Schedule II - Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company: Income Statement of Parent Company (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Net investment income									$ 33,356	$ 39,788	$ 41,801
Net realized investment gains									5,099	8,670	4,646
Other income									4,953	6,015	5,743
TOTAL REVENUES	112,960	111,502	101,443	102,156	104,493	103,659	105,525	104,319	428,061	417,996	435,368
Interest expense on debt									2,091	1,965	1,912
Selling, general and administrative expenses									149,999	147,102	139,643
TOTAL EXPENSES									403,447	399,498	399,116
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes									24,614	18,498	36,252
Income taxes (benefits)									2,003	3,732	12,583
Income (loss) from continuing operations									22,611	14,766	23,669
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax											(256)
Net income (loss)	10,061	4,390	3,830	4,330	3,491	4,011	3,464	3,800	22,611	14,766	23,413
(Income) loss from noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries	(1,771)	(472)	(299)	(408)	(266)	(457)	(424)	(616)	(2,950)	(1,763)	(1,676)
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO IHC	8,290	3,918	3,531	3,922	3,225	3,554	3,040	3,184	19,661	13,003	21,737
Parent Company
Net investment income									491	929	746
Net realized investment gains									2	23	62
Other income									2,251	3,138	3,142
TOTAL REVENUES									2,744	4,090	3,950
Interest expense on debt									1,638	1,575	1,589
Selling, general and administrative expenses									5,125	4,088	3,805
TOTAL EXPENSES									6,763	5,663	5,394
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes									(4,019)	(1,573)	(1,444)
Income taxes (benefits)									(1,528)	(563)	(559)
Income Loss Before Minority Interest and Equity Income from Equity Method Investments									(2,491)	(1,010)	(885)
Income Loss from Consolidated Subsidiaries									25,102	15,776	24,554
Income (loss) from continuing operations									22,611	14,766	23,669
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax											(256)
Net income (loss)									22,611	14,766	23,413
(Income) loss from noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries									(2,950)	(1,763)	(1,676)
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO IHC									$ 19,661	$ 13,003	$ 21,737