Note 7 - Investments Total Debt and Equity Securities (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010
Fixed maturities held to maturity
Total held to maturity amortized cost	$ 2,640,000		$ 10,773,000
Fair Value	2,748,000		11,416,000
Fixed maturities available for sale securities
Amortized cost	120,757,000		340,795,000
Equity securities available for sale
Amortized cost	114,425,000		160,242,000
Fair value	128,424,000		184,365,000
Total debt and equity securities
Amortized Cost	237,822,000		511,810,000
Fair Value	249,905,000		469,580,000
Gross Unrealized Gains	18,899,000		29,058,000
Gross Unrealized Losses	6,816,000		71,288,000
Debt Securities
Fixed maturities held to maturity
Total held to maturity amortized cost	2,640,000		10,773,000
Fair Value	2,748,000		11,416,000
Gross unrealized gains	115,000		662,000
Gross unrealized losses	7,000		19,000
Fixed maturities available for sale securities
Amortized cost	120,757,000		340,795,000
Fair value	118,733,000		273,799,000
Gross unrealized gains	3,916,000		4,208,000
Gross unrealized losses	5,940,000		71,204,000
US government and agency securities
Fixed maturities available for sale securities
Amortized cost	10,931,000		25,120,000
Fair value	13,630,000		27,742,000
Gross unrealized gains	2,699,000		2,622,000
Gross unrealized losses	0		0
State and municipal obligations
Fixed maturities held to maturity
Total held to maturity amortized cost	2,640,000		10,773,000
Fair Value	2,748,000		11,416,000
Gross unrealized gains	115,000		662,000
Gross unrealized losses	7,000		19,000
Fixed maturities available for sale securities
Amortized cost	87,083,000		269,185,000
Fair value	82,692,000		199,187,000
Gross unrealized gains	485,000		272,000
Gross unrealized losses	4,876,000		70,270,000
Corporate bonds and notes
Fixed maturities available for sale securities
Amortized cost	17,267,000		26,748,000
Fair value	16,610,000		26,206,000
Gross unrealized gains	390,000		334,000
Gross unrealized losses	1,047,000		876,000
RMBS
Fixed maturities available for sale securities
Amortized cost	1,308,000		11,952,000
Fair value	1,360,000		12,538,000
Gross unrealized gains	53,000		600,000
Gross unrealized losses	1,000		14,000
CMBS
Fixed maturities available for sale securities
Amortized cost	1,660,000		3,279,000
Fair value	1,669,000		3,310,000
Gross unrealized gains	25,000		70,000
Gross unrealized losses	16,000		39,000
Other ABS
Fixed maturities available for sale securities
Amortized cost	1,019,000		2,104,000
Fair value	1,177,000		2,226,000
Gross unrealized gains	158,000		127,000
Gross unrealized losses	0		5,000
Other investments
Fixed maturities available for sale securities
Amortized cost	1,489,000		2,407,000
Fair value	1,595,000		2,590,000
Gross unrealized gains	106,000		183,000
Gross unrealized losses	0		0
Equity securities
Equity securities available for sale
Amortized cost	114,425,000	[1]	160,242,000	[2]
Fair value	128,424,000	[1]	184,365,000	[2]
Gross unrealized gains	14,868,000	[1]	24,188,000	[2]
Gross unrealized losses	869,000	[1]	65,000	[2]
Equity Securities Additional Disclosure [Abstract]
Diversified Equity Mutual Funds	116,000,000		168,400,000
Preferred And Common Stocks	12,400,000		16,000,000
Debt Securities [Member]
Debt and Equity Securities [Line Items]
Assets Held by Insurance Regulators	21,100,000		17,000,000
Funds Held under Reinsurance Agreements, Asset	$ 116,400,000		$ 140,000,000

[1] Comprising broadly diversified domestic equity mutual funds ($116.0 million fair value at December 31, 2011) and various preferred and common stocks invested across numerous companies and industries ($12.4 million fair value at December 31, 2011).

[2] Comprising broadly diversified domestic equity mutual funds ($168.4 million fair value at December 31, 2010) and various preferred and common stocks invested across numerous companies and industries ($16.0 million fair value at December 31, 2010).