Reportable Segments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Direct and Assumed Premium Written	$ 81,237	$ 80,491	$ 250,143	$ 248,653
Net Premiums Earned	54,853	60,429	176,059	180,374
Segment Profit (Loss)	10,628	(2,215)	35,884	(29,834)
Reconciliation from segment totals to consolidated [Abstract]
Segment Profit (Loss)	10,628	(2,215)	35,884	(29,834)
Net investment income	2,343	2,779	7,196	8,076
Net gains (losses) on investments	8,781	(17,460)	8,709	(20,892)
Corporate expenses	(4,198)	(3,285)	(11,977)	(9,940)
Income (loss) before federal income taxes	17,554	(20,181)	39,812	(52,590)
Property and Casualty Insurance [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Direct and Assumed Premium Written	68,072	65,419	208,058	204,832
Net Premiums Earned	42,972	45,833	139,048	138,703
Segment Profit (Loss)	5,089	5,522	18,871	13,122
Reconciliation from segment totals to consolidated [Abstract]
Segment Profit (Loss)	5,089	5,522	18,871	13,122
Reinsurance [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Direct and Assumed Premium Written	13,165	15,072	42,085	43,821
Net Premiums Earned	11,881	14,596	37,011	41,671
Segment Profit (Loss)	5,539	(7,737)	17,013	(42,956)
Reconciliation from segment totals to consolidated [Abstract]
Segment Profit (Loss)	$ 5,539	$ (7,737)	$ 17,013	$ (42,956)

This item represents the net total realized and unrealized gain (loss) included in earnings for the period as a result of selling or holding marketable securities categorized as trading, available-for-sale, or held-to-maturity, including the unrealized holding gain (loss) of held-to-maturity securities transferred to the trading security category and the cumulative unrealized gain (loss) which was included in other comprehensive income (a separate component of shareholders' equity) for available-for-sale securities transferred to trading securities during the period. Additionally, this item would include any gains (losses) realized during the period from the sale of investments accounted for under the cost method of accounting and losses recognized for other than temporary impairments (OTTI) of the subject investments.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.7(c),9(a))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6880815&loc=d3e20235-122688

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 320

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 9

-Subparagraph (c)-(e)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6872113&loc=d3e27357-111563

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3602-108585

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 320

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 10

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6872113&loc=d3e27405-111563

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 28

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 7

-Article 5

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 115

-Paragraph 13, 22

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

- Definition

This item represents investment income derived from investments in debt and equity securities consisting of interest income earned from investments in debt securities and on cash and cash equivalents, dividend income from investments in equity securities, and income or expense derived from the amortization of investment related discounts or premiums, respectively, net of related investment expenses. This item does not include realized or unrealized gains or losses on the sale or holding of investments in debt and equity securities required to be included in earnings for the period or for other than temporary losses related to investments in debt and equity securities which are included in realized losses in the period recognized, and does not include investment income from real or personal property, such as rental income.

+ References+ Details

- Definition

Premiums earned on the income statement for all insurance and reinsurance contracts after subtracting any amounts ceded to another insurer and adding premiums assumed from other insurers.

+ References+ Details