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UNAUDITED CONDENSED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (DETAILS) (USD $)
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified |
3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Dec. 31, 2011
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Sep. 30, 2011
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Jun. 30, 2011
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Mar. 31, 2011
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Dec. 31, 2010
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Sep. 30, 2010
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Jun. 30, 2010
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Mar. 31, 2010
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Dec. 31, 2011
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Dec. 31, 2010
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Dec. 31, 2009
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| UNAUDITED CONDENSED QUARTER FINANCIAL INFORMATION [Abstract] | |||||||||||
| Net premiums earned | $ 846,753 | $ 839,992 | $ 840,014 | $ 788,201 | $ 757,318 | $ 758,873 | $ 735,027 | $ 696,192 | $ 3,314,961 | $ 2,947,410 | $ 2,791,764 |
| Net investment income | 102,362 | 49,396 | 100,018 | 110,655 | 107,889 | 111,800 | 82,584 | 104,619 | 362,430 | 406,892 | 464,478 |
| Net realized investment gains (losses) | (3,738) | 57,557 | 37,477 | 30,144 | 77,772 | 76,531 | 24,619 | 16,176 | 121,439 | 195,098 | (311,584) |
| Underwriting income (loss) | 15,076 | 90,029 | 28,974 | (461,305) | 132,546 | 127,376 | 120,836 | 28,446 | (327,226) | 409,203 | 524,635 |
| Net income (loss) available to common shareholders | $ 80,064 | $ 212,058 | $ 101,068 | $ (383,760) | $ 264,343 | $ 238,842 | $ 204,852 | $ 111,812 | $ 9,430 | $ 819,848 | $ 461,011 |
| Basic earnings (loss) per common share | $ 0.63 | $ 1.68 | $ 0.81 | $ (3.39) | $ 2.26 | $ 1.99 | $ 1.68 | $ 0.87 | $ 0.08 | $ 6.74 | $ 3.36 |
| Diluted earnings (loss) per common share | $ 0.63 | $ 1.66 | $ 0.79 | $ (3.39) | $ 1.99 | $ 1.78 | $ 1.51 | $ 0.79 | $ 0.07 | $ 6.02 | $ 3.07 |