Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income	$ 25,254,174	$ 52,815,252	$ 47,151,744
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation, amortization and other non-cash items	5,837,809	6,721,621	5,573,074
Net investment gains	(6,477,286)	(2,777,919)	(21,984,617)
Equity in earnings of Donegal Financial Services Corporation	0	0	(295,000)
Changes in Assets and Liabilities:
Losses and loss expenses	115,612,864	92,333,588	55,008,625
Unearned premiums	35,768,824	27,042,113	3,618,879
Accrued expenses	(25,086,539)	661,454	3,011,598
Premiums receivable	733,752	(3,863,383)	(9,030,699)
Deferred policy acquisition costs	(8,871,415)	127,901	1,330,268
Deferred income taxes	1,095,306	6,448	649,928
Reinsurance receivable	(46,502,159)	(41,887,382)	(23,652,403)
Accrued investment income	(278,092)	(870,850)	(504,830)
Amounts due to affiliate	(12,216,212)	224,324	(805,369)
Reinsurance balances payable	712,582	1,117,439	(1,766,109)
Prepaid reinsurance premiums	(7,517,509)	(26,942,566)	(7,095,990)
Current income taxes	(2,201,569)	(3,174,200)	19,117,435
Other, net	867,438	(399,440)	6,033,243
Net adjustments	51,477,794	48,319,148	29,208,033
Net cash provided by operating activities	76,731,968	101,134,400	76,359,777
Purchases of fixed maturities:
Held to maturity	(125,630,220)	(157,048,527)	(96,724,391)
Available for sale	(163,593,018)	(176,500,255)	(165,989,508)
Purchases of equity securities	(25,354,790)	(6,964,092)	(20,722,416)
Sales of fixed maturities:
Available for sale	6,281,963	22,172,930	19,527,658
Maturity of fixed maturities:
Held to maturity	44,211,076	47,448,424	24,460,749
Available for sale	165,867,395	172,084,542	119,113,273
Sales of equity securities	26,585,663	6,091,288	40,465,748
Net sales (purchases) of property and equipment	1,224,806	(89,702)	(149,603)
Sale of investment in Donegal Financial Services Corporation	0	0	33,922,773
Net sales (purchases) of short-term investments	8,207,814	(6,869,933)	2,718,538
Net cash used in investing activities	(62,199,311)	(99,675,325)	(43,377,179)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Issuance of common stock	14,181,702	19,292,324	4,834,514
Cash dividends paid	(19,099,220)	(16,976,093)	(16,092,643)
Payments on subordinated debentures	(5,000,000)	0	0
Payments on lines of credit	(50,000,000)	0	(25,000,000)
Borrowings under lines of credit	0	50,000,000	0
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(59,917,518)	52,316,231	(36,258,129)
Net (decrease) increase in cash	(45,384,861)	53,775,306	(3,275,531)
Cash at beginning of year	103,094,236	49,318,930	52,594,461
Cash at end of year	$ 57,709,375	$ 103,094,236	$ 49,318,930