CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS - UNAUDITED (USD $) In Thousands	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Treasury Stock	Non-controlling Interest	Comprehensive Loss attributable to PICO Holdings, Inc.
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2009	$ 579,695	$ 27	$ 539,792	$ 100,002	$ 21,094	$ (78,272)	$ (2,948)
Treasury Stock, Shares, Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2009						4,425
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding, Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2009		27,020
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Stock-based compensation expense, Shares		5
Stock-based compensation expense, Value	3,838		3,838
Exercise of restricted stock unit, Shares		92
Exercise of restricted stock unit, Value	(2,086)		(2,086)
Comprehensive loss:
Net loss	(10,185)			(7,880)			(2,305)	(7,880)
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax:
Unrealized loss on securities	(1,323)				(1,323)			(1,323)
Foreign currency translation	(400)				(400)			(400)
Other comprehensive loss	(1,723)							(1,723)
Comprehensive loss	(11,908)							(9,603)
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2010	568,638	27	540,523	92,122	19,371	(78,152)	(5,253)
Treasury Stock, Shares, Ending Balance at Sep. 30, 2010						4,425
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding, Ending Balance at Sep. 30, 2010		27,117
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2010	570,724	27	542,072	88,830	15,327	(78,152)	2,620
Treasury Stock, Shares, Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	4,417					4,417
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding, Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	22,700	27,117
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Stock-based compensation expense, Shares		5
Stock-based compensation expense, Value	3,398		3,398
Stock-based compensation income tax benefits (deficiencies)	(1,157)		(1,157)
Disposition of treasury stock from deferred compensation plans	256		136			120
Change in onwership of noncontrolling interest	490						490
Comprehensive loss:
Net loss	(44,611)			(49,941)			5,330	(49,941)
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax:
Unrealized loss on securities	(12,746)				(12,746)			(12,746)
Foreign currency translation	(1,756)				(1,756)			(1,756)
Other comprehensive loss	(14,502)							(14,502)
Comprehensive loss	(59,113)							(64,443)
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2011	$ 515,499	$ 27	$ 545,470	$ 38,889	$ 825	$ (78,152)	$ 8,440
Treasury Stock, Shares, Ending Balance at Sep. 30, 2011	4,417					4,417
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding, Ending Balance at Sep. 30, 2011	22,705	27,122