Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Investments available-for-sale:
Fixed maturity securities, at fair value (including $4,493 and $4,623 from VIE)	$ 796,348	$ 815,999
Stock, at fair value	9,812
Short-term investments, at fair value (including $2,516 and $3,723 from VIE)	97,531	57,417
Trading securities, at fair value	4,935
Total investments	908,626	883,099
Cash and cash equivalents (including $1,302 and $2,268 from VIE)	35,195	43,481
Accrued investment income (including $44 and $45 from VIE)	6,430	6,598
Premiums receivable (including $826 and $629 from VIE)	39,243	33,458
Ceded unearned premium (including $442 and $166 from VIE)	26,386	22,710
Reinsurance recoverable (including $1,256 and $3,055 from VIE)	178,066	173,982
Deferred income taxes		1,877
Deferred acquisition costs (including $1,372 and $(454) from VIE)	25,811	24,421
Property, plant and equipment, net	12,613	13,110
Goodwill	9,317	9,317
Other assets (including $6,286 and $1,042 from VIE)	86,370	74,479
Total assets	1,328,057	1,286,532
Liabilities:
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses (including $5,491 and $7,412 from VIE)	698,465	680,201
Unearned premiums (including $5,430 and $623 from VIE)	146,127	135,059
Ceded premiums payable (including $901 and $296 from VIE)	14,116	11,425
Funds held (including $122 and $174 from VIE)	64,088	71,955
Other liabilities (including $0 and $0 from VIE)	12,233	14,029
Deferred income taxes (including $(36) and $0 from VIE)	3,471
Loans payable	39,183	39,183
Total liabilities	977,683	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 June 30, 2012, 10,252,617 shares and at December 31, 2011, 10,209,419 shares	102	102
Additional paid-in capital	99,310	98,394
Retained earnings	191,412	185,176
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net	52,921	44,416
Total American Safety Insurance Holdings, Ltd. shareholders' equity	343,745	328,088
Equity in non-controlling interests	6,629	6,592
Total equity	350,374	334,680
Total liabilities and equity	1,328,057	1,286,532
Common stock
Investments available-for-sale:
Fixed maturity securities, at fair value (including $4,493 and $4,623 from VIE)	6,706	6,751
Stock, at fair value	6,706	6,751
Preferred stock
Investments available-for-sale:
Fixed maturity securities, at fair value (including $4,493 and $4,623 from VIE)	3,106	2,932
Stock, at fair value	$ 3,106	$ 2,932