Financial Schedules Schedule II - Statement of Operations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Other Income									$ 1,243	$ 955	$ 1,465
Realized investment gains (losses), net									518	(1,985)	(5,459)
Total revenue	$ 67,863	$ 64,331	$ 60,852	$ 59,581	$ 67,903	$ 61,741	$ 61,237	$ 54,525	252,627	245,406	236,268
Federal income tax expense (benefit)	35,069	(339)	1,524	(1,113)	(490)	1,845	1,077	1,082	35,141	3,514	1,200
Net income (loss)	$ (44,204)	$ 3,449	$ 572	$ 2,056	$ 116	$ 2,762	$ 1,482	$ (2,391)	(38,127)	1,969	(3,143)
Parent Company [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Management service fees									42,367	33,748	31,328
Investment income									1,282	1,491	1,499
Other Income									80	49	58
Total revenue									43,729	35,288	32,885
General expenes									41,680	33,807	29,609
Taxes, licenses and fees									1,203	996	918
Federal income tax expense (benefit)									228	(196)	523
Total expenses									43,111	34,607	31,050
Income before equity in income of consolidated subsidiaries									618	681	1,835
Equity in income of consolidated subsidiaries									(38,745)	1,288	(4,978)
Net income (loss)									$ (38,127)	$ 1,969	$ (3,143)