Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of PICO Holdings, Inc. and subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company” or “PICO”) have been prepared in accordance with the interim reporting requirements of Form 10-Q, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for complete consolidated financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments and reclassifications considered necessary for a fair and comparable presentation of the financial statements presented have been included and are of a normal recurring nature. Operating results presented are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2015. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 filed with the SEC. Use of Estimates in Preparation of Financial Statements: The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent liabilities at the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses for each reporting period. The significant estimates made in the preparation of the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements relate to the assessment of other-than-temporary impairments, the application of the equity method of accounting, goodwill and intangibles, real estate and water assets, deferred income taxes, stock-based compensation, and contingent liabilities. While management believes that the carrying value of such assets and liabilities are appropriate, it is reasonably possible that actual results could differ from the estimates upon which the carrying values were based. Discontinued Agribusiness Operations: On July 13, 2015, the Company entered into an agreement with CHS Hallock, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of CHS Inc. (“CHS”), pursuant to which the Company sold substantially all of the assets used in its agribusiness segment. The sale closed on July 31, 2015. As a result of the transaction, the assets and liabilities of the Company’s agribusiness segment qualified as held-for-sale at June 30, 2015 and have been classified as discontinued agribusiness operations in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements as of the earliest period presented. Consequently, prior periods presented have been recast from amounts previously reported to reflect the agribusiness segment as discontinued agribusiness operations. The Company recorded an impairment loss of $16.9 million during the three months ended June 30, 2015, to write down the assets sold to their fair values as determined in the sale agreement. See Note 12 “Discontinued Agribusiness Operations” for additional information. Recent Accounting Pronouncements: In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued guidance on revenue from contracts with customers that will supersede most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. The underlying principle is that an entity will recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers at an amount that the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. The guidance provides a five-step analysis of transactions to determine when and how revenue is recognized. Other major provisions include capitalization of certain contract costs, consideration of time value of money in the transaction price, and allowing estimates of variable consideration to be recognized before contingencies are resolved in certain circumstances. The guidance also requires enhanced disclosures regarding the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from an entity’s contracts with customers. The guidance was originally effective for the interim and annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2016 and early adoption was not permitted. However, in July 2015 the FASB voted to approve a one-year deferral of the new revenue standard to December 15, 2017. The FASB also voted to permit all entities to apply the new revenue standard early, but not before the original effective date. Companies that choose to implement the standard early will apply the new revenue standard to all interim reporting periods within the year of adoption. The guidance permits the use of either a retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. The Company is currently evaluating the effect this guidance will have on the condensed consolidated financial statements. In June 2015, the FASB issued accounting guidance to clarify existing codification, correct unintended application of guidance, and make minor improvements to existing codification that is not expected to have a significant effect on current accounting practice. This update was the result of a standing project implemented by the FASB’s chairman to address feedback received from stakeholders on the codification and to make other incremental improvements to GAAP. The amendments in this guidance that require transition guidance are effective for all entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. All other amendments will be effective immediately. The Company is currently evaluating the effect this guidance will have on the consolidated financial statements.

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of PICO Holdings, Inc. and subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company” or “PICO”) have been prepared in accordance with the interim reporting requirements of Form 10-Q, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for complete consolidated financial statements.

In the opinion of management, all adjustments and reclassifications considered necessary for a fair and comparable presentation of the financial statements presented have been included and are of a normal recurring nature. Operating results presented are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2015.

These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 filed with the SEC.

Use of Estimates in Preparation of Financial Statements:

The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent liabilities at the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses for each reporting period. The significant estimates made in the preparation of the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements relate to the assessment of other-than-temporary impairments, the application of the equity method of accounting, goodwill and intangibles, real estate and water assets, deferred income taxes, stock-based compensation, and contingent liabilities. While management believes that the carrying value of such assets and liabilities are appropriate, it is reasonably possible that actual results could differ from the estimates upon which the carrying values were based.

Discontinued Agribusiness Operations:

On July 13, 2015, the Company entered into an agreement with CHS Hallock, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of CHS Inc. (“CHS”), pursuant to which the Company sold substantially all of the assets used in its agribusiness segment. The sale closed on July 31, 2015. As a result of the transaction, the assets and liabilities of the Company’s agribusiness segment qualified as held-for-sale at June 30, 2015 and have been classified as discontinued agribusiness operations in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements as of the earliest period presented. Consequently, prior periods presented have been recast from amounts previously reported to reflect the agribusiness segment as discontinued agribusiness operations. The Company recorded an impairment loss of $16.9 million during the three months ended June 30, 2015, to write down the assets sold to their fair values as determined in the sale agreement. See Note 12 “Discontinued Agribusiness Operations” for additional information.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements:

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued guidance on revenue from contracts with customers that will supersede most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. The underlying principle is that an entity will recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers at an amount that the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. The guidance provides a five-step analysis of transactions to determine when and how revenue is recognized. Other major provisions include capitalization of certain contract costs, consideration of time value of money in the transaction price, and allowing estimates of variable consideration to be recognized before contingencies are resolved in certain circumstances. The guidance also requires enhanced disclosures regarding the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from an entity’s contracts with customers. The guidance was originally effective for the interim and annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2016 and early adoption was not permitted. However, in July 2015 the FASB voted to approve a one-year deferral of the new revenue standard to December 15, 2017. The FASB also voted to permit all entities to apply the new revenue standard early, but not before the original effective date. Companies that choose to implement the standard early will apply the new revenue standard to all interim reporting periods within the year of adoption. The guidance permits the use of either a retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. The Company is currently evaluating the effect this guidance will have on the condensed consolidated financial statements.

In June 2015, the FASB issued accounting guidance to clarify existing codification, correct unintended application of guidance, and make minor improvements to existing codification that is not expected to have a significant effect on current accounting practice. This update was the result of a standing project implemented by the FASB’s chairman to address feedback received from stakeholders on the codification and to make other incremental improvements to GAAP. The amendments in this guidance that require transition guidance are effective for all entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. All other amendments will be effective immediately. The Company is currently evaluating the effect this guidance will have on the consolidated financial statements.