v2.3.0.11

Contingencies | 6 Months Ended
--- | ---
Jun. 30, 2011
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] |
Contingencies | Note 14 - Contingencies In the ordinary course of their businesses, Unitrin and its subsidiaries are involved in legal proceedings, including lawsuits, regulatory examinations and inquiries. Some of these proceedings involve matters particular to the Company or one or more of its subsidiaries, while others pertain to business practices in the industries in which Unitrin or its subsidiaries operate. Some lawsuits seek class action status that, if granted, could expose Unitrin or its subsidiaries to potentially significant liability by virtue of the size of the putative classes. These matters can raise complicated issues and may be subject to many uncertainties, including, but not limited to: (i) the underlying facts of the matter; (ii) unsettled questions of law; (iii) issues unique to the jurisdiction where the matter is pending; (iv) damage claims, including claims for punitive damages, that are disproportionate to the actual economic loss incurred; and (v) the legal, regulatory and political environments faced by large corporations generally and the insurance and banking sectors specifically. Accordingly, the outcomes of these matters are difficult to predict, and the amounts or ranges of potential loss at particular points in time are in most cases difficult or impossible to ascertain. Certain subsidiaries of Unitrin, like many property and casualty insurers, are defending a significant volume of lawsuits in southern coastal states arising out of property damage caused by catastrophes and storms, including major hurricanes. In these matters, the plaintiffs seek compensatory and punitive damages, and equitable relief. The Company believes its relevant subsidiaries have meritorious defenses to assert in these proceedings, and will vigorously contest these matters. The Company believes that resolution of its pending legal proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated shareholders’ equity. However, given the unpredictability of the legal environment, there can be no assurance that one or more of these matters will not produce a result which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial results for any given period. The legal and regulatory environments within which Unitrin and its subsidiaries conduct their businesses are often unpredictable. Industry practices that were considered legally-compliant and reasonable for years may suddenly be deemed unacceptable by virtue of an unexpected court or regulatory ruling. Anticipating such shifts in the law and the impact they may have on the Company and its operations is a difficult task and there can be no assurances that the Company will not encounter such shifts in the future.

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_CommitmentsAndContingenciesDisclosureAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The entire disclosure for commitments and contingencies. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 450 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6952336&loc=d3e14435-108349 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 460 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 8 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6398077&loc=d3e12565-110249 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Interpretation (FIN) -Number 14 -Paragraph 3 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 440 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6394976&loc=d3e25287-109308 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 5 -Paragraph 9, 10, 11, 12 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.25) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 825 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6449706&loc=d3e16207-108621 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_CommitmentsAndContingenciesDisclosureTextBlock
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap
Data Type: | nonnum:textBlockItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration