Cover Page - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Apr. 30, 2020
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2020
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	1-10890
Entity Registrant Name	HORACE MANN EDUCATORS CORPORATION
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	37-0911756
Entity Address, Address Line One	1 Horace Mann Plaza
Entity Address, City or Town	Springfield
Entity Address, State or Province	IL
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	62715-0001
City Area Code	217
Local Phone Number	789-2500
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $0.001 par value
Trading Symbol	HMN
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		41,291,833
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Entity Central Index Key	0000850141
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31