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Investments (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) Securities	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) Securities	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)
Investments [Abstract]
Fixed income securities with call features, percentage	35.00%
Fixed income securities with call features, currently callable, percentage	0.10%
Fixed income securities with call features, currently callable, amount	$ 55,700
Fixed income securities with call features, callable during next 12 months, percentage	3.10%
Fixed income securities with call features, callable during next 12 months, amount	$ 1,300,000
Fixed income securities with call features, not callable until within 6 months of stated maturity, percentage	70.00%
Percentage of fixed maturity portfolio rated investment grade based on NAIC designations	97.00%	98.00%
Number of securities in unrealized loss position | Securities	1,514	1,246
Percentage of unrealized losses on fixed maturity securities where securities are rated investment grade	86.00%	84.00%
Assets held by insurance regulators	$ 43,500,000	$ 38,300,000
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Principal repayments, calls and tenders of available for sale securities	$ 2,746,510	1,612,121	$ 1,490,906
Stockholders' Equity, Total [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Threshold for disclosure percentage	10.00%
Investment Type Concentration Risk [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Fair value, concentration of risk, investments	$ 0	0
Fixed Maturity Securities [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Principal repayments, calls and tenders of available for sale securities	1,700,000	1,200,000	1,300,000
Available For Sale [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Proceeds from sales of available for sale securities	$ 1,000,000	$ 400,000	$ 200,000

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- Definition

Represents the percentage of debt securities in the investment portfolio with call features that permit the issuer of the debt to repay before the stated maturity date (early retirement date) and are callable over the next 12 months.

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Represents the percentage of debt securities in the investment portfolio with call features that permit the issuer of the debt to repay before the stated maturity date (early retirement date) and are currently callable.

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Represents the percentage of debt securities in the investment portfolio with call features that permit the issuer of the debt to repay before the stated maturity date (early retirement date) and are not callable until within 6 months of their stated maturities.

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Represents the percentage of fixed income securities at fair value rated investment grade (NAIC 1 or 2) compared to the entire fixed income security portfolio at fair value.

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Carrying amount of cash and investment securities on deposit with state regulatory authorities in connection with capital requirements.

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Number of investment positions in available-for-sale investments in a continuous unrealized loss position for which an other-than-temporary impairment (OTTI) has not been recognized in the income statement.

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The cash inflow associated with maturities (principal being due), prepayments and calls (requests of early payments) on securities not classified as either held-to-maturity securities or trading securities which are classified as available-for-sale securities.

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