Junior Subordinated Debentures (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) Trust Quarter $ / shares shares	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of Connecticut statutory business trusts | Trust		2
Financial structure of statutory business trusts [Abstract]
Net balance December 31, 2015		$ 33,738	$ 33,738
Net balance December 31, 2014		33,738
Consideration tendered upon settlement of Junior Subordinated Debentures		0	6,750
Gain on settlement of Junior Subordinated Debentures		$ 0	750
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 | Quarter		20
Atlantic American Statutory Trust I [Member] | JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES [Member]
Financial structure of statutory business trusts [Abstract]
Principal amount owed	[1],[2]	$ 18,042
Balance December 31, 2015	[1],[2]	18,042
Less: Treasury debt	[1],[2],[3]	0
Net balance December 31, 2015	[1],[2]	18,042	18,042
Net balance December 31, 2014	[1],[2]	$ 18,042
Coupon rate	[1],[2]	LIBOR + 4.00%
Interest payable	[1],[2]	Quarterly
Maturity date	[1],[2]	Dec. 04, 2032
Redeemable by issuer	[1],[2]	Yes
Atlantic American Statutory Trust I [Member] | JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES [Member] | LIBOR [Member]
Financial structure of statutory business trusts [Abstract]
Basis spread on variable rate		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) | shares		17,500
Liquidation preference per security (in dollars per share) | $ / shares		$ 1
Liquidation value		$ 17,500
Coupon rate		LIBOR + 4.00%
Distribution payable		Quarterly
Distribution guaranteed by	[4]	Atlantic American Corporation
Atlantic American Statutory Trust I [Member] | TRUST PREFERRED SECURITIES [Member] | LIBOR [Member]
Financial structure of statutory business trusts [Abstract]
Basis spread on variable rate		4.00%
Atlantic American Statutory Trust II [Member] | JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES [Member]
Financial structure of statutory business trusts [Abstract]
Principal amount owed	[1],[2]	$ 23,196
Balance December 31, 2015	[1],[2]	23,196
Less: Treasury debt	[1],[2],[3]	(7,500)
Net balance December 31, 2015	[1],[2]	15,696	$ 15,696
Net balance December 31, 2014	[1],[2]	$ 15,696
Coupon rate	[1],[2]	LIBOR + 4.10%
Interest payable	[1],[2]	Quarterly
Maturity date	[1],[2]	May 15, 2033
Redeemable by issuer	[1],[2]	Yes
Atlantic American Statutory Trust II [Member] | JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES [Member] | LIBOR [Member]
Financial structure of statutory business trusts [Abstract]
Basis spread on variable rate		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) | shares		22,500
Liquidation preference per security (in dollars per share) | $ / shares		$ 1
Liquidation value		$ 22,500
Coupon rate		LIBOR + 4.10%
Distribution payable		Quarterly
Distribution guaranteed by	[4]	Atlantic American Corporation
Atlantic American Statutory Trust II [Member] | TRUST PREFERRED SECURITIES [Member] | LIBOR [Member]
Financial structure of statutory business trusts [Abstract]
Basis spread on variable rate		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.