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Investments (Credit Losses Recognized in Earnings on Fixed Maturity Securities Held by the Company) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Other Than Temporary Impairment Credit Losses Recognized In Earnings Roll Forward
Balance, beginning of period	$ 13,324	$ 45,903	$ 16,675	$ 63,947
Initial impairments - credit loss OTTI recognized on securities not previously impaired	0	0	0	1,962
Additional impairments - credit loss OTTI recognized on securities previously impaired	134	1,306	134	10,187
Credit loss OTTI previously recognized on securities impaired to fair value during the period	0	(2,622)	(1,449)	(22,291)
Credit loss impairments previously recognized on securities which were sold during the period	(1,762)	(20,725)	(3,664)	(29,943)
Balance, end of period	$ 11,696	$ 23,862	$ 11,696	$ 23,862

X

- Definition

Other than temporary impairment, OTTI, credit losses on securities impaired to fair value. This item represents circumstances where the Company determined in the current period that it intends to sell the security or it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security before recovery of the securitys amortized cost.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

This item represents an increase to the cumulative amount of credit losses recognized in earnings for an other than temporary impairment (OTTI) of a debt security held for which a previous OTTI was recognized and the investor does not intend to sell the debt security and it is not more likely than not that the investor will be required to sell the debt security before recovery of its amortized cost basis.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 320

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 8

-Subparagraph (e)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27724398&loc=d3e27340-111563

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- Definition

This item represents an increase to the cumulative amount of credit losses recognized in earnings for an other than temporary impairment (OTTI) of a debt security held for which no such other than temporary impairment (OTTI) was previously recognized.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 320

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 8

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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27724398&loc=d3e27340-111563

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- Definition

The cumulative amount of credit losses recognized in earnings related to debt securities held for which a portion of an other than temporary impairment (OTTI) was recognized in other comprehensive income (a component of shareholders' equity).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 320

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-Section 50

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- Definition

This item represents reductions in the cumulative amount of credit losses recognized in earnings for an other than temporary impairment (OTTI) of a debt security because of the sale of impaired securities during the period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 320

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

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-Subparagraph (c)

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