CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Investments:
Fixed maturities, cost	$ 189,959	$ 171,882
Common and non-redeemable preferred stocks, cost	9,979	9,979
Other invested assets, cost	591	980
Receivables:
Insurance premiums and other, allowance for doubtful accounts	423	442
Shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 1	$ 1
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares)	4,000,000	4,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares)	70,000	70,000
Preferred stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	70,000	70,000
Preferred stock, redemption value	$ 7,000	$ 7,000
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 1	$ 1
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	50,000,000	50,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	22,373,900	22,373,900
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	22,223,394	22,257,035
Treasury stock, at cost (in shares)	150,506	116,865