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, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Investment loss, net of expenses									$ 12,383	$ 12,884	$ 15,293
Management fee income									5,279	5,830	5,957
Total revenues	88,004	81,417	80,836	87,109	88,375	108,613	99,299	93,141	337,366	389,428	341,800
Interest expense									4,576	4,599	4,634
Amortization of intangible assets									2,526	3,115	3,586
Loss before equity in undistributed earnings (loss) of subsidiaries and income tax benefit	5,600	4,728	2,042	6,412	4,762	9,472	(5,317)	2,163	18,782	11,080	3,374
Income tax benefit	1,833	1,265	391	1,864	1,334	3,198	(2,166)	469	5,353	2,835	(474)
Net income (loss) attributable to Hallmark Financial Services, Inc.									13,429	8,245	3,524
Comprehensive income (loss)									14,347	17,229	4,977
Parent Company [Member]
Investment loss, net of expenses									133	(190)	(181)
Dividend income from subsidiaries									8,000
Management fee income									9,614	8,518	8,485
Total revenues									17,747	8,328	8,304
Operating expenses									9,759	7,764	8,079
Interest expense									4,576	4,599	4,634
Amortization of intangible assets											17
Operating Costs and Expenses									14,335	12,363	12,730
Loss before equity in undistributed earnings (loss) of subsidiaries and income tax benefit									3,412	(4,035)	(4,426)
Income tax benefit									(1,623)	(1,227)	(1,627)
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Total									5,035	(2,808)	(2,799)
Equity in undistributed share of earnings (loss) in subsidiaries									8,394	11,053	6,323
Net income (loss) attributable to Hallmark Financial Services, Inc.									13,429	8,245	3,524
Comprehensive income (loss)									$ 14,347	$ 17,229	$ 4,977