Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Investments available-for-sale:
Fixed maturity securities, at fair value (including $6,419 and $4,623 from VIE)	$ 791,761	$ 815,999
Stock, at fair value	9,771
Short-term investments, at fair value (including $5,713 and $3,723 from VIE)	131,936	57,417
Trading securities, at fair value	14,846
Total investments	948,314	883,099
Cash and cash equivalents (including $1,342 and $2,268 from VIE)	31,889	43,481
Accrued investment income (including $44 and $45 from VIE)	6,239	6,598
Premiums receivable (including $862 and $629 from VIE)	40,397	33,458
Ceded unearned premium (including $424 and $166 from VIE)	28,459	22,710
Reinsurance recoverable (including $194 and $3,055 from VIE)	160,949	173,982
Deferred income taxes		1,877
Deferred acquisition costs (including $1,317 and ($454) from VIE)	26,619	24,421
Property, plant and equipment, net	12,517	13,110
Goodwill	20,983	9,317
Other assets (including $1,537 and $1,042 from VIE)	92,222	74,479
Total Assets	1,368,588	1,286,532
Liabilities:
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses (including $4,907 and $7,412 from VIE)	683,011	680,201
Unearned premiums (including $5,192 and $623 from VIE)	148,993	135,059
Ceded premiums payable (including $1,100 and $296 from VIE)	16,808	11,425
Funds held (including $114 and $174 from VIE)	81,199	71,955
Other liabilities (including $0 and $0 from VIE)	19,634	14,029
Deferred income taxes (including ($21) and $0 from VIE)	7,117
Securities payable	16,834
Loans payable	39,183	39,183
Total liabilities	1,012,779	951,852
Shareholder's 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, 2012, 9,878,589 shares and at December 31, 2011, 10,209,419 shares	98	102
Additional paid-in capital	92,992	98,394
Retained earnings	197,618	185,176
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net	58,541	44,416
Total American Safety Insurance Holdings, Ltd. shareholders' equity	349,249	328,088
Equity in non-controlling interests	6,560	6,592
Total equity	355,809	334,680
Total liabilities and equity	1,368,588	1,286,532
Common stock
Investments available-for-sale:
Fixed maturity securities, at fair value (including $6,419 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 $6,419 and $4,623 from VIE)	3,065	2,932
Stock, at fair value	$ 3,065	$ 2,932