Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Revenues:
Revenues:	$ 85,620	$ 83,748	$ 253,177	$ 239,669
Pre-tax income (loss), net of non-controlling interest:
Consolidated Pre-tax income (loss), net of non-controlling interest	4,763	700	763	(20,250)
Standard Commercial P And C Business Unit [Member]
Revenues:
Revenues:	17,761	20,258	53,791	53,926
Pre-tax income (loss), net of non-controlling interest:
Consolidated Pre-tax income (loss), net of non-controlling interest	(529)	4,260	(2,601)	(890)
Specialty Commercial Segment [Member]
Revenues:
Revenues:	46,373	36,814	129,812	104,433
Pre-tax income (loss), net of non-controlling interest:
Consolidated Pre-tax income (loss), net of non-controlling interest	8,287	2,691	17,193	6,955
Personal Segment [Member]
Revenues:
Revenues:	21,172	25,637	68,508	76,556
Pre-tax income (loss), net of non-controlling interest:
Consolidated Pre-tax income (loss), net of non-controlling interest	(345)	(4,536)	(5,747)	(22,341)
Corporate [Member]
Revenues:
Revenues:	314	1,039	1,066	4,754
Pre-tax income (loss), net of non-controlling interest:
Consolidated Pre-tax income (loss), net of non-controlling interest	$ (2,650)	$ (1,715)	$ (8,082)	$ (3,974)