FEDERATED NATIONAL HOLDING COMPANY (UNAUDITED) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
ASSETS
Cash and short term investments	$ 21,143	$ 15,205	$ 16,206
Deferred income taxes receivable	4,338	8,612
Income taxes receivable	39	0
Property, plant and equipment, net	564	842
Other assets	2,658	2,094
Total assets	185,888	179,980
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Income taxes payable	0	77
Total liabilities	119,983	121,836
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock	80	79
Additional paid-in capital	51,356	50,940
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income	4,067	877
Retained earnings	10,402	6,248
Total shareholders' equity	65,905	58,144	57,931	67,441
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	185,888	179,980
Revenue:
Net investment income	3,819	4,079	3,726
Other income	517	1,632	792
Total revenue	68,647	60,163	60,604
Expenses:
Salaries and wages	8,439	8,004	8,611
Total expenses	61,899	61,163	72,559
Income (loss) before provision for income tax expense (benefit)	6,748	(1,000)	(11,955)
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)	2,435	(570)	(3,959)
Net income (loss)	4,313	(430)	(7,996)
Cash flow from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	4,313	(430)	(7,996)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization of property plant and equipment, net	195	168	221
Income tax (payable) recoverable	(39)	2,393	4,676
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Other assets	(552)	(308)	837
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities	1,540	4,083	(6,591)
Cash flow used in investing activities:
Purchases of investment securities available for sale	(77,510)	(96,581)
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities	4,329	(5,176)	(5,074)
Net cash used in financing activities:
Dividends paid	(159)	0	(477)
Stock options exercised	128	0	0
Tax benefit related to non-cash compensation	100	92	151
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities	69	92	(326)
Net decrease in cash and short term investments	5,938	(1,001)	(11,991)
Cash and short term investments at beginning of period	15,205	16,206	28,197
Cash and short term investments at end of period	21,143	15,205	16,206
Parent Company [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and short term investments	1,494	2,283	3,202
Investments and advances to subsidiaries	61,005	60,554
Deferred income taxes receivable	4,338	8,612
Income taxes receivable	9,515	9,474
Property, plant and equipment, net	98	260
Other assets	4,069	4,024
Total assets	80,519	85,207
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Income taxes payable	0	78
Other liabilities	125	143
Total liabilities	125	221
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock	80	80
Additional paid-in capital	45,378	45,250
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income	(1,039)	494
Retained earnings	35,975	39,162
Total shareholders' equity	80,394	84,986
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	80,519	85,207
Revenue:
Management fees from subsidiaries	1,228	1,734	1,669
Equity in income of subsidiaries	8,787	(48)	(10,080)
Net investment income	34	31	2
Other income	476	1,345	518
Total revenue	10,525	3,062	(7,891)
Expenses:
Salaries and wages	1,853	1,775	1,930
Legal fees	198	54	19
Other expenses	1,726	2,233	2,114
Total expenses	3,777	4,062	4,063
Income (loss) before provision for income tax expense (benefit)	6,748	(1,000)	(11,955)
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)	2,435	(570)	(3,959)
Net income (loss)	4,313	(430)	(7,996)
Cash flow from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	4,313	(430)	(7,996)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Equity in (income) loss of subsidiaries	(8,787)	48	10,080
Depreciation and amortization of property plant and equipment, net	23	7	13
Deferred income tax (benefit) expense	(4,274)	696	3,241
Income tax (payable) recoverable	(78)	78	0
Change in dividends payable	0	0	(477)
Non-cash compensation	188	263	431
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Property plant and equipment	(138)	73	(259)
Deferred gain on sale of assets	(30)	(506)	(500)
Other assets	45	(292)	(301)
Other liabilities	(18)	(770)	(675)
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities	(8,756)	(833)	3,557
Cash flow used in investing activities:
Purchases of investment securities available for sale	(451)	(846)	(5,024)
Increased capital of subsidiaries	0	0	(5,025)
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities	(451)	(846)	(10,049)
Net cash used in financing activities:
Dividends paid	(159)	0	(477)
Stock options exercised	128	0	0
Tax benefit related to non-cash compensation	100	92	151
Advances (to) from subsidiaries	8,349	668	3,832
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities	8,418	760	3,506
Net decrease in cash and short term investments	(789)	(919)	(2,986)
Cash and short term investments at beginning of period	2,283	3,202	6,188
Cash and short term investments at end of period	$ 1,494	$ 2,283	$ 3,202