Kingsway Financial Services (KFS) 10-Q 7 Nov 13 2013 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information Document	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Nov. 07, 2013
Entity Information [Line Items]	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'KINGSWAY FINANCIAL SERVICES INC.	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001072627	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Smaller Reporting Company	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-13	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	16,429,761

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Investments:	'	'
Fixed maturities, at fair value (amortized cost of $64,362 and $77,858, respectively)	$65,275	$79,534
Equity investments, at fair value (cost of $11,520 and $2,305, respectively)	16,523	3,548
Limited liability investments	2,579	2,333
Other investments, at cost which approximates fair value	3,107	2,000
Short-term investments, at cost which approximates fair value	586	585
Total investments	88,070	88,000
Cash and cash equivalents	86,037	80,813
Investment in investee	0	41,733
Accrued investment income	708	2,263
Premiums receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $4,054 and $4,040, respectively	33,536	35,598
Service fee receivable	17,227	15,173
Other receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,002 and $1,002, respectively	12,668	4,750
Reinsurance recoverable	15,308	8,557
Prepaid reinsurance premiums	8,260	7,316
Deferred policy acquisition costs, net	10,691	14,102
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $24,100 and $22,887, respectively	1,952	2,709
Goodwill	9,484	8,421
Intangible assets, net of amortization of $20,837 and $19,263, respectively	50,061	50,583
Other assets	4,073	4,045
Asset held for sale	7,291	8,737
TOTAL ASSETS	345,366	372,800
LIABILITIES	'	'
Property and casualty	89,986	103,116
Vehicle service agreements	2,882	3,448
Total unpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses	92,868	106,564
Unearned premiums	47,846	45,047
Reinsurance payable	4,235	4,956
LROC preferred units	14,286	13,655
Senior unsecured debentures	26,356	23,730
Subordinated debt	22,790	23,774
Deferred income tax liability	3,882	3,054
Deferred service fees	49,242	48,987
Income taxes payable	2,944	2,879
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	31,829	34,740
TOTAL LIABILITIES	296,278	307,386
Equity [Abstract]	'	'
Common stock, no par value; unlimited number authorized; 16,429,761 and 13,148,971 issued and outstanding at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	308,734	296,621
Additional paid-in capital	15,955	15,757
Accumulated deficit	-287,906	-262,069
Accumulated other comprehensive income	11,222	14,762
Shareholders' equity attributable to common shareholders	48,005	65,071
Noncontrolling interests in consolidated subsidiaries	1,083	343
TOTAL EQUITY	49,088	65,414
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	$345,366	$372,800

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parentheticals) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Fixed maturities, cost	$64,362	$77,858
Premiums receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts	4,054	4,040
Other receivables, allowance for doubtful accounts	1,002	1,002
Property and equipment, accumulated depreciation	24,099	27,736
Common stock, shares outstanding	16,429,761	13,148,971
Common Stock [Member]	'	'
Equity investments, cost	11,520	'
Equity Securities [Member]	'	'
Equity investments, cost	'	$2,305

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope

Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Revenues [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net premiums earned	$26,041	$26,501	$82,406	$86,753
Service fee and commission income	12,156	7,648	37,332	25,315
Net investment income	528	777	1,924	2,400
Net realized gains (losses)	321	1,109	-1,056	1,359
Other-than-temporary impairment loss	0	0	-1,800	-488
Gain (loss) on change in fair value of debt	3,801	-3,177	-2,812	-9,926
Other Income	2,604	1,940	6,996	5,767
Total revenues	45,451	34,798	122,990	111,180
Expenses:	'	'	'	'
Loss and loss adjustment expenses	21,343	33,348	67,789	78,739
Commissions and premium taxes	6,683	2,458	18,566	11,624
General and administrative expenses	20,136	16,819	60,184	52,774
Restructuring expense	223	1,972	1,150	1,972
Interest expense	1,808	1,887	5,568	5,652
Amortization of intangible assets	508	0	1,574	0
Impairment of asset held for sale	0	0	-1,446	0
Total expenses	50,701	56,484	156,277	150,761
Loss from continuing operations before (loss) gain on buy-back of debt, equity in net income (loss) of investee and income tax expense (benefit)	-5,250	-21,686	-33,287	-39,581
(Loss) gain on buy-back of debt	0	500	-24	500
Equity in net income (loss) of investee	0	98	255	-2,071
Loss from continuing operations before income tax expense (benefit)	-5,250	-21,088	-33,056	-41,152
Income tax expense (benefit)	403	-1,054	-398	-879
Loss from continuing operations	-5,653	-20,034	-32,658	-40,273
Gain on liquidation of subsidiaries, net of taxes	7,227	0	7,227	0
Net income (loss)	1,574	-20,034	-25,431	-40,273
Less: net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated subsidiaries	-305	-1,165	407	-1,888
Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders	$1,879	($18,869)	($25,838)	($38,385)
Loss per share - continuing operations:	'	'	'	'
Basic:	($0.41)	($1.52)	($2.45)	($3.07)
Diluted:	($0.41)	($1.52)	($2.45)	($3.07)
Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Basic:	$0.12	($1.52)	($1.91)	($3.07)
Diluted:	$0.12	($1.52)	($1.91)	($3.07)
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Basic:	13,684	13,149	13,329	13,133
Diluted:	13,684	13,149	13,329	13,133

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Net loss	$1,574	($20,034)	($25,431)	($40,273)
Unrealized gains (losses) on fixed maturities and equity investments:	'	'	'	'
Unrealized (losses) gains arising during the period	-281	-1,337	855	-1,140
Reclassification adjustment for losses included in net income (loss)	1,860	1,090	2,142	723
Foreign currency translation adjustments	1	539	0	566
Recognition of currency translation gain on liquidation of subsidiaries	-7,227	'	-7,227	'
Equity in other comprehensive income of investee	0	-310	-642	-649
Other comprehensive (loss) income	-5,647	602	-3,588	798
Comprehensive loss	-4,073	-19,432	-29,019	-39,475
Less: comprehensive (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated subsidiaries	-312	1,474	359	-1,844
Comprehensive loss attributable to common shareholders	($3,761)	($20,906)	($29,378)	($37,631)

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com1

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss (Parentheticals) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Net of income tax expense (benefit)	$0	$0	$0	$0

Statement_of_Cash_Flows

Statement of Cash Flows (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Net loss	($25,431)	($40,273)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:	'	'
Gain on liquidation of subsidiaries, net of taxes	7,227	0
Equity in net (income) loss of investee	-255	2,071
Equity in net (income) loss of limited liability investments	-133	14
Depreciation and amortization	2,786	1,042
Stock based compensation expense, net of forfeitures	198	228
Net realized losses (gains)	1,056	-1,359
Loss on change in fair value of debt	2,812	9,926
Deferred income taxes	144	0
Other than temporary impairment loss	1,800	488
Amortization of fixed maturities premiums and discounts	2,302	2,679
Increase (Decrease) in Assets Held-for-sale	1,446	0
Realized loss (gain) on buy-back of debt	24	-500
Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital [Abstract]	'	'
Premiums and service fee receivable	-8	7,926
Reinsurance recoverable	-6,751	-9,775
Deferred acquisition costs	3,411	77
Income taxes recoverable	0	8,134
Unpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses	-13,696	-15,305
Unearned premiums	2,799	4,647
Reinsurance payable	-721	7,194
Deferred service fees	255	2,903
Other, net	-3,502	-4,955
Net cash used in operating activities	-38,675	-40,690
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities [Abstract]	'	'
Proceeds from sales and maturities of fixed maturities	18,725	64,578
Proceeds from sales of equity investments	-8,799	-2,459
Proceeds from sales of investment in investee	13,638	0
Purchase of fixed maturities	4,725	44,555
Purchase of equity investments	286	0
Net acquisition of limited liability investments	919	2,403
Purchase of other investments	1,031	0
Net purchases of short-term investments	325	0
Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired	1,052	0
Net purchases of property and equipment and intangible assets	-455	-62
Net cash provided by investing activities	32,369	20,017
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract]	'	'
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net	12,113	132
Payment of notes payable	0	-2,418
Redemption of senior unsecured debentures	-583	-1,656
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	11,530	-3,942
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	5,224	-24,615
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	80,813	85,486
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$86,037	$60,871

Business

Business	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
NOTE 1 Business [Abstract]	'
Business	'
	BUSINESS
	Kingsway Financial Services Inc. (the "Company" or "Kingsway") was incorporated under the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) on September 19, 1989. Kingsway is a holding company and is primarily engaged, through its subsidiaries, in the property and casualty insurance business.

Basis_of_Presentation

Basis of Presentation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Basis of Presentation [Abstract]	'
Basis of Presentation	'
	BASIS OF PRESENTATION
	The accompanying unaudited consolidated interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("U.S. GAAP") for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements of the Company. In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation have been included and are of a normal recurring nature. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year.
	The accompanying unaudited consolidated interim financial statements and footnotes should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and footnotes included within our Annual Report on Form 10-K ("2012 Annual Report") for the year ended December 31, 2012.
	The unaudited consolidated interim financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. All material intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.
	The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect application of policies and the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the year. Actual results could differ from these estimates. Estimates and their underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Changes in estimates are recorded in the accounting period in which they are determined. The critical accounting estimates and assumptions in the accompanying unaudited consolidated interim financial statements include the provision for unpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses, valuation of fixed maturities and equity investments, valuation of deferred income taxes, valuation of intangible assets, goodwill recoverability, deferred acquisition costs, and fair value assumptions for debt obligations.
	The fair values of the Company's investments in fixed maturities and equity investments, LROC preferred units, senior unsecured debentures and subordinated debt are estimated using a fair value hierarchy to categorize the inputs it uses in valuation techniques. Fair values for other investments approximate their unpaid principal balances. The carrying amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheets approximate fair values for cash, short-term investments and certain other assets and other liabilities because of their short-term nature.
	The Company's financial results contained herein are reported in U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated.

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Summary of significant accounting policies [Abstract]	'
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	'
	SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
	There have been no material changes to our significant accounting policies as reported in our 2012 Annual Report.

Recently_Issued_Accounting_Sta

Recently Issued Accounting Standards	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Recently Issued Accounting Standards [Abstract]	'
Recently Issue Accounting Standards	'
	RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
	Adoption of New Accounting Standards:
	In July 2012, the FASB issued ASU 2012-02, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets for Impairment ("ASU 2012-02"). ASU 2012-02 provides entities with an option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether events or circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that the indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired. If an entity concludes that it is more than 50% likely that an indefinite-lived intangible asset is not impaired, no further analysis is required. However, if an entity concludes otherwise, it would be required to determine the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset to measure the amount of actual impairment, if any, as currently required under US GAAP. Effective January 1, 2013, the Company adopted ASU 2012-02 and the adoption did not have an impact on the consolidated financial statements. There have been no triggering events that would suggest possible impairment or that it is more-likely-than-not that the fair values of indefinite-lived intangible assets are less than their carrying amounts. The Company will utilize the new guidance during its annual impairment testing in December 2013.
	In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-02, Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income ("ASU 2013-02"), which is intended to improve the reporting of reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income.  The ASU requires an entity to report, either on the face of the income statement or in the notes to the financial statements, the effect of significant reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income on the respective line items in the income statement if the amount being reclassified is required to be reclassified in its entirety to net income.  For other amounts that are not required to be reclassified in their entirety to net income in the same reporting period, an entity is required to cross-reference other required disclosures that provide additional detail about those amounts.  Effective January 1, 2013, the Company adopted ASU 2013-02. Except for the new disclosure requirements, the adoption of the standard did not have an impact on the consolidated financial statements. The required disclosures are included in Note 17, "Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income."
	In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-11, Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists ("ASU 2013-11"). ASU 2013-11 is effective for the first interim or annual period beginning on or after December 15, 2013 with early adoption permitted. ASU 2013-11 amends ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes, to provide guidance and reduce diversity in practice on the financial statement presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists. Except for the changes, if any, in the Company's presentation, the initial application of the standard is not expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

Acquisitions_Liquidations_Disp

Acquisitions, Liquidations, Disposition and Reacquisition Acquisitions, Liquidations, Disposition and Reacquisition (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Mergers, Acquisitions and Dispositions Disclosures [Text Block]	'
	ACQUISITIONS, LIQUIDATIONS, DISPOSITION AND REACQUSITION
	(a)     Acquisitions
	IWS Acquisition Corporation:
	Effective November 16, 2012, the Company's subsidiary, IWS Acquisition Corporation ("IWS"), acquired certain tangible and intangible assets and liabilities of Intercontinental Warranty Services, Inc. for total consideration consisting of approximately $4.9 million in cash, future contingent payments and common equity in a newly formed entity.
	IWS is based in Florida and is a provider of after-market vehicle protection services distributed by credit unions throughout the United States and Puerto Rico to their members. The acquisition allows the Company to benefit from the institutional knowledge of the credit unions' vehicle loan programs and expand into the vehicle protection service business.
	This acquisition was accounted for as a business combination using the purchase method of accounting. The purchase price was allocated to the assets purchased and liabilities assumed based upon their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition. During the fourth quarter of 2012, the Company began its fair value analysis on the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. In accordance with U.S. GAAP, fair value accounting effects may be adjusted up to one year from the acquisition date upon finalization of the valuation process. The Company recorded adjustments related to the acquisition during the first nine months of 2013, which resulted in an increase to goodwill of $1.1 million from the amount recorded at December 31, 2012.
	After allocation of additional purchase price, goodwill of $9.0 million was recognized in addition to $12.4 million of separately identifiable intangible assets. Of this amount, $8.7 million of separately identifiable intangible assets related to this acquisition resulted from the valuations of acquired database, customer-related relationships, trade name and non-compete agreement. An additional $3.7 million of separately identifiable intangible assets resulted from the valuation of vehicle service agreements in-force ("VSA in-force"). Refer to Note 10, "Intangible Assets," for further disclosure on intangible assets related to this acquisition. The fair value analysis performed included $3.9 million related to present value of future contingent payments. The maximum the Company can pay in future contingent payments is $11.1 million, on an undiscounted basis. The contingent payments are payable annually beginning in 2013 through 2018 and are subject to the achievement of certain targets and may be adjusted in future periods based on actual performance achieved. As of September 30, 2013, the recorded value of the contingent earn-out agreement is $4.5 million, which is included in accrued expenses and other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets.
	Trinity Warranty Solutions LLC:
	Effective May 22, 2013, the Company's subsidiary, Trinity Warranty Solutions LLC ("TWS"), acquired certain intangible assets of Trinity Warranty Corp. for total consideration consisting of approximately $1.1 million in cash and future contingent payments. The consolidated statements of operations include the earnings of TWS from the date of acquisition. As further discussed in Note 18, "Segmented Information," TWS is included in the Insurance Services segment. TWS is based in Illinois and is a provider of warranty products and maintenance support to consumers and businesses in the heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration industry.
	This acquisition will be accounted for as a business combination using the purchase method of accounting. The purchase price is expected to be allocated during the fourth quarter of 2013 to the assets purchased based upon their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition. Refer to Note 10, "Intangible Assets," for further disclosure on intangible assets related to this acquisition.
	(b)     Liquidations
	During 2013, the Company's subsidiaries, Kingsway Reinsurance (Bermuda) Ltd. ("KRL") and Kingsway 2007 General Partnership ("2007 GP"), were liquidated. As a result of the liquidations of these subsidiaries, the Company realized a net after-tax gain of $7.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013. This gain represents the foreign exchange gain previously recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income and now recognized in the statement of operations as a result of the liquidations of KRL and 2007 GP. Summarized financial information for liquidation of subsidiaries is shown below:
	(in thousands)	Three months ended September 30,		Nine months ended September 30,
		2013	2012	2013	2012
	Liquidations:
	Gain on liquidations before income taxes	7,227	—	7,227	—
	Income tax benefit	—	—	—	—
	Gain on liquidation of subsidiaries, net of taxes	7,227	—	7,227	—
	(c)    Disposition
	On March 30, 2011, the Company's subsidiary, Kingsway America Inc. ("KAI"), sold all of the issued and outstanding shares of its wholly owned subsidiary Hamilton Risk Management Company (“Hamilton”) and its subsidiaries, including Kingsway Amigo Insurance Company ("Amigo"), to HRM Acquisition Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of Acadia Acquisition Partners, L.P. (“Acadia”), in exchange for a $10.0 million senior promissory note due March 30, 2014, a $5.0 million junior promissory note due March 30, 2016, and a Class B partnership interest in Acadia, representing a 40% economic interest. A third-party and members of the Hamilton management team held Class A partnership interests in Acadia representing a 60% economic interest. As a result of this transaction, Hamilton had notes payable balances of $2.2 million maturing in March 2014 with the third-party and $0.2 million maturing in June 2015 with members of the Hamilton management team. On August 14, 2012, Hamilton repaid the note payable from the third-party with a carrying value of $2.2 million for $1.7 million, recording a gain of $0.5 million. On August 31, 2012, Hamilton repaid the notes payable from the members of the Hamilton management team with a carrying value of $0.2 million for $0.2 million, recording a gain of zero.
	(d)    Reacquisition
	On August 14, 2012 and August 31, 2012, respectively, Hamilton repurchased the Class A partnership interests held by the third-party and members of the Hamilton management team, respectively. The Company recorded no gain or loss related to the repurchase of the Class A partnership interests. As a result of these transactions, Acadia was dissolved, liquidated, and wound down, with all assets being distributed to its sole member KAI, thereby resulting in Hamilton becoming a fully owned subsidiary of KAI.

Investments

Investments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Investments [Abstract]	'
Investments	'
	INVESTMENTS
	The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses, and estimated fair value of the Company's investments in fixed maturities and equity investments at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 are summarized in the tables shown below:
	(in thousands)		September 30, 2013
			Amortized Cost				Gross Unrealized Gains				Gross Unrealized Losses				Estimated  Fair Value
	Fixed maturities:
	U.S. government, government agencies and authorities		$	24,647			$	697			$	6			$	25,338
	Canadian government		4,372				—				130				4,242
	States municipalities and political subdivisions		7,134				113				—				7,247
	Mortgage-backed		722				14				—				736
	Asset-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations		318				1				—				319
	Corporate		27,169				234				10				27,393
	Total fixed maturities		64,362				1,059				146				65,275
	Equity investments:
	Common stock		11,520				5,016				13				16,523
	Total fixed maturities and equity investments		$	75,882			$	6,075			$	159			$	81,798
	(in thousands)		December 31, 2012
			Amortized Cost				Gross Unrealized Gains				Gross Unrealized Losses				Estimated  Fair Value
	Fixed maturities:
	U.S. government, government agencies and authorities		$	23,954			$	962			$	1			$	24,915
	Canadian government		3,822				—				40				3,782
	States municipalities and political subdivisions		7,158				187				—				7,345
	Mortgage-backed		4,850				193				—				5,043
	Asset-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations		1,084				8				—				1,092
	Corporate		36,990				391				24				37,357
	Total fixed maturities		77,858				1,741				65				79,534
	Equity investments:
	Common stock		2,305				1,256				13				3,548
	Total fixed maturities and equity investments		$	80,163			$	2,997			$	78			$	83,082
	Amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and estimated fair value for common stock in the preceding table at September 30, 2013 include $9.3 million, $3.6 million and $12.9 million, respectively, for the Company's investment in the common stock of the Company's former investee, Atlas Financial Holdings, Inc. ("Atlas"). As discussed further in Note 7, Investment in Investee, the Company's investment in the common stock of Atlas was accounted for under the equity method of accounting and reported as investment in investee in the consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2012.
	The table below summarizes the Company's fixed maturities at September 30, 2013 by contractual maturity periods. Actual results may differ as issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations, with or without penalties, prior to the contractual maturity of these obligations.
	(in thousands)		September 30, 2013
			Amortized Cost				Estimated Fair Value
	Due in one year or less		$	21,812			$	21,881
	Due after one year through five years		40,530				41,274
	Due after five years through ten years		1,328				1,417
	Due after ten years		692				703
	Total		$	64,362			$	65,275
	The following tables highlight the aggregate unrealized loss position, by security type, of fixed maturities and equity investments in unrealized loss positions as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012. The tables segregate the holdings based on the period of time the investments have been continuously held in unrealized loss positions.
	(in thousands)																	September 30, 2013
		Less than 12 Months								Greater than 12 Months								Total
		Estimated Fair Value				Unrealized Loss				Estimated Fair Value				Unrealized Loss				Estimated Fair Value		Unrealized Loss
	Fixed maturities:
	U.S. government, government agencies and authorities	$	1,699			$	6			$	—			$	—			$	1,699	$	6
	Canadian government	4,241				130				—				—				4,241		130
	Mortgage-backed	582				—				—				—				582		—
	Corporate	2,028				—				—				10				2,028		10
	Total fixed maturities	8,550				136				—				10				8,550		146
	Equity investments:
	Common stock	180				2				2				11				182		13
	Total	$	8,730			$	138			$	2			$	21			$	8,732	$	159
	(in thousands)																	December 31, 2012
		Less than 12 Months								Greater than 12 Months								Total
		Estimated Fair Value				Unrealized Loss				Estimated Fair Value				Unrealized Loss				Estimated Fair Value		Unrealized Loss
	Fixed maturities:
	U.S. government, government agencies and authorities	$	4,612			$	1			$	—			$	—			$	4,612	$	1
	Canadian government	3,782				40				—				—				3,782		40
	Mortgage-backed	—				—				267				—				267		—
	Corporate	4,169				14				—				10				4,169		24
	Total fixed maturities	12,563				55				267				10				12,830		65
	Equity investments:
	Common stock	8				1				38				12				46		13
	Total	$	12,571			$	56			$	305			$	22			$	12,876	$	78
	Fixed maturities and equity investments contain approximately 11 and 19 individual investments that were in unrealized loss positions as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.
The establishment of an other-than-temporary impairment on an investment requires a number of judgments and estimates. The Company performs a quarterly analysis of the individual investments to determine if declines in market value are other-than-temporary. The analysis includes some or all of the following procedures as deemed appropriate by the Company:
•	identifying all unrealized loss positions that have existed for at least six months;
•	identifying other circumstances which management believes may impact the recoverability of the unrealized loss positions;
•	obtaining a valuation analysis from third-party investment managers regarding the intrinsic value of these investments based on their knowledge and experience together with market-based valuation techniques;
•	reviewing the trading range of certain investments over the preceding calendar period;
•	assessing if declines in market value are other-than-temporary for debt instruments based on the investment grade credit ratings from third-party rating agencies;
•	assessing if declines in market value are other-than-temporary for any debt instrument with a non-investment grade credit rating based on the continuity of its debt service record;
•	determining the necessary provision for declines in market value that are considered other-than-temporary based on the analyses performed; and
•	assessing the Company's ability and intent to hold these investments at least until the investment impairment is recovered.
The risks and uncertainties inherent in the assessment methodology used to determine declines in market value that are other-than-temporary include, but may not be limited to, the following:
•	the opinions of professional investment managers could be incorrect;
•	the past trading patterns of individual investments may not reflect future valuation trends;
•	the credit ratings assigned by independent credit rating agencies may be incorrect due to unforeseen or unknown facts related to a company's financial situation; and
•	the debt service pattern of non-investment grade instruments may not reflect future debt service capabilities and may not reflect a company's unknown underlying financial problems.
As a result of the analysis performed by the Company to determine declines in market value that are other-than-temporary, there were no write-downs for other-than-temporary impairments related to other investments for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012 (write-down for other-than-temporary impairment related to other investments of zero and $0.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012, respectively).
On July 8, 2013, the Company announced that it had entered into a non-binding letter of intent with Atlas to sell its holdings of Atlas preferred stock for 90.0% of liquidation value, or $16.2 million. On August 1, 2013, the Company announced that the transaction had closed. As a result, the Company recorded a write-down for other-than-temporary impairment related to its investment in Atlas preferred stock of zero and $1.8 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively. Under the terms of the transaction, Atlas paid the Company at closing $7.5 million in cash, plus approximately$0.8 million from cash raised by Atlas from the exercise of certain outstanding Atlas warrants. If any amount of the purchase price remains unpaid as of January 3, 2014, such unpaid amount will be repayable not later than April 30, 2014 pursuant to one or more promissory notes entered into by Atlas.
There were no write-downs related to fixed maturities for other-than-temporary impairments for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012. There were no other-than-temporary losses recognized in other comprehensive (loss) income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012.
The Company has reviewed currently available information regarding investments with estimated fair values that are less than their carrying amounts and believes that these unrealized losses are not other-than-temporary and are primarily due to temporary market and sector-related factors rather than to issuer-specific factors. The Company does not intend to sell those investments, and it is not likely that it will be required to sell those investments before recovery of its amortized cost.
The Company does not have any exposure to subprime mortgage-backed investments.
Limited liability investments include investments in limited liability companies and a limited partnership that primarily invest in income-producing real estate. The Company's interests in these investments are not deemed minor and, therefore, are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the carrying value of limited liability investments totaled $2.6 million and $2.3 million, respectively. At September 30, 2013, the Company has unfunded commitments totaling $3.7 million to fund limited liability investments. Income from limited liability investments is recognized based on the Company's share of the earnings of the limited liability entities and is included in net investment income.
Other investments include collateral loans and are reported at their unpaid principal balance. As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the carrying value of other investments totaled $3.1 million and $2.0 million, respectively.
Gross realized gains and losses on fixed maturities, equity investments and limited liability investments for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012 were as follows:
(in thousands)		Three months ended September 30,								Nine months ended September 30,
		2013				2012				2013				2012
Gross realized gains		$	321			$	1,109			$	694			$	1,433
Gross realized losses		—				—				(32		)		(74		)
Total		$	321			$	1,109			$	662			$	1,359
Gross realized losses for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 reported in the preceding table excludes the realized loss on sale of Atlas common stock recorded during the first quarter of 2013. Refer to Note 7, Investment in Investee, for further discussion.
Net investment income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012, respectively, is comprised as follows:
(in thousands)		Three months ended September 30,								Nine months ended September 30,
		2013				2012				2013				2012
Investment income
Interest from fixed maturities		$	314			$	529			$	964			$	1,647
Dividends		101				239				591				743
(Loss) income from limited liability investments		(22		)		(5		)		133				(14		)
Other		170				121				429				350
Gross investment income		563				884				2,117				2,726
Investment expenses		(35		)		(107		)		(193		)		(326		)
Net investment income		$	528			$	777			$	1,924			$	2,400
At September 30, 2013, fixed maturities and short-term investments with an estimated fair value of $14.3 million were on deposit with state and provincial regulatory authorities. Also, from time to time, the Company pledges investments to third-parties to collateralize liabilities incurred under its policies of insurance. At September 30, 2013, the amount of such pledged securities was $25.5 million.

Investment_in_Investees

Investment in Investees	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Investment in Investees [Abstract]	'
Investment in Investee	'
	INVESTMENT IN INVESTEE
	Investment in investee includes the Company's investment in the preferred and restricted voting common stock of Atlas. On February 12, 2013, the Company executed an underwriting agreement to sell 2,625,000 shares of Atlas common stock. The shares were being offered as part of Atlas' United States initial public offering at a price per share of $5.85. During the first quarter of 2013, the Company received net proceeds of $13.6 million and recognized a loss of $1.7 million, which is included in net realized losses on the consolidated statements of operations, resulting from commissions and other expenses incurred as part of the sale. As a result of this sale, the Company's approximate voting percentage in Atlas was reduced to 16.5%. As a result of this change in ownership and other qualitative factors, the Company determined that its investment in the common stock of Atlas no longer qualified for the equity method of accounting. Accordingly, the Company's investment in Atlas common stock is included in equity investments and reported at fair value of $12.9 million in the consolidated balance sheets at September 30, 2013. The Company's share of its investee's equity adjustments for other comprehensive income of $0.7 million was offset against the carrying value of the Company's investment in Atlas common stock during the second quarter of 2013. Prior to discontinuing the use of the equity method of accounting for Atlas, the Company used a reporting lag of three months to report its proportionate share of Atlas' results.
	The carrying value, estimated fair value and approximate voting and equity percentages for the Company's investment in the common stock of Atlas, which was accounted for under the equity method of accounting and reported as investment in investee in the Company's consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2012, were as follows:
	(in thousands, except for percentages)
		31-Dec-12
		Voting percentage		Equity percentage		Estimated Fair Value		Carrying value
	Atlas	30	%	63.3	%	$	38,758	$	41,733
	The fair value of the Company's investment in Atlas at December 31, 2012 in the table above is calculated based on the published closing price of Atlas at September 30, 2012 to be consistent with the three-month lag in reporting its carrying value under the equity method.
	Equity in net income (loss) of investee was income of zero and $0.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012, respectively (income of $0.3 million and loss of $2.1 million, respectively, year to date). The Company also recognized a decrease to shareholders' equity attributable to common shareholders of zero and $0.6 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively, for the Company's pro rata share of its investee's accumulated other comprehensive income.

Deferred_Policy_Acquisition_Co

Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs [Abstract]	'
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs	'
	DEFERRED ACQUISITION COSTS
	Policy acquisition costs consist primarily of commissions, premium taxes, and underwriting and agency expenses incurred related to successful efforts to acquire new or renewal insurance contracts, net of ceding commission income, and vehicle service agreements. Acquisition costs deferred on both property and casualty insurance products and vehicle service agreements are amortized over the period in which the related revenues are earned.
	The components of deferred acquisition costs and the related amortization expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, is comprised as follows:
	(in thousands)	Three months ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Beginning balance, net	$	11,797		$	7,634		$	14,102		$	8,116
	Additions	4,952			5,804			20,719			14,662
	Amortization	(6,058		)	(5,399		)	(24,130		)	(14,739		)
	Balance at September 30, net	$	10,691		$	8,039		$	10,691		$	8,039

Goodwill_Notes

Goodwill (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Goodwill [Abstract]	'
Goodwill Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	GOODWILL
	Goodwill was $9.5 million and $8.4 million at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. As further discussed in Note 5, "Acquisitions, Liquidations, Disposition and Reacquisition," during the first nine months of 2013, the Company continued its evaluation of certain tangible and intangible assets and liabilities of Intercontinental Warranty Services, Inc. that were acquired on November 16, 2012, which resulted in an increase to goodwill of $1.1 million from the amount recorded at December 31, 2012.

Intangible_Assets_Notes

Intangible Assets (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Intangible Assets [Abstract]	'
Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	INTANGIBLE ASSETS
	Intangible assets are comprised as follows:
	(in thousands)
		30-Sep-13		31-Dec-12
	Intangible assets subject to amortization
	Database	$	4,487	$	4,907
	VSA in-force	1,788		2,770
	Customer-related relationships	3,953		3,056
	Non-compete agreement	49		66
	Intangible assets not subject to amortization
	Insurance licenses	7,803		7,803
	Renewal rights	31,318		31,318
	Trade name	663		663
	Intangible assets	$	50,061	$	50,583
	As further discussed in Note 5, "Acquisitions, Liquidations, Disposition and Reacquisition," during the second quarter of 2013, the Company acquired certain intangible assets of Trinity Warranty Corp. for total consideration consisting of approximately $1.1 million in cash and future contingent payments. The purchase price is expected to be allocated to the intangible assets purchased based upon their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition during the fourth quarter of 2013. Accordingly, the customer-related relationships intangible asset in the preceding table includes $1.1 million related to the estimated TWS intangible asset acquired.
	The Company's intangible assets with indefinite useful lives are not amortized. The Company's intangible assets with definite useful lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives. Accumulated amortization for these intangibles as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 was $20.8 million and $19.3 million, respectively. Amortization of intangible assets was $0.5 million and zero for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012, respectively ($1.6 million and zero for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012, respectively).

Asset_Held_for_Sale

Asset Held for Sale	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Asset held for sale [Abstract]	'
Asset Held for Sale	'
	ASSET HELD FOR SALE
	As of September 30, 2013, property consisting of building and land located in Miami, Florida with a carrying value of $7.3 million was classified as held for sale. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company recorded a write-down of zero and 1.4 million, respectively, related to the asset held for sale. At September 30, 2013, the carrying value of the property is equal to its fair value net of estimated selling costs.

Unpaid_Loss_and_Loss_Adjustmen

Unpaid Loss and Loss Adjustment Expenses	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Unpaid Loss and loss adjustment expenses [Abstract]	'
Unpaid Loss and Loss Adjustment Expenses	'
	UNPAID LOSS AND LOSS ADJUSTMENT EXPENSES
	The establishment of the provision for unpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses is based on known facts and interpretation of circumstances and is therefore a complex and dynamic process influenced by a large variety of factors. These factors include the Company's experience with similar cases and historical trends involving loss payment patterns, pending levels of unpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses, product mix or concentration, loss severity and loss frequency patterns.
	Other factors include the continually evolving and changing regulatory and legal environment; actuarial studies; professional experience and expertise of the Company's claims departments' personnel and independent adjusters retained to handle individual claims; the quality of the data used for projection purposes; existing claims management practices including claims-handling and settlement practices; the effect of inflationary trends on future loss settlement costs; court decisions; economic conditions; and public attitudes.
	Consequently, the process of determining the provision necessarily involves risks that the actual results will deviate, perhaps materially, from the best estimates made.
	The Company's evaluation of the adequacy of unpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses includes a re-estimation of the liability for unpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses relating to each preceding financial year compared to the liability that was previously established.
	(a) Property and Casualty
	The results of this comparison and the changes in the provision for property and casualty unpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses, net of amounts recoverable from reinsurers, as of September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012 were as follows:
	(in thousands)	September 30, 2013			September 30, 2012
	Balance at beginning of period, gross	$	103,116		$	120,258
	Less reinsurance recoverable related to property and casualty unpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses	5,478			298
	Balance at beginning of period, net	97,638			119,960
	Incurred related to:
	Current year	63,347			67,510
	Prior years	(427		)	11,229
	Paid related to:
	Current year	(35,653		)	(36,751		)
	Prior years	(43,092		)	(60,530		)
	Balance at end of period, net	81,813			101,418
	Plus reinsurance recoverable related to property and casualty unpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses	8,173			3,535
	Balance at end of period, gross	$	89,986		$	104,953
	(b) Vehicle Service Agreements
	The results of the comparison and the changes in the provision for vehicle service agreement unpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses as of September 30, 2013 are presented below. The changes in and the provision for vehicle service agreement unpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses were zero as of September 30, 2012.
	(in thousands)	September 30, 2013
	Balance at beginning of period	$	3,448
	Incurred related to:
	Current year	4,869
	Prior years	—
	Paid related to:
	Current year	(5,354		)
	Prior years	(81		)
	Balance at end of period	$	2,882

Debt

Debt

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Debt [Abstract]

'

Debt

'

DEBT

Debt consists of the following instruments:

(in thousands)

September 30, 2013

December 31, 2012

Principal

Fair Value

Principal

Fair Value

7.5% senior notes due 2014

$

26,356

$

26,356

$

26,966

$

23,730

LROC preferred units due 2015

15,334

14,286

15,879

13,655

Subordinated debt

90,500

22,790

90,500

23,774

Total

$

132,190

$

63,432

$

133,345

$

61,159

Subordinated indebtedness mentioned above consists of the following trust preferred debt instruments:

Issuer

Principal

Issue date

Interest

Redemption date

Kingsway CT Statutory Trust I

15,000

12/4/02

annual interest rate equal to LIBOR, plus 4.00% payable quarterly

12/4/32

Kingsway CT Statutory Trust II

17,500

5/15/03

annual interest rate equal to LIBOR, plus 4.10% payable quarterly

5/15/33

Kingsway CT Statutory Trust III

20,000

10/29/03

annual interest rate equal to LIBOR, plus 3.95% payable quarterly

10/29/33

Kingsway DE Statutory Trust III

15,000

5/23/03

annual interest rate equal to LIBOR, plus 4.20% payable quarterly

5/23/33

Kingsway DE Statutory Trust IV

10,000

9/30/03

annual interest rate equal to LIBOR, plus 3.85% payable quarterly

9/30/33

Kingsway DE Statutory Trust VI

13,000

1/8/04

annual interest rate equal to LIBOR, plus 4.00% payable quarterly

1/8/34

During the first quarter of 2011, the Company gave notice to its Trust Preferred trustees of its intention to exercise its voluntary right to defer interest payments for up to 20 quarters, pursuant to the contractual terms of its outstanding Trust Preferred indentures, which permit interest deferral. This action does not constitute a default under the Company's Trust Preferred indentures or any of its other debt indentures.  At September 30, 2013, deferred interest payable of $11.6 million is included in accrued expenses and other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets.  The cash interest due in 2016 is subject to changes in the London interbank offered interest rate for three-month U.S. dollar deposits ("LIBOR") over the deferral period.

No debt repurchases were made during the third quarter of 2013. During the first quarter of 2013, the Company purchased for $0.6 million, including accrued interest, $0.6 million of par value of its senior unsecured debentures with a carrying value of $0.6 million, including accrued interest, recording a loss of $0.0 million. The Company subsequently canceled the acquired debentures. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively, the Company did not buy-back any of its outstanding debt.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Taxes [Abstract]	'
Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	INCOME TAXES
	Income tax expense (benefit) for the three months ended September 30, 2013 varies from the amount that would result by applying the applicable United States income tax rate of 34% to loss from continuing operations before income tax expense (benefit) primarily due to a valuation allowance being applied to the Company's operating losses and a tax expense being recorded attributable to the Company's indefinite life intangible assets. Income tax expense (benefit) for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 varies from the amount that would result by applying the applicable United States income tax rate of 34% to loss from continuing operations before income tax expense (benefit) primarily due to a valuation allowance being applied to the Company's operating losses, a tax expense being recorded attributable to the Company's indefinite life intangible assets and a tax benefit being recorded for a Canadian income tax refund. Income tax benefit for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 varies from the amount that would result by applying the applicable United States income tax rate of 34% to loss from continuing operations before income tax benefit primarily due to a valuation allowance being applied to the Company's operating losses and a tax benefit being recorded for a prior year Canadian tax return to provision adjustment.
	The Company maintains a valuation allowance for its gross deferred tax assets at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012. The Company's operations have generated substantial operating losses during the last several years. These losses can be available to reduce income taxes that might otherwise be incurred on future taxable income. The Company's operations, however, remain challenged and, as a result, it is uncertain whether the Company will generate the taxable income necessary to utilize these losses or other reversing temporary differences. This uncertainty has caused management to place a full valuation allowance on its September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 net deferred tax asset. The Company carries a deferred income tax liability of $3.9 million and $3.1 million at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, all of which relates to indefinite life intangible assets.
	As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Company carried a liability for unrecognized tax benefits of $3.1 million and $3.0 million, respectively, that is included in income taxes payable in the consolidated balance sheets. The Company generally recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense (benefit).

Net_Loss_per_Share

Net Loss per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Net Loss per Share [Abstract]	'
Net Loss per Share	'
	NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE
	Net income (loss) per share is based on the weighted-average number of shares outstanding. Diluted weighted-average shares is calculated by adjusting basic weighted-average shares outstanding by all potentially dilutive stock options. Since the Company is reporting a net loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and because the exercise price of the options was greater than the average market price of the common stock for the three months ended September 30, 2013, all stock options outstanding were excluded from the calculation of both basic and diluted income (loss) per share since their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive.
	On July 3, 2012, the Company announced that the Board of Directors of the Company authorized the implementation of a share consolidation at a ratio of one post-consolidation share for every four pre-consolidation shares. The share consolidation, which was approved by the stockholders at the Company's Annual and Special Meeting held on May 31, 2012, was effective as of July 3, 2012 (the "Effective Date"). As a result of the consolidation, every four of the Company's common shares that were issued and outstanding on the Effective Date were automatically combined into one issued and outstanding common share, without any change in the par value of such shares. Any fractional shares resulting from the consolidation were rounded up to the nearest whole. The consolidation had the effect of reducing the number of common shares of the Company issued and outstanding at the Effective Date from 52,595,828 shares pre-consolidation to 13,148,971 shares post-consolidation. The issued and outstanding shares reported in the consolidated balance sheets and the number of weighted-average shares outstanding included in the loss per share computations, as reported in the consolidated statements of operations, have been restated for all periods presented to reflect the impact of the share consolidation.

Shareholders_Equity_Notes

Shareholders' Equity (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Shareholders' Equity [Abstract]	'
Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
	On May 30, 2013, the Company announced that it had filed a registration statement for a proposed rights offering relating to transferable subscription rights to purchase up to approximately $13.1 million of its shares of common stock (the "Common Shares") and warrants to purchase Common Shares. The rights offering was made in the United States pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-1 that was previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and became effective on July 24, 2013.
	Under the rights offering, each shareholder of record as of August 9, 2013 (the "Record Date") received, at no charge, one subscription right for each Common Share owned on the Record Date (the "Subscription Right"). Four Subscription Rights entitled the holder to purchase one unit (a "Unit") consisting of one Common Share, one Series A Warrant (a "Series A Warrant") and one Series B Warrant (a "Series B Warrant", and together with the Series A Warrants, the "Warrants"). Each Warrant entitled the holder to purchase one Common Share. The subscription price was $4.00 per Unit. The exercise price per Common Share for each Series A Warrant is the greater of $4.50 and 120% of the volume weighted average price of the Common Shares ("VWAP") over the twenty trading day period on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") ending on such trading day prior to the issuance date of the Series A Warrants. The exercise price per Common Share for each Series B Warrant is the greater of $5.00 and 120% of the VWAP over the twenty trading day period on the NYSE ending on such trading day prior to the issuance date of the Series B Warrant. Each Series A Warrant is redeemable by the Company and has a term of seven years from its date of issuance. Each Series B Warrant is non-redeemable and has a term of ten years from its date of issuance. The Company may redeem the Series A Warrants at a price of $0.25 per Warrant if, and only if, the closing price of the Common Shares equals or exceeds $6.00 per Common Share for twenty consecutive trading days on the NYSE or such other market or exchange as the Common Shares of the Company trade on or are quoted at the time of redemption; but in any event, no earlier than the first anniversary date of issuance. Subject to applicable securities laws, the Warrants may be exercised at any time starting on the first day of the thirty-seventh month after the date of issuance until any time on or before the seventh anniversary after the date of issuance for the Series A Warrants and the tenth anniversary after the date of issuance for the Series B Warrants. Holders who fully exercise their Subscription Rights will be entitled to subscribe for an additional amount of Units, if any, that are not purchased by other shareholders or their transferees through the exercise of their basic subscription privileges, in an amount equal to up to five Units for each Unit for which such holder was otherwise entitled to subscribe.
	On September 16, 2013, the transaction closed. Subscription rights to purchase 3,280,790 units were exercised, resulting in gross proceeds to the Company of $13.1 million. Net proceeds to the Company were $12.1 million after deducting commissions and other offering expenses.

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'
	ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
	The table below details the components of accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012 as relates to shareholders' equity attributable to common shareholders on the consolidated balance sheets. On the other hand, the unaudited consolidated statements of comprehensive loss present the components of other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax, only for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012 and inclusive of the components attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated subsidiaries.
		Three months ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Beginning balance	$	16,862		$	13,047		$	14,762		$	12,749
	Unrealized (losses) gains on fixed maturities and equity investments arising during the period	(274		)	(1,191		)	878			(888		)
	Reclassification adjustment for losses included in net income (loss)	1,860			1,090			2,142			723
	Foreign currency translation adjustments	1			496			25			519
	Recognition of currency translation gain on liquidation of subsidiaries	(7,227		)	—			(7,227		)	—
	Equity in other comprehensive income of investee	—			310			642			649
	Balance at September 30	$	11,222		$	13,752		$	11,222		$	13,752
	Components of accumulated other comprehensive income were reclassified to the following lines of the consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012:
		Three months ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Reclassification of accumulated other comprehensive income from unrealized (losses) gains on fixed maturities and equity investments to:
	Net realized gains (losses)	$	(1,860	)	$	(1,090	)	$	(2,142	)	$	(723	)
	Other-than-temporary impairment loss	—			—			—			—
	Loss from continuing operations before income tax expense (benefit)	(1,860		)	(1,090		)	(2,142		)	(723		)
	Income tax expense (benefit)	—			—			—			—
	Net income (loss)	$	(1,860	)	$	(1,090	)	$	(2,142	)	$	(723	)

Segmented_Information

Segmented Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Segmented Information [Abstract]	'
Segment Information	'
	SEGMENTED INFORMATION
	The Company is primarily engaged, through its subsidiaries, in the property and casualty insurance business. The Company conducts its business through the following two reportable segments: Insurance Underwriting and Insurance Services.
	On September 17, 2012, the Company announced that it was restructuring its Insurance Underwriting and Insurance Services segments under two separate management teams. As a result of the Company's intent to streamline its non-standard property and casualty insurance business operations under one management team, KAI Advantage Auto, Inc. ("Advantage Auto"), formerly included in Insurance Services, is now part of Insurance Underwriting. All segmented information has been restated for all periods presented to include Advantage Auto in Insurance Underwriting.
	Insurance Underwriting Segment
	Insurance Underwriting includes the following subsidiaries of the Company: Mendota Insurance Company, Mendakota Insurance Company, Universal Casualty Company, Maison Insurance Company ("Maison"), Kingsway Amigo Insurance Company ("Amigo"), Advantage Auto and Kingsway Reinsurance Corporation (collectively, "Insurance Underwriting"). In October 2012, the Company formed Maison, a Louisiana-domiciled property and casualty insurance company, which provides homeowners policies for wind and hail-related property losses of residential dwellings and certain contents. In September 2013, Kingsway Reinsurance (Bermuda) Ltd., formerly included in Insurance Underwriting, was liquidated. Insurance Underwriting principally offers personal automobile insurance to drivers who do not meet the criteria for coverage by standard automobile insurers and actively conducts business in 17 states.
	During the fourth quarter of 2012, the Company began taking steps to place all of Amigo into voluntary run-off. On November 19, 2012, the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (“OIR”) approved Amigo's plan to withdraw from the business of offering commercial lines insurance in Florida. On January 30, 2013, the OIR approved Amigo's plan to withdraw from the business of offering personal lines insurance in Florida. In April 2013, Kingsway filed a comprehensive run-off plan with the OIR, which outlines plans for Amigo's run-off. Kingsway continues to manage Amigo in a manner consistent with its filed run-off plan.
	Insurance Services Segment
	Insurance Services includes the following subsidiaries of the Company: Assigned Risk Solutions Ltd. ("ARS"), IWS and TWS (collectively, "Insurance Services"). During the first quarter of 2013, Northeast Alliance Insurance Agency, LLC, formerly included in Insurance Services, was merged into ARS.
	ARS is a licensed property and casualty agent, full service managing general agent and third-party administrator focused primarily on the assigned risk market. ARS is licensed to administer business in 22 states but generates its revenues primarily by operating in the states of New York and New Jersey.
	IWS is a licensed motor vehicle service agreement company and is a provider of after-market vehicle protection services distributed by credit unions in 26 states and Puerto Rico to their members.
	TWS is a provider of warranty products and maintenance support to consumers and businesses in the heating, ventilation, air conditioning ("HVAC") and refrigeration industry. TWS distributes its warranty products through original equipment manufacturers, HVAC distributors and commercial and residential contractors. TWS distributes its maintenance support direct through corporate owners of retail spaces throughout the United States.
	Results for the Company's reportable segments are based on the Company's internal financial reporting systems and are consistent with those followed in the preparation of the unaudited consolidated interim financial statements. The following tables provide financial data used by management. Segment assets are not allocated for management use and, therefore, are not included in the segment disclosures below.
	Segment revenues for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 were:
	(in thousands)	Three months ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Revenues:
	Insurance Underwriting:
	Net premiums earned	$	26,041		$	26,501		$	82,406		$	86,753
	Other income	2,314			1,926			6,970			5,679
	Total Insurance Underwriting	28,355			28,427			89,376			92,432
	Insurance Services:
	Service fee and commission income	12,156			7,648			37,332			25,315
	Total Insurance Services	12,156			7,648			37,332			25,315
	Total segment revenues	40,511			36,075			126,708			117,747
	Net investment income	528			777			1,924			2,400
	Net realized gains (losses)	321			1,109			(1,056		)	1,359
	Other-than-temporary impairment loss	—			—			(1,800		)	(488		)
	Gain (loss) on change in fair value of debt	3,801			(3,177		)	(2,812		)	(9,926		)
	Other income not allocated to segments	290			14			26			88
	Total revenues	$	45,451		$	34,798		$	122,990		$	111,180
	The operating (loss) income of each segment in the following table is before income taxes and includes revenues and direct segment costs. For the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, Insurance Services operating (loss) income includes amortization expense of $0.3 million and zero, respectively ($1.0 million and zero for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012, respectively), related to its VSA in-force intangible asset.
	Segment (loss) income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 were:
	(in thousands)	Three months ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Segment operating (loss) income
	Insurance Underwriting	$	(4,900	)	$	(16,742	)	$	(14,625	)	$	(23,705	)
	Insurance Services	(871		)	414			418			3,138
	Total segment operating loss	(5,771		)	(16,328		)	(14,207		)	(20,567		)
	Net investment income	528			777			1,924			2,400
	Net realized gains (losses)	321			1,109			(1,056		)	1,359
	Other-than-temporary impairment loss	—			—			(1,800		)	(488		)
	Gain (loss) on change in fair value of debt	3,801			(3,177		)	(2,812		)	(9,926		)
	Other income and expenses not allocated to segments, net	(2,140		)	(2,180		)	(7,729		)	(6,707		)
	Interest expense	(1,808		)	(1,887		)	(5,568		)	(5,652		)
	Amortization of intangible assets not allocated to segments	(181		)	—			(593		)	—
	Impairment of asset held for sale	—			—			(1,446		)	—
	(Loss) gain on buy-back of debt	—			500			(24		)	500
	Equity in net income (loss) of investee	—			98			255			(2,071		)
	Loss from continuing operations before income tax expense (benefit)	$	(5,250	)	$	(21,088	)	$	(33,056	)	$	(41,152	)
	Income tax expense (benefit)	403			(1,054		)	(398		)	(879		)
	Loss from continuing operations	$	(5,653	)	$	(20,034	)	$	(32,658	)	$	(40,273	)
	Net premiums earned by line of business for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 were:
	(in thousands)	Three months ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Insurance Underwriting:
	Private passenger auto liability	$	16,926		$	17,211		$	54,763		$	57,031
	Auto physical damage	8,269			6,914			24,442			21,733
	Total non-standard automobile	25,195			24,125			$	79,205		$	78,764
	Commercial auto liability	17			2,378			763			7,991
	Allied lines	2,387			—			2,387			—
	Homeowners	(1,559		)	—			50			—
	Other	1			(2		)	1			(2		)
	Total net premiums earned	$	26,041		$	26,501		$	82,406		$	86,753

Restructuring

Restructuring	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Restructuring Costs [Abstract]	'
Restructuring	'
	RESTRUCTURING
	On September 17, 2012, the Company announced that it was restructuring its Insurance Underwriting and Insurance Services segments under two separate management teams. As part of the restructuring, the Company intends to streamline its non-standard property and casualty insurance business operations. Specific to Insurance Underwriting, during the fourth quarter of 2012, the Company began taking steps to place all of Amigo into voluntary run-off. On November 19, 2012, the OIR approved Amigo's plan to withdraw from the business of offering commercial lines insurance in Florida. On January 30, 2013, the OIR approved Amigo's plan to withdraw from the business of offering personal lines insurance in Florida. In April 2013, Kingsway filed a comprehensive run-off plan with the OIR, which outlines plans for Amigo's run-off. Kingsway continues to manage Amigo in a manner consistent with its filed run-off plan.
	As part of the restructuring, the Company will reduce staffing levels to be consistent with placing Amigo into run-off. The Company continues to estimate that Insurance Underwriting will incur approximately $2.0 million in cash severance expenses due to reductions-in-force as part of the restructuring, and the Company now expects that these expenses will be incurred during the period beginning with the announcement through the end of 2013. From the time the restructuring was announced on September 17, 2012 through September 30, 2013, the Company has incurred severance expense of $1.8 million.
	Changes in the restructuring liability, which is included in accrued expenses and other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets, and the related restructuring expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 is as follows:
	(in thousands)	Three months ended September 30, 2013
		Severance			Lease abandonment			Total
	Restructuring liability, beginning of period	$	44		$	1,071		$	1,115
	Restructuring expense	203			20			223
	Cash payments	(131		)	(89		)	(220		)
	Restructuring liability, end of period	$	116		$	1,002		$	1,118
	(in thousands)	Nine months ended September 30, 2013
		Severance			Lease abandonment			Total
	Restructuring liability, beginning of period	$	214		$	1,207		$	1,421
	Restructuring expense	1,089			61			1,150
	Cash payments	(1,187		)	(266		)	(1,453		)
	Restructuring liability, end of period	$	116		$	1,002		$	1,118
	(in thousands)	Three and nine months ended September 30, 2012
		Severance			Lease abandonment			Total
	Restructuring liability, beginning of period	$	—		$	—		$	—
	Restructuring expense	668			1,304			1,972
	Cash payments	—			(29		)	(29		)
	Restructuring liability, end of period	$	668		$	1,275		$	1,943

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru

Fair Value of Financial Instruments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value of Financial Instruments [Abstract]	'
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	'
	FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
	Fair value amounts represent estimates of the consideration that would currently be agreed upon between knowledgeable, willing parties who are under no compulsion to act. Fair value is best evidenced by quoted bid or ask price, as appropriate, in an active market. Where bid or ask prices are not available, such as in an illiquid or inactive market, the closing price of the most recent transaction of that instrument subject to appropriate adjustments as required is used. Where quoted market prices are not available, the quoted prices of similar financial instruments or valuation models with observable market based inputs are used to estimate the fair value. These valuation models may use multiple observable market inputs, including observable interest rates, foreign exchange rates, index levels, credit spreads, equity prices, counterparty credit quality, corresponding market volatility levels and option volatilities. Minimal management judgment is required for fair values calculated using quoted market prices or observable market inputs for models. Greater subjectivity is required when making valuation adjustments for financial instruments in inactive markets or when using models where observable parameters do not exist. Also, the calculation of estimated fair value is based on market conditions at a specific point in time and may not be reflective of future fair values. For the Company's financial instruments carried at cost or amortized cost, the book value is not adjusted to reflect increases or decreases in fair value due to market fluctuations, including those due to interest rate changes, as it is the Company's intention to hold them until there is a recovery of fair value, which may be to maturity.
	The Company classifies its investments in fixed maturities and equity investments as available-for-sale and reports these investments at fair value. The Company's LROC preferred units, senior unsecured debentures and subordinated debt are measured and reported at fair value.
	Fair values of equity investments are considered to approximate quoted market values based on the latest bid prices in active markets. Fair values of fixed maturities for which no active market exists are derived from quoted market prices of similar instruments or other third-party evidence.
	The fair value of the LROC preferred units is based on quoted market prices, and the fair value of the subordinated debt is estimated using an internal model based on significant market observable inputs. The fair values of senior unsecured debentures, for which no active market exists, are derived from quoted market prices of similar instruments or other third-party evidence.
	The Company employs a fair value hierarchy to categorize the inputs it uses in valuation techniques to measure the fair value. The extent of use of quoted market prices (Level 1), valuation models using observable market information (Level 2) and internal models without observable market information (Level 3) in the valuation of the Company's financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 was as follows:
	(in thousands)					September 30, 2013
				Fair Value Measurements at the End of the Reporting Period Using
		Total		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets(Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
	Recurring fair value measurements
	Assets:
	Fixed maturities:
	U.S. government, government agencies and authorities	$	25,338	$	—	$	25,338	$	—
	Canadian government	4,242		—		4,242		—
	States municipalities and political subdivisions	7,247		—		7,247		—
	Mortgage-backed	736		—		736		—
	Asset-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations	319		—		319		—
	Corporate	27,393		—		27,393		—
	Total fixed maturities	65,275		—		65,275		—
	Equity investments:
	Common stock	16,523		16,523		—		—
	Preferred stock	—		—		—		—
	Total equity investments	16,523		16,523		—		—
	Other investments	3,107		—		3,107		—
	Short-term investments	586		—		586		—
	Total assets	$	85,491	$	16,523	$	68,968	$	—
	Liabilities:
	LROC preferred units	14,286		14,286		—		—
	Senior unsecured debentures	26,356		—		26,356		—
	Subordinated debt	22,790		—		22,790		—
	Total liabilities	$	63,432	$	14,286	$	49,146	$	—
	(in thousands)					31-Dec-12
				Fair Value Measurements at the End of the Reporting Period Using
		Total		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
	Recurring fair value measurements
	Assets:
	Fixed maturities:
	U.S. government, government agencies and authorities	$	24,915	$	—	$	24,915	$	—
	Canadian government	3,782		—		3,782		—
	States municipalities and political subdivisions	7,345		—		7,345		—
	Mortgage-backed	5,043		—		5,043		—
	Asset-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations	1,092		—		1,092		—
	Corporate	37,357		—		37,357		—
	Total fixed maturities	79,534		—		79,534		—
	Common stock	3,548		3,548		—		—
	Other investments	2,000		—		2,000		—
	Short-term investments	585		—		585		—
	Total assets	$	85,667	$	3,548	$	82,119	$	—
	Liabilities:
	LROC preferred units	13,655		13,655		—		—
	Senior unsecured debentures	23,730		—		23,730		—
	Subordinated debt	23,774		—		23,774		—
	Total liabilities	$	61,159	$	13,655	$	47,504	$	—

Related_Party_Transactions

Related Party Transactions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]	'
Related Party Transactions	'
	RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
	Related party transactions, including services provided to or received by the Company's subsidiaries, are carried out in the normal course of operations and are measured in part by the amount of consideration paid or received as established and agreed by the parties. Management believes that consideration paid for such services in each case approximates fair value. Except where disclosed elsewhere in these unaudited consolidated interim financial statements, the following is a summary of related party transactions.
	In August 2011, the Company and its subsidiary, 1347 Advisors, entered into a management services agreement with United Insurance Holdings Corp. ("United"), a third-party. This agreement provided that 1347 Advisors supply the services of an interim Chief Financial Officer to United, as well as certain strategy consulting, corporate development, corporate finance and actuarial services. Pursuant to the management services agreement, Hassan Baqar was appointed interim Chief Financial Officer at United. Mr. Baqar is currently a Managing Director of 1347 Advisors as well as a Vice President of KAI. Mr. Larry G. Swets, Jr., Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company, also served on the Board of Directors of United. In February 2012, Amigo received a letter from the OIR which stated that Amigo, the Company and its subsidiaries, and United are affiliated entities due to their common managerial control. As a result of the foregoing, among other things, the Company may not transfer any assets to United or any of its affiliates without the prior written approval of the OIR. Subsequently, the Company and United mutually agreed to terminate their management services agreement effective April 2, 2012. Furthermore, Mr. Swets resigned as a member of United's Board of Directors effective April 5, 2012.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
	(a)    Legal proceedings:
	In connection with its operations in the ordinary course of business, the Company and its subsidiaries are named as defendants in various actions for damages and costs allegedly sustained by the plaintiffs. While it is not possible to estimate the loss, or range of loss, if any, that may be incurred in connection with any of the various proceedings at this time, it is possible that individual actions may result in a loss having a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition or results of operations.
	(b)    Guarantee:
	The Company provided a letter of guarantee to a third-party for customs bonds reinsured by Lincoln General Insurance Company ("Lincoln General").  This guarantee may require the Company to compensate the third-party if Lincoln General is unable to fulfill its obligations relating to the customs bonds.  On May 25, 2012, U.S. Customs made a demand on the third-party for $12.0 million plus interest. At this time, no demand has been made of the Company. The Company continues to believe that it has substantial defenses and that the potential loss in not probable; therefore, no liability has been recorded in the financial statements at September 30, 2013.
	(c)    Commitment:
	During the second quarter of 2012, the Company entered into a subscription agreement to commit up to $6.0 million of capital to allow for participation in a limited liability investment which invests principally in income-producing real estate. At September 30, 2013, the unfunded commitment was $3.7 million.

Supplemental_Condensed_Consoli

Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Financial Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Financial Information [Abstract]	'
Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Financial Information	'
	SUPPLEMENTAL CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION
	In 2004, KAI issued $125.0 million 7.5% senior notes due in 2014 through a private offering. These notes are redeemable at KAI's option on or after February 1, 2009 and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the Company (a "Guarantor"). The following tables show condensed consolidating financial information for the Company as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 and for the periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, with a separate column for the Guarantor, the issuer and the other businesses of the Company combined ("Non-Guarantor subsidiaries").
					Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
					For the nine months ended September 30, 2013
		KFSI			KAI			Other subsidiaries			Consolidation adjustments			Total
		(a "Guarantor")			(an "Issuer")			(the "Non-Guarantor subsidiaries")
	Revenue:
	Net premiums earned	$	—		$	—		$	82,406		$	—		$	82,406
	Service fee and commission income							37,332			—			37,332
	Net investment income, net realized losses, other-than-temporary impairment loss and other income	(177		)	(2,558		)	8,799			—			6,064
	Loss on change in fair value of debt	—			(2,179		)	(633		)	—			(2,812		)
	Total revenues	(177		)	(4,737		)	127,904			—			122,990
	Expenses:
	Loss and loss adjustment expenses	—			—			67,789			—			67,789
	Commissions and premium taxes	—			—			18,566			—			18,566
	Other expenses	2,287			4,689			57,378			—			64,354
	Interest expense	—			8,480			(2,912		)	—			5,568
	Total expenses	2,287			13,169			140,821			—			156,277
	Loss from continuing operations before loss on buy-back of debt, equity in net income (loss) of investee and income tax expense (benefit)	(2,464		)	(17,906		)	(12,917		)	—			(33,287		)
	Loss on buy-back of debt	—			(24		)	—			—			(24		)
	Equity in net income of investee	—			255			—			—			255
	Loss from continuing operations before income tax expense (benefit)	(2,464		)	(17,675		)	(12,917		)	—			(33,056		)
	Income tax expense (benefit)	(710		)	—			312			—			(398		)
	Equity in undistributed net (loss) income of subsidiaries	(23,675		)	(13,017		)	—			36,692			—
	Loss from continuing operations	(25,429		)	(30,692		)	(13,229		)	36,692			(32,658		)
	Gain on liquidation of subsidiaries, net of taxes	—			7,227			—			—			7,227
	Net (loss) income	$	(25,429	)	$	(23,465	)	$	(13,229	)	$	36,692		$	(25,431	)
					Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
					For the nine months ended September 30, 2012
		KFSI			KAI			Other subsidiaries			Consolidation adjustments			Total
		(a "Guarantor")			(an "Issuer")			(the "Non-Guarantor subsidiaries")
	Revenue:
	Net premiums earned	$	—		$	—		$	86,753		$	—		$	86,753
	Service fee and commission income	—			—			25,315			—			25,315
	Net investment income, net realized gains, other-than-temporary impairment loss and other income	937			2,289			5,812			—			9,038
	Loss on change in fair value of debt	—			(2,284		)	(7,642		)	—			(9,926		)
	Total revenues	937			5			110,238			—			111,180
	Expenses:
	Loss and loss adjustment expenses	—			—			78,739			—			78,739
	Commissions and premium taxes	—			—			11,624			—			11,624
	Other expenses	2,827			3,223			48,696			—			54,746
	Interest expense	—			10,710			(5,058		)	—			5,652
	Total expenses	2,827			13,933			134,001			—			150,761
	Loss from continuing operations before gain on buy-back of debt, equity in net loss of investee and income tax expense (benefit)	(1,890		)	(13,928		)	(23,763		)	—			(39,581		)
	Gain on buy-back of debt	—			—			500			—			500
	Equity in net loss of investee	—			(2,067		)	(4		)	—			(2,071		)
	Loss from continuing operations before income tax expense (benefit)	(1,890		)	(15,995		)	(23,267		)	—			(41,152		)
	Income tax (benefit) expense	(1,211		)	—			332			—			(879		)
	Equity in undistributed net (loss) income of subsidiaries	(33,888		)	(21,479		)	—			55,367			—
	Net (loss) income	$	(34,567	)	$	(37,474	)	$	(23,599	)	$	55,367		$	(40,273	)
								Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets
											As of September 30, 2013
		KFSI			KAI			Other subsidiaries			Consolidation adjustments			Total
		(a "Guarantor")			(an "Issuer")			(the "Non-Guarantor subsidiaries")
	Assets:
	Investments in subsidiaries	$	31,826		$	220,524		$	—		$	(252,350	)	$	—
	Total investments	—			2,175			133,256			(47,361		)	88,070
	Cash and cash equivalents	14,140			7,841			64,056			—			86,037
	Goodwill	—			—			9,484			—			9,484
	Intangible assets	—			7,803			42,258			—			50,061
	Other assets	3,630			246,675			458,149			(604,031		)	104,423
	Asset held for sale	—			—			7,291						7,291
	Total assets	49,596			485,018			714,494			(903,742		)	345,366
Liabilities and Equity:
Liabilities:
Unpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses	—			—			92,868			—			92,868
Unearned premiums	—			—			47,846			—			47,846
LROC preferred units	—			—			14,286			—			14,286
Senior unsecured debentures	—			26,356			—			—			26,356
Subordinated debt	—			22,790			—			—			22,790
Notes payable	—			70,222			(70,222		)	—			—
Other liabilities	508			19,265			80,197			(7,838		)	92,132
Total liabilities	508			138,633			164,975			(7,838		)	296,278
Equity:
Common stock	308,734			829,681			482,397			(1,312,078		)	308,734
Additional paid-in capital	15,955			—			—			—			15,955
Accumulated deficit	(287,906		)	(456,576		)	57,601			398,975			(287,906		)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	11,222			(26,720		)	9,521			17,199			11,222
Shareholders' equity attributable to common shareholders	48,005			346,385			549,519			(895,904		)	48,005
Noncontrolling interests in consolidated subsidiaries	1,083			—			—			—			1,083
Total equity	49,088			346,385			549,519			(895,904		)	49,088
Total liabilities and equity	$	49,596		$	485,018		$	714,494		$	(903,742	)	$	345,366
							Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets
										As of December 31, 2012
	KFSI			KAI			Other subsidiaries			Consolidation adjustments			Total
	(a "Guarantor")			(an "Issuer")			(the "Non-Guarantor subsidiaries")
Assets:
Investments in subsidiaries	$	58,709		$	185,079		$	—		$	(243,788	)	$	—
Total investments	—			—			142,499			(54,499		)	88,000
Investment in investee	—			36,723			—			5,010			41,733
Cash and cash equivalents	1,932			6,371			72,510			—			80,813
Goodwill	—			—			8,421			—			8,421
Intangible assets	—			7,803			42,780			—			50,583
Other assets	5,004			229,206			452,199			(591,896		)	94,513
Asset held for sale	—			—			8,737			—			8,737
Total assets	65,645			465,182			727,146			(885,173		)	372,800
Liabilities and Equity:
Liabilities:
Unpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses	—			—			106,564			—			106,564
Unearned premiums	—			—			45,047			—			45,047
LROC preferred units	—			—			13,655			—			13,655
Senior unsecured debentures	—			23,730			—			—			23,730
Subordinated debt	—			23,774			—			—			23,774
Notes payable	—			70,222			(70,222		)	—			—
Other liabilities	231			16,374			92,145			(14,134		)	94,616
Total liabilities	231			134,100			187,189			(14,134		)	307,386
Equity:
Common stock	296,621			829,681			572,079			(1,401,760		)	296,621
Additional paid-in capital	15,757			—			—			—			15,757
Accumulated deficit	(262,069		)	(474,768		)	(35,045		)	509,813			(262,069		)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	14,762			(23,831		)	2,923			20,908			14,762
Shareholders' equity attributable to common shareholders	65,071			331,082			539,957			(871,039		)	65,071
Noncontrolling interests in consolidated subsidiaries	343			—			—			—			343
Total equity	65,414			331,082			539,957			(871,039		)	65,414
Total liabilities and equity	$	65,645		$	465,182		$	727,146		$	(885,173	)	$	372,800
				Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
				For the nine months ended September 30, 2013
	KFSI			KAI			Other subsidiaries			Consolidation adjustments			Total
	(a "Guarantor")			(an "Issuer")			(the "Non-Guarantor subsidiaries")
Cash provided by (used in):
Operating activities:
Net (loss) income	$	(25,429	)	$	(23,465	)	$	(13,229	)	$	36,692		$	(25,431	)
Gain on liquidation of subsidiaries, net of taxes	—			(7,227		)	—			—			(7,227		)
Equity in undistributed net income (loss) of subsidiaries	23,675			13,017			—			(36,692		)	—
Gain on change in fair value of debt	—			2,179			633			—			2,812
Other	1,849			4,029			(14,707		)	—			(8,829		)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	95			(11,467		)	(27,303		)	—			(38,675		)
Investing activities:
Proceeds from sales and maturities of fixed maturities, equity investments and investment in investee	—			21,920			19,242			—			41,162
Purchase of investments	—			(2,744		)	(4,542		)	—			(7,286		)
Acquisition of business	—			—			(1,052		)	—			(1,052		)
Other	—			(5,656		)	5,201			—			(455		)
Net cash provided by investing activities	—			13,520			18,849			—			32,369
Financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net	12,113			—			—			—			12,113
Redemption of senior unsecured debentures	—			(583		)	—			—			(583		)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	12,113			(583		)	—			—			11,530
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	12,208			1,470			(8,454		)	—			5,224
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	1,932			6,371			72,510			—			80,813
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	14,140		$	7,841		$	64,056		$	—		$	86,037
				Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
				For the nine months ended September 30, 2012
	KFSI			KAI			Other subsidiaries			Consolidation adjustments			Total
	(a "Guarantor")			(an "Issuer")			(the "Non-Guarantor subsidiaries")
Cash provided by (used in):
Operating activities:
Net (loss) income	$	(34,567	)	$	(37,474	)	$	(23,599	)	$	55,367		$	(40,273	)
Equity in undistributed net income (loss) of subsidiaries	33,888			21,479			—			(55,367		)	—
Loss on change in fair value of debt	—			2,284			7,642			—			9,926
Other	(11,244		)	654			(19,937		)	20,184			(10,343		)
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	(11,923		)	(13,057		)	(35,894		)	20,184			(40,690		)
Investing activities:
Proceeds from sales and maturities of fixed maturities	—			—			67,037			—			67,037
Purchase of investments	—			—			(44,555		)	—			(44,555		)
Acquisitions of limited liability investments	—			—			(2,403		)	—			(2,403		)
Other	—			(6,994		)	6,932			—			(62		)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	—			(6,994		)	27,011			—			20,017
Financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net	132			20,184			—			(20,184		)	132
Proceeds from issuance of notes payable	—			—			(2,418		)	—			(2,418		)
Redemption of senior unsecured debentures	—			—			(1,656		)	—			(1,656		)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	132			20,184			(4,074		)	(20,184		)	(3,942		)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(11,791		)	133			(12,957		)	—			(24,615		)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	22,389			873			62,224			—			85,486
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	10,598		$	1,006		$	49,267		$	—		$	60,871

Subsequent_Events_Notes

Subsequent Events (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Subsequent Events [Abstract]	'
Subsequent Events [Text Block]	'
	SUBSEQUENT EVENT
	On October 15, 2013, the Company completed a partial, early redemption of its outstanding 7.5% senior unsecured debentures due February 1, 2014. The Company used the proceeds from its recent rights offering to partially redeem the senior unsecured debentures which are the obligations of the Company's subsidiary, KAI, and of which the Company is a guarantor. The partial early redemption was completed in the amount of $12.0 million at par plus accrued interest of $0.2 million, resulting in an aggregate principal amount of $14.4 million of senior unsecured debentures to remain outstanding.

Acquisitions_Liquidations_Disp1

Acquisitions, Liquidations, Disposition and Reacquisition Acquisitions, Liquidations, Disposition and Reacquisition (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Assets Disposed of by Method Other than Sale, in Period of Disposition [Table Text Block]	'
	Liquidations
	During 2013, the Company's subsidiaries, Kingsway Reinsurance (Bermuda) Ltd. ("KRL") and Kingsway 2007 General Partnership ("2007 GP"), were liquidated. As a result of the liquidations of these subsidiaries, the Company realized a net after-tax gain of $7.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013. This gain represents the foreign exchange gain previously recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income and now recognized in the statement of operations as a result of the liquidations of KRL and 2007 GP. Summarized financial information for liquidation of subsidiaries is shown below:
	(in thousands)	Three months ended September 30,		Nine months ended September 30,
		2013	2012	2013	2012
	Liquidations:
	Gain on liquidations before income taxes	7,227	—	7,227	—
	Income tax benefit	—	—	—	—
	Gain on liquidation of subsidiaries, net of taxes	7,227	—	7,227	—

Investments_Investments_Tables

Investments Investments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Investment [Line Items]	'
Schedule of Unrealized Loss on Investments [Table Text Block]	'
	INVESTMENTS
	The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses, and estimated fair value of the Company's investments in fixed maturities and equity investments at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 are summarized in the tables shown below:
	(in thousands)		September 30, 2013
			Amortized Cost				Gross Unrealized Gains				Gross Unrealized Losses				Estimated  Fair Value
	Fixed maturities:
	U.S. government, government agencies and authorities		$	24,647			$	697			$	6			$	25,338
	Canadian government		4,372				—				130				4,242
	States municipalities and political subdivisions		7,134				113				—				7,247
	Mortgage-backed		722				14				—				736
	Asset-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations		318				1				—				319
	Corporate		27,169				234				10				27,393
	Total fixed maturities		64,362				1,059				146				65,275
	Equity investments:
	Common stock		11,520				5,016				13				16,523
	Total fixed maturities and equity investments		$	75,882			$	6,075			$	159			$	81,798
	(in thousands)		December 31, 2012
			Amortized Cost				Gross Unrealized Gains				Gross Unrealized Losses				Estimated  Fair Value
	Fixed maturities:
	U.S. government, government agencies and authorities		$	23,954			$	962			$	1			$	24,915
	Canadian government		3,822				—				40				3,782
	States municipalities and political subdivisions		7,158				187				—				7,345
	Mortgage-backed		4,850				193				—				5,043
	Asset-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations		1,084				8				—				1,092
	Corporate		36,990				391				24				37,357
	Total fixed maturities		77,858				1,741				65				79,534
	Equity investments:
	Common stock		2,305				1,256				13				3,548
	Total fixed maturities and equity investments		$	80,163			$	2,997			$	78			$	83,082
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value [Table Text Block]	'
	The following tables highlight the aggregate unrealized loss position, by security type, of fixed maturities and equity investments in unrealized loss positions as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012. The tables segregate the holdings based on the period of time the investments have been continuously held in unrealized loss positions.
	(in thousands)																	September 30, 2013
		Less than 12 Months								Greater than 12 Months								Total
		Estimated Fair Value				Unrealized Loss				Estimated Fair Value				Unrealized Loss				Estimated Fair Value		Unrealized Loss
	Fixed maturities:
	U.S. government, government agencies and authorities	$	1,699			$	6			$	—			$	—			$	1,699	$	6
	Canadian government	4,241				130				—				—				4,241		130
	Mortgage-backed	582				—				—				—				582		—
	Corporate	2,028				—				—				10				2,028		10
	Total fixed maturities	8,550				136				—				10				8,550		146
	Equity investments:
	Common stock	180				2				2				11				182		13
	Total	$	8,730			$	138			$	2			$	21			$	8,732	$	159
	(in thousands)																	December 31, 2012
		Less than 12 Months								Greater than 12 Months								Total
		Estimated Fair Value				Unrealized Loss				Estimated Fair Value				Unrealized Loss				Estimated Fair Value		Unrealized Loss
	Fixed maturities:
	U.S. government, government agencies and authorities	$	4,612			$	1			$	—			$	—			$	4,612	$	1
	Canadian government	3,782				40				—				—				3,782		40
	Mortgage-backed	—				—				267				—				267		—
	Corporate	4,169				14				—				10				4,169		24
	Total fixed maturities	12,563				55				267				10				12,830		65
	Equity investments:
	Common stock	8				1				38				12				46		13
	Total	$	12,571			$	56			$	305			$	22			$	12,876	$	78
Schedule of Realized Gain (Loss) [Table Text Block]	'
	Gross realized gains and losses on fixed maturities, equity investments and limited liability investments for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012 were as follows:
	(in thousands)		Three months ended September 30,								Nine months ended September 30,
			2013				2012				2013				2012
	Gross realized gains		$	321			$	1,109			$	694			$	1,433
	Gross realized losses		—				—				(32		)		(74		)
	Total		$	321			$	1,109			$	662			$	1,359
Investment Income [Table Text Block]	'
	Net investment income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012, respectively, is comprised as follows:
	(in thousands)		Three months ended September 30,								Nine months ended September 30,
			2013				2012				2013				2012
	Investment income
	Interest from fixed maturities		$	314			$	529			$	964			$	1,647
	Dividends		101				239				591				743
	(Loss) income from limited liability investments		(22		)		(5		)		133				(14		)
	Other		170				121				429				350
	Gross investment income		563				884				2,117				2,726
	Investment expenses		(35		)		(107		)		(193		)		(326		)
	Net investment income		$	528			$	777			$	1,924			$	2,400
Fixed Income Securities [Member]	'
Investment [Line Items]	'
Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date [Table Text Block]	'
	The table below summarizes the Company's fixed maturities at September 30, 2013 by contractual maturity periods. Actual results may differ as issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations, with or without penalties, prior to the contractual maturity of these obligations.
	(in thousands)		September 30, 2013
			Amortized Cost				Estimated Fair Value
	Due in one year or less		$	21,812			$	21,881
	Due after one year through five years		40,530				41,274
	Due after five years through ten years		1,328				1,417
	Due after ten years		692				703
	Total		$	64,362			$	65,275

Investment_in_Investee_Investm

Investment in Investee Investment in Investee (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Table Text Block]	'
	The carrying value, estimated fair value and approximate voting and equity percentages for the Company's investment in the common stock of Atlas, which was accounted for under the equity method of accounting and reported as investment in investee in the Company's consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2012, were as follows:
	(in thousands, except for percentages)
		31-Dec-12
		Voting percentage		Equity percentage		Estimated Fair Value		Carrying value
	Atlas	30	%	63.3	%	$	38,758	$	41,733

Deferred_Policy_Acquisition_Co1

Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs Deferred Acquisition Costs (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Table Text Block]	'
	The components of deferred acquisition costs and the related amortization expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, is comprised as follows:
	(in thousands)	Three months ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Beginning balance, net	$	11,797		$	7,634		$	14,102		$	8,116
	Additions	4,952			5,804			20,719			14,662
	Amortization	(6,058		)	(5,399		)	(24,130		)	(14,739		)
	Balance at September 30, net	$	10,691		$	8,039		$	10,691		$	8,039

Intangible_Assets_Tables

Intangible Assets (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Intangible Assets [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table Text Block]	'
	Intangible assets are comprised as follows:
	(in thousands)
		30-Sep-13		31-Dec-12
	Intangible assets subject to amortization
	Database	$	4,487	$	4,907
	VSA in-force	1,788		2,770
	Customer-related relationships	3,953		3,056
	Non-compete agreement	49		66
	Intangible assets not subject to amortization
	Insurance licenses	7,803		7,803
	Renewal rights	31,318		31,318
	Trade name	663		663
	Intangible assets	$	50,061	$	50,583

Unpaid_Loss_and_Loss_Adjustmen1

Unpaid Loss and Loss Adjustment Expenses Unpaid Loss and Loss Adjustment Expenses (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Property, Liability and Casualty Insurance Segment [Member]	'
Causes of Increase (Decrease) in Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]	'
Schedule of Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Table Text Block]	'
	The results of this comparison and the changes in the provision for property and casualty unpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses, net of amounts recoverable from reinsurers, as of September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012 were as follows:
	(in thousands)	September 30, 2013			September 30, 2012
	Balance at beginning of period, gross	$	103,116		$	120,258
	Less reinsurance recoverable related to property and casualty unpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses	5,478			298
	Balance at beginning of period, net	97,638			119,960
	Incurred related to:
	Current year	63,347			67,510
	Prior years	(427		)	11,229
	Paid related to:
	Current year	(35,653		)	(36,751		)
	Prior years	(43,092		)	(60,530		)
	Balance at end of period, net	81,813			101,418
	Plus reinsurance recoverable related to property and casualty unpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses	8,173			3,535
	Balance at end of period, gross	$	89,986		$	104,953
Service Agreements [Member]	'
Causes of Increase (Decrease) in Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]	'
Schedule of Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Table Text Block]	'
	The changes in and the provision for vehicle service agreement unpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses were zero as of September 30, 2012.
	(in thousands)	September 30, 2013
	Balance at beginning of period	$	3,448
	Incurred related to:
	Current year	4,869
	Prior years	—
	Paid related to:
	Current year	(5,354		)
	Prior years	(81		)
	Balance at end of period	$	2,882

Debt_Debt_Tables

Debt Debt (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

'

Schedule of Carrying Values and Estimated Fair Values of Debt Instruments [Table Text Block]

'

Debt consists of the following instruments:

(in thousands)

September 30, 2013

December 31, 2012

Principal

Fair Value

Principal

Fair Value

7.5% senior notes due 2014

$

26,356

$

26,356

$

26,966

$

23,730

LROC preferred units due 2015

15,334

14,286

15,879

13,655

Subordinated debt

90,500

22,790

90,500

23,774

Total

$

132,190

$

63,432

$

133,345

$

61,159

Schedule of Subordinated Borrowing [Table Text Block]

'

Subordinated indebtedness mentioned above consists of the following trust preferred debt instruments:

Issuer

Principal

Issue date

Interest

Redemption date

Kingsway CT Statutory Trust I

15,000

12/4/02

annual interest rate equal to LIBOR, plus 4.00% payable quarterly

12/4/32

Kingsway CT Statutory Trust II

17,500

5/15/03

annual interest rate equal to LIBOR, plus 4.10% payable quarterly

5/15/33

Kingsway CT Statutory Trust III

20,000

10/29/03

annual interest rate equal to LIBOR, plus 3.95% payable quarterly

10/29/33

Kingsway DE Statutory Trust III

15,000

5/23/03

annual interest rate equal to LIBOR, plus 4.20% payable quarterly

5/23/33

Kingsway DE Statutory Trust IV

10,000

9/30/03

annual interest rate equal to LIBOR, plus 3.85% payable quarterly

9/30/33

Kingsway DE Statutory Trust VI

13,000

1/8/04

annual interest rate equal to LIBOR, plus 4.00% payable quarterly

1/8/34

Debt_Trust_preferred_annual_in

Debt Trust preferred annual interest rate (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Schedule of Debt [Table Text Block]	'
	The following trust preferred debt instrument's annual interest rate is equal to LIBOR, plus:
	Issuer	Annual Interest Rate
	Kingsway CT Statutory Trust I	4.00%
	Kingsway CT Statutory Trust II	4.10%
	Kingsway CT Statutory Trust III	3.95%
	Kingsway DE Statutory Trust III	4.20%
	Kingsway DE Statutory Trust IV	3.85%
	Kingsway DE Statutory Trust VI	4.00%

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv1

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]	'
	On the other hand, the unaudited consolidated statements of comprehensive loss present the components of other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax, only for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012 and inclusive of the components attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated subsidiaries.
		Three months ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Beginning balance	$	16,862		$	13,047		$	14,762		$	12,749
	Unrealized (losses) gains on fixed maturities and equity investments arising during the period	(274		)	(1,191		)	878			(888		)
	Reclassification adjustment for losses included in net income (loss)	1,860			1,090			2,142			723
	Foreign currency translation adjustments	1			496			25			519
	Recognition of currency translation gain on liquidation of subsidiaries	(7,227		)	—			(7,227		)	—
	Equity in other comprehensive income of investee	—			310			642			649
	Balance at September 30	$	11,222		$	13,752		$	11,222		$	13,752
Schedule of Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]	'
	Components of accumulated other comprehensive income were reclassified to the following lines of the consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012:
		Three months ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Reclassification of accumulated other comprehensive income from unrealized (losses) gains on fixed maturities and equity investments to:
	Net realized gains (losses)	$	(1,860	)	$	(1,090	)	$	(2,142	)	$	(723	)
	Other-than-temporary impairment loss	—			—			—			—
	Loss from continuing operations before income tax expense (benefit)	(1,860		)	(1,090		)	(2,142		)	(723		)
	Income tax expense (benefit)	—			—			—			—
	Net income (loss)	$	(1,860	)	$	(1,090	)	$	(2,142	)	$	(723	)

Segmented_Information_Revenues

Segmented Information Revenues (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'
Reconciliation of Revenue from Segments to Consolidated [Table Text Block]	'
	Segment revenues for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 were:
	(in thousands)	Three months ended September 30,					Nine months ended September 30,
		2013		2012			2013			2012
	Revenues:
	Insurance Underwriting:
	Net premiums earned	$	26,041	$	26,501		$	82,406		$	86,753
	Other income	2,314		1,926			6,970			5,679
	Total Insurance Underwriting	28,355		28,427			89,376			92,432
	Insurance Services:
	Service fee and commission income	12,156		7,648			37,332			25,315
	Total Insurance Services	12,156		7,648			37,332			25,315
	Total segment revenues	40,511		36,075			126,708			117,747
	Net investment income	528		777			1,924			2,400
	Net realized gains (losses)	321		1,109			(1,056		)	1,359
	Other-than-temporary impairment loss	—		—			(1,800		)	(488		)
	Gain (loss) on change in fair value of debt	3,801		(3,177		)	(2,812		)	(9,926		)
	Other income not allocated to segments	290		14			26			88
	Total revenues	$	45,451	$	34,798		$	122,990		$	111,180

Segmented_Information_Operatin

Segmented Information Operating income (loss) (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]	'
Reconciliation of Operating Profit (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated [Table Text Block]	'
	Segment (loss) income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 were:
	(in thousands)	Three months ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Segment operating (loss) income
	Insurance Underwriting	$	(4,900	)	$	(16,742	)	$	(14,625	)	$	(23,705	)
	Insurance Services	(871		)	414			418			3,138
	Total segment operating loss	(5,771		)	(16,328		)	(14,207		)	(20,567		)
	Net investment income	528			777			1,924			2,400
	Net realized gains (losses)	321			1,109			(1,056		)	1,359
	Other-than-temporary impairment loss	—			—			(1,800		)	(488		)
	Gain (loss) on change in fair value of debt	3,801			(3,177		)	(2,812		)	(9,926		)
	Other income and expenses not allocated to segments, net	(2,140		)	(2,180		)	(7,729		)	(6,707		)
	Interest expense	(1,808		)	(1,887		)	(5,568		)	(5,652		)
	Amortization of intangible assets not allocated to segments	(181		)	—			(593		)	—
	Impairment of asset held for sale	—			—			(1,446		)	—
	(Loss) gain on buy-back of debt	—			500			(24		)	500
	Equity in net income (loss) of investee	—			98			255			(2,071		)
	Loss from continuing operations before income tax expense (benefit)	$	(5,250	)	$	(21,088	)	$	(33,056	)	$	(41,152	)
	Income tax expense (benefit)	403			(1,054		)	(398		)	(879		)
	Loss from continuing operations	$	(5,653	)	$	(20,034	)	$	(32,658	)	$	(40,273	)

Segmented_Information_Earned_b

Segmented Information Earned by line of business (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'
Revenue from External Customers by Products and Services [Table Text Block]	'
	Net premiums earned by line of business for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 were:
	(in thousands)	Three months ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
		2013			2012			2013		2012
	Insurance Underwriting:
	Private passenger auto liability	$	16,926		$	17,211		$	54,763	$	57,031
	Auto physical damage	8,269			6,914			24,442		21,733
	Total non-standard automobile	25,195			24,125			$	79,205	$	78,764
	Commercial auto liability	17			2,378			763		7,991
	Allied lines	2,387			—			2,387		—
	Homeowners	(1,559		)	—			50		—
	Other	1			(2		)	1		(2		)
	Total net premiums earned	$	26,041		$	26,501		$	82,406	$	86,753

Restructuring_Restructuring_Ta

Restructuring Restructuring (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'
Schedule of Restructuring and Related Costs [Table Text Block]	'
	Changes in the restructuring liability, which is included in accrued expenses and other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets, and the related restructuring expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 is as follows:
	(in thousands)	Three months ended September 30, 2013
		Severance			Lease abandonment			Total
	Restructuring liability, beginning of period	$	44		$	1,071		$	1,115
	Restructuring expense	203			20			223
	Cash payments	(131		)	(89		)	(220		)
	Restructuring liability, end of period	$	116		$	1,002		$	1,118
	(in thousands)	Nine months ended September 30, 2013
		Severance			Lease abandonment			Total
	Restructuring liability, beginning of period	$	214		$	1,207		$	1,421
	Restructuring expense	1,089			61			1,150
	Cash payments	(1,187		)	(266		)	(1,453		)
	Restructuring liability, end of period	$	116		$	1,002		$	1,118
	(in thousands)	Three and nine months ended September 30, 2012
		Severance			Lease abandonment			Total
	Restructuring liability, beginning of period	$	—		$	—		$	—
	Restructuring expense	668			1,304			1,972
	Cash payments	—			(29		)	(29		)
	Restructuring liability, end of period	$	668		$	1,275		$	1,943

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru1

Fair Value of Financial Instruments Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]	'
Fair Value Inputs, Liabilities, Quantitative Information [Table Text Block]	'
	The extent of use of quoted market prices (Level 1), valuation models using observable market information (Level 2) and internal models without observable market information (Level 3) in the valuation of the Company's financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 was as follows:
	(in thousands)					September 30, 2013
				Fair Value Measurements at the End of the Reporting Period Using
		Total		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets(Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
	Recurring fair value measurements
	Assets:
	Fixed maturities:
	U.S. government, government agencies and authorities	$	25,338	$	—	$	25,338	$	—
	Canadian government	4,242		—		4,242		—
	States municipalities and political subdivisions	7,247		—		7,247		—
	Mortgage-backed	736		—		736		—
	Asset-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations	319		—		319		—
	Corporate	27,393		—		27,393		—
	Total fixed maturities	65,275		—		65,275		—
	Equity investments:
	Common stock	16,523		16,523		—		—
	Preferred stock	—		—		—		—
	Total equity investments	16,523		16,523		—		—
	Other investments	3,107		—		3,107		—
	Short-term investments	586		—		586		—
	Total assets	$	85,491	$	16,523	$	68,968	$	—
	Liabilities:
	LROC preferred units	14,286		14,286		—		—
	Senior unsecured debentures	26,356		—		26,356		—
	Subordinated debt	22,790		—		22,790		—
	Total liabilities	$	63,432	$	14,286	$	49,146	$	—
	(in thousands)					31-Dec-12
				Fair Value Measurements at the End of the Reporting Period Using
		Total		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
	Recurring fair value measurements
	Assets:
	Fixed maturities:
	U.S. government, government agencies and authorities	$	24,915	$	—	$	24,915	$	—
	Canadian government	3,782		—		3,782		—
	States municipalities and political subdivisions	7,345		—		7,345		—
	Mortgage-backed	5,043		—		5,043		—
	Asset-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations	1,092		—		1,092		—
	Corporate	37,357		—		37,357		—
	Total fixed maturities	79,534		—		79,534		—
	Common stock	3,548		3,548		—		—
	Other investments	2,000		—		2,000		—
	Short-term investments	585		—		585		—
	Total assets	$	85,667	$	3,548	$	82,119	$	—
	Liabilities:
	LROC preferred units	13,655		13,655		—		—
	Senior unsecured debentures	23,730		—		23,730		—
	Subordinated debt	23,774		—		23,774		—
	Total liabilities	$	61,159	$	13,655	$	47,504	$	—

Supplemental_Condensed_Consoli1

Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Financial Information Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'
Schedule of Condensed Income Statement [Table Text Block]	'
	The following tables show condensed consolidating financial information for the Company as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 and for the periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, with a separate column for the Guarantor, the issuer and the other businesses of the Company combined ("Non-Guarantor subsidiaries").
					Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
					For the nine months ended September 30, 2013
		KFSI			KAI			Other subsidiaries			Consolidation adjustments			Total
		(a "Guarantor")			(an "Issuer")			(the "Non-Guarantor subsidiaries")
	Revenue:
	Net premiums earned	$	—		$	—		$	82,406		$	—		$	82,406
	Service fee and commission income							37,332			—			37,332
	Net investment income, net realized losses, other-than-temporary impairment loss and other income	(177		)	(2,558		)	8,799			—			6,064
	Loss on change in fair value of debt	—			(2,179		)	(633		)	—			(2,812		)
	Total revenues	(177		)	(4,737		)	127,904			—			122,990
	Expenses:
	Loss and loss adjustment expenses	—			—			67,789			—			67,789
	Commissions and premium taxes	—			—			18,566			—			18,566
	Other expenses	2,287			4,689			57,378			—			64,354
	Interest expense	—			8,480			(2,912		)	—			5,568
	Total expenses	2,287			13,169			140,821			—			156,277
	Loss from continuing operations before loss on buy-back of debt, equity in net income (loss) of investee and income tax expense (benefit)	(2,464		)	(17,906		)	(12,917		)	—			(33,287		)
	Loss on buy-back of debt	—			(24		)	—			—			(24		)
	Equity in net income of investee	—			255			—			—			255
	Loss from continuing operations before income tax expense (benefit)	(2,464		)	(17,675		)	(12,917		)	—			(33,056		)
	Income tax expense (benefit)	(710		)	—			312			—			(398		)
	Equity in undistributed net (loss) income of subsidiaries	(23,675		)	(13,017		)	—			36,692			—
	Loss from continuing operations	(25,429		)	(30,692		)	(13,229		)	36,692			(32,658		)
	Gain on liquidation of subsidiaries, net of taxes	—			7,227			—			—			7,227
	Net (loss) income	$	(25,429	)	$	(23,465	)	$	(13,229	)	$	36,692		$	(25,431	)
					Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
					For the nine months ended September 30, 2012
		KFSI			KAI			Other subsidiaries			Consolidation adjustments			Total
		(a "Guarantor")			(an "Issuer")			(the "Non-Guarantor subsidiaries")
	Revenue:
	Net premiums earned	$	—		$	—		$	86,753		$	—		$	86,753
	Service fee and commission income	—			—			25,315			—			25,315
	Net investment income, net realized gains, other-than-temporary impairment loss and other income	937			2,289			5,812			—			9,038
	Loss on change in fair value of debt	—			(2,284		)	(7,642		)	—			(9,926		)
	Total revenues	937			5			110,238			—			111,180
	Expenses:
	Loss and loss adjustment expenses	—			—			78,739			—			78,739
	Commissions and premium taxes	—			—			11,624			—			11,624
	Other expenses	2,827			3,223			48,696			—			54,746
	Interest expense	—			10,710			(5,058		)	—			5,652
	Total expenses	2,827			13,933			134,001			—			150,761
	Loss from continuing operations before gain on buy-back of debt, equity in net loss of investee and income tax expense (benefit)	(1,890		)	(13,928		)	(23,763		)	—			(39,581		)
	Gain on buy-back of debt	—			—			500			—			500
	Equity in net loss of investee	—			(2,067		)	(4		)	—			(2,071		)
	Loss from continuing operations before income tax expense (benefit)	(1,890		)	(15,995		)	(23,267		)	—			(41,152		)
	Income tax (benefit) expense	(1,211		)	—			332			—			(879		)
	Equity in undistributed net (loss) income of subsidiaries	(33,888		)	(21,479		)	—			55,367			—
	Net (loss) income	$	(34,567	)	$	(37,474	)	$	(23,599	)	$	55,367		$	(40,273	)
Schedule of Condensed Balance Sheet [Table Text Block]	'
								Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets
											As of September 30, 2013
		KFSI			KAI			Other subsidiaries			Consolidation adjustments			Total
		(a "Guarantor")			(an "Issuer")			(the "Non-Guarantor subsidiaries")
	Assets:
	Investments in subsidiaries	$	31,826		$	220,524		$	—		$	(252,350	)	$	—
	Total investments	—			2,175			133,256			(47,361		)	88,070
	Cash and cash equivalents	14,140			7,841			64,056			—			86,037
	Goodwill	—			—			9,484			—			9,484
	Intangible assets	—			7,803			42,258			—			50,061
	Other assets	3,630			246,675			458,149			(604,031		)	104,423
	Asset held for sale	—			—			7,291						7,291
	Total assets	49,596			485,018			714,494			(903,742		)	345,366
	Liabilities and Equity:
	Liabilities:
	Unpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses	—			—			92,868			—			92,868
	Unearned premiums	—			—			47,846			—			47,846
	LROC preferred units	—			—			14,286			—			14,286
	Senior unsecured debentures	—			26,356			—			—			26,356
	Subordinated debt	—			22,790			—			—			22,790
	Notes payable	—			70,222			(70,222		)	—			—
	Other liabilities	508			19,265			80,197			(7,838		)	92,132
	Total liabilities	508			138,633			164,975			(7,838		)	296,278
	Equity:
	Common stock	308,734			829,681			482,397			(1,312,078		)	308,734
	Additional paid-in capital	15,955			—			—			—			15,955
	Accumulated deficit	(287,906		)	(456,576		)	57,601			398,975			(287,906		)
	Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	11,222			(26,720		)	9,521			17,199			11,222
	Shareholders' equity attributable to common shareholders	48,005			346,385			549,519			(895,904		)	48,005
	Noncontrolling interests in consolidated subsidiaries	1,083			—			—			—			1,083
	Total equity	49,088			346,385			549,519			(895,904		)	49,088
	Total liabilities and equity	$	49,596		$	485,018		$	714,494		$	(903,742	)	$	345,366
								Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets
											As of December 31, 2012
		KFSI			KAI			Other subsidiaries			Consolidation adjustments			Total
		(a "Guarantor")			(an "Issuer")			(the "Non-Guarantor subsidiaries")
	Assets:
	Investments in subsidiaries	$	58,709		$	185,079		$	—		$	(243,788	)	$	—
	Total investments	—			—			142,499			(54,499		)	88,000
	Investment in investee	—			36,723			—			5,010			41,733
	Cash and cash equivalents	1,932			6,371			72,510			—			80,813
	Goodwill	—			—			8,421			—			8,421
	Intangible assets	—			7,803			42,780			—			50,583
	Other assets	5,004			229,206			452,199			(591,896		)	94,513
	Asset held for sale	—			—			8,737			—			8,737
	Total assets	65,645			465,182			727,146			(885,173		)	372,800
	Liabilities and Equity:
	Liabilities:
	Unpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses	—			—			106,564			—			106,564
	Unearned premiums	—			—			45,047			—			45,047
	LROC preferred units	—			—			13,655			—			13,655
	Senior unsecured debentures	—			23,730			—			—			23,730
	Subordinated debt	—			23,774			—			—			23,774
	Notes payable	—			70,222			(70,222		)	—			—
	Other liabilities	231			16,374			92,145			(14,134		)	94,616
	Total liabilities	231			134,100			187,189			(14,134		)	307,386
	Equity:
	Common stock	296,621			829,681			572,079			(1,401,760		)	296,621
	Additional paid-in capital	15,757			—			—			—			15,757
	Accumulated deficit	(262,069		)	(474,768		)	(35,045		)	509,813			(262,069		)
	Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	14,762			(23,831		)	2,923			20,908			14,762
	Shareholders' equity attributable to common shareholders	65,071			331,082			539,957			(871,039		)	65,071
	Noncontrolling interests in consolidated subsidiaries	343			—			—			—			343
Total equity	65,414			331,082			539,957			(871,039		)	65,414
Total liabilities and equity	$	65,645		$	465,182		$	727,146		$	(885,173	)	$	372,800
Schedule of Condensed Cash Flow Statement [Table Text Block]	'
					Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
					For the nine months ended September 30, 2013
		KFSI			KAI			Other subsidiaries			Consolidation adjustments			Total
		(a "Guarantor")			(an "Issuer")			(the "Non-Guarantor subsidiaries")
	Cash provided by (used in):
	Operating activities:
	Net (loss) income	$	(25,429	)	$	(23,465	)	$	(13,229	)	$	36,692		$	(25,431	)
	Gain on liquidation of subsidiaries, net of taxes	—			(7,227		)	—			—			(7,227		)
	Equity in undistributed net income (loss) of subsidiaries	23,675			13,017			—			(36,692		)	—
	Gain on change in fair value of debt	—			2,179			633			—			2,812
	Other	1,849			4,029			(14,707		)	—			(8,829		)
	Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	95			(11,467		)	(27,303		)	—			(38,675		)
	Investing activities:
	Proceeds from sales and maturities of fixed maturities, equity investments and investment in investee	—			21,920			19,242			—			41,162
	Purchase of investments	—			(2,744		)	(4,542		)	—			(7,286		)
	Acquisition of business	—			—			(1,052		)	—			(1,052		)
	Other	—			(5,656		)	5,201			—			(455		)
	Net cash provided by investing activities	—			13,520			18,849			—			32,369
	Financing activities:
	Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net	12,113			—			—			—			12,113
	Redemption of senior unsecured debentures	—			(583		)	—			—			(583		)
	Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	12,113			(583		)	—			—			11,530
	Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	12,208			1,470			(8,454		)	—			5,224
	Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	1,932			6,371			72,510			—			80,813
	Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	14,140		$	7,841		$	64,056		$	—		$	86,037
					Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
					For the nine months ended September 30, 2012
		KFSI			KAI			Other subsidiaries			Consolidation adjustments			Total
		(a "Guarantor")			(an "Issuer")			(the "Non-Guarantor subsidiaries")
	Cash provided by (used in):
	Operating activities:
	Net (loss) income	$	(34,567	)	$	(37,474	)	$	(23,599	)	$	55,367		$	(40,273	)
	Equity in undistributed net income (loss) of subsidiaries	33,888			21,479			—			(55,367		)	—
	Loss on change in fair value of debt	—			2,284			7,642			—			9,926
	Other	(11,244		)	654			(19,937		)	20,184			(10,343		)
	Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	(11,923		)	(13,057		)	(35,894		)	20,184			(40,690		)
	Investing activities:
	Proceeds from sales and maturities of fixed maturities	—			—			67,037			—			67,037
	Purchase of investments	—			—			(44,555		)	—			(44,555		)
	Acquisitions of limited liability investments	—			—			(2,403		)	—			(2,403		)
	Other	—			(6,994		)	6,932			—			(62		)
	Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	—			(6,994		)	27,011			—			20,017
	Financing activities:
	Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net	132			20,184			—			(20,184		)	132
	Proceeds from issuance of notes payable	—			—			(2,418		)	—			(2,418		)
	Redemption of senior unsecured debentures	—			—			(1,656		)	—			(1,656		)
	Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	132			20,184			(4,074		)	(20,184		)	(3,942		)
	Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(11,791		)	133			(12,957		)	—			(24,615		)
	Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	22,389			873			62,224			—			85,486
	Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	10,598		$	1,006		$	49,267		$	—		$	60,871

Acquisitions_Liquidations_Disp2

Acquisitions, Liquidations, Disposition and Reacquisition Acquisitions (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
					Other Intangible Assets [Member]	Service Agreements [Member]	6411 Insurance Agents, Brokers and Service [Member]	6400 to 6499 Insurance Agents, Brokers and Services [Member]	6400 to 6499 Insurance Agents, Brokers and Services [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired	'	$4,900,000	$1,052,000	$0	'	'	'	'	'
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	1,100,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Goodwill	'	8,421,000	9,484,000	'	'	'	'	'	9,000,000
Intangible assets, net of amortization of $20,837 and $19,263, respectively	'	50,583,000	50,061,000	'	8,700,000	3,700,000	1,100,000	'	12,400,000
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability	'	3,900,000	'	'	'	'	1,100,000	4,500,000	'
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration Arrangements, Range of Outcomes, Value, High	$11,100,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'

Acquisitions_Liquidations_Disp3

Acquisitions, Liquidations, Disposition and Reacquisition Liquidation (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Discontinued Operation, Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operation, before Income Tax	$7,227,000	$0	$7,227,000	$0	'	'	'
Discontinued Operation, Tax Effect of Discontinued Operation	0	0	0	0	'	'	'
Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) on Disposal of Discontinued Operation, Net of Tax	7,227,000	0	7,227,000	0	'	'	'
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	'	'	'	'	16.50%	0.00%	0.00%
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Noncontrolling Owners	'	'	'	'	'	'	60.00%
(Loss) gain on buy-back of debt	0	500,000	-24,000	500,000	'	'	'
Senior Notes [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Notes Payable, Related Parties	'	'	'	'	'	'	10,000,000
Junior Notes [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Notes Payable, Related Parties	'	'	'	'	'	'	5,000,000
Third-Party Payor [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Notes Payable	'	'	'	'	'	'	2,200,000
(Loss) gain on buy-back of debt	'	500,000	'	'	'	'	'
Repayments of Notes Payable	'	1,700,000	'	'	'	'	'
Notes Payable, Current	'	2,200,000	'	2,200,000	'	'	'
Management [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Notes Payable	'	'	'	'	'	'	200,000
(Loss) gain on buy-back of debt	'	0	'	'	'	'	'
Repayments of Notes Payable	'	200,000	'	'	'	'	'
Notes Payable, Current	'	$200,000	'	$200,000	'	'	'

Investments_Investments_in_fix

Investments Investments in fixed maturities and equity investments (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments	$0	$0	$1,800	$488	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	'	'	1,059	'	1,741
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	'	'	146	'	65
Equity investments, at fair value (cost of $11,520 and $2,305, respectively)	16,523	'	16,523	'	3,548
Available-for-sale Securities	65,275	'	65,275	'	79,534
Fixed maturities, cost	64,362	'	64,362	'	77,858
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	64,362	'	64,362	'	'
Atlas Financial Holdings, Inc. Common Stock [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments	0	'	'	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	'	'	3,600	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities	12,900	'	12,900	'	'
Equity investments, cost	9,300	'	9,300	'	'
US Government Agencies Debt Securities [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	24,647	'	24,647	'	23,954
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	'	'	697	'	962
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	'	'	6	'	1
Available-for-sale Securities	25,338	'	25,338	'	24,915
Foreign Government Debt Securities [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	4,372	'	4,372	'	3,822
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	'	'	0	'	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	'	'	130	'	40
Available-for-sale Securities	4,242	'	4,242	'	3,782
US States and Political Subdivisions Debt Securities [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	7,134	'	7,134	'	7,158
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	'	'	113	'	187
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	'	'	0	'	0
Available-for-sale Securities	7,247	'	7,247	'	7,345
Mortgage-backed Securities, Issued by US Government Sponsored Enterprises [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	722	'	722	'	4,850
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	'	'	14	'	193
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	'	'	0	'	0
Available-for-sale Securities	736	'	736	'	5,043
Asset-backed Securities, Securitized Loans and Receivables [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	318	'	318	'	1,084
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	'	'	1	'	8
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	'	'	0	'	0
Available-for-sale Securities	319	'	319	'	1,092
Corporate Debt Securities [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	27,169	'	27,169	'	36,990
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	'	'	234	'	391
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	'	'	10	'	24
Available-for-sale Securities	27,393	'	27,393	'	37,357
Common Stock [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	'	'	5,016	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	'	'	13	'	'
Equity investments, at fair value (cost of $11,520 and $2,305, respectively)	16,523	'	16,523	'	'
Equity investments, cost	11,520	'	11,520	'	'
Equity Securities [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	'	'	'	'	1,256
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	'	'	'	'	13
Equity investments, at fair value (cost of $11,520 and $2,305, respectively)	'	'	'	'	3,548
Equity investments, cost	'	'	'	'	2,305
Available-for-sale Securities [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	'	'	6,075	'	2,997
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	'	'	159	'	78
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	75,882	'	75,882	'	80,163
Investment Owned, at Fair Value	$81,798	'	$81,798	'	$83,082

Investments_Fixed_maturities_b

Investments Fixed maturities by contractual maturity periods (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fixed maturities by contractual maturity periods [Abstract]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Next Twelve Months, Amortized Cost Basis	$21,812	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Next Twelve Months, Fair Value	21,881	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Year Two Through Five, Amortized Cost Basis	40,530	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Year Two Through Five, Fair Value	41,274	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Year Six Through Ten, Amortized Cost Basis	1,328	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Year Six Through Ten, Fair Value	1,417	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, after Ten Years, Amortized Cost Basis	692	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, after Ten Years, Fair Value	703	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	64,362	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	$65,275	$79,534

Investments_Investments_unreal

Investments Investments- unrealized loss positions (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Equity investments, at fair value (cost of $11,520 and $2,305, respectively)	$16,523	$3,548
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	8,730	12,571
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	138	56
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	2	305
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	21	22
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	8,732	12,876
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	159	78
US Government Agencies Debt Securities [Member]	'	'
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	1,699	4,612
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	6	1
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	1,699	4,612
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	6	1
Foreign Government Debt Securities [Member]	'	'
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	4,241	3,782
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	130	40
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	4,241	3,782
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	130	40
Mortgage-backed Securities, Issued by US Government Sponsored Enterprises [Member]	'	'
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	582	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	0	267
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	582	267
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	0	0
Corporate Debt Securities [Member]	'	'
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	2,028	4,169
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	0	14
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	10	10
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	2,028	4,169
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	10	24
Fixed Maturities [Member]	'	'
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	8,550	12,563
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	136	55
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	0	267
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	10	10
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	8,550	12,830
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	146	65
Equity Securities [Member]	'	'
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Equity investments, at fair value (cost of $11,520 and $2,305, respectively)	'	3,548
Common Stock [Member]	'	'
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Equity investments, at fair value (cost of $11,520 and $2,305, respectively)	16,523	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	180	8
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Losses	2	1
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	2	38
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	11	12
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	182	46
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Aggregate Losses	$13	$13

Investments_Investments_realiz

Investments Investments - realized gains (losses) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Gains	$321	$1,109	$694	$1,433
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Losses	0	0	-32	-74
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Gain (Loss)	$321	$1,109	$662	$1,359

Investments_Investment_income_

Investments Investment income (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments	$0	$0	$1,800	$488
Investment Income, Interest	314	529	964	1,647
Dividends	101	239	591	743
Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments	-22	-5	133	-14
Investment Income, Nonoperating	170	121	429	350
Investment Income, Interest and Dividend	563	884	2,117	2,726
Investment Income, Investment Expense	-35	-107	-193	-326
Net Investment Income	$528	$777	$1,924	$2,400

Investments_Investments_Detail

Investments Investments (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	'	'	$1,059,000	'	$1,741,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	65,275,000	'	65,275,000	'	79,534,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	'	'	146,000	'	65,000
Equity investments, at fair value (cost of $11,520 and $2,305, respectively)	16,523,000	'	16,523,000	'	3,548,000
Available-for-sale, Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions, Qualitative Disclosure, Number of Positions	11,000	'	11,000	'	19,000
Other than temporary impairment loss	0	0	1,800,000	488,000	'
Proceeds from Sale of Available-for-sale Securities, Equity	'	'	8,799,000	2,459,000	'
Limited liability investments	2,579,000	'	2,579,000	'	2,333,000
Fair Value, Investments, Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share, Unfunded Commitments	3,700,000	'	3,700,000	'	'
Other investments, at cost which approximates fair value	3,107,000	'	3,107,000	'	2,000,000
Assets Held by Insurance Regulators	14,300,000	'	14,300,000	'	'
Deposit Liabilities, Collateral Issued, Description	25,500,000	'	25,500,000	'	'
Atlas Financial Holdings, Inc. Common Stock [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Available-for-sale Equity Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	9,300,000	'	9,300,000	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	'	'	3,600,000	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	12,900,000	'	12,900,000	'	'
Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Volatility Rate	90.00%	'	'	'	'
Preferred Stock, Liquidation Preference, Value	16,200,000	'	16,200,000	'	'
Other than temporary impairment loss	0	'	'	'	'
Proceeds from Sale of Available-for-sale Securities, Equity	7,500,000	'	'	'	'
Proceeds from Warrant Exercises	800,000	'	'	'	'
Other Investments [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Other than temporary impairment loss	'	'	0	'	'
Equity Securities [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Available-for-sale Equity Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	'	'	'	'	2,305,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	'	'	'	'	1,256,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	'	'	'	'	13,000
Equity investments, at fair value (cost of $11,520 and $2,305, respectively)	'	'	'	'	$3,548,000

Investment_in_Investee_Investm1

Investment in Investee Investment in Investee Narrative (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
Share data in Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Class of Stock [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Subsidiary or Equity Method Investee, Cumulative Number of Shares Issued for All Transactions	'	'	2,625,000	'	'	'	'	'
Share Price	$0	'	$0	'	$0	'	'	'
Payments to Acquire Equity Method Investments	'	'	$13,600,000	'	'	'	'	'
Gain (Loss) on Sale of Previously Unissued Stock by Equity Investee	'	'	1,700,000	'	'	'	'	'
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	'	'	16.50%	'	'	'	0.00%	0.00%
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	65,275,000	'	'	'	65,275,000	'	79,534,000	'
Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments	0	'	'	98,000	255,000	-2,071,000	'	'
Other Comprehensive Income, Other, Net of Tax	0	700,000	'	310,000	642,000	649,000	'	'
Atlas Financial Holdings, Inc. Common Stock [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Class of Stock [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	$12,900,000	'	'	'	$12,900,000	'	'	'

Investment_in_Investee_Investm2

Investment in Investee Investment in investee - summarized financial information of investee (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Business Acquisition, Percentage of Voting Interests Acquired	'	'	0.00%	'
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	'	16.50%	0.00%	0.00%
Equity Method Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	'	'	$38,758	'
Equity Method Investments	$0	'	$41,733	'

Deferred_Policy_Acquisition_Co2

Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs Components of Deferred Acquisition Costs (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Deferred Acquisition Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Beginning balance, net	$10,691	$8,039	$10,691	$8,039
Additions	4,952	5,804	20,719	14,662
Amortization	-6,058	-5,399	-24,130	-14,739
Balance at September 30, net	$11,797	$7,634	$14,102	$8,116

Goodwill_Goodwill_Details

Goodwill Goodwill (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Goodwill [Abstract]	'	'	'
Goodwill	'	$9,484,000	$8,421,000
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	$1,100,000	'	'

Intangible_Assets_Details

Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Jun. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

6411 Insurance Agents, Brokers and Service [Member]

6411 Insurance Agents, Brokers and Service [Member]

6411 Insurance Agents, Brokers and Service [Member]

6411 Insurance Agents, Brokers and Service [Member]

6411 Insurance Agents, Brokers and Service [Member]

6411 Insurance Agents, Brokers and Service [Member]

Acquired Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Business Combination, Contingent Consideration Arrangements, Range of Outcomes, Value, High

'

'

'

'

$11,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Intangible assets, net of amortization of $20,837 and $19,263, respectively

50,061,000

'

50,061,000

'

'

50,583,000

'

'

'

'

1,100,000

'

Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization

'

'

'

'

'

'

20,837,000

'

20,837,000

'

'

19,263,000

Amortization of Intangible Assets

$508,000

$0

$1,574,000

$0

'

'

$300,000

$0

$1,000,000

$0

'

'

Intangible_Assets_Intangible_A

Intangible Assets Intangible Assets Table (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Indefinite-Lived License Agreements	$663	$663
Intangible assets, net of amortization of $20,837 and $19,263, respectively	50,061	50,583
Database Rights [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	4,487	4,907
Service Agreements [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	1,788	2,770
Intangible assets, net of amortization of $20,837 and $19,263, respectively	'	3,700
Customer Relationships [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	3,953	3,056
Noncompete Agreements [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	49	66
Insurance Contracts Acquired in Business Combination [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Indefinite-Lived License Agreements	7,803	7,803
Contractual Rights [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Indefinite-Lived Contractual Rights	$31,318	$31,318

Asset_Held_for_Sale_Asset_Held

Asset Held for Sale Asset Held for Sale (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Asset held for sale [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Asset held for sale	$7,291	'	$7,291	'	$8,737
Increase (Decrease) in Assets Held-for-sale	$0	$0	($1,446)	$0	'

Unpaid_Loss_and_Loss_Adjustmen2

Unpaid Loss and Loss Adjustment Expenses Change in unpaid loss and loss adjustment expenses property and casualty (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Causes of Increase (Decrease) in Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Gross	'	'	$103,116	'
Property and casualty	89,986	'	103,116	'
Property, Liability and Casualty Insurance Segment [Member]	'	'	'	'
Causes of Increase (Decrease) in Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Gross	'	'	'	120,258
Supplemental Information for Property, Casualty Insurance Underwriters, Reserves for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense	8,173	3,535	5,478	298
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense	81,813	101,418	97,638	119,960
Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Incurred Claims Current Year	63,347	67,510	'	'
Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Incurred Claims, Prior Years	-427	11,229	'	'
Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Claims Paid, Current Year	-35,653	-36,751	'	'
Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Claims Paid, Prior Years	-43,092	-60,530	'	'
Property and casualty	$89,986	$104,953	'	'

Unpaid_Loss_and_Loss_Adjustmen3

Unpaid Loss and Loss Adjustment Expenses Change in upaid loss and loss adjustmen expenses vehicle servie agreements (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified			Service Agreements [Member]
Causes of Increase (Decrease) in Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense [Line Items]	'	'	'
Liability for Future Policy Benefits and Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense	$2,882	$3,448	'
Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Incurred Claims Current Year	'	'	4,869
Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Incurred Claims, Prior Years	'	'	0
Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Claims Paid, Current Year	'	'	-5,354
Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Claims Paid, Prior Years	'	'	-81
Liability for Future Policy Benefits and Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense	$2,882	$3,448	$2,882

Debt_Debt_Details

Debt Debt (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
Debt [Abstract]	'	'	'
Interest Payable	'	'	$11.60
Early Repayment of Senior Debt	12	0.6	'
Debt Instrument, Repurchased Face Amount	'	0.6	'
Debt Instrument, Repurchase Amount	'	0.6	'
Proceeds from (Repayments of) Debt	'	$0	'

Debt_Debt_instruments_Details

Debt Debt instruments (Details) (USD $)	Oct. 15, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Jan. 23, 2004
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument, Principal Value	'	$132,190	$133,345	'
Senior unsecured debentures	14,400	26,356	23,730	125,000
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	'	14,286	13,655	'
Subordinated debt	'	22,790	23,774	'
Long-term Debt	'	63,432	61,159	'
Senior Notes [Member]	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument, Principal Value	'	26,356	26,966	'
Long-term Debt [Member]	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument, Principal Value	'	15,334	15,879	'
Subordinated Debt [Member]	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument, Principal Value	'	$90,500	$90,500	'

Debt_Trust_preferred_debt_inst

Debt Trust preferred debt instruments (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
			Connecticut Statutory Trust I [Member]	Connecticut Statutory Trust II [Member]	Connecticut Statutory Trust III [Member]	Delaware Statutory Trust III [Member]	Delaware Statutory Trust IV [Member]	Delaware Statutory Trust VI [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
LROC preferred units	$14,286,000	$13,655,000	$15,000	$17,500	$20,000	$15,000	$10,000	$13,000
Issue date	'	'	4-Dec-02	15-May-03	29-Oct-03	23-May-03	30-Sep-03	8-Jan-04
Redemption date	'	'	4-Dec-32	15-May-33	29-Oct-33	23-May-33	30-Sep-33	8-Jan-34

Debt_Annual_interest_rate_Deta

Debt Annual interest rate (Details)	Jan. 23, 2004	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
		Connecticut Statutory Trust I [Member]	Connecticut Statutory Trust II [Member]	Connecticut Statutory Trust III [Member]	Delaware Statutory Trust III [Member]	Delaware Statutory Trust IV [Member]	Delaware Statutory Trust VI [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	7.50%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Income_Taxes_Income_Taxes_Deta

Income Taxes Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Tax [Abstract]	'	'
Effective Income Tax Rate, Continuing Operations	0.00%	'
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Gross	$3,882,000	$3,054,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits	$3,100,000	$3,000,000

Net_Loss_per_Share_Net_loss_pe

Net Loss per Share Net loss per share (Details)	Sep. 30, 2013	Aug. 08, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Jul. 03, 2012
Net Loss per Share [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Common stock, shares outstanding	16,429,761	13,148,971,000	13,148,971	52,595,828,000

Shareholders_Equity_Warrants_D

Shareholders' Equity Warrants (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
			Series B [Member]	Series A [Member]
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Volume Weighted Average Price	'	'	0.00%	0.00%
Share Price	$0	$0	$0	$0

Shareholders_Equity_Details

Shareholders' Equity (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Shareholders' Equity [Abstract]	'	'	'
Stock Issued During Period, Value, New Issues	$13,100,000	'	'
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues	3,280,790	'	'
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net	$12,100,000	$12,113,000	$132,000

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Accumulated other comprehensive income components (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	$16,862	$13,047	$14,762	$12,749
Available-for-sale Securities, Change in Net Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss), Net of Tax	-274	-1,191	878	-888
Reclassification adjustment for losses (gains) included in net loss	-1,860	-1,090	-2,142	-723
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent	1	496	25	519
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax	-7,227	0	-7,227	0
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent	-3,761	-20,906	-29,378	-37,631
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	11,222	13,752	11,222	13,752
Realized Investment Gains (Losses)	321	1,109	-1,056	1,359
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest	-5,250	-21,088	-33,056	-41,152
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	1,574	-20,034	-25,431	-40,273
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]	'	'	'	'
Realized Investment Gains (Losses)	-1,860	-1,090	-2,142	-723
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest	-1,860	-1,090	-2,142	-723
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	-1,860	-1,090	-2,142	-723
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	'	'	'	'
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent	$0	$310	$642	$649

Segmented_Information_Segment_

Segmented Information Segment revenue (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net premiums earned	$26,041	$26,501	$82,406	$86,753
Other Income	2,604	1,940	6,996	5,767
Segment Reporting Information, Revenue for Reportable Segment	45,451	34,798	122,990	111,180
Service fee and commission income	12,156	7,648	37,332	25,315
Net investment income	528	777	1,924	2,400
Net realized gains (losses)	321	1,109	-1,056	1,359
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments	0	0	1,800	488
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Portion Recognized in Earnings, Net	'	'	'	488
Gain (loss) on change in fair value of debt	3,801	-3,177	-2,812	-9,926
Other Nonoperating Income	290	14	26	88
Property, Liability and Casualty Insurance Segment [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net premiums earned	26,041	26,501	82,406	86,753
Other Income	2,314	1,926	6,970	5,679
Segment Reporting Information, Revenue for Reportable Segment	28,355	28,427	89,376	92,432
6411 Insurance Agents, Brokers and Service [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information, Revenue for Reportable Segment	'	7,648	'	25,315
Service fee and commission income	'	7,648	'	25,315
6400 to 6499 Insurance Agents, Brokers and Services [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information, Revenue for Reportable Segment	12,156	'	37,332	'
Service fee and commission income	12,156	'	37,332	'
Operating Segments [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information, Revenue for Reportable Segment	$40,511	$36,075	$126,708	$117,747

Segmented_Information_Net_prem

Segmented Information Net premiums earned by line of business (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net premiums earned	$26,041	$26,501	$82,406	$86,753
Private passenger auto liability [Member]	'	'	'	'
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net premiums earned	16,926	17,211	54,763	57,031
Auto physical damage [Member]	'	'	'	'
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net premiums earned	8,269	6,914	24,442	21,733
Non-standard automobile [Member]	'	'	'	'
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net premiums earned	25,195	24,125	79,205	78,764
Commercial auto liability [Member]	'	'	'	'
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net premiums earned	17	2,378	763	7,991
Allied lines [Member]	'	'	'	'
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net premiums earned	2,387	0	2,387	0
Other Insurance Product Line [Member]	'	'	'	'
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net premiums earned	-1,559	0	50	0
Property, Liability and Casualty Insurance Segment [Member]	'	'	'	'
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net premiums earned	$1	($2)	$1	($2)

Segmented_Information_Segmente

Segmented Information Segmented Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Operating Income (Loss)	($5,771)	($16,328)	($14,207)	($20,567)
Amortization of intangible assets	508	0	1,574	0
Net investment income	528	777	1,924	2,400
Net realized gains (losses)	321	1,109	-1,056	1,359
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments	0	0	1,800	488
Gain (loss) on change in fair value of debt	3,801	-3,177	-2,812	-9,926
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	-2,140	-2,180	-7,729	-6,707
Interest Expense	1,808	1,887	5,568	5,652
Amortization of intangible assests not allocated to segments	181	0	593	0
Impairment of asset held for sale	0	0	-1,446	0
(Loss) gain on buy-back of debt	0	500	-24	500
Equity in net income (loss) of investee	0	98	255	-2,071
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest	-5,250	-21,088	-33,056	-41,152
Income tax expense (benefit)	403	-1,054	-398	-879
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	-5,653	-20,034	-32,658	-40,273
Property, Liability and Casualty Insurance Segment [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Operating Income (Loss)	-4,900	-16,742	-14,625	-23,705
Number of States in which Entity Operates	17,000	'	17,000	'
6411 Insurance Agents, Brokers and Service [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Operating Income (Loss)	-871	414	418	3,138
Number of States in which Entity Operates	22,000	'	22,000	'
Amortization of intangible assets	$300	$0	$1,000	$0
Continuing Operations [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Number of States in which Entity Operates	26	'	26	'

Restructuring_Changes_in_restr

Restructuring Changes in restructuring liability (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Reserve	$1,115	$0	$1,421	'
Restructuring expense	223	1,972	1,150	1,972
Payments for Restructuring	-220	-29	-1,453	'
Restructuring Reserve	1,118	1,943	1,118	1,943
Restructuring Charges [Member]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Reserve	44	0	214	'
Restructuring expense	203	668	1,089	'
Payments for Restructuring	-131	0	-1,187	'
Restructuring Reserve	116	668	116	668
Remediation Property for Sale, Abandonment or Disposal [Member]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Reserve	1,071	0	1,207	'
Restructuring expense	20	1,304	61	'
Payments for Restructuring	-89	-29	-266	'
Restructuring Reserve	$1,002	$1,275	$1,002	$1,275

Restructuring_Restructuring_De

Restructuring Restructuring (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
Restructuring [Abstract]	'	'
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost	$2	'
Restructuring expense	'	$1.80

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru2

Fair Value of Financial Instruments Fair value measurement (Details) (USD $)	Oct. 15, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Jan. 23, 2004
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities	'	$65,275,000	$79,534,000	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	'	65,275,000	79,534,000	'
Equity investments, at fair value (cost of $11,520 and $2,305, respectively)	'	16,523,000	3,548,000	'
Other Investments	'	3,107,000	2,000,000	'
Short-term investments, at cost which approximates fair value	'	586,000	585,000	'
Investments	'	88,070,000	88,000,000	'
Assets	'	345,366,000	372,800,000	'
LROC preferred units	'	14,286,000	13,655,000	'
Senior unsecured debentures	14,400,000	26,356,000	23,730,000	125,000,000
Subordinated debt	'	22,790,000	23,774,000	'
Long-term Debt	'	63,432,000	61,159,000	'
Fair Value, Inputs Level 1, Preferred Stock [Member]	'	'	'	'
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities	'	0	'	'
Fair Value, Inputs Level 1, Common Stock [Member]	'	'	'	'
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Equity investments, at fair value (cost of $11,520 and $2,305, respectively)	'	16,523,000	'	'
Fair Value, Inputs Level 2, Common Stock [Member]	'	'	'	'
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Equity investments, at fair value (cost of $11,520 and $2,305, respectively)	'	0	'	'
US Government Agencies Debt Securities [Member]	'	'	'	'
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities	'	25,338,000	24,915,000	'
Foreign Government Debt Securities [Member]	'	'	'	'
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities	'	4,242,000	3,782,000	'
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'	'	'
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities	'	16,523,000	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	'	0	0	'
Financial Instruments, Owned, Corporate Debt, at Fair Value	'	0	0	'
Mortgage-backed Securities Available-for-sale, Fair Value Disclosure	'	0	0	'
Financial Instruments, Owned, Mortgages, Mortgage-backed and Asset-backed Securities, at Fair Value	'	0	0	'
Municipal Debt Securities, at Carrying Value	'	0	0	'
Financial Instruments, Owned, Other Sovereign Government Obligations, at Fair Value	'	0	0	'
Financial Instruments, Owned, US Government and Agency Obligations, at Fair Value	'	0	0	'
Other Investments	'	0	0	'
Short-term investments, at cost which approximates fair value	'	0	0	'
Assets	'	16,523,000	3,548,000	'
Senior unsecured debentures	'	0	0	'
Subordinated debt	'	0	0	'
Long-term Debt	'	14,286,000	13,655,000	'
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'	'	'
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	'	65,275,000	79,534,000	'
Financial Instruments, Owned, Corporate Debt, at Fair Value	'	27,393,000	37,357,000	'
Mortgage-backed Securities Available-for-sale, Fair Value Disclosure	'	736,000	5,043,000	'
Financial Instruments, Owned, Mortgages, Mortgage-backed and Asset-backed Securities, at Fair Value	'	319,000	1,092,000	'
Municipal Debt Securities, at Carrying Value	'	7,247,000	7,345,000	'
Financial Instruments, Owned, Other Sovereign Government Obligations, at Fair Value	'	4,242,000	3,782,000	'
Financial Instruments, Owned, US Government and Agency Obligations, at Fair Value	'	25,338,000	24,915,000	'
Equity investments, at fair value (cost of $11,520 and $2,305, respectively)	'	0	0	'
Assets	'	68,968,000	82,119,000	'
LROC preferred units	'	0	0	'
Long-term Debt	'	49,146,000	47,504,000	'
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'	'	'
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	'	0	0	'
Financial Instruments, Owned, Corporate Debt, at Fair Value	'	0	0	'
Mortgage-backed Securities Available-for-sale, Fair Value Disclosure	'	0	0	'
Financial Instruments, Owned, Mortgages, Mortgage-backed and Asset-backed Securities, at Fair Value	'	0	0	'
Municipal Debt Securities, at Carrying Value	'	0	0	'
Financial Instruments, Owned, Other Sovereign Government Obligations, at Fair Value	'	0	0	'
Financial Instruments, Owned, US Government and Agency Obligations, at Fair Value	'	0	0	'
Equity investments, at fair value (cost of $11,520 and $2,305, respectively)	'	0	0	'
Other Investments	'	0	0	'
Short-term investments, at cost which approximates fair value	'	0	0	'
Assets	'	0	0	'
LROC preferred units	'	0	0	'
Senior unsecured debentures	'	0	0	'
Subordinated debt	'	0	0	'
Long-term Debt	'	0	0	'
Equity Securities [Member]	'	'	'	'
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Equity investments, at fair value (cost of $11,520 and $2,305, respectively)	'	16,523,000	'	'
Preferred Stock [Member]	'	'	'	'
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Equity investments, at fair value (cost of $11,520 and $2,305, respectively)	'	0	'	'
Common Stock [Member]	'	'	'	'
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Equity investments, at fair value (cost of $11,520 and $2,305, respectively)	'	16,523,000	3,548,000	'
Summary of Investments, by Type [Domain]	'	'	'	'
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Investments	'	85,491,000	85,667,000	'
Debt, State Government [Member]	'	'	'	'
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities	'	7,247,000	7,345,000	'
Mortgage-backed Securities, Issued by US Government Sponsored Enterprises [Member]	'	'	'	'
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities	'	736,000	5,043,000	'
Asset-backed Securities [Member]	'	'	'	'
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities	'	319,000	1,092,000	'
Corporate Debt Securities [Member]	'	'	'	'
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities	'	27,393,000	37,357,000	'
Other Investments [Member]	'	'	'	'
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Other Investments	'	3,107,000	2,000,000	'
Short-term Investments [Member]	'	'	'	'
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Short-term investments, at cost which approximates fair value	'	586,000	585,000	'
Debt Securities [Member]	'	'	'	'
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
LROC preferred units	'	14,286,000	13,655,000	'
Senior Notes [Member]	'	'	'	'
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Senior unsecured debentures	'	26,356,000	23,730,000	'
Subordinated Debt [Member]	'	'	'	'
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Subordinated debt	'	22,790,000	23,774,000	'
Liability [Member]	'	'	'	'
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Long-term Debt	'	$63,432,000	$61,159,000	'

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies Commiyments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]	'	'
Long-term Purchase Commitment, Amount	$6	'
Fair Value, Investments, Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share, Unfunded Commitments	'	$3.70

Supplemental_Condensed_Consoli2

Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Financial Information Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Details) (USD $)	Oct. 15, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Jan. 23, 2004
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Financial Information [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Senior unsecured debentures	$14,400	$26,356	$23,730	$125,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	'	'	'	7.50%

Supplemental_Condensed_Consoli3

Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Financial Information Condensed consolidating statement of operations (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended				6 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
						Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]	Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]	Consolidated Entities [Member]	Consolidated Entities [Member]	Consolidated Entities [Member]	Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]	Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]	Subsidiary Issuer [Member]	Subsidiary Issuer [Member]	Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]	Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net premiums earned	'	$26,041	$26,501	$82,406	$86,753	$0	$0	'	$82,406	$86,753	$0	$0	$0	$0	$82,406	$86,753
Service fee and commission income	'	12,156	7,648	37,332	25,315	0	0	'	37,332	25,315	'	0	'	0	37,332	25,315
Other Income	'	2,604	1,940	6,996	5,767	0	0	'	6,064	9,038	-177	937	-2,558	2,289	8,799	5,812
Gain (loss) on change in fair value of debt	'	3,801	-3,177	-2,812	-9,926	0	0	-9,926	-2,812	-9,926	0	0	-2,179	-2,284	-633	-7,642
Total revenues	'	45,451	34,798	122,990	111,180	0	0	'	122,990	111,180	-177	937	-4,737	5	127,904	110,238
Loss and loss adjustment expenses	'	21,343	33,348	67,789	78,739	0	0	'	67,789	78,739	0	0	0	0	67,789	78,739
Commissions and premium taxes	'	6,683	2,458	18,566	11,624	0	0	'	18,566	11,624	0	0	0	0	18,566	11,624
Other Expenses	'	'	'	'	'	0	0	'	64,354	54,746	2,287	2,827	4,689	3,223	57,378	48,696
Interest expense	200	1,808	1,887	5,568	5,652	0	0	'	5,568	5,652	0	0	8,480	10,710	-2,912	-5,058
Total expenses	'	50,701	56,484	156,277	150,761	0	0	'	156,277	150,761	2,287	2,827	13,169	13,933	140,821	134,001
Loss before (loss) gain on buy-back of debt, equity in net income (loss) of investee and income tax expense (benefit)	'	-5,250	-21,686	-33,287	-39,581	0	0	'	-33,287	-39,581	-2,464	-1,890	-17,906	-13,928	-12,917	-23,763
(Loss) gain on buy-back of debt	'	0	500	-24	500	0	0	'	-24	500	0	0	-24	0	0	500
Equity in net income (loss) of investee	'	0	98	255	-2,071	0	0	'	255	-2,071	0	0	255	-2,067	0	-4
Loss from continuing operations before income tax expense (benefit)	'	-5,250	-21,088	-33,056	-41,152	0	0	'	-33,056	-41,152	-2,464	-1,890	-17,675	-15,995	-12,917	-23,267
Income tax expense (benefit)	'	403	-1,054	-398	-879	0	0	'	-398	-879	-710	-1,211	0	0	312	332
Loss from continuing operations	'	-5,653	-20,034	-32,658	-40,273	36,692	'	'	-32,658	'	-25,429	'	-30,692	'	-13,229	'
Gain on liquidation of subsidiaries, net of taxes	'	7,227	0	7,227	0	0	'	'	7,227	'	0	'	7,227	'	0	'
Net income (loss)	'	1,574	-20,034	-25,431	-40,273	36,692	55,367	-40,273	-25,431	-40,273	-25,429	-34,567	-23,465	-37,474	-13,229	-23,599
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Change Due to Net Income Attributable to Parent and Effects of Changes, Net	'	'	'	'	'	$36,692	$55,367	$0	$0	$0	($23,675)	($33,888)	($13,017)	($21,479)	$0	$0

Supplemental_Condensed_Consoli4

Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Financial Information Condensed consolidating balance sheets (Details) (USD $)	Oct. 15, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Jan. 23, 2004
Assets [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Investments	'	$88,070,000	'	$88,000,000	'	'	'	'
Investment in investee	'	0	'	41,733,000	'	'	'	'
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value	'	86,037,000	'	80,813,000	60,871,000	'	85,486,000	'
Goodwill	'	9,484,000	'	8,421,000	'	'	'	'
Intangible assets, net of amortization of $20,837 and $19,263, respectively	'	50,061,000	'	50,583,000	'	'	'	'
Other Assets	'	4,073,000	'	4,045,000	'	'	'	'
Asset held for sale	'	7,291,000	'	8,737,000	'	'	'	'
TOTAL ASSETS	'	345,366,000	'	372,800,000	'	'	'	'
Liabilities and Equity [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Net	'	92,868,000	'	106,564,000	'	'	'	'
Unearned Premiums	'	47,846,000	'	45,047,000	'	'	'	'
LROC preferred units	'	14,286,000	'	13,655,000	'	'	'	'
Senior unsecured debentures	14,400,000	26,356,000	'	23,730,000	'	'	'	125,000,000
Subordinated Debt	'	22,790,000	'	23,774,000	'	'	'	'
Other Liabilities	'	31,829,000	'	34,740,000	'	'	'	'
TOTAL LIABILITIES	'	296,278,000	'	307,386,000	'	'	'	'
Common stock, no par value; unlimited number authorized; 16,429,761 and 13,148,971 issued and outstanding at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	'	308,734,000	'	296,621,000	'	'	'	'
Additional Paid in Capital	'	15,955,000	'	15,757,000	'	'	'	'
Accumulated deficit	'	-287,906,000	'	-262,069,000	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	'	11,222,000	16,862,000	14,762,000	13,752,000	13,047,000	12,749,000	'
Shareholders' equity attributable to common shareholders	'	48,005,000	'	65,071,000	'	'	'	'
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	'	1,083,000	'	343,000	'	'	'	'
TOTAL EQUITY	'	49,088,000	'	65,414,000	'	'	'	'
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	'	345,366,000	'	372,800,000	'	'	'	'
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Assets [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates, Amount of Equity	'	31,826,000	'	58,709,000	'	'	'	'
Investments	'	0	'	0	'	'	'	'
Investment in investee	'	'	'	0	'	'	'	'
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value	'	14,140,000	'	1,932,000	10,598,000	'	22,389,000	'
Goodwill	'	0	'	0	'	'	'	'
Intangible assets, net of amortization of $20,837 and $19,263, respectively	'	0	'	0	'	'	'	'
Other Assets	'	3,630,000	'	5,004,000	'	'	'	'
Asset held for sale	'	0	'	0	'	'	'	'
TOTAL ASSETS	'	49,596,000	'	65,645,000	'	'	'	'
Liabilities and Equity [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Net	'	0	'	0	'	'	'	'
Unearned Premiums	'	0	'	0	'	'	'	'
LROC preferred units	'	0	'	0	'	'	'	'
Senior unsecured debentures	'	0	'	0	'	'	'	'
Subordinated Debt	'	0	'	0	'	'	'	'
Notes Payable	'	0	'	0	'	'	'	'
Other Liabilities	'	508,000	'	231,000	'	'	'	'
TOTAL LIABILITIES	'	508,000	'	231,000	'	'	'	'
Common stock, no par value; unlimited number authorized; 16,429,761 and 13,148,971 issued and outstanding at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	'	308,734,000	'	296,621,000	'	'	'	'
Additional Paid in Capital	'	15,955,000	'	15,757,000	'	'	'	'
Accumulated deficit	'	-287,906,000	'	-262,069,000	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	'	11,222,000	'	14,762,000	'	'	'	'
Shareholders' equity attributable to common shareholders	'	48,005,000	'	65,071,000	'	'	'	'
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	'	1,083,000	'	343,000	'	'	'	'
TOTAL EQUITY	'	49,088,000	'	65,414,000	'	'	'	'
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	'	49,596,000	'	65,645,000	'	'	'	'
Subsidiary Issuer [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Assets [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates, Amount of Equity	'	220,524,000	'	185,079,000	'	'	'	'
Investments	'	2,175,000	'	0	'	'	'	'
Investment in investee	'	'	'	36,723,000	'	'	'	'
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value	'	7,841,000	'	6,371,000	1,006,000	'	873,000	'
Goodwill	'	0	'	0	'	'	'	'
Intangible assets, net of amortization of $20,837 and $19,263, respectively	'	7,803,000	'	7,803,000	'	'	'	'
Other Assets	'	246,675,000	'	229,206,000	'	'	'	'
Asset held for sale	'	0	'	0	'	'	'	'
TOTAL ASSETS	'	485,018,000	'	465,182,000	'	'	'	'
Liabilities and Equity [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Net	'	0	'	0	'	'	'	'
Unearned Premiums	'	0	'	0	'	'	'	'
LROC preferred units	'	0	'	0	'	'	'	'
Senior unsecured debentures	'	26,356,000	'	23,730,000	'	'	'	'
Subordinated Debt	'	22,790,000	'	23,774,000	'	'	'	'
Notes Payable	'	70,222,000	'	70,222,000	'	'	'	'
Other Liabilities	'	19,265,000	'	16,374,000	'	'	'	'
TOTAL LIABILITIES	'	138,633,000	'	134,100,000	'	'	'	'
Common stock, no par value; unlimited number authorized; 16,429,761 and 13,148,971 issued and outstanding at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	'	829,681,000	'	829,681,000	'	'	'	'
Additional Paid in Capital	'	0	'	0	'	'	'	'
Accumulated deficit	'	-456,576,000	'	-474,768,000	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	'	-26,720,000	'	-23,831,000	'	'	'	'
Shareholders' equity attributable to common shareholders	'	346,385,000	'	331,082,000	'	'	'	'
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	'	0	'	0	'	'	'	'
TOTAL EQUITY	'	346,385,000	'	331,082,000	'	'	'	'
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	'	485,018,000	'	465,182,000	'	'	'	'
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Assets [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates, Amount of Equity	'	0	'	0	'	'	'	'
Investments	'	133,256,000	'	142,499,000	'	'	'	'
Investment in investee	'	'	'	0	'	'	'	'
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value	'	64,056,000	'	72,510,000	49,267,000	'	62,224,000	'
Goodwill	'	9,484,000	'	8,421,000	'	'	'	'
Intangible assets, net of amortization of $20,837 and $19,263, respectively	'	42,258,000	'	42,780,000	'	'	'	'
Other Assets	'	458,149,000	'	452,199,000	'	'	'	'
Asset held for sale	'	7,291,000	'	8,737,000	'	'	'	'
TOTAL ASSETS	'	714,494,000	'	727,146,000	'	'	'	'
Liabilities and Equity [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Net	'	92,868,000	'	106,564,000	'	'	'	'
Unearned Premiums	'	47,846,000	'	45,047,000	'	'	'	'
LROC preferred units	'	14,286,000	'	13,655,000	'	'	'	'
Senior unsecured debentures	'	0	'	0	'	'	'	'
Subordinated Debt	'	0	'	0	'	'	'	'
Notes Payable	'	-70,222,000	'	-70,222,000	'	'	'	'
Other Liabilities	'	80,197,000	'	92,145,000	'	'	'	'
TOTAL LIABILITIES	'	164,975,000	'	187,189,000	'	'	'	'
Common stock, no par value; unlimited number authorized; 16,429,761 and 13,148,971 issued and outstanding at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	'	482,397,000	'	572,079,000	'	'	'	'
Additional Paid in Capital	'	0	'	0	'	'	'	'
Accumulated deficit	'	57,601,000	'	-35,045,000	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	'	9,521,000	'	2,923,000	'	'	'	'
Shareholders' equity attributable to common shareholders	'	549,519,000	'	539,957,000	'	'	'	'
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	'	0	'	0	'	'	'	'
TOTAL EQUITY	'	549,519,000	'	539,957,000	'	'	'	'
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	'	714,494,000	'	727,146,000	'	'	'	'
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Assets [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates, Amount of Equity	'	-252,350,000	'	-243,788,000	'	'	'	'
Investments	'	-47,361,000	'	-54,499,000	'	'	'	'
Investment in investee	'	'	'	5,010,000	'	'	'	'
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value	'	0	'	0	0	'	0	'
Goodwill	'	0	'	0	'	'	'	'
Intangible assets, net of amortization of $20,837 and $19,263, respectively	'	0	'	0	'	'	'	'
Other Assets	'	-604,031,000	'	-591,896,000	'	'	'	'
Asset held for sale	'	'	'	0	'	'	'	'
TOTAL ASSETS	'	-903,742,000	'	-885,173,000	'	'	'	'
Liabilities and Equity [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Net	'	0	'	0	'	'	'	'
Unearned Premiums	'	0	'	0	'	'	'	'
LROC preferred units	'	0	'	0	'	'	'	'
Senior unsecured debentures	'	0	'	0	'	'	'	'
Subordinated Debt	'	0	'	0	'	'	'	'
Notes Payable	'	0	'	0	'	'	'	'
Other Liabilities	'	-7,838,000	'	-14,134,000	'	'	'	'
TOTAL LIABILITIES	'	-7,838,000	'	-14,134,000	'	'	'	'
Common stock, no par value; unlimited number authorized; 16,429,761 and 13,148,971 issued and outstanding at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	'	-1,312,078,000	'	-1,401,760,000	'	'	'	'
Additional Paid in Capital	'	0	'	0	'	'	'	'
Accumulated deficit	'	398,975,000	'	509,813,000	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	'	17,199,000	'	20,908,000	'	'	'	'
Shareholders' equity attributable to common shareholders	'	-895,904,000	'	-871,039,000	'	'	'	'
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	'	0	'	0	'	'	'	'
TOTAL EQUITY	'	-895,904,000	'	-871,039,000	'	'	'	'
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	'	-903,742,000	'	-885,173,000	'	'	'	'
Consolidated Entities [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Assets [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates, Amount of Equity	'	0	'	0	'	'	'	'
Investments	'	88,070,000	'	88,000,000	'	'	'	'
Investment in investee	'	'	'	41,733,000	'	'	'	'
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value	'	86,037,000	'	80,813,000	60,871,000	'	85,486,000	'
Goodwill	'	9,484,000	'	8,421,000	'	'	'	'
Intangible assets, net of amortization of $20,837 and $19,263, respectively	'	50,061,000	'	50,583,000	'	'	'	'
Other Assets	'	104,423,000	'	94,513,000	'	'	'	'
Asset held for sale	'	7,291,000	'	8,737,000	'	'	'	'
TOTAL ASSETS	'	345,366,000	'	372,800,000	'	'	'	'
Liabilities and Equity [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense, Net	'	92,868,000	'	106,564,000	'	'	'	'
Unearned Premiums	'	47,846,000	'	45,047,000	'	'	'	'
LROC preferred units	'	14,286,000	'	13,655,000	'	'	'	'
Senior unsecured debentures	'	26,356,000	'	23,730,000	'	'	'	'
Subordinated Debt	'	22,790,000	'	23,774,000	'	'	'	'
Notes Payable	'	0	'	0	'	'	'	'
Other Liabilities	'	92,132,000	'	94,616,000	'	'	'	'
TOTAL LIABILITIES	'	296,278,000	'	307,386,000	'	'	'	'
Common stock, no par value; unlimited number authorized; 16,429,761 and 13,148,971 issued and outstanding at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	'	308,734,000	'	296,621,000	'	'	'	'
Additional Paid in Capital	'	15,955,000	'	15,757,000	'	'	'	'
Accumulated deficit	'	-287,906,000	'	-262,069,000	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	'	11,222,000	'	14,762,000	'	'	'	'
Shareholders' equity attributable to common shareholders	'	48,005,000	'	65,071,000	'	'	'	'
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	'	1,083,000	'	343,000	'	'	'	'
TOTAL EQUITY	'	49,088,000	'	65,414,000	'	'	'	'
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	'	$345,366,000	'	$372,800,000	'	'	'	'

Supplemental_Condensed_Consoli5

Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Financial Information Condensed consolidating cash flows (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Jun. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]

Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]

Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]

Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]

Subsidiary Issuer [Member]

Subsidiary Issuer [Member]

Subsidiary Issuer [Member]

Subsidiary Issuer [Member]

Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]

Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]

Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]

Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]

Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]

Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]

Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]

Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]

Consolidated Entities [Member]

Consolidated Entities [Member]

Consolidated Entities [Member]

Consolidated Entities [Member]

Consolidated Entities [Member]

Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net loss

$1,574

($20,034)

($25,431)

($40,273)

'

'

($25,429)

($34,567)

'

'

($23,465)

($37,474)

'

'

($13,229)

($23,599)

'

'

$36,692

$55,367

'

'

($40,273)

($25,431)

($40,273)

'

'

Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) on Disposal of Discontinued Operation, Net of Tax

-7,227

0

-7,227

0

'

'

0

'

'

'

-7,227

'

'

'

0

'

'

'

0

'

'

'

'

-7,227

'

'

'

Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Change Due to Net Income Attributable to Parent and Effects of Changes, Net

'

'

'

'

'

'

-23,675

-33,888

'

'

-13,017

-21,479

'

'

0

0

'

'

36,692

55,367

'

'

0

0

0

'

'

Loss on change in fair value of debt

-3,801

3,177

2,812

9,926

'

'

0

0

'

'

2,179

2,284

'

'

633

7,642

'

'

0

0

'

'

9,926

2,812

9,926

'

'

Other Operating Activities, Cash Flow Statement

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,849

-11,244

'

'

4,029

654

'

'

-14,707

-19,937

'

'

0

20,184

'

'

-10,343

-8,829

'

'

'

Net cash used in operating activities

'

'

-38,675

-40,690

'

'

95

-11,923

'

'

-11,467

-13,057

'

'

-27,303

-35,894

'

'

0

20,184

'

'

-40,690

-38,675

'

'

'

Proceeds from Sale, Maturity and Collection of Investments

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

'

'

21,920

0

'

'

19,242

67,037

'

'

0

0

'

'

'

41,162

67,037

'

'

Payments to Acquire Investments

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

'

'

-2,744

0

'

'

-4,542

-44,555

'

'

0

0

'

'

'

-7,286

-44,555

'

'

Payments to Acquire Interest in Subsidiaries and Affiliates

'

'

-919

-2,403

'

'

0

0

'

'

0

0

'

'

-1,052

-2,403

'

'

0

0

'

'

'

-1,052

-2,403

'

'

Payments for (Proceeds from) Other Investing Activities

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

'

'

-5,656

-6,994

'

'

5,201

6,932

'

'

0

0

'

'

'

-455

-62

'

'

Net cash provided by investing activities

'

'

32,369

20,017

'

'

0

0

'

'

13,520

-6,994

'

'

18,849

27,011

'

'

0

0

'

'

'

32,369

20,017

'

'

Redemption of senior unsecured debentures

'

'

-583

-1,656

'

'

0

0

'

'

-583

0

'

'

0

-1,656

'

'

0

0

'

'

-1,656

-583

'

'

'

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

'

'

11,530

-3,942

'

'

12,113

132

'

'

-583

20,184

'

'

0

-4,074

'

'

0

-20,184

'

'

-3,942

11,530

'

'

'

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease)

'

'

5,224

-24,615

'

'

12,208

-11,791

'

'

1,470

133

'

'

-8,454

-12,957

'

'

0

0

'

'

'

5,224

-24,615

'

'

Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value

86,037

60,871

86,037

60,871

80,813

85,486

14,140

10,598

1,932

22,389

7,841

1,006

6,371

873

64,056

49,267

72,510

62,224

0

0

0

0

'

86,037

60,871

80,813

85,486

Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net

12,100

'

12,113

132

'

'

12,113

132

'

'

0

20,184

'

'

0

0

'

'

0

-20,184

'

'

132

12,113

'

'

'

Payment of notes payable

'

'

$0

($2,418)

'

'

'

$0

'

'

'

$0

'

'

'

($2,418)

'

'

'

$0

'

'

($2,418)

'

'

'

'

Subsequent_Events_Partial_Rede

Subsequent Events Partial Redemption (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Oct. 15, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Jan. 23, 2004
Subsequent Event [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	7.50%
Early Repayment of Senior Debt	$12,000,000	'	$600,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Interest Expense, Debt	200,000	1,808,000	'	1,887,000	5,568,000	5,652,000	'	'	'
Senior unsecured debentures	'	$26,356,000	'	'	$26,356,000	'	$14,400,000	$23,730,000	$125,000,000