Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Fixed maturity securities at fair value	$ 787,768	$ 815,999
Short-term investments, at fair value	99,644	57,417
Cash and cash equivalents	45,518	43,481
Accrued investment income	6,392	6,598
Premiums receivable	34,279	33,458
Ceded unearned premium	22,643	22,710
Reinsurance recoverable	171,367	173,982
Deferred policy acquisition costs	23,947	24,421
Other assets	75,509	74,479
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses	685,690	680,201
Unearned premiums	134,432	135,059
Ceded premiums payable	8,966	11,425
Funds held	74,120	71,955
Other liabilities	12,393	14,029
Deferred income taxes	1,770
Preferred stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	5,000,000	5,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued
Preferred stock, shares outstanding
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	30,000,000	30,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	10,255,649	10,209,419
Common stock, shares outstanding	10,255,649	10,209,419
Variable Interest Entity
Fixed maturity securities at fair value	4,531	4,623
Short-term investments, at fair value	3,892	3,723
Cash and cash equivalents	974	2,268
Accrued investment income	36	45
Premiums receivable	1,040	629
Ceded unearned premium	421	166
Reinsurance recoverable	2,404	3,055
Deferred policy acquisition costs	1,282	(454)
Other assets	9,766	1,042
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses	12,041	7,412
Unearned premiums	5,109	623
Ceded premiums payable	649	296
Funds held	143	174
Other liabilities	0	0
Deferred income taxes	$ 374	$ 0