CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Investments:
Fixed maturities, cost	$ 200,928	$ 198,506
Common and non-redeemable preferred stocks, cost	9,477	7,477
Other invested assets, cost	588	567
Receivables:
Insurance premiums and other, allowance for doubtful accounts	379	405
Shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 1	$ 1
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares)	4,000,000	4,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares)	70,000	70,000
Preferred stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	70,000	70,000
Preferred stock, redemption value	$ 7,000	$ 7,000
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 1	$ 1
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	50,000,000	50,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	22,400,894	22,400,894
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	21,124,050	21,274,241
Treasury stock, at cost (in shares)	1,276,844	1,126,653