Junior Subordinated Debentures (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended			9 Months Ended							3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014 Trust	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014 JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES [Member] Quarter	Sep. 30, 2014 Atlantic American Statutory Trust I [Member] JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES [Member]		Sep. 30, 2014 Atlantic American Statutory Trust I [Member] JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES [Member] LIBOR [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Atlantic American Statutory Trust I [Member] TRUST PREFERRED SECURITIES [Member]		Sep. 30, 2014 Atlantic American Statutory Trust I [Member] TRUST PREFERRED SECURITIES [Member] LIBOR [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Atlantic American Statutory Trust II [Member] JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES [Member]		Sep. 30, 2014 Atlantic American Statutory Trust II [Member] JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES [Member]		Sep. 30, 2014 Atlantic American Statutory Trust II [Member] JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES [Member] LIBOR [Member]	Sep. 30, 2014 Atlantic American Statutory Trust II [Member] TRUST PREFERRED SECURITIES [Member]		Sep. 30, 2014 Atlantic American Statutory Trust II [Member] TRUST PREFERRED SECURITIES [Member] LIBOR [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of Connecticut statutory business trusts	2
Financial structure of statutory business trusts [Abstract]
Principal amount owed					$ 18,042	[1],[2]					$ 23,196	[1],[2]	$ 23,196	[1],[2]
Balance September 30, 2014					18,042	[1],[2]					23,196	[1],[2]	23,196	[1],[2]
Less: Treasury debt					0	[1],[2],[3]					(7,500)	[1],[2],[3]	(7,500)	[1],[2],[3]
Net balance September 30, 2014	33,738		41,238		18,042	[1],[2]					15,696	[1],[2]	15,696	[1],[2]
Balance December 31, 2013					18,042	[1],[2]							23,196	[1],[2]
Coupon rate					LIBOR + 4.00%	[1],[2]		LIBOR + 4.00%					LIBOR + 4.10%	[1],[2]		LIBOR + 4.10%
Interest payable					Quarterly	[1],[2]							Quarterly	[1],[2]
Maturity date					Dec. 04, 2032	[1],[2]							May 15, 2033	[1],[2]
Redeemable by issuer					Yes	[1],[2]							Yes	[1],[2]
Issuance date								Dec. 04, 2002								May 15, 2003
Securities issued (in shares)								17,500								22,500
Liquidation preference per security (in dollars per share)								$ 1								$ 1
Liquidation value								17,500								22,500
Distribution payable								Quarterly								Quarterly
Distribution guaranteed by								Atlantic American Corporation	[4]							Atlantic American Corporation	[4]
Basis spread on variable rate (in hundredths)							4.00%			4.00%					4.10%			4.10%
Number of consecutive quarters for which interest payments can be deferred				20
Consideration tendered upon settlement of Junior Subordinated Debentures	6,750	0											6,750
Gain on settlement of Junior Subordinated Debentures	$ 750	$ 0									$ 750		$ 750

[1] For each of the respective debentures, the Company has the right at any time, and from time to time, to defer payments of interest on the Junior Subordinated Debentures for a period not exceeding 20 consecutive quarters up to the debentures' respective maturity dates. During any such period, interest will continue to accrue and the Company may not declare or pay any cash dividends or distributions on, or purchase, the Company's common stock nor make any principal, interest or premium payments on or repurchase any debt securities that rank equally with or junior to the Junior Subordinated Debentures. The Company has the right at any time to dissolve each of the trusts and cause the Junior Subordinated Debentures to be distributed to the holders of the Trust Preferred Securities.

[2] The Junior Subordinated Debentures are unsecured and rank junior and subordinate in right of payment to all senior debt of the Parent and are effectively subordinated to all existing and future liabilities of its subsidiaries.

[3] On August 4, 2014, the Company acquired $7,500 of the Junior Subordinated Debentures. Consideration tendered, upon settlement, was $6,750 plus accrued interest resulting in a gain of $750 recognized in other income on the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 2014.

[4] The Parent has guaranteed, on a subordinated basis, all of the obligations under the Trust Preferred Securities, including payment of the redemption price and any accumulated and unpaid distributions to the extent of available funds and upon dissolution, winding up or liquidation.