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Investments - Additional Information (Detail)
3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Nov. 30, 2013
USD ($)
Mar. 31, 2018
USD ($)
Securities
Mar. 31, 2017
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2017
USD ($)
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]        
Net unrealized losses arising prior to reclassification date $ 15,100,000      
Amortization of unrealized losses recorded in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income   $ 294,196 $ 296,659  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss   (15,513,406)   $ (2,684,275)
Net realized gain on investment   $ 1,145,000 2,549,000  
Donegal Financial Services Corporation [Member]        
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]        
Percentage of ownership interest   48.20%    
Obligations of States and Political Subdivisions [Member]        
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]        
Aggregate fair value of bond held   $ 185,400,000   190,700,000
Amortized cost of bond held   179,000,000   181,400,000
Special Revenue Bonds [Member]        
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]        
Aggregate fair value of bond held   86,100,000   90,000,000
Amortized cost of bond held   $ 82,300,000   $ 84,700,000
Education Bonds [Member]        
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]        
Percentage of investments in special revenue bonds   52.00%   53.00%
Water and Sewer Utility Bonds [Member]        
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]        
Percentage of investments in special revenue bonds   24.00%   26.00%
Equity Securities [Member]        
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]        
Net realized gain on investment   $ 1,145,000 2,544,000  
Net realized loss on investment   $ 2,000,000    
Fixed Maturities [Member]        
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]        
Net realized gain on investment     $ 5,000  
Number of fixed maturity securities classified as available for sale | Securities   464    
Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Losses [Member]        
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]        
Accumulated other comprehensive loss   $ (9,500,000)   $ (9,800,000)
Minimum [Member]        
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]        
Percentage of which the company held security of any issuer   10.00%   10.00%