Affirmative Insurance 10-Q 15 May 14 2014 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	13-May-14
Document Information [Line Items]	'	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-14	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q1	'
Trading Symbol	'AFFM	'
Entity Registrant Name	'AFFIRMATIVE INSURANCE HOLDINGS INC	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001282543	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Smaller Reporting Company	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	15,905,357

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Assets	'	'
Available-for-sale securities, at fair value	$50,480	$62,321
Other invested assets	4,212	4,085
Cash and cash equivalents	32,181	44,569
Fiduciary and restricted cash	6,576	1,369
Accrued investment income	467	231
Premiums and fees receivable, net	73,079	53,442
Receivable from reinsurers	164,571	165,819
Deferred acquisition costs, net asset	1,241	'
Investment in real property, net	10,097	10,277
Property and equipment (net of accumulated depreciation of $54,717 for 2014 and $53,222 for 2013)	12,632	13,978
Other intangible assets (net of accumulated amortization of $7,765 for 2014 and 2013)	1,500	1,500
Prepaid expenses	6,937	7,126
Other assets (net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $7,739 for 2014 and 2013)	17,152	22,124
Total assets	381,125	386,841
Liabilities:	'	'
Reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses	124,803	133,589
Unearned premium	100,450	81,598
Amounts due to reinsurers	63,897	64,910
Due to third-party carriers	7,478	7,221
Deferred revenue	7,654	6,763
Capital lease obligation	7,881	9,428
Debt	128,209	127,563
Income taxes payable	1,713	3,641
Deferred acquisition costs, net liability	'	7,544
Other liabilities	41,034	47,476
Total liabilities	483,119	489,733
Stockholders' deficit:	'	'
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 75,000,000 shares authorized, 18,674,221 shares issued and 15,880,358 shares outstanding at March 31, 2014 and 15,408,358 shares outstanding at December 31, 2013	187	182
Additional paid-in capital	167,059	167,049
Treasury stock, at cost (2,793,863 shares at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013)	-32,910	-32,910
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-1,435	-1,654
Retained deficit	-234,895	-235,559
Total stockholders' deficit	-101,994	-102,892
Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit	$381,125	$386,841

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS_Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Property and equipment, accumulated depreciation	$54,717	$53,222
Other intangible assets, accumulated amortization	7,765	7,765
Other assets, allowance for doubtful accounts	$7,739	$7,739
Common stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	75,000,000	75,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	18,674,221	18,674,221
Common stock, shares outstanding	15,880,358	15,408,358
Treasury stock, shares	2,793,863	2,793,863

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_OPE

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Revenues	'	'
Net premiums earned	$33,364	$41,332
Commission income, fees and managing general agent revenue	11,330	21,854
Net investment income	830	620
Net realized gains	'	11
Other income	2	1
Total revenues	45,526	63,818
Expenses	'	'
Net losses and loss adjustment expenses	27,552	31,563
Selling, general and administrative expenses	12,792	30,841
Depreciation and amortization	1,496	1,932
Total expenses	41,840	64,336
Operating income (loss)	3,686	-518
Interest expense	3,316	5,555
Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)	370	-6,073
Income tax expense (benefit)	-294	178
Net income (loss)	$664	($6,251)
Basic income (loss) per common share:	'	'
Net income (loss)	$0.04	($0.41)
Diluted income (loss) per common share:	'	'
Net income (loss)	$0.04	($0.41)
Weighted average common shares outstanding:	'	'
Basic	15,408	15,408
Diluted	16,282	15,408

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_COM

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Net income (loss)	$664	($6,251)
Other comprehensive income (loss):	'	'
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale investment securities arising during period	219	-117
Reclassification adjustment for realized losses included in net income (loss)	'	-5
Other comprehensive income (loss), net	219	-122
Total comprehensive income (loss)	$883	($6,373)

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_STO

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIT (USD $)	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Treasury Stock	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Retained Deficit
In Thousands, except Share data
Balance at beginning of year at Dec. 31, 2012	'	$182	$166,749	($32,910)	($998)	($266,277)
Balance at beginning of year (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2012	'	18,202,221	'	2,793,863	'	'
Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale investment securities	'	'	'	'	-122	'
Net income (loss)	-6,251	'	'	'	'	-6,251
Stock-based compensation	'	'	77	'	'	'
Balance at end of period at Mar. 31, 2013	-139,550	182	166,826	-32,910	-1,120	-272,528
Balance at end of period (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2013	'	18,202,221	'	2,793,863	'	'
Balance at beginning of year at Dec. 31, 2013	-102,892	182	167,049	-32,910	-1,654	-235,559
Balance at beginning of year (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2013	'	18,202,221	'	2,793,863	'	'
Issuance of restricted stock awards (in shares)	'	472,000	'	'	'	'
Issuance of restricted stock awards	'	5	-5	'	'	'
Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale investment securities	'	'	'	'	219	'
Net income (loss)	664	'	'	'	'	664
Stock-based compensation	'	'	15	'	'	'
Balance at end of period at Mar. 31, 2014	($101,994)	$187	$167,059	($32,910)	($1,435)	($234,895)
Balance at end of period (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2014	'	18,674,221	'	2,793,863	'	'

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CAS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities	'	'
Net income (loss)	$664	($6,251)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	1,676	2,112
Stock-based compensation expense	15	77
Amortization of debt modification costs	502	225
Amortization of debt discount	408	1,468
Net realized gains from sales of available-for-sale securities	'	-5
Fair value gain on investment in hedge fund	-127	-157
Gain on disposal of assets	'	-6
Amortization of premiums on investments, net	148	143
Provision for doubtful accounts	-6	581
Paid-in-kind interest	667	703
Change in operating assets and liabilities:	'	'
Fiduciary and restricted cash	-407	'
Premiums, fees and commissions receivable, net	-19,631	-10,251
Reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses	-8,786	-9,982
Amounts due from reinsurers	235	-3,875
Due to third-party carriers	257	15,838
Premium finance receivable, net (related to our insurance premiums)	'	-9,929
Deferred revenue	891	3,118
Unearned premium	18,852	12,878
Deferred acquisition costs, net	-8,785	7,683
Deferred taxes	'	69
Income taxes	-1,928	144
Other	1,986	6,842
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	-13,369	11,425
Cash flows from investing activities	'	'
Fiduciary and restricted cash	-4,800	'
Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities	198	7
Proceeds from maturities of available-for-sale securities	11,735	9,586
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	-10,000	-10,546
Premium finance receivable, net (related to third-party insurance premiums)	'	-1,592
Purchases of property and equipment	-154	-190
Net cash used in investing activities	-3,021	-2,735
Cash flows from financing activities	'	'
Proceeds from financing under capital lease obligations	4,858	'
Principal payments under capital lease obligations	-1,547	-717
Issuance of mortgage security agreement	'	4,809
Principal payments on mortgage security agreement	-426	'
Debt issuance costs paid	'	-150
Bank overdrafts	1,117	-1,435
Net cash provided by financing activities	4,002	2,106
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	-12,388	10,796
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	44,569	38,176
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	32,181	48,972
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:	'	'
Cash paid for interest	1,154	2,383
Cash paid for income taxes	1,634	54
Disclosure of non-cash information:	'	'
Senior secured credit facility amendment closing fee capitalized to loan balance	'	550
Effective January 2007	'	'
Cash flows from financing activities	'	'
Principal payments on senior secured credit facility	'	($401)

Going_Concern

Going Concern	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Going Concern	'
	1. Going Concern
	The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming the Company will continue as a going concern. This assumes continuing operations and the realization of assets and liabilities in the normal course of business.
	The Company incurred losses from operations over the last five years, including an operating loss of $8.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. Losses over this period were primarily due to underwriting losses, significant revenue declines, expenses declining less than the amount of revenue declines, and goodwill impairments. The losses from operations were the result of prior pricing issues in some states in which the Company has taken significant pricing and underwriting actions to address profitability, losses from states that the Company has exited, such as Florida and Michigan, and goodwill impairment charges as a result of such losses.
	The senior secured and subordinated credit facilities contain quarterly debt covenants that set forth, among other things, minimum risk-based capital requirements for the Company’s insurance subsidiaries as well as minimum cash flow requirements for the Company’s non-regulated businesses. The credit facilities have been amended to remove the risk-based capital measurement requirement for March 31, 2014. Except for the minimum risk-based capital requirement for which the Company obtained a waiver to defer this requirement to June 30, 2014, the Company was in compliance with these covenants as of March 31, 2014. However, it is probable the Company will not meet certain of these covenants in the remaining periods of 2014. If the Company is unable to maintain compliance with the covenants or obtain a forbearance or waiver of any non-compliance or amend the agreements to change such covenants, the lenders could declare all amounts outstanding under the facilities to be immediately due and payable. If the Company’s lenders declare the amounts outstanding to be immediately due and payable, it would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s operations and the Company’s creditors and stockholders.
	The Company has taken actions to address its liquidity concerns including:
		•	Sale of retail business – On September 30, 2013, the Company sold its retail agency distribution business for $101.9 million plus the potential to receive an additional $20.0 million of cash proceeds. The Company paid down the senior secured note by $5.0 million in November 2013 and an additional $5.0 million in April 2014 from the $20.0 million originally established in an escrow account on the sale date. In addition, the purchase agreement was amended in March 2014 to eliminate the measurement of risk-based capital as of March 31, 2014, which defers how the remaining escrow account is utilized until the measurement date as of June 30, 2014 (See Note 3).
		•	Debt refinancing – The Company used proceeds from the sale of the retail agency distribution business and two new debt arrangements to replace the existing senior secured credit facility. The Company’s new debt arrangement consists of a $40.0 million senior secured credit facility with a maturity date of March 30, 2016, and a $10.0 million subordinated secured credit facility with a maturity date of March 30, 2017 (See Note 7).
		•	Management has taken and will continue to pursue appropriate actions to improve the underwriting results; however, there can be no assurance that this will occur.
		•	Management has obtained sufficient quota-share reinsurance to allow the Company to maintain written premium capacity through 2014.
	The Company’s recent history of recurring losses from operations and its probable failure to comply with certain financial covenants in its senior secured and subordinated credit facilities in 2014 raises substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.
	The accompanying consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments to reflect the possible future effects of this uncertainty on the recoverability or classification of recorded asset amounts or the amounts or classification of liabilities.

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	'
	2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (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 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. The consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2013 included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K. The results of operations for interim periods should not be considered indicative of results to be expected for the full year.
	Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation.

Sale_of_the_Retail_Business

Sale of the Retail Business	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Sale of the Retail Business	'
	3. Sale of the Retail Business
	On September 30, 2013, the Company sold its retail agency distribution business to Confie Seguros (Confie). The Company’s retail agency distribution business consisted of 195 retail locations in Louisiana, Alabama, Texas, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Kansas, South Carolina and Wisconsin and two premium finance companies (the retail business). Proceeds from the sale were $101.9 million in cash with the potential to receive an additional $20.0 million of cash proceeds. The cash proceeds included a working capital adjustment of $1.9 million that was received in 2013 and $20.0 million placed in an escrow account which is included in other assets on the consolidated balance sheet. The funds held in escrow will, dependent upon the risk-based capital status of Affirmative Insurance Company (AIC), be utilized to either infuse capital into AIC or pay down debt. The risk-based capital measurement will be made quarterly through June 30, 2014. As of the first measurement date of September 30, 2013, AIC met the risk-based capital target and in November 2013, $5.0 million was released from the escrow account and was used to pay down the senior secured credit facility. As of December 31, 2013, AIC met the risk-based capital target and in April 2014, an additional $5.0 million was released from the escrow account and was used to pay down the senior secured credit facility. The purchase agreement was amended in March 2014 to eliminate the measurement of risk-based capital as of March 31, 2014, which defers how the remaining escrow account is utilized until the measurement date as of June 30, 2014.
	The Company may receive up to an additional $20.0 million of proceeds that could be used to pay down debt or infuse capital into AIC. The additional proceeds are contingent on AIC meeting certain risk-based capital thresholds and maintaining the obligations of the distribution agreement. The risk-based capital measurement begins as of June 30, 2014 for up to $10.0 million of additional proceeds and the remaining balance up to $20.0 million can be achieved on any following quarterly measurement date through December 31, 2015. These contingent proceeds will be recognized in future periods as risk-based capital measurement thresholds are achieved.
	In connection with the sale of the retail business, the Company also entered into a distribution agreement pursuant to which the purchaser will continue to produce insurance business for the Company’s insurance subsidiaries at least until the earlier of December 15, 2015, or when Confie’s obligation to pay the contingent proceeds pursuant to the purchase agreement is discharged. Among other things, the distribution agreement sets forth the terms and conditions under which Confie will produce insurance business for the Company after the closing and includes terms designed to preserve the volume of business produced by the retail business for the Company as of the closing. In turn, the distribution agreement obligates the Company’s insurance subsidiaries to maintain reinsurance and their underwriting capacity in the markets where the retail business operates for the duration of the distribution agreement, including certain restrictions on increasing fees and rates beyond certain thresholds without Confie’s consent. Additionally, Confie will continue to provide premium financing capability for the Company’s policies, including for business written through other independent agencies in certain markets, and the parties will share equally in any increased profits from premium financing other independent agency business during the term of the distribution agreement. Due to the Company’s significant continuing involvement as the underwriter for business produced by the retail agency distribution business and the ongoing premium finance arrangements, the operating activities of the retail agency distribution are not reflected as discontinued operations.

AvailableforSale_Investment_Se

Available-for-Sale Investment Securities	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Available-for-Sale Investment Securities	'
	4. Available-for-Sale Investment Securities
	The Company’s available-for-sale investment securities are carried at fair value with unrealized gains and losses reported in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), a separate component of stockholders’ deficit. No income tax effect of unrealized gains and losses is reflected in other comprehensive income (loss) due to the Company carrying a full deferred tax valuation allowance. Gains and losses realized on the disposition of investment securities are determined on the specific-identification basis and credited or charged to income at the time of disposal.
	Amortized Cost and Fair Value
	The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains (losses), and estimated fair value of the Company’s available-for-sale securities at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, were as follows (in thousands):
		Amortized		Gross			Gross			Estimated Fair
		Cost		Unrealized			Unrealized			Value
				Gains			Losses
	March 31, 2014
	U.S. Treasury and government agencies	$	7,481	$	52		$	(43	)	$	7,490
	Mortgage-backed securities		3,845		30			(49	)		3,826
	States and political subdivisions		3,254		59			—			3,313
	Corporate debt securities		31,186		201			(172	)		31,215
	Certificates of deposit		4,610		27			(1	)		4,636
	Total	$	50,376	$	369		$	(265	)	$	50,480
	December 31, 2013
	U.S. Treasury and government agencies	$	17,830	$	55		$	(51	)	$	17,834
	Mortgage-backed securities		4,023		4			(47	)		3,980
	States and political subdivisions		3,265		68			—			3,333
	Corporate debt securities		32,458		135			(310	)		32,283
	Certificates of deposit		4,860		32			(1	)		4,891
	Total	$	62,436	$	294		$	(409	)	$	62,321
	The Company had $0 million and $10.0 million of unsettled investment purchases as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
	For additional disclosures regarding methods and assumptions used in estimating fair values of these securities see Note 14.
	Maturities
	Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because certain borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without penalties. The Company’s amortized cost and estimated fair values of fixed-income securities at March 31, 2014 by contractual maturity were as follows (in thousands):
		Amortized		Estimated Fair
		Cost		Value
	Fixed maturities:
	Due in one year or less	$	10,703	$	10,755
	Due after one year through five years		31,044		31,124
	Due after five years through ten years		4,784		4,775
	Mortgage-backed securities		3,845		3,826
	Total	$	50,376	$	50,480
	Gross Realized Gains and Losses
	Gross realized gains and losses on available-for-sale investments for the three months ended March 31 were as follows (in thousands):
		2014		2013
	Gross gains	$	—	$	6
	Gross losses		—		(1	)
	Total	$	—	$	5
	Unrealized Losses
	The following table summarizes the Company’s available-for-sale securities in an unrealized loss position at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the estimated fair value and amount of gross unrealized losses, aggregated by investment category and length of time those securities have been continuously in an unrealized loss position (in thousands):
		March 31, 2014
		Less Than Twelve					Twelve Months or						Total
		Months					Greater
		Estimated		Gross			Estimated			Gross			Estimated		Gross
		Fair		Unrealized			Fair			Unrealized			Fair		Unrealized
		Value		Losses			Value			Losses			Value		Losses
	U.S. Treasury and government agencies	$	2,473	$	(43	)	$	—		$	—		$	2,473	$	(43	)
	Mortgage-backed securities		533		(6	)		1,500			(43	)		2,033		(49	)
	Corporate debt securities		9,193		(141	)		5,225			(31	)		14,418		(172	)
	Certificates of deposit		599		(1	)		—			—			599		(1	)
	Total	$	12,798	$	(191	)	$	6,725		$	(74	)	$	19,523	$	(265	)
		December 31, 2013
		Less Than Twelve					Twelve Months or						Total
		Months					Greater
		Estimated		Gross			Estimated			Gross			Estimated		Gross
		Fair		Unrealized			Fair			Unrealized			Fair		Unrealized
		Value		Losses			Value			Losses			Value		Losses
	U.S. Treasury and government agencies	$	13,220	$	(51	)	$	—		$	—		$	13,220	$	(51	)
	Mortgage-backed securities		3,403		(47	)		—			—			3,403		(47	)
	Corporate debt securities		23,410		(310	)		—			—			23,410		(310	)
	Certificates of deposit		849		(1	)		—			—			849		(1	)
	Total	$	40,882	$	(409	)	$	—		$	—		$	40,882	$	(409	)
The Company’s portfolio contained approximately 33 and 53 individual investment securities that were in an unrealized loss position as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
The unrealized losses at March 31, 2014 were primarily attributable to changes in market interest rates since the securities were purchased. Management systematically evaluates investment securities for other-than-temporary declines in fair value on a quarterly basis. Investments are considered to be impaired when a decline in fair value is judged to be other-than-temporary. On a quarterly basis, the Company considers available quantitative and qualitative evidence in evaluating potential impairment of its investments. If the cost of an investment exceeds its fair value, the Company evaluates, among other factors, general market conditions, duration and extent to which the fair value is less than cost. If the fair value of a debt security is less than its amortized cost basis, an other-than-temporary impairment may be triggered in circumstances where (1) an entity has an intent to sell the security, (2) it is more likely than not that the entity will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, or (3) the entity does not expect to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the security (that is, a credit loss exists). Other-than-temporary impairments are separated into amounts representing credit losses which are recognized in earnings and amounts related to all other factors which are recognized in other comprehensive income (loss). The Company also considers potential adverse conditions related to the financial health of the issuer based on rating agency actions. As a result of management’s quarterly analyses for the period ended March 31, 2014 and the year ended December 31, 2013, no individual securities were considered other-than-temporarily impaired.
Restricted Investments
As of March 31, 2014, certificates of deposit in the amount of $4.6 million were pledged as collateral associated with the capital lease related to certain computer software, software licenses, and hardware used in the Company’s insurance operations. See Note 8 for discussion of the associated capital lease obligation.

Reinsurance

Reinsurance	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Reinsurance	'
	5. Reinsurance
	In the ordinary course of business, the Company places reinsurance with other insurance companies in order to provide greater diversification of its business and limit the potential for losses arising from large risks. The Company’s reinsurance agreements provide for recovery of a portion of losses and loss expenses from reinsurers and reinsurance recoverables are recorded as assets. The Company is liable if the reinsurers are unable to satisfy their obligations under the agreements. The Company seeks to cede business to reinsurers generally with a financial strength rating of “A-” or better.
	Quota-share agreements
	In 2011, the Company entered into a quota-share agreement with a third-party reinsurance company under which the Company ceded 10% of business produced in Louisiana, Alabama, Texas and Illinois from September 1, 2011 through December 31, 2011. At December 31, 2011, this contract converted to a 40% quota-share reinsurance contract on the in-force business for the applicable states throughout 2012. Written premiums ceded under this agreement totaled $82.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2012, and this agreement was extended under the same terms through March 31, 2013 and terminated on a cutoff basis as of April 1, 2013. Upon termination, the Company recorded $27.2 million of returned premium, net of $7.7 million deferred ceding commissions. Written premiums under this agreement during 2013 represented a return of previously ceded premiums totaling $5.5 million. Written premiums ceded under this agreement totaled $99.4 million since inception through April 1, 2013.
	In 2013, the Company entered into a new quota-share agreement with the previous third-party reinsurance company effective March 31, 2013, under which the Company cedes 40% for the same four states as the expiring agreement. This agreement is through December 31, 2013 but has automatic one-year renewals unless either party provides notice of intent not to renew within 75 days. This agreement was amended effective June 30, 2013, under which the Company cedes an additional 40% for the same four states for the remainder of 2013. This agreement was further amended to provide a $10.0 million reduction in ceded premiums in the fourth quarter. Written premiums ceded under this agreement totaled $145.8 million during the year ended December 31, 2013. This agreement terminated on January 1, 2014, resulting in the return of $47.2 million unearned premiums, net of $13.9 million ceding commissions. Written premiums ceded under the agreement totaled $98.6 million since inception.
	Effective December 31, 2013, the Company entered into a new reinsurance agreement with four third-party reinsurance companies. Under this agreement, the Company cedes 20% of premiums and losses in Alabama, Illinois, Louisiana and Texas, and 60% in California on policies in force on December 31, 2013 or written or renewed on and after that date. Written premiums ceded under this agreement totaled $22.2 million as of December 31, 2013. On January 1, 2014, the quota-share rate increased to 60% for all business in force in these same states and for new and renewal business through January 1, 2015. Written premiums ceded under this agreement totaled $81.5 million during the quarter ended March 31, 2014 and $103.7 million since inception.
	Assumed Reinsurance
	Historically, the Company assumed reinsurance from a Texas county mutual insurance company (the county mutual) whereby the Company assumed 100% of the policies issued by the county mutual for business produced by the Company’s owned general agents with policies in force prior to January 1, 2013. The county mutual does not retain any of this business and there are no loss limits other than the underlying policy limits. AIC has established a trust to secure the Company’s obligation under this reinsurance contract with a balance of $15.1 million and $15.0 million as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, of which $0.1 million and $3.6 million was held in cash equivalents as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. On January 1, 2013, the Company terminated this agreement on a cut-off basis and unearned premium of $11.8 million was returned to the ceding company.
	Excess of Loss Contracts
	In July 2013, the Company entered into a reinsurance agreement with third-party reinsurers that provides $7.0 million in excess of the first $3.0 million of losses coverage for catastrophic events that may involve multiple insured losses.
	In February 2013, the Company entered into a one-year excess of loss reinsurance contract with third-party reinsurers that provides coverage for individual losses in excess of $100,000 up to $1.0 million. In January 2014, this contract was extended to July 1, 2014 under the same terms and conditions.
	The effect of reinsurance on premiums written and earned was as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2014									2013
		Written			Earned			Loss and			Written			Earned			Loss and
		Premium			Premium			Loss			Premium			Premium			Loss
								Adjustment									Adjustment
								Expenses									Expenses
	Direct	$	99,447		$	80,321		$	56,271		$	85,236		$	60,661		$	43,314
	Reinsurance assumed/(returned)		—			—			5			(11,812	)		—			323
	Reinsurance ceded		(34,630	)		(46,957	)		(28,724	)		(49,015	)		(19,329	)		(12,074	)
	Total	$	64,817		$	33,364		$	27,552		$	24,409		$	41,332		$	31,563
	Under certain of the Company’s reinsurance transactions, the Company has received ceding commissions. The ceding commission rate varies based on loss experience. The estimates of loss experience are continually reviewed and adjusted, and the resulting adjustments to ceding commissions are reflected in current operations. Ceding commissions recognized, reflected as a reduction of selling, general and administrative expenses, were as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2014			2013
	Selling, general and administrative expenses	$	(15,430	)	$	(6,270	)
	The amount of loss reserves and unearned premium the Company would remain liable for in the event its reinsurers are unable to meet their obligations were as follows (in thousands):
		March 31,			December 31,
		2014			2013
	Losses and loss adjustment expense reserves	$	73,449		$	72,366
	Unearned premium reserve		57,054			69,381
	Total	$	130,503		$	141,747
	Receivable from reinsurers
	The table below presents the total amount of receivables due from reinsurers as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 (in thousands):
		March 31,			December 31,
		2014			2013
	Quota-share reinsurers for agreements effective December 31, 2013	$	86,975		$	22,218
	Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association		33,460			34,878
	Quota-share reinsurer for agreements effective September 1, 2011 and March 31, 2013		27,557			91,879
	Vesta Insurance Group		13,435			13,435
	Excess of loss reinsurers		3,192			3,413
	Quota-share reinsurer for agreements effective in fourth quarter of 2010 and January 1, 2011 and other		(48	)		(4	)
	Total reinsurance receivable	$	164,571		$	165,819
	The quota-share reinsurers and the excess of loss reinsurers all have at least A- ratings from A.M. Best. Accordingly, the Company believes there is minimal credit risk related to these reinsurance receivables. Under the reinsurance agreement with Vesta Insurance Group (VIG), including primarily Vesta Fire Insurance Corporation (VFIC), AIC had the right, under certain circumstances, to require VFIC to provide a letter of credit or establish a trust account to collateralize gross amounts due from VFIC under the reinsurance agreement. At March 31, 2014, the VFIC Trust held $16.6 million (after cumulative withdrawals of $9.0 million through March 31, 2014), consisting of a U.S. Treasury money market account held in cash and cash equivalents, to collateralize the $13.4 million net recoverable from VFIC.
	At March 31, 2014, $2.5 million was included in reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses that represented the amounts owed by AIC under a reinsurance agreement with a VIG-affiliated company. Affirmative established a trust account to secure the Company’s obligations under this reinsurance contract, which currently holds $15.7 million in a money market cash equivalent account (the AIC Trust). The Special Deputy Receiver in Texas had cumulative withdrawals from the AIC Trust of $0.4 million through March 2014, and the Special Deputy Receiver in Hawaii had cumulative withdrawals from the AIC Trust of $1.7 million through March 2014.
	In June 2006, the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) placed VFIC, along with several of its affiliates, into rehabilitation and subsequently into liquidation (except for VIG which remains in rehabilitation). In accordance with the TDI liquidation orders, all VIG subsidiary reinsurance agreements were terminated. Prior to the termination, the Company assumed various quota-share percentages according to which managing general agents (MGAs) produced the business. With respect to business produced by certain MGAs, the Company assumed 100% of the contracts. For business produced by other MGAs, the Company’s assumption was net after VIG cession to other reinsurers. For this latter assumed business, the other reinsurers and their participation varied by MGA. Prior to the termination of the VIG subsidiary reinsurance agreements, the agreements contained no maximum loss limit other than the underlying policy limits. The ceding company’s retention was zero and these agreements could be terminated at the end of any calendar quarter by either party with prior written notice of not less than 90 days.
	VIG indemnified the Company for any losses due to uncollectible reinsurance related to reinsurance agreements entered into with unaffiliated reinsurers prior to December 31, 2003. As of March 31, 2014, all such unaffiliated reinsurers had A.M. best ratings of A- or better. The Company had reinsurance recoverable from VIG of $2.1 million and $2.2 million as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.

Deferred_Policy_Acquisition_Co

Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs	'
	6. Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs
	Policy acquisition costs, consisting of primarily commissions and premium taxes, net of ceding commission income, are deferred and charged against income ratably over the terms of the related policies. The components of deferred policy acquisition costs and the related amortization expense were as follows for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands):
		Gross			Ceded			Net
	Balance at January 1, 2014	$	12,587		$	(20,131	)	$	(7,544	)
	Additions		17,892			(8,894	)		8,998
	Amortization		(13,265	)		13,052			(213	)
	Ending balance at March 31, 2014	$	17,214		$	(15,973	)	$	1,241
	Balance at January 1, 2013	$	7,111		$	(7,013	)	$	98
	Additions		8,233			(13,920	)		(5,687	)
	Amortization		(7,455	)		5,459			(1,996	)
	Ending balance at March 31, 2013	$	7,889		$	(15,474	)	$	(7,585	)

Debt

Debt	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Debt	'
	7. Debt
	The Company’s long-term debt instruments and balances outstanding at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 were as follows (in thousands):
		March 31,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Notes payable due 2035	$	30,928	$	30,928
	Notes payable due 2035		25,774		25,774
	Notes payable due 2035		20,123		20,126
	Total notes payable		76,825		76,828
	Senior secured credit facility effective September 2013, net of discount		33,931		33,523
	Subordinated secured credit facility		14,317		13,650
	Mortgage payable		3,136		3,562
	Total long-term debt	$	128,209	$	127,563
	Notes payable
	The $30.9 million notes payable due 2035 are redeemable in whole or in part by the Company. The notes adjust quarterly to the three-month LIBOR rate plus 3.60%. The interest rate as of March 31, 2014 was 3.83%.
	The $25.8 million notes payable due 2035 are redeemable in whole or in part by the Company. The notes adjust quarterly to the three-month LIBOR rate plus 3.55%. The interest rate as of March 31, 2014 was 3.78%.
	On February 28, 2012, the Company exercised its right to defer interest payments on the two notes payable mentioned above beginning with the scheduled interest payment due in March 2012 and continuing for a period of up to five years. The affected notes are associated with obligations to the Company’s unconsolidated trusts. The outstanding balance of the affected notes was $56.7 million as of March 31, 2014. The Company will continue to accrue interest on the principal during the interest deferral period and the unpaid deferred interest will also accrue interest. Deferred interest will be due and payable at the expiration of the interest deferral period and totaled $5.1 million as of March 31, 2014.
	The $20.1 million notes payable due 2035 are redeemable in whole or in part by the Company. The notes adjust quarterly to the three-month LIBOR rate plus 3.95%. The interest rate as of March 31, 2014 was 4.18%.
	Senior and subordinated secured facilities
	On September 30, 2013, the Company replaced its existing senior credit facility with the proceeds from the sale of the retail business and with proceeds from two new debt arrangements. The Company’s new debt arrangement consisted of a $40.0 million senior secured credit facility with a maturity date of March 30, 2016, and a $10.0 million subordinated secured credit facility with a maturity date of March 30, 2017.
	The pricing under the senior secured credit facility is currently subject to an adjusted LIBOR rate floor of 1.25%, plus 7.25%. The interest rate as of March 31, 2014 was 8.50%. The Company made a $5.0 million payment in November 2013. As of March 31, 2014, the principal balance of the senior secured credit facility was $35.0 million. The senior secured credit facility was issued at a discount of $2.0 million that will be amortized as interest expense over the expected term of the loan using the effective interest method. Repayment of the facility is due quarterly with $2.0 million payable for each quarter through September 30, 2014, $3.5 million payable each quarter through September 30, 2015, $4.5 million payable on December 31, 2015 and the remaining balance of $13.5 million due in full on March 30, 2016. Prepayments under this agreement are applied to the earliest payments due. In April 2014, a $5.0 million payment was made. The next payment due is $1.5 million on December 31, 2014.
	The pricing under the subordinated secured credit facility is currently subject to an adjusted LIBOR rate floor of 1.25%, plus 18.00%. The interest rate as of March 31, 2014 was 19.25%. The subordinated secured credit facility included a commitment fee of $3.0 million that was added to the principal balance outstanding. Accrued interest is added to the outstanding principal balance until the senior secured credit facility is paid. Capitalized interest totaling $1.3 million was added to the principal balance through March 31, 2014. As of March 31, 2014, the principal balance of the subordinated secured credit facility was $14.3 million.
	Mortgage payable
	In March 2013, the Company, through one of its indirect, wholly-owned subsidiaries, entered into a $4.8 million loan secured by commercial real estate to provide liquidity to AIC. The loan is evidenced by a promissory note secured by a mortgage security agreement and assignment of leases and rents on real estate located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, which is held as investment in real property on the consolidated balance sheet. The mortgage bears interest at a per annum fixed rate of 4.95%. The mortgage requires monthly payments of principal and interest with the final payment due on the maturity date of December 15, 2015. As security for payments, the Company assigned rents due under the lease to a trustee. Pursuant to an escrow and servicing agreement, the trustee will receive rent due under the lease, make required payments due under the mortgage and maintain certain escrow accounts to pay for the necessary expenses of the property until the mortgage is paid in full. The principal balance of the mortgage payable was $3.1 million at March 31, 2014.

Capital_Lease_Obligation

Capital Lease Obligation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Capital Lease Obligation	'
	8. Capital Lease Obligation
	In December 2013, the Company entered into a capital lease obligation related to certain computer software, software licenses and hardware used in the Company’s insurance operations. The Company received cash proceeds from the financing in the amount of $4.9 million in January 2014. A receivable for settlement of this transaction was included in other assets as of December 31, 2013. The transaction proceeds are pledged as collateral against all the Company’s obligations under the lease. The dollar amount of collateral pledged is set to decline over the term of the lease as the Company makes the scheduled lease payments. At the end of the initial term, the Company will have the right to purchase the software for a nominal fee, after which all rights, title and interest would transfer to the Company.
	In May 2010, the Company entered into two capital lease obligations related to certain computer software, software licenses, and hardware used in the Company’s insurance operations. The Company received cash proceeds from the financing in the amount of $28.2 million. As required by the lease agreements, the Company purchased $28.2 million of certificates of deposit held in brokerage accounts and pledged such securities as collateral against all of the Company’s obligations under the lease. The dollar amount of collateral pledged is set to decline over the term of the lease as the Company makes the scheduled lease payments. At the end of the initial term, the Company will have the right to purchase the software for a nominal fee, after which all rights, title and interest would transfer to the Company.
	In October 2012, one of the Lessors initiated action to terminate their capital lease agreement with the Company. In December 2012, the Lessor conveyed all right and interest in the leased property back to the Company.
	The remaining lease term is 14 months with monthly rental payments totaling approximately $0.3 million. Cash and securities pledged as collateral and held as available-for-sale securities were $5.0 million and $5.9 million as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
	Property under capital lease consisted of the following as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 (in thousands):
		March 31,			December 31,
		2014			2013
	Computer software, software licenses and hardware	$	34,212		$	34,212
	Accumulated depreciation		(25,048	)		(23,971	)
	Computer software, software licenses and hardware, net	$	9,164		$	10,241
	Estimated future lease payments for the years ending December 31 (in thousands):
	2014	$	5,110
	2015		3,124
	Total estimated future lease payments		8,234
	Less: Amount representing interest		353
	Present value of future lease payments	$	7,881

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Taxes	'
	9. Income Taxes
	The provision for income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 consisted of the following (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2014			2013
	Current tax expense (benefit)	$	(294	)	$	109
	Deferred tax expense		—			69
	Income tax expense (benefit)	$	(294	)	$	178
	The Company’s effective tax rate differed from the statutory rate of 35% for the three months ended March 31 as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2014			2013
	Income (loss) before income taxes	$	370		$	(6,073	)
	Tax provision computed at the federal statutory income tax rate		130			(2,126	)
	Increases (reductions) in tax resulting from:
	Tax-exempt interest		(4	)		(5	)
	State income taxes		349			54
	Valuation allowance		(774	)		2,248
	Other		5			7
	Income tax expense (benefit)	$	(294	)	$	178
	Effective tax rate		(79.5	)%		(2.9	%)
	Our gross deferred tax assets prior to recognition of valuation allowance were $89.5 million and $90.0 million at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. In assessing the realizability of our deferred tax assets, we considered whether it was more likely than not that our deferred tax assets will be realized based upon all available evidence, including scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, historical operating results, projected future operating results, tax carry-back availability, and limitations pursuant to Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code, among others. Based on this assessment, we began recording a valuation allowance against deferred taxes in December 2009. The valuation allowance was $87.6 million and $88.4 million at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.

Legal_and_Regulatory_Proceedin

Legal and Regulatory Proceedings	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Legal and Regulatory Proceedings	'
	10. Legal and Regulatory Proceedings
	The Company and its subsidiaries are named from time to time as parties in various legal actions arising in the ordinary course of the Company’s business and arising out of or related to claims made in connection with the Company’s insurance policies and claims handling. Except as set forth below, there are no material changes with respect to legal and regulatory proceedings previously disclosed in Item 3 and Note 15 to the consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.
	Affirmative Insurance Company (AIC) was party to a General Agency Agreement with United Underwriters, Inc. (United), pursuant to which United produced business and managed claims on such business in the state of Utah. The General Agency Agreement terminated in 2006. In May 2005, two of AIC’s insureds were injured in an automobile accident for which they sought personal injury protection (PIP) and underinsured motorist (UIM) benefits from AIC. United disputed the insureds’ claims and a lawsuit was filed in the Third District Court of Salt Lake County, Utah. Pursuant to the General Agency Agreement, United owes certain indemnification obligations to AIC. On April 4, 2014, the trial court entered judgment against AIC and in favor of plaintiffs in the amount of $521,754. The Company settled its indemnification dispute with United and has settled with plaintiffs within recorded loss and LAE reserves.

Net_Income_Loss_per_Common_Sha

Net Income (Loss) per Common Share	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Net Income (Loss) per Common Share	'
	11. Net Income (Loss) per Common Share
	Net income (loss) per common share is based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding. Diluted weighted average shares are calculated by adjusting basic weighted average shares outstanding by all potentially dilutive stock options. Stock options outstanding of 323,000 and 2,396,500 for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the exercise price of the options was greater than the average market price of the common stock or there was a net loss from operations in the period thus the inclusion would have been anti-dilutive. Diluted earnings per share are calculated using the treasury stock method.
	The following table sets forth the reconciliation of numerators and denominators for the basic and diluted earnings per share computation for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands, except per share amounts):
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2014		2013
	Numerator:
	Net income (loss)	$	664	$	(6,251	)
	Denominator:
	Weighted average common shares outstanding		15,408		15,408
	Weighted average effect of dilutive securities		874		—
	Total diluted weighted average shares outstanding		16,282		15,408
	Basic income (loss) per common share:	$	0.04	$	(0.41	)
	Diluted income (loss) per common share:	$	0.04	$	(0.41	)
	On February 12, 2014, 472,000 shares of Affirmative’s common stock were issued on a restricted basis to executives of the Company.

Related_Party_Transactions

Related Party Transactions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Related Party Transactions	'
	12. Related Party Transactions
	On September 30, 2013, the Company entered into a $10.0 million subordinated secured credit facility with JCF AFFM Debt Holdings, L.P., as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent. JCF AFFM Debt Holdings, L.P. is an affiliate of J.C. Flowers & Co. LLC and New Affirmative LLC, the Company’s majority shareholder.

Disclosures_for_Items_Reclassi

Disclosures for Items Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Disclosures for Items Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	'
	13. Disclosures for Items Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
	The following table sets forth the components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), including reclassification adjustments for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands):
		2014			2013
	Beginning balance	$	(1,654	)	$	(998	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		219			(117	)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)		—			(5	)
	Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)		219			(122	)
	Ending balance	$	(1,435	)	$	(1,120	)
	Net gain in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) reclassifications for previously unrealized net gains on available-for-sale securities was $5,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2013. The gain was not net of any taxes due to the valuation allowance for deferred income taxes.

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru

Fair Value of Financial Instruments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	'
	14. Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	The Company utilizes a hierarchy of valuation techniques for the disclosure of fair value estimates based on whether the significant inputs into the valuation are observable. In determining the level of hierarchy in which the estimate is disclosed, the highest priority is given to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs that reflect the Company’s significant market assumptions. The Company measures certain assets and liabilities at fair value on a recurring basis, including investment securities classified as available-for-sale, cash equivalents and other invested assets. Following is a brief description of the type of valuation information that qualifies as a financial asset or liability for each level:
	Level 1 — Unadjusted quoted market prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets which are accessible by the Company.
	Level 2 — Observable prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities. Prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active. Directly observable market inputs for substantially the full term of the asset or liability, e.g., interest rates and yield curves at commonly quoted intervals, volatilities, prepayment speeds, default rates, and credit spreads. Market inputs that are not directly observable, but are derived from or corroborated by observable market data.
	Level 3 — Unobservable inputs based on the Company’s own judgment as to assumptions a market participant would use, including inputs derived from extrapolation and interpolation that are not corroborated by observable market data.
	The Company evaluates the various types of financial assets and liabilities to determine the appropriate fair value hierarchy based upon trading activity and the observation of market inputs. The Company employs control processes to validate the reasonableness of the fair value estimates of its assets and liabilities, including those estimates based on prices and quotes obtained from independent third-party sources. The Company’s procedures generally include, but are not limited to, initial and ongoing evaluation of methodologies used by independent third-parties and additional pricing services are used as a comparison to determine the reasonableness of fair values used in pricing the investment portfolio.
	The Company recognizes transfers between levels at the actual date of the event or change in circumstances that caused the transfer.
	Where possible, the Company utilizes quoted market prices to measure fair value. For assets and liabilities that have quoted market prices in active markets, the Company uses the quoted market prices as fair value and includes these prices in the amounts disclosed in Level 1 of the hierarchy. When quoted market prices in active markets are unavailable, the Company determines fair values based on independent external valuation information obtained from independent pricing services, which utilize various models and valuation techniques based on a range of inputs including pricing models, quoted market prices of publicly traded securities with similar duration and yield, time value, yield curve, prepayment speeds, default rates and discounted cash flows. In most cases, these estimates are determined based on independent third-party valuation information, and the amounts are disclosed as Level 2 or Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy depending on the level of observable market inputs.
	Financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis
	The following table provides information as of March 31, 2014 about the Company’s financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis (in thousands):
		Total		Quoted		Significant		Significant
				Prices in		Other		Unobservable
				Active		Observable		Inputs
				Markets		Inputs		(Level 3)
				(Level 1)		(Level 2)
	U.S. Treasury and government agencies	$	7,490	$	7,490	$	—	$	—
	Mortgage-backed securities		3,826		—		3,826		—
	States and political subdivisions		3,313		—		3,313		—
	Corporate debt securities		31,215		—		31,215		—
	Certificates of deposit		4,636		—		4,636		—
	Total investment securities		50,480		7,490		42,990		—
	Other invested assets		4,212		—		—		4,212
	Total assets	$	54,692	$	7,490	$	42,990	$	4,212
	The following table provides information as of December 31, 2013 about the Company’s financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis (in thousands):
		Total		Quoted		Significant		Significant
				Prices in		Other		Unobservable
				Active		Observable		Inputs
				Markets		Inputs		(Level 3)
				(Level 1)		(Level 2)
	U.S. Treasury and government agencies	$	17,834	$	17,834	$	—	$	—
	Mortgage-backed securities		3,980		—		3,980		—
	States and political subdivisions		3,333		—		3,333		—
	Corporate debt securities		32,283		—		32,283		—
	Certificates of deposit		4,891		—		4,891		—
	Total investment securities		62,321		17,834		44,487		—
	Other invested assets		4,085		—		—		4,085
	Total assets	$	66,406	$	17,834	$	44,487	$	4,085
	Level 1 Financial assets
	Financial assets classified as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy include U.S. Treasury and government agencies securities. These securities are actively traded and the Company estimates the fair value of these securities using unadjusted quoted market prices.
	Level 2 Financial assets
	Financial assets classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy include mortgage-backed securities, tax-exempt securities, corporate bonds and certificates of deposit. The fair value of these securities is determined based on observable market inputs provided by independent third-party pricing services. To date, the Company has not experienced a circumstance where it has determined that an adjustment is required to a quote or price received from independent third-party pricing sources. To the extent the Company determines that a price or quote is inconsistent with actual trading activity observed in that investment or similar investments, the Company would determine a fair value using this observable market information and disclose the occurrence of this circumstance. All of the fair values of securities disclosed in Level 2 are estimated based on independent third-party pricing services.
	Level 3 Financial assets
	At March 31, 2014, the Company’s Level 3 financial assets include an investment in a hedge fund, which is presented as other invested assets in the consolidated balance sheets. The Company elected the fair value option for its investment in the hedge fund and measures the fair value of the hedge fund on the basis of the net asset value of the fund as reported by the fund manager. The hedge fund is primarily invested in residential mortgage-backed securities and other asset-backed securities which are recorded at fair value as determined by the fund manager. Such fair value determination is based on quoted marked prices, bid prices, or the fund manager’s proprietary valuation models where quoted prices are unavailable or deemed to be inadequately representative of fair value. Significant decreases in the fair value of the underlying securities in the hedge fund would result in a significantly lower fair value measurement of other invested assets as reported in the consolidated balance sheets.
	Fair value measurements for assets in Level 3 for the year ended March 31, 2014 were as follows (in thousands):
		Fair Value Measurements
		Using Significant
		Unobservable Inputs
		(Level 3)
		Other Invested Assets
	Balance at January 1, 2014	$	4,085
	Transfers into Level 3		—
	Total gains included in earnings as net investment income		127
	Settlements		—
	Balance at March 31, 2014	$	4,212
	Fair value measurements for assets in Level 3 for the year ended March 31, 2013 were as follows (in thousands):
		Fair Value Measurements
		Using Significant
		Unobservable Inputs
		(Level 3)
		Other Invested Assets
	Balance at January 1, 2013	$	3,390
	Transfers into Level 3		—
	Total gains included in earnings as net investment income		157
Settlements		—
Balance at March 31, 2013	$	3,547
The Company did not have any transfers between Levels 1 and 2 during the three months ended March 31, 2014 or 2013.
Financial Instruments Disclosed, But Not Carried, At Fair Value
Fair values represent the Company’s best estimates and may not be substantiated by comparisons to independent markets and, in many cases, could not be realized in immediate settlement of the instruments.
The following table presents the carrying value and estimated fair value of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities disclosed, but not carried, at fair value at March 31, 2014 and the level within the fair value hierarchy (in thousands):
	Carrying		Estimated		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	Value		Fair Value
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	32,181	$	32,181	$	32,181	$	—	$	—
Fiduciary and restricted cash		6,576		6,576		6,576		—		—
Total	$	38,757	$	38,757	$	38,757	$	—	$	—
Liabilities:
Notes payable	$	76,825	$	13,610	$	—	$	—	$	13,610
Senior secured credit facility		33,931		34,577		—		—		34,577
Subordinated secured credit facility		14,317		12,656		—		—		12,656
Mortgage payable		3,136		3,136		—		—		3,136
Total	$	128,209	$	63,979	$	—	$	—	$	63,979
The following table presents the carrying value and estimated fair value of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities disclosed, but not carried, at fair value at December 31, 2013 and the level within the fair value hierarchy (in thousands):
	Carrying		Estimated		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	Value		Fair Value
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	44,569	$	44,569	$	44,569	$	—	$	—
Fiduciary and restricted cash		1,369		1,369		1,369		—		—
Total	$	45,938	$	45,938	$	45,938	$	—	$	—
Liabilities:
Notes payable	$	76,828	$	13,181	$	—	$	—	$	13,181
Senior secured credit facility		33,523		34,476		—		—		34,476
Subordinated secured credit facility		13,650		11,723		—		—		11,723
Mortgage payable		3,562		3,562		—		—		3,562
Total	$	127,563	$	62,942	$	—	$	—	$	62,942
The fair values of the notes payable, the senior secured credit facility and the subordinated secured credit facility were estimated using discounted cash flow analyses prepared by a third-party valuation source based on inputs and assumptions, such as credit and default risk associated with the debt. The mortgage payable is reported at par value which approximates its fair value due to its short-term nature.

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Basis of Presentation	'
	Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (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 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. The consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2013 included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K. The results of operations for interim periods should not be considered indicative of results to be expected for the full year.
	Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation.

AvailableforSale_Investment_Se1

Available-for-Sale Investment Securities (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Summary of Available-for-Sale Securities	'
	The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains (losses), and estimated fair value of the Company’s available-for-sale securities at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, were as follows (in thousands):
		Amortized		Gross			Gross			Estimated Fair
		Cost		Unrealized			Unrealized			Value
				Gains			Losses
	March 31, 2014
	U.S. Treasury and government agencies	$	7,481	$	52		$	(43	)	$	7,490
	Mortgage-backed securities		3,845		30			(49	)		3,826
	States and political subdivisions		3,254		59			—			3,313
	Corporate debt securities		31,186		201			(172	)		31,215
	Certificates of deposit		4,610		27			(1	)		4,636
	Total	$	50,376	$	369		$	(265	)	$	50,480
	December 31, 2013
	U.S. Treasury and government agencies	$	17,830	$	55		$	(51	)	$	17,834
	Mortgage-backed securities		4,023		4			(47	)		3,980
	States and political subdivisions		3,265		68			—			3,333
	Corporate debt securities		32,458		135			(310	)		32,283
	Certificates of deposit		4,860		32			(1	)		4,891
	Total	$	62,436	$	294		$	(409	)	$	62,321
Gross Realized Gains and Losses on Available-for-Sale Investment	'
	Gross realized gains and losses on available-for-sale investments for the three months ended March 31 were as follows (in thousands):
		2014		2013
	Gross gains	$	—	$	6
	Gross losses		—		(1	)
	Total	$	—	$	5
Summary of Available-for-sale Securities in Unrealized Loss Position	'
	The following table summarizes the Company’s available-for-sale securities in an unrealized loss position at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the estimated fair value and amount of gross unrealized losses, aggregated by investment category and length of time those securities have been continuously in an unrealized loss position (in thousands):
		March 31, 2014
		Less Than Twelve					Twelve Months or						Total
		Months					Greater
		Estimated		Gross			Estimated			Gross			Estimated		Gross
		Fair		Unrealized			Fair			Unrealized			Fair		Unrealized
		Value		Losses			Value			Losses			Value		Losses
	U.S. Treasury and government agencies	$	2,473	$	(43	)	$	—		$	—		$	2,473	$	(43	)
	Mortgage-backed securities		533		(6	)		1,500			(43	)		2,033		(49	)
	Corporate debt securities		9,193		(141	)		5,225			(31	)		14,418		(172	)
	Certificates of deposit		599		(1	)		—			—			599		(1	)
	Total	$	12,798	$	(191	)	$	6,725		$	(74	)	$	19,523	$	(265	)
		December 31, 2013
		Less Than Twelve					Twelve Months or						Total
		Months					Greater
		Estimated		Gross			Estimated			Gross			Estimated		Gross
		Fair		Unrealized			Fair			Unrealized			Fair		Unrealized
		Value		Losses			Value			Losses			Value		Losses
	U.S. Treasury and government agencies	$	13,220	$	(51	)	$	—		$	—		$	13,220	$	(51	)
	Mortgage-backed securities		3,403		(47	)		—			—			3,403		(47	)
	Corporate debt securities		23,410		(310	)		—			—			23,410		(310	)
	Certificates of deposit		849		(1	)		—			—			849		(1	)
	Total	$	40,882	$	(409	)	$	—		$	—		$	40,882	$	(409	)
Fixed income securities	'
Summary of Available-for-Sale Securities	'
	The Company’s amortized cost and estimated fair values of fixed-income securities at March 31, 2014 by contractual maturity were as follows (in thousands):
		Amortized		Estimated Fair
		Cost		Value
	Fixed maturities:
	Due in one year or less	$	10,703	$	10,755
	Due after one year through five years		31,044		31,124
	Due after five years through ten years		4,784		4,775
	Mortgage-backed securities		3,845		3,826
	Total	$	50,376	$	50,480

Reinsurance_Tables

Reinsurance (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Effect of Reinsurance on Premiums Written and Earned	'
	The effect of reinsurance on premiums written and earned was as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2014									2013
		Written			Earned			Loss and			Written			Earned			Loss and
		Premium			Premium			Loss			Premium			Premium			Loss
								Adjustment									Adjustment
								Expenses									Expenses
	Direct	$	99,447		$	80,321		$	56,271		$	85,236		$	60,661		$	43,314
	Reinsurance assumed/(returned)		—			—			5			(11,812	)		—			323
	Reinsurance ceded		(34,630	)		(46,957	)		(28,724	)		(49,015	)		(19,329	)		(12,074	)
	Total	$	64,817		$	33,364		$	27,552		$	24,409		$	41,332		$	31,563
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses	'
	Ceding commissions recognized, reflected as a reduction of selling, general and administrative expenses, were as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2014			2013
	Selling, general and administrative expenses	$	(15,430	)	$	(6,270	)
Amount of Loss Reserves and Unearned Premium	'
	The amount of loss reserves and unearned premium the Company would remain liable for in the event its reinsurers are unable to meet their obligations were as follows (in thousands):
		March 31,			December 31,
		2014			2013
	Losses and loss adjustment expense reserves	$	73,449		$	72,366
	Unearned premium reserve		57,054			69,381
	Total	$	130,503		$	141,747
Amount of Receivables Due from Reinsurers	'
	The table below presents the total amount of receivables due from reinsurers as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 (in thousands):
		March 31,			December 31,
		2014			2013
	Quota-share reinsurers for agreements effective December 31, 2013	$	86,975		$	22,218
	Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association		33,460			34,878
	Quota-share reinsurer for agreements effective September 1, 2011 and March 31, 2013		27,557			91,879
	Vesta Insurance Group		13,435			13,435
	Excess of loss reinsurers		3,192			3,413
	Quota-share reinsurer for agreements effective in fourth quarter of 2010 and January 1, 2011 and other		(48	)		(4	)
	Total reinsurance receivable	$	164,571		$	165,819

Deferred_Policy_Acquisition_Co1

Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Components of Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs and Related Amortization Expense	'
	The components of deferred policy acquisition costs and the related amortization expense were as follows for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands):
		Gross			Ceded			Net
	Balance at January 1, 2014	$	12,587		$	(20,131	)	$	(7,544	)
	Additions		17,892			(8,894	)		8,998
	Amortization		(13,265	)		13,052			(213	)
	Ending balance at March 31, 2014	$	17,214		$	(15,973	)	$	1,241
	Balance at January 1, 2013	$	7,111		$	(7,013	)	$	98
	Additions		8,233			(13,920	)		(5,687	)
	Amortization		(7,455	)		5,459			(1,996	)
	Ending balance at March 31, 2013	$	7,889		$	(15,474	)	$	(7,585	)

Debt_Tables

Debt (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Summary of Long-Term Debt Instruments and Balances Outstanding	'
	The Company’s long-term debt instruments and balances outstanding at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 were as follows (in thousands):
		March 31,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Notes payable due 2035	$	30,928	$	30,928
	Notes payable due 2035		25,774		25,774
	Notes payable due 2035		20,123		20,126
	Total notes payable		76,825		76,828
	Senior secured credit facility effective September 2013, net of discount		33,931		33,523
	Subordinated secured credit facility		14,317		13,650
	Mortgage payable		3,136		3,562
	Total long-term debt	$	128,209	$	127,563

Capital_Lease_Obligation_Table

Capital Lease Obligation (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Property Under Capital Lease	'
	Property under capital lease consisted of the following as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 (in thousands):
		March 31,			December 31,
		2014			2013
	Computer software, software licenses and hardware	$	34,212		$	34,212
	Accumulated depreciation		(25,048	)		(23,971	)
	Computer software, software licenses and hardware, net	$	9,164		$	10,241
Future Lease Payments	'
	Estimated future lease payments for the years ending December 31 (in thousands):
	2014	$	5,110
	2015		3,124
	Total estimated future lease payments		8,234
	Less: Amount representing interest		353
	Present value of future lease payments	$	7,881

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Provision for Income Taxes	'
	The provision for income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 consisted of the following (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2014			2013
	Current tax expense (benefit)	$	(294	)	$	109
	Deferred tax expense		—			69
	Income tax expense (benefit)	$	(294	)	$	178
Summary of Effective Tax Rate Differed from Statutory Rate	'
	The Company’s effective tax rate differed from the statutory rate of 35% for the three months ended March 31 as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2014			2013
	Income (loss) before income taxes	$	370		$	(6,073	)
	Tax provision computed at the federal statutory income tax rate		130			(2,126	)
	Increases (reductions) in tax resulting from:
	Tax-exempt interest		(4	)		(5	)
	State income taxes		349			54
	Valuation allowance		(774	)		2,248
	Other		5			7
	Income tax expense (benefit)	$	(294	)	$	178
	Effective tax rate		(79.5	)%		(2.9	%)

Net_Income_Loss_per_Common_Sha1

Net Income (Loss) per Common Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Summary of Reconciliation of Numerators and Denominators for Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share	'
	The following table sets forth the reconciliation of numerators and denominators for the basic and diluted earnings per share computation for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands, except per share amounts):
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2014		2013
	Numerator:
	Net income (loss)	$	664	$	(6,251	)
	Denominator:
	Weighted average common shares outstanding		15,408		15,408
	Weighted average effect of dilutive securities		874		—
	Total diluted weighted average shares outstanding		16,282		15,408
	Basic income (loss) per common share:	$	0.04	$	(0.41	)
	Diluted income (loss) per common share:	$	0.04	$	(0.41	)

Disclosures_for_Items_Reclassi1

Disclosures for Items Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	'
	The following table sets forth the components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), including reclassification adjustments for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands):
		2014			2013
	Beginning balance	$	(1,654	)	$	(998	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		219			(117	)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)		—			(5	)
	Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)		219			(122	)
	Ending balance	$	(1,435	)	$	(1,120	)

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru1

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Financial Assets Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis	'
	The following table provides information as of March 31, 2014 about the Company’s financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis (in thousands):
		Total		Quoted		Significant		Significant
				Prices in		Other		Unobservable
				Active		Observable		Inputs
				Markets		Inputs		(Level 3)
				(Level 1)		(Level 2)
	U.S. Treasury and government agencies	$	7,490	$	7,490	$	—	$	—
	Mortgage-backed securities		3,826		—		3,826		—
	States and political subdivisions		3,313		—		3,313		—
	Corporate debt securities		31,215		—		31,215		—
	Certificates of deposit		4,636		—		4,636		—
	Total investment securities		50,480		7,490		42,990		—
	Other invested assets		4,212		—		—		4,212
	Total assets	$	54,692	$	7,490	$	42,990	$	4,212
	The following table provides information as of December 31, 2013 about the Company’s financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis (in thousands):
		Total		Quoted		Significant		Significant
				Prices in		Other		Unobservable
				Active		Observable		Inputs
				Markets		Inputs		(Level 3)
				(Level 1)		(Level 2)
	U.S. Treasury and government agencies	$	17,834	$	17,834	$	—	$	—
	Mortgage-backed securities		3,980		—		3,980		—
	States and political subdivisions		3,333		—		3,333		—
	Corporate debt securities		32,283		—		32,283		—
	Certificates of deposit		4,891		—		4,891		—
	Total investment securities		62,321		17,834		44,487		—
	Other invested assets		4,085		—		—		4,085
	Total assets	$	66,406	$	17,834	$	44,487	$	4,085
Fair Value Measurements for Assets	'
	Fair value measurements for assets in Level 3 for the year ended March 31, 2014 were as follows (in thousands):
		Fair Value Measurements
		Using Significant
		Unobservable Inputs
		(Level 3)
		Other Invested Assets
	Balance at January 1, 2014	$	4,085
	Transfers into Level 3		—
	Total gains included in earnings as net investment income		127
	Settlements		—
	Balance at March 31, 2014	$	4,212
	Fair value measurements for assets in Level 3 for the year ended March 31, 2013 were as follows (in thousands):
		Fair Value Measurements
		Using Significant
		Unobservable Inputs
		(Level 3)
		Other Invested Assets
	Balance at January 1, 2013	$	3,390
	Transfers into Level 3		—
	Total gains included in earnings as net investment income		157
	Settlements		—
	Balance at March 31, 2013	$	3,547
Fair Value Measurements for Assets and Liabilities	'
	The following table presents the carrying value and estimated fair value of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities disclosed, but not carried, at fair value at March 31, 2014 and the level within the fair value hierarchy (in thousands):
		Carrying		Estimated		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
		Value		Fair Value
	Assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	32,181	$	32,181	$	32,181	$	—	$	—
	Fiduciary and restricted cash		6,576		6,576		6,576		—		—
	Total	$	38,757	$	38,757	$	38,757	$	—	$	—
	Liabilities:
	Notes payable	$	76,825	$	13,610	$	—	$	—	$	13,610
	Senior secured credit facility		33,931		34,577		—		—		34,577
	Subordinated secured credit facility		14,317		12,656		—		—		12,656
	Mortgage payable		3,136		3,136		—		—		3,136
	Total	$	128,209	$	63,979	$	—	$	—	$	63,979
	The following table presents the carrying value and estimated fair value of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities disclosed, but not carried, at fair value at December 31, 2013 and the level within the fair value hierarchy (in thousands):
		Carrying		Estimated		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
		Value		Fair Value
	Assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	44,569	$	44,569	$	44,569	$	—	$	—
	Fiduciary and restricted cash		1,369		1,369		1,369		—		—
	Total	$	45,938	$	45,938	$	45,938	$	—	$	—
	Liabilities:
	Notes payable	$	76,828	$	13,181	$	—	$	—	$	13,181
	Senior secured credit facility		33,523		34,476		—		—		34,476
	Subordinated secured credit facility		13,650		11,723		—		—		11,723
	Mortgage payable		3,562		3,562		—		—		3,562
	Total	$	127,563	$	62,942	$	—	$	—	$	62,942

Going_Concern_Additional_Infor

Going Concern - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended		0 Months Ended	1 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Nov. 30, 2013	Apr. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
						Senior Secured Credit Facility	Senior Secured Credit Facility	Senior Secured Credit Facility	Subordinated Secured Credit Facility
								Subsequent Event
Going Concern [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Operating loss	'	$3,686,000	($518,000)	$8,500,000	'	'	'	'	'
Cash proceeds from sale of business	101,900,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Potential additional cash proceeds from sale of business	20,000,000	'	'	'	10,000,000	'	'	'	'
Principal Periodic Payment	'	'	'	'	'	'	5,000,000	5,000,000	'
Amount held in escrow dependent upon the risk-based capital status	20,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Secured credit facility	'	'	'	'	'	40,000,000	'	'	'
Debt instrument maturity period	'	15-Dec-15	'	'	'	30-Mar-16	'	'	30-Mar-17
Debt instrument face amount	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$10,000,000

Sale_of_the_Retail_Business_Ad

Sale of the Retail Business - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	1 Months Ended		1 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Nov. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Apr. 30, 2014
	Entity			Subsequent Event
	Location
Assets And Liabilities Disposed On Sale Of Business [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Number of retail locations	195	'	'	'
Number of premium finance companies	2	'	'	'
Cash proceeds from sale of business	$101.90	'	'	'
Potential additional cash proceeds from sale of business	20	'	10	'
Amount held in escrow dependent upon the risk-based capital status	20	'	'	'
Working capital adjustment	1.9	'	'	'
Fund released from escrow	'	$5	'	$5

Amortized_Cost_Gross_Unrealize

Amortized Cost Gross Unrealized Gains Losses and Estimated Fair Value of Available-for-Sale Securities (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Amortized Cost	$50,376	$62,436
Gross Unrealized Gains	369	294
Gross Unrealized Losses	-265	-409
Estimated Fair Value	50,480	62,321
U.S. Treasury and government agencies	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Amortized Cost	7,481	17,830
Gross Unrealized Gains	52	55
Gross Unrealized Losses	-43	-51
Estimated Fair Value	7,490	17,834
Mortgage-backed securities	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Amortized Cost	3,845	4,023
Gross Unrealized Gains	30	4
Gross Unrealized Losses	-49	-47
Estimated Fair Value	3,826	3,980
States and political subdivisions	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Amortized Cost	3,254	3,265
Gross Unrealized Gains	59	68
Estimated Fair Value	3,313	3,333
Corporate debt securities	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Amortized Cost	31,186	32,458
Gross Unrealized Gains	201	135
Gross Unrealized Losses	-172	-310
Estimated Fair Value	31,215	32,283
Certificates of deposit	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Amortized Cost	4,610	4,860
Gross Unrealized Gains	27	32
Gross Unrealized Losses	-1	-1
Estimated Fair Value	$4,636	$4,891

AvailableforSale_Investment_Se2

Available-for-Sale Investment Securities - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Securities	Securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Unsettled investment purchased	$0	$10
Individual investment securities in an unrealized loss position	33	53
Available-for-sale securities pledged as collateral	5	5.9
Certificates of deposit | Capital Lease	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities pledged as collateral	$4.60	'

Amortized_Costs_and_Estimated_

Amortized Costs and Estimated Fair Values of Fixed Income Securities (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Amortized Cost	$50,376	$62,436
Estimated Fair Value	50,480	62,321
Fixed income securities	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Fixed maturities, Due in one year or less, Amortized Cost	10,703	'
Fixed maturities, Due after one year through five years, Amortized Cost	31,044	'
Fixed maturities, Due after five years through ten years, Amortized Cost	4,784	'
Mortgage-backed securities, Amortized Cost	3,845	'
Fixed maturities, Due in one year or less, Estimated Fair Value	10,755	'
Fixed maturities, Due after one year through five years, Estimated Fair Value	31,124	'
Fixed maturities, Due after five years through ten years, Estimated Fair Value	4,775	'
Mortgage-backed securities, Estimated Fair Value	$3,826	'

Gross_Realized_Gains_and_Losse

Gross Realized Gains and Losses on Available-for-Sale Investments (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'
Gross gains	$6
Gross losses	-1
Total	$5

AvailableforSale_Investment_Se3

Available-for-Sale Investment Securities in Unrealized Loss Position (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Less Than Twelve Months Estimated Fair Value	$12,798	$40,882
Less Than Twelve Months Gross Unrealized Losses	-191	-409
Twelve Months or Greater Estimated Fair Value	6,725	'
Twelve Months or Greater Gross Unrealized Losses	-74	'
Total Estimated Fair Value	19,523	40,882
Total Gross Unrealized Losses	-265	-409
U.S. Treasury and government agencies	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Less Than Twelve Months Estimated Fair Value	2,473	13,220
Less Than Twelve Months Gross Unrealized Losses	-43	-51
Total Estimated Fair Value	2,473	13,220
Total Gross Unrealized Losses	-43	-51
Mortgage-backed securities	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Less Than Twelve Months Estimated Fair Value	533	3,403
Less Than Twelve Months Gross Unrealized Losses	-6	-47
Twelve Months or Greater Estimated Fair Value	1,500	'
Twelve Months or Greater Gross Unrealized Losses	-43	'
Total Estimated Fair Value	2,033	3,403
Total Gross Unrealized Losses	-49	-47
Corporate debt securities	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Less Than Twelve Months Estimated Fair Value	9,193	23,410
Less Than Twelve Months Gross Unrealized Losses	-141	-310
Twelve Months or Greater Estimated Fair Value	5,225	'
Twelve Months or Greater Gross Unrealized Losses	-31	'
Total Estimated Fair Value	14,418	23,410
Total Gross Unrealized Losses	-172	-310
Certificates of deposit	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Less Than Twelve Months Estimated Fair Value	599	849
Less Than Twelve Months Gross Unrealized Losses	-1	-1
Total Estimated Fair Value	599	849
Total Gross Unrealized Losses	($1)	($1)

Reinsurance_Additional_Informa

Reinsurance - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

18 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

4 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Feb. 28, 2013

Jun. 30, 2006

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Jul. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2006

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Feb. 28, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Jan. 02, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Subsidiaries

Affirmative Insurance Company

Affirmative Insurance Company

Affirmative Insurance Company

Affirmative Insurance Company

Minimum

Vesta Insurance Group

Vesta Insurance Group

Excess Of Loss Reinsurance

Quota-share reinsurer for agreements effective in fourth quarter of 2010 and January 1, 2011 and other

Quota-share reinsurer for agreements effective in fourth quarter of 2010 and January 1, 2011 and other

Quota-share reinsurer for agreements effective in fourth quarter of 2010 and January 1, 2011 and other

Quota-share reinsurer for agreements effective in fourth quarter of 2010 and January 1, 2011 and other

Quota-share reinsurer for agreements effective in fourth quarter of 2010 and January 1, 2011 and other

New Quota Share Reinsurance Treaty Agreements

New Quota Share Reinsurance Treaty Agreements

New Quota Share Reinsurance Treaty Agreements

New Quota Share Reinsurance Treaty Agreements

New Quota Share Reinsurance Treaty Agreements

New Quota Share Reinsurance Treaty Agreements

New Quota Share Reinsurance Treaty Agreements

New Quota Share Reinsurance Treaty Agreements

New Quota Share Reinsurance Treaty Agreements

County Mutual Insurance Company

Cash Equivalents

Cash Equivalents

Louisiana, Alabama, Texas, Illinois

Louisiana, Alabama, Texas, Illinois

Louisiana, Alabama, Texas, Illinois

Louisiana, Alabama, Texas, Illinois

Louisiana, Alabama, Texas, Illinois

California

Effects of Reinsurance [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Ceded percentage of business produced

'

'

'

'

10.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

40.00%

40.00%

'

'

'

'

Conversion rate of quota share reinsurance contract

'

'

'

'

'

40.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Written premiums ceded

'

'

$34,630,000

$49,015,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$5,500,000

$82,000,000

$99,400,000

'

$22,200,000

$81,500,000

$103,700,000

'

($10,000,000)

'

$98,600,000

$145,800,000

'

'

Ceded unearned premium

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

27,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

47,200,000

'

'

Net deferred ceding commissions

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

7,700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

13,900,000

'

'

Automatic contract renewals period

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'1 year

'

'

Prior written notice period for termination of agreements

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'90 days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'75 days

'

'

Ceded gross written premium

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

20.00%

60.00%

'

Increase in quota share rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

60.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of policies issued

'

100.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

100.00%

Company obligation under reinsurance contract

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

15,100,000

15,000,000

100,000

3,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unearned premium returned to the ceding company

'

'

100,450,000

'

'

'

81,598,000

'

'

11,800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum coverage for individual losses

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

7,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Minimum coverage for individual losses

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Excess of loss reinsurance contract period

'1 year

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total deposit

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

16,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Deposit after cumulative withdrawals

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

9,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Receivable from reinsurers

'

'

164,571,000

'

'

'

165,819,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

13,435,000

13,435,000

'

'

-4,000

'

'

-48,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses

'

'

124,803,000

'

'

'

133,589,000

'

2,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Funds in a money market cash equivalent account

'

'

15,700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cumulative withdrawal by first party

'

'

400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cumulative withdrawal by second party

'

'

1,700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Ceding company retention balance

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Reinsurance Recoverable for losses due to collectible reinsurance

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$2,100,000

$2,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Effect_of_Reinsurance_on_Premi

Effect of Reinsurance on Premiums Written and Earned (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Effects of Reinsurance [Line Items]	'	'
Written Premium, Direct	$99,447	$85,236
Written Premium, Reinsurance assumed/(returned)	'	-11,812
Written Premium, Reinsurance ceded	-34,630	-49,015
Written Premium, Total	64,817	24,409
Earned Premium, Direct	80,321	60,661
Earned Premium,Reinsurance assumed/(returned)	'	'
Earned Premium, Reinsurance ceded	-46,957	-19,329
Earned Premium, Total	33,364	41,332
Loss and Loss Adjustment Expenses, Direct	56,271	43,314
Loss and Loss Adjustment Expenses, Reinsurance assumed/(returned)	5	323
Loss and Loss Adjustment Expenses, Reinsurance ceded	-28,724	-12,074
Loss and Loss Adjustment Expenses, Total	$27,552	$31,563

Adjustments_to_Ceding_Commissi

Adjustments to Ceding Commissions Recognized (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Effects of Reinsurance [Line Items]	'	'
Selling, general and administrative expenses	($15,430)	($6,270)

Amount_of_Loss_Reserves_and_Un

Amount of Loss Reserves and Unearned Premium (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Effects of Reinsurance [Line Items]	'	'
Losses and loss adjustment expense reserves	$73,449	$72,366
Unearned premium reserve	57,054	69,381
Total	$130,503	$141,747

Amount_of_Receivables_Due_from

Amount of Receivables Due from Reinsurers (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'
Total reinsurance receivable	$164,571	$165,819
Quota-share reinsurers for agreements effective December 31, 2013	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'
Total reinsurance receivable	86,975	22,218
Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'
Total reinsurance receivable	33,460	34,878
Quota-share reinsurer for agreements effective September 1, 2011 and March 31, 2013	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'
Total reinsurance receivable	27,557	91,879
Vesta Insurance Group	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'
Total reinsurance receivable	13,435	13,435
Excess of Loss Reinsurers	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'
Total reinsurance receivable	3,192	3,413
Quota-share reinsurer for agreements effective in fourth quarter of 2010 and January 1, 2011 and other	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'
Total reinsurance receivable	($48)	($4)

Summary_of_Policy_Acquisition_

Summary of Policy Acquisition Cost (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs [Line Items]	'	'
Ending balance	$1,241	'
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs, Gross	'	'
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs [Line Items]	'	'
Beginning balance	12,587	7,111
Additions	17,892	8,233
Amortization	-13,265	-7,455
Ending balance	17,214	7,889
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs, Ceded	'	'
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs [Line Items]	'	'
Beginning balance	-20,131	-7,013
Additions	-8,894	-13,920
Amortization	13,052	5,459
Ending balance	-15,973	-15,474
Deferred Policy acquisition Costs, Net	'	'
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs [Line Items]	'	'
Beginning balance	-7,544	98
Additions	8,998	-5,687
Amortization	-213	-1,996
Ending balance	$1,241	($7,585)

Summary_of_LongTerm_Debt_Instr

Summary of Long-Term Debt Instruments and Balances Outstanding (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Notes payable	$76,825	$76,828
Subordinated secured credit facility	14,317	13,650
Mortgage payable	3,136	3,562
Total long-term debt	128,209	127,563
Notes payable due 2035	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Notes payable	30,928	30,928
Notes payable due 2035	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Notes payable	25,774	25,774
Notes payable due 2035	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Notes payable	20,123	20,126
Effective September 2013	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Senior secured credit facility, net of discount	$33,931	$33,523

Summary_of_LongTerm_Debt_Instr1

Summary of Long-Term Debt Instruments and Balances Outstanding (Parenthetical) (Detail) (Notes payable due 2035)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Notes payable due 2035	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Maturity Year	'2035	'2035
Notes payable due 2035	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Maturity Year	'2035	'2035
Notes payable due 2035	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Maturity Year	'2035	'2035

Debt_Additional_Information_De

Debt - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Nov. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Apr. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Senior Secured Credit Facility

Senior Secured Credit Facility

Senior Secured Credit Facility

Senior Secured Credit Facility

Senior Secured Credit Facility

Senior Secured Credit Facility

Senior Secured Credit Facility

Senior Secured Credit Facility

Senior Secured Credit Facility

Subordinated Secured Credit Facility

Subordinated Secured Credit Facility

Subordinated Secured Credit Facility

Notes payable due 2035

Notes payable due 2035

Notes payable due 2035

Notes payable due 2035

Notes payable due 2035

Notes payable due 2035

Notes Payable With Deferred Interest Right

Notes payable due 2035

Notes payable due 2035

Notes payable due 2035

September 30, 2014 Payment Due

September 30, 2015 Payment Due

December 31, 2015 Payment Due

March 30, 2016 Payment Due

June 30, 2014 Payment Due

Subsequent Event

LIBOR

LIBOR

LIBOR

LIBOR

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Notes payable

$76,825,000

$76,828,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$30,928,000

$30,928,000

'

$25,774,000

$25,774,000

'

$56,700,000

$20,123,000

$20,126,000

'

Interest rate

'

'

'

'

'

8.50%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

19.25%

'

3.83%

'

'

3.78%

'

'

'

4.18%

'

'

Maturity Year

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'2035

'2035

'

'2035

'2035

'

'

'2035

'2035

'

Interest rate adjusted

'

'

'

'

'

7.25%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

18.00%

'

'

3.60%

'

'

3.55%

'

'

'

3.95%

Securities adjusted

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'Three-month LIBOR

'

'

'Three-month LIBOR

'

'

'

'Three-month LIBOR

'

'

Period of interest payments on selected notes payable

'5 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total deferred interest payable at the expiration of interest deferral period

5,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Secured credit facility

'

'

'

40,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt instrument maturity period

15-Dec-15

'

'

30-Mar-16

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

30-Mar-17

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt instrument face amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

10,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Leverage ratio under condition one

'

'

'

'

'

1.25%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.25%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Principal balance

'

'

'

'

'

35,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt instrument discount

'

'

'

'

'

2,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Repayment of credit facility

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,000,000

3,500,000

4,500,000

13,500,000

1,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Principal Periodic Payment

'

'

'

'

5,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

5,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Commitment fee

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Capitalized interest cost

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Principal balance

14,317,000

13,650,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Secured loan

'

'

4,800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Mortgage, interest rate

4.95%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Mortgage payable

$3,136,000

$3,562,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Capital_Lease_Obligation_Addit

Capital Lease Obligation - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		1 Months Ended
	31-May-10	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2014
	Leases			Software, Software Licenses and Hardware
Schedule of Capital Lease Obligations [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Cash proceeds received from financing	$28,200,000	$4,858,000	'	$4,900,000
Purchase of FDIC-insured certificates of deposit	28,200,000	'	'	'
Number of capital lease obligations	2	'	'	'
Lease term	'	'14 months	'	'
Total rental monthly payments	'	300,000	'	'
Available-for-sale securities pledged as collateral	'	$5,000,000	$5,900,000	'

Property_Under_Capital_Lease_D

Property Under Capital Lease (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Capital Leased Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Computer software, software licenses and hardware	$34,212	$34,212
Accumulated depreciation	-25,048	-23,971
Computer software, software licenses and hardware, net	$9,164	$10,241

Estimated_Future_Lease_Payment

Estimated Future Lease Payments (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Capital Lease Obligations [Line Items]	'
2014	$5,110
2015	3,124
Total estimated future lease payments	8,234
Less: Amount representing interest	353
Present value of future lease payments	$7,881

Provision_for_Income_Taxes_Det

Provision for Income Taxes (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Provision For Income Taxes [Line Items]	'	'
Current tax expense (benefit)	($294)	$109
Deferred tax expense	'	69
Income tax expense (benefit)	($294)	$178

Income_Taxes_Additional_Inform

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Schedule Of Income Tax [Line Items]	'	'	'
Effective tax rate from statutory rate	35.00%	35.00%	'
Gross deferred tax assets	$89.50	'	$90
Deferred tax assets valuation allowance	$87.60	'	$88.40

Effective_Tax_Rate_Differed_fr

Effective Tax Rate Differed from Statutory Tax Rate (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Schedule Of Effective Tax Rates Line Items	'	'
Income (loss) before income taxes	$370	($6,073)
Tax provision computed at the federal statutory income tax rate	130	-2,126
Increases (reductions) in tax resulting from:	'	'
Tax-exempt interest	-4	-5
State income taxes	349	54
Valuation allowance	-774	2,248
Other	5	7
Income tax expense (benefit)	($294)	$178
Effective tax rate	-79.50%	-2.90%

Legal_and_Regulatory_Proceedin1

Legal and Regulatory Proceedings - Additional Information (Detail) (Subsequent Event, Insurance Claims, USD $)	0 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2014
Subsequent Event | Insurance Claims	'
Legal Proceedings [Line Items]	'
Aggregate amount of judgment against insured	$521,754

Net_Income_Loss_per_Common_Sha2

Net Income Loss per Common Share - Additional Information (Detail)	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Feb. 12, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Earnings Loss Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'
Stock options outstanding excluded from computation of earnings per share due to anti-dilutive effect	'	323,000	2,396,500
Common stock shares issued on restricted basis	472,000	'	'

Summary_of_Reconciliation_of_N

Summary of Reconciliation of Numerators and Denominators for Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Numerator:	'	'
Net income (loss)	$664	($6,251)
Denominator:	'	'
Weighted average common shares outstanding	15,408	15,408
Weighted average effect of dilutive securities	874	'
Total diluted weighted average shares outstanding	16,282	15,408
Basic income (loss) per common share	$0.04	($0.41)
Diluted income (loss) per common share	$0.04	($0.41)

Related_Party_Transactions_Add

Related Party Transactions - Additional Information (Detail) (Subordinated Secured Credit Facility, USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'
Debt instrument face amount	$10
JCF AFFM Debt Holdings, L.P.	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'
Debt instrument face amount	$10

Items_Reclassified_Out_of_Accu

Items Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (AOCI) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'
Beginning balance	($1,654)	($998)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	219	-117
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	'	-5
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)	219	-122
Ending balance	($1,435)	($1,120)

Disclosures_for_Items_Reclassi2

Disclosures for Items Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (AOCI) - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'
Reclassifications for previously unrealized net gains on available-for-sale securities	$5

Financial_Assets_Measured_at_F

Financial Assets Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Total investment securities	$50,480	$62,321
Other invested assets	4,212	4,085
Estimated Fair Value	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Total investment securities	50,480	62,321
Other invested assets	4,212	4,085
Total assets	54,692	66,406
Estimated Fair Value | U.S. Treasury and government agencies	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Total investment securities	7,490	17,834
Estimated Fair Value | Mortgage-backed securities	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Total investment securities	3,826	3,980
Estimated Fair Value | States and political subdivisions	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Total investment securities	3,313	3,333
Estimated Fair Value | Corporate debt securities	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Total investment securities	31,215	32,283
Estimated Fair Value | Certificates of deposit	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Total investment securities	4,636	4,891
Estimated Fair Value | Level 1	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Total investment securities	7,490	17,834
Total assets	7,490	17,834
Estimated Fair Value | Level 1 | U.S. Treasury and government agencies	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Total investment securities	7,490	17,834
Estimated Fair Value | Level 2	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Total investment securities	42,990	44,487
Total assets	42,990	44,487
Estimated Fair Value | Level 2 | Mortgage-backed securities	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Total investment securities	3,826	3,980
Estimated Fair Value | Level 2 | States and political subdivisions	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Total investment securities	3,313	3,333
Estimated Fair Value | Level 2 | Corporate debt securities	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Total investment securities	31,215	32,283
Estimated Fair Value | Level 2 | Certificates of deposit	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Total investment securities	4,636	4,891
Estimated Fair Value | Level 3	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Other invested assets	4,212	4,085
Total assets	$4,212	$4,085

Fair_Value_Measurements_for_As

Fair Value Measurements for Assets using Unobservable Inputs (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'	'
Beginning Balance	$4,085	$3,390
Transfers into Level 3	'	'
Total gains included in earnings as net investment income	127	157
Settlements	'	'
Ending Balance	$4,212	$3,547

Fair_Value_Measurements_for_As1

Fair Value Measurements for Assets and Liabilities (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Liabilities:	'	'
Subordinated secured credit facility	$14,317	$13,650
Carrying Value	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	32,181	44,569
Fiduciary and restricted cash	6,576	1,369
Total	38,757	45,938
Liabilities:	'	'
Notes payable	76,825	76,828
Senior secured credit facility	33,931	33,523
Subordinated secured credit facility	14,317	13,650
Mortgage payable	3,136	3,562
Total	128,209	127,563
Estimated Fair Value	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	32,181	44,569
Fiduciary and restricted cash	6,576	1,369
Total	38,757	45,938
Liabilities:	'	'
Notes payable	13,610	13,181
Senior secured credit facility	34,577	34,476
Subordinated secured credit facility	12,656	11,723
Mortgage payable	3,136	3,562
Total	63,979	62,942
Estimated Fair Value | Level 1	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	32,181	44,569
Fiduciary and restricted cash	6,576	1,369
Total	38,757	45,938
Estimated Fair Value | Level 3	'	'
Liabilities:	'	'
Notes payable	13,610	13,181
Senior secured credit facility	34,577	34,476
Subordinated secured credit facility	12,656	11,723
Mortgage payable	3,136	3,562
Total	$63,979	$62,942