SCHEDULE I - CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE REGISTRANT (PARENT COMPANY ONLY) Income Statement (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Total revenues and other income	$ 354,896	$ 344,829	$ 150,081
Expenses (intercompany interest of $7,389 in 2014, $7,204 in 2013, and $7,708 in 2012)	415,939	370,261	179,659
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in loss of unconsolidated affiliates	(61,043)	(25,432)	(29,578)
Provision (benefit) for federal, foreign, and state income taxes	(3,514)	3,197	(1,069)
Loss from continuing operations	(59,605)	(29,194)	(28,509)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes			(3,143)
Net loss attributable to PICO Holdings, Inc.	(52,425)	(22,298)	(29,073)
Parent Company
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Investment income (intercompany interest and dividends of $75,589 in 2014, $952 in 2013, and $16,497 in 2012)	77,124	1,035	17,215
Total revenues and other income	77,124	1,035	17,215
Expenses (intercompany interest of $7,389 in 2014, $7,204 in 2013, and $7,708 in 2012)	20,551	17,676	18,429
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in loss of unconsolidated affiliates	56,573	(16,641)	(1,214)
Provision (benefit) for federal, foreign, and state income taxes			(3,863)
Equity in loss of unconsolidated affiliate	(108,998)	(5,657)	(28,579)
Loss from continuing operations	(52,425)	(22,298)	(25,930)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes			3,143
Net loss attributable to PICO Holdings, Inc.	$ (52,425)	$ (22,298)	$ (29,073)