Vidler Water Resources (VWTR) 10-Q 12 May 14 2014 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	9-May-14
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'PICO HOLDINGS INC /NEW	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000830122	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Accelerated Filer	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	22,747,365
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q1	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-14	'

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - UNAUDITED (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
ASSETS	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$92,408	$138,039
Investments ($50,000 and $50,060 measured at fair value at March 31, 2014, and December 31, 2013, respectively)	77,696	78,657
Real estate and tangible water assets, net of $10,239 and $10,019 of accumulated depreciation at March 31, 2014, and December 31, 2013, respectively	289,529	254,208
Property, plant and equipment, net of $18,988 and $16,631 of accumulated depreciation at March 31, 2014, and December 31, 2013, respectively	123,439	123,444
Intangible water assets	124,904	124,880
Other assets	43,714	43,324
Total assets	751,690	762,552
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY	'	'
Debt	135,536	136,767
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	40,969	36,780
Deferred compensation	24,559	24,160
Total liabilities	201,064	197,707
Commitments and contingencies	'	'
Common stock, $0.001 par value; authorized 100,000 shares, 25,821 issued and 22,747 outstanding at March 31, 2014, and December 31, 2013.	26	26
Additional paid-in capital	547,579	546,307
Retained deficit	-30,330	-17,083
Accumulated other comprehensive income	759	232
Treasury stock, at cost (common shares: 3,073 in 2014 and 2013)	-56,593	-56,593
Total PICO Holdings, Inc. shareholders’ equity	461,441	472,889
Noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries	89,185	91,956
Total shareholders’ equity	550,626	564,845
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$751,690	$762,552

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parentheticals) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY	'	'
Investments, fair value	$50,000	$50,060
Real estate and tangible water assets, accumulated depreciation	10,239	10,019
Property, plant and equipment, accumulated depreciation	$18,988	$16,631
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.00	$0.00
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	100,000,000	100,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	25,821,000	25,821,000
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	22,747,000	22,747,000
Treasury stock, common shares held (in shares)	3,073,000	3,073,000

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME OR LOSS - UNAUDITED (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
REVENUES AND OTHER INCOME:	'	'
Sale of real estate and water assets	$25,646	$11,807
Sale of canola oil and meal	34,859	39,556
Sale of software	'	3,650
Other income	771	1,795
Total revenues and other income	61,276	56,808
COST OF SALES:	'	'
Cost of real estate and water assets sold	21,055	8,052
Cost of canola oil and meal sold	34,174	44,662
Cost of software sold	'	1,301
Total cost of sales	55,229	54,015
EXPENSES:	'	'
Operating and other costs	16,854	18,117
Impairment loss on real estate and water assets	2,865	'
Interest	1,477	1,698
Depreciation and amortization	542	537
Total costs and expenses	76,967	74,367
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in loss of unconsolidated affiliates	-15,691	-17,559
Benefit for federal, foreign, and state income taxes	-265	-784
Equity in loss of unconsolidated affiliate	-479	'
Net loss	-15,905	-16,775
Loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	2,658	1,800
Net loss attributable to PICO Holdings, Inc.	-13,247	-14,975
Other Comprehensive Loss:	'	'
Net loss	-15,905	-16,775
Unrealized gain on securities, net of deferred income tax and reclassification adjustments	487	752
Foreign currency translation	40	236
Total other comprehensive income, net of tax	527	988
Comprehensive loss	-15,378	-15,787
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	2,658	1,800
Comprehensive loss attributable to PICO Holdings, Inc.	($12,720)	($13,987)
Net loss per common share – basic and diluted:	'	'
Net loss per common share (usd per share)	($0.58)	($0.66)
Weighted average shares outstanding	22,747	22,734

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY - UNAUDITED (USD $)	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings (Deficit)	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Treasury Stock	Noncontrolling Interest
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2012	$478,496	$26	$526,591	$5,215	($2,014)	($56,593)	$5,271
Beginning balance, treasury stock, shares at Dec. 31, 2012	'	'	'	'	'	3,073	'
Beginning balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2012	'	25,807	'	'	'	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense, value	946	'	946	'	'	'	'
Changes in ownership of noncontrolling interest	248	'	'	'	'	'	248
Net loss	-16,775	'	'	-14,975	'	'	-1,800
Unrealized appreciation on investments, net of reclassification adjustments	752	'	'	'	752	'	'
Foreign currency translation	236	'	'	'	236	'	'
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2013	463,903	26	527,537	-9,760	-1,026	-56,593	3,719
Ending balance, treasury stock, shares at Mar. 31, 2013	'	'	'	'	'	3,073	'
Ending balance, shares at Mar. 31, 2013	'	25,807	'	'	'	'	'
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2013	564,845	26	546,307	-17,083	232	-56,593	91,956
Beginning balance, treasury stock, shares at Dec. 31, 2013	3,073	'	'	'	'	3,073	'
Beginning balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2013	25,821	25,821	'	'	'	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense, value	1,972	'	1,385	'	'	'	587
Withholding taxes paid on vested restricted stock units at UCP, Inc.	-813	'	-113	'	'	'	-700
Net loss	-15,905	'	'	-13,247	'	'	-2,658
Unrealized appreciation on investments, net of reclassification adjustments	487	'	'	'	487	'	'
Foreign currency translation	40	'	'	'	40	'	'
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2014	$550,626	$26	$547,579	($30,330)	$759	($56,593)	$89,185
Ending balance, treasury stock, shares at Mar. 31, 2014	3,073	'	'	'	'	3,073	'
Ending balance, shares at Mar. 31, 2014	25,821	25,821	'	'	'	'	'

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME2

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY - UNAUDITED (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]	'	'
Deferred income tax on unrealized gain on securities	$262	$405
Reclassification adjustments netted against unrealized gain on securities	$20	$141

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME3

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - UNAUDITED (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:	'	'
Net cash used in operating activities	($41,382)	($46,865)
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:	'	'
Purchases of investments	-2,880	-5,526
Proceeds from sale of investments	4,326	6,810
Purchases of property and equipment	-2,374	-432
Cash acquired in connection with purchase of Spigit, net of cash paid	'	174
Increase in restricted cash	275	2,327
Decrease in margin deposits	-1,271	-457
Other investing activities, net	12	'
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	-1,912	2,896
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:	'	'
Repayment of debt	-19,554	-3,832
Payment of withholding taxes on exercise of RSU	-814	'
Proceeds from debt	18,182	9,513
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	-2,186	5,681
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	-151	541
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents	-45,631	-37,747
Cash and cash equivalents beginning of the period	138,039	100,115
Cash and cash equivalents end of the period	92,408	62,368
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:	'	'
Refunds of federal, foreign, and state income taxes	-2,108	-33
Interest paid, net of amounts capitalized	1,521	2,717
Non-cash investing and financing activities:	'	'
Mortgage incurred to purchase real estate	'	4,691
Increase in assets from business combination	'	21,533
Increase in liabilities from business combination	'	20,377
Conversion of note receivable to common stock in Spigit	'	820
Accrued offering costs	'	$923

Basis_of_Presentation

Basis of Presentation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Basis of Presentation	'
	Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of PICO Holdings, Inc. and subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company” or “PICO”) have been prepared in accordance with the interim reporting requirements of Form 10-Q, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).  Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for complete consolidated financial statements.
	In the opinion of management, all adjustments and reclassifications considered necessary for a fair and comparable presentation of the financial statements presented have been included and are of a normal recurring nature. Operating results presented are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2014.
	These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 filed with the SEC.
	The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent liabilities at the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses for each reporting period. The significant estimates made in the preparation of the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements relate to the assessment of other-than-temporary impairments, the application of the equity method of accounting, goodwill and intangibles, real estate and water assets, deferred income taxes, stock-based compensation, fair value of derivatives, and contingent liabilities. While management believes that the carrying value of such assets and liabilities are appropriate as of March 31, 2014, and December 31, 2013, it is reasonably possible that actual results could differ from the estimates upon which the carrying values were based.
	Real Estate and Tangible Water Assets:
	Real estate and tangible water assets include the cost of certain tangible water assets, water storage credits and related storage facilities, real estate, including raw land and real estate being developed, and any real estate improvements. The Company capitalizes pre-acquisition costs, the purchase price of real estate, development costs and other allocated costs, including interest, during development and home construction. Pre-acquisition costs, including non-refundable land deposits, are expensed to cost of sales when the Company determines continuation of the related project is not probable.
	Additional costs to develop or otherwise prepare real estate and water assets for their intended use are capitalized. These costs typically include direct home construction costs, legal fees, engineering, consulting, direct cost of well drilling or related construction and any interest cost capitalized on qualifying assets during the development period. The Company expenses all maintenance and repair costs on real estate and water assets. The types of costs capitalized are consistent across periods presented. Tangible water assets consist of various water interests currently in development or awaiting permitting. Water storage typically includes the cost of the real estate and direct construction costs to build the site.  Amortization of real estate improvements is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the improvements ranging from five to 15 years.
	All real estate and tangible water assets are classified as held and used until management commits to a plan to sell the asset, the asset can be sold in its present condition, the asset is being actively marketed for sale, and it is probable that the asset will be sold within the next 12 months.  At March 31, 2014, and December 31, 2013, the Company had real estate of $23.1 million and $8.6 million, respectively, classified as held for sale.
	The costs assigned to the various components of real estate and tangible water assets were as follows (in thousands):
		March 31, 2014				31-Dec-13
	Real estate	$	243,819			$	208,506
	Tangible water assets	45,710				45,702
		$	289,529			$	254,208
	Intangible Water Assets:
	Intangible water assets includes the costs of indefinite-lived intangible assets and is comprised of water rights and the exclusive right to use two water transportation pipelines. The Company capitalizes development and entitlement costs and other allocated costs, including interest, during the development period of the assets and transfers the costs to intangible water assets when water rights are permitted. Water rights consist of various water interests acquired or developed independently or in conjunction with the acquisition of real estate. When the Company purchases intangible water assets that are attached to real estate, an allocation of the total purchase price, including any direct costs of the acquisition, is made at the date of acquisition based on the estimated relative fair values of the water rights and the real estate. Intangible assets with indefinite useful lives are not amortized but are tested for impairment at least annually in the fourth quarter, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset may be impaired, by comparing the fair value of the assets to their carrying amounts.
	The fair value of the intangible assets is calculated using discounted cash flow models that incorporate a wide range of assumptions including current asset pricing, price escalation, discount rates, absorption rates, timing of sales, and costs. These models are sensitive to minor changes in any of the input variables.
	Inventory:
	The Company classifies its canola seed as raw material inventory and canola oil and meal as finished goods inventory, which are included in other assets in the consolidated balance sheets.  At March 31, 2014 the Company had $5.3 million of raw materials and $7.1 million of finished goods.
	Noncontrolling Interests:
	The Company reports the share of the results of operations that are attributable to other owners of its consolidated subsidiaries that are less than wholly-owned as noncontrolling interest in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements.  In the condensed consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income or loss, the income or loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest is reported separately and the accumulated income or loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest, along with any changes in ownership of the subsidiary, is reported within shareholders’ equity.
	At March 31, 2014, noncontrolling interest reported in the condensed consolidated financial statements includes the owners of 42.52% of UCP, Inc (“UCP”). The noncontrolling interest related to UCP increased from 42.25% during the quarter ended March 31, 2014, due to the issuance of UCP Class A common stock related to vesting of restricted stock units (“RSU”) awarded in 2013. The Company’s consolidated noncontrolling interest also includes the results of operations allocated to the owners of the 12% interest in PICO Northstar, LLC (“Northstar”).
	Stock-Based Compensation:
	Stock-based compensation expense is measured at the grant date based on the fair values of the awards and is recognized as expense over the period in which the share-based compensation vests (generally one to four years) using the straight-line method.
	At March 31, 2014, PICO had one stock-based payment arrangement outstanding. UCP also issues stock-based compensation under its own long term incentive plan that provides for equity-based awards, which upon vesting results in newly issued shares of UCP Class A common stock.
	The PICO Holdings, Inc. 2005 Long Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) provides for the grant or award of various equity incentives to PICO employees, non-employee directors, and consultants.  A total of 2,654,000 shares of common stock are issuable under the Plan and it provides for the issuance of incentive stock options, non-statutory stock options, free-standing stock-settled stock appreciation rights (“SAR”), restricted stock awards (“RSA”), performance shares, performance units, RSU, deferred compensation awards, and other stock-based awards. The Plan allows for broker assisted cashless exercises and net-settlement of income taxes and employee withholding taxes. Upon exercise of a SAR and RSU, the employee will receive newly issued shares of PICO Holdings common stock with a fair value equal to the in-the-money value of the award, less applicable federal, state and local withholding and income taxes (however, the holder of an RSU can elect to pay withholding taxes in cash).
	The Company recorded stock based compensation expense of $2 million and $946,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2014, and 2013, respectively. Of the $2 million in stock based compensation recorded in the first quarter of 2014, $1 million related to RSU for UCP common stock granted to the officers of UCP, of which $587,000 was allocated to noncontrolling interest. There was no stock based compensation expense related to UCP in the three months ended March 31, 2013.
	Restricted Stock Units (RSU):
	A summary of activity of the RSU is as follows:
		RSU				Weighted-Average Grant Date
						Fair Value Per Share
	Outstanding at January 1, 2014	469,435				$	30.43
	Granted
	Vested
	Outstanding at March 31, 2014	469,435				$	30.43
	Unrecognized compensation cost (in thousands)	$	2,090
	Stock-Settled Stock Appreciation Rights (SAR):
	Upon exercise, a SAR entitles the recipient to receive a newly issued share of the Company’s common stock equal to the in-the-money value of the award, less applicable federal, state and local withholding and income taxes. SAR do not vote and are not entitled to receive dividends. Compensation expense for SAR was recognized ratably over the vesting period for each grant.
	There were no unvested SAR, and therefore no compensation expense was recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2014, and 2013. In addition, there were no SAR granted or exercised during the three months ended March 31, 2014, or 2013.
	A summary of SAR activity is as follows:
		SAR			Weighted Average				Weighted Average
					Exercise Price				Contractual Term in Years
	Outstanding at January 1, 2014	1,616,625			$	36.45			2.5 years
	Outstanding and exercisable at March 31, 2014	1,616,625			$	36.45			2.2 years
	At March 31, 2014, none of the outstanding SAR were in-the-money.
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income:
	The components of accumulated other comprehensive income are as follows (in thousands):
		March 31,				December 31,
		2014				2013
	Net unrealized appreciation on available-for-sale investments	$	7,353			$	6,866
	Foreign currency translation	(6,594		)		(6,634		)
	Accumulated other comprehensive income	$	759			$	232
	The unrealized appreciation on available-for-sale investments is net of a deferred income tax liability of $3.9 million at March 31, 2014, and $3.7 million at December 31, 2013. The foreign currency translation is net of a deferred income tax asset of $3.4 million at March 31, 2014, and $3.4 million at December 31, 2013.
	The following table reports amounts that were reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income or loss and included in earnings (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2014				2013
	Beginning balance - January 1	$	232			$	(2,014	)
	Unrealized gain on marketable securities, net of tax	474				660
	Amount reclassified and recognized in net loss, net of tax(1)	13				92
	Accumulated foreign currency translation, net of tax	40				236
	Net change in other comprehensive income, net of tax	527				988
	Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	$	759			$	(1,026	)
	(1)Amounts reclassified from unrealized gain on marketable securities are included in other income in the condensed consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income or loss.
Deferred Compensation:
At March 31, 2014, and December 31, 2013, the Company had $24.6 million and $24.2 million, respectively, recorded as deferred compensation payable to various members of management and certain non-employee members of the board of directors of the Company.
The deferred compensation liability increased by $399,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2014, primarily due to an increase in the fair value of the deferred compensation plan assets of $599,000, offset by payments to plan participants. Included in operating and other costs in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income or loss for the three months ended March 31, 2014, and 2013, is compensation expense of $599,000 and $618,000, respectively.
Revenue Recognition:
Sale of Real Estate and Water Assets
Revenue recognition on the sale of real estate and water assets conforms with accounting literature related to the sale of real estate, and is recognized in full when there is a legally binding sale contract, the profit is determinable (the collectability of the sales price is reasonably assured, or any amount that will not be collectible can be estimated), the earnings process is virtually complete (the Company is not obligated to perform significant activities after the sale to earn the profit, meaning the Company has transferred all risks and rewards to the buyer), and the buyer’s initial and continuing investment is adequate to demonstrate a commitment to pay for the property.  If these conditions are not met, the Company records the cash received as deferred revenue until the conditions to recognize full profit are met.
Sale of Finished Homes
Revenue from sales of finished homes is included in the sale of real estate and water assets in the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income or loss and is recognized when the sale closes and title passes to the new homeowner, the new homeowners initial and continuing investment is adequate to demonstrate a commitment to pay for the home, the new homeowners receivable is not subject to future subordination and the Company does not have a substantial continuing involvement with the new home.
Sale of Canola Oil and Meal
Sales of canola oil and meal are recognized when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, products are shipped, the price is fixed or determinable, the customer takes ownership and assumes risk of loss, and when collection is reasonably assured. Sales terms provide for passage of title at the time and point of shipping. Northstar has an agreement with Purina Animal Nutrition, LLC (“Purina”), which commits Purina to guarantee the sale of 100% of the canola oil and canola meal output from the Company’s canola seed crushing plant at market based prices for five years ending December 31, 2017, at which time the contract automatically renews for successive one year periods unless canceled by either party.
Cost of Canola Oil and Meal Sold:
Subsequent to the issuance of the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2013, the Company discovered that $4.1 million of labor and certain overhead costs related to the purchasing and production of the inventory, including deprecation of plant and equipment and energy costs, which should have been presented within cost of canola oil and meal sold, were inappropriately presented as $2.1 million within operating and other costs, and $2 million as depreciation and amortization for the three months ended March 31, 2013. For the three months ended March 31, 2014, the expenses have been properly presented as costs of canola oil and meal sold in the condensed consolidated statements of operation and comprehensive income or loss for the current period, and the three months ended March 31, 2013 presentation has been corrected.  These errors did not affect consolidated shareholders’ equity, net income or loss on the condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income or loss, or consolidated cash flows and are not considered to be material to the Company’s previously issued condensed consolidated financial statements.
Accounting for Income Taxes:
The Company's provision for income tax expense includes federal, foreign and state income taxes currently payable and those deferred because of temporary differences between the income tax and financial reporting bases of the assets and liabilities.  The liability method of accounting for income taxes also requires the Company to reflect the effect of a tax rate change on accumulated deferred income taxes in income in the period in which the change is enacted.
In assessing the realization of deferred income taxes, management considers whether it is more likely than not that any deferred income tax assets will be realized.  The ultimate realization of deferred income tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the period in which temporary differences become deductible.  If it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred income tax assets will not be realized, a valuation allowance is recorded.
The Company recognizes any uncertain income tax positions on income tax returns at the largest amount that is more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon audit by the relevant taxing authority.  An uncertain income tax position will not be recognized unless it has a greater than 50% likelihood of being sustained. The Company recognizes any interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense.
The Company reported an income tax benefit of $265,000 and $784,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2014, and 2013, respectively. The effective income tax rate for continuing operations was 2% and 4% for the three months ended March 31, 2014, and 2013, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2014, and 2013, the effective rate differs from the statutory rate of 35% primarily due to recording a full valuation allowance on the net deferred tax assets.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued accounting guidance related to reporting of discontinued operations. The guidance changes the requirements for reporting a disposal of a component of an entity or a group of components and requires the disposed component or components to be reported in discontinued operations only if the disposal represents a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results. The guidance also requires an entity to provide certain disclosures about a disposal of an individually significant component of such entity that does not qualify for discontinued operations presentation in the financial statements. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2014, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the effect this guidance will have on the condensed consolidated financial statements.

Net_Income_or_Loss_Per_Share

Net Income or Loss Per Share	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Net Income or Loss Per Share	'
	Net Income or Loss Per Share
	Basic earnings or loss per share is computed by dividing net earnings by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings or loss per share is computed similarly to basic earnings or loss per share except the weighted average shares outstanding are increased to include additional shares from the assumed exercise of any common stock equivalents using the treasury method, if dilutive. The Company’s stock-settled SAR and RSU are considered common stock equivalents for this purpose.  The number of additional shares related to these common stock equivalents is calculated using the treasury stock method.
	For the three months ended March 31, 2014, and 2013, the Company’s stock-settled SAR and RSU were excluded from the diluted per share calculation because their effect on the loss per share from continuing operations was anti-dilutive.

Investments

Investments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]	'
Investments	'
	Investments
	The following tables report the cost and carrying value of available-for-sale investments at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 (in thousands):
	March 31, 2014	Cost		Gross		Gross			Carrying
				Unrealized		Unrealized			Value
				Gains		Losses
	Debt securities: corporate bonds	$	9,197	$	239	$	(75	)	$	9,361
	Marketable equity securities	29,582		11,355		(200		)	40,737
	Total	$	38,779	$	11,594	$	(275	)	$	50,098
	December 31, 2013	Cost		Gross		Gross			Carrying
				Unrealized		Unrealized			Value
				Gains		Losses
	Debt securities: corporate bonds	$	8,988	$	213	$	(29	)	$	9,172
	Marketable equity securities	31,023		10,835		(450		)	41,408
	Total	$	40,011	$	11,048	$	(479	)	$	50,580
	The following tables summarize the market value of those investments in an unrealized loss position for periods less than or greater than 12 months (in thousands):
		March 31, 2014				December 31, 2013
	Less than 12 months	Fair Value		Gross		Fair Value			Gross
				Unrealized					Unrealized
				Loss					Loss
	Debt securities: corporate bonds	$	4,616	$	75
	Marketable equity securities	3,514		164		$	4,453		$	254
	Total	$	8,130	$	239	$	4,453		$	254
		March 31, 2014				December 31, 2013
	Greater than 12 months	Fair Value		Gross		Fair Value			Gross
				Unrealized					Unrealized
				Loss					Loss
	Debt securities: corporate bonds					$	5,744		$	29
	Marketable equity securities	$	160	$	36	2,368			196
	Total	$	160	$	36	$	8,112		$	225
	Marketable Equity Securities
	The Company’s investment in marketable equity securities was $40.7 million at March 31, 2014, and principally consisted of common stock of publicly traded small-capitalization companies in the U.S. and select foreign markets.  At March 31, 2014, the Company reviewed its equity securities in an unrealized loss position and concluded certain of such securities were not other-than-temporarily impaired as the declines were not of sufficient duration and severity, and publicly-available financial information, collectively, did not indicate impairment.  The primary cause of the loss on those securities was normal market volatility. The securities that were deemed other-than-temporarily impaired were recorded as an impairment loss in the period. During the three months ended March 31, 2014, and 2013, there were no material impairment losses recorded.
	Debt Securities
	The Company owns corporate bonds in its fixed maturity portfolio, which are purchased based on the maturity and yield-to-maturity of the bond and an analysis of the fundamental characteristics of the issuer.  At March 31, 2014, there were unrealized losses on certain bonds in the portfolio. The Company does not consider those bonds to be other-than-temporarily impaired because the Company expects to hold, and will not be required to sell, these particular bonds, and it expects to recover the entire amortized cost basis at maturity. There were no impairment losses recorded on debt securities during the three months ended March 31, 2014, and 2013.
	Other Investments
	The Company’s equity investment in Mindjet, Inc. (“Mindjet”) represents 28.8% of the voting interest of the company, which is comprised of 15.2% of the common shares and 13.6% of the preferred shares of Mindjet held by the Company. The Company accounts for the investment in common stock using the equity method of accounting which resulted in recording a loss of $479,000 in the condensed consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income or loss within equity in loss of affiliate representing 15.2% of Mindjet’s net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2014. The investment in preferred stock is held at its initial carrying value in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet. At March 31, 2014, the total carrying value of the investment is $25.4 million and is subject to impairment testing at each reporting period, or more frequently if facts and circumstances indicate the investment may be impaired. During the three months ended March 31, 2014, financial results indicated the investment might be impaired; however estimates of the value of the enterprise indicated that the investment balance would be recovered. Nonetheless, it is reasonably possible that given the volatile nature of software businesses that circumstances may change in the future which could require the Company to write down the investment to fair value.

Disclosures_About_Fair_Value_o

Disclosures About Fair Value of Financial Instruments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Disclosures About Fair Value of Financial Instruments	'
	Disclosures About Fair Value of Financial Instruments:
	Recurring Fair Value Measurements
	The following tables set forth the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that were measured at fair value on a recurring basis at March 31, 2014, and December 31, 2013, by level within the fair value hierarchy. Assets and liabilities measured at fair value are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and consideration of factors specific to the asset or liability. During the three months ended March 31, 2014, $4.6 million was transferred from level 1 to level 2 due to low trading volumes.
	At March 31, 2014 (in thousands):
	Assets	Quoted Prices In				Significant Other				Significant		Balance at
		Active Markets				Observable Inputs				Unobservable Inputs		31-Mar-14
		for Identical Assets				(Level 2)				(Level 3)
		(Level 1)
	Available-for-sale equity securities (1)	$	22,699			$	18,038					$	40,737
	Available-for-sale debt securities (1)	$	9,361									$	9,361
	Readily marketable inventory (2)	$	5,158			$	7,133					$	12,291
	Derivative instruments (3)	$	874			$	1,426					$	2,300
	Liabilities
	Derivative instruments (3)	$	1,008			$	2,401					$	3,409
	At December 31, 2013 (in thousands):
	Assets	Quoted Prices In				Significant Other				Significant		Balance at
		Active Markets				Observable Inputs				Unobservable Inputs		December 31,
		for Identical Assets				(Level 2)				(Level 3)		2013
		(Level 1)
	Available-for-sale equity securities (1)	$	26,177			$	15,231					$	41,408
	Available-for-sale debt securities (1)	$	9,172									$	9,172
	Readily marketable inventory (2)	$	2,396			$	5,292					$	7,688
	Derivative instruments (3)	$	346			$	2,108					$	2,454
	Liabilities
	Derivative instruments (3)	$	436			$	936					$	1,372
	(1) Where there are quoted market prices that are readily available in an active market, securities are classified as Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy. Level 1 available-for-sale investments are valued using quoted market prices multiplied by the number of shares owned and debt securities are valued using a market quote in an active market. All Level 2 available-for-sale securities are one class because they all contain similar risks and are valued using market prices and include securities where the markets are not active, that is where there are few transactions, or the prices are not current or the prices vary considerably over time. Inputs include directly or indirectly observable inputs such as quoted prices. Level 3 available-for-sale securities would include securities where valuation is based on unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets. This includes certain pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies and similar techniques that use significant unobservable inputs.
	(2) Readily marketable inventory comprises commodity inventories that are reported at fair value based on commodity exchange quotations. Canola seed inventories are valued based on the quoted market price multiplied by the quantity of inventory and are classified as Level 1. Canola oil and meal inventories are classified as Level 2 because the inputs are directly observable, such as the quoted market price of the corresponding soybean commodity.
	(3) Included in this caption are three types of agricultural commodity derivative contracts: swaps, exchange traded futures, and forward commodity purchase and sale contracts. The exchange traded futures contracts are valued based on quoted prices in active markets multiplied by the number of contracts and are classified as Level 1. The swaps are classified as Level 2 because the inputs are directly observable, such as the quoted market prices for relevant commodity futures contracts. The swaps are valued based on the difference of the arithmetic average of the quoted market price of the relevant underlying multiplied by the notional quantities, and the arithmetic average of the prices specified in the instrument multiplied by the notional quantities.
	Forward commodity purchase and sale contracts classified as derivatives are valued using quantitative models that require the use of multiple inputs including quoted market prices and various other assumptions including time value. These contracts are categorized as Level 2 and are valued based on the difference between the quoted market price and the price in the contract multiplied by the undelivered notional quantity deliverable under the contract.
	Non-Recurring Fair Value Measurements
	Assets and liabilities measured at fair value are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the asset.
	The following tables set forth the Company’s non-financial assets that were measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis for the three months ended March 31, 2014, and for the year ended December 31, 2013, by level within the fair value hierarchy.
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2014 (in thousands):
	Asset Description	Quoted Prices In Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)				Total Loss Recorded During the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
	Real estate (1)					$	1,357			$	(2,865	)
	(1) The Company had a non-recurring fair value measurement of real estate assets with a carrying value of $4.2 million that was written down to its estimated fair value of $1.4 million resulting in an impairment charge of $2.9 million, which was included in earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2014. The impairment was recorded based on the estimated sales price the Company expects to receive upon the sale of this real estate. The impairment loss relates to a property which is not part of UCP’s results of operations nor is it included in UCP’s inventory of lots.
	Year Ended December 31, 2013 (in thousands):
	Asset Description		Quoted Prices In Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)				Total Gain
					(Level 2)						(Loss) Recorded During the Year Ended December 31, 2013
	Intangible asset (exclusive right to use infrastructure and associated water credits) (1)						$	83,897			$	(993	)
	Real estate (2)						$	3,674			$	(417	)
	Investment in unconsolidated affiliate (3)						$	28,679			$	21,181
	(1) The Company had a non-recurring fair value measurement for an intangible asset with a carrying amount of $84.9 million that was written down to its estimated fair value of $83.9 million resulting in an impairment charge of $993,000, which was included in earnings for December 31, 2013. The implied fair value was calculated using a discounted cash flow model that incorporated a wide range of assumptions including current asset pricing, price escalation, discount rates, absorption rates, timing of sales, and costs. Given the decline in market prices for similar assets, increases in interest rates, and extended timing of expected absorptions, the Company adjusted its assumptions and judgments in the model from original projections.
	(2) The Company had a non-recurring fair value measurement of real estate assets with a carrying value of $4.1 million that was written down to its estimated fair value of $3.7 million resulting in an impairment charge of $417,000, which was included in earnings for December 31, 2013. The impairment was recorded based on the estimated sales price the Company expects to receive upon the sale of this real estate. The impairment loss relates to a property which is not part of UCP’s results of operations nor is it included in UCP’s inventory of lots.
	(3) The Company had a non-recurring fair value measurement as a result of the merger transaction between Spigit, Inc. (“Spigit”) and Mindjet. The transaction resulted in the deconsolidation of Spigit, and the recording of the Company’s common and preferred stock investment in Mindjet at fair value, on the date of the transaction. The transaction resulted in a gain of approximately $21.2 million before income taxes. The fair value of the investment in Mindjet was based on analysis of the financial and operational aspects of the company, including consideration of a discounted cash flow analysis which incorporated a contemporary forecast of the merged Mindjet/Spigit entity going forward.  Also considered was a guideline public company analysis which compared business enterprise value-to-revenue ratios for comparable public companies to current revenue metrics for the company.  Determination of the business enterprise value based on the foregoing was then considered in an analysis of the distribution of equity value to the various classes of equity held by PICO in order to reflect differences in value due to differing liquidation, dividend and voting rights. The fair value approach relied primarily on Level 3 unobservable inputs, whereby expected future cash flows were discounted using a rate that includes assumptions regarding an entity’s average cost of debt and equity, incorporated expected future cash flows based on internal business plans, and applied certain assumptions about risk and uncertainties. The estimates were based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable, but which by nature are uncertain and unpredictable.
	Estimated Fair Value of Financial Instruments Not Carried at Fair Value
	Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The level within the fair value hierarchy in which the fair value measurements are classified include measurements using quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1), quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets or quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active (Level 2), and significant valuation assumptions that are not readily observable in the market (Level 3).
	As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the fair values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts payable and receivable approximated their carrying values because of the short-term nature of these assets or liabilities. The estimated fair value of the Company’s investments in unconsolidated affiliates approximated their carrying values. The estimated fair value of the Company's debt is based on cash flow models discounted at the then-current interest rates and an estimate of the then-current spread above those rates at which the Company could borrow, which are level 3 inputs in the fair value hierarchy. The estimated fair value of certain of the Company’s other investments, which included an investment in preferred stock of a private company, cannot be reasonably estimated.
	The following table presents the carrying value and fair value of the Company’s financial instruments which are not carried at fair value at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 (in thousands):
		March 31, 2014								December 31, 2013
		Carrying				Estimated				Carrying				Estimated
		Amount				Fair Value				Amount				Fair Value
	Financial assets:
	Investments in unconsolidated affiliates held at cost	$	19,380			$	19,380			$	19,380			$	19,380
	Financial liabilities:
	Debt	$	135,536			$	144,968			$	136,767			$	145,924
	Derivatives Notional Amounts
	The following tables summarize the notional amount of open derivative positions at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
		March 31, 2014
		Exchange Traded						Non-Exchange Traded
		(Short)(1)			Long(1)			(Short)(1)			Long(1)			Unit of Measure
	Futures
	Agricultural Commodities	(54,855	)		31,708									Tons
Natural Gas				400,000									MMBtus(2)
Forwards							(117,801	)		72,900			Tons
Swaps										15,000			Tons
	31-Dec-13
	Exchange Traded						Non-Exchange Traded
	(Short)(1)			Long(1)			(Short)(1)			Long(1)			Unit of Measure
Futures
Agricultural Commodities	(23,038	)		34,380									Tons
Natural Gas				460,000									MMBtus(2)
Forwards							(132,428	)		30,367			Tons
Swaps										75,000			Tons
(1) Exchange and non-exchange traded futures, forwards, and swaps are presented on a gross (short) and long position basis.
(2) Million Metric British Thermal Units.
The gross derivative asset or liability is included within its respective other assets or liabilities account balance in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.
The table below summarizes the effect of derivative instruments on the condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income or loss (in thousands):
	Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives
			Three Months Ended March 31,
	Location		2014				2013
Futures	Cost of canola oil and meal sold		$	(1,054	)		$	(2,171	)
Forwards	Cost of canola oil and meal sold		1,474				(814		)
Swaps	Cost of canola oil and meal sold		3,675				367
			$	4,095			$	(2,618	)

Intangible_Water_Assets

Intangible Water Assets	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Intangible Water Assets	'
	Intangible Water Assets
	The Company owns the following indefinite-lived intangible water assets within its water resource and water storage operations segment (in thousands):
		March 31, 2014		December 31, 2013
	Pipeline rights and water credits at Fish Springs Ranch	$	83,897	$	83,897
	Pipeline rights and water rights at Carson-Lyon	24,804		24,804
	Other	16,203		16,179
		$	124,904	$	124,880

Debt

Debt	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Debt	'
	Debt
	As of March 31, 2014, the Company was in compliance with all debt covenants under the Company’s credit facility. During the three months ended March 31, 2014, the Company negotiated new values for the debt service coverage ratio covenant such that there is no set debt service coverage ratio at March 31, 2014, and a ratio of 1.40 and 1.50 at June 30, 2014, and September 30, 2014, respectively. Beyond September 2014, the debt service coverage ratio reverts back to the initial value of 1.75. Consequently, if the Company’s canola business continues to report losses, it is possible the Company could breach one or more of the debt covenants which would require obtaining a waiver from the lenders, or it could require the Company to invest additional capital into the business. As of March 31, 2014, the Company had approximately $27.3 million of unused lines of credit within the real estate operations and $22.3 million in agribusiness operations.
	The following details the Company’s consolidated debt (in thousands):
		March 31, 2014		December 31, 2013
	Agribusiness term loan:
	4.75% payments through 2017	$	82,042	$	83,533
	Agribusiness working capital debt:
	6% payments through 2017	4,750		4,750
	Other agribusiness debt:
	4.99% payments through 2014	151		159
	Swiss debt:
	3.7% payments through 2014	14,139		14,012
	3.8% payments through 2014			3,363
	Mortgage debt:
	3.9% to 4.75% payments through 2015	23,629		17,307
	5% to 5.5% payments due from 2014 - 2016	8,676		11,491
	6% to 6.5% payments through 2036	545		548
	10% payments through 2014	1,604		1,604
		$	135,536	$	136,767

Segment_Reporting

Segment Reporting	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Reporting	'
	Segment Reporting
	PICO is a diversified holding company engaged in the following operating and reportable segments: Water Resource and Water Storage Operations, Real Estate Operations, Agribusiness Operations, and Corporate. The Enterprise Software segment, which started and ended during 2013, will continue to be presented in historical periods as a segment.
	The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as those described in the Company’s 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC, and in Note 1 Basis of Presentation.
	Management analyzes segments using the following information:
	Segment assets (in thousands):
		March 31,			December 31,
		2014			2013
	Total Assets:
	Water resource and water storage operations	$	193,118		$	193,105
	Real estate operations	276,670			276,954
	Agribusiness operations	157,942			155,005
	Corporate	123,960			137,488
		$	751,690		$	762,552
	Segment revenues and loss before taxes (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2014			2013
	Revenue:
	Water resource and water storage operations	$	136		$	184
	Real estate operations	25,766			11,939
	Agribusiness operations	34,867			39,565
	Enterprise software				3,650
	Corporate	507			1,470
	Total revenue	$	61,276		$	56,808
	Loss before income taxes:
	Water resource and water storage operations	$	(1,985	)	$	(2,141	)
	Real estate operations	(6,277		)	(711		)
	Agribusiness operations	(4,192		)	(9,715		)
	Enterprise software				(1,150		)
	Corporate	(3,237		)	(3,842		)
	Total loss before income taxes	$	(15,691	)	$	(17,559	)

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	Commitments and Contingencies
	Neither PICO nor its subsidiaries are parties to any potentially material pending legal proceedings other than the following:
	Fish Springs Ranch, LLC:
	In September 2007, the Company reached a $7.3 million financial settlement with the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe of Indians relating to the exportation of water from the properties owned by Fish Springs Ranch, LLC. The settlement is pending ratification by the United States Congress, but we cannot be certain as to when the United States Congress will act on this matter. The Company has paid $3.7 million to the Tribe and accrued $3.6 million for the balance owed. No material developments occurred relating to this dispute or the settlement agreement during the first three months of 2014.
	The Company is subject to various other litigation matters that arise in the ordinary course of its business. Because litigation is inherently unpredictable and unfavorable resolutions could occur, assessing contingencies is highly subjective and requires judgments about future events. When evaluating contingencies, we may be unable to provide a meaningful estimate due to a number of factors, including the procedural status of the matter in question, the presence of complex or novel legal theories, and/or the ongoing discovery and development of information important to the matters. In addition, damage amounts claimed in litigation against us may be unsupported, exaggerated or unrelated to possible outcomes, and as such are not meaningful indicators of our potential liability. We regularly review contingencies to determine the adequacy of our accruals and related disclosures. The amount of ultimate loss may differ from these estimates, and it is possible that cash flows or results of operations could be materially affected in any particular period by the unfavorable resolution of one or more of these contingencies.
	Whether any losses finally determined in any claim, action, investigation or proceeding could reasonably have a material effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows will depend on a number of variables, including: the timing and amount of such losses; the structure and type of any remedies; the significance of the impact any such losses, damages or remedies may have on our condensed consolidated financial statements; and the unique facts and circumstances of the particular matter that may give rise to additional factors.

Basis_of_Presentation_Tables

Basis of Presentation (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Components of Real Estate and Water Assets	'
	The costs assigned to the various components of real estate and tangible water assets were as follows (in thousands):
		March 31, 2014				31-Dec-13
	Real estate	$	243,819			$	208,506
	Tangible water assets	45,710				45,702
		$	289,529			$	254,208
Summary of RSU and RSA Activity	'
	A summary of activity of the RSU is as follows:
		RSU				Weighted-Average Grant Date
						Fair Value Per Share
	Outstanding at January 1, 2014	469,435				$	30.43
	Granted
	Vested
	Outstanding at March 31, 2014	469,435				$	30.43
	Unrecognized compensation cost (in thousands)	$	2,090
Summary of SAR Activity	'
	A summary of SAR activity is as follows:
		SAR			Weighted Average				Weighted Average
					Exercise Price				Contractual Term in Years
	Outstanding at January 1, 2014	1,616,625			$	36.45			2.5 years
	Outstanding and exercisable at March 31, 2014	1,616,625			$	36.45			2.2 years
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	'
	The following table reports amounts that were reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income or loss and included in earnings (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2014				2013
	Beginning balance - January 1	$	232			$	(2,014	)
	Unrealized gain on marketable securities, net of tax	474				660
	Amount reclassified and recognized in net loss, net of tax(1)	13				92
	Accumulated foreign currency translation, net of tax	40				236
	Net change in other comprehensive income, net of tax	527				988
	Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	$	759			$	(1,026	)
	(1)Amounts reclassified from unrealized gain on marketable securities are included in other income in the condensed consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income or loss.
	The components of accumulated other comprehensive income are as follows (in thousands):
		March 31,				December 31,
		2014				2013
	Net unrealized appreciation on available-for-sale investments	$	7,353			$	6,866
	Foreign currency translation	(6,594		)		(6,634		)
	Accumulated other comprehensive income	$	759			$	232

Investments_Tables

Investments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]	'
Available-for-sale Securities	'
	The following tables report the cost and carrying value of available-for-sale investments at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 (in thousands):
	March 31, 2014	Cost		Gross		Gross			Carrying
				Unrealized		Unrealized			Value
				Gains		Losses
	Debt securities: corporate bonds	$	9,197	$	239	$	(75	)	$	9,361
	Marketable equity securities	29,582		11,355		(200		)	40,737
	Total	$	38,779	$	11,594	$	(275	)	$	50,098
	December 31, 2013	Cost		Gross		Gross			Carrying
				Unrealized		Unrealized			Value
				Gains		Losses
	Debt securities: corporate bonds	$	8,988	$	213	$	(29	)	$	9,172
	Marketable equity securities	31,023		10,835		(450		)	41,408
	Total	$	40,011	$	11,048	$	(479	)	$	50,580
Schedule of Unrealized Loss on Investments	'
	The following tables summarize the market value of those investments in an unrealized loss position for periods less than or greater than 12 months (in thousands):
		March 31, 2014				December 31, 2013
	Less than 12 months	Fair Value		Gross		Fair Value			Gross
				Unrealized					Unrealized
				Loss					Loss
	Debt securities: corporate bonds	$	4,616	$	75
	Marketable equity securities	3,514		164		$	4,453		$	254
	Total	$	8,130	$	239	$	4,453		$	254
		March 31, 2014				December 31, 2013
	Greater than 12 months	Fair Value		Gross		Fair Value			Gross
				Unrealized					Unrealized
				Loss					Loss
	Debt securities: corporate bonds					$	5,744		$	29
	Marketable equity securities	$	160	$	36	2,368			196
	Total	$	160	$	36	$	8,112		$	225

Disclosures_About_Fair_Value_o1

Disclosures About Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis	'
	At March 31, 2014 (in thousands):
	Assets	Quoted Prices In				Significant Other				Significant		Balance at
		Active Markets				Observable Inputs				Unobservable Inputs		31-Mar-14
		for Identical Assets				(Level 2)				(Level 3)
		(Level 1)
	Available-for-sale equity securities (1)	$	22,699			$	18,038					$	40,737
	Available-for-sale debt securities (1)	$	9,361									$	9,361
	Readily marketable inventory (2)	$	5,158			$	7,133					$	12,291
	Derivative instruments (3)	$	874			$	1,426					$	2,300
	Liabilities
	Derivative instruments (3)	$	1,008			$	2,401					$	3,409
	At December 31, 2013 (in thousands):
	Assets	Quoted Prices In				Significant Other				Significant		Balance at
		Active Markets				Observable Inputs				Unobservable Inputs		December 31,
		for Identical Assets				(Level 2)				(Level 3)		2013
		(Level 1)
	Available-for-sale equity securities (1)	$	26,177			$	15,231					$	41,408
	Available-for-sale debt securities (1)	$	9,172									$	9,172
	Readily marketable inventory (2)	$	2,396			$	5,292					$	7,688
	Derivative instruments (3)	$	346			$	2,108					$	2,454
	Liabilities
	Derivative instruments (3)	$	436			$	936					$	1,372
	(1) Where there are quoted market prices that are readily available in an active market, securities are classified as Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy. Level 1 available-for-sale investments are valued using quoted market prices multiplied by the number of shares owned and debt securities are valued using a market quote in an active market. All Level 2 available-for-sale securities are one class because they all contain similar risks and are valued using market prices and include securities where the markets are not active, that is where there are few transactions, or the prices are not current or the prices vary considerably over time. Inputs include directly or indirectly observable inputs such as quoted prices. Level 3 available-for-sale securities would include securities where valuation is based on unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets. This includes certain pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies and similar techniques that use significant unobservable inputs.
	(2) Readily marketable inventory comprises commodity inventories that are reported at fair value based on commodity exchange quotations. Canola seed inventories are valued based on the quoted market price multiplied by the quantity of inventory and are classified as Level 1. Canola oil and meal inventories are classified as Level 2 because the inputs are directly observable, such as the quoted market price of the corresponding soybean commodity.
	(3) Included in this caption are three types of agricultural commodity derivative contracts: swaps, exchange traded futures, and forward commodity purchase and sale contracts. The exchange traded futures contracts are valued based on quoted prices in active markets multiplied by the number of contracts and are classified as Level 1. The swaps are classified as Level 2 because the inputs are directly observable, such as the quoted market prices for relevant commodity futures contracts. The swaps are valued based on the difference of the arithmetic average of the quoted market price of the relevant underlying multiplied by the notional quantities, and the arithmetic average of the prices specified in the instrument multiplied by the notional quantities.
Fair Value Measurements on a Non-Recurring Basis	'
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2014 (in thousands):
	Asset Description	Quoted Prices In Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)				Total Loss Recorded During the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
	Real estate (1)					$	1,357			$	(2,865	)
	(1) The Company had a non-recurring fair value measurement of real estate assets with a carrying value of $4.2 million that was written down to its estimated fair value of $1.4 million resulting in an impairment charge of $2.9 million, which was included in earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2014. The impairment was recorded based on the estimated sales price the Company expects to receive upon the sale of this real estate. The impairment loss relates to a property which is not part of UCP’s results of operations nor is it included in UCP’s inventory of lots.
	Year Ended December 31, 2013 (in thousands):
	Asset Description		Quoted Prices In Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)				Total Gain
					(Level 2)						(Loss) Recorded During the Year Ended December 31, 2013
	Intangible asset (exclusive right to use infrastructure and associated water credits) (1)						$	83,897			$	(993	)
	Real estate (2)						$	3,674			$	(417	)
	Investment in unconsolidated affiliate (3)						$	28,679			$	21,181
	(1) The Company had a non-recurring fair value measurement for an intangible asset with a carrying amount of $84.9 million that was written down to its estimated fair value of $83.9 million resulting in an impairment charge of $993,000, which was included in earnings for December 31, 2013. The implied fair value was calculated using a discounted cash flow model that incorporated a wide range of assumptions including current asset pricing, price escalation, discount rates, absorption rates, timing of sales, and costs. Given the decline in market prices for similar assets, increases in interest rates, and extended timing of expected absorptions, the Company adjusted its assumptions and judgments in the model from original projections.
	(2) The Company had a non-recurring fair value measurement of real estate assets with a carrying value of $4.1 million that was written down to its estimated fair value of $3.7 million resulting in an impairment charge of $417,000, which was included in earnings for December 31, 2013. The impairment was recorded based on the estimated sales price the Company expects to receive upon the sale of this real estate. The impairment loss relates to a property which is not part of UCP’s results of operations nor is it included in UCP’s inventory of lots.
	(3) The Company had a non-recurring fair value measurement as a result of the merger transaction between Spigit, Inc. (“Spigit”) and Mindjet. The transaction resulted in the deconsolidation of Spigit, and the recording of the Company’s common and preferred stock investment in Mindjet at fair value, on the date of the transaction. The transaction resulted in a gain of approximately $21.2 million before income taxes. The fair value of the investment in Mindjet was based on analysis of the financial and operational aspects of the company, including consideration of a discounted cash flow analysis which incorporated a contemporary forecast of the merged Mindjet/Spigit entity going forward.  Also considered was a guideline public company analysis which compared business enterprise value-to-revenue ratios for comparable public companies to current revenue metrics for the company.  Determination of the business enterprise value based on the foregoing was then considered in an analysis of the distribution of equity value to the various classes of equity held by PICO in order to reflect differences in value due to differing liquidation, dividend and voting rights. The fair value approach relied primarily on Level 3 unobservable inputs, whereby expected future cash flows were discounted using a rate that includes assumptions regarding an entity’s average cost of debt and equity, incorporated expected future cash flows based on internal business plans, and applied certain assumptions about risk and uncertainties. The estimates were based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable, but which by nature are uncertain and unpredictable.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	'
	The following table presents the carrying value and fair value of the Company’s financial instruments which are not carried at fair value at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 (in thousands):
		March 31, 2014								December 31, 2013
		Carrying				Estimated				Carrying				Estimated
		Amount				Fair Value				Amount				Fair Value
	Financial assets:
	Investments in unconsolidated affiliates held at cost	$	19,380			$	19,380			$	19,380			$	19,380
	Financial liabilities:
	Debt	$	135,536			$	144,968			$	136,767			$	145,924
Notional Amounts of Open Derivative Positions	'
	The following tables summarize the notional amount of open derivative positions at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
		March 31, 2014
		Exchange Traded						Non-Exchange Traded
		(Short)(1)			Long(1)			(Short)(1)			Long(1)			Unit of Measure
	Futures
	Agricultural Commodities	(54,855	)		31,708									Tons
	Natural Gas				400,000									MMBtus(2)
	Forwards							(117,801	)		72,900			Tons
	Swaps										15,000			Tons
		31-Dec-13
		Exchange Traded						Non-Exchange Traded
		(Short)(1)			Long(1)			(Short)(1)			Long(1)			Unit of Measure
	Futures
	Agricultural Commodities	(23,038	)		34,380									Tons
	Natural Gas				460,000									MMBtus(2)
	Forwards							(132,428	)		30,367			Tons
	Swaps										75,000			Tons
	(1) Exchange and non-exchange traded futures, forwards, and swaps are presented on a gross (short) and long position basis.
	(2) Million Metric British Thermal Units.
Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income or Loss	'
	The table below summarizes the effect of derivative instruments on the condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income or loss (in thousands):
		Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives
				Three Months Ended March 31,
		Location		2014				2013
	Futures	Cost of canola oil and meal sold		$	(1,054	)		$	(2,171	)
	Forwards	Cost of canola oil and meal sold		1,474				(814		)
	Swaps	Cost of canola oil and meal sold		3,675				367
				$	4,095			$	(2,618	)

Intangible_Water_Assets_Tables

Intangible Water Assets (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets	'
	The Company owns the following indefinite-lived intangible water assets within its water resource and water storage operations segment (in thousands):
		March 31, 2014		December 31, 2013
	Pipeline rights and water credits at Fish Springs Ranch	$	83,897	$	83,897
	Pipeline rights and water rights at Carson-Lyon	24,804		24,804
	Other	16,203		16,179
		$	124,904	$	124,880

Debt_Tables

Debt (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Company's Consolidated Debt	'
	The following details the Company’s consolidated debt (in thousands):
		March 31, 2014		December 31, 2013
	Agribusiness term loan:
	4.75% payments through 2017	$	82,042	$	83,533
	Agribusiness working capital debt:
	6% payments through 2017	4,750		4,750
	Other agribusiness debt:
	4.99% payments through 2014	151		159
	Swiss debt:
	3.7% payments through 2014	14,139		14,012
	3.8% payments through 2014			3,363
	Mortgage debt:
	3.9% to 4.75% payments through 2015	23,629		17,307
	5% to 5.5% payments due from 2014 - 2016	8,676		11,491
	6% to 6.5% payments through 2036	545		548
	10% payments through 2014	1,604		1,604
		$	135,536	$	136,767

Segment_Reporting_Tables

Segment Reporting (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Reconciliation of Assets from Segment to Consolidated	'
	Management analyzes segments using the following information:
	Segment assets (in thousands):
		March 31,			December 31,
		2014			2013
	Total Assets:
	Water resource and water storage operations	$	193,118		$	193,105
	Real estate operations	276,670			276,954
	Agribusiness operations	157,942			155,005
	Corporate	123,960			137,488
		$	751,690		$	762,552
Reconciliation of Operating Profit (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated	'
	Segment revenues and loss before taxes (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2014			2013
	Revenue:
	Water resource and water storage operations	$	136		$	184
	Real estate operations	25,766			11,939
	Agribusiness operations	34,867			39,565
	Enterprise software				3,650
	Corporate	507			1,470
	Total revenue	$	61,276		$	56,808
	Loss before income taxes:
	Water resource and water storage operations	$	(1,985	)	$	(2,141	)
	Real estate operations	(6,277		)	(711		)
	Agribusiness operations	(4,192		)	(9,715		)
	Enterprise software				(1,150		)
	Corporate	(3,237		)	(3,842		)
	Total loss before income taxes	$	(15,691	)	$	(17,559	)

Basis_of_Presentation_Details_

Basis of Presentation (Details) Real Estate and Water Assets, Impairment Losses (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
			Real Estate Improvements	Real Estate Improvements
			Minimum	Maximum
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Estimated useful lives	'	'	'5 years	'15 years
Real estate held-for-sale	$23,100,000	$8,600,000	'	'
Real estate	243,819,000	208,506,000	'	'
Tangible water assets	45,710,000	45,702,000	'	'
Real estate and water assets, net	$289,529,000	$254,208,000	'	'

Basis_of_Presentation_Details_1

Basis of Presentation (Details) Noncontrolling Interests	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
UCP	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'
Subsidiary ownership interest held by related party	42.52%	42.25%
Northstar Agri Industries	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'
Subsidiary ownership interest held by related party	12.00%	'

Basis_of_Presentation_Details_2

Basis of Presentation (Details) Share Based Compensation (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended		3 Months Ended					3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
	plan				RSUs	RSUs	SARs	SARs	SARs	Long Term Incentive Plan [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest
										UCP	Long Term Incentive Plan [Member]
										RSUs	RSUs
Share-based Compensation	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of stock-based compensation plans in effect	1	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of shares of issuable common shares (in shares)	2,654,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	'	'	'	'	$2,000	$946	'	$0	'	$1,000	$587
Summary of RSU Activity:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Outstanding, beginning of period (in shares)	'	'	'	'	469,435	'	'	'	0	'	'
Granted (in shares)	'	'	'	'	'	'	0	0	'	'	'
Vested (in shares)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Outstanding, end of period (in shares)	'	'	'	'	469,435	'	'	'	0	'	'
Unrecognized compensation cost	'	'	'	'	2,090	'	'	'	'	'	'
Weighted average exercise price, outstanding (in dollars per share)	'	'	'	'	$30.43	'	$36.45	'	'	'	'
Weighted average exercise price, outstanding and exercisable (in dollars per share)	'	'	'	'	$30.43	'	$36.45	'	'	'	'
Summary of SAR Activity:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Outstanding, beginning of period (in shares)	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,616,625	'	'	'	'
Granted (in shares)	'	'	'	'	'	'	0	0	'	'	'
Exercised in period (in shares)	'	'	'	'	'	'	0	0	'	'	'
Outstanding and exercisable, end of period (in shares)	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,616,625	'	'	'	'
Number of outstanding awards in-the-money (in shares)	'	'	'	'	'	'	0	'	'	'	'
Summary of SAR Activity, Other Data:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Weighted average exercise price, outstanding (in dollars per share)	'	'	'	'	$30.43	'	$36.45	'	'	'	'
Weighted average exercise price, outstanding and exercisable (in dollars per share)	'	'	'	'	$30.43	'	$36.45	'	'	'	'
Outstanding, weighted average contractual term	'2 years 2 months	'	'2 years 6 months	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Outstanding and exercisable, weighted average contractual term	'2 years 2 months	'	'2 years 6 months	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Deferred Compensation:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Deferred compensation payable	24,559	'	'	24,160	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Increase in deferred compensation liability	399	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Increase in fair value of plan assets	599	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Deferred compensation expense	$599	$618	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'

Basis_of_Presentation_Details_3

Basis of Presentation (Details) Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net unrealized appreciation on available-for-sale investments	$7,353,000	'	$6,866,000
Foreign currency translation	-6,594,000	'	-6,634,000
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	'	'	'
Beginning balance	232,000	-2,014,000	'
Other comprehensive income (loss)	527,000	988,000	'
Ending balance	759,000	-1,026,000	'
Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss)	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	'	'	'
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification	474,000	660,000	'
Amount reclassified and recognized in net loss, net of tax	13,000	92,000	'
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Other Comprehensive Income	3,900,000	'	3,700,000
Accumulated Translation Adjustment	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	'	'	'
Other comprehensive income (loss)	40,000	236,000	'
Deferred Tax Assets, Other Comprehensive Loss	$3,400,000	'	$3,400,000

Basis_of_Presentation_Details_4

Basis of Presentation (Details) Other Balance Sheet and Income Statement Items (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Other Balance Sheet and Income Statement Items [Line Items]	'	'
Inventory, Raw Materials and Supplies, Gross	$5,300,000	'
Cost of canola oil and meal sold	34,174,000	44,662,000
Provision for Income Taxes:	'	'
Income tax provision (benefit)	265,000	784,000
Effective income tax rate	2.00%	4.00%
Statutory income tax rate	35.00%	'
Inventory, Finished Goods, Net of Reserves	7,100,000	'
Maximum	'	'
Provision for Income Taxes:	'	'
Likelihood uncertain tax percentage will be sustained	50.00%	'
Operating Expense [Member]	'	'
Other Balance Sheet and Income Statement Items [Line Items]	'	'
Quantifying Misstatement in Current Year Financial Statements, Amount	'	2,100,000
Reduced Depreciation [Member]	'	'
Other Balance Sheet and Income Statement Items [Line Items]	'	'
Quantifying Misstatement in Current Year Financial Statements, Amount	'	2,000,000
Scenario, Previously Reported [Member] | Reclassification of Labor and Overhead to Canola Oil and Meal Sold [Member]	'	'
Other Balance Sheet and Income Statement Items [Line Items]	'	'
Cost of canola oil and meal sold	'	$4,100,000

Investments_Details

Investments (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended						3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
				Mindjet [Member]	Corporate Bonds	Corporate Bonds	Marketable Equity Securities	Marketable Equity Securities	Marketable Equity Securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Fixed maturities, cost	'	'	'	'	$9,197,000	$8,988,000	'	'	'
Marketable equity securities, cost	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	29,582,000	31,023,000
Gross Unrealized Gains	11,594,000	'	11,048,000	'	239,000	213,000	'	11,355,000	10,835,000
Gross Unrealized Losses	275,000	'	479,000	'	75,000	29,000	'	200,000	450,000
Total, cost	38,779,000	'	40,011,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Fixed maturities, carrying value	'	'	'	'	9,361,000	9,172,000	'	'	'
Marketable equity securities, carrying value	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	40,737,000	41,408,000
Total available-for-sale investments, carrying value	50,098,000	'	50,580,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Less than 12 months, fair value	8,130,000	'	4,453,000	'	4,616,000	'	'	3,514,000	4,453,000
Less than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Loss	239,000	'	254,000	'	75,000	'	'	164,000	254,000
Greater than 12 months, fair value	160,000	'	8,112,000	'	'	5,744,000	'	160,000	2,368,000
Greater than 12 months, Gross Unrealized Loss	36,000	'	225,000	'	'	29,000	'	36,000	196,000
Impairment losses, available-for-sale securities	'	'	'	'	'	'	917,000	'	'
Other Investments [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Voting Interest Percentage	'	'	'	28.80%	'	'	'	'	'
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	'	'	'	15.20%	'	'	'	'	'
Cost Method, Ownership Percentage	'	'	'	13.60%	'	'	'	'	'
Equity in loss of unconsolidated affiliate	-479,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Other Investments	'	'	'	$25,400,000	'	'	'	'	'

Disclosures_About_Fair_Value_o2

Disclosures About Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) Narrative (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Amount transferred	$4.60

Disclosures_About_Fair_Value_o3

Disclosures About Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities on a Recurring Basis (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Assets	'		'
Available-for-sale securities	$50,098		$50,580
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring	'		'
Assets	'		'
Available-for-sale securities	40,737	[1]	41,408	[1]
Available-for-sale debt maturities	9,361	[1]	9,172	[1]
Readily marketable inventory	12,291	[2]	7,688	[2]
Derivative instruments	2,300	[3]	2,454	[3]
Liabilities	'		'
Derivative instruments	3,409	[3]	1,372	[3]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Quoted Prices In Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)	'		'
Assets	'		'
Available-for-sale securities	22,699	[1]	26,177	[1]
Available-for-sale debt maturities	9,361	[1]	9,172	[1]
Readily marketable inventory	5,158	[2]	2,396	[2]
Derivative instruments	874	[3]	346	[3]
Liabilities	'		'
Derivative instruments	1,008	[3]	436	[3]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)	'		'
Assets	'		'
Available-for-sale securities	18,038	[1]	15,231	[1]
Readily marketable inventory	7,133	[2]	5,292	[2]
Derivative instruments	1,426	[3]	2,108	[3]
Liabilities	'		'
Derivative instruments	$2,401	[3]	$936	[3]
[1]	Where there are quoted market prices that are readily available in an active market, securities are classified as Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy. Level 1 available-for-sale investments are valued using quoted market prices multiplied by the number of shares owned and debt securities are valued using a market quote in an active market. All Level 2 available-for-sale securities are one class because they all contain similar risks and are valued using market prices and include securities where the markets are not active, that is where there are few transactions, or the prices are not current or the prices vary considerably over time. Inputs include directly or indirectly observable inputs such as quoted prices. Level 3 available-for-sale securities would include securities where valuation is based on unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets. This includes certain pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies and similar techniques that use significant unobservable inputs.
[2]	Readily marketable inventory comprises commodity inventories that are reported at fair value based on commodity exchange quotations. Canola seed inventories are valued based on the quoted market price multiplied by the quantity of inventory and are classified as Level 1. Canola oil and meal inventories are classified as Level 2 because the inputs are directly observable, such as the quoted market price of the corresponding soybean commodity.
[3]	Included in this caption are three types of agricultural commodity derivative contracts: swaps, exchange traded futures, and forward commodity purchase and sale contracts. The exchange traded futures contracts are valued based on quoted prices in active markets multiplied by the number of contracts and are classified as Level 1. The swaps are classified as Level 2 because the inputs are directly observable, such as the quoted market prices for relevant commodity futures contracts. The swaps are valued based on the difference of the arithmetic average of the quoted market price of the relevant underlying multiplied by the notional quantities, and the arithmetic average of the prices specified in the instrument multiplied by the notional quantities.

Disclosures_About_Fair_Value_o4

Disclosures About Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) Fair Value Measurements on a Non-Recurring Basis (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]	'		'
Loss on Intangible assets	'		($993,000)	[1]
Impairment of real estate	-2,865,000	[2]	-417,000	[3]
Investment in unconsolidated affilitate Total Gain (Loss)	'		21,181,000	[4]
Intangible asset carrying amount	'		84,900,000
Real estate carrying value	4,200,000		4,100,000
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3	'		'
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]	'		'
Intangible asset (exclusive right to use infrastructure and associated water credits)	'		83,897,000	[1]
Real estate	1,357,000	[2]	3,674,000	[3]
Equity Method and Cost Method Investments	'		$28,679,000	[4]
[1]	The Company had a non-recurring fair value measurement for an intangible asset with a carrying amount of $84.9 million that was written down to its estimated fair value of $83.9 million resulting in an impairment charge of $993,000, which was included in earnings for December 31, 2013. The implied fair value was calculated using a discounted cash flow model that incorporated a wide range of assumptions including current asset pricing, price escalation, discount rates, absorption rates, timing of sales, and costs. Given the decline in market prices for similar assets, increases in interest rates, and extended timing of expected absorptions, the Company adjusted its assumptions and judgments in the model from original projections.
[2]	The Company had a non-recurring fair value measurement of real estate assets with a carrying value of $4.2 million that was written down to its estimated fair value of $1.4 million resulting in an impairment charge of $2.9 million, which was included in earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2014. The impairment was recorded based on the estimated sales price the Company expects to receive upon the sale of this real estate. The impairment loss relates to a property which is not part of UCP’s results of operations nor is it included in UCP’s inventory of lots.
[3]	The Company had a non-recurring fair value measurement of real estate assets with a carrying value of $4.1 million that was written down to its estimated fair value of $3.7 million resulting in an impairment charge of $417,000, which was included in earnings for December 31, 2013. The impairment was recorded based on the estimated sales price the Company expects to receive upon the sale of this real estate. The impairment loss relates to a property which is not part of UCP’s results of operations nor is it included in UCP’s inventory of lots.
[4]	The Company had a non-recurring fair value measurement as a result of the merger transaction between Spigit, Inc. (“Spigit”) and Mindjet. The transaction resulted in the deconsolidation of Spigit, and the recording of the Company’s common and preferred stock investment in Mindjet at fair value, on the date of the transaction. The transaction resulted in a gain of approximately $21.2 million before income taxes. The fair value of the investment in Mindjet was based on analysis of the financial and operational aspects of the company, including consideration of a discounted cash flow analysis which incorporated a contemporary forecast of the merged Mindjet/Spigit entity going forward. Also considered was a guideline public company analysis which compared business enterprise value-to-revenue ratios for comparable public companies to current revenue metrics for the company. Determination of the business enterprise value based on the foregoing was then considered in an analysis of the distribution of equity value to the various classes of equity held by PICO in order to reflect differences in value due to differing liquidation, dividend and voting rights. The fair value approach relied primarily on Level 3 unobservable inputs, whereby expected future cash flows were discounted using a rate that includes assumptions regarding an entity’s average cost of debt and equity, incorporated expected future cash flows based on internal business plans, and applied certain assumptions about risk and uncertainties. The estimates were based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable, but which by nature are uncertain and unpredictable.

Disclosures_About_Fair_Value_o5

Disclosures About Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) Carrying Values and Estimated Fair Values (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Carrying Amount	'	'
Financial assets:	'	'
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates held at cost	$19,380	$19,380
Financial liabilities:	'	'
Debt	135,536	136,767
Estimated Fair Value	'	'
Financial assets:	'	'
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates held at cost	19,380	19,380
Financial liabilities:	'	'
Debt	$144,968	$145,924

Disclosures_About_Fair_Value_o6

Disclosures About Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) Notional Amounts of Derivatives	Mar. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
	T		T
Exchange Traded | Agricultural Commodities Futures | Short	'		'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'		'
Notional amount of nonmonetary derivative	-54,855	[1]	-23,038	[1]
Exchange Traded | Agricultural Commodities Futures | Long	'		'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'		'
Notional amount of nonmonetary derivative	31,708	[1]	34,380	[1]
Exchange Traded | Natural Gas Futures | Long	'		'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'		'
Notional amount of nonmonetary derivative	400,000	[1],[2]	460,000	[1],[2]
Non-Exchange Traded | Forwards | Short	'		'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'		'
Notional amount of nonmonetary derivative	-117,801	[1]	-132,428	[1]
Non-Exchange Traded | Forwards | Long	'		'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'		'
Notional amount of nonmonetary derivative	72,900	[1]	30,367	[1]
Non-Exchange Traded | Swaps | Long	'		'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'		'
Notional amount of nonmonetary derivative	15,000	[1]	75,000	[1]
[1]	Exchange and non-exchange traded futures, forwards, and swaps are presented on a gross (short) and long position basis.
[2]	Million Metric British Thermal Units.

Disclosures_About_Fair_Value_o7

Disclosures About Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative (Cost of Sales, Canola Oil and Meal, USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'
Gain (loss) on derivatives	$4,095	($2,618)
Futures	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'
Gain (loss) on derivatives	-1,054	-2,171
Forwards	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'
Gain (loss) on derivatives	1,474	-814
Swaps	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'
Gain (loss) on derivatives	$3,675	$367

Intangible_Water_Assets_Detail

Intangible Water Assets (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Intangible water assets	$124,904	$124,880
Fish Springs Ranch | Pipeline and Water Rights	'	'
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Intangible water assets	83,897	83,897
Carson-Lyon	'	'
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Intangible water assets	24,804	24,804
Other Properties	'	'
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Intangible water assets	$16,203	$16,179

Debt_Details

Debt (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt	$135,536,000	$136,767,000
Agribusiness term loan	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	4.75%	'
Line of credit, amount outstanding	82,042,000	83,533,000
Agribusiness working capital debt	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	6.00%	'
Line of credit, amount outstanding	4,750,000	4,750,000
Other agribusiness debt	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	4.99%	'
Line of credit, amount outstanding	151,000	159,000
Swiss debt | 3.7% Loan Due in 2014	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.70%	'
Line of credit, amount outstanding	14,139,000	14,012,000
Swiss debt | 3.8% Loan Due in 2014	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.80%	'
Line of credit, amount outstanding	'	3,363,000
Mortgage debt | 3.9% to 4.75% Loan Due Through 2014	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Mortgages	23,629,000	17,307,000
Mortgage debt | 5% to 5.5% Loan Due from 2014 to 2016	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Mortgages	8,676,000	11,491,000
Mortgage debt | 6% to 6.5% Loan Due Through 2036	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Mortgages	545,000	548,000
Mortgage debt | 10% Loan Due Through 2013	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	10.00%	'
Mortgages	1,604,000	1,604,000
Real Estate Operations	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Unused borrowing capacity	27,300,000	'
Agribusiness Operations	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Unused borrowing capacity	$22,300,000	'
Minimum | Mortgage debt | 3.9% to 4.75% Loan Due Through 2014	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.90%	'
Minimum | Mortgage debt | 5% to 5.5% Loan Due from 2014 to 2016	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	5.00%	'
Minimum | Mortgage debt | 6% to 6.5% Loan Due Through 2036	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	6.00%	'
Maximum | Mortgage debt | 3.9% to 4.75% Loan Due Through 2014	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	4.75%	'
Maximum | Mortgage debt | 5% to 5.5% Loan Due from 2014 to 2016	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	5.50%	'
Maximum | Mortgage debt | 6% to 6.5% Loan Due Through 2036	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	6.50%	'
June 30, 2014 | Line of Credit	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt Instrument, Covenant Terms, Debt Service Coverage Ratio, Maximum	1.4	'
September 30, 2014 | Line of Credit	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt Instrument, Covenant Terms, Debt Service Coverage Ratio, Maximum	1.5	'
Beyond September 30, 2014 | Line of Credit	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt Instrument, Covenant Terms, Debt Service Coverage Ratio, Maximum	1.75	'

Segment_Reporting_Details_Asse

Segment Reporting (Details) Assets and Liabilities (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item	'	'
Assets	$751,690	$762,552
Water Resource and Water Storage Operations	'	'
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item	'	'
Assets	193,118	193,105
Real Estate Operations	'	'
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item	'	'
Assets	276,670	276,954
Agribusiness Operations	'	'
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item	'	'
Assets	157,942	155,005
Corporate	'	'
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item	'	'
Assets	$123,960	$137,488

Segment_Reporting_Details_Reve

Segment Reporting (Details) Revenue (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item	'	'
Revenues	$61,276	$56,808
Total loss before income taxes	-15,691	-17,559
Water Resource and Water Storage Operations	'	'
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item	'	'
Revenues	136	184
Total loss before income taxes	-1,985	-2,141
Real Estate Operations	'	'
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item	'	'
Revenues	25,766	11,939
Total loss before income taxes	-6,277	-711
Agribusiness Operations	'	'
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item	'	'
Revenues	34,867	39,565
Total loss before income taxes	-4,192	-9,715
Enterprise Software	'	'
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item	'	'
Revenues	'	3,650
Total loss before income taxes	'	-1,150
Corporate	'	'
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item	'	'
Revenues	507	1,470
Total loss before income taxes	($3,237)	($3,842)

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2007	Mar. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Litigation settlement, gross	$7.30	'
Payments for litigation settlements	3.7	'
Accrual for remaining litigation settlement	'	$3.60