Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Investments:
Fixed maturity securities, at fair value (including $9,499 and $4,623 from VIE)	$ 829,577	$ 815,999
Stock, at fair value	11,857	2,932
Short-term investments, at fair value (including $2,645 and $3,723 from VIE)	76,502	57,417
Trading securities, at fair value	12,712
Total investments	930,648	883,099
Cash and cash equivalents (including $507 and $2,268 from VIE)	20,224	43,481
Accrued investment income (including $52 and $45 from VIE)	6,387	6,598
Premiums receivable (including $498 and $629 from VIE)	32,559	33,458
Ceded unearned premium (including $351 and $166 from VIE)	29,821	22,710
Reinsurance recoverable (including $5,039 and $3,055 from VIE)	183,562	173,982
Deferred income taxes (including $0 and $0 from VIE)	15,736	1,877
Deferred acquisition costs (including $1,100 and ($454) from VIE)	26,182	24,421
Property, plant and equipment, net	12,082	13,110
Goodwill	20,843	9,317
Funds on deposit (including $231 and $208 from VIE)	42,088	32,979
Accrued premium (including $0 and $0 from VIE)	42,886	33,968
Other assets (including $1,255 and $834 from VIE)	25,849	7,532
Total assets	1,373,131	1,286,532
Liabilities:
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses (including $8,900 and $7,412 from VIE)	725,244	680,201
Unearned premiums (including $4,325 and $623 from VIE)	146,096	135,059
Ceded premiums payable (including $67 and $296 from VIE)	13,386	11,425
Funds held (including $113 and $174 from VIE)	76,806	71,955
Other liabilities (including $0 and $0 from VIE)	18,601	14,029
Deferred income taxes (including $30 and $0 from VIE)	8,767	15,288
Loans payable	39,183	39,183
Total liabilities	1,028,083	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 December 31, 2012, 9,505,906 shares and at December 31, 2011, 10,209,419 shares	95	102
Additional paid-in capital	86,568	98,394
Retained earnings	197,015	185,176
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net	53,628	44,416
Total American Safety Insurance Holdings, Ltd. shareholders' equity	337,306	328,088
Equity in non-controlling interests	7,742	6,592
Total equity	345,048	334,680
Total liabilities and equity	1,373,131	1,286,532
Common stock
Investments:
Fixed maturity securities, at fair value (including $9,499 and $4,623 from VIE)	8,776	6,751
Stock, at fair value	8,776	6,751
Preferred stock
Investments:
Fixed maturity securities, at fair value (including $9,499 and $4,623 from VIE)	3,081	2,932
Stock, at fair value	$ 3,081	$ 2,932