CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Revenues:
Sale of real estate and water assets	$ 55,679	$ 4,637	$ 12,936
Net investment income	4,142	6,593	5,939
Net realized gain (loss) on sale and impairment of investments	23,157	18,515	(6,756)
Other	2,173	2,429	3,913
Total revenues	85,151	32,174	16,032
Costs and expenses:
Operating and other costs	41,194	36,342	36,652
Impairment loss on real estate and water assets	21,404	10,316	12,378
Cost of real estate and water assets sold	36,851	2,515	6,548
Loss and loss adjustment expense (recovery)	(223)	128	(1,345)
Depreciation and amortization	1,464	1,355	1,290
Interest	146	1,356	1,251
Total costs and expenses	100,836	52,012	56,774
Loss before income taxes	(15,685)	(19,838)	(40,742)
Provision (benefit) for federal, foreign, and state income taxes	28,824	(9,483)	(19,260)
Equity in loss of unconsolidated affiliate	(5,293)	(3,717)	(277)
Net loss	(49,802)	(14,072)	(21,759)
Noncontrolling interests	(4,740)	2,900	3,724
Net loss attributable to PICO Holdings, Inc.	$ (54,542)	$ (11,172)	$ (18,035)
Net loss per common share – basic and diluted:
Net loss per common share	$ (2.41)	$ (0.49)	$ (0.86)
Weighted average shares outstanding	22,670	22,653	20,927