Schedule II CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
ASSETS [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents		$ 13,252	$ 13,252	$ 24,547	$ 13,252	$ 15,622
Investments				247,511	244,177
Investments in unconsolidated trusts				1,238	1,238
Other assets				5,089	5,208
Total assets				343,239	318,600
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY [Abstract]
Deferred tax liability, net				593	0
Junior subordinated debentures				33,738	33,738
Total liabilities				230,256	213,094
Shareholders' equity				112,983	105,506	102,492
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity				343,239	318,600
REVENUE [Abstract]
Other		123	133
Total revenue		181,114	166,077
INTEREST EXPENSE		1,723	1,562
INCOME TAX BENEFIT		(828)	(888)
Net income		4,528	2,636
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES [Abstract]
Net income		4,528	2,636
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities [Abstract]
Realized investment losses (gains), net		(9,168)	(2,595)
Depreciation and amortization		1,438	1,205
Compensation expense related to share awards		495	586
Deferred income tax benefit		(1,358)	(2)
Increase (decrease) in other liabilities		5,665	1,649
Other, net		34	19
Net cash provided by operating activities		2,634	1,316
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES [Abstract]
Proceeds from investments sold, called or matured		10,791	10,874
Investments purchased		(84,552)	(75,071)
Additions to property and equipment		(103)	(396)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		10,128	(2,232)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES [Abstract]
Payment of dividends on Series D preferred stock		(399)	(399)
Payment of dividends on common stock		(408)	(408)
Proceeds from shares issued under stock plans		32	51
Purchase of shares for treasury		(692)	(698)
Net cash used in financing activities		(1,467)	(1,454)
Net increase (decrease) in cash		11,295	(2,370)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year		13,252	15,622
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year		24,547	13,252
Supplemental disclosure [Abstract]
Cash paid for interest		1,705	1,544
Cash paid for income taxes		1,400	675
Parent Company [Member]
ASSETS [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents		4,308	4,308	9,732	4,308	$ 4,463
Investments				16,097	16,160
Investment in subsidiaries				116,351	112,472
Investments in unconsolidated trusts				1,238	1,238
Income taxes receivable from subsidiaries				2,879	2,961
Other assets				3,762	4,554
Total assets				150,059	141,693
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY [Abstract]
Deferred tax liability, net				1,253	500
Other payables				2,085	1,949
Junior subordinated debentures				33,738	33,738
Total liabilities				37,076	36,187
Shareholders' equity				112,983	105,506
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity				$ 150,059	$ 141,693
REVENUE [Abstract]
Fee income from subsidiaries		7,702	7,395
Distributed earnings from subsidiaries		4,850	5,508
Other		4,130	408
Total revenue		16,682	13,311
GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES		13,015	12,858
INTEREST EXPENSE		1,723	1,562
Earnings before tax and equity in undistributed earnings (losses) of subsidiaries		1,944	(1,109)
INCOME TAX BENEFIT	[1]	(2,553)	(1,837)
Earnings after tax but before equity in undistributed earnings (losses) of subsidiaries		4,497	728
EQUITY IN UNDISTRIBUTED EARNINGS OF SUBSIDIARIES, NET		31	1,908
Net income		4,528	2,636
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES [Abstract]
Net income		4,528	2,636
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities [Abstract]
Realized investment losses (gains), net		(3,891)	1
Depreciation and amortization		712	713
Compensation expense related to share awards		495	586
Equity in undistributed earnings of consolidated subsidiaries		(31)	(1,908)
Decrease (increase) in intercompany taxes		82	(815)
Deferred income tax benefit		(1,358)	(2)
Increase (decrease) in other liabilities		136	(224)
Other, net		295	(221)
Net cash provided by operating activities		968	766
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES [Abstract]
Proceeds from investments sold, called or matured		6,014	1,979
Investments purchased		0	(1,000)
Capital contribution to subsidiaries		0	(75)
Additions to property and equipment		(91)	(371)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		5,923	533
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES [Abstract]
Payment of dividends on Series D preferred stock		(399)	(399)
Payment of dividends on common stock		(408)	(408)
Proceeds from shares issued under stock plans		32	51
Purchase of shares for treasury		(692)	(698)
Net cash used in financing activities		(1,467)	(1,454)
Net increase (decrease) in cash		5,424	(155)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year		4,308	4,463
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year		9,732	4,308
Supplemental disclosure [Abstract]
Cash paid for interest		1,705	1,544
Cash paid for income taxes		1,400	675
Intercompany tax settlement from subsidiaries		$ 2,676	$ 2,845

[1] Under the terms of a tax-sharing agreement, income tax provisions for the subsidiary companies are computed on a separate company basis. Accordingly, the Company's income tax benefit results from the utilization of the Parent's separate return loss to reduce the consolidated taxable income of the Company.