Discontinued Agribusiness Operations - Tables (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Revenues and other income:
Sales of canola oil and meal		$ 39,432
Other		(106)
Total revenue and other income		39,326
Cost of goods sold:
Cost of canola oil and meal sold		38,424
Depreciation		1,950
Other direct costs of production		2,519
Total cost of goods sold		42,893
Impairment loss on intangible and long-lived assets		1,875
Interest		1,439
Plant costs and overhead	$ 40	3,601
Segment total expenses	40	49,808
Loss from discontinued agribusiness operations, net of tax	(40)	$ (10,482)
Loss on sale of discontinued agribusiness operations, net of tax	(1,849)
Net loss from discontinued agribusiness operations, net of tax	$ (1,889)	$ (10,482)
Net loss from discontinued agribusiness operations attributable to noncontrolling interests		1,063
Net loss from discontinued agribusiness operations attributable to PICO Holdings, Inc.	$ (1,889)	(9,419)
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	553	$ 194	$ 938
Accounts receivable	6,000		7,800
Other assets	24		55
Total assets held-for-sale	6,577		8,793
Liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	276		608
Total liabilities held-for-sale	$ 276		$ 608