Junior Subordinated Debentures (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014 Trust		Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of Connecticut statutory business trusts	2
Financial structure of statutory business trusts [Abstract]
Net balance December 31, 2014	$ 33,738		$ 41,238
Consideration tendered upon settlement of Junior Subordinated Debentures	6,750		0
Gain on settlement of Junior Subordinated Debentures	750		0
JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES [Member]
Financial structure of statutory business trusts [Abstract]
Consideration tendered upon settlement of Junior Subordinated Debentures	6,750
Gain on settlement of Junior Subordinated Debentures	750
Number of consecutive quarters for which interest payments can be deferred	20
Atlantic American Statutory Trust I [Member] | JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES [Member]
Financial structure of statutory business trusts [Abstract]
Principal amount owed	18,042	[1],[2]
Balance December 31, 2014	18,042	[1],[2]
Less: Treasury debt	0	[1],[2],[3]
Net balance December 31, 2014	18,042	[1],[2]
Net Balance December 31, 2013	18,042	[1],[2]
Coupon rate	LIBOR + 4.00%	[1],[2]
Interest payable	Quarterly	[1],[2]
Maturity date	Dec. 04, 2032	[1],[2]
Redeemable by issuer	Yes	[1],[2]
Atlantic American Statutory Trust I [Member] | JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES [Member] | LIBOR [Member]
Financial structure of statutory business trusts [Abstract]
Basis spread on variable rate (in hundredths)	4.00%
Atlantic American Statutory Trust I [Member] | TRUST PREFERRED SECURITIES [Member]
Financial structure of statutory business trusts [Abstract]
Issuance date	Dec. 04, 2002
Securities issued (in shares)	17,500
Liquidation preference per security (in dollars per share)	$ 1
Liquidation value	17,500
Coupon rate	LIBOR + 4.00%
Distribution payable	Quarterly
Distribution guaranteed by	Atlantic American Corporation	[4]
Atlantic American Statutory Trust I [Member] | TRUST PREFERRED SECURITIES [Member] | LIBOR [Member]
Financial structure of statutory business trusts [Abstract]
Basis spread on variable rate (in hundredths)	4.00%
Atlantic American Statutory Trust II [Member] | JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES [Member]
Financial structure of statutory business trusts [Abstract]
Principal amount owed	23,196	[1],[2]
Balance December 31, 2014	23,196	[1],[2]
Less: Treasury debt	(7,500)	[1],[2],[3]
Net balance December 31, 2014	15,696	[1],[2]
Net Balance December 31, 2013	23,196	[1],[2]
Coupon rate	LIBOR + 4.10%	[1],[2]
Interest payable	Quarterly	[1],[2]
Maturity date	May 15, 2033	[1],[2]
Redeemable by issuer	Yes	[1],[2]
Atlantic American Statutory Trust II [Member] | JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES [Member] | LIBOR [Member]
Financial structure of statutory business trusts [Abstract]
Basis spread on variable rate (in hundredths)	4.10%
Atlantic American Statutory Trust II [Member] | TRUST PREFERRED SECURITIES [Member]
Financial structure of statutory business trusts [Abstract]
Issuance date	May 15, 2003
Securities issued (in shares)	22,500
Liquidation preference per security (in dollars per share)	$ 1
Liquidation value	$ 22,500
Coupon rate	LIBOR + 4.10%
Distribution payable	Quarterly
Distribution guaranteed by	Atlantic American Corporation	[4]
Atlantic American Statutory Trust II [Member] | TRUST PREFERRED SECURITIES [Member] | LIBOR [Member]
Financial structure of statutory business trusts [Abstract]
Basis spread on variable rate (in hundredths)	4.10%

[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 consolidated statements of operations in 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.