CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Assets
Fixed maturities, available for sale, at fair value (Amortized cost 2016: $11,523,316; 2015: $11,897,639)	$ 11,397,114	$ 11,719,749
Equity securities, available for sale, at fair value (Cost 2016: $597,366; 2015: $575,776)	638,744	597,998
Mortgage loans, held for investment, at amortized cost and fair value	349,969	206,277
Other investments, at fair value	830,219	816,756
Equity method investments	116,000	10,932
Short-term investments, at amortized cost and fair value	127,461	34,406
Total investments	13,459,507	13,386,118
Cash and cash equivalents	1,039,494	988,133
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	202,013	186,618
Accrued interest receivable	74,971	73,729
Insurance and reinsurance premium balances receivable	2,313,512	1,967,535
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid and paid losses	2,334,922	2,096,104
Deferred acquisition costs	438,636	471,782
Prepaid reinsurance premiums	556,344	396,201
Receivable for investments sold	14,123	26,478
Goodwill and intangible assets	85,049	86,858
Other assets	295,120	302,335
Total assets	20,813,691	19,981,891
Liabilities
Reserve for losses and loss expenses	9,697,827	9,646,285
Unearned premiums	2,969,498	2,760,889
Insurance and reinsurance balances payable	493,183	356,417
Senior notes	992,950	991,825
Payable for investments purchased	62,550	9,356
Other liabilities	325,313	350,237
Total liabilities	14,541,321	14,115,009
Commitments and Contingencies
Shareholders' equity
Preferred shares	1,126,074	627,843
Common shares (2016: 176,580; 2015: 176,240 shares issued and 2016: 86,441; 2015: 96,066 shares outstanding)	2,206	2,202
Additional paid-in capital	2,299,857	2,241,388
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(121,841)	(188,465)
Retained earnings	6,527,627	6,194,353
Treasury shares, at cost (2016: 90,139; 2015: 80,174 shares)	(3,561,553)	(3,010,439)
Total shareholders’ equity	6,272,370	5,866,882
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$ 20,813,691	$ 19,981,891