Earnings per Common Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Basic earnings per share:
Income (loss) applicable to Hilltop common stockholders									$ 208,167	$ 105,400	$ 120,343
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic									99,074	89,710	84,382
Basic earnings (loss) per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.21	$ 0.47	$ 0.30	$ 1.12	$ 0.35	$ 0.26	$ 0.30	$ 0.26	$ 2.10	$ 1.18	$ 1.43
Diluted earnings per share:
Income (loss) applicable to Hilltop common stockholders									$ 209,119	$ 105,947	$ 126,074
Add: interest expense on Exchangeable Notes (net of tax)											$ 5,059
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted									99,962	90,573	90,331
Effect of potentially dilutive securities (in shares)									888	863	5,949
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.21	$ 0.47	$ 0.30	$ 1.11	$ 0.35	$ 0.26	$ 0.30	$ 0.26	$ 2.09	$ 1.17	$ 1.40
Restricted Stock Awards
Basic earnings per share:
Less: income applicable to participating shares									$ (952)	$ (547)	$ (672)
Common Stock
Basic earnings per share:
Income (loss) applicable to Hilltop common stockholders									209,119	105,947	121,015
Diluted earnings per share:
Income (loss) applicable to Hilltop common stockholders									$ 209,119	$ 105,947	$ 121,015