INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN AND EMPLOYEE BENEFITS	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
Incentive Compensation Plans and Employee Benefits [Abstract]
Incentive Compensation Plan and Employee Benefits	INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN AND EMPLOYEE BENEFITS: Incentive Compensation Plans: Certain officers of PICO Holdings are eligible to receive an annual incentive compensation award based on the growth of the Company’s book value per share during the year. To earn an award, the increase in book value per share must exceed a threshold of 80% of the annual total return of the S&P 500 for the previous five years. If the increase in book value per share exceeds this threshold, the incentive compensation award is 7.5% of the increase in book value per share, multiplied by the number of shares outstanding at the beginning of the year. The resulting award is paid in cash. No compensation was earned under this plan during 2011 or 2010. For the year ended December 31, 2009, the book value per share was in excess of the threshold and an aggregate award of $900,000, less applicable withholding taxes was paid to the participants. Certain officers of Vidler Water Company are eligible to receive an annual incentive award based on the combined net income, after certain adjustments, of Vidler and Nevada Land. No such award was earned in 2011 or 2010. All employees of UCP, provided they meet certain requirements, can be eligible to receive an annual incentive compensation award based on generating returns on the sale of real estate projects that are in excess of certain hurdles on equity capital provided by the Company. No compensation has been earned under this plan. In 2011, we entered into an agreement whereby certain officers of Northstar are eligible to receive an annual incentive award based on the net income of Northstar, after certain adjustments. No award was earned in 2011. Employee Benefits: The Company maintains a 401(k) defined contribution plan covering substantially all employees of the Company. Matching contributions are based on a percentage of employee compensation. In addition, the Company may make a discretionary profit sharing contribution at the end of the fiscal year within limits established by the Employee Retirement Income Securities Act. Total contribution expense to the plan for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009 was $678,000, $643,000, and $519,000, respectively.

INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN AND EMPLOYEE BENEFITS:

Incentive Compensation Plans:

Certain officers of PICO Holdings are eligible to receive an annual incentive compensation award based on the growth of the Company’s book value per share during the year. To earn an award, the increase in book value per share must exceed a threshold of 80% of the annual total return of the S&P 500 for the previous five years. If the increase in book value per share exceeds this threshold, the incentive compensation award is 7.5% of the increase in book value per share, multiplied by the number of shares outstanding at the beginning of the year. The resulting award is paid in cash. No compensation was earned under this plan during 2011 or 2010. For the year ended December 31, 2009, the book value per share was in excess of the threshold and an aggregate award of $900,000, less applicable withholding taxes was paid to the participants.

Certain officers of Vidler Water Company are eligible to receive an annual incentive award based on the combined net income, after certain adjustments, of Vidler and Nevada Land. No such award was earned in 2011 or 2010.

All employees of UCP, provided they meet certain requirements, can be eligible to receive an annual incentive compensation award based on generating returns on the sale of real estate projects that are in excess of certain hurdles on equity capital provided by the Company. No compensation has been earned under this plan.

In 2011, we entered into an agreement whereby certain officers of Northstar are eligible to receive an annual incentive award based on the net income of Northstar, after certain adjustments. No award was earned in 2011.

Employee Benefits:

The Company maintains a 401(k) defined contribution plan covering substantially all employees of the Company. Matching contributions are based on a percentage of employee compensation. In addition, the Company may make a discretionary profit sharing contribution at the end of the fiscal year within limits established by the Employee Retirement Income Securities Act. Total contribution expense to the plan for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009 was $678,000, $643,000, and $519,000, respectively.