Document And Entity Information (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Nov. 09, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	PICO HOLDINGS INC /NEW
Entity Central Index Key	0000830122
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float			$ 658,442,216
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		22,704,904
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2011
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2011