SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Narrative) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) segment state plan holding_company	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($)
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Number of operating segments | segment	2
Item Effected [Line Items]
Percentage of the gains and profits from the Lloyds plan available to United Fire & Indemnity Company	100.00%
Number of holding companies dissolved | holding_company	3
Securities on deposit as required by law	$ 1,515,193,000	$ 1,643,369,000
Other-than-temporary impairment charges	1,300,000	0	$ 139,000
Payment for income taxes	39,497,000	9,626,000	13,628,000
Federal tax refund received	919,000	615,000	8,744,000
Interest payment	0	0
Increase to DAC amortization	2,144,000
Increase to DAC asset	3,830,000
Increase (decrease) in DAC asset	(2,003,000)	(13,383,000)
Depreciation expense	5,704,000	6,122,000	4,391,000
Goodwill, impairment charge	0	0	0
Intangible assets, impairment charge	0	0	0
Unrecognized tax benefit	$ 0	0	0
Number of equity compensation plans | plan	2
Minimum [Member]
Item Effected [Line Items]
Useful life	2 years
Maximum [Member]
Item Effected [Line Items]
Useful life	15 years
Property and Casualty Insurance [Member]
Item Effected [Line Items]
Number of states in which we are licensed as insurer | state	45
Amortization expense	$ 769,000	$ 769,000	$ 1,212,000
Life Insurance [Member]
Item Effected [Line Items]
Number of states in which we are licensed as insurer | state	37
Traditional life insurance, interest rate assumptions, lower range	4.20%
Traditional life insurance, interest rate assumptions, upper range	6.00%