Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Operating costs:
Total operating costs	$ 48,979	$ 52,082
Other income (expense):
Change in fair value of common stock warrant liability	(6,950)	(947)
Gain on extinguishment of long-term debt		396
Total other income (expense)	(4,403)	316
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes	(9,871)	(6,885)
Income tax expense	163	583
Loss from continuing operations	(10,034)	(7,468)
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	72	(3,501)
Net loss	(10,034)	(7,468)
Loss attributable to noncontrolling interest
Net loss attributable to Signature Group Holdings, Inc.	(10,034)	(7,468)
Basic and diluted:
Loss from continuing operations	$ (0.85)	$ (0.34)
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes		$ (0.30)
Net loss attributable to Signature Group Holdings, Inc.	$ (0.85)	$ (0.64)
Continuing Operations
Operating revenues:
Total operating revenues	43,588	43,933
Operating costs:
Cost of goods sold	23,427	22,713
Selling, general and administrative	17,736	17,209
Interest expense	3,943	4,164
Amortization of intangibles	1,588	2,346
Total operating costs	46,694	46,432
Operating loss	(3,106)	(2,499)
Other income (expense):
Change in fair value of common stock warrant liability	(6,950)	(947)
Gain on extinguishment of long-term debt		396
Other, net	113	(337)
Total other income (expense)	(6,837)	(888)
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes	(9,943)	(3,387)
Income tax expense	163	580
Loss from continuing operations	(10,106)	(3,967)
Net loss	(10,034)	(7,468)
Loss attributable to noncontrolling interest
Net loss attributable to Signature Group Holdings, Inc.	(10,034)	(7,468)
Basic and diluted:
Loss from continuing operations	$ (0.85)	$ (0.34)
Net loss attributable to Signature Group Holdings, Inc.	$ (0.85)	$ (0.64)
Continuing Operations | Industrial Supply
Operating revenues:
Total operating revenues	36,897	36,242
Continuing Operations | Special Situations
Operating revenues:
Total operating revenues	6,691	7,691
Continuing Operations | Corporate and Other
Operating revenues:
Total operating revenues
Discontinued Operations
Operating revenues:
Total operating revenues	2,357	2,152
Operating costs:
Total operating costs	2,285	5,650
Other income (expense):
Total other income (expense)	2,434	1,204
Income tax expense		3
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	72	(3,501)
Loss attributable to noncontrolling interest
Basic and diluted:
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes		$ (0.30)