CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Investments:
Fixed maturities, cost	$ 206,184	$ 201,217
Common and non-redeemable preferred stocks, cost	11,969	12,432
Other invested assets, cost	3,064	2,123
Receivables:
Insurance premiums and other, allowance for doubtful accounts	378	339
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)	65,000	65,000
Preferred stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	65,000	65,000
Preferred stock, redemption value	$ 6,500	$ 6,500
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)	20,638,210	21,117,874
Treasury stock, at cost (in shares)	1,762,684	1,283,020