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Investments (Net Realized Gains (Losses) on Invesments, Excluding Other Than Temporary Impairments) (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
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Net realized gains (losses) on investments, excluding other than temporary impairment (OTTI) losses | $ (2,077) | $ (1,238) | $ 24,197 | $ (7,925)
Fixed Maturity Securities [Member] |  |  |  |
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Available for sale securities, gross realized gains | 3,965 | 3,028 | 24,608 | 8,076
Available for sale securities, gross realized losses | (2,096) | (180) | (5,106) | (535)
Available for sale securities, gross realized gain, excluding other than temporary impairments | 1,869 | 2,848 | 19,502 | 7,541
Equity Securities [Member] |  |  |  |
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Available for sale securities, gross realized gains | 0 | 0 | 9,571 | 562
Other Investments [Member] |  |  |  |
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Other investments: gain on sale of real estate | 201 | 53 | 1,505 | 2,948
Other investments: loss on sale of real estate | (278) | 0 | (744) | 0
Other investments: impairment losses on real estate | (678) | (830) | (823) | (3,473)
Loss on other investments | (755) | (777) | (62) | (525)
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Member] |  |  |  |
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Mortgage loans on real estate: increase in allowance for credit losses | $ (3,191) | $ (3,309) | $ (4,814) | $ (15,503)

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- Definition The gain resulting from sales and other disposals of other real estate owned. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition The loss resulting from sales and other disposals of other real estate owned. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition This item represents the difference between the gross realized gains and losses realized on the sale of debt or equity securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 16 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. + Details
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- Definition This item represents the gross profit realized on the sale of debt or equity securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 9 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6872113&loc=d3e27357-111563 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph a -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. + Details
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- Definition This item represents the net total realized and unrealized gain (loss) included in earnings for the period as a result of selling or holding marketable securities categorized as trading, available-for-sale, or held-to-maturity, including the unrealized holding gain (loss) of held-to-maturity securities transferred to the trading security category and the cumulative unrealized gain (loss) which was included in other comprehensive income (a separate component of shareholders' equity) for available-for-sale securities transferred to trading securities during the period. Additionally, this item would include any gains (losses) realized during the period from the sale of investments accounted for under the cost method of accounting. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 13 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 28 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 7 -Article 5 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 22 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. + Details
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