Schedule IV REINSURANCE (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Reinsurance Premiums for Insurance Companies, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Direct Amount	$ 131,299	$ 109,870
Ceded to Other Companies	(7,671)	(6,550)
Assumed From Other Companies	3,115	4,151
Net Amounts	126,743	107,471
Percentage of Amount Assumed to Net (in hundredths)	2.50%	3.90%
Life Insurance in Force [Member]
Reinsurance Premiums for Insurance Companies, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Direct Amount	264,435	265,052
Ceded to Other Companies	(15,800)	(22,636)
Assumed From Other Companies	0	0
Net Amounts	248,635	242,416
Bankers Fidelity [Member]
Reinsurance Premiums for Insurance Companies, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Direct Amount	89,231	69,119
Ceded to Other Companies	(68)	(56)
Assumed From Other Companies	109	894
Net Amounts	89,272	69,957
Percentage of Amount Assumed to Net (in hundredths)	0.10%	1.30%
American Southern [Member]
Reinsurance Premiums for Insurance Companies, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Direct Amount	42,068	40,751
Ceded to Other Companies	(7,603)	(6,494)
Assumed From Other Companies	3,006	3,257
Net Amounts	$ 37,471	$ 37,514
Percentage of Amount Assumed to Net (in hundredths)	8.00%	8.70%