STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014 Plan	Sep. 30, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of stock option plans			2
Recognized compensation expense	$ 65	$ 78	$ 204	$ 220
Recognized compensation expense, net of tax	$ 43	$ 50	$ 133	$ 144
Employers Mutual Casualty Company Incentive Stock Option 2003 Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Registered shares (in shares)	1,500,000		1,500,000
Time limit for granting awards			10 years
Employers Mutual Casualty Company Stock Incentive 2007 Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Registered shares (in shares)	2,000,000		2,000,000
Time limit for granting awards			10 years
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period			4 years
Number of restricted stock shares granted during period (in shares)			62,764
Number of restricted stock shares vested during period (in shares)			14,117
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period			5 years
Options exercised during period (in shares)			178,452
Weighted average exercise price of options exercised during period (in dollars per share)			$ 21.30