Document and Entity Information	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jul. 31, 2011
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2011
Entity Registrant Name	UNITRIN INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000860748
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2011
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		60,459,691