Segmented Information Segment (loss) income (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating Income (Loss)	$ (5,415)	$ (2,847)	$ (8,436)	$ (4,239)
Net investment income	816	797	1,396	1,623
Net realized gains (losses)	32	(23)	(1,377)	250
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments	(1,800)	(488)	(1,800)	(488)
Gain (loss) on change in fair value of debt	2,338	(2,418)	(6,613)	(6,749)
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	(2,611)	(803)	(5,589)	(4,527)
Interest Expense	(1,927)	(1,916)	(3,760)	(3,765)
Amortization of intangible assests not allocated to segments	(181)	0	(412)	0
Increase (Decrease) in Assets Held-for-sale	(1,446)	0	(1,446)	0
Loss on buy-back of debt	0	0	(24)	0
Equity in net income (loss) of investee	0	97	255	(2,169)
Loss before income tax (benefit) expense	(10,194)	(7,601)	(27,806)	(20,064)
Income tax (benefit) expense	(525)	116	(801)	175
Net loss	(9,669)	(7,717)	(27,005)	(20,239)
Property, Liability and Casualty Insurance Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating Income (Loss)	(5,355)	(3,838)	(9,725)	(6,963)
6411 Insurance Agents, Brokers and Service [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating Income (Loss)	$ (60)	$ 991	$ 1,289	$ 2,724