XML 17 R48.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.0.6
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
Dec. 31, 2010
Dec. 31, 2009
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Number of Insurance Companies 13    
Percentage of direct premiums written as private passenger automobile lines of insurance 81.00% 81.00% 81.00%
Percentage of private passenger automobile premiums written in California 77.00% 77.00% 79.00%
Percentage by which dividend income on non-redeemable preferred stock, partnership, common stock is partially tax-sheltered 70.00%    
Other liabilities $ 149,007,000 $ 167,093,000  
Marketable securities fixed maturities 47,500,000    
Marketable securities equity maturities 10,000,000    
Financial instrument, fair value 140,000,000 267,210,000  
Insurance Companies security deposits 18,000,000 14,000,000  
Senior notes retired 125,000,000 0 0
Advertising expenses 21,000,000 30,000,000 27,000,000
Impairment charges 0 0 0
Goodwill impairment loss 0    
Premiums written, net 2,579,683,000 2,558,825,000 2,593,568,000
Broker direct premium percentage 0.02 0.02 0.02
Compensation cost recognized if performance goals not achieved 0    
Parent Company [Member]
      
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Other liabilities 272,000 739,000  
Buildings [Member]
      
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Useful life, minimum in year 30    
Useful life, maximum in year 40    
Furniture, Equipment, And Purchase Software [Member]
      
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Useful life, minimum in year 3    
Useful life, maximum in year 7    
Software [Member]
      
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Estimated useful life, in years 5    
Restricted Stock [Member]
      
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Compensation cost recognized if performance goals not achieved 460,000 161,000  
Options Granted Subsequent To January 1, 2008 [Member]
      
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Option vesting term, years four    
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
      
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Targeted number of common share expected to vest 80,000    
Performance period of restricted stock and restricted stock units, vesting years 3    
Restricted Stock And Restricted Stock Units [Member]
      
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Number of shares granted 80,000 55,000  
Maximum [Member] | Options Granted Prior To 2008 [Member]
      
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Option vesting term, maximum years five    
Maximum [Member] | Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
      
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Targeted number of common share expected to vest 120,000    
Number of shares granted 120,000    
Minimum [Member] | Options Granted Prior To 2008 [Member]
      
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Option vesting term, minimum years four    
Secured Note No. 1 [Member]
      
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Financial instrument, fair value 120,000,000    
Secured Note No. 2 [Member]
      
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Financial instrument, fair value 20,000,000    
Senior Notes [Member]
      
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Financial instrument, fair value 125,000,000    
Senior notes retired 125,000,000    
Unsecured senior notes interest rate 7.25%    
Notes maturity date Aug. 15, 2011    
Maturity date of senior notes August 15, 2011    
Call Option [Member]
      
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]      
Other liabilities $ 700,000 $ 2,800,000