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Investments (Other Investment Portfolio by Strategy and the Remaining Commitment Amount Associated With Each Strategy) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | Dec. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2011
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Carrying Value | $ 114,076 | $ 128,301
Other Investments [Member] |  |
Carrying Value | 114,076 | 128,301
Remaining Commitment | 56,890 |
Alternative Investments [Member] |  |
Carrying Value | 109,664 | 124,548
Remaining Commitment | 55,908 |
Secondary Private Equity [Member] | Alternative Investments [Member] |  |
Carrying Value | 28,032 | 30,114
Remaining Commitment | 7,592 |
Energy Power Generation [Member] | Alternative Investments [Member] |  |
Carrying Value | 18,640 | 25,913
Remaining Commitment | 8,692 |
Private Equity [Member] | Alternative Investments [Member] |  |
Carrying Value | 18,344 | 21,736
Remaining Commitment | 4,594 |
Distressed Debt [Member] | Alternative Investments [Member] |  |
Carrying Value | 12,728 | 16,953
Remaining Commitment | 2,916 |
Mezzanine Financing [Member] | Alternative Investments [Member] |  |
Carrying Value | 12,692 | 8,817
Remaining Commitment | 21,333 |
Real Estate [Member] | Alternative Investments [Member] |  |
Carrying Value | 11,751 | 13,767
Remaining Commitment | 10,381 |
Venture Capital Funds [Member] | Alternative Investments [Member] |  |
Carrying Value | 7,477 | 7,248
Remaining Commitment | 400 |
Other Securities [Member] |  |
Carrying Value | 4,412 | 3,753
Remaining Commitment | 982 |
Fund of Funds Component [Member] | Distressed Debt [Member] |  |
Carrying Value | $ 7,800 |

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- Definition This item represents contractual obligations to invest additional amounts on our other investment portfolio. These additional investments may or may not be required. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sigi_RemainingCommitment
Namespace Prefix: | sigi_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

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- Definition Other investments not otherwise specified in the taxonomy. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.1(f,g)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.12) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 12 -Article 5 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph g -Article 7 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_OtherInvestments
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant