Investments, Part IV (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012
Derivative [Member]
Liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis [Abstract]
Balance, beginning of period	$ (530)	$ (723)	$ (876)
Total unrealized gains (losses) included in comprehensive income	188	193	153
Balance, end of period	(342)	(530)	(723)
Contractual rate (in hundredths)	4.77%
3-month LIBOR rate (in hundredths)	0.42%
Fixed maturities [Member]
Assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis [Abstract]
Balance, beginning of period	2,099	1,974	2,035
Total unrealized gains (losses) included in comprehensive income	1	125	(61)
Balance, end of period	$ 2,100	$ 2,099	$ 1,974

This line item represents contractual rate on derivatives based on the contract agreement.

No definition available.

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Namespace Prefix:	aame_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Variable interest rate in effect as of the balance sheet date related to the interest rate derivative.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
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- Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of gain (loss) recognized in other comprehensive income, arising from assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using unobservable inputs (level 3).

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetGainLossIncludedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeLoss
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element represents an asset measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) which is required for reconciliation purposes of beginning and ending balances.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 820

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7578670&loc=d3e19207-110258

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 157

-Paragraph 32

-Subparagraph c

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of gain (loss) recognized in other comprehensive income, arising from liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using unobservable inputs (level 3).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 820

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (c)(1a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7578670&loc=d3e19207-110258

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 157

-Paragraph 32

-Subparagraph c(1)

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element represents a liability measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) which is required for reconciliation purposes of beginning and ending balances.

+ References

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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