Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$ 589,142	$ 323,688	$ 283,845
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)	(9,678)	84,543	4,050
Depreciation and amortization	200,987	203,580	190,066
Net realized investment gains	(106,480)	(46,000)	(63,152)
Decrease in receivables	5,604	21,148	142,065
Increase in deferred policy acquisition costs	(7,360)	(99,387)	(103,704)
Increase (decrease) in unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses, net	(91,960)	249,873	290,130
Decrease in life and annuity benefits	(85,257)	(62,883)	(40,235)
Increase (decrease) in unearned premiums, net	(4,522)	147,840	97,249
Decrease in payables to insurance and reinsurance companies	(31,829)	(45,204)	(150,764)
Increase (decrease) in income taxes payable	27,817	(46,576)	81,995
Increase in accrued expenses	97,273	56,042	19,144
Other	67,414	(69,872)	(5,168)
Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities	651,151	716,792	745,521
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from sales of fixed maturities and equity securities	538,978	1,286,871	879,564
Proceeds from maturities, calls and prepayments of fixed maturities	1,503,616	1,420,817	1,475,938
Cost of fixed maturities and equity securities purchased	(1,576,254)	(3,153,055)	(1,651,397)
Net change in short-term investments	(62,124)	(129,164)	(470,423)
Proceeds from sales of equity method investments	23,155	107,292	313,557
Cost of equity method investments	(21,849)	(16,081)	(38,018)
Change in restricted cash and cash equivalents	62,324	264,701	(263,014)
Additions to property and equipment	(79,755)	(82,132)	(47,725)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(261,521)	(319,086)	(12,198)
Other	(797)	(2,368)	1,103
Net Cash Provided (Used) By Investing Activities	125,773	(622,205)	187,387
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Additions to senior long-term debt and other debt	69,797	89,480	547,214
Repayment and retirement of senior long-term debt and other debt	(88,020)	(83,722)	(321,978)
Repurchases of common stock	(31,491)	(26,053)	(57,388)
Issuance of common stock	4,752	5,691	24,518
Purchase of redeemable noncontrolling interests	(12,474)	(25,918)	(11,852)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(6,287)	(5,245)	(5,124)
Other	(10,488)	(21,357)	(23)
Net Cash Provided (Used) By Financing Activities	(74,211)	(67,124)	175,367
Effect of foreign currency rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(32,873)	(45,820)	6,485
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	669,840	(18,357)	1,114,760
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	1,960,169	1,978,526	863,766
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF YEAR	$ 2,630,009	$ 1,960,169	$ 1,978,526