Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Revenues:
Net premiums earned	$ 188,073,242	$ 181,764,580
Investment income, net of investment expenses	7,048,503	6,378,369
Net investment gains (losses)	18,097,113	(918,339)
Lease income	111,099	123,593
Installment payment fees	1,088,917	1,347,961
Equity in earnings of Donegal Financial Services Corporation	295,000	632,114
Total revenues	214,713,874	189,328,278
Expenses:
Net losses and loss expenses	123,110,656	156,583,268
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs	30,592,000	29,665,000
Other underwriting expenses	30,684,883	29,322,638
Policyholder dividends	2,349,648	1,302,183
Interest	565,292	464,148
Other expenses, net	566,371	526,212
Total expenses	187,868,850	217,863,449
Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)	26,845,024	(28,535,171)
Income tax expense (benefit)	3,821,860	(10,357,093)
Net income (loss)	$ 23,023,164	$ (18,178,078)
Class A Common Stock [Member]
Earnings (loss) per common share:
Common stock - basic and diluted	$ 0.82	$ (0.66)
Class B Common Stock [Member]
Earnings (loss) per common share:
Common stock - basic and diluted	$ 0.75	$ (0.60)