Basis of Presentation (Policies)	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2021
Basis of Presentation [Abstract]
Use of Estimates in the Preparation of the Financial Statements	Use of Estimates in the Preparation of the Financial Statements Our preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect our reported amounts of assets and liabilities and our disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of our consolidated financial statements, as well as our reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Refer to “Critical Accounting Estimates and Judgments” under Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 for information on accounting policies that we consider critical in preparing our consolidated financial statements. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	Fair Value of Financial Instruments Fair value estimates are made at a point in time based on relevant market data as well as the best information available about the financial instruments. Fair value estimates for financial instruments for which no or limited observable market data is available are based on judgments regarding current economic conditions, credit and interest rate risk. These estimates involve significant uncertainties and judgments and cannot be determined with precision. As a result, such calculated fair value estimates may not be realizable in a current sale or immediate settlement of the instrument. In addition, changes in the underlying assumptions used in the fair value measurement technique, including discount rate and estimates of future cash flows, could significantly affect these fair value estimates. Cash and Cash Equivalents: The carrying amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheets for these instruments approximate their fair values. Restricted Cash: The carrying amount for restricted cash reported in the consolidated balance sheets approximates the fair value. Senior Unsecured Notes Due 2029: Our senior unsecured notes payable due in 2029 had a carrying value of $49.2 million and a fair value of $53.0 million as of September 30, 2021. Our senior unsecured notes payable would be included in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy if they were reported at fair value Subordinated Debt Securities: Our trust preferred securities had a carrying value of $55.9 million and a fair value of $29.0 million as of September 30, 2021. Our trust preferred securities would be included in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy if they were reported at fair value. For reinsurance balances, premiums receivable, federal income tax recoverable, other assets and other liabilities, the carrying amounts approximate fair value because of the short maturity of such financial instruments.
Variable Interest Entities	Variable Interest Entities On June 21, 2005, we formed Hallmark Statutory Trust I (“Trust I”), an unconsolidated trust subsidiary, for the sole purpose of issuing $30.0 million in trust preferred securities. Trust I used the proceeds from the sale of these securities and our initial capital contribution to purchase $30.9 million of subordinated debt securities from Hallmark. The debt securities are the sole assets of Trust I, and the payments under the debt securities are the sole revenues of Trust I. On August 23, 2007, we formed Hallmark Statutory Trust II (“Trust II”), an unconsolidated trust subsidiary, for the sole purpose of issuing $25.0 million in trust preferred securities. Trust II used the proceeds from the sale of these securities and our initial capital contribution to purchase $25.8 million of subordinated debt securities from Hallmark. The debt securities are the sole assets of Trust II, and the payments under the debt securities are the sole revenues of Trust II. We evaluate on an ongoing basis our investments in Trust I and Trust II (collectively the “Trusts”) and have determined that we do not have a variable interest in the Trusts. Therefore, the Trusts are not included in our consolidated financial statements.
Income Taxes	Income Taxes We file a consolidated federal income tax return. Deferred federal income taxes reflect the future tax consequences of differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their financial reporting amounts at each year end. Deferred taxes are recognized using the liability method, whereby tax rates are applied to cumulative temporary differences based on when and how they are expected to affect the tax return. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted for tax rate changes in effect for the year in which these temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Net deferred tax assets are held at their net realizable value and an allowance is taken as needed. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense. There were no uncertain tax positions at September 30, 2021.
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements	Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements In December 2019, the FASB released ASU 2019-12, Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes. The updated guidance is intended to simplify the accounting for income taxes by removing several exceptions contained in the existing guidance and amending other existing guidance to simplify several other income tax accounting matters. The updated guidance became effective for the quarter ended March 31, 2021. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations, financials position or liquidity. Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform ("ASU 2020-04"). ASU 2020-04 provides optional guidance for a limited period of time to ease potential accounting impact associated with transitioning away from reference rates that are expected to be discontinued, such as the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR"). The amendments in this ASU apply only to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions that reference LIBOR or another reference rate expected to be discontinued. The amendments in ASU 2020-04 could be adopted as of March 12, 2020 and are effective December 31, 2022. We do not currently have any contracts that have been changed to a new reference rate, but we will continue to evaluate our contracts and the effects of this standard on our condensed consolidated financial statements prior to adoption. In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, “Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments” (Topic 326). ASU 2016-13 requires organizations to estimate credit losses on certain types of financial instruments, including receivables and available-for-sale debt securities, by introducing an approach based on expected losses. The expected loss approach will require entities to incorporate considerations of historical information, current information and reasonable and supportable forecasts. As a smaller reporting company, ASU 2016-13 is effective for fiscal years of the Company beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years. ASU 2016-13 requires a modified retrospective transition method and early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of this standard will have on our financial results and disclosures.

Basis of Presentation (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2021

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of the Financial Statements

Our preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect our reported amounts of assets and liabilities and our disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of our consolidated financial statements, as well as our reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Refer to “Critical Accounting Estimates and Judgments” under Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 for information on accounting policies that we consider critical in preparing our consolidated financial statements. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair value estimates are made at a point in time based on relevant market data as well as the best information available about the financial instruments. Fair value estimates for financial instruments for which no or limited observable market data is available are based on judgments regarding current economic conditions, credit and interest rate risk. These estimates involve significant uncertainties and judgments and cannot be determined with precision. As a result, such calculated fair value estimates may not be realizable in a current sale or immediate settlement of the instrument. In addition, changes in the underlying assumptions used in the fair value measurement technique, including discount rate and estimates of future cash flows, could significantly affect these fair value estimates.

Cash and Cash Equivalents: The carrying amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheets for these instruments approximate their fair values.

Restricted Cash: The carrying amount for restricted cash reported in the consolidated balance sheets approximates the fair value.

Senior Unsecured Notes Due 2029: Our senior unsecured notes payable due in 2029 had a carrying value of $49.2 million and a fair value of $53.0 million as of September 30, 2021. Our senior unsecured notes payable would be included in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy if they were reported at fair value

Subordinated Debt Securities: Our trust preferred securities had a carrying value of $55.9 million and a fair value of $29.0 million as of September 30, 2021. Our trust preferred securities would be included in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy if they were reported at fair value.

For reinsurance balances, premiums receivable, federal income tax recoverable, other assets and other liabilities, the carrying amounts approximate fair value because of the short maturity of such financial instruments.

Variable Interest Entities

On June 21, 2005, we formed Hallmark Statutory Trust I (“Trust I”), an unconsolidated trust subsidiary, for the sole purpose of issuing $30.0 million in trust preferred securities. Trust I used the proceeds from the sale of these securities and our initial capital contribution to purchase $30.9 million of subordinated debt securities from Hallmark. The debt securities are the sole assets of Trust I, and the payments under the debt securities are the sole revenues of Trust I.

On August 23, 2007, we formed Hallmark Statutory Trust II (“Trust II”), an unconsolidated trust subsidiary, for the sole purpose of issuing $25.0 million in trust preferred securities. Trust II used the proceeds from the sale of these securities and our initial capital contribution to purchase $25.8 million of subordinated debt securities from Hallmark. The debt securities are the sole assets of Trust II, and the payments under the debt securities are the sole revenues of Trust II.

We evaluate on an ongoing basis our investments in Trust I and Trust II (collectively the “Trusts”) and have determined that we do not have a variable interest in the Trusts. Therefore, the Trusts are not included in our consolidated financial statements.

Income Taxes

We file a consolidated federal income tax return. Deferred federal income taxes reflect the future tax consequences of differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their financial reporting amounts at each year end. Deferred taxes are recognized using the liability method, whereby tax rates are applied to cumulative temporary differences based on when and how they are expected to affect the tax return. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted for tax rate changes in effect for the year in which these temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Net deferred tax assets are held at their net realizable value and an allowance is taken as needed. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense. There were no uncertain tax positions at September 30, 2021.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

In December 2019, the FASB released ASU 2019-12, Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes. The updated guidance is intended to simplify the accounting for income taxes by removing several exceptions contained in the existing guidance and amending other existing guidance to simplify several other income tax accounting matters. The updated guidance became effective for the quarter ended March 31, 2021. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations, financials position or liquidity.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform ("ASU 2020-04"). ASU 2020-04 provides optional guidance for a limited period of time to ease potential accounting impact associated with transitioning away from reference rates that are expected to be discontinued, such as the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR"). The amendments in this ASU apply only to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions that reference LIBOR or another reference rate expected to be discontinued. The amendments in ASU 2020-04 could be adopted as of March 12, 2020 and are effective December 31, 2022. We do not currently have any contracts that have been changed to a new reference rate, but we will continue to evaluate our contracts and the effects of this standard on our condensed consolidated financial statements prior to adoption.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, “Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments” (Topic 326). ASU 2016-13 requires organizations to estimate credit losses on certain types of financial instruments, including receivables and available-for-sale debt securities, by introducing an approach based on expected losses. The expected loss approach will require entities to incorporate considerations of historical information, current information and reasonable and supportable forecasts. As a smaller reporting company, ASU 2016-13 is effective for fiscal years of the Company beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years. ASU 2016-13 requires a modified retrospective transition method and early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of this standard will have on our financial results and disclosures.

- Definition

Disclosure of accounting policy for income taxes, which may include its accounting policies for recognizing and measuring deferred tax assets and liabilities and related valuation allowances, recognizing investment tax credits, operating loss carryforwards, tax credit carryforwards, and other carryforwards, methodologies for determining its effective income tax rate and the characterization of interest and penalties in the financial statements.

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