Discontinued Agribusiness Operations - Tables (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Revenues and other income:
Sales of canola oil and meal		$ 33,234		$ 72,667
Other		39		(68)
Total revenue and other income		33,273		72,599
Cost of goods sold:
Cost of canola oil and meal sold		32,601		71,025
Depreciation		2,392		4,342
Other direct costs of production		2,264		4,784
Total cost of goods sold		37,257		80,151
Depreciation		49		95
Impairment loss on intangible and long-lived assets				1,875
Interest		1,392		2,830
Plant costs and overhead	44	3,388	84	6,943
Segment total expenses	44	42,086	84	91,894
Loss from discontinued agribusiness operations, net of tax	(44)	(8,813)	(84)	(19,295)
Loss on sale of discontinued agribusiness operations, net of tax	(10)	(16,903)	(1,859)	(16,903)
Net loss from discontinued agribusiness operations, net of tax	(54)	(25,716)	(1,943)	(36,198)
Net loss from discontinued agribusiness operations attributable to noncontrolling interests		684		1,746
Net loss from discontinued agribusiness operations attributable to PICO Holdings, Inc.	(54)	(25,032)	(1,943)	(34,452)
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	451	$ 300	451	$ 300	$ 938
Accounts receivable	5,990		5,990		7,800
Other assets	84		84		55
Total assets held-for-sale	6,525		6,525		8,793
Liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	276		276		608
Total liabilities held-for-sale	$ 276		$ 276		$ 608