CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY - UNAUDITED (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings (Deficit)	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Treasury Stock	Noncontrolling 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
Beginning balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2011		27,122
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Stock-based compensation expense, value	2,927		2,927
Exercise of restricted stock units, shares		94
Exercise of restricted stock units, value	(1,687)		(1,020)			(667)
Exercise of restricted stock units						30
Retirement of PICO common stock, shares		(1,409)				(1,409)
Retirement of PICO common stock, value		(1)	(22,870)			22,871
Net loss	(27,462)			(25,593)			(1,869)
Unrealized depreciation on investments	(54)				(54)
Foreign currency translation	(295)				(295)
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2012	483,091	26	525,645	8,695	(1,308)	(55,948)	5,981
Ending balance, treasury stock, shares at Sep. 30, 2012						3,038
Ending balance, shares at Sep. 30, 2012		25,807
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					3,073
Beginning balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2012	25,807	25,807
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Stock-based compensation expense, value	3,789		3,394				395
Exercise of restricted stock units, shares		11
Exercise of restricted stock units, value
Changes in ownership of noncontrolling interest	107,321		14,985				92,336
Exercise of restricted stock units
Net loss	(19,154)			(14,518)			(4,636)
Unrealized depreciation on investments	2,407				2,407
Foreign currency translation	(108)				(108)
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2013	$ 572,751	$ 26	$ 544,970	$ (9,303)	$ 285	$ (56,593)	$ 93,366
Ending balance, treasury stock, shares at Sep. 30, 2013	3,073					3,073
Ending balance, shares at Sep. 30, 2013	25,818	25,818