Schedule of Financial Performance of Reportable Segments (Detail) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
 3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012
Sep. 30, 2011
Sep. 30, 2012
Sep. 30, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Insurance revenues $ 57,513 $ 57,903 $ 175,145 $ 172,315
Net investment income 44,645 43,093 132,289 133,377
Net Income (loss) 4,132 4,466 31,970 20,430
Individual Segment
        
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Insurance revenues 27,615 28,377 86,216 84,651
Net investment income 41,444 40,031 122,899 123,798
Net Income (loss) 2,998 3,342 29,189 20,384
Group Insurance
        
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Insurance revenues 12,316 12,613 36,580 37,413
Net investment income 132 133 392 420
Net Income (loss) (108) 40 (322) (512)
Old American
        
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Insurance revenues 17,680 17,048 52,644 50,655
Net investment income 3,069 2,929 8,998 9,159
Net Income (loss) 1,242 1,084 3,103 558
Intersegment Elimination
        
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]        
Insurance revenues $ (98) [1] $ (135) [1] $ (295) [1] $ (404) [1]
[1] Elimination entries to remove intercompany transactions for life and accident and health insurance that the Company purchases for its employees and agents were as follows: insurance revenues from the Group Insurance segment and operating expenses from the Individual Insurance segment to arrive at Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.