Insurance Operations - Change in Liability for Unpaid Losses and LAE (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Insurance [Abstract]
Balance at beginning of period	$ 150,557	$ 182,528	$ 159,222	$ 193,241
Less reinsurance recoverable	(64,109)	(75,680)	(68,584)	(81,415)
Net balance at beginning of period	86,448	106,848	90,638	111,826
Incurred (recovered) related to current year	28,333	26,675	55,188	53,329
Incurred (recovered) related to prior years	(654)	(1,476)	(684)	(1,647)
Total incurred	27,679	25,199	54,504	51,682
Paid related to Current year	16,200	16,303	20,067	17,475
Paid related to Prior years	12,007	17,304	39,155	47,593
Total paid	28,207	33,607	59,222	65,068
Net balance at end of period	85,920	98,440	85,920	98,440
Plus reinsurance recoverable	58,705	67,820	58,705	67,820
Balance at end of period	$ 144,625	$ 166,260	$ 144,625	$ 166,260

Name:	us-gaap_InsuranceAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The amount needed to reflect the estimated ultimate cost of settling claims relating to insured events that have occurred on or before the balance sheet date, whether or not reported to the insurer at that date.

+ References

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount of payments to settle claims incurred in the current period and related claims settlement costs.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseClaimsPaidCurrentYear1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of payments to settle claims incurred in prior periods and related claims settlement costs.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseClaimsPaidPriorYears1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of expense for claims incurred and costs incurred in the claim settlement process.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseIncurredClaims1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Liability as of the balance sheet date for amounts representing estimated cost of settling unpaid claims under the terms of the underlying insurance policies, less estimated reinsurance recoveries on such claims. This includes an estimate for claims which have been incurred but not reported. Claim adjustment expenses represent the costs estimated to be incurred in the settlement of unpaid claims.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 40

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6482485&loc=d3e14764-158437

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Financial Reporting Release (FRR)

-Number 403

-Paragraph 04

-Subparagraph b

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 13

-Subparagraph a

-Article 7

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount of payments to settle insured claims and pay costs incurred in the claims settlement process.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 25

-Subparagraph (g)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3536-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_PaymentsForLossesAndLossAdjustmentExpense
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of expense for claims incurred in the current reporting period and related claims settlement costs.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 235

-Section S99

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (SX 210.12-18)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=34713774&loc=d3e575016-122915

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 18

-Article 12

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SupplementalInformationForPropertyCasualtyInsuranceUnderwritersCurrentYearClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpense
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of expense for claims incurred in prior reporting periods and related claims settlement costs.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SupplementalInformationForPropertyCasualtyInsuranceUnderwritersPriorYearClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpense
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount after valuation allowance recoverable including premium paid under reinsurance contracts. Examples include, but are not limited to, settled and unsettled claims, incurred but not reported losses, loss adjustment expense, premium paid, policy benefits and policy reserves.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	uve_ReinsuranceRecoverable
Namespace Prefix:	uve_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant