This element represents the number of European payment systems to which the Company has guarantor obligations.

No definition available.

Name:	atlc_NumberOfEuropeanPaymentSystemsToWhichCompanyHasGuarantorObligations
Namespace Prefix:	atlc_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The fair value of financial assets, which are not recognized in the financial statements (off-balance sheet) because they fail to meet some other criterion for recognition.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 825

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 10

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7491637&loc=d3e13433-108611

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureOffbalanceSheetRisksAmountAsset
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The fair value of financial liabilities, which are not recognized in the financial statements (off-balance sheet) because they fail to meet some other criterion for recognition.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureOffbalanceSheetRisksAmountLiability
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueOffBalanceSheetRisksDisclosureInformationLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
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Period Type:	duration

General (Details) In Millions, unless otherwise specified									6 Months Ended
General (Details) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2013 Pledge to Purchase Receivables [Member] USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2013 Pledge to Purchase Receivables [Member] GBP (£)	Jun. 30, 2013 Commitments to Car Operations [Member] USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2013 Supply Commitment [Member] USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2013 Securities Pledged as Collateral [Member] USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2013 Guarantee Obligations [Member] USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2013 Penalty for Termination Prior to Contractual Termination Period [Member] USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2013 U.K. Portfolio Structured Financing Trust [Member] USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2013 U.K. Portfolio Structured Financing Trust [Member] Guarantee Obligations [Member] european_payment_system
Fair Value, Off-balance Sheet Risks, Disclosure Information [Line Items]
Off-balance sheet risks, liability	$ 2.8	£ 1.8	$ 5.8	$ 39.0		$ 4.4	$ 9.1	$ 0.2
Off-balance sheet risks, asset					$ 0.2
Number of European payment systems to which the Company has guarantor obligations									1