DOCUMENT AND ENTITY INFORMATION - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Feb. 27, 2020	Jun. 28, 2019
Cover page.
Entity Registrant Name	PICO HOLDINGS INC /NEW
Entity Central Index Key	0000830122
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float			$ 202.9
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		19,636,078
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2019
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Small Business	true
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes