Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Investments available-for-sale:
Fixed maturity securities at fair value (including $5,971 and $5,419 from VIE)	$ 832,643	$ 750,250
Short-term investments, at fair value (including $2,323 and $3,083 from VIE)	38,606	60,207
Total investments	881,088	818,450
Cash and cash equivalents (including $1,260 and $759 from VIE)	38,199	38,307
Accrued investment income (including $52 and $54 from VIE)	6,668	7,174
Premiums receivable (including $881 and $1,116 from VIE)	35,566	32,470
Ceded unearned premiums (including $201 and $286 from VIE)	22,337	24,380
Reinsurance recoverables (including $478 and $4,291 from VIE)	185,097	198,014
Deferred income taxes	3,159	5,922
Deferred acquisition costs (including $(496) and $(38) from VIE)	25,556	22,142
Property, plant and equipment, net	13,886	13,013
Goodwill	9,317	9,317
Other assets (including $331 and $0 from VIE)	56,526	52,064
Total assets	1,277,399	1,221,253
Liabilities:
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses (including $5,992 and $9,710 from VIE)	666,392	649,641
Unearned premiums (including $747 and $945 from VIE)	141,083	128,981
Ceded premiums payable (including $327 and $434 from VIE)	12,689	11,496
Funds held (including $167 and $248 from VIE)	63,101	55,917
Other liabilities (including $0 and $427 from VIE)	15,002	17,501
Loans payable	39,183	39,183
Total liabilities	937,450	902,719
Shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; authorized 5,000,000 shares; no shares issued and outstanding
Common stock, $0.01 par value; authorized 30,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding at September 30, 2011, 10,375,259 and December 31, 2010, 10,386,519	104	104
Additional paid-in capital	102,153	102,768
Retained earnings	192,095	174,328
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net	41,829	38,128
Total American Safety Insurance Holdings, Ltd. shareholder's equity	336,181	315,328
Equity in non-controlling interest	3,768	3,206
Total equity	339,949	318,534
Total liabilities and equity	1,277,399	1,221,253
Common Stock
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Stock, at fair value	6,926	5,082
Preferred Stock
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Stock, at fair value	$ 2,913	$ 2,911