Atlantic American (AAME) 10-K 26 Mar 14 2013 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 18, 2014	Jun. 28, 2013
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'ATLANTIC AMERICAN CORP	'	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000008177	'	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'	'
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	'No	'	'
Entity Voluntary Filers	'No	'	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes	'	'
Entity Filer Category	'Smaller Reporting Company	'	'
Entity Public Float	'	'	$20,425,813
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	21,066,647	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'FY	'	'
Document Type	'10-K	'	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'	'
Document Period End Date	31-Dec-13	'	'

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
ASSETS	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$33,102	$18,951
Investments	228,961	246,892
Receivables:	'	'
Reinsurance	14,314	18,768
Insurance premiums and other, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $339 and $379 in 2013 and 2012, respectively	9,343	6,330
Deferred income taxes, net	363	0
Deferred acquisition costs	27,509	26,133
Other assets	3,245	975
Intangibles	2,544	2,128
Total assets	319,381	320,177
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY	'	'
Insurance reserves and policyholder funds	162,373	154,558
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	14,843	11,481
Deferred income taxes, net	0	7,164
Debt payable	41,238	41,238
Total liabilities	218,454	214,441
Commitments and contingencies (Note 8)	'	'
Shareholders' equity:	'	'
Preferred stock, $1 par, 4,000,000 shares authorized; Series D preferred, 65,000 and 70,000 shares issued and outstanding in 2013 and 2012, respectively; $6,500 and $7,000 redemption value in 2013 and 2012, respectively	65	70
Common stock, $1 par, 50,000,000 shares authorized; 22,400,894 shares issued; 21,117,874 and 21,216,542 shares outstanding in 2013 and 2012, respectively	22,401	22,401
Additional paid-in capital	57,103	57,180
Retained earnings	18,738	8,621
Accumulated other comprehensive income	6,204	19,571
Unearned stock grant compensation	-485	0
Treasury stock, at cost, 1,283,020 shares in 2013 and 1,184,352 shares in 2012	-3,099	-2,107
Total shareholders' equity	100,927	105,736
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$319,381	$320,177

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS_Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Receivables:	'	'
Insurance premiums and other, allowance for doubtful accounts	$339	$379
Shareholders' equity:	'	'
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$1	$1
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares)	4,000,000	4,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares)	65,000	70,000
Preferred stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	65,000	70,000
Preferred stock, redemption value	$6,500	$7,000
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$1	$1
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	50,000,000	50,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	22,400,894	22,400,894
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	21,117,874	21,216,542
Treasury stock, at cost (in shares)	1,283,020	1,184,352

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_OPE

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Revenue:	'	'
Insurance premiums	$145,630	$126,743
Investment income	10,809	11,504
Realized investment gains, net	8,741	1,434
Other income	189	147
Total revenue	165,369	139,828
Benefits and expenses:	'	'
Insurance benefits and losses incurred	100,372	89,817
Commissions and underwriting expenses	40,556	32,477
Interest expense	1,898	2,632
Other expense	11,337	9,820
Total benefits and expenses	154,163	134,746
Income before income taxes	11,206	5,082
Income tax expense	184	646
Net income	11,022	4,436
Preferred stock dividends	-482	-508
Net income applicable to common shareholders	$10,540	$3,928
Basic earnings per common share (in dollars per share)	$0.50	$0.19
Diluted earnings per common share (in dollars per share)	$0.48	$0.18

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_COM

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Abstract]	'		'
Net income	$11,022		$4,436
Available-for-sale securities:	'		'
Gross unrealized holding gain (loss) arising in the period	-11,965		11,971
Related income tax effect	4,188		-4,190
Less: reclassification adjustment for net realized gains included in net income (1)	-8,741	[1]	-1,434	[1]
Related income tax effect (2)	3,059	[2]	502	[2]
Net effect on other comprehensive income (loss)	-13,459		6,849
Derivative financial instrument:	'		'
Fair value adjustment to derivative financial instrument	141		735
Related income tax effect	-49		-257
Net effect on other comprehensive income (loss)	92		478
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	-13,367		7,327
Total comprehensive income (loss)	($2,345)		$11,763
[1]	Realized gains on available-for-sale securities recognized in realized investment gains, net on the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
[2]	Income tax effect on reclassification adjustment for net realized gains included in income tax expense on the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_SHA

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (USD $)	Preferred Stock [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]	Unearned Stock Grant Compensation [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Total
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	$70	$22,401	$57,136	$6,179	$12,244	$0	($1,753)	$96,277
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income	0	0	0	4,436	0	0	0	4,436
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	0	0	0	0	7,327	0	0	7,327
Dividends on common stock	0	0	0	-1,486	0	0	0	-1,486
Dividends on preferred stock	0	0	0	-508	0	0	0	-508
Purchase of shares for treasury	0	0	0	0	0	0	-607	-607
Issuance of shares under stock plans	0	0	44	0	0	0	253	297
Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	70	22,401	57,180	8,621	19,571	0	-2,107	105,736
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income	0	0	0	11,022	0	0	0	11,022
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	0	0	0	0	-13,367	0	0	-13,367
Preferred stock redeemed (Note 10)	-5	0	-495	0	0	0	0	-500
Dividends on common stock	0	0	0	-423	0	0	0	-423
Dividends on preferred stock	0	0	0	-482	0	0	0	-482
Restricted stock grants	0	0	393	0	0	-704	311	0
Amortization of unearned compensation	0	0	0	0	0	219	0	219
Purchase of shares for treasury	0	0	0	0	0	0	-1,416	-1,416
Issuance of shares under stock plans	0	0	25	0	0	0	113	138
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	$65	$22,401	$57,103	$18,738	$6,204	($485)	($3,099)	$100,927

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_SHA1

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Parenthetical)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'
Treasury shares purchased (in shares)	371,220	219,939
Shares issued under stock plans (in shares)	72,552	162,240

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CAS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'
Net income	$11,022	$4,436
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs	8,960	10,451
Acquisition costs deferred	-10,336	-12,325
Realized investment gains, net	-8,741	-1,434
Increase in insurance reserves and policyholder funds	7,815	7,364
Compensation expense related to share awards	219	0
Depreciation and amortization	600	469
Deferred income tax benefit	-329	-97
Decrease (increase) in receivables, net	1,448	-1,140
Increase (decrease) in other liabilities	2,292	-1,376
Other, net	70	-233
Net cash provided by operating activities	13,020	6,115
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Proceeds from investments sold	108,745	24,479
Proceeds from investments matured, called or redeemed	11,414	14,455
Investments purchased	-112,466	-44,403
Additions to property and equipment	-1,338	-169
Acquisition of Bankers Fidelity Assurance, net of $1,317 acquired	-2,540	0
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	3,815	-5,638
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Redemption of Series D preferred stock	-500	0
Payment of dividends on Series D Preferred Stock	-483	-1,015
Payment of dividends on common stock	-423	-1,486
Proceeds from shares issued under stock plans	138	297
Purchase of shares for treasury	-1,416	-607
Net cash used in financing activities	-2,684	-2,811
Net increase (decrease) in cash	14,151	-2,334
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	18,951	21,285
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	33,102	18,951
Supplemental cash flow information:	'	'
Cash paid for interest	1,961	2,636
Cash paid for income taxes	$536	$405

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CAS1

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013
Cash flows from investing activities:	'
Acquisition of Bankers Fidelity Assurance, acquired	$1,317

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	'
	Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	Principles of Consolidation
	The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) which, for insurance companies, differ in some respects from the statutory accounting practices prescribed or permitted by regulatory authorities. These financial statements include the accounts of Atlantic American Corporation (“Atlantic American” or the “Parent”) and its subsidiaries (collectively with the Parent, the “Company”). All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Operating results achieved in any historical period are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected in any future period.
	At December 31, 2013, the Parent owned four insurance subsidiaries, Bankers Fidelity Life Insurance Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Bankers Fidelity Assurance Company (“BFAC”) (together known as “Bankers Fidelity”), and American Southern Insurance Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary, American Safety Insurance Company (together known as “American Southern”), in addition to one non-insurance subsidiary, xCalibre Risk Services, Inc. BFAC was acquired on December 18, 2013.  The results of operations of BFAC are included from the date of acquisition.  The Parent has issued a guarantee of all liabilities of Bankers Fidelity.
	Premium Revenue and Cost Recognition
	Life insurance premiums are recognized as revenue when due; accident and health insurance premiums are recognized as revenue over the premium paying period and property and casualty insurance premiums are recognized as revenue over the period of the contract in proportion to the amount of insurance protection provided. Benefits and expenses are accrued as incurred and are associated with premiums as they are earned so as to result in recognition of profits over the lives of the contracts. For traditional life insurance and long-duration health insurance, this association is accomplished by the provision of a future policy benefits reserve and the deferral and subsequent amortization of the costs of acquiring business, “deferred policy acquisition costs” (principally commissions, premium taxes, and other incremental direct costs of issuing policies). Deferred policy acquisition costs are amortized over the estimated premium-paying period of the related policies using assumptions consistent with those used in computing the policy benefits reserve. The Company provides for insurance benefits and losses on accident, health, and property-casualty claims based upon estimates of projected ultimate losses. The deferred policy acquisition costs for property and casualty insurance and short-duration health insurance are amortized over the effective period of the related insurance policies. Contingent commissions, if contractually applicable, are ultimately payable to agents based on the underlying profitability of a particular insurance contract or a group of insurance contracts, and are periodically evaluated and accrued as earned. In periods in which revisions are made to the estimated loss reserves related to the particular insurance contract or group of insurance contracts subject to such commissions, corresponding adjustments are also made to the related accruals. Deferred policy acquisition costs are expensed when such costs are deemed not to be recoverable from future premiums (for traditional life and long-duration health insurance) and from the related unearned premiums and investment income (for property and casualty and short-duration health insurance).
	Intangibles
	Intangibles consist of goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangibles.  Goodwill represents the excess of cost over the fair value of net assets acquired and is not amortized.  Other indefinite-lived intangibles represent the value of licenses acquired in the 2013 acquisition of BFAC (Note 17) and are not amortized.   As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, intangibles were $2,544 and $2,128, respectively.  The Company periodically reviews its goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangibles to determine if any adverse conditions exist that could indicate impairment. Conditions that could trigger impairment include, but are not limited to, a significant change in business climate that could affect the value of the related asset, an adverse action, or an assessment by a regulator. No impairment of the Company’s recorded intangibles was identified during the periods presented.
	Investments
	The Company’s investments in both fixed maturities, which include bonds and redeemable preferred stocks, and equity securities, which include common and non-redeemable preferred stocks, are classified as “available-for-sale” and, accordingly, are carried at fair value with the after-tax difference from amortized cost, as adjusted if applicable, reflected in shareholders’ equity as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income or loss. The fair values for fixed maturities and equity securities are largely determined by either independent methods prescribed by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (“NAIC”), which do not differ materially from publicly quoted market prices, when available, or independent broker quotations. The Company owns certain fixed maturities that do not have publicly quoted market values, but had an estimated fair value as determined by management of $1,991 at December 31, 2013. Such values inherently involve a greater degree of judgment and uncertainty and therefore ultimately greater price volatility than the value of securities with publicly quoted market values. Policy loans and real estate are carried at historical cost. Other invested assets are comprised of investments in limited partnerships, limited liability companies, and real estate joint ventures, and are accounted for using the equity method. If the value of a common stock, preferred stock, other invested asset, or publicly traded bond declines below its cost or amortized cost, if applicable, and the decline is considered to be other than temporary, a realized loss is recorded to reduce the carrying value of the investment to its estimated fair value, which becomes the new cost basis. The evaluation for an other than temporary impairment is a quantitative and qualitative process, which is subject to risks and uncertainties in the determination of whether declines in the fair value of investments are other than temporary. Potential risks and uncertainties include, among other things, changes in general economic conditions, an issuer’s financial condition or near term recovery prospects and the effects of changes in interest rates. In evaluating a potential impairment, the Company considers, among other factors, management’s intent and ability to hold these securities until price recovery, the nature of the investment and the expectation of prospects for the issuer and its industry, the status of an issuer’s continued satisfaction of its obligations in accordance with their contractual terms, and management’s expectation as to the issuer’s ability and intent to continue to do so, as well as ratings actions that may affect the issuer’s credit status. Premiums and discounts related to investments are amortized or accreted over the life of the related investment as an adjustment to yield using the effective interest method. Dividends and interest income are recognized when earned or declared. The cost of securities sold is based on specific identification. Unrealized gains (losses) in the value of invested assets are accounted for as a direct increase (decrease) in accumulated other comprehensive income in shareholders’ equity, net of deferred tax and, accordingly, have no effect on net income.
	Income Taxes
	Deferred income taxes represent the expected future tax consequences when the reported amounts of assets and liabilities are recovered or paid. They arise from differences between the financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities and are adjusted for changes in tax laws and tax rates as those changes are enacted. The provision for income taxes represents the total amount of income taxes due related to the current year, plus the change in deferred income taxes during the year. A valuation allowance is recognized if, based on management’s assessment of the relevant facts, it is more likely than not that some portion of the deferred tax asset will not be realized.
	Earnings Per Common Share
	Basic earnings per common share are based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the relevant period. Diluted earnings per common share are based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the relevant period, plus options and share awards outstanding using the treasury stock method and the assumed conversion of the Series D preferred stock, if dilutive. Unless otherwise indicated, earnings per common share amounts are presented on a diluted basis.
	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash on hand and investments in short-term, highly liquid securities which have original maturities of three months or less from date of purchase.
	Recently Issued Accounting Standards
	In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2013-02, Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (“ASU 2013-02”). The main objective of ASU 2013-02 is to enhance disclosures for reclassification adjustments including changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) balances by component and significant items reclassified out of AOCI. ASU 2013-02 does not change the requirements for reporting net income or other comprehensive income in financial statements. However, the ASU requires an entity to provide enhanced disclosures to present separately by component reclassifications out of AOCI. In addition, an entity is also required to provide a tabular disclosure of the effect of items reclassified out of AOCI on the respective line items of net income, but only if the item reclassified is required under GAAP to be reclassified to net income in its entirety. For other reclassification items that are not required under GAAP to be reclassified directly to net income in their entirety, ASU 2013-02 only requires a cross-reference to other disclosures required under GAAP for those items.  The Company adopted ASU 2013-02 effective January 1, 2013.  Since ASU 2013-02 was a disclosure only update, its adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.  See Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income and Note 16 for expanded disclosures.
	Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements
	The preparation of financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant estimates and assumptions are used in developing and evaluating deferred income taxes, deferred acquisition costs, insurance reserves, investments, and commitments and contingencies, among others, and actual results could differ materially from management’s estimates.

Investments

Investments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Investments [Abstract ]	'
Investments	'
	Note 2. Investments
	The following tables set forth the carrying value, gross unrealized gains, gross unrealized losses and amortized cost of the Company’s investments, aggregated by type and industry, as of December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012.
	Investments were comprised of the following:
			2013
			Carrying			Gross			Gross			Amortized
			Value			Unrealized			Unrealized			Cost
						Gains			Losses
	Fixed maturities:
	Bonds:
	U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. Government agencies and authorities		$	17,240		$	576		$	210		$	16,874
	Obligations of states and political subdivisions			7,611			402			17			7,226
	Corporate securities:
	Utilities and telecom			16,532			1,353			7			15,186
	Financial services			50,531			1,736			320			49,115
	Other business – diversified			70,326			870			2,906			72,362
	Other consumer – diversified			36,712			391			1,745			38,066
	Total corporate securities			174,101			4,350			4,978			174,729
	Redeemable preferred stocks:
	Financial services			2,159			4			41			2,196
	Other consumer – diversified			192			-			-			192
	Total redeemable preferred stocks			2,351			4			41			2,388
	Total fixed maturities			201,303			5,332			5,246			201,217
	Equity securities:
	Common and non-redeemable preferred stocks:
	Utilities and telecom			1,474			510			-			964
	Financial services			5,761			514			560			5,807
	Other business – diversified			178			131			-			47
	Other consumer – diversified			14,477			8,863			-			5,614
	Total equity securities			21,890			10,018			560			12,432
	Other invested assets			2,123			-			-			2,123
	Policy loans			2,369			-			-			2,369
	Real estate			38			-			-			38
	Investments in unconsolidated trusts			1,238			-			-			1,238
	Total investments		$	228,961		$	15,350		$	5,806		$	219,417
			2012
						Gross			Gross
			Carrying			Unrealized			Unrealized			Amortized
			Value			Gains			Losses			Cost
	Fixed maturities:
	Bonds:
	U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. Government agencies and authorities		$	27,512		$	4,618		$	-		$	22,894
	Obligations of states and political subdivisions			17,761			2,514			-			15,247
	Corporate securities:
	Utilities and telecom			17,921			3,128			-			14,793
	Financial services			43,695			3,957			415			40,153
	Other business – diversified			66,741			7,172			12			59,581
	Other consumer – diversified			52,910			7,665			120			45,365
	Total corporate securities			181,267			21,922			547			159,892
	Redeemable preferred stocks:
	Financial services			3,775			18			3			3,760
	Other consumer – diversified			193			-			-			193
	Total redeemable preferred stocks			3,968			18			3			3,953
	Total fixed maturities			230,508			29,072			550			201,986
	Equity securities:
	Common and non-redeemable preferred stocks:
	Utilities and telecom			1,298			334			-			964
	Financial services			8,607			857			39			7,789
	Other business – diversified			134			87			-			47
	Other consumer – diversified			2,166			489			-			1,677
	Total equity securities			12,205			1,767			39			10,477
	Other invested assets			565			-			-			565
	Policy loans			2,338			-			-			2,338
	Real estate			38			-			-			38
Investments in unconsolidated trusts			1,238			-			-			1,238
Total investments		$	246,892		$	30,839		$	589		$	216,642
Bonds having an amortized cost of $10,101 and $7,170 and included in the tables above were on deposit with insurance regulatory authorities at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, in accordance with statutory requirements.
The following table sets forth the carrying value, amortized cost, and net unrealized gains (losses) of the Company’s investments aggregated by industry as of December 31, 2013 and 2012.
		2013									2012
		Carrying			Amortized			Unrealized			Carrying		Amortized		Unrealized
		Value			Cost			Gains (Losses)			Value		Cost		Gains
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. Government agencies and authorities		$	17,240		$	16,874		$	366		$	27,512	$	22,894	$	4,618
Obligations of states and political subdivisions			7,611			7,226			385			17,761		15,247		2,514
Utilities and telecom			18,006			16,150			1,856			19,219		15,757		3,462
Financial services			58,451			57,118			1,333			56,077		51,702		4,375
Other business – diversified			70,504			72,409			(1,905	)		66,875		59,628		7,247
Other consumer – diversified			51,381			43,872			7,509			55,269		47,235		8,034
Other investments			5,768			5,768			-			4,179		4,179		-
Investments		$	228,961		$	219,417		$	9,544		$	246,892	$	216,642	$	30,250
The following tables present the Company’s unrealized loss aging for securities by type and length of time the security was in a continuous unrealized loss position as of December 31, 2013 and 2012.
		2013
		Less than 12 months						12 months or longer					Total
		Fair Value			Unrealized			Fair Value			Unrealized		Fair Value		Unrealized
					Losses						Losses				Losses
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. Government agencies and authorities		$	8,326		$	210		$	-		$	-	$	8,326	$	210
Obligations of states and political subdivisions			1,018			17								1,018		17
Corporate securities			92,049			3,714			6,938			1,264		98,987		4,978
Redeemable preferred stocks			704			41			-			-		704		41
Common and non-redeemable preferred stocks			3,724			560			-			-		3,724		560
Total temporarily impaired securities		$	105,821		$	4,542		$	6,938		$	1,264	$	112,759	$	5,806
		2012
		Less than 12 months						12 months or longer					Total
		Fair Value			Unrealized Losses			Fair Value			Unrealized Losses		Fair Value		Unrealized Losses
Corporate securities		$	8,806		$	147		$	1,600		$	400	$	10,406	$	547
Redeemable preferred stocks			1,216			3			-			-		1,216		3
Common and non-redeemable preferred stocks			3,494			39			-			-		3,494		39
Total temporarily impaired securities		$	13,516		$	189		$	1,600		$	400	$	15,116	$	589
The evaluation for an other than temporary impairment is a quantitative and qualitative process, which is subject to risks and uncertainties in the determination of whether declines in the fair value of investments are other than temporary. Potential risks and uncertainties include, among other things, changes in general economic conditions, an issuer’s financial condition or near term recovery prospects and the effects of changes in interest rates. In evaluating a potential impairment, the Company considers, among other factors, management’s intent and ability to hold these securities until price recovery, the nature of the investment and the expectation of prospects for the issuer and its industry, the status of an issuer’s continued satisfaction of its obligations in accordance with their contractual terms, and management’s expectation as to the issuer’s ability and intent to continue to do so, as well as ratings actions that may affect the issuer’s credit status.
As of December 31, 2013, securities in an unrealized loss position primarily included certain of the Company’s investments in fixed maturities within the other diversified business, other diversified consumer and financial services sectors. The Company does not currently intend to sell nor does it expect to be required to sell any of the securities in an unrealized loss position. Based upon the Company’s expected continuation of receipt of contractually required principal and interest payments and its intent and ability to retain the securities until price recovery, as well as the Company’s evaluation of other relevant factors, including those described above, the Company has deemed these securities to be temporarily impaired as of December 31, 2013.
The following describes the fair value hierarchy and provides information as to the extent to which the Company uses fair value to measure the value of its financial instruments and information about the inputs used to value those financial instruments. The fair value hierarchy prioritizes the inputs in the valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels.
Level 1	Observable inputs that reflect quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the Company has the ability to access at the measurement date. The Company’s financial instruments valued using Level 1 criteria include cash equivalents and exchange traded common stocks.
Level 2	Observable inputs, other than quoted prices included in Level 1, for an asset or liability or prices for similar assets or liabilities. The Company’s financial instruments valued using Level 2 criteria include significantly all of its fixed maturities, which consist of U.S. Treasury securities and U.S. Government securities, obligations of states and political subdivisions, and certain corporate fixed maturities, as well as its non-redeemable preferred stocks. In determining fair value measurements using Level 2 criteria, the Company utilizes various external pricing sources.
Level 3	Valuations that are derived from techniques in which one or more of the significant inputs are unobservable (including assumptions about risk). Fair value is based on criteria that use assumptions or other data that are not readily observable from objective sources. The Company’s financial instruments valued using Level 3 criteria consist of a limited number of fixed maturities. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, the value of the Company’s fixed maturities valued using Level 3 criteria was $1,991 and $2,124, respectively. The use of different criteria or assumptions regarding data may have yielded materially different valuations.
As of December 31, 2013, financial instruments carried at fair value were measured on a recurring basis as summarized below:
Assets:		Quoted			Significant			Significant			Total
		Prices in			Other			Unobservable
		Active			Observable			Inputs
		Markets			Inputs			(Level 3)
		for Identical			(Level 2)
		Assets
		(Level 1)
Fixed maturities		$	-		$	199,312		$	1,991		$	201,303
Equity securities			16,406			5,484			-			21,890
Cash equivalents			31,618			-			-			31,618
Total		$	48,024		$	204,796		$	1,991		$	254,811
As of December 31, 2012, financial instruments carried at fair value were measured on a recurring basis as summarized below:
Assets:		Quoted			Significant			Significant			Total
		Prices in			Other			Unobservable
		Active			Observable			Inputs
		Markets			Inputs			(Level 3)
		for Identical			(Level 2)
		Assets
		(Level 1)
Fixed maturities		$	-		$	228,384		$	2,124		$	230,508
Equity securities			3,805			8,400			-			12,205
Cash equivalents			15,326			-			-			15,326
Total		$	19,131		$	236,784		$	2,124		$	258,039
Liabilities:
Derivative financial instrument (Note 7)		$	-		$	-		$	141		$	141
The following is a roll-forward of the Company’s financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2013.
		Fixed			Derivative
		Maturities			(Liability)
Balance, January 1, 2012		$	2,035		$	(876	)
Total unrealized gains included in comprehensive income			89			735
Balance, December 31, 2012			2,124			(141	)
Total unrealized gains (losses) included in comprehensive income			(133	)		141
Balance, December 31, 2013		$	1,991		$	-
The Company’s fixed maturities valued using Level 3 inputs consist solely of issuances of pooled debt obligations of multiple, smaller financial services companies. They are not actively traded and valuation techniques used to measure fair value are based on future estimated cash flows (based on current cash flows) discounted at reasonable estimated rates of interest.  There are no assumed prepayments and/or default probability assumptions as a majority of these instruments contain certain U.S. government agency strips to support repayment of the principal.  Other qualitative and quantitative information received from the original underwriter of the pooled offerings is also considered, as applicable.  The Company’s derivative financial instrument was an interest rate collar which terminated on March 4, 2013, the stated maturity date, by its terms.
The amortized cost and carrying value of fixed maturities at December 31, 2013 and 2012 by contractual maturity were as follows. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.
		2013						2012
		Carrying			Amortized			Carrying			Amortized
		Value			Cost			Value			Cost
Due in one year or less		$	-		$	-		$	1,510		$	1,500
Due after one year through five years			11,709			11,097			5,799			5,213
Due after five years through ten years			108,358			107,846			40,416			37,013
Due after ten years			76,882			77,884			181,608			157,266
Varying maturities			4,354			4,390			1,175			994
Totals		$	201,303		$	201,217		$	230,508		$	201,986
Investment income was earned from the following sources:
		2013			2012
Fixed maturities		$	9,890		$	10,626
Equity securities			632			571
Other			287			307
Total investment income			10,809			11,504
Less investment expenses, included in other expenses			(474	)		(194	)
Net investment income		$	10,335		$	11,310
A summary of realized investment gains (losses) follows:
		2013
		Fixed			Equity Securities			Total
		Maturities
Gains		$	8,521		$	293		$	8,814
Losses			(45	)		(28	)		(73	)
Realized investment gains, net		$	8,476		$	265		$	8,741
		2012
		Fixed			Equity Securities			Total
		Maturities
Gains		$	1,434		$	-		$	1,434
Losses			-			-			-
Realized investment gains, net		$	1,434		$	-		$	1,434
Proceeds from the sales of investments were as follows:
		2013			2012
Fixed maturities		$	107,728		$	24,433
Equity securities			972			-
Other investments			45			46
Total proceeds		$	108,745		$	24,479
The Company’s bond portfolio included 90% investment grade securities, as defined by the NAIC, at December 31, 2013.

Insurance_Reserves_and_Policyh

Insurance Reserves and Policyholder Funds	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Insurance Reserves And Policyholder Funds [Abstract]	'
Insurance Reserves and Policyholder Funds	'
	Note 3. Insurance Reserves and Policyholder Funds
	The following table presents the Company’s reserves for life, accident, health and property and casualty losses as well as loss adjustment expenses.
								Amount of Insurance
								In Force, Net
		2013			2012			2013		2012
	Future policy benefits
	Life insurance policies:
	Ordinary	$	52,915		$	51,256		$	237,694	$	244,634
	Mass market		2,715			3,037			3,504		4,001
	Individual annuities		135			142			-		-
			55,765			54,435		$	241,198	$	248,635
	Accident and health insurance policies		14,099			12,497
			69,864			66,932
	Unearned premiums		27,415			22,637
	Losses, claims and loss adjustment expenses		63,018			62,873
	Other policy liabilities		2,076			2,116
	Total insurance reserves and policyholder funds	$	162,373		$	154,558
	Annualized premiums for accident and health insurance policies were $91,359 and $83,038 at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	Future Policy Benefits
	Liabilities for life insurance future policy benefits are based upon assumed future investment yields, mortality rates, and withdrawal rates after giving effect to possible risks of unexpected claim experience. The assumed mortality and withdrawal rates are based upon the Company’s experience. The interest rates assumed for life, accident and health future policy benefits are generally: (i) 2.5% to 5.5% for issues prior to 1977, (ii) 7% graded to 5.5% for 1977 through 1979 issues, (iii) 9% for 1980 through 1987 issues, (iv) 5% to 7% for 1988 through 2009 issues, and (v) 4% for 2010 through 2013 issues.
	Loss and Claim Reserves
	Loss and claim reserves represent estimates of projected ultimate losses and are based upon: (a) management’s estimate of ultimate liability and claims adjusters’ evaluations for unpaid claims reported prior to the close of the accounting period, (b) estimates of incurred but not reported (“IBNR”) claims based on past experience, and (c) estimates of loss adjustment expenses. The estimated liability is periodically reviewed by management and updated, with changes to the estimated liability recorded in the statement of operations in the year in which such changes are known.
	Activity in the liability for unpaid loss and claim reserves is summarized as follows:
		2013			2012
	Balance at January 1	$	62,873		$	57,975
	Less: Reinsurance receivable on unpaid losses		(18,743	)		(15,673	)
	Net balance at January 1		44,130			42,302
	Incurred related to:
	Current year		97,904			86,780
	Prior years		(1,657	)		(1,841	)
	Total incurred		96,247			84,939
	Paid related to:
	Current year		66,705			61,786
	Prior years		24,968			21,325
	Total paid		91,673			83,111
	Net balance at December 31		48,704			44,130
	Plus: Reinsurance receivable on unpaid losses		14,314			18,743
	Balance at December 31	$	63,018		$	62,873
	Prior years’ development was primarily the result of better than expected development on prior years IBNR reserves for certain lines of business primarily within American Southern.
	Following is a reconciliation of total incurred claims to total insurance benefits and losses incurred:
		2013			2012
	Total incurred claims	$	96,247		$	84,939
	Cash surrender value and matured endowments		1,215			1,241
	Benefit reserve changes		2,910			3,637
	Total insurance benefits and losses incurred	$	100,372		$	89,817

Reinsurance

Reinsurance	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Reinsurance [Abstract]	'
Reinsurance	'
	Note 4. Reinsurance
	In accordance with general practice in the insurance industry, portions of the life, property and casualty insurance written by the Company are reinsured; however, the Company remains liable with respect to reinsurance ceded should any reinsurer be unable or unwilling to meet its obligations. Approximately 99% of the Company’s reinsurance receivables were due from two reinsurers as of December 31, 2013. Reinsurance receivables of $1,209 were due from Swiss Reinsurance Corporation, rated “AA-” by Standard & Poor’s and “A+” (Superior) by A.M. Best and $13,021 were due from General Reinsurance Corporation, rated “AA+” by Standard & Poor’s and “A++” (Superior) by A.M. Best. Allowances for uncollectible amounts are established against reinsurance receivables, if appropriate.
	The effects of reinsurance on premiums written, premiums earned and insurance benefits and losses incurred were as follows:
		2013			2012
	Direct premiums written	$	141,313		$	130,402
	Assumed premiums written		16,702			3,003
	Ceded premiums written		(7,607	)		(7,671	)
	Net premiums written	$	150,408		$	125,734
	Direct premiums earned	$	141,720		$	131,299
	Assumed premiums earned		11,517			3,115
	Ceded premiums earned		(7,607	)		(7,671	)
	Net premiums earned	$	145,630		$	126,743
	Provision for benefits and losses incurred	$	105,828		$	99,026
	Reinsurance loss recoveries		(5,456	)		(9,209	)
	Insurance benefits and losses incurred	$	100,372		$	89,817
	Components of reinsurance receivables were as follows:
		2013			2012
	Receivable on unpaid losses	$	14,314		$	18,743
	Receivable on paid losses		-			25
	Total reinsurance receivables	$	14,314		$	18,768

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Taxes [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	Note 5. Income Taxes
	Total income taxes were allocated as follows:
		2013			2012
	Total tax expense on income	$	184		$	646
	Tax expense (benefit) on components of shareholders’ equity:
	Net unrealized gains (losses) on investment securities		(7,247	)		3,688
	Fair value adjustment to derivative financial instrument		49			257
	Total tax expense (benefit) on shareholders’ equity		(7,198	)		3,945
	Total tax expense (benefit)	$	(7,014	)	$	4,591
	A reconciliation of the differences between income taxes computed at the federal statutory income tax rate and the income tax expense is as follows:
		2013			2012
	Federal income tax provision at statutory rate of 35%	$	3,922		$	1,779
	Dividends received deduction		(149	)		(175	)
	Small life insurance company deduction		(586	)		(485	)
	Other		50			46
	Change in asset valuation allowance due to change in judgment relating to realizability of deferred tax assets		(3,059	)		(440	)
	Adjustment for prior years’ estimates to actual		6			(79	)
	Income tax expense	$	184		$	646
	The primary differences between the effective tax rate and the federal statutory income tax rate resulted from the dividends-received deduction (“DRD”), the small life insurance company deduction (“SLD”) and the change in deferred tax asset valuation allowance. The current estimated DRD is adjusted as underlying factors change and can vary from estimates based on, but not limited to, actual distributions from investments as well as the amount of the Company’s taxable income. The SLD varies in amount and is determined at a rate of 60 percent of the tentative life insurance company taxable income (“LICTI”). The SLD for any taxable year is reduced (but not below zero) by 15 percent of the tentative LICTI for such taxable year as it exceeds $3,000 and is ultimately phased out at $15,000. The change in deferred tax asset valuation allowance was due to the unanticipated utilization of certain capital loss carryforward benefits that had been previously reserved.
	Deferred tax liabilities and assets at December 31, 2013 and 2012 were comprised of the following:
		2013			2012
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Deferred acquisition costs	$	(3,766	)	$	(4,197	)
	Deferred and uncollected premiums		(734	)		(743	)
	Net unrealized investment gains		(3,341	)		(10,588	)
	Other		(8	)		(8	)
	Total deferred tax liabilities		(7,849	)		(15,536	)
	Deferred tax assets:
	Net operating loss carryforwards		844			1,575
	Insurance reserves		5,109			4,516
	Capital loss carryforwards		2,177			5,236
	Impaired assets		1,406			1,406
	Alternative minimum tax credit		309			306
	Bad debts and other		576			601
	Total deferred tax assets		10,421			13,640
	Asset valuation allowance		(2,209	)		(5,268	)
	Net deferred tax asset (liability)	$	363		$	(7,164	)
	The components of income tax expense were:
		2013			2012
	Current - Federal	$	513		$	743
	Deferred - Federal		2,730			343
	Change in deferred tax asset valuation allowance		(3,059	)		(440	)
	Total	$	184		$	646
	At December 31, 2013, the Company had regular federal net operating loss carryforwards (“NOLs”) of approximately $2,411 expiring generally between 2028 and 2032. Currently, the Company believes that deferred income tax benefits relating to the NOLs will be realized. However, expected realization of the NOLs is assessed periodically based on the Company’s then current and anticipated results of operations, and amounts could increase or decrease if estimates of future taxable income change.
	As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, a valuation allowance of $2,209 and $5,268, respectively, was established against deferred income tax benefits relating primarily to capital loss carryforwards that may not be realized. The Company does not currently anticipate having sufficient future capital gains to offset certain of these capital losses during the applicable carryforward period. However, the Company continues to periodically assess the potential realization of these and all other deferred tax benefits. During 2013, the Company’s valuation allowance decreased by $3,059. The decrease was primarily due to the unanticipated utilization of certain capital loss carryforward benefits that had been previously reduced to zero through an existing valuation allowance reserve.
	The Company has formal tax-sharing agreements, and files a consolidated income tax return, with its subsidiaries.

Junior_Subordinated_Debentures

Junior Subordinated Debentures	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Junior Subordinated Debentures [Abstract]	'
Junior Subordinated Debentures	'
	Note 6. Junior Subordinated Debentures
	The Company has two unconsolidated Connecticut statutory business trusts, which exist for the exclusive purposes of: (i) issuing trust preferred securities (“Trust Preferred Securities”) representing undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the trusts; (ii) investing the gross proceeds of the Trust Preferred Securities in junior subordinated deferrable interest debentures (“Junior Subordinated Debentures”) of Atlantic American; and (iii) engaging in only those activities necessary or incidental thereto.
	The financial structure of each of Atlantic American Statutory Trust I and II, as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, was as follows:
			Atlantic American			Atlantic American
			Statutory Trust I			Statutory Trust II
	JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES (1) (2)
	Principal amount owed		$	18,042		$	23,196
	Balance December 31, 2013			18,042			23,196
	Balance December 31, 2012			18,042			23,196
	Coupon rate		LIBOR + 4.00%			LIBOR + 4.10%
	Interest payable		Quarterly			Quarterly
	Maturity date		4-Dec-32			15-May-33
	Redeemable by issuer		Yes			Yes
	TRUST PREFERRED SECURITIES
	Issuance date		4-Dec-02			15-May-03
	Securities issued			17,500			22,500
	Liquidation preference per security		$	1		$	1
	Liquidation value			17,500			22,500
	Coupon rate		LIBOR + 4.00		%	LIBOR + 4.10		%
	Distribution payable		Quarterly			Quarterly
	Distribution guaranteed by (3)		Atlantic			Atlantic
			American			American
			Corporation			Corporation
		-1	For each of the respective debentures, the Company has the right at any time, and from time to time, to defer payments of interest on the Junior Subordinated Debentures for a period not exceeding 20 consecutive quarters up to the debentures’ respective maturity dates. During any such period, interest will continue to accrue and the Company may not declare or pay any cash dividends or distributions on, or purchase, the Company’s common stock nor make any principal, interest or premium payments on or repurchase any debt securities that rank equally with or junior to the Junior Subordinated Debentures. The Company has the right at any time to dissolve each of the trusts and cause the Junior Subordinated Debentures to be distributed to the holders of the Trust Preferred Securities.
		-2	The Junior Subordinated Debentures are unsecured and rank junior and subordinate in right of payment to all senior debt of the Parent and are effectively subordinated to all existing and future liabilities of its subsidiaries.
		-3	The Parent has guaranteed, on a subordinated basis, all of the obligations under the Trust Preferred Securities, including payment of the redemption price and any accumulated and unpaid distributions to the extent of available funds and upon dissolution, winding up or liquidation.

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen

Derivative Financial Instrument	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Derivative Financial Instrument [Abstract]	'
Derivative Financial Instrument	'
	Note 7. Derivative Financial Instrument
	The Company had a zero cost interest rate collar with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, which terminated on March 4, 2013, the stated maturity date, by its terms.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	Note 8. Commitments and Contingencies
	Litigation
	From time to time, the Company is, and expects to continue to be, involved in various claims and lawsuits incidental to and in the ordinary course of its business. In the opinion of management, any such known claims are not expected to have a material effect on the financial condition or results of operations of the Company.
	Operating Lease Commitments
	The Company’s rental expense, including common area charges, for operating leases was $1,215 and $1,204 in 2013 and 2012, respectively. The Company’s future minimum base lease obligations under non-cancelable operating leases are as follows:
	Year Ending December 31,
	2014	$	886
	2015		425
	2016		435
	2017		446
	2018		457
	Thereafter		193
	Total	$	2,842

Benefit_Plans

Benefit Plans	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Benefit Plans [Abstract]	'
Benefit Plans	'
	Note 9. Benefit Plans
	Stock Incentive Plans
	On May 1, 2012, the Company’s shareholders approved the 2012 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2012 Plan”).  The 2012 Plan authorizes the grant of up to 2,000,000 stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted shares, restricted stock units, performance shares, performance units and other awards for the purpose of providing the Company’s non-employee directors, consultants, officers and other employees incentives and rewards for superior performance.  A total of 200,000 restricted shares, with an estimated fair value of $704 based on the common stock price at date of grant, were issued to officers and directors under the 2012 Plan in 2013.  No awards were made in 2012.
	A summary of the status of the Company’s stock options at December 31, 2013 and 2012 is as follows:
		2013					2012
	Options	Shares			Weighted		Shares			Weighted
					Average					Average
					Exercise					Exercise
					Price					Price
	Options outstanding, beginning of year		77,000		$	1.59		231,000		$	1.68
	Options exercised		(62,500	)		1.59		(150,000	)		1.73
	Options canceled or expired		(14,500	)		1.59		(4,000	)		1.59
	Options outstanding, end of year		-			-		77,000			1.59
	Options exercisable		-			-		77,000			1.59
	Options available for future grant		1,800,000					2,000,000
	401(k) Plan
	The Company initiated an employees’ savings plan (the “Plan”) qualified under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code in May 1995. The Plan covers substantially all of the Company’s employees. Effective January 1, 2009, the Company modified the Plan such that the Plan would operate on a safe harbor basis. Under the Plan, employees may defer up to 50% of their compensation, not to exceed the annual deferral limit. The Company’s total matching contribution for 2013 and 2012 was $173 and $153, respectively, and consisted of a contribution equal to 50% of up to the first 4% of each participant’s contributions. In addition to the matching contribution, the Company also provided a 3% safe harbor non-elective contribution in 2013 and 2012 of $369 and $302, respectively. The employer match and safe harbor contribution were made in cash.
	Agent Stock Purchase Plan
	The Company initiated a nonqualified stock purchase plan (the “Agent Stock Purchase Plan”) in May 2012.  The purpose of the Agent Stock Purchase Plan is to promote and advance the interests of the Company and its stockholders by providing independent agents who qualify as participants with an opportunity to purchase the common stock of the Company.  Under the Agent Stock Purchase Plan, payment for shares of common stock of the Company is made by either deduction from an agent’s commission payment or a direct cash payment.  Stock purchases are made at the end of each calendar quarter at the then current market value.

Preferred_Stock

Preferred Stock	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Preferred Stock [Abstract]	'
Preferred Stock	'
	Note 10. Preferred Stock
	The Company had 65,000 and 70,000 shares of Series D preferred stock (“Series D Preferred Stock”) outstanding at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.  All of the shares of Series D Preferred Stock are held by an affiliate of the Company’s controlling shareholder. The outstanding shares of Series D Preferred Stock have a stated value of $100 per share; accrue annual dividends at a rate of $7.25 per share (payable in cash or shares of the Company’s common stock at the option of the board of directors of the Company) and are cumulative. In certain circumstances, the shares of the Series D Preferred Stock may be convertible into an aggregate of approximately 1,629,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, subject to certain adjustments and provided that such adjustments do not result in the Company issuing more than approximately 2,703,000 shares of common stock without obtaining prior shareholder approval; and are redeemable solely at the Company’s option.  The Series D Preferred Stock is not currently convertible.  In 2013, the Company redeemed 5,000 shares of the Series D Preferred Stock at the stated value of $100 per share, for an aggregate payment of $500.  As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company had accrued, but unpaid, dividends, on the Series D Preferred Stock of $21 and $23, respectively.  During 2013, the Company paid $483 in Series D Preferred Stock dividends whereas in 2012, the Company paid $1,015 which included a $508 dividend attributable to 2011.

Earnings_Per_Common_Share

Earnings Per Common Share	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Earnings Per Common Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings Per Common Share	'
	Note 11. Earnings Per Common Share
	A reconciliation of the numerator and denominator of the earnings per common share calculations is as follows:
		For the Year Ended December 31, 2013
		Income			Shares		Per Share
					(In thousands)		Amount
	Basic Earnings Per Common Share
	Net income before preferred stock dividends	$	11,022			21,236
	Less preferred stock dividends		(482	)		-
	Net income applicable to common shareholders		10,540			21,236	$	0.5
	Diluted Earnings Per Common Share
	Effect of dilutive stock options		-			10
	Effect of Series D Preferred Stock		482			1,629
	Net income applicable to common shareholders	$	11,022			22,875	$	0.48
		For the Year Ended December 31, 2012
		Income			Shares		Per Share
					(In thousands)		Amount
	Basic Earnings Per Common Share
	Net income before preferred stock dividends	$	4,436			21,222
	Less preferred stock dividends		(508	)		-
	Net income applicable to common shareholders		3,928			21,222	$	0.19
	Diluted Earnings Per Common Share
	Effect of dilutive stock options		-			67
	Net income applicable to common shareholders	$	3,928			21,289	$	0.18
	The assumed conversion of the Company’s Series D Preferred Stock was excluded from the earnings per common share calculation for 2012 since its impact would have been antidilutive.

Statutory_Reporting

Statutory Reporting	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Statutory Reporting [Abstract]	'
Statutory Reporting	'
	Note 12. Statutory Reporting
	The assets, liabilities and results of operations have been reported on the basis of GAAP, which varies in some respects from statutory accounting practices (“SAP”) prescribed or permitted by insurance regulatory authorities. The principal differences between SAP and GAAP are that under SAP: (i) certain assets that are non-admitted assets are eliminated from the balance sheet; (ii) acquisition costs for policies are expensed as incurred, while they are deferred and amortized over the estimated life of the policies under GAAP; (iii) the provision that is made for deferred income taxes is different than under GAAP; (iv) the timing of establishing certain reserves is different than under GAAP; and (v) certain valuation allowances attributable to certain investments are different.
	The amount of reported statutory net income and surplus (shareholders’ equity) for the Parent’s insurance subsidiaries for the years ended December 31 was as follows:
		2013		2012
	Life and Health, net income	$	3,013	$	2,271
	Property and Casualty, net income		6,224		3,104
	Statutory net income	$	9,237	$	5,375
	Life and Health, surplus	$	34,530	$	33,059
	Property and Casualty, surplus		39,092		36,947
	Statutory surplus	$	73,622	$	70,006
	Under the insurance code of the state in which each insurance subsidiary is domiciled, dividend payments to the Parent by its insurance subsidiaries are subject to certain limitations without the prior approval of the applicable state’s Insurance Commissioner. The Parent received dividends of $6,646 and $7,350 in 2013 and 2012, respectively, from its subsidiaries. In 2014, dividend payments to the Parent by the insurance subsidiaries in excess of $7,112 would require prior approval.

Related_Party_Transactions

Related Party Transactions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]	'
Related Party Transactions	'
	Note 13. Related Party Transactions
	In the normal course of business the Company has engaged in transactions with entities affiliated with the controlling shareholder of the Company. These transactions include the leasing of office space as well as certain investing and financing activities.  At December 31, 2013, two members of the Company’s board of directors were considered affiliates of the majority shareholder including our chairman, president and chief executive officer.
	The Company leases approximately 49,586 square feet of office and covered garage space from one such controlled entity. During the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company paid $864 and $853, respectively, under this lease.
	Certain financing for the Company has also been provided by this entity in the form of an investment in the Series D Preferred Stock (See Note 10).
	Certain members of the Company’s management and board of directors are shareholders and on the board of directors of Gray Television, Inc. (“Gray”). As of December 31, 2013 the Company owned 880,272 shares of Gray Class A common stock and 106,000 shares of Gray common stock.  As of December 31, 2012 the Company owned 388,060 shares of Gray Class A common stock and 106,000 shares of Gray common stock. The aggregate carrying value of these investments in Gray at December 31, 2013 and 2012 was $12,942 and $908, respectively.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Information [Abstract]	'
Segment Information	'
	Note 14. Segment Information
	The Parent’s primary insurance subsidiaries operate with relative autonomy and each company is evaluated based on its individual performance. American Southern operates in the property and casualty insurance market, while Bankers Fidelity operates in the life and health insurance market. Each segment derives revenue from the collection of premiums, as well as from investment income. Substantially all revenue other than that in the corporate and other segment is from external sources.
		2013
		American			Bankers			Corporate			Adjustments			Consolidated
		Southern			Fidelity			& Other			& Eliminations
	Insurance premiums	$	45,851		$	99,779		$	-		$	-		$	145,630
	Insurance benefits and losses incurred		30,197			70,175			-			-			100,372
	Expenses deferred		(7,106	)		(3,230	)		-			-			(10,336	)
	Amortization and depreciation expense		7,440			2,120			-			-			9,560
	Other expenses		15,777			31,742			15,076			(8,028	)		54,567
	Total expenses		46,308			100,807			15,076			(8,028	)		154,163
	Underwriting loss		(457	)		(1,028	)
	Investment income		4,308			5,920			2,338			(1,757	)		10,809
	Other income		12			40			6,408			(6,271	)		189
	Operating income (loss)		3,863			4,932			(6,330	)		-			2,465
	Net realized gains		3,767			4,330			644			-			8,741
	Income (loss) before income taxes	$	7,630		$	9,262		$	(5,686	)	$	-		$	11,206
	Total revenues	$	53,938		$	110,069		$	9,390		$	(8,028	)	$	165,369
	Intangibles	$	1,350		$	1,194		$	-		$	-		$	2,544
	Total assets	$	126,861		$	156,484		$	141,304		$	(105,268	)	$	319,381
		2012
		American			Bankers			Corporate			Adjustments			Consolidated
		Southern			Fidelity			& Other			& Eliminations
	Insurance premiums	$	37,471		$	89,272		$	-		$	-		$	126,743
	Insurance benefits and losses incurred		27,337			62,480			-			-			89,817
	Expenses deferred		(8,515	)		(3,810	)		-			-			(12,325	)
	Amortization and depreciation expense		9,009			1,911			-			-			10,920
	Other expenses		11,758			27,674			14,340			(7,438	)		46,334
	Total expenses		39,589			88,255			14,340			(7,438	)		134,746
	Underwriting income (loss)		(2,118	)		1,017
	Investment income		4,560			6,195			2,582			(1,833	)		11,504
	Other income		-			48			5,704			(5,605	)		147
	Operating income (loss)		2,442			7,260			(6,054	)		-			3,648
	Net realized gains		383			1,051			-			-			1,434
	Income (loss) before income taxes	$	2,825		$	8,311		$	(6,054	)	$	-		$	5,082
	Total revenues	$	42,414		$	96,566		$	8,286		$	(7,438	)	$	139,828
	Intangibles	$	1,350		$	778		$	-		$	-		$	2,128
	Total assets	$	130,092		$	161,078		$	153,912		$	(124,905	)	$	320,177

Disclosures_About_Fair_Values_

Disclosures About Fair Values of Financial Instruments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Disclosures About Fair Value of Financial Instruments [Abstract]	'
Disclosures About Fair Value of Financial Instruments	'
	Note 15. Disclosures About Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	The estimated fair values have been determined by the Company using available market information from various market sources and appropriate valuation methodologies as of the respective dates.  However, considerable judgment is necessary to interpret market data and to develop the estimates of fair value. Accordingly, the estimates presented herein are not necessarily indicative of the amounts which the Company could realize in a current market exchange.  The use of different market assumptions and/or estimation methodologies may have a material effect on the estimated fair value amounts.
				2013				2012
			Level in Fair Value Hierarchy (1)	Carrying		Estimated		Carrying		Estimated
				Amount		Fair Value		Amount		Fair Value
	Assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents		Level 1	$	33,102	$	33,102	$	18,951	$	18,951
	Fixed maturities		-1		201,303		201,303		230,508		230,508
	Equity securities		-1		21,890		21,890		12,205		12,205
	Other invested assets		Level 3		2,123		2,123		565		565
	Policy loans		Level 2		2,369		2,369		2,338		2,338
	Real estate		Level 2		38		38		38		38
	Investments in unconsolidated trusts		Level 2		1,238		1,238		1,238		1,238
	Liabilities:
	Junior Subordinated Debentures		Level 2		41,238		41,238		41,238		41,238
	Derivative financial instrument		Level 3		-		-		141		141
		-1	See Note 2 for a description of the fair value hierarchy as well as a disclosure of levels for classes of these financial assets.
	The fair value estimates as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 were based on pertinent information available to management as of the respective dates.  Although management is not aware of any factors that would significantly affect the estimated fair value amounts, current estimates of fair value may differ significantly from amounts that might ultimately be realized in a market exchange on any subsequent date.
	The following describes the methods and assumptions used by the Company in estimating fair values:
	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	The carrying amount approximates fair value due to the short-term nature of the instruments.
	Fixed Maturities and Common and Non-Redeemable Preferred Stocks
	The carrying amount is determined in accordance with methods prescribed by the NAIC, which do not differ materially from publicly quoted market prices. Certain fixed maturities do not have publicly quoted values and consist solely of issuances of pooled debt obligations of multiple, smaller financial services companies. They are not actively traded and valuation techniques used to measure fair value are based on future estimated cash flows discounted at a reasonably estimated rate of interest. Other qualitative and quantitative information received from the original underwriter of the pooled offerings is also considered, as applicable.
	Non-publicly Traded Invested Assets
	The fair value of investments in certain limited partnerships which are included in other invested assets on the consolidated balance sheet were determined by officers of those limited partnerships.
	Junior Subordinated Debentures
	The fair value is estimated based on the quoted market prices for similar issues and the current rates offered for debt having similar returns and remaining maturities.
	Derivative Financial Instrument
	As the Company’s only derivative financial instrument was an interest rate collar, changes in valuation were correlated with changes in interest rates and contract maturity date and, accordingly, values were estimated using projected cash flows at current interest rates discounted at a reasonably estimated rate of interest. Fair value quotations were also obtained and considered, as applicable, from the contractual counterparty.

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'
	Note 16. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
	The following table sets forth the balance of each component of accumulated other comprehensive income as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, and the changes in the balance of each component thereof during 2013.
		Unrealized			Derivative			Total
		Gains on			Financial
		Available-			Instrument
		for-Sale
		Securities
	Balance, December 31, 2012	$	19,663		$	(92	)	$	19,571
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		(7,777	)		92			(7,685	)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income		(5,682	)		-			(5,682	)
	Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)		(13,459	)		92			(13,367	)
	Balance, December 31, 2013	$	6,204		$	-		$	6,204

Acquisitions

Acquisitions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Acquisitions [Abstract]	'
Acquisitions	'
	Note 17. Acquisitions
	On December 18, 2013, the Company acquired 100% of the outstanding stock of Direct Life Insurance Company (“DLIC”) for $3,857 and changed the name of the company to Bankers Fidelity Assurance Company.  The acquisition will allow Bankers Fidelity to offer additional similar products to those it already writes permitting greater diversification of product and pricing as well as opportunity for future expansion in other states.  The purchase was not significant to the financial position or results of operations of the Company in 2013 and DLIC had no significant recent operations prior to acquisition. In connection with the acquisition the following assets and liabilities were acquired:
		2013
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,317
	Investments		2,123
	Receivables		7
	Intangibles		416
	Total assets	$	3,863
	Accounts payable and accrued expenses	$	6
	Total liabilities	$	6

Schedule_II_CONDENSED_FINANCIA

Schedule II CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Schedule II CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT [Abstract]	'
Schedule II CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT	'
	CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT
	ATLANTIC AMERICAN CORPORATION
	(Parent Company Only)
	BALANCE SHEETS
	ASSETS
			December 31,
			2013			2012
			(In thousands)
	Cash and cash equivalents		$	13,936		$	13,306
	Investments			18,043			14,122
	Investment in subsidiaries			105,268			124,904
	Investments in unconsolidated trusts			1,238			1,238
	Income taxes receivable from subsidiaries			4,530			1,989
	Other assets			2,676			559
	Total assets		$	145,691		$	156,118
	LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
	Deferred tax liability, net		$	297		$	7,824
	Other payables			3,229			1,320
	Junior subordinated debentures			41,238			41,238
	Total liabilities			44,764			50,382
	Shareholders’ equity			100,927			105,736
	Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity		$	145,691		$	156,118
	See accompanying report of independent registered public accounting firm.
	Schedule II
	Page 2 of 3
	CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT
	ATLANTIC AMERICAN CORPORATION
	(Parent Company Only)
	STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
			Year Ended December 31,
			2013			2012
			(In thousands)
	REVENUE
	Fee income from subsidiaries		$	6,271		$	5,605
	Distributed earnings from subsidiaries			6,646			7,350
	Other			1,330			844
	Total revenue			14,247			13,799
	GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES			11,106			9,659
	INTEREST EXPENSE			1,898			2,632
				1,243			1,508
	INCOME TAX BENEFIT(1)			(4,504	)		(1,766	)
				5,747			3,274
	EQUITY IN UNDISTRIBUTED EARNINGS OF SUBSIDIARIES, NET			5,275			1,162
	NET INCOME		$	11,022		$	4,436
		-1	Under the terms of a tax-sharing agreement, income tax provisions for the subsidiary companies are computed on a separate company basis. Accordingly, the Company’s income tax benefit results from the utilization of the Parent’s separate return loss to reduce the consolidated taxable income of the Company.
	See accompanying report of independent registered public accounting firm.
	Schedule II
	Page 3 of 3
	CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT
	ATLANTIC AMERICAN CORPORATION
	(Parent Company Only)
	STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
			Year Ended December 31,
			2013			2012
			(In thousands)
	CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
	Net income		$	11,022		$	4,436
	Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
	Realized investment gains, net			(644	)		-
	Depreciation and amortization			117			75
	Compensation expense related to share awards			219			-
	Equity in undistributed earnings of consolidated subsidiaries			(5,275	)		(1,162	)
	(Increase) decrease in intercompany taxes			(2,541	)		463
Deferred income tax benefit			(329	)		(97	)
Increase (decrease) in other liabilities			846			(746	)
Other, net			161			(251	)
Net cash provided by operating activities			3,576			2,718
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from investments sold, called or matured			5,568			-
Investments purchased			(4,438	)		-
Capital contribution to subsidiaries			(200	)		(200	)
Additions to property and equipment			(1,192	)		(166	)
Net cash used in investing activities			(262	)		(366	)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Redemption of Series D preferred stock			(500	)		-
Payment of dividends on Series D preferred stock			(483	)		(1,015	)
Payment of dividends on common stock			(423	)		(1,486	)
Proceeds from shares issued under stock plans			138			297
Purchase of shares for treasury			(1,416	)		(607	)
Net cash used in financing activities			(2,684	)		(2,811	)
Net increase (decrease) in cash			630			(459	)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year			13,306			13,765
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year		$	13,936		$	13,306
Supplemental disclosure:
Cash paid for interest		$	1,961		$	2,636
Cash paid for income taxes		$	536		$	405
Intercompany tax settlement from subsidiaries		$	2,574		$	2,132
See accompanying report of independent registered public accounting firm.

Schedule_III_SUPPLEMENTARY_INS

Schedule III SUPPLEMENTARY INSURANCE INFORMATION	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Schedule III SUPPLEMENTARY INSURANCE INFORMATION [Abstract]	'
Schedule III SUPPLEMENTARY INSURANCE INFORMATION	'
	ATLANTIC AMERICAN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
	SUPPLEMENTARY INSURANCE INFORMATION
	Segment		Deferred		Future Policy			Unearned		Other Policy
			Acquisition		Benefits,			Premiums		Claims and
			Costs		Losses,					Benefits
					Claims and					Payable
					Loss
					Reserves
			(In thousands)
	December 31, 2013:
	Bankers Fidelity		$	24,275	$	81,682		$	4,419	$	2,076
	American Southern			3,234		51,200			22,996		-
			$	27,509	$	132,882	(1)	$	27,415	$	2,076
	December 31, 2012:
	Bankers Fidelity		$	22,864	$	77,041		$	4,564	$	2,116
	American Southern			3,269		52,764			18,073		-
			$	26,133	$	129,805	(2)	$	22,637	$	2,116
	-1	Includes future policy benefits of $69,864 and losses and claims of $63,018.
	-2	Includes future policy benefits of $66,932 and losses and claims of $62,873.
	See accompanying report of independent registered public accounting firm.
	Schedule III
	Page 2 of 2
	ATLANTIC AMERICAN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
	SUPPLEMENTARY INSURANCE INFORMATION
	Segment		Premium		Net			Benefits,		Amortization		Other		Casualty
			Revenue		Investment			Claims,		of Deferred		Operating		Premiums
					Income			Losses and		Acquisition		Expenses		Written
								Settlement		Costs
								Expenses
			(In thousands)
	December 31, 2013:
	Bankers Fidelity		$	99,779	$	5,466		$	70,175	$	1,820	$	28,812	$	-
	American Southern			45,851		4,288			30,197		7,140		8,971		50,774
	Other			-		581			-		-		7,048		-
			$	145,630	$	10,335		$	100,372	$	8,960	$	44,831	$	50,774
	December 31, 2012:
	Bankers Fidelity		$	89,272	$	6,032		$	62,480	$	1,677	$	24,098	$	-
	American Southern			37,471		4,529			27,337		8,774		3,478		36,182
	Other			-		749			-		-		6,902		-
			$	126,743	$	11,310		$	89,817	$	10,451	$	34,478	$	36,182
	See accompanying report of independent registered public accounting firm.

Schedule_IV_REINSURANCE

Schedule IV REINSURANCE	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Schedule IV REINSURANCE [Abstract]	'
Schedule IV REINSURANCE	'
	ATLANTIC AMERICAN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
	REINSURANCE
		Direct		Ceded To			Assumed		Net		Percentage of
		Amount		Other			From Other		Amounts		Amount Assumed
				Companies			Companies				To Net
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Year ended December 31, 2013:
	Life insurance in force	$	259,723	$	(18,525	)	$	-	$	241,198
	Premiums --
	Bankers Fidelity	$	99,745	$	(54	)	$	88	$	99,779		0.1	%
	American Southern		41,975		(7,553	)		11,429		45,851		24.9	%
	Total premiums	$	141,720	$	(7,607	)	$	11,517	$	145,630		7.9	%
	Year ended December 31, 2012:
	Life insurance in force	$	264,435	$	(15,800	)	$	-	$	248,635
	Premiums --
	Bankers Fidelity	$	89,231	$	(68	)	$	109	$	89,272		0.1	%
	American Southern		42,068		(7,603	)		3,006		37,471		8	%
	Total premiums	$	131,299	$	(7,671	)	$	3,115	$	126,743		2.5	%
	See accompanying report of independent registered public accounting firm.

Schedule_VI_SUPPLEMENTAL_INFOR

Schedule VI SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION CONCERNING PROPERTY-CASUALTY INSURANCE OPERATIONS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Schedule VI SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION CONCERNING PROPERTY-CASUALTY INSURANCE OPERATIONS [Abstract]	'
Schedule VI SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION CONCERNING PROPERTY-CASUALTY INSURANCE OPERATIONS	'
	ATLANTIC AMERICAN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
	SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION CONCERNING
	PROPERTY-CASUALTY INSURANCE OPERATIONS
		Deferred								Net		Claims and Claim					Amortization		Paid Claims
		Policy										Adjustment Expenses Incurred					of Deferred		and Claim
												Related To
	Year Ended	Acquisition		Reserves		Unearned		Earned		Investment Income		Current Year		Prior			Acquisition Costs		Adjustment Expenses		Premiums
		Costs				Premiums		Premiums						Years							Written
		(In thousands)
	31-Dec-13	$	3,234	$	51,200	$	22,996	$	45,851	$	4,288	$	32,672	$	(2,475	)	$	7,140	$	27,339	$	50,774
	31-Dec-12	$	3,269	$	52,764	$	18,073	$	37,471	$	4,529	$	29,054	$	(1,717	)	$	8,774	$	27,134	$	36,182
	See accompanying report of independent registered public accounting firm.

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Principles of Consolidation	'
	Principles of Consolidation
	The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) which, for insurance companies, differ in some respects from the statutory accounting practices prescribed or permitted by regulatory authorities. These financial statements include the accounts of Atlantic American Corporation (“Atlantic American” or the “Parent”) and its subsidiaries (collectively with the Parent, the “Company”). All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Operating results achieved in any historical period are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected in any future period.
	At December 31, 2013, the Parent owned four insurance subsidiaries, Bankers Fidelity Life Insurance Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Bankers Fidelity Assurance Company (“BFAC”) (together known as “Bankers Fidelity”), and American Southern Insurance Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary, American Safety Insurance Company (together known as “American Southern”), in addition to one non-insurance subsidiary, xCalibre Risk Services, Inc. BFAC was acquired on December 18, 2013.  The results of operations of BFAC are included from the date of acquisition.  The Parent has issued a guarantee of all liabilities of Bankers Fidelity.
Premium Revenue and Cost Recognition	'
	Premium Revenue and Cost Recognition
	Life insurance premiums are recognized as revenue when due; accident and health insurance premiums are recognized as revenue over the premium paying period and property and casualty insurance premiums are recognized as revenue over the period of the contract in proportion to the amount of insurance protection provided. Benefits and expenses are accrued as incurred and are associated with premiums as they are earned so as to result in recognition of profits over the lives of the contracts. For traditional life insurance and long-duration health insurance, this association is accomplished by the provision of a future policy benefits reserve and the deferral and subsequent amortization of the costs of acquiring business, “deferred policy acquisition costs” (principally commissions, premium taxes, and other incremental direct costs of issuing policies). Deferred policy acquisition costs are amortized over the estimated premium-paying period of the related policies using assumptions consistent with those used in computing the policy benefits reserve. The Company provides for insurance benefits and losses on accident, health, and property-casualty claims based upon estimates of projected ultimate losses. The deferred policy acquisition costs for property and casualty insurance and short-duration health insurance are amortized over the effective period of the related insurance policies. Contingent commissions, if contractually applicable, are ultimately payable to agents based on the underlying profitability of a particular insurance contract or a group of insurance contracts, and are periodically evaluated and accrued as earned. In periods in which revisions are made to the estimated loss reserves related to the particular insurance contract or group of insurance contracts subject to such commissions, corresponding adjustments are also made to the related accruals. Deferred policy acquisition costs are expensed when such costs are deemed not to be recoverable from future premiums (for traditional life and long-duration health insurance) and from the related unearned premiums and investment income (for property and casualty and short-duration health insurance).
Intangibles	'
	Intangibles
	Intangibles consist of goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangibles.  Goodwill represents the excess of cost over the fair value of net assets acquired and is not amortized.  Other indefinite-lived intangibles represent the value of licenses acquired in the 2013 acquisition of BFAC (Note 17) and are not amortized.   As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, intangibles were $2,544 and $2,128, respectively.  The Company periodically reviews its goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangibles to determine if any adverse conditions exist that could indicate impairment. Conditions that could trigger impairment include, but are not limited to, a significant change in business climate that could affect the value of the related asset, an adverse action, or an assessment by a regulator. No impairment of the Company’s recorded intangibles was identified during the periods presented.
Investments	'
	Investments
	The Company’s investments in both fixed maturities, which include bonds and redeemable preferred stocks, and equity securities, which include common and non-redeemable preferred stocks, are classified as “available-for-sale” and, accordingly, are carried at fair value with the after-tax difference from amortized cost, as adjusted if applicable, reflected in shareholders’ equity as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income or loss. The fair values for fixed maturities and equity securities are largely determined by either independent methods prescribed by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (“NAIC”), which do not differ materially from publicly quoted market prices, when available, or independent broker quotations. The Company owns certain fixed maturities that do not have publicly quoted market values, but had an estimated fair value as determined by management of $1,991 at December 31, 2013. Such values inherently involve a greater degree of judgment and uncertainty and therefore ultimately greater price volatility than the value of securities with publicly quoted market values. Policy loans and real estate are carried at historical cost. Other invested assets are comprised of investments in limited partnerships, limited liability companies, and real estate joint ventures, and are accounted for using the equity method. If the value of a common stock, preferred stock, other invested asset, or publicly traded bond declines below its cost or amortized cost, if applicable, and the decline is considered to be other than temporary, a realized loss is recorded to reduce the carrying value of the investment to its estimated fair value, which becomes the new cost basis. The evaluation for an other than temporary impairment is a quantitative and qualitative process, which is subject to risks and uncertainties in the determination of whether declines in the fair value of investments are other than temporary. Potential risks and uncertainties include, among other things, changes in general economic conditions, an issuer’s financial condition or near term recovery prospects and the effects of changes in interest rates. In evaluating a potential impairment, the Company considers, among other factors, management’s intent and ability to hold these securities until price recovery, the nature of the investment and the expectation of prospects for the issuer and its industry, the status of an issuer’s continued satisfaction of its obligations in accordance with their contractual terms, and management’s expectation as to the issuer’s ability and intent to continue to do so, as well as ratings actions that may affect the issuer’s credit status. Premiums and discounts related to investments are amortized or accreted over the life of the related investment as an adjustment to yield using the effective interest method. Dividends and interest income are recognized when earned or declared. The cost of securities sold is based on specific identification. Unrealized gains (losses) in the value of invested assets are accounted for as a direct increase (decrease) in accumulated other comprehensive income in shareholders’ equity, net of deferred tax and, accordingly, have no effect on net income.
Income Taxes	'
	Income Taxes
	Deferred income taxes represent the expected future tax consequences when the reported amounts of assets and liabilities are recovered or paid. They arise from differences between the financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities and are adjusted for changes in tax laws and tax rates as those changes are enacted. The provision for income taxes represents the total amount of income taxes due related to the current year, plus the change in deferred income taxes during the year. A valuation allowance is recognized if, based on management’s assessment of the relevant facts, it is more likely than not that some portion of the deferred tax asset will not be realized.
Earnings Per Common Share	'
	Earnings Per Common Share
	Basic earnings per common share are based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the relevant period. Diluted earnings per common share are based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the relevant period, plus options and share awards outstanding using the treasury stock method and the assumed conversion of the Series D preferred stock, if dilutive. Unless otherwise indicated, earnings per common share amounts are presented on a diluted basis.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	'
	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash on hand and investments in short-term, highly liquid securities which have original maturities of three months or less from date of purchase.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards	'
	Recently Issued Accounting Standards
	In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2013-02, Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (“ASU 2013-02”). The main objective of ASU 2013-02 is to enhance disclosures for reclassification adjustments including changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) balances by component and significant items reclassified out of AOCI. ASU 2013-02 does not change the requirements for reporting net income or other comprehensive income in financial statements. However, the ASU requires an entity to provide enhanced disclosures to present separately by component reclassifications out of AOCI. In addition, an entity is also required to provide a tabular disclosure of the effect of items reclassified out of AOCI on the respective line items of net income, but only if the item reclassified is required under GAAP to be reclassified to net income in its entirety. For other reclassification items that are not required under GAAP to be reclassified directly to net income in their entirety, ASU 2013-02 only requires a cross-reference to other disclosures required under GAAP for those items.  The Company adopted ASU 2013-02 effective January 1, 2013.  Since ASU 2013-02 was a disclosure only update, its adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.  See Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income and Note 16 for expanded disclosures.
Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements	'
	Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements
	The preparation of financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant estimates and assumptions are used in developing and evaluating deferred income taxes, deferred acquisition costs, insurance reserves, investments, and commitments and contingencies, among others, and actual results could differ materially from management’s estimates.

Investments_Tables

Investments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Investments [Abstract ]	'
Schedule of investments aggregated by type and industry	'
	Investments were comprised of the following:
		2013
		Carrying			Gross			Gross			Amortized
		Value			Unrealized			Unrealized			Cost
					Gains			Losses
	Fixed maturities:
	Bonds:
	U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. Government agencies and authorities	$	17,240		$	576		$	210		$	16,874
	Obligations of states and political subdivisions		7,611			402			17			7,226
	Corporate securities:
	Utilities and telecom		16,532			1,353			7			15,186
	Financial services		50,531			1,736			320			49,115
	Other business – diversified		70,326			870			2,906			72,362
	Other consumer – diversified		36,712			391			1,745			38,066
	Total corporate securities		174,101			4,350			4,978			174,729
	Redeemable preferred stocks:
	Financial services		2,159			4			41			2,196
	Other consumer – diversified		192			-			-			192
	Total redeemable preferred stocks		2,351			4			41			2,388
	Total fixed maturities		201,303			5,332			5,246			201,217
	Equity securities:
	Common and non-redeemable preferred stocks:
	Utilities and telecom		1,474			510			-			964
	Financial services		5,761			514			560			5,807
	Other business – diversified		178			131			-			47
	Other consumer – diversified		14,477			8,863			-			5,614
	Total equity securities		21,890			10,018			560			12,432
	Other invested assets		2,123			-			-			2,123
	Policy loans		2,369			-			-			2,369
	Real estate		38			-			-			38
	Investments in unconsolidated trusts		1,238			-			-			1,238
	Total investments	$	228,961		$	15,350		$	5,806		$	219,417
		2012
					Gross			Gross
		Carrying			Unrealized			Unrealized			Amortized
		Value			Gains			Losses			Cost
	Fixed maturities:
	Bonds:
	U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. Government agencies and authorities	$	27,512		$	4,618		$	-		$	22,894
	Obligations of states and political subdivisions		17,761			2,514			-			15,247
	Corporate securities:
	Utilities and telecom		17,921			3,128			-			14,793
	Financial services		43,695			3,957			415			40,153
	Other business – diversified		66,741			7,172			12			59,581
	Other consumer – diversified		52,910			7,665			120			45,365
	Total corporate securities		181,267			21,922			547			159,892
	Redeemable preferred stocks:
	Financial services		3,775			18			3			3,760
	Other consumer – diversified		193			-			-			193
	Total redeemable preferred stocks		3,968			18			3			3,953
	Total fixed maturities		230,508			29,072			550			201,986
	Equity securities:
	Common and non-redeemable preferred stocks:
	Utilities and telecom		1,298			334			-			964
	Financial services		8,607			857			39			7,789
	Other business – diversified		134			87			-			47
	Other consumer – diversified		2,166			489			-			1,677
	Total equity securities		12,205			1,767			39			10,477
	Other invested assets		565			-			-			565
	Policy loans		2,338			-			-			2,338
	Real estate		38			-			-			38
	Investments in unconsolidated trusts		1,238			-			-			1,238
	Total investments	$	246,892		$	30,839		$	589		$	216,642
Schedule of investments aggregated by industry	'
	The following table sets forth the carrying value, amortized cost, and net unrealized gains (losses) of the Company’s investments aggregated by industry as of December 31, 2013 and 2012.
		2013									2012
		Carrying			Amortized			Unrealized			Carrying		Amortized		Unrealized
		Value			Cost			Gains (Losses)			Value		Cost		Gains
	U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. Government agencies and authorities	$	17,240		$	16,874		$	366		$	27,512	$	22,894	$	4,618
	Obligations of states and political subdivisions		7,611			7,226			385			17,761		15,247		2,514
	Utilities and telecom		18,006			16,150			1,856			19,219		15,757		3,462
	Financial services		58,451			57,118			1,333			56,077		51,702		4,375
	Other business – diversified		70,504			72,409			(1,905	)		66,875		59,628		7,247
	Other consumer – diversified		51,381			43,872			7,509			55,269		47,235		8,034
	Other investments		5,768			5,768			-			4,179		4,179		-
	Investments	$	228,961		$	219,417		$	9,544		$	246,892	$	216,642	$	30,250
Schedule of investment securities with continuous unrealized loss position	'
	The following tables present the Company’s unrealized loss aging for securities by type and length of time the security was in a continuous unrealized loss position as of December 31, 2013 and 2012.
		2013
		Less than 12 months						12 months or longer					Total
		Fair Value			Unrealized			Fair Value			Unrealized		Fair Value		Unrealized
					Losses						Losses				Losses
	U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. Government agencies and authorities	$	8,326		$	210		$	-		$	-	$	8,326	$	210
	Obligations of states and political subdivisions		1,018			17								1,018		17
	Corporate securities		92,049			3,714			6,938			1,264		98,987		4,978
	Redeemable preferred stocks		704			41			-			-		704		41
	Common and non-redeemable preferred stocks		3,724			560			-			-		3,724		560
	Total temporarily impaired securities	$	105,821		$	4,542		$	6,938		$	1,264	$	112,759	$	5,806
		2012
		Less than 12 months						12 months or longer					Total
		Fair Value			Unrealized Losses			Fair Value			Unrealized Losses		Fair Value		Unrealized Losses
	Corporate securities	$	8,806		$	147		$	1,600		$	400	$	10,406	$	547
	Redeemable preferred stocks		1,216			3			-			-		1,216		3
	Common and non-redeemable preferred stocks		3,494			39			-			-		3,494		39
	Total temporarily impaired securities	$	13,516		$	189		$	1,600		$	400	$	15,116	$	589
Financial instruments carried at fair value measured on a recurring basis	'
	As of December 31, 2013, financial instruments carried at fair value were measured on a recurring basis as summarized below:
	Assets:	Quoted			Significant			Significant			Total
		Prices in			Other			Unobservable
		Active			Observable			Inputs
		Markets			Inputs			(Level 3)
		for Identical			(Level 2)
		Assets
		(Level 1)
	Fixed maturities	$	-		$	199,312		$	1,991		$	201,303
	Equity securities		16,406			5,484			-			21,890
	Cash equivalents		31,618			-			-			31,618
	Total	$	48,024		$	204,796		$	1,991		$	254,811
	As of December 31, 2012, financial instruments carried at fair value were measured on a recurring basis as summarized below:
	Assets:	Quoted			Significant			Significant			Total
		Prices in			Other			Unobservable
		Active			Observable			Inputs
		Markets			Inputs			(Level 3)
		for Identical			(Level 2)
		Assets
		(Level 1)
	Fixed maturities	$	-		$	228,384		$	2,124		$	230,508
	Equity securities		3,805			8,400			-			12,205
	Cash equivalents		15,326			-			-			15,326
	Total	$	19,131		$	236,784		$	2,124		$	258,039
	Liabilities:
	Derivative financial instrument (Note 7)	$	-		$	-		$	141		$	141
Roll-forward of financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)	'
	The following is a roll-forward of the Company’s financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2013.
		Fixed			Derivative
		Maturities			(Liability)
	Balance, January 1, 2012	$	2,035		$	(876	)
	Total unrealized gains included in comprehensive income		89			735
	Balance, December 31, 2012		2,124			(141	)
	Total unrealized gains (losses) included in comprehensive income		(133	)		141
	Balance, December 31, 2013	$	1,991		$	-
Amortized cost and carrying value of fixed maturities by contractual maturity	'
	The amortized cost and carrying value of fixed maturities at December 31, 2013 and 2012 by contractual maturity were as follows. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.
		2013						2012
		Carrying			Amortized			Carrying			Amortized
		Value			Cost			Value			Cost
	Due in one year or less	$	-		$	-		$	1,510		$	1,500
	Due after one year through five years		11,709			11,097			5,799			5,213
	Due after five years through ten years		108,358			107,846			40,416			37,013
	Due after ten years		76,882			77,884			181,608			157,266
	Varying maturities		4,354			4,390			1,175			994
	Totals	$	201,303		$	201,217		$	230,508		$	201,986
Investment income earned	'
	Investment income was earned from the following sources:
		2013			2012
	Fixed maturities	$	9,890		$	10,626
	Equity securities		632			571
	Other		287			307
	Total investment income		10,809			11,504
	Less investment expenses, included in other expenses		(474	)		(194	)
	Net investment income	$	10,335		$	11,310
Summary of realized investment gains (losses)	'
	A summary of realized investment gains (losses) follows:
		2013
		Fixed			Equity Securities			Total
		Maturities
	Gains	$	8,521		$	293		$	8,814
	Losses		(45	)		(28	)		(73	)
	Realized investment gains, net	$	8,476		$	265		$	8,741
		2012
		Fixed			Equity Securities			Total
		Maturities
	Gains	$	1,434		$	-		$	1,434
	Losses		-			-			-
	Realized investment gains, net	$	1,434		$	-		$	1,434
Proceeds from sales of investments	'
	Proceeds from the sales of investments were as follows:
		2013			2012
	Fixed maturities	$	107,728		$	24,433
	Equity securities		972			-
	Other investments		45			46
	Total proceeds	$	108,745		$	24,479

Insurance_Reserves_and_Policyh1

Insurance Reserves and Policyholder Funds (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Insurance Reserves And Policyholder Funds [Abstract]	'
Reserves for life, accident, health and property and casualty losses, including loss adjustment expenses	'
	The following table presents the Company’s reserves for life, accident, health and property and casualty losses as well as loss adjustment expenses.
								Amount of Insurance
								In Force, Net
		2013			2012			2013		2012
	Future policy benefits
	Life insurance policies:
	Ordinary	$	52,915		$	51,256		$	237,694	$	244,634
	Mass market		2,715			3,037			3,504		4,001
	Individual annuities		135			142			-		-
			55,765			54,435		$	241,198	$	248,635
	Accident and health insurance policies		14,099			12,497
			69,864			66,932
	Unearned premiums		27,415			22,637
	Losses, claims and loss adjustment expenses		63,018			62,873
	Other policy liabilities		2,076			2,116
	Total insurance reserves and policyholder funds	$	162,373		$	154,558
Summary of activity in liabilities for unpaid loss and claim reserved	'
	Activity in the liability for unpaid loss and claim reserves is summarized as follows:
		2013			2012
	Balance at January 1	$	62,873		$	57,975
	Less: Reinsurance receivable on unpaid losses		(18,743	)		(15,673	)
	Net balance at January 1		44,130			42,302
	Incurred related to:
	Current year		97,904			86,780
	Prior years		(1,657	)		(1,841	)
	Total incurred		96,247			84,939
	Paid related to:
	Current year		66,705			61,786
	Prior years		24,968			21,325
	Total paid		91,673			83,111
	Net balance at December 31		48,704			44,130
	Plus: Reinsurance receivable on unpaid losses		14,314			18,743
	Balance at December 31	$	63,018		$	62,873
Reconciliation of total incurred claims to total insurance benefits and losses	'
	Following is a reconciliation of total incurred claims to total insurance benefits and losses incurred:
		2013			2012
	Total incurred claims	$	96,247		$	84,939
	Cash surrender value and matured endowments		1,215			1,241
	Benefit reserve changes		2,910			3,637
	Total insurance benefits and losses incurred	$	100,372		$	89,817

Reinsurance_Tables

Reinsurance (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Reinsurance [Abstract]	'
Effects of reinsurance on premiums written, premiums earned and insurance benefits and losses incurred	'
	The effects of reinsurance on premiums written, premiums earned and insurance benefits and losses incurred were as follows:
		2013			2012
	Direct premiums written	$	141,313		$	130,402
	Assumed premiums written		16,702			3,003
	Ceded premiums written		(7,607	)		(7,671	)
	Net premiums written	$	150,408		$	125,734
	Direct premiums earned	$	141,720		$	131,299
	Assumed premiums earned		11,517			3,115
	Ceded premiums earned		(7,607	)		(7,671	)
	Net premiums earned	$	145,630		$	126,743
	Provision for benefits and losses incurred	$	105,828		$	99,026
	Reinsurance loss recoveries		(5,456	)		(9,209	)
	Insurance benefits and losses incurred	$	100,372		$	89,817
Components of reinsurance receivables	'
	Components of reinsurance receivables were as follows:
		2013			2012
	Receivable on unpaid losses	$	14,314		$	18,743
	Receivable on paid losses		-			25
	Total reinsurance receivables	$	14,314		$	18,768

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Taxes [Abstract]	'
Allocation of total income taxes	'
	Total income taxes were allocated as follows:
		2013			2012
	Total tax expense on income	$	184		$	646
	Tax expense (benefit) on components of shareholders’ equity:
	Net unrealized gains (losses) on investment securities		(7,247	)		3,688
	Fair value adjustment to derivative financial instrument		49			257
	Total tax expense (benefit) on shareholders’ equity		(7,198	)		3,945
	Total tax expense (benefit)	$	(7,014	)	$	4,591
Reconciliation of income tax expense	'
	A reconciliation of the differences between income taxes computed at the federal statutory income tax rate and the income tax expense is as follows:
		2013			2012
	Federal income tax provision at statutory rate of 35%	$	3,922		$	1,779
	Dividends received deduction		(149	)		(175	)
	Small life insurance company deduction		(586	)		(485	)
	Other		50			46
	Change in asset valuation allowance due to change in judgment relating to realizability of deferred tax assets		(3,059	)		(440	)
	Adjustment for prior years’ estimates to actual		6			(79	)
	Income tax expense	$	184		$	646
Deferred tax liabilities and assets	'
	Deferred tax liabilities and assets at December 31, 2013 and 2012 were comprised of the following:
		2013			2012
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Deferred acquisition costs	$	(3,766	)	$	(4,197	)
	Deferred and uncollected premiums		(734	)		(743	)
	Net unrealized investment gains		(3,341	)		(10,588	)
	Other		(8	)		(8	)
	Total deferred tax liabilities		(7,849	)		(15,536	)
	Deferred tax assets:
	Net operating loss carryforwards		844			1,575
	Insurance reserves		5,109			4,516
	Capital loss carryforwards		2,177			5,236
	Impaired assets		1,406			1,406
	Alternative minimum tax credit		309			306
	Bad debts and other		576			601
	Total deferred tax assets		10,421			13,640
	Asset valuation allowance		(2,209	)		(5,268	)
	Net deferred tax asset (liability)	$	363		$	(7,164	)
Components of income tax expense	'
	The components of income tax expense were:
		2013			2012
	Current - Federal	$	513		$	743
	Deferred - Federal		2,730			343
	Change in deferred tax asset valuation allowance		(3,059	)		(440	)
	Total	$	184		$	646

Junior_Subordinated_Debentures1

Junior Subordinated Debentures (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Junior Subordinated Debentures [Abstract]	'
Financial structure of statutory business trusts	'
	The financial structure of each of Atlantic American Statutory Trust I and II, as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, was as follows:
			Atlantic American			Atlantic American
			Statutory Trust I			Statutory Trust II
	JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES (1) (2)
	Principal amount owed		$	18,042		$	23,196
	Balance December 31, 2013			18,042			23,196
	Balance December 31, 2012			18,042			23,196
	Coupon rate		LIBOR + 4.00%			LIBOR + 4.10%
	Interest payable		Quarterly			Quarterly
	Maturity date		4-Dec-32			15-May-33
	Redeemable by issuer		Yes			Yes
	TRUST PREFERRED SECURITIES
	Issuance date		4-Dec-02			15-May-03
	Securities issued			17,500			22,500
	Liquidation preference per security		$	1		$	1
	Liquidation value			17,500			22,500
	Coupon rate		LIBOR + 4.00		%	LIBOR + 4.10		%
	Distribution payable		Quarterly			Quarterly
	Distribution guaranteed by (3)		Atlantic			Atlantic
			American			American
			Corporation			Corporation
		-1	For each of the respective debentures, the Company has the right at any time, and from time to time, to defer payments of interest on the Junior Subordinated Debentures for a period not exceeding 20 consecutive quarters up to the debentures’ respective maturity dates. During any such period, interest will continue to accrue and the Company may not declare or pay any cash dividends or distributions on, or purchase, the Company’s common stock nor make any principal, interest or premium payments on or repurchase any debt securities that rank equally with or junior to the Junior Subordinated Debentures. The Company has the right at any time to dissolve each of the trusts and cause the Junior Subordinated Debentures to be distributed to the holders of the Trust Preferred Securities.
		-2	The Junior Subordinated Debentures are unsecured and rank junior and subordinate in right of payment to all senior debt of the Parent and are effectively subordinated to all existing and future liabilities of its subsidiaries.
		-3	The Parent has guaranteed, on a subordinated basis, all of the obligations under the Trust Preferred Securities, including payment of the redemption price and any accumulated and unpaid distributions to the extent of available funds and upon dissolution, winding up or liquidation.

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]	'
Operating lease commitments	'
	The Company’s future minimum base lease obligations under non-cancelable operating leases are as follows:
	Year Ending December 31,
	2014	$	886
	2015		425
	2016		435
	2017		446
	2018		457
	Thereafter		193
	Total	$	2,842

Benefit_Plans_Tables

Benefit Plans (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Benefit Plans [Abstract]	'
Summary of status of the stock options	'
	A summary of the status of the Company’s stock options at December 31, 2013 and 2012 is as follows:
		2013					2012
	Options	Shares			Weighted		Shares			Weighted
					Average					Average
					Exercise					Exercise
					Price					Price
	Options outstanding, beginning of year		77,000		$	1.59		231,000		$	1.68
	Options exercised		(62,500	)		1.59		(150,000	)		1.73
	Options canceled or expired		(14,500	)		1.59		(4,000	)		1.59
	Options outstanding, end of year		-			-		77,000			1.59
	Options exercisable		-			-		77,000			1.59
	Options available for future grant		1,800,000					2,000,000

Earnings_Per_Common_Share_Tabl

Earnings Per Common Share (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Earnings Per Common Share [Abstract]	'
Reconciliation of numerator and denominator used in earnings per common share calculations	'
	A reconciliation of the numerator and denominator of the earnings per common share calculations is as follows:
		For the Year Ended December 31, 2013
		Income			Shares		Per Share
					(In thousands)		Amount
	Basic Earnings Per Common Share
	Net income before preferred stock dividends	$	11,022			21,236
	Less preferred stock dividends		(482	)		-
	Net income applicable to common shareholders		10,540			21,236	$	0.5
	Diluted Earnings Per Common Share
	Effect of dilutive stock options		-			10
	Effect of Series D Preferred Stock		482			1,629
	Net income applicable to common shareholders	$	11,022			22,875	$	0.48
		For the Year Ended December 31, 2012
		Income			Shares		Per Share
					(In thousands)		Amount
	Basic Earnings Per Common Share
	Net income before preferred stock dividends	$	4,436			21,222
	Less preferred stock dividends		(508	)		-
	Net income applicable to common shareholders		3,928			21,222	$	0.19
	Diluted Earnings Per Common Share
	Effect of dilutive stock options		-			67
	Net income applicable to common shareholders	$	3,928			21,289	$	0.18

Statutory_Reporting_Tables

Statutory Reporting (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Statutory Reporting [Abstract]	'
Reported statutory net income and surplus for the Parent's insurance subsidiaries	'
	The amount of reported statutory net income and surplus (shareholders’ equity) for the Parent’s insurance subsidiaries for the years ended December 31 was as follows:
		2013		2012
	Life and Health, net income	$	3,013	$	2,271
	Property and Casualty, net income		6,224		3,104
	Statutory net income	$	9,237	$	5,375
	Life and Health, surplus	$	34,530	$	33,059
	Property and Casualty, surplus		39,092		36,947
	Statutory surplus	$	73,622	$	70,006

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Information [Abstract]	'
Revenue and income (loss) before tax for each business unit	'
	The Parent’s primary insurance subsidiaries operate with relative autonomy and each company is evaluated based on its individual performance. American Southern operates in the property and casualty insurance market, while Bankers Fidelity operates in the life and health insurance market. Each segment derives revenue from the collection of premiums, as well as from investment income. Substantially all revenue other than that in the corporate and other segment is from external sources.
		2013
		American			Bankers			Corporate			Adjustments			Consolidated
		Southern			Fidelity			& Other			& Eliminations
	Insurance premiums	$	45,851		$	99,779		$	-		$	-		$	145,630
	Insurance benefits and losses incurred		30,197			70,175			-			-			100,372
	Expenses deferred		(7,106	)		(3,230	)		-			-			(10,336	)
	Amortization and depreciation expense		7,440			2,120			-			-			9,560
	Other expenses		15,777			31,742			15,076			(8,028	)		54,567
	Total expenses		46,308			100,807			15,076			(8,028	)		154,163
	Underwriting loss		(457	)		(1,028	)
	Investment income		4,308			5,920			2,338			(1,757	)		10,809
	Other income		12			40			6,408			(6,271	)		189
	Operating income (loss)		3,863			4,932			(6,330	)		-			2,465
	Net realized gains		3,767			4,330			644			-			8,741
	Income (loss) before income taxes	$	7,630		$	9,262		$	(5,686	)	$	-		$	11,206
	Total revenues	$	53,938		$	110,069		$	9,390		$	(8,028	)	$	165,369
	Intangibles	$	1,350		$	1,194		$	-		$	-		$	2,544
	Total assets	$	126,861		$	156,484		$	141,304		$	(105,268	)	$	319,381
		2012
		American			Bankers			Corporate			Adjustments			Consolidated
		Southern			Fidelity			& Other			& Eliminations
	Insurance premiums	$	37,471		$	89,272		$	-		$	-		$	126,743
	Insurance benefits and losses incurred		27,337			62,480			-			-			89,817
	Expenses deferred		(8,515	)		(3,810	)		-			-			(12,325	)
	Amortization and depreciation expense		9,009			1,911			-			-			10,920
	Other expenses		11,758			27,674			14,340			(7,438	)		46,334
	Total expenses		39,589			88,255			14,340			(7,438	)		134,746
	Underwriting income (loss)		(2,118	)		1,017
	Investment income		4,560			6,195			2,582			(1,833	)		11,504
	Other income		-			48			5,704			(5,605	)		147
	Operating income (loss)		2,442			7,260			(6,054	)		-			3,648
	Net realized gains		383			1,051			-			-			1,434
	Income (loss) before income taxes	$	2,825		$	8,311		$	(6,054	)	$	-		$	5,082
	Total revenues	$	42,414		$	96,566		$	8,286		$	(7,438	)	$	139,828
	Intangibles	$	1,350		$	778		$	-		$	-		$	2,128
	Total assets	$	130,092		$	161,078		$	153,912		$	(124,905	)	$	320,177

Disclosures_About_Fair_Values_1

Disclosures About Fair Values of Financial Instruments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Disclosures About Fair Value of Financial Instruments [Abstract]	'
Carrying amount, estimated fair value and level within the fair value hierarchy of financial instruments	'
	The estimated fair values have been determined by the Company using available market information from various market sources and appropriate valuation methodologies as of the respective dates.  However, considerable judgment is necessary to interpret market data and to develop the estimates of fair value. Accordingly, the estimates presented herein are not necessarily indicative of the amounts which the Company could realize in a current market exchange.  The use of different market assumptions and/or estimation methodologies may have a material effect on the estimated fair value amounts.
				2013				2012
			Level in Fair Value Hierarchy (1)	Carrying		Estimated		Carrying		Estimated
				Amount		Fair Value		Amount		Fair Value
	Assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents		Level 1	$	33,102	$	33,102	$	18,951	$	18,951
	Fixed maturities		-1		201,303		201,303		230,508		230,508
	Equity securities		-1		21,890		21,890		12,205		12,205
	Other invested assets		Level 3		2,123		2,123		565		565
	Policy loans		Level 2		2,369		2,369		2,338		2,338
	Real estate		Level 2		38		38		38		38
	Investments in unconsolidated trusts		Level 2		1,238		1,238		1,238		1,238
	Liabilities:
	Junior Subordinated Debentures		Level 2		41,238		41,238		41,238		41,238
	Derivative financial instrument		Level 3		-		-		141		141
		-1	See Note 2 for a description of the fair value hierarchy as well as a disclosure of levels for classes of these financial assets.

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv1

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'
Changes in balances of each component of accumulated other comprehensive income, net of taxes	'
	The following table sets forth the balance of each component of accumulated other comprehensive income as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, and the changes in the balance of each component thereof during 2013.
		Unrealized			Derivative			Total
		Gains on			Financial
		Available-			Instrument
		for-Sale
		Securities
	Balance, December 31, 2012	$	19,663		$	(92	)	$	19,571
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		(7,777	)		92			(7,685	)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income		(5,682	)		-			(5,682	)
	Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)		(13,459	)		92			(13,367	)
	Balance, December 31, 2013	$	6,204		$	-		$	6,204

Acquisitions_Tables

Acquisitions (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Acquisitions [Abstract]	'
Assets and liabilities acquired	'
	On December 18, 2013, the Company acquired 100% of the outstanding stock of Direct Life Insurance Company (“DLIC”) for $3,857 and changed the name of the company to Bankers Fidelity Assurance Company.  The acquisition will allow Bankers Fidelity to offer additional similar products to those it already writes permitting greater diversification of product and pricing as well as opportunity for future expansion in other states.  The purchase was not significant to the financial position or results of operations of the Company in 2013 and DLIC had no significant recent operations prior to acquisition. In connection with the acquisition the following assets and liabilities were acquired:
		2013
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,317
	Investments		2,123
	Receivables		7
	Intangibles		416
	Total assets	$	3,863
	Accounts payable and accrued expenses	$	6
	Total liabilities	$	6

Summary_of_Significant_Account2

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
	Subsidiary
Principles of Consolidation [Abstract]	'	'
Number of insurance subsidiaries owned by the Parent	4	'
Number of non-insurance subsidiaries owned by the Parent	1	'
Intangible Assets [Abstract]	'	'
Intangibles	$2,544	$2,128
Investments [Abstract]	'	'
Estimated fair value	$1,991	$2,124

Investments_Details

Investments (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of investments aggregated by type and industry [Abstract]	'	'
Carrying Value	$228,961	$246,892
Gross Unrealized Gains	15,350	30,839
Gross Unrealized Losses	5,806	589
Amortized Cost	219,417	216,642
Amortized cost of bonds on deposit with insurance regulatory authorities	10,101	7,170
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. Government agencies and authorities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of investments aggregated by type and industry [Abstract]	'	'
Carrying Value	17,240	27,512
Amortized Cost	16,874	22,894
Obligations of states and political subdivisions [Member]	'	'
Schedule of investments aggregated by type and industry [Abstract]	'	'
Carrying Value	7,611	17,761
Amortized Cost	7,226	15,247
Utilities and telecom [Member]	'	'
Schedule of investments aggregated by type and industry [Abstract]	'	'
Carrying Value	18,006	19,219
Amortized Cost	16,150	15,757
Financial services [Member]	'	'
Schedule of investments aggregated by type and industry [Abstract]	'	'
Carrying Value	58,451	56,077
Amortized Cost	57,118	51,702
Other business - diversified [Member]	'	'
Schedule of investments aggregated by type and industry [Abstract]	'	'
Carrying Value	70,504	66,875
Amortized Cost	72,409	59,628
Other consumer - diversified [Member]	'	'
Schedule of investments aggregated by type and industry [Abstract]	'	'
Carrying Value	51,381	55,269
Amortized Cost	43,872	47,235
Fixed maturities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of investments aggregated by type and industry [Abstract]	'	'
Carrying Value	201,303	230,508
Gross Unrealized Gains	5,332	29,072
Gross Unrealized Losses	5,246	550
Amortized Cost	201,217	201,986
Fixed maturities [Member] | Bonds [Member] | U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. Government agencies and authorities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of investments aggregated by type and industry [Abstract]	'	'
Carrying Value	17,240	27,512
Gross Unrealized Gains	576	4,618
Gross Unrealized Losses	210	0
Amortized Cost	16,874	22,894
Fixed maturities [Member] | Bonds [Member] | Obligations of states and political subdivisions [Member]	'	'
Schedule of investments aggregated by type and industry [Abstract]	'	'
Carrying Value	7,611	17,761
Gross Unrealized Gains	402	2,514
Gross Unrealized Losses	17	0
Amortized Cost	7,226	15,247
Fixed maturities [Member] | Corporate securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of investments aggregated by type and industry [Abstract]	'	'
Carrying Value	174,101	181,267
Gross Unrealized Gains	4,350	21,922
Gross Unrealized Losses	4,978	547
Amortized Cost	174,729	159,892
Fixed maturities [Member] | Corporate securities [Member] | Utilities and telecom [Member]	'	'
Schedule of investments aggregated by type and industry [Abstract]	'	'
Carrying Value	16,532	17,921
Gross Unrealized Gains	1,353	3,128
Gross Unrealized Losses	7	0
Amortized Cost	15,186	14,793
Fixed maturities [Member] | Corporate securities [Member] | Financial services [Member]	'	'
Schedule of investments aggregated by type and industry [Abstract]	'	'
Carrying Value	50,531	43,695
Gross Unrealized Gains	1,736	3,957
Gross Unrealized Losses	320	415
Amortized Cost	49,115	40,153
Fixed maturities [Member] | Corporate securities [Member] | Other business - diversified [Member]	'	'
Schedule of investments aggregated by type and industry [Abstract]	'	'
Carrying Value	70,326	66,741
Gross Unrealized Gains	870	7,172
Gross Unrealized Losses	2,906	12
Amortized Cost	72,362	59,581
Fixed maturities [Member] | Corporate securities [Member] | Other consumer - diversified [Member]	'	'
Schedule of investments aggregated by type and industry [Abstract]	'	'
Carrying Value	36,712	52,910
Gross Unrealized Gains	391	7,665
Gross Unrealized Losses	1,745	120
Amortized Cost	38,066	45,365
Fixed maturities [Member] | Redeemable preferred stocks [Member]	'	'
Schedule of investments aggregated by type and industry [Abstract]	'	'
Carrying Value	2,351	3,968
Gross Unrealized Gains	4	18
Gross Unrealized Losses	41	3
Amortized Cost	2,388	3,953
Fixed maturities [Member] | Redeemable preferred stocks [Member] | Financial services [Member]	'	'
Schedule of investments aggregated by type and industry [Abstract]	'	'
Carrying Value	2,159	3,775
Gross Unrealized Gains	4	18
Gross Unrealized Losses	41	3
Amortized Cost	2,196	3,760
Fixed maturities [Member] | Redeemable preferred stocks [Member] | Other consumer - diversified [Member]	'	'
Schedule of investments aggregated by type and industry [Abstract]	'	'
Carrying Value	192	193
Gross Unrealized Gains	0	0
Gross Unrealized Losses	0	0
Amortized Cost	192	193
Equity securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of investments aggregated by type and industry [Abstract]	'	'
Carrying Value	21,890	12,205
Gross Unrealized Gains	10,018	1,767
Gross Unrealized Losses	560	39
Amortized Cost	12,432	10,477
Equity securities [Member] | Common and non-redeemable preferred stocks [Member] | Utilities and telecom [Member]	'	'
Schedule of investments aggregated by type and industry [Abstract]	'	'
Carrying Value	1,474	1,298
Gross Unrealized Gains	510	334
Gross Unrealized Losses	0	0
Amortized Cost	964	964
Equity securities [Member] | Common and non-redeemable preferred stocks [Member] | Financial services [Member]	'	'
Schedule of investments aggregated by type and industry [Abstract]	'	'
Carrying Value	5,761	8,607
Gross Unrealized Gains	514	857
Gross Unrealized Losses	560	39
Amortized Cost	5,807	7,789
Equity securities [Member] | Common and non-redeemable preferred stocks [Member] | Other business - diversified [Member]	'	'
Schedule of investments aggregated by type and industry [Abstract]	'	'
Carrying Value	178	134
Gross Unrealized Gains	131	87
Gross Unrealized Losses	0	0
Amortized Cost	47	47
Equity securities [Member] | Common and non-redeemable preferred stocks [Member] | Other consumer - diversified [Member]	'	'
Schedule of investments aggregated by type and industry [Abstract]	'	'
Carrying Value	14,477	2,166
Gross Unrealized Gains	8,863	489
Gross Unrealized Losses	0	0
Amortized Cost	5,614	1,677
Other invested assets [Member]	'	'
Schedule of investments aggregated by type and industry [Abstract]	'	'
Carrying Value	2,123	565
Gross Unrealized Gains	0	0
Gross Unrealized Losses	0	0
Amortized Cost	2,123	565
Policy loans [Member]	'	'
Schedule of investments aggregated by type and industry [Abstract]	'	'
Carrying Value	2,369	2,338
Gross Unrealized Gains	0	0
Gross Unrealized Losses	0	0
Amortized Cost	2,369	2,338
Real estate [Member]	'	'
Schedule of investments aggregated by type and industry [Abstract]	'	'
Carrying Value	38	38
Gross Unrealized Gains	0	0
Gross Unrealized Losses	0	0
Amortized Cost	38	38
Investments in unconsolidated trusts [Member]	'	'
Schedule of investments aggregated by type and industry [Abstract]	'	'
Carrying Value	1,238	1,238
Gross Unrealized Gains	0	0
Gross Unrealized Losses	0	0
Amortized Cost	$1,238	$1,238

Investments_Part_II_Details

Investments, Part II (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of investments aggregated by industry [Abstract]	'	'
Carrying Value	$228,961	$246,892
Amortized Cost	219,417	216,642
Unrealized Gain (Losses)	9,544	30,250
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, Fair Value [Abstract]	'	'
Less than 12 months	105,821	13,516
12 months or longer	6,938	1,600
Total	112,759	15,116
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, Unrealized Losses [Abstract]	'	'
Less than 12 months	4,542	189
12 months or longer	1,264	400
Total	5,806	589
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. Government agencies and authorities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of investments aggregated by industry [Abstract]	'	'
Carrying Value	17,240	27,512
Amortized Cost	16,874	22,894
Unrealized Gain (Losses)	366	4,618
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, Fair Value [Abstract]	'	'
Less than 12 months	8,326	'
12 months or longer	0	'
Total	8,326	'
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, Unrealized Losses [Abstract]	'	'
Less than 12 months	210	'
12 months or longer	0	'
Total	210	'
Obligations of states and political subdivisions [Member]	'	'
Schedule of investments aggregated by industry [Abstract]	'	'
Carrying Value	7,611	17,761
Amortized Cost	7,226	15,247
Unrealized Gain (Losses)	385	2,514
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, Fair Value [Abstract]	'	'
Less than 12 months	1,018	'
Total	1,018	'
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, Unrealized Losses [Abstract]	'	'
Less than 12 months	17	'
Total	17	'
Utilities and telecom [Member]	'	'
Schedule of investments aggregated by industry [Abstract]	'	'
Carrying Value	18,006	19,219
Amortized Cost	16,150	15,757
Unrealized Gain (Losses)	1,856	3,462
Financial services [Member]	'	'
Schedule of investments aggregated by industry [Abstract]	'	'
Carrying Value	58,451	56,077
Amortized Cost	57,118	51,702
Unrealized Gain (Losses)	1,333	4,375
Other business - diversified [Member]	'	'
Schedule of investments aggregated by industry [Abstract]	'	'
Carrying Value	70,504	66,875
Amortized Cost	72,409	59,628
Unrealized Gain (Losses)	-1,905	7,247
Other consumer - diversified [Member]	'	'
Schedule of investments aggregated by industry [Abstract]	'	'
Carrying Value	51,381	55,269
Amortized Cost	43,872	47,235
Unrealized Gain (Losses)	7,509	8,034
Other Investment [Member]	'	'
Schedule of investments aggregated by industry [Abstract]	'	'
Carrying Value	5,768	4,179
Amortized Cost	5,768	4,179
Unrealized Gain (Losses)	0	0
Corporate securities [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, Fair Value [Abstract]	'	'
Less than 12 months	92,049	8,806
12 months or longer	6,938	1,600
Total	98,987	10,406
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, Unrealized Losses [Abstract]	'	'
Less than 12 months	3,714	147
12 months or longer	1,264	400
Total	4,978	547
Redeemable preferred stocks [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, Fair Value [Abstract]	'	'
Less than 12 months	704	1,216
12 months or longer	0	0
Total	704	1,216
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, Unrealized Losses [Abstract]	'	'
Less than 12 months	41	3
12 months or longer	0	0
Total	41	3
Common and non-redeemable preferred stocks [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, Fair Value [Abstract]	'	'
Less than 12 months	3,724	3,494
12 months or longer	0	0
Total	3,724	3,494
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, Unrealized Losses [Abstract]	'	'
Less than 12 months	560	39
12 months or longer	0	0
Total	$560	$39

Investments_Part_III_Details

Investments, Part III (Details) (Recurring [Member], USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Financial instruments carried at fair value measured on a recurring basis [Abstract]	'	'
Assets at fair value	$254,811	$258,039
Derivative financial instrument [Member]	'	'
Financial instruments carried at fair value measured on a recurring basis [Abstract]	'	'
Liabilities at fair value	'	141
Fixed maturities [Member]	'	'
Financial instruments carried at fair value measured on a recurring basis [Abstract]	'	'
Assets at fair value	201,303	230,508
Equity securities [Member]	'	'
Financial instruments carried at fair value measured on a recurring basis [Abstract]	'	'
Assets at fair value	21,890	12,205
Cash equivalents [Member]	'	'
Financial instruments carried at fair value measured on a recurring basis [Abstract]	'	'
Assets at fair value	31,618	15,326
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member]	'	'
Financial instruments carried at fair value measured on a recurring basis [Abstract]	'	'
Assets at fair value	48,024	19,131
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member] | Derivative financial instrument [Member]	'	'
Financial instruments carried at fair value measured on a recurring basis [Abstract]	'	'
Liabilities at fair value	'	0
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member] | Fixed maturities [Member]	'	'
Financial instruments carried at fair value measured on a recurring basis [Abstract]	'	'
Assets at fair value	0	0
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member] | Equity securities [Member]	'	'
Financial instruments carried at fair value measured on a recurring basis [Abstract]	'	'
Assets at fair value	16,406	3,805
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member] | Cash equivalents [Member]	'	'
Financial instruments carried at fair value measured on a recurring basis [Abstract]	'	'
Assets at fair value	31,618	15,326
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]	'	'
Financial instruments carried at fair value measured on a recurring basis [Abstract]	'	'
Assets at fair value	204,796	236,784
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Derivative financial instrument [Member]	'	'
Financial instruments carried at fair value measured on a recurring basis [Abstract]	'	'
Liabilities at fair value	'	0
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Fixed maturities [Member]	'	'
Financial instruments carried at fair value measured on a recurring basis [Abstract]	'	'
Assets at fair value	199,312	228,384
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Equity securities [Member]	'	'
Financial instruments carried at fair value measured on a recurring basis [Abstract]	'	'
Assets at fair value	5,484	8,400
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Cash equivalents [Member]	'	'
Financial instruments carried at fair value measured on a recurring basis [Abstract]	'	'
Assets at fair value	0	0
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]	'	'
Financial instruments carried at fair value measured on a recurring basis [Abstract]	'	'
Assets at fair value	1,991	2,124
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Derivative financial instrument [Member]	'	'
Financial instruments carried at fair value measured on a recurring basis [Abstract]	'	'
Liabilities at fair value	'	141
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Fixed maturities [Member]	'	'
Financial instruments carried at fair value measured on a recurring basis [Abstract]	'	'
Assets at fair value	1,991	2,124
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Equity securities [Member]	'	'
Financial instruments carried at fair value measured on a recurring basis [Abstract]	'	'
Assets at fair value	0	0
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Cash equivalents [Member]	'	'
Financial instruments carried at fair value measured on a recurring basis [Abstract]	'	'
Assets at fair value	$0	$0

Investments_Part_IV_Details

Investments, Part IV (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Fixed maturities [Member]	'	'
Assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis [Abstract]	'	'
Balance, beginning of period	$2,124	$2,035
Total unrealized gains (losses) included in comprehensive income	-133	89
Balance, end of period	1,991	2,124
Derivative (Liability) [Member]	'	'
Liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis [Abstract]	'	'
Balance, beginning of period	-141	-876
Total unrealized gains included in comprehensive income	141	735
Balance, end of period	$0	($141)

Investments_Part_V_Details

Investments, Part V (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Carrying Value [Abstract]	'	'
Due in one year or less	$0	$1,510
Due after one year through five years	11,709	5,799
Due after five years through ten years	108,358	40,416
Due after ten years	76,882	181,608
Varying maturities	4,354	1,175
Totals	201,303	230,508
Amortized Cost [Abstract]	'	'
Due in one year or less	0	1,500
Due after one year through five years	11,097	5,213
Due after five years through ten years	107,846	37,013
Due after ten years	77,884	157,266
Varying maturities	4,390	994
Totals	201,217	201,986
Investment income earned [Abstract]	'	'
Total investment income	10,809	11,504
Less investment expenses, included in other expenses	-474	-194
Net investment income	10,335	11,310
Summary of realized investment gains (losses) [Abstract]	'	'
Gains	8,814	1,434
Losses	-73	0
Realized investment gains (losses), net	8,741	1,434
Proceeds from sales of investments [Abstract]	'	'
Total proceeds	108,745	24,479
Percentage of investment grade securities in bond portfolio (in hundredths)	90.00%	'
Fixed maturities [Member]	'	'
Investment income earned [Abstract]	'	'
Total investment income	9,890	10,626
Summary of realized investment gains (losses) [Abstract]	'	'
Gains	8,521	1,434
Losses	-45	0
Realized investment gains (losses), net	8,476	1,434
Proceeds from sales of investments [Abstract]	'	'
Total proceeds	107,728	24,433
Equity securities [Member]	'	'
Investment income earned [Abstract]	'	'
Total investment income	632	571
Summary of realized investment gains (losses) [Abstract]	'	'
Gains	293	0
Losses	-28	0
Realized investment gains (losses), net	265	0
Proceeds from sales of investments [Abstract]	'	'
Total proceeds	972	0
Other investments [Member]	'	'
Investment income earned [Abstract]	'	'
Total investment income	287	307
Proceeds from sales of investments [Abstract]	'	'
Total proceeds	$45	$46

Insurance_Reserves_and_Policyh2

Insurance Reserves and Policyholder Funds (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Reserves for life, accident and health [Abstract]	'	'
Future policy benefits	$69,864	$66,932
Unearned premiums	27,415	22,637
Losses, claims and loss adjustment expenses	63,018	62,873
Other policy liabilities	2,076	2,116
Total insurance reserves and policyholder funds	162,373	154,558
Annualized premiums for accident and health insurance policies	91,359	83,038
Summary of activity in liability for unpaid loss and claim reserves [Abstract]	'	'
Balance at January 1	62,873	57,975
Less: Reinsurance receivable on unpaid losses	-18,743	-15,673
Net balance at January 1	44,130	42,302
Incurred related to [Abstract]	'	'
Current year	97,904	86,780
Prior years	-1,657	-1,841
Total incurred	96,247	84,939
Paid related to [Abstract]	'	'
Current year	66,705	61,786
Prior years	24,968	21,325
Total paid	91,673	83,111
Net balance at December 31	48,704	44,130
Plus: Reinsurance receivable on unpaid losses	14,314	18,743
Balance at December 31	63,018	62,873
Reconciliation of total incurred claims to total insurance benefits and losses incurred [Abstract]	'	'
Total incurred claims	96,247	84,939
Cash surrender value and matured endowments	1,215	1,241
Benefit reserve changes	2,910	3,637
Total insurance benefits and losses incurred	100,372	89,817
Ordinary [Member]	'	'
Reserves for life, accident and health [Abstract]	'	'
Future policy benefits	52,915	51,256
Ordinary [Member] | Life Insurance in Force [Member]	'	'
Reserves for life, accident and health [Abstract]	'	'
Future policy benefits	237,694	244,634
Mass market [Member]	'	'
Reserves for life, accident and health [Abstract]	'	'
Future policy benefits	2,715	3,037
Mass market [Member] | Life Insurance in Force [Member]	'	'
Reserves for life, accident and health [Abstract]	'	'
Future policy benefits	3,504	4,001
Individual annuities [Member]	'	'
Reserves for life, accident and health [Abstract]	'	'
Future policy benefits	135	142
Individual annuities [Member] | Life Insurance in Force [Member]	'	'
Reserves for life, accident and health [Abstract]	'	'
Future policy benefits	0	0
Life Insurance Segment [Member]	'	'
Reserves for life, accident and health [Abstract]	'	'
Future policy benefits	55,765	54,435
Life Insurance Segment [Member] | Life Insurance in Force [Member]	'	'
Reserves for life, accident and health [Abstract]	'	'
Future policy benefits	241,198	248,635
Accident and Health Insurance Segment [Member]	'	'
Reserves for life, accident and health [Abstract]	'	'
Future policy benefits	$14,099	$12,497
Life, accident and health insurance [Member] | Prior to 1977 [Member]	'	'
Future policy benefits [Abstract]	'	'
Policy issue range for future benefits assumptions	'prior to 1977	'
Life, accident and health insurance [Member] | Prior to 1977 [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'	'
Future policy benefits [Abstract]	'	'
Interest rates assumed for future policy benefits (in hundredths)	2.50%	'
Life, accident and health insurance [Member] | Prior to 1977 [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'
Future policy benefits [Abstract]	'	'
Interest rates assumed for future policy benefits (in hundredths)	5.50%	'
Life, accident and health insurance [Member] | 1977 to 1979 [Member]	'	'
Future policy benefits [Abstract]	'	'
Policy issue range for future benefits assumptions	'1977 through 1979	'
Life, accident and health insurance [Member] | 1977 to 1979 [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'	'
Future policy benefits [Abstract]	'	'
Interest rates assumed for future policy benefits (in hundredths)	5.50%	'
Life, accident and health insurance [Member] | 1977 to 1979 [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'
Future policy benefits [Abstract]	'	'
Interest rates assumed for future policy benefits (in hundredths)	7.00%	'
Life, accident and health insurance [Member] | 1980 to 1987 [Member]	'	'
Future policy benefits [Abstract]	'	'
Interest rates assumed for future policy benefits (in hundredths)	9.00%	'
Policy issue range for future benefits assumptions	'1980 through 1987	'
Life, accident and health insurance [Member] | 1988 to 2009 [Member]	'	'
Future policy benefits [Abstract]	'	'
Policy issue range for future benefits assumptions	'1988 through 2009	'
Life, accident and health insurance [Member] | 1988 to 2009 [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'	'
Future policy benefits [Abstract]	'	'
Interest rates assumed for future policy benefits (in hundredths)	5.00%	'
Life, accident and health insurance [Member] | 1988 to 2009 [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'
Future policy benefits [Abstract]	'	'
Interest rates assumed for future policy benefits (in hundredths)	7.00%	'
Life, accident and health insurance [Member] | 2010 and 2013 [Member]	'	'
Future policy benefits [Abstract]	'	'
Interest rates assumed for future policy benefits (in hundredths)	4.00%	'
Policy issue range for future benefits assumptions	'2010 through 2013 issues	'

Reinsurance_Details

Reinsurance (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
	Reinsurer
Ceded Credit Risk [Line Items]	'	'
Reinsurance receivables due from reinsurers (in hundredths)	99.00%	'
Number of reinsurers	2	'
Summary reconciliation of premiums written and premiums earned [Abstract]	'	'
Direct premiums written	$141,313	$130,402
Assumed premiums written	16,702	3,003
Ceded premiums written	-7,607	-7,671
Net premiums written	150,408	125,734
Direct premiums earned	141,720	131,299
Assumed premiums earned	11,517	3,115
Ceded premiums earned	-7,607	-7,671
Net premiums earned	145,630	126,743
Provision for benefits and losses incurred	105,828	99,026
Reinsurance loss recoveries	-5,456	-9,209
Total insurance benefits and losses incurred	100,372	89,817
Components of reinsurance receivables [Abstract]	'	'
Receivable on unpaid losses	14,314	18,743
Receivable on paid losses	0	25
Total reinsurance receivables	14,314	18,768
Swiss Reinsurance Corporation [Member]	'	'
Ceded Credit Risk [Line Items]	'	'
Reinsurance receivables due	1,209	'
General Reinsurance Corporation [Member]	'	'
Ceded Credit Risk [Line Items]	'	'
Reinsurance receivables due	$13,021	'

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Allocation of total income taxes [Abstract]	'	'
Total tax expense on income	$184	$646
Tax expense (benefit) on components of shareholders equity: [Abstract]	'	'
Net unrealized gains (losses) on investment securities	-7,247	3,688
Fair value adjustment to derivative financial instrument	49	257
Total tax expense (benefit) on shareholders equity	-7,198	3,945
Total tax expense (benefit)	-7,014	4,591
Reconciliation of income tax (benefit) expense [Abstract]	'	'
Federal income tax provision at statutory rate of 35%	3,922	1,779
Dividends received deduction	-149	-175
Small life insurance company deduction	-586	-485
Other	50	46
Change in asset valuation allowance due to change in judgment relating to realizability of deferred tax assets	-3,059	-440
Adjustment for prior years' estimates to actual	6	-79
Income tax expense	184	646
Federal statutory income tax rate (in hundredths)	35.00%	'
SLD as percentage of life insurance company taxable income (in hundredths)	60.00%	'
Percentage of reduction in SLD (in hundredths)	15.00%	'
Minimum tentative amount of LICTI	3,000	'
Maximum tentative amount of LICTI	15,000	'
Deferred tax liabilities [Abstract]	'	'
Deferred acquisition costs	-3,766	-4,197
Deferred and uncollected premiums	-734	-743
Net unrealized investment gains	-3,341	-10,588
Other	-8	-8
Total deferred tax liabilities	-7,849	-15,536
Deferred tax assets [Abstract]	'	'
Net operating loss carryforwards	844	1,575
Insurance reserves	5,109	4,516
Capital loss carryforwards	2,177	5,236
Impaired assets	1,406	1,406
Alternative minimum tax credit	309	306
Bad debts and other	576	601
Total deferred tax assets	10,421	13,640
Asset valuation allowance	-2,209	-5,268
Net deferred tax asset (liability)	363	-7,164
Components of income tax (benefit) expense [Abstract]	'	'
Current - Federal	513	743
Deferred - Federal	2,730	343
Change in deferred tax asset valuation allowance	-3,059	-440
Income tax expense	184	646
Regular federal net operating loss carryforwards subject to expiration	$2,411	'

Junior_Subordinated_Debentures2

Junior Subordinated Debentures (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013
	Trust
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Number of Connecticut statutory business trusts	2
Financial structure of statutory business trusts [Abstract]	'
Balance December 31, 2013	$41,238
Balance December 31, 2012	41,238
JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES [Member]	'
Financial structure of statutory business trusts [Abstract]	'
Number of consecutive quarters for which interest payments can be deferred	20
Atlantic American Statutory Trust I [Member] | JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES [Member]	'
Financial structure of statutory business trusts [Abstract]	'
Principal amount owed	18,042	[1],[2]
Balance December 31, 2013	18,042	[1],[2]
Balance December 31, 2012	18,042	[1],[2]
Coupon rate	'LIBOR + 4.00%	[1],[2]
Interest payable	'Quarterly	[1],[2]
Maturity date	4-Dec-32	[1],[2]
Redeemable by issuer	'Yes	[1],[2]
Atlantic American Statutory Trust I [Member] | JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES [Member] | LIBOR [Member]	'
Financial structure of statutory business trusts [Abstract]	'
Basis spread on variable rate (in hundredths)	4.00%
Atlantic American Statutory Trust I [Member] | TRUST PREFERRED SECURITIES [Member]	'
Financial structure of statutory business trusts [Abstract]	'
Coupon rate	'LIBOR + 4.00%
Issuance date	4-Dec-02
Securities issued (in shares)	17,500
Liquidation preference per security (in dollars per share)	$1
Liquidation value	17,500
Distribution payable	'Quarterly
Distribution guaranteed by (3)	'Atlantic American Corporation	[3]
Atlantic American Statutory Trust I [Member] | TRUST PREFERRED SECURITIES [Member] | LIBOR [Member]	'
Financial structure of statutory business trusts [Abstract]	'
Basis spread on variable rate (in hundredths)	4.00%
Atlantic American Statutory Trust II [Member] | JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES [Member]	'
Financial structure of statutory business trusts [Abstract]	'
Principal amount owed	23,196	[1],[2]
Balance December 31, 2013	23,196	[1],[2]
Balance December 31, 2012	23,196	[1],[2]
Coupon rate	'LIBOR +4.10%	[1],[2]
Interest payable	'Quarterly	[1],[2]
Maturity date	15-May-33	[1],[2]
Redeemable by issuer	'Yes	[1],[2]
Atlantic American Statutory Trust II [Member] | JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES [Member] | LIBOR [Member]	'
Financial structure of statutory business trusts [Abstract]	'
Basis spread on variable rate (in hundredths)	4.10%
Atlantic American Statutory Trust II [Member] | TRUST PREFERRED SECURITIES [Member]	'
Financial structure of statutory business trusts [Abstract]	'
Coupon rate	'LIBOR + 4.10%
Issuance date	15-May-03
Securities issued (in shares)	22,500
Liquidation preference per security (in dollars per share)	$1
Liquidation value	$22,500
Distribution payable	'Quarterly
Distribution guaranteed by (3)	'Atlantic American Corporation	[3]
Atlantic American Statutory Trust II [Member] | TRUST PREFERRED SECURITIES [Member] | LIBOR [Member]	'
Financial structure of statutory business trusts [Abstract]	'
Basis spread on variable rate (in hundredths)	4.10%
[1]	The Junior Subordinated Debentures are unsecured and rank junior and subordinate in right of payment to all senior debt of the Parent and are effectively subordinated to all existing and future liabilities of its subsidiaries.
[2]	For each of the respective debentures, the Company has the right at any time, and from time to time, to defer payments of interest on the Junior Subordinated Debentures for a period not exceeding 20 consecutive quarters up to the debenturesb respective maturity dates. During any such period, interest will continue to accrue and the Company may not declare or pay any cash dividends or distributions on, or purchase, the Companybs common stock nor make any principal, interest or premium payments on or repurchase any debt securities that rank equally with or junior to the Junior Subordinated Debentures. The Company has the right at any time to dissolve each of the trusts and cause the Junior Subordinated Debentures to be distributed to the holders of the Trust Preferred Securities.
[3]	The Parent has guaranteed, on a subordinated basis, all of the obligations under the Trust Preferred Securities, including payment of the redemption price and any accumulated and unpaid distributions to the extent of available funds and upon dissolution, winding up or liquidation.

Commitments_and_Contingencies_1

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]	'	'
Rental expense for operating leases	$1,215	$1,204
Future minimum base lease obligations under non-cancelable operating leases [Abstract]	'	'
2014	886	'
2015	425	'
2016	435	'
2017	446	'
2018	457	'
Thereafter	193	'
Total	$2,842	'

Benefit_Plans_Details

Benefit Plans (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Stock Options [Member]	'	'
Summary of stock options' status, in shares [Roll Forward]	'	'
Options outstanding, beginning of year (in shares)	77,000	231,000
Options exercised (in shares)	-62,500	-150,000
Options canceled or expired (in shares)	-14,500	-4,000
Options outstanding, end of year (in shares)	0	77,000
Options exercisable (in shares)	0	77,000
Options available for future grant (in shares)	1,800,000	2,000,000
Weighted Average Exercise Price [Roll Forward]	'	'
Options outstanding, beginning of year (in dollars per share)	$1.59	$1.68
Options exercised (in dollars per share)	$1.59	$1.73
Options canceled or expired (in dollars per share)	$1.59	$1.59
Options outstanding, end of year (in dollars per share)	$0	$1.59
Options exercisable (in dollars per share)	$0	$1.59
Restricted Stock [Member]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Restricted shares issued (in shares)	200,000	'
Plan 2012 [Member] | Stock Options [Member]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Number of shares authorized for issuance (in shares)	2,000,000	'

Benefit_Plans_Sharebased_Compe

Benefit Plans, Share-based Compensation Stock Option by Exercise Price Range (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
401(k) Plan [Abstract]	'	'
Maximum percentage of compensation employees may defer (in hundredths)	50.00%	'
Total matching contribution	$173	$153
Employer maximum contribution to plan (in hundredths)	2.00%	'
Safe harbor non-elective contribution (in hundredths)	3.00%	'
Safe harbor non-elective contribution	$369	$302

Preferred_Stock_Details

Preferred Stock (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Class of Stock [Line Items]	'	'
Series D Preferred Stock, outstanding (in shares)	65,000	70,000
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$1	$1
Redemption of preferred stock	$500	'
Dividends paid for Series D Preferred Stock	482	508
Series D Preferred Stock [Member]	'	'
Class of Stock [Line Items]	'	'
Series D Preferred Stock, outstanding (in shares)	65,000	70,000
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$100	$100
Accrued annual dividends rate (in dollars per share)	$7.25	$7.25
Number of preferred stock shares convertible to common shares (in shares)	1,629,000	1,754,000
Maximum number of common stock issuable from conversion of preference shares, without obtaining prior shareholder approval (in shares)	2,703,000	'
Company redeemed shares (in shares)	5,000	'
Redemption of preferred stock	500	'
Dividends accrued but unpaid	21	23
Dividends paid for Series D Preferred Stock	483	1,015
Preferred stock dividends in arrears paid	'	$508

Earnings_Per_Common_Share_Deta

Earnings Per Common Share (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income [Abstract]	'	'
Net income before preferred stock dividends	$11,022	$4,436
Less preferred stock dividends	-482	-508
Net income applicable to common shareholders	10,540	3,928
Effect of Series D preferred stock	482	'
Net income applicable to common shareholders, diluted	$11,022	$3,928
Shares [Abstract]	'	'
Weighted average shares outstanding, basic (in shares)	21,236	21,222
Effect of dilutive stock options (in shares)	10	67
Effect of Series D preferred stock (in shares)	1,629	'
Weighted average shares outstanding, diluted (in shares)	22,875	21,289
Per Share Amount [Abstract]	'	'
Net income applicable to common shareholders, basic (in dollars per share)	$0.50	$0.19
Net income applicable to common shareholders, diluted (in dollars per share)	$0.48	$0.18

Statutory_Reporting_Details

Statutory Reporting (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Statutory Accounting Practices [Line Items]	'	'
Dividends received from its subsidiaries	$6,646	$7,350
Maximum dividend payments by insurance subsidiaries without requiring prior approval	7,112	'
Statutory accounting practices [Member]	'	'
Statutory Accounting Practices [Line Items]	'	'
Statutory net income	9,237	5,375
Statutory surplus	73,622	70,006
Statutory accounting practices [Member] | Life and Health [Member]	'	'
Statutory Accounting Practices [Line Items]	'	'
Statutory net income	3,013	2,271
Statutory surplus	34,530	33,059
Statutory accounting practices [Member] | Property and Casualty [Member]	'	'
Statutory Accounting Practices [Line Items]	'	'
Statutory net income	6,224	3,104
Statutory surplus	$39,092	$36,947

Related_Party_Transactions_Det

Related Party Transactions (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
	Director
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'
Number of board of directors	3	'
Rental expense for operating leases	$1,215	$1,204
Affiliated Entity [Member]	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'
Office and covered garage space leased (in square feet)	49,586	'
Rental expense for operating leases	864	853
Members of Management [Member]	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'
Aggregate carrying value of investments in Gray	$12,942	$908
Members of Management [Member] | Class A common stock [Member]	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'
Shares of Gray common stock owned (in shares)	880,272	388,060
Members of Management [Member] | Common Stock [Member]	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'
Shares of Gray common stock owned (in shares)	106,000	106,000

Segment_Information_Details

Segment Information (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Revenue and income (loss) before tax for each business unit [Abstract]	'	'
Insurance premiums	$145,630	$126,743
Insurance benefits and losses incurred	100,372	89,817
Expenses deferred	-10,336	-12,325
Amortization and depreciation expense	9,560	10,920
Other expenses	54,567	46,334
Total benefits and expenses	154,163	134,746
Investment income	10,809	11,504
Other income	189	147
Operating income (loss)	2,465	3,648
Net realized gains	8,741	1,434
Income before income taxes	11,206	5,082
Total revenues	165,369	139,828
Intangibles	2,544	2,128
Total assets	319,381	320,177
American Southern [Member]	'	'
Revenue and income (loss) before tax for each business unit [Abstract]	'	'
Insurance premiums	45,851	37,471
Insurance benefits and losses incurred	30,197	27,337
Expenses deferred	-7,106	-8,515
Amortization and depreciation expense	7,440	9,009
Other expenses	15,777	11,758
Total benefits and expenses	46,308	39,589
Underwriting income (loss)	-457	-2,118
Investment income	4,308	4,560
Other income	12	0
Operating income (loss)	3,863	2,442
Net realized gains	3,767	383
Income before income taxes	7,630	2,825
Total revenues	53,938	42,414
Intangibles	1,350	1,350
Total assets	126,861	130,092
Bankers Fidelity [Member]	'	'
Revenue and income (loss) before tax for each business unit [Abstract]	'	'
Insurance premiums	99,779	89,272
Insurance benefits and losses incurred	70,175	62,480
Expenses deferred	-3,230	-3,810
Amortization and depreciation expense	2,120	1,911
Other expenses	31,742	27,674
Total benefits and expenses	100,807	88,255
Underwriting income (loss)	-1,028	1,017
Investment income	5,920	6,195
Other income	40	48
Operating income (loss)	4,932	7,260
Net realized gains	4,330	1,051
Income before income taxes	9,262	8,311
Total revenues	110,069	96,566
Intangibles	1,194	778
Total assets	156,484	161,078
Corporate & Other [Member]	'	'
Revenue and income (loss) before tax for each business unit [Abstract]	'	'
Insurance premiums	0	0
Insurance benefits and losses incurred	0	0
Expenses deferred	0	0
Amortization and depreciation expense	0	0
Other expenses	15,076	14,340
Total benefits and expenses	15,076	14,340
Investment income	2,338	2,582
Other income	6,408	5,704
Operating income (loss)	-6,330	-6,054
Net realized gains	644	0
Income before income taxes	-5,686	-6,054
Total revenues	9,390	8,286
Intangibles	0	0
Total assets	141,304	153,912
Adjustments & Eliminations [Member]	'	'
Revenue and income (loss) before tax for each business unit [Abstract]	'	'
Insurance premiums	0	0
Insurance benefits and losses incurred	0	0
Expenses deferred	0	0
Amortization and depreciation expense	0	0
Other expenses	-8,028	-7,438
Total benefits and expenses	-8,028	-7,438
Investment income	-1,757	-1,833
Other income	-6,271	-5,605
Operating income (loss)	0	0
Net realized gains	0	0
Income before income taxes	0	0
Total revenues	-8,028	-7,438
Intangibles	0	0
Total assets	($105,268)	($124,905)

Disclosures_About_Fair_Values_2

Disclosures About Fair Values of Financial Instruments (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Carrying Amount [Member]	'		'
Assets [Abstract]	'		'
Fixed maturities	$201,303	[1]	$230,508	[1]
Equity securities	21,890	[1]	12,205	[1]
Carrying Amount [Member] | Level 1 [Member]	'		'
Assets [Abstract]	'		'
Cash and cash equivalents	33,102		18,951
Carrying Amount [Member] | Level 2 [Member]	'		'
Assets [Abstract]	'		'
Policy loans	2,369		2,338
Real estate	38		38
Investment in unconsolidated trusts	1,238		1,238
Liabilities [Abstract]	'		'
Junior Subordinated Debentures	41,238		41,238
Carrying Amount [Member] | Level 3 [Member]	'		'
Assets [Abstract]	'		'
Other invested assets	2,123		565
Liabilities [Abstract]	'		'
Derivative financial instrument	0		141
Estimated Fair Value [Member]	'		'
Assets [Abstract]	'		'
Fixed maturities	201,303	[1]	230,508	[1]
Equity securities	21,890	[1]	12,205	[1]
Estimated Fair Value [Member] | Level 1 [Member]	'		'
Assets [Abstract]	'		'
Cash and cash equivalents	33,102		18,951
Estimated Fair Value [Member] | Level 2 [Member]	'		'
Assets [Abstract]	'		'
Policy loans	2,369		2,338
Real estate	38		38
Investment in unconsolidated trusts	1,238		1,238
Liabilities [Abstract]	'		'
Junior Subordinated Debentures	41,238		41,238
Estimated Fair Value [Member] | Level 3 [Member]	'		'
Assets [Abstract]	'		'
Other invested assets	2,123		565
Liabilities [Abstract]	'		'
Derivative financial instrument	$0		$141
[1]	See Note 2 for a description of the fair value hierarchy as well as a disclosure of levels for classes of these financial assets.

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Changes in balances of each component of accumulated other comprehensive income, net of taxes [Roll Forward]	'	'
Beginning balance	$19,571	'
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	-7,685	'
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	-5,682	'
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	-13,367	7,327
Ending balance	6,204	19,571
Unrealized Gains on Available-for-Sale Securities [Member]	'	'
Changes in balances of each component of accumulated other comprehensive income, net of taxes [Roll Forward]	'	'
Beginning balance	19,663	'
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	-7,777	'
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	-5,682	'
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	-13,459	'
Ending balance	6,204	'
Derivative Financial Instrument [Member]	'	'
Changes in balances of each component of accumulated other comprehensive income, net of taxes [Roll Forward]	'	'
Beginning balance	-92	'
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	92	'
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	0	'
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	92	'
Ending balance	$0	'

Acquisitions_Details

Acquisitions (Details) (Direct Life Insurance Company [Member], USD $)	Dec. 18, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Direct Life Insurance Company [Member]	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Business acquired percentage of outstanding stock (in hundredths)	100.00%
Purchase price	$3,857
Assets and liabilities acquired [Abstract]	'
Cash and cash equivalents	1,317
Investments	2,123
Receivables	7
Intangibles	416
Total assets	3,863
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	6
Total liabilities	$6

Schedule_II_CONDENSED_FINANCIA1

Schedule II CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
ASSETS [Abstract]	'		'		'
Cash and cash equivalents	$33,102		$18,951		'
Investments	228,961		246,892		'
Other assets	3,245		975		'
Total assets	319,381		320,177		'
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY [Abstract]	'		'		'
Deferred tax liability, net	0		7,164		'
Junior subordinated debentures	41,238		41,238		'
Total liabilities	218,454		214,441		'
Shareholders' equity	100,927		105,736		96,277
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	319,381		320,177		'
REVENUE [Abstract]	'		'		'
Other	189		147		'
Total revenue	165,369		139,828		'
INTEREST EXPENSE	1,898		2,632		'
INCOME TAX BENEFIT	-184		-646		'
Net income	11,022		4,436		'
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES [Abstract]	'		'		'
Net income	11,022		4,436		'
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities [Abstract]	'		'		'
Realized investment gains, net	-8,741		-1,434		'
Depreciation and amortization	600		469		'
Compensation expense related to share awards	219		0		'
Deferred income tax benefit	-329		-97		'
Increase (decrease) in other liabilities	2,292		-1,376		'
Other, net	70		-233		'
Net cash provided by operating activities	13,020		6,115		'
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES [Abstract]	'		'		'
Proceeds from investments sold, called or matured	11,414		14,455		'
Investments purchased	-112,466		-44,403		'
Additions to property and equipment	-1,338		-169		'
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	3,815		-5,638		'
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES [Abstract]	'		'		'
Redemption of Series D preferred stock	-500		0		'
Payment of dividends on Series D Preferred Stock	-483		-1,015		'
Payment of dividends on common stock	-423		-1,486		'
Proceeds from shares issued under stock plans	138		297		'
Purchase of shares for treasury	-1,416		-607		'
Net cash used in financing activities	-2,684		-2,811		'
Net increase (decrease) in cash	14,151		-2,334		'
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	18,951		21,285		'
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	33,102		18,951		'
Supplemental disclosure [Abstract]	'		'		'
Cash paid for interest	1,961		2,636		'
Cash paid for income taxes	536		405		'
Parent Company [Member]	'		'		'
ASSETS [Abstract]	'		'		'
Cash and cash equivalents	13,936		13,306		'
Investments	18,043		14,122		'
Investment in subsidiaries	105,268		124,904		'
Investments in unconsolidated trusts	1,238		1,238		'
Income taxes receivable from subsidiaries	4,530		1,989		'
Other assets	2,676		559		'
Total assets	145,691		156,118		'
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY [Abstract]	'		'		'
Deferred tax liability, net	297		7,824		'
Other payables	3,229		1,320		'
Junior subordinated debentures	41,238		41,238		'
Total liabilities	44,764		50,382		'
Shareholders' equity	100,927		105,736		'
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	145,691		156,118		'
REVENUE [Abstract]	'		'		'
Fee income from subsidiaries	6,271		5,605		'
Distributed earnings from subsidiaries	6,646		7,350		'
Other	1,330		844		'
Total revenue	14,247		13,799		'
GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES	11,106		9,659		'
INTEREST EXPENSE	1,898		2,632		'
Earnings before tax and equity in undistributed earnings (losses) of subsidiaries	1,243		1,508		'
INCOME TAX BENEFIT	-4,504	[1]	-1,766	[1]	'
Earnings after tax but before equity in undistributed earnings (losses) of subsidiaries	5,747		3,274		'
EQUITY IN UNDISTRIBUTED EARNINGS OF SUBSIDIARIES, NET	5,275		1,162		'
Net income	11,022		4,436		'
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES [Abstract]	'		'		'
Net income	11,022		4,436		'
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities [Abstract]	'		'		'
Realized investment gains, net	-644		0		'
Depreciation and amortization	117		75		'
Compensation expense related to share awards	219		0		'
Equity in undistributed earnings of consolidated subsidiaries	-5,275		-1,162		'
(Increase) decrease in intercompany taxes	-2,541		463		'
Deferred income tax benefit	-329		-97		'
Increase (decrease) in other liabilities	846		-746		'
Other, net	161		-251		'
Net cash provided by operating activities	3,576		2,718		'
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES [Abstract]	'		'		'
Proceeds from investments sold, called or matured	5,568		0		'
Investments purchased	-4,438		0		'
Capital contribution to subsidiaries	-200		-200		'
Additions to property and equipment	-1,192		-166		'
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	-262		-366		'
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES [Abstract]	'		'		'
Redemption of Series D preferred stock	-500		0		'
Payment of dividends on Series D Preferred Stock	-483		-1,015		'
Payment of dividends on common stock	-423		-1,486		'
Proceeds from shares issued under stock plans	138		297		'
Purchase of shares for treasury	-1,416		-607		'
Net cash used in financing activities	-2,684		-2,811		'
Net increase (decrease) in cash	630		-459		'
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	13,306		13,765		'
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	13,936		13,306		'
Supplemental disclosure [Abstract]	'		'		'
Cash paid for interest	1,961		2,636		'
Cash paid for income taxes	536		405		'
Intercompany tax settlement from subsidiaries	$2,574		$2,132		'
[1]	Under the terms of a tax-sharing agreement, income tax provisions for the subsidiary companies are computed on a separate company basis. Accordingly, the Companybs income tax benefit results from the utilization of the Parentbs separate return loss to reduce the consolidated taxable income of the Company.

Schedule_III_SUPPLEMENTARY_INS1

Schedule III SUPPLEMENTARY INSURANCE INFORMATION (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Supplementary Insurance Information, by Segment [Line Items]	'		'
Deferred Acquisition Costs	$27,509		$26,133
Future Policy Benefits, Losses, Claims and Loss Reserves	132,882	[1]	129,805	[2]
Unearned Premiums	27,415		22,637
Other Policy Claims and Benefits Payable	2,076		2,116
Liability for future policy benefits	69,864		66,932
Losses and claims	63,018		62,873
Premium Revenue	145,630		126,743
Net Investment Income	10,335		11,310
Benefits, Claims, Losses and Settlement Expenses	100,372		89,817
Amortization of Deferred Acquisition Costs	8,960		10,451
Other Operating Expenses	44,831		34,478
Casualty Premiums Written	50,774		36,182
Bankers Fidelity [Member]	'		'
Supplementary Insurance Information, by Segment [Line Items]	'		'
Deferred Acquisition Costs	24,275		22,864
Future Policy Benefits, Losses, Claims and Loss Reserves	81,682		77,041
Unearned Premiums	4,419		4,564
Other Policy Claims and Benefits Payable	2,076		2,116
Premium Revenue	99,779		89,272
Net Investment Income	5,466		6,032
Benefits, Claims, Losses and Settlement Expenses	70,175		62,480
Amortization of Deferred Acquisition Costs	1,820		1,677
Other Operating Expenses	28,812		24,098
Casualty Premiums Written	0		0
American Southern [Member]	'		'
Supplementary Insurance Information, by Segment [Line Items]	'		'
Deferred Acquisition Costs	3,234		3,269
Future Policy Benefits, Losses, Claims and Loss Reserves	51,200		52,764
Unearned Premiums	22,996		18,073
Other Policy Claims and Benefits Payable	0		0
Premium Revenue	45,851		37,471
Net Investment Income	4,288		4,529
Benefits, Claims, Losses and Settlement Expenses	30,197		27,337
Amortization of Deferred Acquisition Costs	7,140		8,774
Other Operating Expenses	8,971		3,478
Casualty Premiums Written	50,774		36,182
Other [Member]	'		'
Supplementary Insurance Information, by Segment [Line Items]	'		'
Premium Revenue	0		0
Net Investment Income	581		749
Benefits, Claims, Losses and Settlement Expenses	0		0
Amortization of Deferred Acquisition Costs	0		0
Other Operating Expenses	7,048		6,902
Casualty Premiums Written	0		0
Bankers Fidelity and American Southern [Member]	'		'
Supplementary Insurance Information, by Segment [Line Items]	'		'
Liability for future policy benefits	69,864		66,932
Losses and claims	$63,018		$62,873
[1]	Includes future policy benefits of $69,864 and losses and claims of $63,018.
[2]	Includes future policy benefits of $66,932 and losses and claims of $62,873.

Schedule_IV_REINSURANCE_Detail

Schedule IV REINSURANCE (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Reinsurance Premiums for Insurance Companies, by Product Segment [Line Items]	'	'
Direct Amount	$141,720	$131,299
Ceded to Other Companies	-7,607	-7,671
Assumed From Other Companies	11,517	3,115
Net Amounts	145,630	126,743
Percentage of Amount Assumed to Net (in hundredths)	7.90%	2.50%
Life Insurance in Force [Member]	'	'
Reinsurance Premiums for Insurance Companies, by Product Segment [Line Items]	'	'
Direct Amount	259,723	264,435
Ceded to Other Companies	-18,525	-15,800
Assumed From Other Companies	0	0
Net Amounts	241,198	248,635
Bankers Fidelity [Member]	'	'
Reinsurance Premiums for Insurance Companies, by Product Segment [Line Items]	'	'
Direct Amount	99,745	89,231
Ceded to Other Companies	-54	-68
Assumed From Other Companies	88	109
Net Amounts	99,779	89,272
Percentage of Amount Assumed to Net (in hundredths)	0.10%	0.10%
American Southern [Member]	'	'
Reinsurance Premiums for Insurance Companies, by Product Segment [Line Items]	'	'
Direct Amount	41,975	42,068
Ceded to Other Companies	-7,553	-7,603
Assumed From Other Companies	11,429	3,006
Net Amounts	$45,851	$37,471
Percentage of Amount Assumed to Net (in hundredths)	24.90%	8.00%

Schedule_VI_SUPPLEMENTAL_INFOR1

Schedule VI SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION CONCERNING PROPERTY-CASUALTY INSURANCE OPERATIONSOPERATIONS (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Schedule VI SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION CONCERNING PROPERTY-CASUALTY INSURANCE OPERATIONS [Abstract]	'	'
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs	$3,234	$3,269
Reserves	51,200	52,764
Unearned Premiums	22,996	18,073
Earned Premiums	45,851	37,471
Net Investment Income	4,288	4,529
Claims and Claim Adjustment Expenses Incurred Related To Current Year	32,672	29,054
Claims and Claim Adjustment Expenses Incurred Related To Prior Years	-2,475	-1,717
Amortization of Deferred Acquisition Costs	7,140	8,774
Paid Claims and Claim Adjustment Expenses	27,339	27,134
Premiums Written	$50,774	$36,182