Significant Accounting Policies Other income other expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Other income and other expense [Line Items]
Real Estate Owned, Valuation Allowance	$ 0.0	$ 0.2
Future policy benefits:
Future policy benefits, assumptions, average rate in investment yields in gross margin estimation	5.51%	5.66%	5.75%
Other Policyholder Claims and Benefits
Premiums from policies subject to participation in dividends	32.00%	31.00%	30.00%
Contracts in force subject to participation in dividends	11.00%	11.00%	11.00%
Farm Bureau Property & Casualty insurance company [Member]
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]
Lease income	$ 4.8	$ 4.9	$ 3.1
Investment Advisory Fees	2.5	2.3	1.9
Subsidiaries [Member]
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]
Nonoperating Income (Expense)	$ 3.4	$ 3.2	$ 3.2
Interest Sensitive Life [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Future policy benefits:
Future Policy Benefits, Interest Rate Assumptions	1.00%	1.00%	1.00%
Interest Sensitive Life [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Future policy benefits:
Future Policy Benefits, Interest Rate Assumptions	5.50%	5.50%	5.50%
Participating Life Insurance Policy [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Future policy benefits:
Future Policy Benefits, Interest Rate Assumptions	2.00%
Participating Life Insurance Policy [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Future policy benefits:
Future Policy Benefits, Interest Rate Assumptions	6.00%