Document and Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jul. 30, 2020
Cover [Abstract]
Amendment Flag	false
Document Type	10-Q
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2020
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	033-36383
Entity Registrant Name	PICO HOLDINGS INC /NEW
Entity Central Index Key	0000830122
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	94-2723335
Entity Address, Address Line One	3480 GS Richards Blvd, Suite 101
Entity Address, City or Town	Carson City
Entity Address, State or Province	NV
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	89703
City Area Code	775
Local Phone Number	885-5000
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, par Value $0.001
Trading Symbol	PICO
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	true
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		18,954,816