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Investments (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($) Securities	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) Securities	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)
Investments [Abstract]
Fixed income securities with call features, percentage	37.00%
Fixed income securities with call features, currently callable, percentage	2.70%
Fixed income securities with call features, currently callable, amount	$ 1,200,000
Fixed income securities with call features, callable during next 12 months, percentage	0.20%
Fixed income securities with call features, callable during next 12 months, amount	$ 90,100
Fixed income securities with call features, not callable until within 6 months of stated maturity, percentage	73.00%
Percentage of fixed maturity portfolio rated investment grade based on NAIC designations	97.00%	97.00%
Number of securities in unrealized loss position | Securities	955	1,514
Percentage of unrealized losses on fixed maturity securities where securities are rated investment grade	83.00%	86.00%
Assets held by insurance regulators	$ 47,500,000	$ 43,500,000
Fair value, concentration of risk, investments	$ 0	0
Concentration risk, percentage	10.00%
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Principal repayments, calls and tenders of available for sale securities	$ 1,911,991	2,746,510	$ 1,612,121
Available For Sale [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Proceeds from sales of available for sale securities	700,000	1,000,000	400,000
Fixed Maturity Securities [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Principal repayments, calls and tenders of available for sale securities	$ 1,200,000	$ 1,700,000	$ 1,200,000

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

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For an entity that discloses a concentration risk in relation to quantitative amount, which serves as the "benchmark" (or denominator) in the equation, this concept represents the concentration percentage derived from the division.

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