Schedule II. Condensed Financial Statements of Parent Company (Condensed Statement of Cash Flows) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income	$ 59,137	$ 76,140		$ 40,212
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities
Other, net	(2,813)	(7,156)		(2,871)
Total adjustments	92,154	85,351		131,864
Net cash provided by operating activities	151,291	161,491		172,076
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of held-to-maturity investments	0	0		(200)
Net cash used in investing activities	(58,878)	(101,986)		(111,340)
Cash flows from financing activities
Repurchase of common stock	(12,942)	(1,644)		(7,301)
Issuance of common stock	2,260	3,393		1,106
Tax impact from issuance of common stock	(160)	(488)		(78)
Net cash used in financing activities	(94,032)	(74,778)		(97,797)
Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents	(1,619)	(15,273)		(37,061)
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year	92,193	107,466		144,527
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Year	90,574	92,193		107,466
United Fire Group, Inc. [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income	59,137	76,140		40,212	[1],[2]
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities
Equity in net income of subsidiary	(59,305)	(76,240)		(40,306)	[1],[2]
Dividends received from subsidiary	29,000	13,175		26,950	[1]
Other, net	700	1,261		26	[1]
Total adjustments	(29,605)	(61,804)		(13,330)	[1]
Net cash provided by operating activities	29,532	14,336		26,882	[1]
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of held-to-maturity investments	0	0		(200)	[1]
Net cash used in investing activities	0	0		(200)	[1]
Cash flows from financing activities
Repurchase of common stock	(12,942)	(1,644)		(7,301)	[1]
Issuance of common stock	2,260	3,393		1,106	[1]
Tax impact from issuance of common stock	(160)	(488)		(78)	[1]
Payment of cash dividends	(19,680)	(17,484)		(15,269)	[1]
Net cash used in financing activities	(30,522)	(16,223)		(21,542)	[1]
Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents	(990)	(1,887)		5,140	[1]
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year	3,253	5,140	[1]	0	[1]
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Year	$ 2,263	$ 3,253		$ 5,140	[1]

[1] The Condensed Statement of Cash Flows includes the full year 2012 results. The results of January 2012 are immaterial to the full year 2012 results.

[2] The Condensed Statement of Income and Comprehensive Income includes the full year 2012 results. The results of January 2012 are immaterial to the full year 2012 results.