CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY - UNAUDITED (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Treasury Stock	Non-controlling Interest
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2010	$ 570,724	$ 27	$ 542,072	$ 88,830	$ 15,327	$ (78,152)	$ 2,620
Beginning balance, treasury stock, shares at Dec. 31, 2010						4,417,000
Beginning balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2010		27,117,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Stock-based compensation expense, shares
Stock-based compensation expense, value	1,130		1,130
Net loss	(2,925)			(2,105)			(820)
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments	(2,777)				(2,777)
Foreign currency translation	(695)				(695)
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2011	565,457	27	543,202	86,725	11,855	(78,152)	1,800
Ending balance, treasury stock, shares at Mar. 31, 2011						4,417,000
Ending balance, shares at Mar. 31, 2011		27,117,000
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2011	509,662	27	546,608	34,288	(959)	(78,152)	7,850
Beginning balance, treasury stock, shares at Dec. 31, 2011	4,417,000					4,417,000
Beginning balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2011	22,705,000	27,122,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Stock-based compensation expense, shares
Stock-based compensation expense, value	1,061		1,061
Exercise of restricted stock unit, shares		94,000
Exercise of restricted stock unit, value	(1,686)		(1,019)			(667)
Exercise of restricted stock unit, shares added to treasury						30,000
Retirement of PICO common stock, shares		(1,207,000)				(1,207,000)
Retirement of PICO common stock, value	0	(1)	(18,278)			(18,279)
Net loss	(5,118)			(4,896)			(222)
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments	1,540				1,540
Foreign currency translation	11				11
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2012	$ 505,470	$ 26	$ 528,372	$ 29,392	$ 592	$ (60,540)	$ 7,628
Ending balance, treasury stock, shares at Mar. 31, 2012	3,240,000					3,240,000
Ending balance, shares at Mar. 31, 2012	22,769,000	26,009,000