Unaudited Selected Quarterly Financial Information (Schedule of Quarterly Financial Information) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Unaudited Selected Quarterly Financial Information [Abstract]
Total revenue	$ 88,375	$ 108,613	$ 99,299	$ 93,141	$ 88,623	$ 85,620	$ 84,571	$ 82,986	$ 389,428	$ 341,800	$ 322,771
Total expense	83,613	99,141	104,616	90,978	86,336	80,599	88,722	82,769	378,348	338,426	342,558
Income (loss) before tax	4,762	9,472	(5,317)	2,163	2,287	5,021	(4,151)	217	11,080	3,374	(19,787)
Income tax expense (benefit)	1,334	3,198	(2,166)	469	504	1,350	(2,351)	23	2,835	(474)	(8,954)
Net income (loss)	3,428	6,274	(3,151)	1,694	1,783	3,671	(1,800)	194	8,245	3,848	(10,833)
Net income attributable to non-controlling interest						258	43	23		324	58
Net income (loss) attributable to Hallmark Financial Services, Inc.	$ 3,428	$ 6,274	$ (3,151)	$ 1,694	$ 1,783	$ 3,413	$ (1,843)	$ 171	$ 8,245	$ 3,524	$ (10,891)
Basic earnings (loss) per share:	$ 0.18	$ 0.33	$ (0.16)	$ 0.09	$ 0.09	$ 0.18	$ (0.10)	$ 0.01	$ 0.43	$ 0.18	$ (0.55)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share:	$ 0.18	$ 0.32	$ (0.16)	$ 0.09	$ 0.09	$ 0.18	$ (0.10)	$ 0.01	$ 0.43	$ 0.18	$ (0.55)