Earnings (Loss) per Common Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Earnings (Loss) per Common Share
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic	83,493,000	56,363,000	83,490,000	56,408,000
Effect of potentially dilutive securities (in shares)	6,967,000		6,761,000
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted	90,460,000	56,363,000	90,251,000	56,408,000
Basic earnings (loss) per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.38	$ (0.07)	$ 1.01	$ (0.26)
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.36	$ (0.07)	$ 0.98	$ (0.26)
Basic earnings (loss) per share:
Income (loss) applicable to Hilltop common stockholders	$ 31,655	$ (4,048)	$ 84,672	$ (14,414)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share:
Income (loss) applicable to Hilltop common stockholders	32,884	(4,048)	88,302	(14,414)
Add: interest expense on senior exchangeable notes (net of tax)	1,053		3,158
Senior exchangeable notes
Weighted-average equivalent shares excluded from diluted loss:
Weighted-average equivalent shares excluded from diluted loss		6,208,000		6,208,000
Stock options
Weighted-average equivalent shares excluded from diluted loss:
Weighted-average equivalent shares excluded from diluted loss		700,000		700,000
Restricted Stock
Basic earnings (loss) per share:
Less: income applicable to participating shares	(176)		(472)
Common Stock
Basic earnings (loss) per share:
Income (loss) applicable to Hilltop common stockholders	31,831	(4,048)	85,144	(14,414)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share:
Income (loss) applicable to Hilltop common stockholders	$ 31,831	$ (4,048)	$ 85,144	$ (14,414)