Schedule II - Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company: Balance Sheet of Parent Company (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 23,945		$ 18,227		$ 11,426	$ 7,394
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale	719,602		851,977
Other investments	35,134		35,223
Goodwill	50,318		50,318		51,713
Other assets	50,566		51,988
TOTAL ASSETS	1,262,308		1,358,859
Accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities	71,139		66,410
Junior subordinated debt securities	38,146		38,146
TOTAL LIABILITIES	959,461		1,082,715
Preferred stock (none issued)
Common Stock	18,462	[1],[2]	18,451	[1],[3]
Paid-in capital	126,589		126,298
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	15,013		7,853		633
Treasury stock, at cost	(4,533)	[4]	(3,277)	[5]
Retained earnings	130,153		111,752
TOTAL IHC STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	285,684		261,077
NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS IN SUBSIDIARIES	17,163		15,067
TOTAL EQUITY	302,847		276,144
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	1,262,308		1,358,859
Parent Company
Cash and cash equivalents	589		3,098		601	453
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale	5,667
Other investments	1,146		4,298
Investments in subsidiaries	365,235		331,784
Income Taxes Receivable	17,356		16,233
Goodwill	228		228
Other assets	426		56
TOTAL ASSETS	390,647		355,697
Accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities	6,692		4,586
Due to consolidated subsidiaries	36,155		28,813
Taxes Payable	6,807		7,597
Junior subordinated debt securities	38,146		38,146
Dividends Payable			411
TOTAL LIABILITIES	87,800		79,553
Common Stock	18,462		18,451
Paid-in capital	126,589		126,298
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	15,013		7,853
Treasury stock, at cost	(4,533)		(3,277)
Retained earnings	130,153		111,752
TOTAL IHC STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	285,684		261,077
NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS IN SUBSIDIARIES	17,163		15,067
TOTAL EQUITY	302,847		276,144
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	$ 390,647		$ 355,697

[1] $1.00 par value.

[2] 23,000,000 shares authorized, 18,461,992 shares issued and 17,932,954 shares outstanding.

[3] 20,000,000 shares authorized, 18,450,917 shares issued and 18,052,660 shares outstanding.

[4] 529,038 treasury shares

[5] 398,257 treasury shares