Note 6 - Investments Total Debt and Equity Securities (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Fixed maturities held to maturity
Total held to maturity amortized cost	$ 1,233,000		$ 2,640,000
Held-to-maturity Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	1,273,000		2,748,000
Fixed maturities available for sale securities
Amortized cost	64,795,000		120,757,000
Equity securities available for sale
Available-for-sale Equity Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	88,260,000		114,425,000
Equity securities available for sale—at fair value	112,884,000		128,424,000
Total debt and equity securities
Amortized Cost	154,288,000		237,822,000
Fair Value	180,569,000		249,905,000
Gross Unrealized Gains	26,954,000		18,899,000
Gross Unrealized Losses	673,000		6,816,000
Debt Securities
Fixed maturities held to maturity
Total held to maturity amortized cost	1,233,000		2,640,000
Held-to-maturity Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	1,273,000		2,748,000
Gross unrealized gains	47,000		115,000
Gross unrealized losses	7,000		7,000
Fixed maturities available for sale securities
Amortized cost	64,795,000		120,757,000
Fair value	66,412,000		118,733,000
Gross unrealized gains	2,283,000		3,916,000
Gross unrealized losses	666,000		5,940,000
US government and agency securities
Fixed maturities available for sale securities
Amortized cost	4,953,000		10,931,000
Fair value	5,329,000		13,630,000
Gross unrealized gains	376,000		2,699,000
Gross unrealized losses	0		0
State and municipal obligations
Fixed maturities held to maturity
Total held to maturity amortized cost	1,233,000		2,640,000
Held-to-maturity Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	1,273,000		2,748,000
Gross unrealized gains	47,000		115,000
Gross unrealized losses	7,000		7,000
Fixed maturities available for sale securities
Amortized cost	43,004,000		87,083,000
Fair value	43,488,000		82,692,000
Gross unrealized gains	842,000		485,000
Gross unrealized losses	358,000		4,876,000
Corporate bonds and notes
Fixed maturities available for sale securities
Amortized cost	15,788,000		17,267,000
Fair value	16,475,000		16,610,000
Gross unrealized gains	994,000		390,000
Gross unrealized losses	307,000		1,047,000
RMBS
Fixed maturities available for sale securities
Amortized cost	53,000		1,308,000
Fair value	55,000		1,360,000
Gross unrealized gains	3,000		53,000
Gross unrealized losses	1,000		1,000
CMBS
Fixed maturities available for sale securities
Amortized cost			1,660,000
Fair value			1,669,000
Gross unrealized gains			25,000
Gross unrealized losses			16,000
Other ABS
Fixed maturities available for sale securities
Amortized cost			1,019,000
Fair value			1,177,000
Gross unrealized gains			158,000
Gross unrealized losses			0
Other investments
Fixed maturities available for sale securities
Amortized cost	997,000		1,489,000
Fair value	1,065,000		1,595,000
Gross unrealized gains	68,000		106,000
Gross unrealized losses	0		0
Equity securities
Equity securities available for sale
Available-for-sale Equity Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	88,260,000	[1]	114,425,000	[2]
Equity securities available for sale—at fair value	112,884,000	[1]	128,424,000	[2]
Gross unrealized gains	24,624,000	[1]	14,868,000	[2]
Gross unrealized losses	0	[1]	869,000	[2]
Equity Securities Additional Disclosure [Abstract]
Diversified Equity Mutual Funds	100,000,000		116,000,000
Preferred And Common Stocks	$ 12,900,000		$ 12,400,000

[1] Comprising broadly diversified domestic equity mutual funds ($100.0 million fair value) and various preferred and common stocks invested across numerous companies and industries ($12.9 million fair value).

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