Note 6 - Investments Total Debt and Equity Securities (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Fixed maturities held to maturity
Total held to maturity amortized cost	$ 428,000		$ 679,000
Fixed maturities held to maturity, Fair Value Disclosure	421,000		676,000
Fixed maturities available for sale securities
Amortized cost	97,819,000		39,481,000
Equity securities available for sale
Available-for-sale Equity Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	78,106,000		88,260,000
Equity securities available for sale—at fair value	121,868,000		112,139,000
Total debt and equity securities
Amortized Cost	176,353,000		128,420,000
Fair Value	221,201,000		153,511,000
Gross Unrealized Gains	45,821,000		25,501,000
Gross Unrealized Losses	973,000		410,000
Debt Securities
Fixed maturities held to maturity
Total held to maturity amortized cost	428,000		679,000
Fixed maturities held to maturity, Fair Value Disclosure	421,000		676,000
Gross unrealized gains	0		3,000
Gross unrealized losses	7,000		6,000
Fixed maturities available for sale securities
Amortized cost	97,819,000		39,481,000
Fair value	98,912,000		40,696,000
Gross unrealized gains	2,059,000		1,619,000
Gross unrealized losses	966,000		404,000
US government and agency securities
Fixed maturities available for sale securities
Amortized cost	3,465,000		4,969,000
Fair value	3,714,000		5,305,000
Gross unrealized gains	249,000		336,000
Gross unrealized losses	0		0
State and municipal obligations
Fixed maturities held to maturity
Total held to maturity amortized cost	428,000		679,000
Fixed maturities held to maturity, Fair Value Disclosure	421,000		676,000
Gross unrealized gains	0		3,000
Gross unrealized losses	7,000		6,000
Fixed maturities available for sale securities
Amortized cost	12,309,000		17,922,000
Fair value	11,792,000		17,995,000
Gross unrealized gains	22,000		116,000
Gross unrealized losses	539,000		43,000
Corporate bonds and notes
Fixed maturities available for sale securities
Amortized cost	7,463,000		15,618,000
Fair value	7,493,000		16,369,000
Gross unrealized gains	457,000		1,110,000
Gross unrealized losses	427,000		359,000
RMBS
Fixed maturities available for sale securities
Amortized cost	74,187,000		50,000
Fair value	75,491,000		51,000
Gross unrealized gains	1,304,000		3,000
Gross unrealized losses	0		2,000
Other investments
Fixed maturities available for sale securities
Amortized cost	395,000		922,000
Fair value	422,000		976,000
Gross unrealized gains	27,000		54,000
Gross unrealized losses	0		0
Equity securities
Equity securities available for sale
Available-for-sale Equity Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	78,106,000	[1]	88,260,000	[2]
Equity securities available for sale—at fair value	121,868,000	[1]	112,139,000	[2]
Gross unrealized gains	43,762,000	[1]	23,879,000	[2]
Gross unrealized losses	0	[1]	0	[2]
Equity Securities Additional Disclosure [Abstract]
Diversified Equity Mutual Funds	116,700,000		98,900,000
Preferred And Common Stocks	$ 5,200,000		$ 13,200,000

[1] Comprising broadly diversified domestic equity mutual funds ($116.7 million fair value) and various preferred and common stocks invested across numerous companies and industries ($5.2 million fair value) that are carried at cost.

[2] Comprising broadly diversified domestic equity mutual funds ($98.9 million fair value) and various preferred and common stocks invested across numerous companies and industries ($13.2 million fair value) that are carried at cost.