Schedule II CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
ASSETS [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents		$ 12,893	$ 12,630
Investments		268,637	241,929
Investments in unconsolidated trusts		1,238	1,238
Deferred tax asset, net		314	4,184
Other assets		9,108	4,560
Total assets		377,626	344,274
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY [Abstract]
Other payables		23,588	20,116
Junior subordinated debentures		33,738	33,738
Total liabilities		259,232	242,902
Shareholders' equity		118,394	101,372
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity		377,626	344,274
REVENUE [Abstract]
Unrealized gains (losses) on equity securities		5,511	(2,194)
Other		190	113
Total revenue		198,179	185,553
INTEREST EXPENSE		2,130	2,037
INCOME TAX BENEFIT(1)		21	267
Net loss		(386)	(704)
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES [Abstract]
Net loss		(386)	(704)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities [Abstract]
Realized investment gains, net		(1,574)	(5,154)
Unrealized (gains) losses on equity securities, net		(5,511)	2,194
Depreciation and amortization		996	987
Compensation expense related to share awards		353	244
Distributions received from equity method investees		379	10,777
Deferred income tax benefit		(913)	(2,236)
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued expenses		3,472	(2,226)
Other, net		(5,005)	(266)
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities		(1,807)	4,460
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES [Abstract]
Investments purchased		(124,029)	(49,552)
Additions to property and equipment		(69)	(281)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		3,009	(14,787)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES [Abstract]
Payment of dividends on Series D preferred stock		(399)	(399)
Payment of dividends on common stock		(403)	(407)
Proceeds from shares issued under stock plans		26	36
Treasury stock acquired - share repurchase authorization		(71)	(597)
Treasury stock acquired - net employee share-based compensation		(92)	(223)
Net cash used in financing activities		(939)	(1,590)
Net increase (decrease) in cash		263	(11,917)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year		12,630	24,547
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year		12,893	12,630
Supplemental disclosure [Abstract]
Cash paid for interest		2,155	1,996
Cash paid for income taxes		1,662	2,107
Parent Company [Member]
ASSETS [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents		2,068	3,142
Investments		3,267	14,154
Investment in subsidiaries		142,707	108,756
Investments in unconsolidated trusts		1,238	1,238
Deferred tax asset, net		0	3,524
Income taxes receivable from subsidiaries		2,304	2,856
Other assets		5,126	3,311
Total assets		156,710	136,981
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY [Abstract]
Deferred tax liability, net		346	0
Other payables		4,232	1,871
Junior subordinated debentures		33,738	33,738
Total liabilities		38,316	35,609
Shareholders' equity		118,394	101,372
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity		156,710	136,981
REVENUE [Abstract]
Fee income from subsidiaries		7,210	7,995
Distributed earnings from subsidiaries		4,800	4,800
Unrealized gains (losses) on equity securities		2,976	(1,460)
Other		1,190	752
Total revenue		16,176	12,087
GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES		11,731	12,764
INTEREST EXPENSE		2,130	2,037
Earnings before tax and equity in undistributed earnings (losses) of subsidiaries		2,315	(2,714)
INCOME TAX BENEFIT(1)	[1]	(2,035)	(3,544)
Earnings after tax but before equity in undistributed earnings (losses) of subsidiaries		4,350	830
EQUITY IN UNDISTRIBUTED EARNINGS OF SUBSIDIARIES, NET		(4,736)	(1,534)
Net loss		(386)	(704)
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES [Abstract]
Net loss		(386)	(704)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities [Abstract]
Realized investment gains, net		(1,120)	(272)
Unrealized (gains) losses on equity securities, net		(2,976)	1,460
Depreciation and amortization		552	715
Compensation expense related to share awards		353	244
Distributions received from equity method investees		51	183
Equity in undistributed earnings of consolidated subsidiaries		4,736	1,534
Decrease in intercompany taxes		551	24
Deferred income tax benefit		(913)	(2,236)
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued expenses		2,360	(214)
Other, net		(2,314)	(190)
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities		894	544
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES [Abstract]
Proceeds from investments sold, called or matured		3,574	675
Investments purchased		(1,060)	0
Capital contribution to subsidiaries		(3,500)	(6,000)
Additions to property and equipment		(44)	(219)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		(1,030)	(5,544)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES [Abstract]
Payment of dividends on Series D preferred stock		(399)	(399)
Payment of dividends on common stock		(403)	(407)
Proceeds from shares issued under stock plans		27	36
Treasury stock acquired - share repurchase authorization		(71)	(597)
Treasury stock acquired - net employee share-based compensation		(92)	(223)
Net cash used in financing activities		(938)	(1,590)
Net increase (decrease) in cash		(1,074)	(6,590)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year		3,142	9,732
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year		2,068	3,142
Supplemental disclosure [Abstract]
Cash paid for interest		2,155	1,996
Cash paid for income taxes		1,662	2,107
Intercompany tax settlement from subsidiaries		$ 3,335	$ 3,439

[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.