Schedule I - Condensed Financial Information of the Registrant (Parent Company Only) Income Statement (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Expenses (intercompany interest of $2,468 in 2015, $7,389 in 2014, and $7,204 in 2013)	$ 297,813	$ 239,457	$ 162,348
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in loss of unconsolidated affiliates	(31,150)	(46,969)	(2,167)
Net loss attributable to PICO Holdings, Inc.	(81,858)	(52,425)	(22,298)
Parent Company
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Investment income (intercompany interest and dividends of $142 in 2015, $75,589 in 2014, and $952 in 2013)	948	77,124	1,035
Expenses (intercompany interest of $2,468 in 2015, $7,389 in 2014, and $7,204 in 2013)	12,735	20,551	17,676
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in loss of unconsolidated affiliates	(11,787)	56,573	(16,641)
Equity in loss of unconsolidated affiliate	(70,071)	(108,998)	(5,657)
Net loss attributable to PICO Holdings, Inc.	$ (81,858)	$ (52,425)	$ (22,298)