Junior Subordinated Debentures (Details) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016 USD ($) Trust Quarter $ / shares shares
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of Connecticut statutory business trusts | Trust	2
Financial structure of statutory business trusts [Abstract]
Net balance March 31, 2016	$ 33,738
Net balance December 31, 2015	$ 33,738
Junior Subordinated Debentures [Member]
Financial structure of statutory business trusts [Abstract]
Number of consecutive quarters for which interest payments can be deferred | Quarter	20
Atlantic American Statutory Trust I [Member] | Junior Subordinated Debentures [Member]
Financial structure of statutory business trusts [Abstract]
Principal amount owed	$ 18,042	[1],[2]
Balance March 31, 2016	18,042	[1],[2]
Less: Treasury debt	0	[1],[2],[3]
Net balance March 31, 2016	18,042	[1],[2]
Net balance December 31, 2015	$ 18,042	[1],[2]
Coupon rate	LIBOR + 4.00%	[1],[2]
Interest payable	Quarterly	[1],[2]
Maturity date	Dec. 04, 2032	[1],[2]
Redeemable by issuer	Yes	[1],[2]
Atlantic American Statutory Trust I [Member] | Junior Subordinated Debentures [Member] | LIBOR [Member]
Financial structure of statutory business trusts [Abstract]
Basis spread on variable rate	4.00%
Atlantic American Statutory Trust I [Member] | Trust Preferred Securities [Member]
Financial structure of statutory business trusts [Abstract]
Coupon rate	LIBOR + 4.00%
Issuance date	Dec. 04, 2002
Securities issued (in shares) | shares	17,500
Liquidation preference per security (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 1
Liquidation value	$ 17,500
Distribution payable	Quarterly
Distribution guaranteed by	Atlantic American Corporation	[4]
Atlantic American Statutory Trust I [Member] | Trust Preferred Securities [Member] | LIBOR [Member]
Financial structure of statutory business trusts [Abstract]
Basis spread on variable rate	4.00%
Atlantic American Statutory Trust II [Member] | Junior Subordinated Debentures [Member]
Financial structure of statutory business trusts [Abstract]
Principal amount owed	$ 23,196	[1],[2]
Balance March 31, 2016	23,196	[1],[2]
Less: Treasury debt	(7,500)	[1],[2],[3]
Net balance March 31, 2016	15,696	[1],[2]
Net balance December 31, 2015	$ 15,696	[1],[2]
Coupon rate	LIBOR + 4.10%	[1],[2]
Interest payable	Quarterly	[1],[2]
Maturity date	May 15, 2033	[1],[2]
Redeemable by issuer	Yes	[1],[2]
Atlantic American Statutory Trust II [Member] | Junior Subordinated Debentures [Member] | LIBOR [Member]
Financial structure of statutory business trusts [Abstract]
Basis spread on variable rate	4.10%
Atlantic American Statutory Trust II [Member] | Trust Preferred Securities [Member]
Financial structure of statutory business trusts [Abstract]
Coupon rate	LIBOR + 4.10%
Issuance date	May 15, 2003
Securities issued (in shares) | shares	22,500
Liquidation preference per security (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 1
Liquidation value	$ 22,500
Distribution payable	Quarterly
Distribution guaranteed by	Atlantic American Corporation	[4]
Atlantic American Statutory Trust II [Member] | Trust Preferred Securities [Member] | LIBOR [Member]
Financial structure of statutory business trusts [Abstract]
Basis spread on variable rate	4.10%

[1] For each of the respective debentures, the Company has the right at any time, and from time to time, to defer payments of interest on the Junior Subordinated Debentures for a period not exceeding 20 consecutive quarters up to the debentures' respective maturity dates. During any such period, interest will continue to accrue and the Company may not declare or pay any cash dividends or distributions on, or purchase, the Company's common stock nor make any principal, interest or premium payments on or repurchase any debt securities that rank equally with or junior to the Junior Subordinated Debentures. The Company has the right at any time to dissolve each of the trusts and cause the Junior Subordinated Debentures to be distributed to the holders of the Trust Preferred Securities.

[2] The Junior Subordinated Debentures are unsecured and rank junior and subordinate in right of payment to all senior debt of the Parent and are effectively subordinated to all existing and future liabilities of its subsidiaries.

[3] On August 4, 2014, the Company acquired $7,500 of the Junior Subordinated Debentures.

[4] The Parent has guaranteed, on a subordinated basis, all of the obligations under the Trust Preferred Securities, including payment of the redemption price and any accumulated and unpaid distributions to the extent of available funds and upon dissolution, winding up or liquidation.