Schedule II - Condensed Financial Information of Registrant - Condensed Statements of Cash Flows (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Cash flow from operating activities [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	$ 1,011	$ 14,710	$ 5,342
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	1,477	1,385	1,166
Amortization of investment premium or discount, net	916	1,546	3,909
Loss (gain) on early extinguishment of debt	3,575	0	0
Share-based compensation	2,176	2,367	2,846
Changes in operating assets and liabilities [Abstract]
Income taxes, net	(3,723)	6,109	4,403
Other	602	(1,444)	(15,158)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	35,316	30,270	13,106
Cash flow from investing activities [Abstract]
Payment for acquisition	10,402	0	0
Purchases of property and equipment	(2,040)	(2,026)	(976)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(9,011)	(21,184)	(31,707)
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities, Continuing Operations [Abstract]
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt, net of issuance costs	98,390	0	45,000
Payment of long-term debt and prepayment penalties	(48,000)	(5,000)	0
Issuance of common stock for share-based awards	1	39	103
Purchases of FedNat Holding Company common stock	(3,449)	(5,061)	(10,616)
Dividends paid	(4,309)	(4,184)	(4,251)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	42,633	(30,891)	30,236
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	68,938	(21,805)	11,635
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning-of-period	64,423	86,228	74,593
Cash and cash equivalents at end-of-period	133,361	64,423	86,228
Parent Company [Member]
Cash flow from operating activities [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	1,011	14,710	5,342
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Net realized and unrealized investment (gains) losses	(448)	765	0
Depreciation and amortization	(20,909)	(30,895)	(16,902)
Amortization of investment premium or discount, net	369	141	88
Loss (gain) on early extinguishment of debt	3,575	0	0
Share-based compensation	1,050	1,183	2,846
Changes in operating assets and liabilities [Abstract]
Income taxes, net	(5,379)	(2,371)	4,354
Due to subsidiaries	3,044	(9,317)	20,468
Other	998	1,497	1,450
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(16,689)	(24,287)	17,646
Cash flow from investing activities [Abstract]
Capital contributions to consolidated subsidiaries	0	30,000	25,000
Sales, maturities and redemptions of investments securities	11,276	54,543	42,979
Purchases of investment securities	(15,617)	(61,009)	(26,828)
Payment for acquisition	(25,566)	0	0
Issuance of note receivable to subsidiary	(18,000)	0	0
Purchases of property and equipment	(289)	(639)	(102)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(48,196)	(37,105)	(8,951)
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities, Continuing Operations [Abstract]
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt, net of issuance costs	98,390	0	0
Payment of long-term debt and prepayment penalties	(48,000)	0	45,000
Issuance of common stock for share-based awards	1	39	103
Purchases of FedNat Holding Company common stock	(3,449)	(5,061)	(10,616)
Dividends from consolidated subsidiaries	39,174	27,990	0
Dividends paid	(4,309)	(4,184)	(4,251)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	81,807	18,784	30,236
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	16,922	(42,608)	38,931
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning-of-period	4,109	46,717	7,786
Cash and cash equivalents at end-of-period	$ 21,031	$ 4,109	$ 46,717