Note 22. Dividend Restrictions and Statutory Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended				3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Feb. 29, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011 Madison National Life Subsidiary Member		Dec. 31, 2012 Madison National Life Subsidiary Member	Dec. 31, 2011 Madison National Life Subsidiary Member	Dec. 31, 2010 Madison National Life Subsidiary Member	Dec. 31, 2012 Standard Security Life Subsidiary Member	Dec. 31, 2011 Standard Security Life Subsidiary Member	Dec. 31, 2010 Standard Security Life Subsidiary Member	Dec. 31, 2012 AMICSubsidiariesMember	Dec. 31, 2011 AMICSubsidiariesMember	Dec. 31, 2010 AMICSubsidiariesMember
Statutory Dividend Payment Restrictions Disclosure							Dividends from Madison National Life are subject to the prior notification to the Commissioner of Insurance of the State of Wisconsin if such dividend distribution exceeds 115% of the distribution for the corresponding period of the previous year. In addition, if such dividends, together with the fair market value of other dividends paid or credited and distributions made within the preceding twelve months, exceed the lesser of (i) total net income for the preceding calendar year minus realized capital gains for that calendar year and (ii) 10% of surplus with regard to policyholders as of December 31 of the preceding year, such dividends may be paid so long as such dividends have not been disapproved by the Wisconsin Insurance Commissioner within 30 days of its receipt of notice thereof. In the fourth quarter of 2011, upon approval by the Wisconsin Insurance Commissioner, Madison National Life transferred to its parent, a subsidiary of IHC, all of the outstanding common stock of its wholly owned subsidiary, Standard Security Life, representing an extraordinary dividend with a statutory value of $106,314,000. In addition, Madison National Life declared and paid cash dividends of $3,450,000, $2,000,000 and $3,450,000, in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.			The payment of dividends by Standard Security Life to its parent, a subsidiary of IHC, is subject to the prior notification to the New York State Insurance Department if such dividends, together with other dividends in such calendar year exceed the lesser of (i) 10% of surplus as regards policyholders as of the immediately preceding calendar year and (ii) net gain from operations for the immediately preceding calendar year, not including realized capital gains. Such dividends may be paid so long as they have not been disapproved by the New York State Department of Insurance within 30 days of its receipt of notice thereof. Standard Security Life declared and paid dividends to its parent of $7,980,000, $4,950,000 and $8,500,000 in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.			Dividends from Independence American to its parent, a subsidiary of AMIC, are subject to the prior notification to the Delaware Insurance Commissioner, if such dividends, together with the fair market value of other dividends or distributions made within the preceding twelve months, exceed the greater of (i) 10% of surplus as regards policyholders as of the preceding December 31 or (ii) net income, not including realized capital gains, for the twelve-month period ending the December 31 next preceding. Such dividends may be paid as long as they have not been disapproved by the Delaware Insurance Commissioner within 30 days of its receipt of notice thereof. Independence American paid dividends of $2,000,000, $1,000,000 and $1,500,000 in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.
Extraordinary Dividend					$ 106,314	[1]
Cash Dividends Paid to Parent Company by Consolidated Subsidiaries							3,450	2,000	3,450	7,980	4,950	8,500	2,000	1,000	1,500
Statutory Accounting Practices, Statutory Capital and Surplus, Balance					70,266		72,304	70,266		116,282	106,481		54,427	51,407
Statutory Accounting Practices, Statutory Net Income Amount							11,903	15,080	12,820	15,805	7,709	3,267	3,271	4,542	2,697
Historical Common Dividend Per Share Prior To 2012				$ 0.045
Anticipated Common Dividend Per Share Effective In 2012				$ 0.07
Dividends, Common Stock, Cash	$ 1,271	$ 807	$ 762

[1] Madison National Life transferred to its parent, all of the outstanding common stock of its wholly-owned subsidiary, Standard Security Life.