Investments Investments in fixed maturities and equity investments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments	$ 0	$ 0	$ 1,800	$ 488
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains			1,059		1,741
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses			146		65
Equity investments, at fair value (cost of $11,520 and $2,305, respectively)	16,523		16,523		3,548
Available-for-sale Securities	65,275		65,275		79,534
Fixed maturities, cost	64,362		64,362		77,858
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	64,362		64,362
Atlas Financial Holdings, Inc. Common Stock [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains			3,600
Available-for-sale Securities	12,900		12,900
Equity investments, cost	9,300		9,300
US Government Agencies Debt Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	24,647		24,647		23,954
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains			697		962
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses			6		1
Available-for-sale Securities	25,338		25,338		24,915
Foreign Government Debt Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	4,372		4,372		3,822
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains			0		0
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses			130		40
Available-for-sale Securities	4,242		4,242		3,782
US States and Political Subdivisions Debt Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	7,134		7,134		7,158
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains			113		187
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses			0		0
Available-for-sale Securities	7,247		7,247		7,345
Mortgage-backed Securities, Issued by US Government Sponsored Enterprises [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	722		722		4,850
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains			14		193
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses			0		0
Available-for-sale Securities	736		736		5,043
Asset-backed Securities, Securitized Loans and Receivables [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	318		318		1,084
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains			1		8
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses			0		0
Available-for-sale Securities	319		319		1,092
Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	27,169		27,169		36,990
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains			234		391
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses			10		24
Available-for-sale Securities	27,393		27,393		37,357
Common Stock [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains			5,016
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses			13
Equity investments, at fair value (cost of $11,520 and $2,305, respectively)	16,523		16,523
Equity investments, cost	11,520		11,520
Equity Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains					1,256
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses					13
Equity investments, at fair value (cost of $11,520 and $2,305, respectively)					3,548
Equity investments, cost					2,305
Available-for-sale Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains			6,075		2,997
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses			159		78
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	75,882		75,882		80,163
Investment Owned, at Fair Value	$ 81,798		$ 81,798		$ 83,082