Long Term Investments (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) partnerships	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($)
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership percentage in equity method investment	7.84%
Equity method investments	$ 21,495	$ 20,484
Equity (loss) income on long-term investments accounted for under the equity method	$ 2,001	4,103	$ 22,925
Partnerships accounted for on equity method | partnerships	3
Equity Method Investments [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Cash distributions from equity method investments	$ 2,364	3,283	12,358
Equity (loss) income on long-term investments accounted for under the equity method	(2,681)	3,140	3,126
Investment Partnerships [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Contributions	5,000
Reinsurance Company [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Contributions	5,000
Limited Partnership [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Proceeds from limited partnership investments	$ 587	549	$ 769
Indian Creek Investors LP [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership percentage in equity method investment	19.93%
Equity method investments	$ 4,989	8,053
Boyar Value Fund [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership percentage in equity method investment	29.92%
Equity method investments	$ 7,302	0
Ladenburg Thalmann Financial Services [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investments	9,204	12,173
Quoted market value	39,167
Difference between carrying amount and underlying equity	$ 21,463
Castle Brands [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership percentage in equity method investment	7.99%
Equity method investments	$ 0	$ 258
Quoted market value	15,585
Difference between carrying amount and underlying equity	$ 1,848