Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (USD $) In Thousands	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-In Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Treasury Stock
Balance, beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2010		$ 3,757	$ 121,815	$ 105,816	$ 9,637	$ (5,262)
Additional minimum pension liability, net of tax					46
Cumulative effect of adjustments resulting from adoption of change in accounting principle, net of tax				(485)
Accretion of redeemable noncontrolling interest			(3)
Net unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during period, net of tax					(749)
Net income (loss) attributable to Hallmark Financial Services, Inc.	(11,213)			(11,213)
Equity based compensation			262
Reclassification adjustment for gains (losses) included in net income, net of tax					(727)
Balance, end of period at Mar. 31, 2011	222,894	3,757	122,074	94,118	8,207	(5,262)
Balance, beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2011	215,572	3,757	122,487	94,995	6,446	(11,558)
Additional minimum pension liability, net of tax					78
Cumulative effect of adjustments resulting from adoption of change in accounting principle, net of tax				(555)
Accretion of redeemable noncontrolling interest			19
Net unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during period, net of tax					1,315
Net income (loss) attributable to Hallmark Financial Services, Inc.	171			171
Equity based compensation			138
Reclassification adjustment for gains (losses) included in net income, net of tax					66
Balance, end of period at Mar. 31, 2012	$ 217,359	$ 3,757	$ 122,644	$ 94,611	$ 7,905	$ (11,558)