Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company Only: Condensed Income Statement (Parent Company Only) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Net investment income									$ 27,471	$ 33,356	$ 39,788
Net realized investment gains									19,750	5,099	8,670
Other income									4,878	4,953	6,015
TOTAL REVENUES	143,618	141,644	151,900	137,882	112,960	111,502	101,443	102,156	575,044	428,061	417,996
Interest expense on debt									1,915	2,091	1,965
TOTAL EXPENSES									551,390	403,447	399,498
Income taxes (benefits)									8,398	2,003	3,732
Equity income from equity method investments									2,506	1,435	1,591
Net income (loss)	2,142	3,916	4,158	5,040	10,061	4,390	3,830	4,330	15,256	22,611	14,766
(Income) loss from noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries	(394)	(277)	(467)	(339)	(1,771)	(472)	(299)	(408)	(1,477)	(2,950)	(1,763)
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO IHC									13,779	19,661	13,003
Parent Company
Net investment income									61	491	929
Net realized investment gains									349	2	23
Other income									2,327	2,251	3,138
TOTAL REVENUES									2,737	2,744	4,090
Interest expense on debt									1,563	1,638	1,575
General and Administrative Expense									4,301	5,125	4,088
TOTAL EXPENSES									5,864	6,763	5,663
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest									(3,127)	(4,019)	(1,573)
Income taxes (benefits)									(1,228)	(1,528)	(563)
Equity income from equity method investments									17,155	25,102	15,776
Net income (loss)									15,256	22,611	14,766
(Income) loss from noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries									(1,477)	(2,950)	(1,763)
NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO IHC									$ 13,779	$ 19,661	$ 13,003