Name:	mkl_EmployeeStockLoansReceivable
Namespace Prefix:	mkl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

The carrying amount as of the balance sheet for amounts due for investment and performance fees.

No definition available.

Name:	mkl_InvestmentAndPerformanceFeeReceivable
Namespace Prefix:	mkl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Note Receivable

No definition available.

Name:	mkl_NoteReceivable
Namespace Prefix:	mkl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Amounts receivable from producers related to business written in the Program Services segment.

No definition available.

Name:	mkl_ProgramServicesFeesReceivable
Namespace Prefix:	mkl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

For unclassified balance sheet, amounts due from customers or clients for goods or services that have been delivered or sold in the normal course of business related to the company's non-insurance operations.

No definition available.

Name:	mkl_TradeAccountsReceivableGross
Namespace Prefix:	mkl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

For unclassified balance sheet, amounts due from customers or clients for goods or services that have been delivered or sold in the normal course of business.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03(9))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(5))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(3))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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

For an unclassified balance sheet, a valuation allowance for receivables due a company that are expected to be uncollectible.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 310
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84173941&loc=d3e5074-111524

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.4)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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

Amount due in settlement of a claim for reimbursement from an insurance company when the Company has suffered a loss covered under an insurance policy.

No definition available.

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

Amount due from parties in nontrade transactions, classified as other.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.8)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date, net of allowance for doubtful accounts, of all premiums and other types of receivables due from other persons or entities.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.5)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

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

Gross amount, as of the balance sheet date, due the entity from (a) agents and insureds, (b) uncollected premiums and (c) others, before deducting the allowance for doubtful accounts.

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

- References

No definition available.