Schedule II. Condensed Financial Statements of Parent Company (Condensed Statement of Cash Flows) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income	$ 14,820	$ 27,650	$ 51,023
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities
Other, net	(1,274)	9,847	3,378
Total adjustments	78,932	80,542	125,224
Net cash provided by operating activities	93,752	110,104	170,094
Cash flows from investing activities
Proceeds from maturity of held-to-maturity investments		0	150
Purchase of held-to-maturity investments	0	0	(150)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	4,501	(19,204)	(61,985)
Cash flows from financing activities
Repurchase of common stock	(11,700)	(5,404)	(29,784)
Issuance of common stock	2,377	7,171	4,828
Net cash used in financing activities	(41,985)	(115,188)	(107,549)
Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents	56,268	(24,288)	560
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year - Continuing Operations	64,454	95,562	89,194
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Year - Continuing Operations	120,722	64,454	95,562
United Fire Group, Inc.
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income	14,820	27,650	51,023
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities
Equity in net income of subsidiary	(14,655)	(26,184)	(49,933)
Dividends received from subsidiary	57,000	105,000	40,000
Other, net	5,512	1,824	1,415
Total adjustments	47,857	80,640	(8,518)
Net cash provided by operating activities	62,677	108,290	42,505
Cash flows from investing activities
Proceeds from maturity of held-to-maturity investments	0	0	150
Purchase of held-to-maturity investments	0	0	(150)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	0	0	0
Cash flows from financing activities
Payment of cash dividends	(32,662)	(105,408)	(27,337)
Repurchase of common stock	(11,700)	(5,404)	(29,784)
Issuance of common stock	2,377	7,171	4,828
Net cash used in financing activities	(41,985)	(103,641)	(52,293)
Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents	20,692	4,649	(9,788)
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year - Continuing Operations	9,186	4,537	14,325
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Year - Continuing Operations	$ 29,878	$ 9,186	$ 4,537