Document and Entity Information [Abstract] Document and entity information. Document Type Amendment Flag Document Period End Date Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Current Fiscal Year End Date Entity Filer Category Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets [Abstract] Assets [Abstract] Assets Fixed maturity securities-held-to-maturity, at amortized cost (fair value $654,175 and $685,242 in 2012 and 2011, respectively) Held-to-maturity Securities Fixed maturity securities-held-to-maturity Fixed maturity securities-available-for-sale, at fair value (cost $141,541 and $98,077 in 2012 and 2011, respectively) Fixed maturity securities-available-for-sale Securities available for sale-fixed maturity Equity securities available-for-sale, at fair value (cost $6,592 and $11,776 in 2012 and 2011, respectively) Available-for-sale Securities, Equity Securities Equity securities Short-term Investments Short-term investments Investments Total investments Reinsurance Recoverables Amounts recoverable from reinsurers Premiums Receivable, at Carrying Value Premiums receivable, net Deferred Tax Assets, Net Deferred income taxes Accrued Investment Income Receivable Accrued interest receivable Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Property and equipment, net Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs Deferred policy acquisition costs Income Taxes Receivable Federal income tax recoverable Other Assets Other assets Assets Total assets Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Liabilities and shareholders' equity Reserve for Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses Reserves for loss and loss adjustment expenses Unearned Premiums Unearned premiums Reinsurance Payable Reinsurance premiums payable Amounts Held for Others Amounts held for others Funds held on behalf of reinsurers under reinsurance treaties as security for the payment of obligations. Also includes the amount of insurance related assessment liability that is recovered through policy surcharges applied to enforce policies. Policyholder Contract Deposits Policyholder deposits Insurance Related Assessments Assessments mandated by statute or regulatory authority that is related directly or indirectly to underwriting activities, including pools for self-insurance and excluding premium taxes and income taxes. The funds derived from the assessments generally enable a government guarantor to pay insurance claims in the event that the underwriting insurer is insolvent or otherwise unable to meet its payment obligations. Insurance-related assessments Other Liabilities Accounts payable and other liabilities Liabilities Total liabilities Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Shareholders' equity: Common stock: Voting $0.01 par value authorized shares 50,000,000 in 2012 and 2011; 19,445,476 and 19,408,512 shares issued and 18,187,226 and 18,150,262 shares outstanding in 2012 and 2011, respectively Common Stock, Value, Issued Additional Paid in Capital Additional paid-in capital Treasury stock at cost (1,258,250 shares in 2012 and 2011) Treasury Stock, Value Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Accumulated earnings Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Accumulated other comprehensive income, net Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Ending Balance Beginning Balance Total shareholders' equity Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Total liabilities and shareholders' equity Held-to-maturity Securities, Fair Value Fair Value Fixed maturity securities, fair value Total, Amortized Cost Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Amortized Cost Fixed maturity securities, cost Available-for-sale Securities Equity Securities at Cost Equity securities, cost This item represents the total of all equity securities, at cost, net of adjustments made for other-than-temporary impairments, if any, which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities. Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Common stock, par value Common Stock, Shares Authorized Common stock, shares authorized Common Stock, Shares, Issued Common stock, shares issued Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding Common stock, shares outstanding Treasury Stock, Shares Treasury stock, at cost Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income [Abstract] Revenues [Abstract] Revenues Gross Premiums Written Gross premiums written Total consideration paid and payable by direct policyholders for insurance contracts sold by the Entity during the period. Includes premiums assumed from other insurers. Ceded Premiums Written Ceded premiums written Premiums Written, Net Net premiums written Premiums Earned, Net Net premiums earned Net Investment Income Net investment income Realized Investment Gains (Losses) Net realized gains on investments Net realized gains on investments Other Income Fee and other income Revenues Total revenues Costs and Expenses [Abstract] Expenses Policyholder Benefits and Claims Incurred, Net Loss and loss adjustment expenses incurred Underwriting and Certain Other Operating Costs Underwriting and certain other operating costs Costs incurred during the period related to the acquisition or renewal of insurance contracts. Includes general and administrative expenses. Insurance Commissions Commissions Labor and Related Expense Salaries and benefits Interest Expense Interest expense Policyholder Dividends Policyholder dividends Benefits, Losses and Expenses Total expenses Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest Income before income taxes Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Income tax expense Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Net income Net income Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Basic Net income available to common shareholders Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Earnings per share Earnings Per Share, Basic Basic earnings per common share Basic Earnings Per Share, Diluted Diluted Diluted earnings per common share Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted [Abstract] Shares used in computing earnings per share Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding Basic Basic Basic weighted average common shares Weighted Average Number Of Diluted Shares Outstanding Diluted Diluted weighted average common shares Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows [Abstract] Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Operating Activities Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Other Depreciation and Amortization Depreciation Accretion (Amortization) of Discounts and Premiums, Investments Net amortization of investments Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Deferred income taxes Share-based Compensation Share-based compensation Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital [Abstract] Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Increase (Decrease) in Premiums Receivable Premiums receivable, net Increase (Decrease) in Accrued Investment Income Receivable Accrued interest receivable Deferred policy acquisition costs Increase (Decrease) in Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Assets and Liabilities, Net Other assets and federal income tax recoverable Increase Decrease In Loss And Loss Adjustment Expense Reserve Reserves for loss and loss adjustment expenses Increase Decrease In Unearned Premiums Unearned premiums Increase Decrease Reinsurance Balances Reinsurance balances The net change during the reporting period in the amount due to other insurance companies when the reporting entity has assumed a portion of the cedant's insurance risk which has resulted in insurance losses. Also includes benefits expected to be recovered on insurance policies ceded to other insurance entities as of the balance sheet date. Increase Decrease Amounts Held for Others and Policyholder Deposits Amounts held for others and policyholder deposits Change during the period in (1) funds held on behalf of reinsurers under reinsurance treaties, (2) the amount of insurance related assessment liability that is recovered through policy surcharges and (3) liabilities to policyholders for deposits held under the terms of insurance contracts. Increase Decrease In Accounts Payable And Accrued Liabilities Accounts payable and other liabilities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Net cash provided by operating activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities [Abstract] Investing Activities Purchases of investments held-to-maturity Purchases of investments held-to-maturity Payments to Acquire Available-for-sale Securities Purchases of investments available-for-sale Payments to Acquire Short-term Investments Purchases of short-term investments Proceeds from Maturities, Prepayments and Calls of Held-to-maturity Securities Proceeds from maturities of investments held-to-maturity Proceeds from Sale and Maturity of Available-for-sale Securities Proceeds from sales and maturities of investments available-for-sale Proceeds from Sale and Maturity of Short Term Investments Proceeds from sales and maturities of short-term investments The cash inflow associated with the sale, maturity (principal being due) or prepayment of other investments with original maturity periods of 3 months to 1 year. Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment Purchases of property and equipment Net cash used in investing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract] Financing Activities Proceeds from stock option exercises Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised Excess Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation, Financing Activities Tax benefit from share-based payments Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock Treasury shares purchased Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Net cash used in financing activities Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) Change in cash and cash equivalents Basis of Presentation [Abstract] Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block] Basis of Presentation Stock Options and Restricted Stock [Abstract] Stock options and restricted stock. Stock Options and Restricted Stock Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Share Based Payments Text Block Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Earnings Per Share Investments In Debt And Marketable Equity Securities (And Certain Trading Assets) Disclosure [Text Block] Investments Income Taxes [Abstract] Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] Income Taxes Comprehensive Income [Abstract] Comprehensive Income Note [Text Block] Comprehensive Income Fair Value Measurements [Abstract] Fair Value Measurement Inputs Disclosure Text Block Fair Value Measurements Treasury Stock [Text Block] Treasury Stock Variable Interest Entities [Abstract] Variable interest entities. Schedule of Variable Interest Entities [Text Block] Variable Interest Entities Earnings per share, basic and diluted Gross unrealized gains and losses and the cost and fair value of investments classified as available-for-sale Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities Reconciliation [Table Text Block] Summary of the cost or amortized cost and fair value of investments in fixed maturity securities, by contractual maturity Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date [Table Text Block] Schedule of Unrealized Loss on Investments [Table Text Block] Schedule of Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block] Schedule of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping [Table Text Block] Summary of carrying or reported values and corresponding fair values for financial instruments Percentage of Comparable Consolidated Amount Percentage of comparable consolidated amounts Percentage of comparable asset and revenue consolidated amounts. Schedule of Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Table] Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments, by Type of Deferred Compensation [Axis] Type Of Deferred Compensation [Domain] Type of Deferred Compensation [Domain] Two Thousand and Ten Non Employee Director Restricted Stock Plan [Member] 2010 Non-Employee Director Restricted Stock Plan [Member] Two thousand and ten non-employee director restricted stock plan. Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Share-based Payments [Line Items] Number of Equity Incentive Plans Number of equity incentive plans Number of equity incentive plans. Restricted common stock, granted shares Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period Restricted Stock Awards Value Restricted common stock, value Restricted stock awards value. Restricted Common Stock, Vesting Date Restricted common stock, vesting date Restricted common stock, vesting date. Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period Stock options exercised, shares Options exercised, shares Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Gains Realized gains on sale of securities Schedule of Held-to-maturity Securities [Table] Debt Security [Axis] Major Types Of Debt Securities [Domain] Major Types of Debt Securities [Domain] U S States And Political Subdivisions [Member] States and political subdivisions [Member] Mortgage Backed Securities Issued By U S Government Sponsored Enterprises [Member] U.S. agency-based mortgage-backed securities [Member] Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member] Commercial mortgage-backed securities [Member] US Treasury and Government [Member] U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. Government agencies [Member] Corporate Debt Securities [Member] Corporate bonds [Member] Asset Backed Securities [Member] Asset-backed securities [Member] Schedule of Held-to-maturity Securities [Line Items] Held-to-maturity Securities, Unrecognized Holding Gain Gross Unrealized Gains Held-to-maturity Securities, Unrecognized Holding Loss Gross Unrealized Losses Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Table] Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items] Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis Cost Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Gains Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses Gross Unrealized Losses Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure Fair Value Held-to-maturity Securities, Debt Maturities, within One Year, Net Carrying Amount Less than one year, Carrying Value Held-to-maturity Securities, Debt Maturities, after One Through Five Years, Net Carrying Amount One to five years, Carrying Value Held-to-maturity Securities, Debt Maturities, after Five Through Ten Years, Net Carrying Amount Five to ten years, Carrying Value Held-to-maturity Securities, Debt Maturities, after Ten Years, Net Carrying Amount More than ten years, Carrying Value Held-to-maturity Securities, Debt Maturities, Net Carrying Amount Total, Carrying Value Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping, Disclosure Item Amounts [Axis] Fair Value Disclosure Item Amounts [Domain] Fair Value, Disclosure Item Amounts [Domain] Carrying Reported Amount Fair Value Disclosure [Member] Carrying Amount [Member] Carrying Value [Member] Estimate Of Fair Value Fair Value Disclosure [Member] Fair Value [Member] Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, within One Year, Fair Value Less than one year, Fair Value Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, after One Through Five Years, Fair Value One to five years, Fair Value Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, after Five Through Ten Years, Fair Value Five to ten years, Fair Value Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, after Ten Years, Fair Value More than ten years, Fair Value Summary of Investment Holdings [Table] Information by Category of Debt Security [Axis] Other Than Temporary Impairment Credit Losses Recognized In Earnings Categories Of Investments [Domain] Other than Temporary Impairment, Credit Losses Recognized in Earnings, Categories of Investments [Domain] Held-to-maturity Securities [Member] Total held-to-maturity securities [Member] Available-for-sale Securities [Member] Total available-for-sale securities [Member] Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items] Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses Held-to-Maturity, Gross Unrealized Losses, Less Than 12 Months Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses Held-to-Maturity, Gross Unrealized Losses, 12 Months or Greater Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value Held-to-Maturity, Fair Value of Investments with Unrealized Losses, Total Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses Held-to-Maturity, Gross Unrealized Losses, Total Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Comprehensive income Comprehensive income Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping [Table] Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items] Available-for-sale Securities Total available for sale Variable Interest Entity, Nonconsolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets and Liabilities, Net Variable interest entities Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount Share repurchase program, new limit amount Variable Interest Entity [Line Items] Proceeds From Issuance Of Trust Preferred Securities Proceeds from issuance of trust preferred securities New Accounting Pronouncement or Change in Accounting Principle, Effect of Adoption, Quantification Reduction of deferred policy acquisition costs Major Types Of Debt And Equity Securities [Domain] Major Types of Debt and Equity Securities [Domain] Equity Securities [Member] Equity Securities [Member] Fair Value Option Eligible Item Or Group [Domain] Fair Value, Hierarchy [Axis] Fair Value Measurements Fair Value Hierarchy [Domain] Fair Value Inputs Level1 [Member] Level 1 Inputs [Member] Fair Value Inputs Level2 [Member] Level 2 Inputs [Member] Investment Type [Axis] Investment Type Categorization [Domain] Basis of Presentation (Textual) [Abstract] Basis of Presentation (Textual) [Abstract] Basis of presentation. Stock Options and Restricted Stock (Textual) [Abstract] Stock Options and Restricted Stock (Textual) [Abstract] Stock Options and Restricted Stock. Stock Options and Restricted Stock (Additional Textual) [Abstract] Stock options and restricted stock. Stock Options and Restricted Stock (Additional Textual) [Abstract] Gross Unrealized Gains and Losses and Fair Value of Investments Classified as Held-to-maturity [Abstract] Gross unrealized gains and losses and the cost or amortized cost and fair value of investments classified as held-to-maturity Gross unrealized gains and losses and fair value of investments classified as held-to-maturity. Comprehensive Income (Textual) [Abstract] Comprehensive Income (Textual) [Abstract] Comprehensive income. Treasury Stock (Textual) [Abstract] Treasury Stock (Textual) [Abstract] Treasury stock. Variable Interest Entities (Textual) [Abstract] Variable Interest Entities (Textual) [Abstract] Variable interest entities. Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements (Textual) [Abstract] Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements (Textual) [Abstract] Recently issued accounting pronouncements. Gross Unrealized Gains and Losses and Fair Value of Investments Classified as Available-for-sale [Abstract] Gross unrealized gains and losses and the cost and fair value of investments classified as available-for-sale Gross unrealized gains and losses and fair value of investments classified as available-for-sale. Summary of Cost or Amortized Cost and Fair Value of Investments in Fixed Maturity Securities Held-to-maturity [Abstract] Summary of the cost or amortized cost and fair value of investments in fixed maturity securities, classified as held-to-maturity, by contractual maturity Summary of the cost or amortized cost and fair value of investments in fixed maturity securities held-to-maturity. Summary of Cost or Amortized Cost and Fair Value of Investments in Fixed Maturity Securities, Classified as Available-for-sale [Abstract] Summary of the cost or amortized cost and fair value of investments in fixed maturity securities, classified as available-for-sale, by contractual maturity Summary of cost or amortized cost and fair value of investments in fixed maturity securities, classified as available-for-sale. Investment Securities Continuous Unrealized Loss Position [Abstract] Investment securities continuous unrealized loss position Investment securities continuous unrealized loss position. Investments (Textual) [Abstract] Investments (Textual) [Abstract] Investments. Schedule of Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis [Abstract] Schedule of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis Schedule of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on recurring basis. Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Level 3 Inputs [Member] Summary of Carrying or Reported Values and Corresponding Fair Value for Financial Instruments [Abstract] Summary of carrying or reported values and corresponding fair values for financial instruments Summary of carrying or reported values and corresponding fair value for financial instruments. Amerisafe Capital Trust One [Member] ACT I [Member] Amerisafe capital trust one. Amerisafe Capital Trust Two [Member] ACT II [Member] Amerisafe capital trust two. Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Cash and cash equivalents at end of period Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period Cash and cash equivalents Earnings Per Share, Basic [Member] Basic EPS [Member] Earnings Per Share, Diluted [Member] Diluted EPS [Member] Schedule of Effects of Changes in Prepayment Estimate Assumptions for CMOs and REMICs [Table] Effects of Changes in Prepayment Estimate Assumptions for CMOs and REMICs by Affected Item [Axis] Effects of Changes in Prepayment Estimate Assumptions for CMOs and REMICs, Affected Item [Domain] Description and Effects of Changes in Prepayment Estimate Assumptions for CMOs and REMICs [Line Items] Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block] Investment securities continuous unrealized loss position Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired Treasury stock, shares purchased Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method Treasury stock purchased, value Treasury Stock Acquired, Average Cost Per Share Treasury stock purchased, average price per share Eligible Item or Group for Fair Value Option [Axis] Major Types of Debt and Equity Securities [Axis] Schedule of Variable Interest Entities [Table] Available-for-sale Securities Debt Maturities Available-for-sale securities debt maturities fair value total. Total, Fair Value Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements [Abstract] Treasury Stock [Abstract] New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Text Block] Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period Restricted common stock, vested shares Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense Share-based compensation expense Available-for-sale Securities Sold Security at Carrying Value Carrying value of securities at disposal For any sales of securities categorized as available-for-sale, this item represents the carrying amount of the sold security. Available-for-sale Equity Securities Measured at Fair Value Available-for-sale equity securities measured at fair value. Securities available for sale-equity Held-to-maturity Securities, Debt Maturities, without Single Maturity Date, Net Carrying Amount Held-to-maturity, Carrying Value Held-to-maturity Securities, Debt Maturities, Next Twelve Months, Fair Value Less than one year, Fair Value Held-to-maturity Securities, Debt Maturities, Year Two Through Five, Fair Value One to five years, Fair Value Held-to-maturity Securities, Debt Maturities, Year Six Through Ten, Fair Value Five to ten years, Fair Value Held-to-maturity Securities, Debt Maturities, after Ten Years, Fair Value More than ten years, Fair Value Held-to-maturity Securities, Debt Maturities, without Single Maturity Date, Fair Value Held-to-maturity, Fair Value Held-to-maturity Securities, Debt Maturities, Fair Value Total, Fair Value Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value Available-for Sale, Fair value of Investments with Unrealized Losses, Less Than 12 Months Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses Available-for Sale, Gross Unrealized Losses, Less Than 12 Months Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses Available-for Sale, Gross Unrealized Losses, Total Investment-related Liabilities Payable for investments purchased Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract] Other comprehensive income: Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss) on Securities Arising During Period, Net of Tax Change in unrealized gains and losses Unrealized gain on securities, net of tax Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders' Equity [Abstract] Common Stock [Member] Common Stock Treasury Stock [Member] Treasury Stock Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] Additional Paid-In Capital Retained Earnings [Member] Accumulated Earnings Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Shares, Issued Ending Balance, Shares Beginning Balance, Shares Scenario, Previously Reported [Member] As previously reported Statement [Table] Adjustments for New Accounting Pronouncements [Axis] Type of Adoption [Domain] Equity Components [Axis] Equity Component [Domain] Scenario [Axis] Scenario, Unspecified [Domain] Statement [Line Items] Income Taxes (Textual) [Abstract] Income taxes. Income Taxes (Textual) [Abstract] Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Period Increase (Decrease) Unrecognized tax benefits Tax Adjustments, Settlements, and Unusual Provisions Company recognized uncertain tax positions Long Term Capital Loss Carry Back Net long term capital loss carry back Long term capital loss, carry back. Domestic Common Stock [Member] Domestic common stock [Member] Domestic common stock. Fair Value Measurements (Textual) [Abstract] Fair value measurements. Fair Value Measurements (Textual) [Abstract] Changes in Deferred Income Tax Liabilities Decrease in deferred income tax liabilities Changes in deferred income tax liabilities. Decrease to Shareholder Equity Decrease to shareholders' equity Decrease to shareholder's equity. Changes in Book Value per Share Reduction in book value per share Changes in book value per share. Subordinated Debt Subordinated debt securities Valuation Allowance, Deferred Tax Asset, Change in Amount Change in deferred tax valuation allowance Adjustments for New Accounting Pronouncement [Member] Cumulative effect of accounting change - deferred policy acquisition costs Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Abstract] Earnings per share, basic and diluted Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income [Abstract] Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value Held-to-Maturity, Fair Value of Investments with Unrealized Losses, Less Than 12 Months Held-to-maturity Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value Held-to-Maturity, Fair Value of Investments with Unrealized Losses 12 Months or Greater Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value Available-for Sale, Fair Value of Investments with Unrealized Losses, Total Investments [Abstract] Investments: Liabilities [Abstract] Liabilities: Net Fixed Maturity [Member] Total fixed maturity [Member] Net fixed maturity. Common Shares Attributable to Restricted Stock Restricted stock Aggregate awards of stock options to be issued to an employee under a share-based compensation arrangement considered for purposes of computing diluted earnings per share. Common Shares Attributable to Employee Stock Options Aggregate awards of stock options to be issued to an employee under a share-based compensation arrangement considered for purposes of computing diluted earnings per share. Stock options Income Tax Credits and Adjustments Tax credit Purchase of Subordinated Debt Purchase of subordinated debt securities Purchase of subordinated debt securities. Repayments of Subordinated Debt Redemption of debt securities Repayments of Debt Redemption of subordinate debt security Adjustment to Additional Paid in Capital, Income Tax Effect from Share-based Compensation, Net Tax benefit from share-based payments Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues Restricted common stock issued, shares Restricted Stock [Member] Restricted common stock Stock Options [Member] Options exercised Award Type [Axis] Award Type [Domain] Executive Officer [Member] Executive officer [Member] Officer [Member] Officer [Member] Number of Executive Officers Number of executive officers. Number of executive officers Mortgage Backed Securities Fair Value U.S. agency-based mortgage-backed securities, Fair Value US agency-based mortgage-backed securities, fair value. Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Less Than Twelve Months Fair Value Fair Value of Investment with Unrealized Losses, Less Than 12 months Continuous unrealized loss position less than twelve months fair value. Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Less Than Twelve Months Aggregate Losses Gross Unrealized Loss, Less Than 12 Months Continuous unrealized loss position less than twelve months aggregate losses. Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Twelve Months or Longer Fair Value of Investment with Unrealized Losses, 12 Months or Greater Continuous unrealized loss position twelve months or longer. Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Twelve Months or Longer Aggregate Losses Gross Unrealized Losses, 12 Months or Greater Continuous unrealized loss position twelve months or longer aggregate losses. Securities Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Fair Value Fair Value of Investment with Unrealized Losses, Total Securities continuous unrealized loss position fair value. Securities Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Aggregate Losses Gross Unrealized Losses, Total Securities continuous unrealized loss position aggregate losses. Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation and Exercise of Stock Options Options exercised, value Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Requisite Service Period Recognition Share-based compensation Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Restricted Stock Unit or Restricted Stock Award, Requisite Service Period Recognition Restricted common stock issued Fair Value Measurement, Policy [Policy Text Block] Fair Value Measurement Comprehensive Income, Policy [Policy Text Block] Presentation of Comprehensive Income Accounting for Costs Associated with Acquiring or Renewing Insurance Contracts [Policy Text Block] Accounting for costs associated with acquiring or renewing insurance contracts. Accounting for Costs Associated with Acquiring or Renewing Insurance Contracts Gain (Loss) on Sale of Property Plant Equipment Loss on sale of asset Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block] Earnings Per Share Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block] Income Taxes Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Long Term Incentive Plan Long term incentive plan Incremental common shares attributable to long term incentive plan. Held to Maturity [Table Text Block] Gross unrealized gains and losses and the cost or amortized cost and fair value of investments classified as held-to-maturity Held to maturity. Mortgage Backed Securities Amortized Cost U.S. agency-based mortgage-backed securities, Amortized Cost Mortgage backed securities amortized cost. Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Next Rolling Twelve Months, Amortized Cost Basis Less than one year, Amortized Cost Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Rolling Year Two Through Five, Amortized Cost Basis Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Rolling Year Six Through Ten, Amortized Cost Basis More than ten years, Amortized Cost Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Rolling after Year Ten, Amortized Cost Basis One to five years, Amortized Cost Five to ten years, Amortized Cost Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Foreign Income Tax Rate Increase Effective income tax rate reconciliation foreign income tax rate increase. Increased effective tax rate Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Foreign Income Tax Rate Differential