Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Investments available-for-sale:
Fixed maturity securities, at fair value (including $4,531 and $4,623 from VIE)	$ 787,768	$ 815,999
Short-term investments, at fair value (including $3,892 and $3,723 from VIE)	99,644	57,417
Total investments	897,204	883,099
Cash and cash equivalents (including $974 and $2,268 from VIE)	45,518	43,481
Accrued investment income (including $36 and $45 from VIE)	6,392	6,598
Premiums receivable (including $1,040 and $629 from VIE)	34,279	33,458
Ceded unearned premium (including $421 and $166 from VIE)	22,643	22,710
Reinsurance recoverable (including $2,404 and $3,055 from VIE)	171,367	173,982
Deferred income taxes		1,877
Deferred policy acquisition costs (including $1,282 and $(454) from VIE)	23,947	24,421
Property, plant and equipment, net	12,797	13,110
Goodwill	9,317	9,317
Other assets (including $9,766 and $1,042 from VIE)	75,509	74,479
Total assets	1,298,973	1,286,532
Liabilities:
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses (including $12,041 and $7,412 from VIE)	685,690	680,201
Unearned premiums (including $5,109 and $623 from VIE)	134,432	135,059
Ceded premiums payable (including $649 and $296 from VIE)	8,966	11,425
Funds held (including $143 and $174 from VIE)	74,120	71,955
Other liabilities (including $0 and $0 from VIE)	12,393	14,029
Deferred income taxes (including $374 and $0 from VIE)	1,770
Loans payable	39,183	39,183
Total liabilities	956,554	951,852
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 March 31, 2012, 10,255,649 shares and at December 31, 2011, 10,209,419 shares	103	102
Additional paid-in capital	98,656	98,394
Retained earnings	189,231	185,176
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net	47,651	44,416
Total American Safety Insurance Holdings, Ltd. shareholders' equity	335,641	328,088
Equity in non-controlling interests	6,778	6,592
Total equity	342,419	334,680
Total liabilities and equity	1,298,973	1,286,532
Common stock
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Stock, at fair value	6,751	6,751
Preferred stock
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Stock, at fair value	$ 3,041	$ 2,932