Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (USD $) In Thousands	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Total
Balance at Jun. 30, 2012	$ 3,757	$ 122,669	$ 92,768	$ 5,888	$ (11,558)
Accretion of redeemable noncontrolling interest		(321)
Equity based compensation		64
Net income attributable to Hallmark Financial Services, Inc.			3,413			3,413
Additional minimum pension liability, net of tax				78
Net unrealized holding gains arising during period, net of tax				2,952
Reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income, net of tax				(602)
Balance at Sep. 30, 2012	3,757	122,412	96,181	8,316	(11,558)	219,108
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	3,757	122,487	94,440	6,446	(11,558)
Accretion of redeemable noncontrolling interest		(392)
Equity based compensation		317
Net income attributable to Hallmark Financial Services, Inc.			1,741			1,741
Additional minimum pension liability, net of tax				235
Net unrealized holding gains arising during period, net of tax				2,964
Reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income, net of tax				(1,329)
Balance at Sep. 30, 2012	3,757	122,412	96,181	8,316	(11,558)	219,108
Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	3,757	122,475	97,964	7,899	(11,558)	220,537
Equity based compensation		245
Net income attributable to Hallmark Financial Services, Inc.			4,817			4,817
Additional minimum pension liability, net of tax				241
Net unrealized holding gains arising during period, net of tax				10,558
Reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income, net of tax				(6,320)
Balance at Sep. 30, 2013	3,757	122,720	102,781	12,378	(11,558)	230,078
Balance at Jun. 30, 2013	3,757	122,611	96,507	13,746	(11,558)
Equity based compensation		109
Net income attributable to Hallmark Financial Services, Inc.			6,274			6,274
Additional minimum pension liability, net of tax				80
Net unrealized holding gains arising during period, net of tax				3,069
Reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income, net of tax				(4,517)
Balance at Sep. 30, 2013	$ 3,757	$ 122,720	$ 102,781	$ 12,378	$ (11,558)	$ 230,078