Schedule II - Condensed Financial Information of Registrant (Parent Company Only) (Comprehensive (loss) Income) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Investment loss, net of expenses									$ 16,342	$ 13,969	$ 12,383
Management fee income									4,977	5,952	5,279
Total revenues	$ 97,254	$ 97,618	$ 91,052	$ 90,028	$ 90,071	$ 93,684	$ 97,197	$ 91,450	375,952	372,402	337,366
Interest expense									4,549	3,906	4,576
Amortization of intangible assets									2,468	2,468	2,526
Loss before equity in undistributed earnings (loss) of subsidiaries and income tax benefit	(6,174)	7,176	1,487	5,989	5,087	9,835	9,275	7,689	8,478	31,886	18,782
Income tax benefit	$ (2,512)	$ 2,128	$ 421	$ 1,915	$ 1,641	$ 3,137	$ 2,899	$ 2,346	1,952	10,023	5,353
Net income (loss) attributable to Hallmark Financial Services, Inc.									6,526	21,863	13,429
Parent Company [Member]
Investment loss, net of expenses									70	120	133
Dividend income from subsidiaries									10,500	8,000	8,000
Management fee income									10,711	10,053	9,614
Total revenues									21,281	18,173	17,747
Operating expenses									9,878	10,222	9,759
Interest expense									4,549	3,906	4,576
Operating Costs and Expenses									14,427	14,128	14,335
Loss before equity in undistributed earnings (loss) of subsidiaries and income tax benefit									6,854	4,045	3,412
Income tax benefit									(1,315)	(1,273)	(1,623)
Income (loss) before equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries									8,169	5,318	5,035
Equity in undistributed share of earnings (loss) in subsidiaries									(1,643)	16,545	8,394
Net income (loss) attributable to Hallmark Financial Services, Inc.									6,526	21,863	13,429
Comprehensive income (loss)									$ 9,479	$ 11,480	$ 14,347