CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY - UNAUDITED (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Treasury Stock	Non-controlling Interest
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2010	$ 570,724	$ 27	$ 542,072	$ 88,830	$ 15,327	$ (78,152)	$ 2,620
Beginning balance, treasury stock, shares at Dec. 31, 2010						4,417,000
Beginning balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2010		27,117,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Stock-based compensation expense, shares		5,000
Stock-based compensation expense, value	2,259		2,259
Changes in ownership of noncontrolling interest	490						490
Net loss	(1,872)			(20)			(1,852)
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments	(7,483)				(7,483)
Foreign currency translation	(475)				(475)
Ending balance at Jun. 30, 2011	563,643	27	544,331	88,810	7,369	(78,152)	1,258
Ending balance, treasury stock, shares at Jun. 30, 2011						4,417,000
Ending balance, shares at Jun. 30, 2011		27,122,000
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2011	509,662	27	546,608	34,288	(959)	(78,152)	7,850
Beginning balance, treasury stock, shares at Dec. 31, 2011	4,417,000					4,417,000
Beginning balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2011	27,122,000	27,122,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Stock-based compensation expense, shares
Stock-based compensation expense, value	1,980		1,980
Exercise of restricted stock unit, shares		94,000
Exercise of restricted stock unit, value	(1,686)		(1,019)			(667)
Exercise of restricted stock unit, shares added to treasury						30,000
Retirement of PICO common stock, shares		(1,207,000)				(1,207,000)
Retirement of PICO common stock, value	0	(1)	(18,278)			18,279
Net loss	(21,070)			(20,329)			(741)
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments	894				894
Foreign currency translation	106				106
Ending balance at Jun. 30, 2012	$ 489,886	$ 26	$ 529,291	$ 13,959	$ 41	$ (60,540)	$ 7,109
Ending balance, treasury stock, shares at Jun. 30, 2012	3,240,000					3,240,000
Ending balance, shares at Jun. 30, 2012	26,009,000	26,009,000