Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net (loss) income	$ (32,760,340)	$ 7,116,100	$ 30,801,137
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation, amortization and other non-cash items	6,609,632	6,109,869	6,587,282
Net investment losses (gains)	4,801,509	(5,705,255)	(2,525,575)
Equity in earnings of Donegal Financial Services Corporation	(2,693,962)	(1,621,605)	(1,086,157)
Changes in Assets and Liabilities:
Losses and loss expenses	137,993,497	70,007,137	28,459,481
Unearned premiums	3,072,065	37,401,313	36,562,025
Accrued expenses	(2,591,630)	(212,915)	5,786,216
Premiums receivable	3,704,182	(1,016,765)	(18,122,256)
Deferred policy acquisition costs	(325,267)	(3,980,664)	(4,200,808)
Deferred income taxes	(4,179,805)	11,889,970	2,030,865
Reinsurance receivable	(45,026,502)	(35,314,555)	(3,299,895)
Accrued investment income	(8,078)	(257,608)	(304,316)
Amounts due to affiliate	3,560,172	16,519,278	(12,762,087)
Reinsurance balances payable	(233,966)	(253,369)	889,122
Prepaid reinsurance premiums	(347,136)	(10,777,146)	(10,732,990)
Current income taxes	(8,097,499)	(9,826,855)	379,406
Other, net	299,262	(113,482)	(22,628)
Dividends received from Donegal Financial Services Corporation		1,036,750	1,591,300
Net adjustments	96,536,474	73,884,098	29,228,985
Net cash provided by operating activities	63,776,134	81,000,198	60,030,122
Purchases of fixed maturities:
Held to maturity	(48,969,776)	(51,049,152)	(44,907,210)
Available for sale	(116,961,667)	(138,675,907)	(161,873,868)
Purchases of equity securities	(11,303,361)	(17,033,093)	(15,222,724)
Sales of fixed maturities:
Available for sale	13,202,367	10,081,785	55,731,299
Maturity of fixed maturities:
Held to maturity	13,184,665	20,577,326	19,488,644
Available for sale	105,266,805	99,544,479	82,586,588
Sales of equity securities	13,779,330	20,880,814	9,201,657
Net purchases of property and equipment	(105,525)	(1,090,726)	(384,207)
Net (purchases) sales of short-term investments	(5,698,845)	(1,678,908)	4,061,475
Net cash used in investing activities	(37,606,007)	(58,443,382)	(51,318,346)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Issuance of common stock	3,249,849	15,511,457	13,822,228
Cash dividends paid	(15,658,950)	(14,822,052)	(14,085,934)
Payments on lines of credit		(10,000,000)	(12,000,000)
Borrowings under lines of credit	1,000,000
Net cash used in financing activities	(11,409,101)	(9,310,595)	(12,263,706)
Net increase (decrease) in cash	14,761,026	13,246,221	(3,551,930)
Cash at beginning of year	37,833,435	24,587,214	28,139,144
Cash at end of year	$ 52,594,461	$ 37,833,435	$ 24,587,214