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 (Deficit)	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Treasury Stock	Non-controlling Interest
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
Beginning balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2011		27,122,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Stock-based compensation expense, value	1,061		1,061
Exercise of restricted stock units, shares		94,000
Exercise of restricted stock units, value	(1,686)		(1,019)
Exercise of restricted stock units, 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 depreciation 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
Ending balance, shares at Mar. 31, 2012		26,009,000
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2012	478,496	26	526,591	5,215	(2,014)	(56,593)	5,271
Beginning balance, treasury stock, shares at Dec. 31, 2012	3,073,000					3,073,000
Beginning balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2012	25,807,000	25,807,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Stock-based compensation expense, value	946		946
Changes in ownership of noncontrolling interest	248						248
Exercise of restricted stock units, value						(667)
Net loss	(16,775)			(14,975)			(1,800)
Unrealized depreciation on investments	752				752
Foreign currency translation	236				236
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2013	$ 463,903	$ 26	$ 527,537	$ (9,760)	$ (1,026)	$ (56,593)	$ 3,719
Ending balance, treasury stock, shares at Mar. 31, 2013	3,073,000					3,073,000
Ending balance, shares at Mar. 31, 2013	25,807,000	25,807,000