Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income	$ 6,475,436	$ 8,010,147
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	901,111	1,106,129
Net realized investment gains	(1,340,564)	(2,309,980)
Equity in earnings of Donegal Financial Services Corporation	(1,088,906)	(1,174,519)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Losses and loss expenses	11,728,371	(5,129,110)
Unearned premiums	11,296,320	9,080,840
Premiums receivable	(10,425,418)	(6,059,980)
Deferred acquisition costs	(1,064,350)	(838,572)
Deferred income taxes	1,631,380	2,107,034
Reinsurance receivable	(4,659,893)	7,651,113
Prepaid reinsurance premiums	(3,532,303)	(2,454,106)
Accrued investment income	(224,912)	(356,027)
Due to affiliate	(5,061,688)	(3,891,795)
Reinsurance balances payable	1,035,868	(3,142,375)
Current income taxes	(774,316)	1,196,515
Accrued expenses	(2,689,827)	(3,099,559)
Other, net	(288,302)	(822,638)
Net adjustments	(4,557,429)	(8,137,030)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	1,918,007	(126,883)
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Purchases of fixed maturities, available for sale	(37,561,696)	(65,787,791)
Purchases of equity securities, available for sale	(3,497,597)	(1,000,111)
Maturity of fixed maturities:
Held to maturity	1,610,591	2,010,962
Available for sale	14,853,225	25,742,108
Sales of fixed maturities, available for sale	17,791,110	16,266,860
Sales of equity securities, available for sale	2,829,224	4,428,189
Net (purchases) sales of property and equipment	(48,498)	21,761
Net decrease in investment in affiliates	465,000
Net sales of short-term investments	12,562,837	23,635,330
Net cash provided by investing activities	9,004,196	5,317,308
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Cash dividends paid	(3,069,386)	(2,998,477)
Issuance of common stock	2,239,693	548,225
Payments on subordinated debentures	(15,465,000)
Payments on line of credit	(9,000,000)
Borrowings under lines of credit	18,500,000
Net cash used in financing activities	(6,794,693)	(2,450,252)
Net increase in cash	4,127,510	2,740,173
Cash at beginning of period	19,801,290	13,245,378
Cash at end of period	23,928,800	15,985,551
Cash paid during period - Interest	517,823	510,916
Net cash paid (received) during period - Taxes	$ 650,000	$ (1,423,035)