Discontinued Operations (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Net Gain on Sale of Loan Portfolio	$ 0	$ 0.5	$ 0	$ 12.9
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations before Income Taxes:
Net Gain on Sale of Loan Portfolio	0	0.5	0	12.9
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations before Income Taxes	2.2	(0.1)	4.3	13.2
Income Tax Benefit (Expense)	(0.7)	0.1	(1.5)	(5.2)
Income from Discontinued Operations	1.5	0	2.8	8.0
Income from Discontinued Operations Per Unrestricted Share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.03	$ 0.00	$ 0.05	$ 0.14
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.02	$ 0.00	$ 0.05	$ 0.14
Fireside [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Net Gain on Sale of Loan Portfolio	0	0.5	0	12.9
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations before Income Taxes:
Results of Operations / Change in Estimate of Retained Liabilities Arising from Discontinued Operations	0	0	0	(0.2)
Net Gain on Sale of Loan Portfolio	0	0.5	0	12.9
Unitrin Business Insurance [Member]
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations before Income Taxes:
Results of Operations / Change in Estimate of Retained Liabilities Arising from Discontinued Operations	$ 2.2	$ (0.6)	$ 4.3	$ 0.5