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Insurance Reserves and Policyholder Funds (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013
Reserves for life, accident and health [Abstract] |  |
Future policy benefits | $ 70,845 us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefits | $ 69,864 us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefits
Amount of Insurance In Force, Net | 239,004 us-gaap_LifeInsuranceInForceNet | 241,198 us-gaap_LifeInsuranceInForceNet
Unearned premiums | 24,544 us-gaap_UnearnedPremiums | 27,415 us-gaap_UnearnedPremiums
Losses, claims and loss adjustment expenses | 66,625 us-gaap_LiabilityForClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpense | 63,018 us-gaap_LiabilityForClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpense
Other policy liabilities | 2,080 us-gaap_OtherPolicyholderFunds | 2,076 us-gaap_OtherPolicyholderFunds
Total insurance reserves and policyholder funds | 164,094 aame_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitsAndUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseAndOtherPolicyholderFunds | 162,373 aame_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitsAndUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseAndOtherPolicyholderFunds
Annualized premiums for accident and health insurance policies | 88,956 aame_AnnualizedPremiumForHealthInsurancePolicies | 91,359 aame_AnnualizedPremiumForHealthInsurancePolicies
Summary of activity in liability for unpaid loss and claim reserves [Abstract] |  |
Balance at January 1 | 63,018 us-gaap_LiabilityForClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpense | 62,873 us-gaap_LiabilityForClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpense
Less: Reinsurance receivable on unpaid losses | (14,314)aame_LiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseReinsuranceRecoverablesBeginningOfYear | (18,743)aame_LiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseReinsuranceRecoverablesBeginningOfYear
Net balance at January 1 | 48,704 us-gaap_LiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseNet | 44,130 us-gaap_LiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseNet
Incurred related to [Abstract] |  |
Current year | 104,225 aame_LiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndAdjustmentExpenseToClaimsIncurredClaimsCurrentYear | 97,904 aame_LiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndAdjustmentExpenseToClaimsIncurredClaimsCurrentYear
Prior years | (483)aame_LiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndAdjustmentExpenseToClaimsIncurredClaimsPriorYears | (1,657)aame_LiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndAdjustmentExpenseToClaimsIncurredClaimsPriorYears
Total incurred | 103,742 us-gaap_LiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseIncurredClaims1 | 96,247 us-gaap_LiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseIncurredClaims1
Paid related to [Abstract] |  |
Current year | 72,443 us-gaap_LiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseClaimsPaidCurrentYear1 | 66,705 us-gaap_LiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseClaimsPaidCurrentYear1
Prior years | 27,680 us-gaap_LiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseClaimsPaidPriorYears1 | 24,968 us-gaap_LiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseClaimsPaidPriorYears1
Total paid | 100,123 us-gaap_PaymentsForLossesAndLossAdjustmentExpense | 91,673 us-gaap_PaymentsForLossesAndLossAdjustmentExpense
Net balance at December 31 | 52,323 us-gaap_LiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseNet | 48,704 us-gaap_LiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseNet
Plus: Reinsurance receivable on unpaid losses | 14,302 aame_LiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseReinsuranceRecoverablesAddition | 14,314 aame_LiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseReinsuranceRecoverablesAddition
Balance at December 31 | 66,625 us-gaap_LiabilityForClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpense | 63,018 us-gaap_LiabilityForClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpense
Reconciliation of total incurred claims to total insurance benefits and losses incurred [Abstract] |  |
Total incurred claims | 103,742 aame_PolicyholderBenefitsAndClaimsIncurredBeforeAdjustments | 96,247 aame_PolicyholderBenefitsAndClaimsIncurredBeforeAdjustments
Cash surrender value and matured endowments | 1,574 aame_ChangeInCashSurrenderValueAndMaturedEndowments | 1,215 aame_ChangeInCashSurrenderValueAndMaturedEndowments
Benefit reserve changes | 879 us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitsPeriodExpense | 2,910 us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitsPeriodExpense
Total insurance benefits and losses incurred | 106,195 us-gaap_PolicyholderBenefitsAndClaimsIncurredNet | 100,372 us-gaap_PolicyholderBenefitsAndClaimsIncurredNet
Ordinary [Member] |  |
Reserves for life, accident and health [Abstract] |  |
Future policy benefits | 53,555 us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefits / us-gaap_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentAxis = us-gaap_VariableLifeMember | 52,915 us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefits / us-gaap_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentAxis = us-gaap_VariableLifeMember
Amount of Insurance In Force, Net | 235,856 us-gaap_LifeInsuranceInForceNet / us-gaap_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentAxis = us-gaap_VariableLifeMember | 237,694 us-gaap_LifeInsuranceInForceNet / us-gaap_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentAxis = us-gaap_VariableLifeMember
Mass market [Member] |  |
Reserves for life, accident and health [Abstract] |  |
Future policy benefits | 2,475 us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefits / us-gaap_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentAxis = us-gaap_UniversalLifeMember | 2,715 us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefits / us-gaap_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentAxis = us-gaap_UniversalLifeMember
Amount of Insurance In Force, Net | 3,148 us-gaap_LifeInsuranceInForceNet / us-gaap_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentAxis = us-gaap_UniversalLifeMember | 3,504 us-gaap_LifeInsuranceInForceNet / us-gaap_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentAxis = us-gaap_UniversalLifeMember
Individual annuities [Member] |  |
Reserves for life, accident and health [Abstract] |  |
Future policy benefits | 130 us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefits / us-gaap_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentAxis = us-gaap_VariableAnnuityMember | 135 us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefits / us-gaap_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentAxis = us-gaap_VariableAnnuityMember
Amount of Insurance In Force, Net | 0 us-gaap_LifeInsuranceInForceNet / us-gaap_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentAxis = us-gaap_VariableAnnuityMember | 0 us-gaap_LifeInsuranceInForceNet / us-gaap_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentAxis = us-gaap_VariableAnnuityMember
Life insurance segment [Member] |  |
Reserves for life, accident and health [Abstract] |  |
Future policy benefits | 56,160 us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefits / us-gaap_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentAxis = us-gaap_LifeInsuranceSegmentMember | 55,765 us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefits / us-gaap_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentAxis = us-gaap_LifeInsuranceSegmentMember
Amount of Insurance In Force, Net | 239,004 us-gaap_LifeInsuranceInForceNet / us-gaap_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentAxis = us-gaap_LifeInsuranceSegmentMember | 241,198 us-gaap_LifeInsuranceInForceNet / us-gaap_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentAxis = us-gaap_LifeInsuranceSegmentMember
Accident and health insurance segment [Member] |  |
Reserves for life, accident and health [Abstract] |  |
Future policy benefits | $ 14,685 us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefits / us-gaap_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentAxis = us-gaap_AccidentAndHealthInsuranceSegmentMember | $ 14,099 us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefits / us-gaap_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentAxis = us-gaap_AccidentAndHealthInsuranceSegmentMember
Life, accident and health insurance [Member] | Prior to 1977 [Member] |  |
Future policy benefits [Abstract] |  |
Policy issue range for future benefits assumptions | prior to 1977 |
Life, accident and health insurance [Member] | Prior to 1977 [Member] | Minimum [Member] |  |
Future policy benefits [Abstract] |  |
Interest rates assumed for future policy benefits (in hundredths) | 2.50%us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitByProductSegmentInterestRateYearOfIssue / us-gaap_RangeAxis = us-gaap_MinimumMember / us-gaap_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentAxis = aame_LifeAccidentAndHealthInsuranceMember / aame_YearOfIssueAxis = aame_Range1MemberMember |
Life, accident and health insurance [Member] | Prior to 1977 [Member] | Maximum [Member] |  |
Future policy benefits [Abstract] |  |
Interest rates assumed for future policy benefits (in hundredths) | 5.50%us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitByProductSegmentInterestRateYearOfIssue / us-gaap_RangeAxis = us-gaap_MaximumMember / us-gaap_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentAxis = aame_LifeAccidentAndHealthInsuranceMember / aame_YearOfIssueAxis = aame_Range1MemberMember |
Life, accident and health insurance [Member] | 1977 through 1979 [Member] |  |
Future policy benefits [Abstract] |  |
Policy issue range for future benefits assumptions | 1977 through 1979 |
Life, accident and health insurance [Member] | 1977 through 1979 [Member] | Minimum [Member] |  |
Future policy benefits [Abstract] |  |
Interest rates assumed for future policy benefits (in hundredths) | 5.50%us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitByProductSegmentInterestRateYearOfIssue / us-gaap_RangeAxis = us-gaap_MinimumMember / us-gaap_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentAxis = aame_LifeAccidentAndHealthInsuranceMember / aame_YearOfIssueAxis = aame_Range2Member |
Life, accident and health insurance [Member] | 1977 through 1979 [Member] | Maximum [Member] |  |
Future policy benefits [Abstract] |  |
Interest rates assumed for future policy benefits (in hundredths) | 7.00%us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitByProductSegmentInterestRateYearOfIssue / us-gaap_RangeAxis = us-gaap_MaximumMember / us-gaap_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentAxis = aame_LifeAccidentAndHealthInsuranceMember / aame_YearOfIssueAxis = aame_Range2Member |
Life, accident and health insurance [Member] | 1980 through 1987 [Member] |  |
Future policy benefits [Abstract] |  |
Interest rates assumed for future policy benefits (in hundredths) | 9.00%us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitByProductSegmentInterestRateYearOfIssue / us-gaap_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentAxis = aame_LifeAccidentAndHealthInsuranceMember / aame_YearOfIssueAxis = aame_Range3Member |
Policy issue range for future benefits assumptions | 1980 through 1987 |
Life, accident and health insurance [Member] | 1988 through 2009 [Member] |  |
Future policy benefits [Abstract] |  |
Policy issue range for future benefits assumptions | 1988 through 2009 |
Life, accident and health insurance [Member] | 1988 through 2009 [Member] | Minimum [Member] |  |
Future policy benefits [Abstract] |  |
Interest rates assumed for future policy benefits (in hundredths) | 5.00%us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitByProductSegmentInterestRateYearOfIssue / us-gaap_RangeAxis = us-gaap_MinimumMember / us-gaap_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentAxis = aame_LifeAccidentAndHealthInsuranceMember / aame_YearOfIssueAxis = aame_Range4Member |
Life, accident and health insurance [Member] | 1988 through 2009 [Member] | Maximum [Member] |  |
Future policy benefits [Abstract] |  |
Interest rates assumed for future policy benefits (in hundredths) | 7.00%us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitByProductSegmentInterestRateYearOfIssue / us-gaap_RangeAxis = us-gaap_MaximumMember / us-gaap_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentAxis = aame_LifeAccidentAndHealthInsuranceMember / aame_YearOfIssueAxis = aame_Range4Member |
Life, accident and health insurance [Member] | 2010 through 2012 [Member] |  |
Future policy benefits [Abstract] |  |
Interest rates assumed for future policy benefits (in hundredths) | 4.00%us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitByProductSegmentInterestRateYearOfIssue / us-gaap_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentAxis = aame_LifeAccidentAndHealthInsuranceMember / aame_YearOfIssueAxis = aame_Range5Member |
Policy issue range for future benefits assumptions | 2010 through 2012 issues |
Life, accident and health insurance [Member] | 2013 to 2014 [Member] |  |
Future policy benefits [Abstract] |  |
Interest rates assumed for future policy benefits (in hundredths) | 3.50%us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitByProductSegmentInterestRateYearOfIssue / us-gaap_ReinsurancePremiumsForInsuranceCompaniesByProductSegmentAxis = aame_LifeAccidentAndHealthInsuranceMember / aame_YearOfIssueAxis = aame_Range6Member |
Policy issue range for future benefits assumptions | 2013 through 2014 issues |

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- Definition Annualized premiums or (APE) is the industry standard for measuring new business income and represents all annual premiums and a tenth of single premiums. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Insurance benefits and losses incurred under long-duration contracts with respect to cash it must pay to policyholders upon their terminating, or surrendering, their insurance contracts. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition This element includes the aggregate amount of policy reserves (provided for future obligations including unpaid claims and claims adjustment expenses) and policy benefits (liability for future policy benefits) as of the balance sheet dates; and unearned premiums and other policy liabilities. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Amount of expense for claims incurred in the current reporting period and related claims settlement costs. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Amount of expense for claims incurred in prior reporting periods and related claims settlement costs. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition The known and estimated amount that is recoverable on unpaid claims through reinsurance as of the end of the year. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition The known and estimated amount that is recoverable on unpaid claims through reinsurance as of the beginning of the year. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Provision for benefits, claims and claims settlement expenses incurred before adjustments during the period net of the effects of contracts assumed and ceded. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition 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 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),(b),(c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6482485&loc=d3e14764-158437 + Details
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- Definition The assumed interest rate used to determine present value of future benefits to be paid to or on behalf of policyholders and related expenses less the present value of future net premiums using assumptions such as estimates of expected investment yields, mortality, morbidity, terminations and expenses, applicable at the time the insurance contracts are made and unpaid claim costs relating to insurance contracts including estimates of costs relating to incurred but not reported claims based on the estimated ultimate cost of settling the claims (including effects of inflation and other societal and economic factors), using past experience adjusted for current trends and any other factors that would modify past experience in the year the policy went into force. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 13 -Subparagraph b -Article 7 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.13(b)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910 + Details
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- Definition Span of years during which policies were issued containing estimated present value of future benefits to be paid to or on behalf of policyholders and related expenses less the present value of future net premiums using assumptions such as estimates of expected investment yields, mortality, morbidity, terminations and expenses, applicable at the time the insurance contracts are made and unpaid claim costs relating to insurance contracts including estimates of costs relating to incurred but not reported claims based on the estimated ultimate cost of settling the claims (including effects of inflation and other societal and economic factors), using past experience adjusted for current trends and any other factors that would modify past experience. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Amount of accrued obligation to policyholders that relates to insured events for long-duration contracts. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 40 -Section 25 -Paragraph 11 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28366191&loc=d3e13145-158430 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 13 -Subparagraph a -Article 7 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.13(a)(1)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910 + Details
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- Definition Amount of expense (income) recognized due to changes in the accrued obligation to policyholders that relates to insured events. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Financial Reporting Release (FRR) -Number 403 -Paragraph 04 -Subparagraph b Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 40 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6482485&loc=d3e14764-158437 + Details
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- Definition Amount of payments to settle claims incurred in the current 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 40 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6482485&loc=d3e14764-158437 + Details
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- Definition Amount of payments to settle claims incurred in prior periods and related claims settlement costs. + 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 (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6482485&loc=d3e14764-158437 + Details
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- Definition Amount of expense for claims incurred and costs incurred in the claim settlement process. + 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 (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6482485&loc=d3e14764-158437 + Details
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- 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
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- Definition Amount after contracts ceded to other entities and contracts assumed by the entity of life insurance issued and outstanding. Includes, but not limited to, dividends and adjustments to face value. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 17 -Article 12 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 235 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SX 210.12-17) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=34713774&loc=d3e574992-122915 + Details
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- Definition Liability as of the balance sheet date to the policyholders for funds held that are returnable under the terms of insurance contracts that were not separately reported. + 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 210.7-03.14) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 14 -Article 7 + Details
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- 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
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