Consolidated Statement of Operations - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Revenues [Abstract]
Net premiums earned	$ 33,518	$ 31,813	$ 66,440	$ 61,240
Service fee and commission income	6,873	5,394	13,435	10,716
Rental income	3,341	0	6,682	0
Net investment (loss) income	(2,366)	1,072	(1,663)	1,000
Net realized gains (losses)	734	67	1,132	(104)
Other income	2,815	2,791	5,630	5,165
Total revenues	44,915	41,137	91,656	78,017
Operating Expenses [Abstract]
Loss and loss adjustment expenses	27,468	24,838	53,878	48,335
Commissions and premium taxes	6,475	6,103	12,753	11,701
Cost of services sold	1,291	770	2,595	1,543
General and administrative expenses	11,380	10,826	22,652	20,377
Leased real estate segment interest expense	1,569	0	3,143	0
Amortization of intangible assets	289	307	580	602
Contingent consideration benefit	(212)	(657)	(212)	(657)
Impairment of intangible assets	0	0	250	0
Total operating expenses	48,260	42,187	95,639	81,901
Operating loss	(3,345)	(1,050)	(3,983)	(3,884)
Other (revenues) expenses, net: [Abstract]
Interest expense not allocated to segments	1,216	1,108	2,375	2,201
Foreign exchange losses, net	0	(9)	(4)	(10)
Loss (gain) on change in fair value of debt	2,702	(1,068)	4,591	(3,596)
Equity in net loss (income) of investees	145	874	(2,240)	943
Total other expenses (revenues), net	4,063	923	4,730	(442)
Loss from continuing operations before income tax expense	(7,408)	(1,973)	(8,713)	(3,442)
Income tax expense	1,251	26	1,430	52
Loss from continuing operations	(8,659)	(1,999)	(10,143)	(3,494)
Gain on disposal of discontinued operations, net of taxes	1,017	1,124	1,017	1,124
Net loss	(7,642)	(875)	(9,126)	(2,370)
Less: net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests in consolidated subsidiaries	100	(361)	205	(400)
Less: dividends on preferred stock	123	82	244	164
Net loss attributable to common shareholders	$ (7,865)	$ (596)	$ (9,575)	$ (2,134)
Loss per share - continuing operations [Abstract]
Basic:	$ (0.41)	$ (0.09)	$ (0.49)	$ (0.16)
Diluted:	(0.41)	(0.09)	(0.49)	(0.16)
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations and Disposal of Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Per Basic and Diluted Share [Abstract]
Basic:	0.05	0.06	0.05	0.06
Diluted:	0.05	0.06	0.05	0.06
Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Abstract]
Basic:	(0.37)	(0.03)	(0.45)	(0.11)
Diluted:	$ (0.37)	$ (0.03)	$ (0.45)	$ (0.11)
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted [Abstract]
Basic:	21,458	19,818	21,458	19,764
Diluted:	21,458	19,818	21,458	19,764