CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Available-for-sale investments:
Fixed maturities	$ 11,706,000	$ 15,205,000
Equity securities	41,640,000	27,901,000
Total available-for-sale investments	53,346,000	43,106,000
Other investments	2,060,000	2,060,000
Total investments	55,406,000	45,166,000
Cash and cash equivalents	85,209,000	99,549,000
Notes and other receivables, net	14,715,000	6,669,000
Real estate and water assets, net	353,294,000	333,840,000
Property and equipment, net	129,549,000	108,842,000
Other assets	25,162,000	16,951,000
Assets of discontinued operations	38,659,000	77,048,000
Total assets	701,994,000	688,065,000
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Debt	139,956,000	93,431,000
Deferred compensation	38,800,000	36,300,000
Other liabilities	16,940,000	20,833,000
Liabilities of discontinued operations	23,170,000	27,824,000
Total liabilities	218,903,000	178,403,000
Commitments and contingencies
Common stock, $.001 par value; authorized 100,000 shares, 25,807 issued and 22,769 outstanding at September 30, 2012, and 27,122 issued and 22,705 outstanding at December 31, 2011	26,000	27,000
Additional paid-in capital	525,645,000	546,608,000
Retained earnings	8,695,000	34,288,000
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(1,308,000)	(959,000)
Treasury stock, at cost (common shares: 3,038 in 2012 and 4,417 in 2011)	(55,948,000)	(78,152,000)
Total PICO Holdings, Inc. shareholders' equity	477,110,000	501,812,000
Noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries	5,981,000	7,850,000
Total shareholders' equity	483,091,000	509,662,000
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$ 701,994,000	$ 688,065,000