EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT PLANS (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Pension plans [Member] | Emc Insurance Companies [Member]
Components of net periodic benefit cost [Abstract]
Service cost	$ 3,191	$ 3,426
Interest cost	2,381	1,910
Expected return on plan assets	(5,183)	(4,288)
Amortization of net actuarial loss	64	1,466
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)	8	13
Net periodic benefit cost	461	2,527
Pension plans [Member] | EMC Insurance Group, Inc. [Member]
Components of net periodic benefit cost [Abstract]
Net periodic benefit cost	144	782
Entity's share of estimated contributions to employee benefit plan	4,500
Postretirement benefit plans [Member] | Emc Insurance Companies [Member]
Components of net periodic benefit cost [Abstract]
Service cost	315	1,575
Interest cost	564	1,543
Expected return on plan assets	(1,099)	(908)
Amortization of net actuarial loss	413	924
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)	(2,867)	(623)
Net periodic benefit cost	(2,674)	2,511
Postretirement benefit plans [Member] | EMC Insurance Group, Inc. [Member]
Components of net periodic benefit cost [Abstract]
Net periodic benefit cost	(771)	728
Entity's share of estimated contributions to employee benefit plan	$ 0