Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity and Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-In Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Treasury Stock
Balance, beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2009		$ 3,757	$ 121,016	$ 98,482	$ 8,589	$ (5,327)
Net (loss) income	5,935
Additional minimum pension liability, net of tax	73				73
Accretion of redeemable noncontrolling interest			(162)
Acquistion of treasury shares						0
Net (loss) income attributable to Hallmark Financial Services, Inc.	5,898			5,898
Net unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during period	3,750				3,750
Equity based compensation			589
Reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income	(5,446)				(5,446)
Exercise of stock options		0	(40)			65
Comprehensive (loss) income	4,312
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interest	37
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Hallmark Financial Services, Inc.	4,275
Balance, end of period at Jun. 30, 2010	231,244	3,757	121,403	104,380	6,966	(5,262)
Balance, beginning of period at Mar. 31, 2010		3,757	121,196	104,768	11,083	(5,268)
Net (loss) income	(356)
Additional minimum pension liability, net of tax	37				37
Accretion of redeemable noncontrolling interest			(84)
Acquistion of treasury shares						0
Net (loss) income attributable to Hallmark Financial Services, Inc.	(388)			(388)
Net unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during period	(2,511)				(2,511)
Equity based compensation			291
Reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income	(1,643)				(1,643)
Exercise of stock options		0	0			6
Comprehensive (loss) income	(4,473)
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interest	32
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Hallmark Financial Services, Inc.	(4,505)
Balance, end of period at Jun. 30, 2010	231,244	3,757	121,403	104,380	6,966	(5,262)
Balance, beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2010	235,763	3,757	121,815	105,816	9,637	(5,262)
Net (loss) income	(11,227)
Additional minimum pension liability, net of tax	93				93
Accretion of redeemable noncontrolling interest			(6)
Acquistion of treasury shares						(4,911)
Net (loss) income attributable to Hallmark Financial Services, Inc.	(11,249)			(11,249)
Net unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during period	896				896
Equity based compensation			489
Reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income	(2,783)				(2,783)
Exercise of stock options		0	(6)			105
Comprehensive (loss) income	(13,021)
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interest	22
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Hallmark Financial Services, Inc.	(13,043)
Balance, end of period at Jun. 30, 2011	218,391	3,757	122,292	94,567	7,843	(10,068)
Balance, beginning of period at Mar. 31, 2011		3,757	122,074	94,590	8,207	(5,262)
Net (loss) income	(15)
Additional minimum pension liability, net of tax	47				47
Accretion of redeemable noncontrolling interest			(3)
Acquistion of treasury shares						(4,911)
Net (loss) income attributable to Hallmark Financial Services, Inc.	(23)			(23)
Net unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during period	1,253				1,253
Equity based compensation			227
Reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income	(1,664)				(1,664)
Exercise of stock options		0	(6)			105
Comprehensive (loss) income	(379)
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interest	8
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Hallmark Financial Services, Inc.	(387)
Balance, end of period at Jun. 30, 2011	$ 218,391	$ 3,757	$ 122,292	$ 94,567	$ 7,843	$ (10,068)