EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT PLANS (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Pension plans [Member] | Emc Insurance Companies [Member]
Components of net periodic benefit cost [Abstract]
Service cost	$ 3,240	$ 3,181	$ 6,431	$ 6,607
Interest cost	2,451	1,918	4,832	3,828
Expected return on plan assets	(5,183)	(4,287)	(10,366)	(8,575)
Amortization of net actuarial loss	119	1,515	183	2,981
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)	8	12	16	25
Net periodic benefit cost (income)	635	2,339	1,096	4,866
Pension plans [Member] | EMC Insurance Group, Inc. [Member]
Components of net periodic benefit cost [Abstract]
Net periodic benefit cost (income)	196	725	340	1,507
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	630	3,150
Interest cost	563	1,543	1,127	3,086
Expected return on plan assets	(1,099)	(907)	(2,198)	(1,815)
Amortization of net actuarial loss	412	923	825	1,847
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)	(2,866)	(623)	(5,733)	(1,246)
Net periodic benefit cost (income)	(2,675)	2,511	(5,349)	5,022
Postretirement benefit plans [Member] | EMC Insurance Group, Inc. [Member]
Components of net periodic benefit cost [Abstract]
Net periodic benefit cost (income)	(771)	728	(1,542)	1,456
Entity's share of estimated contributions to employee benefit plan			$ 0