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Senior Long-Term Debt And Other Debt (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2016
Dec. 31, 2018
Dec. 31, 2017
Dec. 31, 2016
Apr. 30, 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]          
Repayments of assumed debt from business combination   $ 44,500 $ 84,300    
Loss on early extinguishment of debt   0 0 $ 44,100  
Senior long-term debt and other debt   3,009,577 3,099,230    
Senior long-term debt and other debt, estimated fair value   3,030,000 3,351,000    
Interest on senior long-term debt and other debt   155,400 141,300 135,400  
7.20% Unsecured Senior Notes Due April 14, 2017 [Member]          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]          
Unsecured senior notes, principal outstanding       $ 90,600  
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]          
Line of credit facility, capacity available   300,000      
Line of credit facility, potential increased maximum capacity   $ 500,000      
Line of credit facility, unused capacity, commitment fee, percent   0.25%      
Borrowings outstanding under the facility   $ 0 $ 0    
Secured Letters Of Credit [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member]          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]          
Line of credit facility, capacity available   $ 200,000      
Unsecured Senior Notes [Member] | 6.25% Unsecured Senior Notes Due September 30, 2020 [Member]          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]          
Debt instrument, interest rate   6.25% 6.25%    
Unsecured Senior Notes [Member] | 7.20% Unsecured Senior Notes Due April 14, 2017 [Member]          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]          
Debt instrument, interest rate         7.20%
Unsecured Senior Notes [Member] | 3.50% Unsecured Senior Notes Due November 1, 2027 [Member]          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]          
Debt instrument, interest rate   3.50% 3.50%    
Debt instrument, face amount     $ 300,000    
Net proceeds from issuance of unsecured senior notes     $ 297,400    
Unsecured Senior Notes [Member] | 4.30% Unsecured Senior Notes Due November 1, 2047 [Member]          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]          
Debt instrument, interest rate   4.30% 4.30%    
Debt instrument, face amount     $ 300,000    
Net proceeds from issuance of unsecured senior notes     $ 295,500    
Unsecured Senior Notes [Member] | 5.0% Unsecured Senior Notes Due April 5, 2046 [Member]          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]          
Debt instrument, interest rate 5.00% 5.00% 5.00%    
Debt instrument, face amount $ 500,000        
Net proceeds from issuance of unsecured senior notes $ 493,100        
Unsecured Senior Notes [Member] | 7.35% Unsecured Senior Notes Due August 15, 2034 [Member]          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]          
Debt instrument, interest rate 7.35% 7.35% 7.35%    
Debt instrument, repurchased face amount $ 70,200        
Early repayment of senior debt $ 95,000        
Unsecured Senior Notes [Member] | 7.125% Unsecured Senior Notes Due September 30, 2019 [Member]          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]          
Debt instrument, interest rate 7.125% 7.125% 7.125%    
Debt instrument, repurchased face amount $ 108,800        
Early repayment of senior debt $ 126,400        
Other Debt [Member]          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]          
Senior long-term debt and other debt   $ 102,975 $ 185,282    
Other Debt [Member] | Markel Diversified Fund [Member]          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]          
Note payable included in total liabilities of the Markel Diversified Fund delivered as part of the consideration provided for its investment   24,875 62,500    
Other Debt [Member] | Markel Ventures Operations [Member]          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]          
Senior long-term debt and other debt   $ 78,100 $ 78,300    
Minimum [Member] | Other Debt [Member]          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]          
Debt instrument, interest rate   1.70%      
Maximum [Member] | Other Debt [Member]          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]          
Debt instrument, interest rate   6.30%