Schedule II - Condensed Financial Information of Registrant (Parent Company Only) (Comprehensive (loss) Income) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, 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
Investment loss, net of expenses									$ 12,884	$ 15,293	$ 15,880
Management fee income									5,830	5,957	6,826
Total revenues	88,375	108,613	99,299	93,141	88,623	85,620	84,571	82,986	389,428	341,800	322,771
Interest expense									4,599	4,634	4,631
Amortization of intangible assets									3,115	3,586	3,586
Loss before equity in undistributed earnings (loss) of subsidiaries and income tax benefit	4,762	9,472	(5,317)	2,163	2,287	5,021	(4,151)	217	11,080	3,374	(19,787)
Income tax benefit	1,334	3,198	(2,166)	469	504	1,350	(2,351)	23	2,835	(474)	(8,954)
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)
Comprehensive income (loss)									17,229	4,977	(14,082)
Parent Company [Member]
Investment loss, net of expenses									(190)	(181)	(194)
Management fee income									8,518	8,485	7,288
Total revenues									8,328	8,304	7,094
Operating expenses									7,764	8,079	7,851
Interest expense									4,599	4,634	4,631
Amortization of intangible assets										17	42
Operating Costs and Expenses									12,363	12,730	12,524
Loss before equity in undistributed earnings (loss) of subsidiaries and income tax benefit									(4,035)	(4,426)	(5,430)
Income tax benefit									(1,227)	(1,627)	(1,669)
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Total									(2,808)	(2,799)	(3,761)
Equity in undistributed share of earnings (loss) in subsidiaries									11,053	6,323	(7,130)
Net income (loss) attributable to Hallmark Financial Services, Inc.									8,245	3,524	(10,891)
Comprehensive income (loss)									$ 17,229	$ 4,977	$ (14,082)