Document and Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jul. 31, 2019
Cover page.
Entity Registrant Name	AMERICAN NATIONAL INSURANCE CO /TX/
Entity Central Index Key	0000904163
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2019
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-34280
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	TX
Entity Tax Identification Number	74-0484030
Entity Address, Address Line One	One Moody Plaza
Entity Address, City or Town	Galveston
Entity Address, State or Province	TX
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	77550-7999
City Area Code	409
Local Phone Number	763-4661
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, par value $1.00
Trading Symbol	ANAT
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		26,887,200