HCC) and its subsidiaries (collectively we, us or our) include domestic and foreign property and casualty and life insurance companies and underwriting agencies with offices in the United States, the United Kingdom, Spain and Ireland. We underwrite a variety of largely non-correlated specialty insurance products, including property and casualty, accident and health, agriculture, surety and credit product lines, in approximately 180 countries. We market our products through a network of independent agents and brokers, through managing general agents owned by the company, and directly to consumers. In addition, we assume insurance written by other insurance companies.
	Basis of Presentation
	Our unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) and include the accounts of HCC and its subsidiaries. We have made all adjustments that, in our opinion, are necessary for a fair statement of results of the interim periods, and all such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The consolidated financial statements include the results of operations and cash flows of Producers Ag Insurance Group, Inc. (ProAg) from January 1, 2015, the effective acquisition date (see Note 2, “Acquisition”).
	The consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014. The consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2014 was derived from the audited financial statements but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP.
	Management must make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported in our consolidated financial statements and in disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. Ultimate results could differ from those estimates.
	In conjunction with the acquisition of ProAg in the first quarter of 2015, HCC’s executive management changed the structure under which it manages and evaluates the results of our numerous product lines. See Note 3, “Segments” for discussion of our new reporting structure.
	New Accounting and Reporting Policies
	The following policies changed in the first quarter of 2015.
	Agriculture
	The majority of premium written in our new agriculture business relates to multi-peril crop insurance (MPCI), written through the federal crop insurance program administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Risk Management Agency and the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC). We record written premium for our agriculture business as we process acreage reports received from the policyholders. Written premium is earned ratably over the period of risk commencing on the final planting date set by the FCIC, which approximates the start of planting season, and ending on the estimated crop harvest date.
	We have a net receivable (payable) due from (to) the FCIC for settlement of MPCI reinsurance. If a net receivable, it is reflected in our consolidated balance sheet with premium, claims and other receivables. If a net payable, it is reflected in our consolidated balance sheet with reinsurance, premium and claims payable.
	Income Taxes
	Effective in 2015, for certain foreign subsidiaries, we do not provide deferred tax liabilities on undistributed earnings that are essentially permanent in duration. For other foreign subsidiaries, we provide U.S. taxes on undistributed earnings at the U.S. statutory rate of 35%, offset by an adjustment for foreign tax credits, when required. In prior years, we provided U.S. taxes on all undistributed earnings of our foreign subsidiaries at the U.S. statutory rate of 35%, offset by an adjustment for foreign tax credits, when required.
	Recent Accounting Guidance
	An accounting standard issued in 2014 will change the manner in which most companies recognize revenue. The standard requires that revenue reflect the transfer of goods or services to customers based on the consideration/payment the company expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services; however, the standard does not change the accounting for insurance contracts or investment income. The new standard also requires enhanced disclosures about revenue. This accounting guidance is currently expected to be effective in the first quarter of 2018. The standard may be applied on a full retrospective or modified retrospective approach. We are currently assessing the impact the implementation of this standard will have on our consolidated financial statements.
	An accounting standard issued in 2015 changes the presentation of debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability. The standard requires debt issuance costs be presented as a reduction of the debt liability, rather than as a deferred charge asset. This accounting guidance is effective at March 31, 2016 and must be applied retrospectively. We had debt issuance costs of $4.0 million at March 31, 2015 and $4.2 million at December 31, 2014 that were included in other assets in our consolidated balance sheets. Under this guidance, these debt issuance costs would be reclassified as a reduction to notes payable in our consolidated balance sheets. Application of this guidance will have no impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Acquisition

Acquisition	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Acquisition	(2) Acquisition
	Effective January 1, 2015, we completed the acquisition of all of the capital stock of ProAg from CUNA Mutual Group for $104.5 million cash, subject to a net worth adjustment. ProAg writes multi-peril crop, crop hail and other named peril insurance. Crop insurance is a non-correlated line of business we strategically targeted to add to our diversified portfolio of specialty insurance businesses. On April 28, 2015, the parties agreed to reduce the purchase price by $2.1 million in finalization of the net worth adjustment. Our initial accounting of this business acquisition, recorded as of March 31, 2015, will change by an immaterial amount based on the settlement of the final purchase price. We expect to complete this accounting in the second quarter of 2015.
	As of March 31, 2015, we allocated the provisional purchase price to the acquired identifiable assets and liabilities of ProAg based on estimated fair values at the acquisition date. We recorded $458.5 million of tangible assets, primarily receivables and reinsurance recoverables, and $453.0 million of liabilities, primarily reserves and reinsurance payables. The majority of these assets and liabilities related to ProAg’s reinsurance year 2014, which is 100% ceded to the FCIC and third party reinsurers (including CUNA Mutual Group) under existing reinsurance agreements. We expect settlement of reinsurance year 2014 amounts to occur with all parties during the fourth quarter of 2015.
	We also recognized $54.0 million of intangible assets and $45.0 million of goodwill, neither of which is tax deductible. The goodwill primarily represents the value of ProAg’s assembled workforce and opportunities for future expansion utilizing ProAg’s infrastructure. The intangible assets relate to agent relationships and ProAg’s trade name with fair values of $23.0 million and $8.0 million, respectively, which will be amortized over a useful life of 15 years and 10 years, respectively. Indefinite-lived intangible assets of $23.0 million relate to state and federal insurance licenses, which will be reviewed annually for impairment. Intangible assets are included in other assets in our consolidated balance sheet.

Segments

Segments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Segments [Abstract]
Segments	(3) Segments
	In the first quarter of 2015, following the acquisition of ProAg, HCC’s executive management changed the structure under which it manages and evaluates the results of our numerous product lines. We now report our results in four operating segments, consisting of three insurance underwriting segments: 1) North America Property & Casualty, 2) Accident & Health and 3) International, and the Investing segment.
	Each of our three insurance underwriting segments bears risk for insurance coverage written within its portfolio of insurance products. Each segment generates income from premium written by our underwriting agencies, through third party agents and brokers, or on a direct basis. Fee and commission income earned by our agencies from third party insurance companies is included in segment revenue. Each segment incurs insurance losses, acquisition costs, claims management costs and other administrative expenses related to our insurance companies and underwriting agencies. Internal claims department costs are managed and reported as a component of loss and loss adjustment expense. We monitor and assess each segment’s pretax results based on underwriting profit, gross and net written premium, and its combined ratio, consisting of the segment’s net loss ratio and expense ratio.
	Included in the portfolio of products for each insurance underwriting segment are the following key products:
	• North America Property & Casualty – directors' and officers' liability (D&O), primary and excess casualty, small account errors and omissions liability, employment practices liability, agriculture, aviation, sports and entertainment, public risk, surety, and various smaller products.
	• Accident & Health – medical stop-loss, short-term domestic and international medical, and travel.
	• International – marine and energy, property treaty, property (direct and facultative), accident and health, D&O, professional indemnity, casualty, surety, and credit.
	The North America Property & Casualty segment includes the former U.S. Property & Casualty segment, the U.S. portion of the former Professional Liability segment, the Surety portion of the former U.S. Surety & Credit segment and ProAg’s agriculture business. The International segment includes the former International segment, the International portion of the former Professional Liability segment, and the Credit portion of the former U.S. Surety & Credit segment. The Accident & Health and Investing segments are unchanged from the prior presentation. All prior period information has been recast to present our segment disclosures and information on a comparable basis with our new segment reporting structure.
	The Investing segment includes our consolidated investment portfolio, as well as all investment income, investment related expenses, realized investment gains and losses, and other-than-temporary impairment credit losses on investments. All investment activity is reported as revenue, consistent with our consolidated presentation.
	In addition to our segments, we include a Corporate & Other category to reconcile segment results to consolidated totals. The Corporate & Other category includes: 1) corporate operating expenses not allocated to the segments, 2) interest expense on notes payable, 3) foreign currency expense (benefit) and 4) underwriting results of our Exited Lines. Our Exited Lines include product lines that we no longer write and do not expect to write in the future.
	The following tables present information by business segment.
				North America Property		Accident						Corporate
				& Casualty		& Health		International		Investing		& Other		Consolidated
	Three months ended March 31, 2015
	Net earned premium			$	209,239	$	254,950	$	136,377	$	-	$	-3	$	600,563
	Other revenue				6,102		2,013		1,008		66,668		96		75,887
		Segment revenue			215,341		256,963		137,385		66,668		93		676,450
	Loss and LAE				116,436		187,011		61,443		-		272		365,162
	Other expense				68,348		38,665		47,311		-		6,136		160,460
		Segment expense			184,784		225,676		108,754		-		6,408		525,622
			Segment pretax earnings (loss)	$	30,557	$	31,287	$	28,631	$	66,668	$	-6,315	$	150,828
	Three months ended March 31, 2014
	Net earned premium			$	201,334	$	232,143	$	128,844	$	-	$	291	$	562,612
	Other revenue				5,431		1,640		976		77,052		1,219		86,318
		Segment revenue			206,765		233,783		129,820		77,052		1,510		648,930
	Loss and LAE				103,553		170,805		56,314		-		74		330,746
	Other expense				57,538		34,573		46,475		-		24,626		163,212
		Segment expense			161,091		205,378		102,789		-		24,700		493,958
			Segment pretax earnings (loss)	$	45,674	$	28,405	$	27,031	$	77,052	$	-23,190	$	154,972
	In conjunction with the resegmentation, we reassigned the goodwill associated with the lines of business in our former Professional Liability and U.S. Surety & Credit reporting units at December 31, 2014 to the applicable North America Property & Casualty and International reporting units. We allocated goodwill to the lines of business within the former reporting units based on the relative fair value of each line of business to the sum of the former reporting unit’s total fair value at December 31, 2014. We noted no indicators of impairment as of December 31, 2014, after allocation of goodwill.
	The goodwill balances by reportable segment, after allocation of the goodwill in our former reporting units, are presented below. We noted no indicators of impairment in our goodwill as of March 31, 2015.
				North America Property		Accident
				& Casualty		& Health		International		Total
	Balance at beginning of year			$	552,006	$	144,113	$	209,517	$	905,636
	Acquisition of ProAg				45,000		-		-		45,000
	Other, principally foreign exchange				100		-		-1,385		-1,285
		Balance at March 31, 2015		$	597,106	$	144,113	$	208,132	$	949,351
	The table below presents total assets by segment following our resegmentation.
				March 31,		December 31,
				2015		2014
	North America Property & Casualty			$	2,232,696	$	1,894,756
	Accident & Health				244,394		242,278
	International				1,092,640		1,073,889
	Investing				7,178,088		7,228,608
	Corporate & Other				278,479		274,815
	Total			$	11,026,297	$	10,714,346

Investments

Investments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Investment [Abstract]
Investments	(4) Investments
	The cost or amortized cost, gross unrealized gain or loss, and fair value of our fixed maturity and equity securities, all of which are classified as available for sale, were as follows:
			Cost or			Gross			Gross
			amortized			unrealized			unrealized
			cost			gain			loss			Fair value
	31-Mar-15
	U.S. government and government agency securities		$	73,540		$	983		$	-7		$	74,516
	Fixed maturity securities of states, municipalities
		and political subdivisions		877,954			56,164			-55			934,063
	Special purpose revenue bonds of states, municipalities
		and political subdivisions		2,253,237			143,514			-1,065			2,395,686
	Corporate securities			726,320			28,287			-2,584			752,023
	Residential mortgage-backed securities			770,957			22,259			-1,806			791,410
	Commercial mortgage-backed securities			567,340			26,032			-592			592,780
	Asset-backed securities			369,289			1,051			-1,038			369,302
	Foreign government securities			124,957			471			-3,396			122,032
	Foreign corporate securities			428,442			7,830			-15,640			420,632
		Total fixed maturity securities	$	6,192,036		$	286,591		$	-26,183		$	6,452,444
	Equity securities		$	325,435		$	25,464		$	-16,136		$	334,763
	31-Dec-14
	U.S. government and government agency securities		$	70,279		$	827		$	-137		$	70,969
	Fixed maturity securities of states, municipalities
		and political subdivisions		896,130			58,738			-160			954,708
	Special purpose revenue bonds of states, municipalities
		and political subdivisions		2,246,707			143,291			-986			2,389,012
	Corporate securities			777,242			25,983			-4,656			798,569
	Residential mortgage-backed securities			805,458			20,215			-3,979			821,694
	Commercial mortgage-backed securities			593,956			19,707			-2,032			611,631
	Asset-backed securities			369,103			316			-2,592			366,827
	Foreign government securities			119,479			767			-1,554			118,692
	Foreign corporate securities			474,383			10,776			-6,893			478,266
		Total fixed maturity securities	$	6,352,737		$	280,620		$	-22,989		$	6,610,368
	Equity securities		$	291,070		$	24,069		$	-18,787		$	296,352
	Substantially all of our fixed maturity securities are investment grade. The following tables display the gross unrealized losses and fair value of all available for sale securities that were in a continuous unrealized loss position for the periods indicated.
					Less than 12 months						12 months or more					Total
								Unrealized						Unrealized				Unrealized
					Fair value			losses			Fair value			losses		Fair value		losses
	31-Mar-15
	Fixed maturity securities
		U.S. government and government agency
			securities		$	421		$	-		$	3,985		$	-7	$	4,406	$	-7
		Fixed maturity securities of states,
			municipalities and political subdivisions			16,379			-55			-			-		16,379		-55
		Special purpose revenue bonds of states,
			municipalities and political subdivisions			84,718			-587			17,341			-478		102,059		-1,065
		Corporate securities				66,827			-1,578			42,230			-1,006		109,057		-2,584
		Residential mortgage-backed securities				75,826			-540			104,754			-1,266		180,580		-1,806
		Commercial mortgage-backed securities				12,013			-155			25,852			-437		37,865		-592
		Asset-backed securities				73,934			-119			91,570			-919		165,504		-1,038
		Foreign government securities				51,165			-3,392			1,242			-4		52,407		-3,396
		Foreign corporate securities				167,020			-12,267			20,657			-3,373		187,677		-15,640
	Equity securities					139,886			-12,696			11,501			-3,440		151,387		-16,136
				Total	$	688,189		$	-31,389		$	319,132		$	-10,930	$	1,007,321	$	-42,319
	December 31, 2014
	Fixed maturity securities
		U.S. government and government agency
			securities		$	14,813		$	-8		$	11,236		$	-129	$	26,049	$	-137
		Fixed maturity securities of states,
			municipalities and political subdivisions			3,857			-21			19,337			-139		23,194		-160
		Special purpose revenue bonds of states,
			municipalities and political subdivisions			4,041			-19			100,947			-967		104,988		-986
		Corporate securities				211,111			-2,498			48,091			-2,158		259,202		-4,656
		Residential mortgage-backed securities				37,434			-100			226,256			-3,879		263,690		-3,979
		Commercial mortgage-backed securities				5,228			-26			99,868			-2,006		105,096		-2,032
	Asset-backed securities				181,579			-1,245			78,797			-1,347		260,376		-2,592
	Foreign government securities				55,280			-1,498			7,187			-56		62,467		-1,554
	Foreign corporate securities				182,163			-4,587			21,571			-2,306		203,734		-6,893
Equity securities					111,251			-17,839			3,934			-948		115,185		-18,787
			Total	$	806,757		$	-27,841		$	617,224		$	-13,935	$	1,423,981	$	-41,776
At March 31, 2015, we held approximately 2,910 fixed maturity and equity securities, of which 20% included at least one lot in an unrealized loss position. A security has an impairment loss when its fair value is less than its cost or amortized cost at the balance sheet date. We evaluate our securities for possible other-than-temporary impairment losses at each quarter end. Our reviews cover all impaired securities where the loss exceeds $1.0 million and the loss either exceeds 10% of cost or the security had been in a loss position for longer than twelve consecutive months. We do not consider the $42.3 million of gross unrealized losses in our portfolio at March 31, 2015 to be other-than-temporary impairments as these losses relate to non-credit factors, such as interest rate changes, fluctuations in exchange rates and market conditions. We recognized no other-than-temporary impairment losses in the first quarter of 2015 and 2014.
The amortized cost and fair value of our fixed maturity securities at March 31, 2015, by contractual maturity, are shown below. Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. The weighted-average life of our mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities was 5.1 years at March 31, 2015.
			Cost or amortized cost			Fair value
Due in 1 year or less			$	156,470		$	153,783
Due after 1 year through 5 years				1,117,553			1,138,249
Due after 5 years through 10 years				1,322,979			1,400,954
Due after 10 years through 15 years				884,731			945,028
Due after 15 years				1,002,717			1,060,938
	Securities with contractual maturities			4,484,450			4,698,952
Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities				1,707,586			1,753,492
	Total fixed maturity securities		$	6,192,036		$	6,452,444
Realized pretax gains (losses) on the sale of investments included the following:
			Three months ended March 31,
			2015			2014
Gains
	Fixed maturity securities		$	13,876		$	1,132
	Equity securities			10,311			24,438
		Total gains		24,187			25,570
Losses
	Fixed maturity securities			-1,472			-2,155
	Equity securities			-9,529			-3,169
		Total losses		-11,001			-5,324
Net
	Fixed maturity securities			12,404			-1,023
	Equity securities			782			21,269
		Net realized investment gain (loss)	$	13,186		$	20,246

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements	(5) Fair Value Measurements
	Our financial instruments include assets and liabilities carried at fair value, as well as assets and liabilities carried at cost or amortized cost but disclosed at fair value in our financial statements. In determining fair value, we generally apply the market approach, which uses prices and other relevant data based on market transactions involving identical or comparable assets and liabilities. We classify our financial instruments into the following three-level hierarchy:
	• Level 1 – Inputs are based on quoted prices in active markets for identical instruments.
	• Level 2 – Inputs are based on observable market data (other than quoted prices), or are derived from or corroborated by observable market data.
	• Level 3 – Inputs are unobservable and not corroborated by market data.
	Our Level 1 investments consist of U.S. Treasuries, money market funds and equity securities traded in an active exchange market. We use unadjusted quoted prices for identical instruments to measure fair value.
	Our Level 2 investments include most of our fixed maturity securities, which consist of U.S. government agency securities, foreign government securities, municipal bonds (including those held as restricted securities), corporate debt securities, bank loans, foreign debt securities, mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities (including collateralized loan obligations), and deposits supporting our Lloyd’s syndicate business. Level 2 also includes certificates of deposit and other interest-bearing deposits at banks, which we report as short-term investments. We measure fair value for the majority of our Level 2 investments using matrix pricing and observable market data, including benchmark securities or yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, issuer spreads, two-sided markets, bids, offers, default rates, loss severity and other economic measures. We measure fair value for our structured securities using observable market data in cash flow models.
	We are responsible for the prices used in our fair value measurements. We use independent pricing services to assist us in determining fair value of all of our Level 2 investments. The pricing services provide a single price or quote per security. We use data provided by our third party investment managers and Lloyd’s of London to value the remaining Level 2 investments. To validate that these quoted prices are reasonable estimates of fair value, we perform various quantitative and qualitative procedures, including: 1) evaluation of the underlying methodologies, 2) analysis of recent sales activity, 3) analytical review of our fair values against current market prices and 4) comparison of the pricing services’ fair value to other pricing services’ fair value for the same investment. No markets for our investments were judged to be inactive at period end. Based on these procedures, we did not adjust the prices or quotes provided by our independent pricing services, third party investment managers or Lloyd’s of London as of March 31, 2015 or December 31, 2014.
	Our Level 2 financial instruments also include our notes payable. We determine the fair value of our 6.30% Senior Notes based on quoted prices in an inactive market. The fair value of borrowings under our Revolving Loan Facility approximates the carrying amount because interest is based on 30-day LIBOR plus a margin.
	Our Level 3 securities include certain fixed maturity securities and an insurance contract that we account for as a derivative and classify in other assets. Our Level 3 category also includes liabilities for future earnout payments due to former owners of businesses we acquired, which are classified within accounts payable and accrued liabilities. We determine fair value of the derivative and the earnout payments based on internally developed models that use assumptions or other data that are not readily observable from objective sources.
	The following tables present the fair value of our financial instruments that were carried or disclosed at fair value. Unless indicated, these items were carried at fair value on our consolidated balance sheets. There were no material transfers between Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3 in the first quarter of 2015 and 2014.
				Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	31-Mar-15
	Fixed maturity securities
		U.S. government and government agency securities		$	69,238	$	5,278	$	-	$	74,516
		Fixed maturity securities of states, municipalities
			and political subdivisions		-		934,063		-		934,063
		Special purpose revenue bonds of states, municipalities
			and political subdivisions		-		2,395,686		-		2,395,686
		Corporate securities			-		751,875		148		752,023
		Residential mortgage-backed securities			-		791,410		-		791,410
		Commercial mortgage-backed securities			-		592,780		-		592,780
		Asset-backed securities			-		369,302		-		369,302
		Foreign government securities			-		122,032		-		122,032
		Foreign corporate securities			-		420,632		-		420,632
			Total fixed maturity securities		69,238		6,383,058		148		6,452,444
	Equity securities				334,763		-		-		334,763
	Short-term investments*				187,436		137,718		-		325,154
	Restricted cash and securities				-		3,156		-		3,156
	Premium, claims and other receivables				-		53,212		-		53,212
	Other assets				17		-		1,395		1,412
		Total assets measured at fair value		$	591,454	$	6,577,144	$	1,543	$	7,170,141
	Notes payable*			$	-	$	936,968	$	-	$	936,968
	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities - earnout liabilities				-		3,156		8,301		11,457
		Total liabilities measured at fair value		$	-	$	940,124	$	8,301	$	948,425
	__________
	* Carried at cost or amortized cost on consolidated balance sheet.
				Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	31-Dec-14
	Fixed maturity securities
		U.S. government and government agency securities		$	63,663	$	7,306	$	-	$	70,969
		Fixed maturity securities of states, municipalities
			and political subdivisions		-		954,708		-		954,708
		Special purpose revenue bonds of states, municipalities
			and political subdivisions		-		2,389,012		-		2,389,012
		Corporate securities			-		798,421		148		798,569
		Residential mortgage-backed securities			-		821,694		-		821,694
		Commercial mortgage-backed securities			-		611,631		-		611,631
		Asset-backed securities			-		366,827		-		366,827
		Foreign government securities			-		118,692		-		118,692
		Foreign corporate securities			-		478,266		-		478,266
			Total fixed maturity securities		63,663		6,546,557		148		6,610,368
	Equity securities				296,352		-		-		296,352
	Short-term investments*				159,297		98,889		-		258,186
	Restricted cash and securities				-		2,729		-		2,729
	Premium, claims and other receivables				-		56,493		-		56,493
	Other assets				18		-		1,306		1,324
		Total assets measured at fair value		$	519,330	$	6,704,668	$	1,454	$	7,225,452
	Notes payable*			$	-	$	875,094	$	-	$	875,094
	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities - earnout liabilities				-		2,729		8,744		11,473
		Total liabilities measured at fair value		$	-	$	877,823	$	8,744	$	886,567
	__________
	*Carried at cost or amortized cost on consolidated balance sheet.

Reinsurance

Reinsurance	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Reinsurance [Abstract]
Reinsurance	(6) Reinsurance
	In the normal course of business, our insurance companies cede a portion of their premium to reinsurers through treaty and facultative reinsurance agreements. Although reinsurance does not discharge the direct insurer from liability to its policyholder, our insurance companies participate in such agreements in order to limit their loss exposure, protect them against catastrophic losses and diversify their business. The following tables present the effect of such reinsurance transactions on our premium, loss and loss adjustment expense and policy acquisition costs.
			Three months ended March 31,
			2015		2014
	Direct written premium		$	717,048	$	620,512
	Reinsurance assumed			109,088		126,210
	Reinsurance ceded			-157,220		-156,540
		Net written premium	$	668,916	$	590,182
	Direct earned premium		$	703,584	$	637,313
	Reinsurance assumed			71,168		76,023
	Reinsurance ceded			-174,189		-150,724
		Net earned premium	$	600,563	$	562,612
	Direct loss and loss adjustment expense		$	458,726	$	359,629
	Reinsurance assumed			27,216		41,802
	Reinsurance ceded			-120,780		-70,685
		Net loss and loss adjustment expense	$	365,162	$	330,746
	Policy acquisition costs		$	115,070	$	104,645
	Ceding commissions			-39,859		-35,604
		Net policy acquisition costs	$	75,211	$	69,041
	The table below shows the components of our reinsurance recoverables in our consolidated balance sheets.
			March 31,		December 31,
			2015		2014
	Reinsurance recoverable on paid losses		$	95,157	$	99,937
	Reinsurance recoverable on outstanding losses			448,069		443,059
	Reinsurance recoverable on incurred but not reported losses			634,415		627,404
	Reserve for uncollectible reinsurance			-1,500		-1,500
		Total reinsurance recoverables	$	1,176,141	$	1,168,900
	At each quarter end, we review our financial exposure to the reinsurance market based on our individual reinsurance recoverable balances as of the prior quarter end. We take actions to collect outstanding balances or to mitigate our exposure to possible uncollectible amounts. We had a $1.5 million reserve for potentially uncollectible amounts at March 31, 2015. Reinsurance recoverables related to our settlement of Spanish surety bond claims totaled $86.3 million at March 31, 2015, including $43.4 million on paid losses. Our reinsurers have paid our reinsurance claims in full on a timely basis, with the exception of a small number of reinsurers that are currently in run-off and disputing balances owed us. Recoverables from these run-off reinsurers totaled $41.5 million, including $36.8 million on paid losses, at March 31, 2015 (at quarter-end foreign currency exchange rate). No payments have been received from these reinsurers despite their participation in contracts on essentially the same terms of our other reinsurers. We are vigorously pursuing collection of these recoverables, including through arbitration where necessary, and believe these amounts are fully recoverable. Accordingly, we have not recorded a reserve for uncollectibility related to these amounts. While we believe our current reserve is adequate based on information currently available, market conditions may change or additional information might be obtained that may require us to change the reserve in the future.

Liability_for_Unpaid_Loss_and_

Liability for Unpaid Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Liability for Unpaid Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense
Liability For Future Policy Benefits And Unpaid Claims Disclosure TextBlock	(7) Liability for Unpaid Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense
	The table below provides a reconciliation of our liability for loss and loss adjustment expense payable (referred to as reserves). We recognized no prior year loss development in the first quarter of 2015 and 2014.
			Three months ended March 31,
			2015		2014
	Reserves at beginning of period		$	3,728,085	$	3,902,132
	Less reinsurance recoverables on reserves			1,070,463		1,122,731
		Net reserves at beginning of period		2,657,622		2,779,401
	Net reserve additions from acquired business			9,386		-
	Net loss and loss adjustment expense			365,162		330,746
	Net loss and loss adjustment expense payments			-388,538		-363,858
	Foreign currency adjustment			-32,951		2,552
		Net reserves at end of period		2,610,681		2,748,841
	Plus reinsurance recoverables on reserves			1,082,484		1,098,576
		Reserves at end of period	$	3,693,165	$	3,847,417

Notes_Payable

Notes Payable	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Notes Payable [Abstract]
Notes Payable	(8) Notes Payable
	Our notes payable consisted of the following:
			March 31,		December 31,
			2015		2014
	6.30% Senior Notes		$	299,290	$	299,251
	$825.0 million Revolving Loan Facility			590,000		525,000
		Total notes payable	$	889,290	$	824,251
	There have been no changes to the terms and conditions related to our 6.30% Senior Notes or the $825.0 million Revolving Loan Facility (the Facility) from those described in Note 7, “Notes Payable” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014. We were in compliance with debt covenants related to our 6.30% Senior Notes and the Facility at March 31, 2015.
	The weighted-average interest rate on borrowings under the Facility at March 31, 2015 was 1.4%. The borrowings and letters of credit issued under the Facility reduced our available borrowing capacity on the Facility to $230.1 million at March 31, 2015.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Income Taxes [Text Block]	(9)  Income Taxes
	The following table summarizes the differences between our effective tax rate for financial statement purposes and the Federal statutory rate.
		Three months ended March 31,
		2015			2014
	Statutory tax rate		35	%		35	%
	Federal tax at statutory rate	$	52,790		$	54,240
	Nontaxable municipal bond interest and dividend received deduction		-9,752			-8,927
	State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit		717			834
	Foreign income taxes		9,951			7,226
	Foreign tax credit		-9,776			-7,226
	Indefinitely reinvested earnings of foreign subsidiaries		-9,134			-
	Uncertain tax positions (net of federal tax benefit on state
	positions: $93 in 2015 and $144 in 2014)		2,234			320
	Other, net		881			594
	Income tax expense	$	37,911		$	47,061
	Effective tax rate		25.1	%		30.4	%
	In the first quarter of 2015, we made an initial assertion that we would indefinitely reinvest the cumulative undistributed earnings of certain foreign subsidiaries primarily organized in the United Kingdom and Spain, which have statutory tax rates of 20.0% and 28.0%, respectively. We made no similar assertion in the first quarter of 2014 or in any periods previously reported. Our 2015 assertion generated a tax benefit of $9.1 million, which included $5.9 million on cumulative undistributed foreign earnings through December 31, 2014 and $3.2 million on undistributed foreign earnings recorded in the first quarter of 2015. Our assertion excluded undistributed foreign earnings that previously have been taxed as deemed dividend inclusions under U.S. tax rules, as well as 2015 earnings for which an assertion cannot be made unless certain U.S. tax regulations are extended for 2015 and future years. At March 31, 2015, our foreign earnings considered to be indefinitely reinvested outside the United States totaled $321.2 million, all of which are subject to U.S. taxes, offset by an adjustment for foreign tax credits, if repatriated. In cases where we could not assert or do not intend to assert indefinite reinvestment of the undistributed earnings of certain foreign subsidiaries, we provided taxes on such undistributed earnings at the U.S. statutory rate of 35.0%, offset by an adjustment for foreign tax credits, where applicable.

Income_Taxes_Parentheticals

Income Taxes (Parentheticals) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Federal tax benefit on state positions	$93	$144

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Text Block]	(10) Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
	The components of accumulated other comprehensive income in our consolidated balance sheets were as follows:
					Foreign		Accumulated
			Net unrealized		currency		other
			investment		translation		comprehensive
			gains		adjustment		income
	Three months ended March 31, 2015
	Balance at December 31, 2014		$	169,984	$	5,030	$	175,014
	Other comprehensive income (loss)			4,233		-6,985		-2,752
		Balance at March 31, 2015	$	174,217	$	-1,955	$	172,262

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share	(11) Earnings Per Share
	The following table details the numerator and denominator used in our earnings per share calculations.
			Three months ended March 31,
			2015		2014
	Net earnings		$	112,917	$	107,911
	Less: net earnings attributable to unvested restricted stock			-1,641		-1,692
		Net earnings available to common stock	$	111,276	$	106,219
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding			94,881		98,662
	Dilutive effect of outstanding securities (determined using treasury stock method)			316		251
		Weighted-average common shares and potential common shares outstanding		95,197		98,913
	Earnings per common share
		Basic	$	1.17	$	1.08
		Diluted	$	1.17	$	1.07

Stock_based_Compensation

Stock based Compensation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Stock based Compensation [Abstract]
Stock based Compensation	(12) Stock-Based Compensation
	In 2015, we granted the following shares of restricted stock and restricted stock units.
			Weighted-average
		Number	grant date		Aggregate		Vesting
		of shares	fair value		fair value		period
	Restricted stock	299	$	55.81	$	16,692	1 - 4 years
	Restricted stock units	4		55.78		245	4 years
	Certain awards of restricted stock and restricted stock units contain a performance condition based on the ultimate results for the applicable underwriting year. The number of such shares that vest could be higher or lower than initially granted. We measure fair value for these awards based on the closing price of our common stock on the grant date, and we recognize expense on a straight-line basis over the vesting period for those restricted stock awards or units expected to vest.
	Certain of our executive officers were granted performance-based restricted stock in 2015. This restricted stock vests after three years and can vest from 0% to 200% of the initial shares granted. Vesting is based equally on an operating return on equity performance factor and a total shareholder return performance factor.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	(13) Commitments and Contingencies
	Catastrophe and Large Loss Exposure
	We have exposure to catastrophic and other large losses caused by natural perils (such as hurricanes, tornados, earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, droughts and hail storms), and man-made events (such as terrorist attacks). The incidence, timing and severity of these losses are unpredictable. We assess our exposures in areas most vulnerable to natural catastrophes and apply procedures to ascertain our probable maximum loss from a single event. We maintain reinsurance protection to reduce our potential losses from a future event. In the first quarter of 2015 and 2014, we recognized accident year net catastrophe losses, after reinsurance and reinstatement premium, of $5.0 million and $4.6 million, respectively, related to various small catastrophes.
	Litigation
	We are a party to lawsuits, arbitrations and other proceedings that arise in the normal course of our business. Many of such lawsuits, arbitrations and other proceedings involve claims under policies that we underwrite as an insurer or reinsurer, the liabilities for which, we believe, have been adequately included in our loss reserves. Also, from time to time, we are a party to lawsuits, arbitrations and other proceedings that relate to disputes with third parties, or that involve alleged errors and omissions on the part of our subsidiaries. We have provided accruals for these items to the extent we deem the losses probable and reasonably estimable. Although the ultimate outcome of these matters cannot be determined at this time, based on present information, the availability of insurance coverage and advice received from our outside legal counsel, we believe the resolution of any such matters will not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
	Indemnifications
	In conjunction with the sales of business assets and subsidiaries, we have provided indemnifications to the buyers. Certain indemnifications cover typical representations and warranties related to our responsibilities to perform under the sales contracts. Under other indemnifications, we agree to reimburse the purchasers for taxes or ERISA-related amounts, if any, assessed after the sale date but related to pre-sale activities. We cannot quantify the maximum potential exposure covered by all of our indemnifications because the indemnifications cover a variety of matters, operations and scenarios and some have no time limit. For those with a time limit, the longest indemnification expires in 2025. We accrue a loss when a valid claim is made by a purchaser and we believe we have potential exposure.

Supplemental_Information

Supplemental Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Supplemental Information [Abstract]
Supplemental Information	(14) Supplemental Information
	Supplemental cash flow information was as follows:
		Three months ended March 31,
		2015		2014
	Income taxes paid (refunded)	$	28,926	$	-478
	Interest paid		2,161		1,539
	Dividends declared but not paid at end of period		28,270		22,500
	Purchases of common stock not paid at end of period		9,840		639

General_Information_Policies

General Information (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
General Information [Abstract]
Agriculture Premium and Receivables	New Accounting and Reporting Policies
	The following policies changed in the first quarter of 2015.
	Agriculture
	The majority of premium written in our new agriculture business relates to multi-peril crop insurance (MPCI), written through the federal crop insurance program administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Risk Management Agency and the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC). We record written premium for our agriculture business as we process acreage reports received from the policyholders. Written premium is earned ratably over the period of risk commencing on the final planting date set by the FCIC, which approximates the start of planting season, and ending on the estimated crop harvest date.
	We have a net receivable (payable) due from (to) the FCIC for settlement of MPCI reinsurance. If a net receivable, it is reflected in our consolidated balance sheet with premium, claims and other receivables. If a net payable, it is reflected in our consolidated balance sheet with reinsurance, premium and claims payable.
Income taxes	Income Taxes
	Effective in 2015, for certain foreign subsidiaries, we do not provide deferred tax liabilities on undistributed earnings that are essentially permanent in duration. For other foreign subsidiaries, we provide U.S. taxes on undistributed earnings at the U.S. statutory rate of 35%, offset by an adjustment for foreign tax credits, when required. In prior years, we provided U.S. taxes on all undistributed earnings of our foreign subsidiaries at the U.S. statutory rate of 35%, offset by an adjustment for foreign tax credits, when required.

Segments_Tables

Segments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Segments [Abstract]
Information by business segment				North America Property		Accident						Corporate
				& Casualty		& Health		International		Investing		& Other		Consolidated
	Three months ended March 31, 2015
	Net earned premium			$	209,239	$	254,950	$	136,377	$	-	$	-3	$	600,563
	Other revenue				6,102		2,013		1,008		66,668		96		75,887
		Segment revenue			215,341		256,963		137,385		66,668		93		676,450
	Loss and LAE				116,436		187,011		61,443		-		272		365,162
	Other expense				68,348		38,665		47,311		-		6,136		160,460
		Segment expense			184,784		225,676		108,754		-		6,408		525,622
			Segment pretax earnings (loss)	$	30,557	$	31,287	$	28,631	$	66,668	$	-6,315	$	150,828
	Three months ended March 31, 2014
	Net earned premium			$	201,334	$	232,143	$	128,844	$	-	$	291	$	562,612
	Other revenue				5,431		1,640		976		77,052		1,219		86,318
		Segment revenue			206,765		233,783		129,820		77,052		1,510		648,930
	Loss and LAE				103,553		170,805		56,314		-		74		330,746
	Other expense				57,538		34,573		46,475		-		24,626		163,212
		Segment expense			161,091		205,378		102,789		-		24,700		493,958
			Segment pretax earnings (loss)	$	45,674	$	28,405	$	27,031	$	77,052	$	-23,190	$	154,972
Schedule Of Goodwill [Text Block]				North America Property		Accident
				& Casualty		& Health		International		Total
	Balance at beginning of year			$	552,006	$	144,113	$	209,517	$	905,636
	Acquisition of ProAg				45,000		-		-		45,000
	Other, principally foreign exchange				100		-		-1,385		-1,285
		Balance at March 31, 2015		$	597,106	$	144,113	$	208,132	$	949,351
Total assets by segment				March 31,		December 31,
				2015		2014
	North America Property & Casualty			$	2,232,696	$	1,894,756
	Accident & Health				244,394		242,278
	International				1,092,640		1,073,889
	Investing				7,178,088		7,228,608
	Corporate & Other				278,479		274,815
	Total			$	11,026,297	$	10,714,346

Investments_Tables

Investments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Investment [Abstract]
Fixed Maturity & Equity Securities Available For Sale			Cost or			Gross			Gross
			amortized			unrealized			unrealized
			cost			gain			loss			Fair value
	31-Mar-15
	U.S. government and government agency securities		$	73,540		$	983		$	-7		$	74,516
	Fixed maturity securities of states, municipalities
		and political subdivisions		877,954			56,164			-55			934,063
	Special purpose revenue bonds of states, municipalities
		and political subdivisions		2,253,237			143,514			-1,065			2,395,686
	Corporate securities			726,320			28,287			-2,584			752,023
	Residential mortgage-backed securities			770,957			22,259			-1,806			791,410
	Commercial mortgage-backed securities			567,340			26,032			-592			592,780
	Asset-backed securities			369,289			1,051			-1,038			369,302
	Foreign government securities			124,957			471			-3,396			122,032
	Foreign corporate securities			428,442			7,830			-15,640			420,632
		Total fixed maturity securities	$	6,192,036		$	286,591		$	-26,183		$	6,452,444
	Equity securities		$	325,435		$	25,464		$	-16,136		$	334,763
	31-Dec-14
	U.S. government and government agency securities		$	70,279		$	827		$	-137		$	70,969
	Fixed maturity securities of states, municipalities
		and political subdivisions		896,130			58,738			-160			954,708
	Special purpose revenue bonds of states, municipalities
		and political subdivisions		2,246,707			143,291			-986			2,389,012
	Corporate securities			777,242			25,983			-4,656			798,569
	Residential mortgage-backed securities			805,458			20,215			-3,979			821,694
	Commercial mortgage-backed securities			593,956			19,707			-2,032			611,631
	Asset-backed securities			369,103			316			-2,592			366,827
	Foreign government securities			119,479			767			-1,554			118,692
	Foreign corporate securities			474,383			10,776			-6,893			478,266
		Total fixed maturity securities	$	6,352,737		$	280,620		$	-22,989		$	6,610,368
	Equity securities		$	291,070		$	24,069		$	-18,787		$	296,352
Gross unrealized losses and fair value of all available for sale securities that were in a continuous loss position					Less than 12 months						12 months or more					Total
								Unrealized						Unrealized				Unrealized
					Fair value			losses			Fair value			losses		Fair value		losses
	31-Mar-15
	Fixed maturity securities
		U.S. government and government agency
			securities		$	421		$	-		$	3,985		$	-7	$	4,406	$	-7
		Fixed maturity securities of states,
			municipalities and political subdivisions			16,379			-55			-			-		16,379		-55
		Special purpose revenue bonds of states,
			municipalities and political subdivisions			84,718			-587			17,341			-478		102,059		-1,065
		Corporate securities				66,827			-1,578			42,230			-1,006		109,057		-2,584
		Residential mortgage-backed securities				75,826			-540			104,754			-1,266		180,580		-1,806
		Commercial mortgage-backed securities				12,013			-155			25,852			-437		37,865		-592
		Asset-backed securities				73,934			-119			91,570			-919		165,504		-1,038
		Foreign government securities				51,165			-3,392			1,242			-4		52,407		-3,396
		Foreign corporate securities				167,020			-12,267			20,657			-3,373		187,677		-15,640
	Equity securities					139,886			-12,696			11,501			-3,440		151,387		-16,136
				Total	$	688,189		$	-31,389		$	319,132		$	-10,930	$	1,007,321	$	-42,319
	December 31, 2014
	Fixed maturity securities
		U.S. government and government agency
			securities		$	14,813		$	-8		$	11,236		$	-129	$	26,049	$	-137
		Fixed maturity securities of states,
			municipalities and political subdivisions			3,857			-21			19,337			-139		23,194		-160
		Special purpose revenue bonds of states,
			municipalities and political subdivisions			4,041			-19			100,947			-967		104,988		-986
		Corporate securities				211,111			-2,498			48,091			-2,158		259,202		-4,656
		Residential mortgage-backed securities				37,434			-100			226,256			-3,879		263,690		-3,979
		Commercial mortgage-backed securities				5,228			-26			99,868			-2,006		105,096		-2,032
		Asset-backed securities				181,579			-1,245			78,797			-1,347		260,376		-2,592
		Foreign government securities				55,280			-1,498			7,187			-56		62,467		-1,554
		Foreign corporate securities				182,163			-4,587			21,571			-2,306		203,734		-6,893
	Equity securities					111,251			-17,839			3,934			-948		115,185		-18,787
				Total	$	806,757		$	-27,841		$	617,224		$	-13,935	$	1,423,981	$	-41,776
Amortized cost and fair value of fixed maturity securities investments classified by contractual maturity date				Cost or amortized cost			Fair value
	Due in 1 year or less			$	156,470		$	153,783
	Due after 1 year through 5 years				1,117,553			1,138,249
	Due after 5 years through 10 years				1,322,979			1,400,954
	Due after 10 years through 15 years				884,731			945,028
	Due after 15 years				1,002,717			1,060,938
		Securities with contractual maturities			4,484,450			4,698,952
	Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities				1,707,586			1,753,492
		Total fixed maturity securities		$	6,192,036		$	6,452,444
Realized pretax gains (losses) on the sale of investments				Three months ended March 31,
				2015			2014
	Gains
		Fixed maturity securities		$	13,876		$	1,132
		Equity securities			10,311			24,438
			Total gains		24,187			25,570
	Losses
		Fixed maturity securities			-1,472			-2,155
		Equity securities			-9,529			-3,169
			Total losses		-11,001			-5,324
	Net
		Fixed maturity securities			12,404			-1,023
		Equity securities			782			21,269
			Net realized investment gain (loss)	$	13,186		$	20,246

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]
Assets and liabilities at fair value				Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	31-Mar-15
	Fixed maturity securities
		U.S. government and government agency securities		$	69,238	$	5,278	$	-	$	74,516
		Fixed maturity securities of states, municipalities
			and political subdivisions		-		934,063		-		934,063
		Special purpose revenue bonds of states, municipalities
			and political subdivisions		-		2,395,686		-		2,395,686
		Corporate securities			-		751,875		148		752,023
		Residential mortgage-backed securities			-		791,410		-		791,410
		Commercial mortgage-backed securities			-		592,780		-		592,780
		Asset-backed securities			-		369,302		-		369,302
		Foreign government securities			-		122,032		-		122,032
		Foreign corporate securities			-		420,632		-		420,632
			Total fixed maturity securities		69,238		6,383,058		148		6,452,444
	Equity securities				334,763		-		-		334,763
	Short-term investments*				187,436		137,718		-		325,154
	Restricted cash and securities				-		3,156		-		3,156
	Premium, claims and other receivables				-		53,212		-		53,212
	Other assets				17		-		1,395		1,412
		Total assets measured at fair value		$	591,454	$	6,577,144	$	1,543	$	7,170,141
	Notes payable*			$	-	$	936,968	$	-	$	936,968
	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities - earnout liabilities				-		3,156		8,301		11,457
		Total liabilities measured at fair value		$	-	$	940,124	$	8,301	$	948,425
				Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	31-Dec-14
	Fixed maturity securities
		U.S. government and government agency securities		$	63,663	$	7,306	$	-	$	70,969
		Fixed maturity securities of states, municipalities
			and political subdivisions		-		954,708		-		954,708
		Special purpose revenue bonds of states, municipalities
			and political subdivisions		-		2,389,012		-		2,389,012
		Corporate securities			-		798,421		148		798,569
		Residential mortgage-backed securities			-		821,694		-		821,694
		Commercial mortgage-backed securities			-		611,631		-		611,631
		Asset-backed securities			-		366,827		-		366,827
		Foreign government securities			-		118,692		-		118,692
		Foreign corporate securities			-		478,266		-		478,266
			Total fixed maturity securities		63,663		6,546,557		148		6,610,368
	Equity securities				296,352		-		-		296,352
	Short-term investments*				159,297		98,889		-		258,186
	Restricted cash and securities				-		2,729		-		2,729
	Premium, claims and other receivables				-		56,493		-		56,493
	Other assets				18		-		1,306		1,324
		Total assets measured at fair value		$	519,330	$	6,704,668	$	1,454	$	7,225,452
	Notes payable*			$	-	$	875,094	$	-	$	875,094
	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities - earnout liabilities				-		2,729		8,744		11,473
		Total liabilities measured at fair value		$	-	$	877,823	$	8,744	$	886,567

Reinsurance_Tables

Reinsurance (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Reinsurance [Abstract]
Effect of reinsurance transactions on our premium, loss and loss adjustment expense and policy acquisition costs			Three months ended March 31,
			2015		2014
	Direct written premium		$	717,048	$	620,512
	Reinsurance assumed			109,088		126,210
	Reinsurance ceded			-157,220		-156,540
		Net written premium	$	668,916	$	590,182
	Direct earned premium		$	703,584	$	637,313
	Reinsurance assumed			71,168		76,023
	Reinsurance ceded			-174,189		-150,724
		Net earned premium	$	600,563	$	562,612
	Direct loss and loss adjustment expense		$	458,726	$	359,629
	Reinsurance assumed			27,216		41,802
	Reinsurance ceded			-120,780		-70,685
		Net loss and loss adjustment expense	$	365,162	$	330,746
	Policy acquisition costs		$	115,070	$	104,645
	Ceding commissions			-39,859		-35,604
		Net policy acquisition costs	$	75,211	$	69,041
Components of our reinsurance recoverables			March 31,		December 31,
			2015		2014
	Reinsurance recoverable on paid losses		$	95,157	$	99,937
	Reinsurance recoverable on outstanding losses			448,069		443,059
	Reinsurance recoverable on incurred but not reported losses			634,415		627,404
	Reserve for uncollectible reinsurance			-1,500		-1,500
		Total reinsurance recoverables	$	1,176,141	$	1,168,900

Liability_for_Unpaid_Loss_and_1

Liability for Unpaid Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Liability for Unpaid Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense
Rollforward of Liability for Unpaid Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense			Three months ended March 31,
			2015		2014
	Reserves at beginning of period		$	3,728,085	$	3,902,132
	Less reinsurance recoverables on reserves			1,070,463		1,122,731
		Net reserves at beginning of period		2,657,622		2,779,401
	Net reserve additions from acquired business			9,386		-
	Net loss and loss adjustment expense			365,162		330,746
	Net loss and loss adjustment expense payments			-388,538		-363,858
	Foreign currency adjustment			-32,951		2,552
		Net reserves at end of period		2,610,681		2,748,841
	Plus reinsurance recoverables on reserves			1,082,484		1,098,576
		Reserves at end of period	$	3,693,165	$	3,847,417

Notes_Payable_Tables

Notes Payable (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Notes Payable [Abstract]
Notes Payable			March 31,		December 31,
			2015		2014
	6.30% Senior Notes		$	299,290	$	299,251
	$825.0 million Revolving Loan Facility			590,000		525,000
		Total notes payable	$	889,290	$	824,251

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Differences between our effective tax rate for financial statement purposes and the Federal Statutory rate		Three months ended March 31,
		2015			2014
	Statutory tax rate		35	%		35	%
	Federal tax at statutory rate	$	52,790		$	54,240
	Nontaxable municipal bond interest and dividend received deduction		-9,752			-8,927
	State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit		717			834
	Foreign income taxes		9,951			7,226
	Foreign tax credit		-9,776			-7,226
	Indefinitely reinvested earnings of foreign subsidiaries		-9,134			-
	Uncertain tax positions (net of federal tax benefit on state
	positions: $93 in 2015 and $144 in 2014)		2,234			320
	Other, net		881			594
	Income tax expense	$	37,911		$	47,061
	Effective tax rate		25.1	%		30.4	%

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv1

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Table Text Block]					Foreign		Accumulated
			Net unrealized		currency		other
			investment		translation		comprehensive
			gains		adjustment		income
	Three months ended March 31, 2015
	Balance at December 31, 2014		$	169,984	$	5,030	$	175,014
	Other comprehensive income (loss)			4,233		-6,985		-2,752
		Balance at March 31, 2015	$	174,217	$	-1,955	$	172,262

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings per share			Three months ended March 31,
			2015		2014
	Net earnings		$	112,917	$	107,911
	Less: net earnings attributable to unvested restricted stock			-1,641		-1,692
		Net earnings available to common stock	$	111,276	$	106,219
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding			94,881		98,662
	Dilutive effect of outstanding securities (determined using treasury stock method)			316		251
		Weighted-average common shares and potential common shares outstanding		95,197		98,913
	Earnings per common share
		Basic	$	1.17	$	1.08
		Diluted	$	1.17	$	1.07

Stock_Based_Compensation_Table

Stock Based Compensation (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Common Stock, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units Activity [Table Text Block]			Weighted-average
		Number	grant date		Aggregate		Vesting
		of shares	fair value		fair value		period
	Restricted stock	299	$	55.81	$	16,692	1 - 4 years
	Restricted stock units	4		55.78		245	4 years

Supplemental_Information_Table

Supplemental Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Supplemental Information [Abstract]
Supplemental Information		Three months ended March 31,
		2015		2014
	Income taxes paid (refunded)	$	28,926	$	-478
	Interest paid		2,161		1,539
	Dividends declared but not paid at end of period		28,270		22,500
	Purchases of common stock not paid at end of period		9,840		639

General_Information_Details_Te

General Information (Details Textuals) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
	countries
General Information [Abstract]
Number of countries in which The Company underwrites non-correlated specialty insurance products	180
Unamortized Debt Issuance Cost	$4		$4.20
Statutory tax rate	35.00%	35.00%

Acquisition_Narrative_Details_

Acquisition (Narrative) (Details Textuals) (USD $)	0 Months Ended		3 Months Ended
	Apr. 28, 2015	Jan. 01, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015
Provisional Business Combinations [Abstract]
Amount of goodwill recognized in acquisition			$45,000,000
Cash paid to acquire an entity		104,500,000
Finite Lived Intangible Assets (Line Items)
Intangible Assets as of the Acquisition Date			54,000,000
Proceeds From Previous Acquisition	2,100,000
Indefinite-lived intangible assets			23,000,000
Percentage of ProAg 2014 Business Ceded to FCIC and Third Party Reinsurers			100.00%
Tangible assets recorded mainly for ProAg's receivables and reinsurance recoverables			458,500,000
Liabilities recorded mainly for ProAg's reserves and reinsurance payables			453,000,000
Agent relationships [Member]
Finite Lived Intangible Assets (Line Items)
Useful lives of finite-lived intangible assets acquired, years			15 years
Acquired Finite-lived intangible assets			23,000,000
Trade name [Member]
Finite Lived Intangible Assets (Line Items)
Useful lives of finite-lived intangible assets acquired, years			10 years
Acquired Finite-lived intangible assets			$8,000,000

Segments_Pretax_Earnings_by_Se

Segments Pretax Earnings by Segment (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Information by business segment
Net earned premium	$600,563	$562,612
Other revenue	75,887	86,318
Total revenue	676,450	648,930
Loss and LAE	365,162	330,746
Other expense	160,460	163,212
Total expense	525,622	493,958
Earnings before income taxes	150,828	154,972
North America Property & Casualty [Member]
Information by business segment
Net earned premium	209,239	201,334
Other revenue	6,102	5,431
Total revenue	215,341	206,765
Loss and LAE	116,436	103,553
Other expense	68,348	57,538
Total expense	184,784	161,091
Earnings before income taxes	30,557	45,674
Accident & Health [Member]
Information by business segment
Net earned premium	254,950	232,143
Other revenue	2,013	1,640
Total revenue	256,963	233,783
Loss and LAE	187,011	170,805
Other expense	38,665	34,573
Total expense	225,676	205,378
Earnings before income taxes	31,287	28,405
International [Member]
Information by business segment
Net earned premium	136,377	128,844
Other revenue	1,008	976
Total revenue	137,385	129,820
Loss and LAE	61,443	56,314
Other expense	47,311	46,475
Total expense	108,754	102,789
Earnings before income taxes	28,631	27,031
Investing [Member]
Information by business segment
Net earned premium	0	0
Other revenue	66,668	77,052
Total revenue	66,668	77,052
Loss and LAE	0	0
Other expense	0	0
Total expense	0	0
Earnings before income taxes	66,668	77,052
Corporate & Other [Member]
Information by business segment
Net earned premium	-3	291
Other revenue	96	1,219
Total revenue	93	1,510
Loss and LAE	272	74
Other expense	6,136	24,626
Total expense	6,408	24,700
Earnings before income taxes	($6,315)	($23,190)

Segments_Goodwill_Rollforward_

Segments (Goodwill Rollforward) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of year	$905,636
Acquisition of ProAg	45,000
Other, principally foreign exchange	-1,285
Balance at March 31, 2015	949,351
North America Property & Casualty [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of year	552,006
Acquisition of ProAg	45,000
Other, principally foreign exchange	100
Balance at March 31, 2015	597,106
Accident & Health [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of year		144,113
Balance at March 31, 2015	144,113	144,113
International [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of year	209,517
Other, principally foreign exchange	-1,385
Balance at March 31, 2015	$208,132

Segments_Assets_by_Segment_Det

Segments (Assets by Segment) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	$11,026,297	$10,714,346
North America Property & Casualty [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	2,232,696	1,894,756
Accident And Health [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	244,394	242,278
International [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	1,092,640	1,073,889
Investing [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	7,178,088	7,228,608
Corporate And Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	$278,479	$274,815

Investments_Schedule_of_Availa

Investments (Schedule of Available for Sale Securities (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Fixed Maturity & Equity Securities Available for Sale
Available-for-sale Fixed Maturity Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	$6,192,036	$6,352,737
Gross unrealized gain	286,591	280,620
Gross unrealized loss	-26,183	-22,989
Fixed maturity securities - available for sale	6,452,444	6,610,368
Available for sale equity securities
Available-for-sale Equity Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	325,435	291,070
Gross unrealized gain	25,464	24,069
Gross unrealized loss	-16,136	-18,787
Available-for-sale Securities, Equity Securities	334,763	296,352
US Government and Government Agency Securities [Member]
Fixed Maturity & Equity Securities Available for Sale
Available-for-sale Fixed Maturity Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	73,540	70,279
Gross unrealized gain	983	827
Gross unrealized loss	-7	-137
Fixed maturity securities - available for sale	74,516	70,969
Fixed Maturity Securities of States, Municipalities and Political Subdivisions Securities [Member]
Fixed Maturity & Equity Securities Available for Sale
Available-for-sale Fixed Maturity Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	877,954	896,130
Gross unrealized gain	56,164	58,738
Gross unrealized loss	-55	-160
Fixed maturity securities - available for sale	934,063	954,708
Special Purpose Revenue Bonds Of States Municipalities And Political Subdivisions [Member]
Fixed Maturity & Equity Securities Available for Sale
Available-for-sale Fixed Maturity Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	2,253,237	2,246,707
Gross unrealized gain	143,514	143,291
Gross unrealized loss	-1,065	-986
Fixed maturity securities - available for sale	2,395,686	2,389,012
Corporate Securities [Member]
Fixed Maturity & Equity Securities Available for Sale
Available-for-sale Fixed Maturity Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	726,320	777,242
Gross unrealized gain	28,287	25,983
Gross unrealized loss	-2,584	-4,656
Fixed maturity securities - available for sale	752,023	798,569
Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Fixed Maturity & Equity Securities Available for Sale
Available-for-sale Fixed Maturity Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	770,957	805,458
Gross unrealized gain	22,259	20,215
Gross unrealized loss	-1,806	-3,979
Fixed maturity securities - available for sale	791,410	821,694
Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Fixed Maturity & Equity Securities Available for Sale
Available-for-sale Fixed Maturity Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	567,340	593,956
Gross unrealized gain	26,032	19,707
Gross unrealized loss	-592	-2,032
Fixed maturity securities - available for sale	592,780	611,631
Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Fixed Maturity & Equity Securities Available for Sale
Available-for-sale Fixed Maturity Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	369,289	369,103
Gross unrealized gain	1,051	316
Gross unrealized loss	-1,038	-2,592
Fixed maturity securities - available for sale	369,302	366,827
Foreign Government Securities [Member]
Fixed Maturity & Equity Securities Available for Sale
Available-for-sale Fixed Maturity Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	124,957	119,479
Gross unrealized gain	471	767
Gross unrealized loss	-3,396	-1,554
Fixed maturity securities - available for sale	122,032	118,692
Foreign Corporate Securities [Member]
Fixed Maturity & Equity Securities Available for Sale
Available-for-sale Fixed Maturity Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	428,442	474,383
Gross unrealized gain	7,830	10,776
Gross unrealized loss	-15,640	-6,893
Fixed maturity securities - available for sale	$420,632	$478,266

Investments_Securities_in_Unre

Investments (Securities in Unrealized Loss Position) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Gross unrealized losses and fair value of all available for sale securities that were in a continuous loss position
Less than 12 months, Fair value	$688,189	$806,757
Less than 12 months, Unrealized losses	-31,389	-27,841
12 months or more, Fair value	319,132	617,224
12 months or more, Unrealized losses	-10,930	-13,935
Total, Fair value	1,007,321	1,423,981
Total, Unrealized losses	-42,319	-41,776
US Government and Government Agency Securities [Member]
Gross unrealized losses and fair value of all available for sale securities that were in a continuous loss position
Less than 12 months, Fair value	421	14,813
Less than 12 months, Unrealized losses	0	-8
12 months or more, Fair value	3,985	11,236
12 months or more, Unrealized losses	-7	-129
Total, Fair value	4,406	26,049
Total, Unrealized losses	-7	-137
Fixed Maturity Securities of States, Municipalities and Political Subdivisions Securities [Member]
Gross unrealized losses and fair value of all available for sale securities that were in a continuous loss position
Less than 12 months, Fair value	16,379	3,857
Less than 12 months, Unrealized losses	-55	-21
12 months or more, Fair value	0	19,337
12 months or more, Unrealized losses	0	-139
Total, Fair value	16,379	23,194
Total, Unrealized losses	-55	-160
Special Purpose Revenue Bonds Of States Municipalities And Political Subdivisions [Member]
Gross unrealized losses and fair value of all available for sale securities that were in a continuous loss position
Less than 12 months, Fair value	84,718	4,041
Less than 12 months, Unrealized losses	-587	-19
12 months or more, Fair value	17,341	100,947
12 months or more, Unrealized losses	-478	-967
Total, Fair value	102,059	104,988
Total, Unrealized losses	-1,065	-986
Corporate Securities [Member]
Gross unrealized losses and fair value of all available for sale securities that were in a continuous loss position
Less than 12 months, Fair value	66,827	211,111
Less than 12 months, Unrealized losses	-1,578	-2,498
12 months or more, Fair value	42,230	48,091
12 months or more, Unrealized losses	-1,006	-2,158
Total, Fair value	109,057	259,202
Total, Unrealized losses	-2,584	-4,656
Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Gross unrealized losses and fair value of all available for sale securities that were in a continuous loss position
Less than 12 months, Fair value	75,826	37,434
Less than 12 months, Unrealized losses	-540	-100
12 months or more, Fair value	104,754	226,256
12 months or more, Unrealized losses	-1,266	-3,879
Total, Fair value	180,580	263,690
Total, Unrealized losses	-1,806	-3,979
Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Gross unrealized losses and fair value of all available for sale securities that were in a continuous loss position
Less than 12 months, Fair value	12,013	5,228
Less than 12 months, Unrealized losses	-155	-26
12 months or more, Fair value	25,852	99,868
12 months or more, Unrealized losses	-437	-2,006
Total, Fair value	37,865	105,096
Total, Unrealized losses	-592	-2,032
Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Gross unrealized losses and fair value of all available for sale securities that were in a continuous loss position
Less than 12 months, Fair value	73,934	181,579
Less than 12 months, Unrealized losses	-119	-1,245
12 months or more, Fair value	91,570	78,797
12 months or more, Unrealized losses	-919	-1,347
Total, Fair value	165,504	260,376
Total, Unrealized losses	-1,038	-2,592
Foreign Government Securities [Member]
Gross unrealized losses and fair value of all available for sale securities that were in a continuous loss position
Less than 12 months, Fair value	51,165	55,280
Less than 12 months, Unrealized losses	-3,392	-1,498
12 months or more, Fair value	1,242	7,187
12 months or more, Unrealized losses	-4	-56
Total, Fair value	52,407	62,467
Total, Unrealized losses	-3,396	-1,554
Foreign Corporate Securities [Member]
Gross unrealized losses and fair value of all available for sale securities that were in a continuous loss position
Less than 12 months, Fair value	167,020	182,163
Less than 12 months, Unrealized losses	-12,267	-4,587
12 months or more, Fair value	20,657	21,571
12 months or more, Unrealized losses	-3,373	-2,306
Total, Fair value	187,677	203,734
Total, Unrealized losses	-15,640	-6,893
Equity Securities [Member]
Gross unrealized losses and fair value of all available for sale securities that were in a continuous loss position
Less than 12 months, Fair value	139,886	111,251
Less than 12 months, Unrealized losses	-12,696	-17,839
12 months or more, Fair value	11,501	3,934
12 months or more, Unrealized losses	-3,440	-948
Total, Fair value	151,387	115,185
Total, Unrealized losses	($16,136)	($18,787)

Investments_Securities_by_Cont

Investments (Securities by Contractual Maturity (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Amortized cost and fair value of fixed maturity securities investments classified by contractual maturity date
Due in 1 year or less, Available for sale, Cost or amortized cost	$156,470
Due after 1 year through 5 years, Available for sale, Cost or amortized cost	1,117,553
Due after 5 years through 10 years, Available for sale, Cost or amortized cost	1,322,979
Due after 10 years through 15 years, Available for sale, Cost or amortized cost	884,731
Due after 15 years, Available for sale, Cost or amortized cost	1,002,717
Securities with contractual maturities, Available for sale, Cost or amortized cost	4,484,450
Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities, Available for sale, Cost or amortized cost	1,707,586
Available-for-sale fixed maturity Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	6,192,036	6,352,737
Due in 1 year or less, Available for sale, Fair value	153,783
Due after 1 year through 5 years, Available for sale, Fair value	1,138,249
Due after 5 years through 10 years, Available for sale, Fair value	1,400,954
Due after 10 years through 15 years, Available for sale, Fair value	945,028
Due after 15 years, Available for sale, Fair value	1,060,938
Securities with contractual maturities, Available for sale, Fair value	4,698,952
Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities, Available for sale, Fair value	1,753,492
Available-for-sale Securities, Fixed Maturity Securities, Fair value	$6,452,444	$6,610,368

Investments_Realized_Gain_Loss

Investments (Realized Gain Loss) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Realized pretax gains (losses) on the sale of investments
Gains	$24,187	$25,570
Losses	-11,001	-5,324
Net realized investment gain	13,186	20,246
Fixed Maturity Securities [Member]
Realized pretax gains (losses) on the sale of investments
Gains	13,876	1,132
Losses	-1,472	-2,155
Net realized investment gain	12,404	-1,023
Equity Securities [Member]
Realized pretax gains (losses) on the sale of investments
Gains	10,311	24,438
Losses	-9,529	-3,169
Net realized investment gain	$782	$21,269

Investments_Narrative_or_Textu

Investments (Narrative or Textual) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Investment [Abstract]
Condition for categorizing the impaired securities	$1,000,000
Condition for categorizing the impaired securities, percentage	10.00%
Weighted-average life of mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities, Years	5.1
Number of fixed maturity and equity securities held	2,910
Percentage of securities in unrealized loss position	20.00%
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	($42,319,000)	($41,776,000)

Fair_Value_Measurements_Assets

Fair Value Measurements (Assets and Liabilities FV) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Available for sale
Fixed maturity securities - available for sale	$6,452,444	$6,610,368
Equity securities - available for sale, at fair value	334,763	296,352
Short-term investments*	325,154	258,186
Restricted cash and securities	3,156	2,729
Premium, claims and other receivables	53,212	56,493
Other assets	1,412	1,324
Total assets measured at fair value	7,170,141	7,225,452
Notes payable	936,968	875,094
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities - earnout liabilities	11,457	11,473
Total liabilities measured at fair value	948,425	886,567
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Available for sale
Fixed maturity securities - available for sale	69,238	63,663
Equity securities - available for sale, at fair value	334,763	296,352
Short-term investments*	187,436	159,297
Other assets	17	18
Total assets measured at fair value	591,454	519,330
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Available for sale
Fixed maturity securities - available for sale	6,383,058	6,546,557
Short-term investments*	137,718	98,889
Restricted cash and securities	3,156	2,729
Premium, claims and other receivables	53,212	56,493
Total assets measured at fair value	6,577,144	6,704,668
Notes payable	936,968	875,094
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities - earnout liabilities	3,156	2,729
Total liabilities measured at fair value	940,124	877,823
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Available for sale
Fixed maturity securities - available for sale	148	148
Other assets	1,395	1,306
Total assets measured at fair value	1,543	1,454
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities - earnout liabilities	8,301	8,744
Total liabilities measured at fair value	8,301	8,744
US Government and Government Agency Securities [Member]
Available for sale
Fixed maturity securities - available for sale	74,516	70,969
US Government and Government Agency Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Available for sale
Fixed maturity securities - available for sale	69,238	63,663
US Government and Government Agency Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Available for sale
Fixed maturity securities - available for sale	5,278	7,306
Fixed Maturity Securities of States, Municipalities and Political Subdivisions Securities [Member]
Available for sale
Fixed maturity securities - available for sale	934,063	954,708
Fixed Maturity Securities of States, Municipalities and Political Subdivisions Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Available for sale
Fixed maturity securities - available for sale	934,063	954,708
Special Purpose Revenue Bonds Of States Municipalities And Political Subdivisions [Member]
Available for sale
Fixed maturity securities - available for sale	2,395,686	2,389,012
Special Purpose Revenue Bonds Of States Municipalities And Political Subdivisions [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Available for sale
Fixed maturity securities - available for sale	2,395,686	2,389,012
Corporate Securities [Member]
Available for sale
Fixed maturity securities - available for sale	752,023	798,569
Corporate Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Available for sale
Fixed maturity securities - available for sale	751,875	798,421
Corporate Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Available for sale
Fixed maturity securities - available for sale	148	148
Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Available for sale
Fixed maturity securities - available for sale	791,410	821,694
Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Available for sale
Fixed maturity securities - available for sale	791,410	821,694
Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Available for sale
Fixed maturity securities - available for sale	592,780	611,631
Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Available for sale
Fixed maturity securities - available for sale	592,780	611,631
Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Available for sale
Fixed maturity securities - available for sale	369,302	366,827
Asset-backed Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Available for sale
Fixed maturity securities - available for sale	369,302	366,827
Foreign Government Securities [Member]
Available for sale
Fixed maturity securities - available for sale	122,032	118,692
Foreign Government Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Available for sale
Fixed maturity securities - available for sale	122,032	118,692
Foreign Corporate Securities [Member]
Available for sale
Fixed maturity securities - available for sale	420,632	478,266
Foreign Corporate Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Available for sale
Fixed maturity securities - available for sale	$420,632	$478,266

Fair_Value_Measurements_Narrat

Fair Value Measurements (Narrative or Textuals) (Details)	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]
Interest rate of senior notes	6.30%

Reinsurance_Reinsurance_Transa

Reinsurance (Reinsurance Transactions Effect) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Effect of reinsurance transactions on our premium, loss and loss adjustment expense and policy acquisition costs
Direct written premium	$717,048	$620,512
Reinsurance assumed	109,088	126,210
Reinsurance ceded	-157,220	-156,540
Net written premium	668,916	590,182
Direct earned premium	703,584	637,313
Reinsurance assumed	71,168	76,023
Reinsurance ceded	-174,189	-150,724
Net earned premium	600,563	562,612
Direct loss and loss adjustment expense	458,726	359,629
Reinsurance assumed	27,216	41,802
Reinsurance ceded	-120,780	-70,685
Net loss and loss adjustment expense	365,162	330,746
Policy acquisition costs	115,070	104,645
Ceding commissions	-39,859	-35,604
Net policy acquisition costs	$75,211	$69,041

Reinsurance_Reinsurance_Recove

Reinsurance (Reinsurance Recoverables) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Components of reinsurance recoverables
Reinsurance recoverable on paid losses	$95,157	$99,937
Reinsurance recoverable on outstanding losses	448,069	443,059
Reinsurance recoverable on incurred but not reported losses	634,415	627,404
Reserve for uncollectible reinsurance	-1,500	-1,500
Total reinsurance recoverables	$1,176,141	$1,168,900

Reinsurance_Narrative_or_Textu

Reinsurance (Narrative or Textuals) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Reinsurance [Abstract]
Recoverables related to Spanish surety bonds	$86,300,000
Paid loss recoverables related to Spanish surety bonds	43,400,000
Recoverables in dispute from run-off reinsurers related to Spanish surety bonds	41,500,000
Paid loss recoverables in dispute from run-off reinsurers related to Spanish surety bonds	36,800,000
Reserve for uncollectible reinsurance	$1,500,000	$1,500,000

Liability_for_Unpaid_Loss_and_2

Liability for Unpaid Loss and Loss Adjustment Expense (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
LiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseNetAbstract
Reserves at beginning of period	$3,728,085	$3,902,132
Less reinsurance recoverables on reserves	1,070,463	1,122,731
Net reserves at beginning of period	2,657,622	2,779,401
Net reserve additions from acquired business	9,386
Net loss and loss adjustment expense:
Net loss and loss adjustment expense	365,162	330,746
Net loss and loss adjustment expense payments for claims occurring during:
Net loss and loss adjustment expense payments	-388,538	-363,858
Foreign currency adjustment	-32,951	2,552
Net reserves at end of period	2,610,681	2,748,841
Plus reinsurance recoverables on reserves	1,082,484	1,098,576
Reserves at end of period	$3,693,165	$3,847,417

Notes_Payable_Details

Notes Payable (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Notes Payable [Line Items]
Notes payable	$889,290	$824,251
6.3% Senior Notes [Member]
Notes Payable [Line Items]
Notes payable	299,290	299,251
Revolving Loan Facility [Member]
Notes Payable [Line Items]
Notes payable	$590,000	$525,000

Notes_Payable_Narrative_or_Tex

Notes Payable (Narrative or Textuals) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Notes Payable [Abstract]
Interest rate of senior notes	6.30%
Borrowing capacity under line of credit facility	$825
Borrowing rate under revolving loan facility	1.40%
Remaining borrowing capacity under Revolving Loan Facility as reduced by outstanding letters of credit	$230.10

Income_Taxes_Effective_Tax_Rat

Income Taxes (Effective Tax Rate Reconciliation) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Differences between our effective tax rate for financial statement purposes and the Federal statutory rate
Statutory tax rate	35.00%	35.00%
Federal tax at statutory rate	$52,790	$54,240
Nontaxable municipal bond interest and dividend received deduction	-9,752	-8,927
State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit	717	834
Foreign income taxes	9,951	7,226
Foreign tax credits	-9,776	-7,226
Indefinitely reinvested earnings of foreign subsidiaries	-9,134	0
Uncertain tax positions (net of federal tax benefit on state positions: $93 in 2015, $144 in 2014)	2,234	320
Other, net	881	594
Income tax expense	$37,911	$47,061
Effective tax rate	25.10%	30.40%

Income_Taxes_Narrative_or_Text

Income Taxes (Narrative or Textuals) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Indefinitely reinvested earnings of foreign subsidiaries (Line items)
Indefinitely reinvested earnings of foreign subsidiaries	$9,134,000	$0
Undistributed Earnings of Foreign Subsidiaries	321,200,000
Cumluative undistributed foreign earnings through December 31, 2014 [Member]
Indefinitely reinvested earnings of foreign subsidiaries (Line items)
Indefinitely reinvested earnings of foreign subsidiaries	5,900,000
Cumluative undistributed foreign earnings first quarter of 2015 [Member]
Indefinitely reinvested earnings of foreign subsidiaries (Line items)
Indefinitely reinvested earnings of foreign subsidiaries	$3,200,000
United Kingdom
Foreign statutory tax rate (Line Items)
Foreign statutory tax rate	20.00%
Spain
Foreign statutory tax rate (Line Items)
Foreign statutory tax rate	28.00%

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Rollforward of Comprehensive Income) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Beginning Balance	$175,014
Other comprehensive income	-2,752	43,570
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Ending Balance	172,262
Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Beginning Balance	169,984
Other comprehensive income	4,233
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Ending Balance	174,217
Accumulated Translation Adjustment [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Beginning Balance	5,030
Other comprehensive income	-6,985
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Ending Balance	-1,955
Accumulated other comprehensive income [Member]
Other comprehensive income	($2,752)

Earnings_Per_Share_Details

Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted
Net earnings	$112,917	$107,911
Less: net earnings attributable to unvested restricted stock	1,641	1,692
Net earnings available to common stock	111,276	106,219
Weighted-average common shares outstanding	94,881	98,662
Dilutive effect of outstanding securities (determined using treasury stock method)	316	251
Weighted-average common shares and potential common shares outstanding	95,197	98,913
Earnings Per Share, Basic	$1.17	$1.08
Earnings Per Share, Diluted	$1.17	$1.07
Net earnings available to common stock	$111,276	$106,219

Stock_based_compensation_Sched

Stock based compensation (Schedule of Stock-based Compensation Grants) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015
Restricted stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares	299
Weighted-average grant date fair value, awarded	$55.81
Aggregate fair value	$16,692
Restricted stock [Member] | MinimumMember
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period	1 year
Restricted stock [Member] | MaximumMember
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period	4 years
Restricted stock units (RSU) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares	4
Weighted-average grant date fair value, awarded	$55.78
Aggregate fair value	$245
Restricted stock units (RSU) [Member] | MinimumMember
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period	4 years
Restricted stock units (RSU) [Member] | MaximumMember
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period	4 years

Stock_based_Compensation_Narra

Stock based Compensation (Narrative or Textuals) (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
MinimumMember
Stock Based Compensation [Line Items]
Percentage Of Restricted Stock Shares Vesting Range	0.00%
MaximumMember
Stock Based Compensation [Line Items]
Percentage Of Restricted Stock Shares Vesting Range	200.00%

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Narrative or Textuals) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Pretax cat loss after reinsurance	$5	$4.60
Longest Indemnification Expiration Date	2025

Supplemental_Information_Suppl

Supplemental Information (Supplemental Cash Flow Information) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Supplemental Information
Income taxes paid (refunded)	$28,926	($478)
Interest paid	2,161	1,539
Proceeds from sales of available for sale fixed maturity securities	167,206	119,011
Proceeds from sales of equity securities	66,412	144,075
Dividends declared but not paid at end of period	28,270	22,500
Purchases of common stock not paid at end of period	$9,840	$639