XML 46 R35.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.7.0.1
Investments - Additional Information (Detail)
3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Nov. 30, 2013
USD ($)
Mar. 31, 2017
USD ($)
Securities
Mar. 31, 2016
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2016
USD ($)
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]        
Net unrealized losses arising prior to reclassification date and classified in accumulated other comprehensive loss $ 15,100,000      
Amortization of unrealized losses recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income   $ 296,659 $ 368,497  
Depreciation of original cost value   20.00%    
Time period for which individual security should be in unrealized position of twenty percentage or more to assume it as other than temporary decline   More than six months    
Donegal Financial Services Corporation [Member]        
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]        
Percentage of ownership interest   48.20%    
Equity Securities [Member]        
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]        
Number of fixed maturity securities classified as available for sale | Securities   9    
Obligations of States and Political Subdivisions [Member]        
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]        
Aggregate fair value of bond held   $ 216,600,000   $ 220,100,000
Amortized cost of bond held   207,400,000   211,000,000
Special Revenue Bonds [Member]        
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]        
Aggregate fair value of bond held   95,800,000   96,800,000
Amortized cost of bond held   $ 90,600,000   $ 91,700,000
Education Bonds [Member]        
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]        
Percentage of investments in special revenue bonds   58.00%   62.00%
Water and Sewer Utility Bonds [Member]        
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]        
Percentage of investments in special revenue bonds   23.00%   23.00%
Fixed Maturities [Member]        
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]        
Number of fixed maturity securities classified as available for sale | Securities   242    
Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Losses [Member]        
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]        
Net unrealized losses reclassified in accumulated other comprehensive(loss) income   $ 10,700,000 $ 11,000,000  
Minimum [Member]        
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]        
Percentage of which the company held security of any issuer   10.00%   10.00%