CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY - UNAUDITED (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings (Deficit)	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Treasury Stock	Noncontrolling Interest
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
Beginning balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2011		27,122
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Stock-based compensation expense, value	1,980		1,980
Exercise of restricted stock units, shares		94
Exercise of restricted stock units, value	(1,686)		(1,019)			(667)
Exercise of restricted stock units, shares added to treasury						30
Retirement of PICO common stock, shares		(1,207)				(1,207)
Retirement of PICO common stock, value		(1)	(18,278)			18,279
Net loss	(21,070)			(20,329)			(741)
Unrealized depreciation 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
Ending balance, shares at Jun. 30, 2012		26,009
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2012	478,496	26	526,591	5,215	(2,014)	(56,593)	5,271
Beginning balance, treasury stock, shares at Dec. 31, 2012	3,073					3,073
Beginning balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2012	25,807	25,807
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Stock-based compensation expense, value	1,896		1,896
Exercise of restricted stock units, shares		11
Exercise of restricted stock units, value
Changes in ownership of noncontrolling interest	248		280				(32)
Exercise of restricted stock units, shares added to treasury
Net loss	(26,275)			(22,685)			(3,590)
Unrealized depreciation on investments	1,543				1,543
Foreign currency translation	(43)				(43)
Ending balance at Jun. 30, 2013	$ 455,865	$ 26	$ 528,767	$ (17,470)	$ (514)	$ (56,593)	$ 1,649
Ending balance, treasury stock, shares at Jun. 30, 2013	3,073					3,073
Ending balance, shares at Jun. 30, 2013	25,818	25,818