Investments - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012 Investment	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Investment Expenses	$ 2,193,000	$ 744,000	$ 8,529,000	$ 2,149,000
Number of significant fair value hierarchy classification judgments			0
Investments pledged under a reinsurance treaty	300,000		300,000		300,000
Settlement Agreement
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Investment Expenses			4,500,000
State Insurance departments
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Fixed maturities, securities deposited	9,600,000		9,600,000		10,200,000
UK Bank
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Investment securities deposited	1,200,000		1,200,000
Equity Securities | Maximum
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of fair value over cost	80.00%		80.00%
Non-government backed securities | Maximum
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of investment	5.00%		5.00%		5.00%
Non-government backed securities | Investments
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Gross Unrealized Loss	$ 100,000		$ 100,000		$ 1,400,000
Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Securities, effective maturities	3.9		3.9