Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders' Equity (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Preferred Stock [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Accumulated Deficit [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]	Total
Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	$ 0	$ 1,118	$ 444,103	$ (371,541)	$ 41	$ 0	$ 73,721
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2010	0	112,104,768
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net loss attributable to Signature Group Holdings, Inc.	0	0	0	(9,092)	0	0	(9,092)
Noncontrolling interest from acquisition	0	0	0	0	0	100	100
Loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	0	0	0	0	0	(93)	(93)
Issuance of shares in business combination	0	30	1,807	0	0	0	1,837
Issuance of shares in business combination (in shares)	0	3,012,048
Proceeds from common stock warrants	0	0	60	0	0	0	60
Issuance of restricted stock, net of forfeitures	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Issuance of restricted stock, net of forfeitures (in shares)	0	2,315,040
Restricted stock vested	0	3	(3)	0	0	0	0
Amortization of share-based compensation	0	0	453	0	0	0	453
Change in accumulated other comprehensive income	0	0	0	0	(110)	0	(110)
Balance at Sep. 30, 2011	$ 0	$ 1,151	$ 446,420	$ (380,633)	$ (69)	$ 7	$ 66,876
Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2011	0	117,431,856