Schedule II CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
ASSETS [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents		$ 24,547	$ 24,547	$ 12,630	$ 24,547	$ 13,252
Investments				241,929	247,511
Investments in unconsolidated trusts				1,238	1,238
Deferred tax asset, net				4,184	0
Other assets				4,560	5,089
Total assets				344,274	343,239
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY [Abstract]
Deferred tax liability, net				0	593
Junior subordinated debentures				33,738	33,738
Total liabilities				242,902	230,256
Shareholders' equity				101,372	112,983	105,506
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity				344,274	343,239
REVENUE [Abstract]
Unrealized losses on equity securities, net		(2,194)	0
Other		113	123
Total revenue		185,553	181,114
INTEREST EXPENSE		2,037	1,723
INCOME TAX BENEFIT(1)		267	(828)
Net income (loss)		(704)	4,528
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES [Abstract]
Net income (loss)		(704)	4,528
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities [Abstract]
Realized investment gains, net		(5,154)	(9,168)
Unrealized losses on equity securities, net		2,194	0
Depreciation and amortization		987	1,438
Compensation expense related to share awards		244	495
Distributions received from equity method investees		10,777	9,535
Deferred income tax benefit		(2,236)	(1,358)
(Decrease) increase in other liabilities		(2,226)	5,665
Other, net		(266)	34
Net cash provided by operating activities		4,460	12,169
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES [Abstract]
Investments purchased		(49,552)	(84,552)
Additions to property and equipment		(281)	(103)
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities		(14,787)	593
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES [Abstract]
Payment of dividends on Series D preferred stock		(399)	(399)
Payment of dividends on common stock		(407)	(408)
Proceeds from shares issued under stock plans		36	32
Treasury stock acquired - share repurchase authorization		(597)	(692)
Treasury stock acquired - net employee share-based compensation		(223)	0
Net cash used in financing activities		(1,590)	(1,467)
Net (decrease) increase in cash		(11,917)	11,295
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year		24,547	13,252
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year		12,630	24,547
Supplemental disclosure [Abstract]
Cash paid for interest		1,996	1,705
Cash paid for income taxes		2,107	1,400
Parent Company [Member]
ASSETS [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents		9,732	9,732	3,142	9,732	$ 4,308
Investments				14,154	16,097
Investment in subsidiaries				108,756	116,351
Investments in unconsolidated trusts				1,238	1,238
Deferred tax asset, net				3,524	0
Income taxes receivable from subsidiaries				2,856	2,879
Other assets				3,311	3,762
Total assets				136,981	150,059
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY [Abstract]
Deferred tax liability, net				0	1,253
Other payables				1,871	2,085
Junior subordinated debentures				33,738	33,738
Total liabilities				35,609	37,076
Shareholders' equity				101,372	112,983
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity				$ 136,981	$ 150,059
REVENUE [Abstract]
Fee income from subsidiaries		7,995	7,702
Distributed earnings from subsidiaries		4,800	4,850
Unrealized losses on equity securities, net		(1,460)	0
Other		752	4,130
Total revenue		12,087	16,682
GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES		12,764	13,015
INTEREST EXPENSE		2,037	1,723
Earnings before tax and equity in undistributed earnings (losses) of subsidiaries		(2,714)	1,944
INCOME TAX BENEFIT(1)	[1]	(3,544)	(2,553)
Earnings after tax but before equity in undistributed earnings (losses) of subsidiaries		830	4,497
EQUITY IN UNDISTRIBUTED EARNINGS OF SUBSIDIARIES, NET		(1,534)	31
Net income (loss)		(704)	4,528
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES [Abstract]
Net income (loss)		(704)	4,528
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities [Abstract]
Realized investment gains, net		(272)	(3,891)
Unrealized losses on equity securities, net		1,460	0
Depreciation and amortization		715	712
Compensation expense related to share awards		244	495
Distributions received from equity method investees		183	4,513
Equity in undistributed earnings of consolidated subsidiaries		1,534	(31)
Decrease in intercompany taxes		24	82
Deferred income tax benefit		(2,236)	(1,358)
(Decrease) increase in other liabilities		(214)	136
Other, net		(190)	295
Net cash provided by operating activities		544	5,481
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES [Abstract]
Proceeds from investments sold, called or matured		675	1,501
Investments purchased		0	0
Capital contribution to subsidiaries		(6,000)	0
Additions to property and equipment		(219)	(91)
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities		(5,544)	1,410
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES [Abstract]
Payment of dividends on Series D preferred stock		(399)	(399)
Payment of dividends on common stock		(407)	(408)
Proceeds from shares issued under stock plans		36	32
Treasury stock acquired - share repurchase authorization		(597)	(692)
Treasury stock acquired - net employee share-based compensation		(223)	0
Net cash used in financing activities		(1,590)	(1,467)
Net (decrease) increase in cash		(6,590)	5,424
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year		9,732	4,308
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year		3,142	9,732
Supplemental disclosure [Abstract]
Cash paid for interest		1,996	1,705
Cash paid for income taxes		2,107	1,400
Intercompany tax settlement from subsidiaries		$ 3,439	$ 2,676

[1] Under the terms of a tax-sharing agreement, income tax provisions for the subsidiary companies are computed on a separate company basis. Accordingly, the Company's income tax benefit results from the utilization of the Parent's separate return loss to reduce the consolidated taxable income of the Company.