CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Assets
Fixed maturities, available for sale, at fair value (Amortized cost 2017: $11,242,063; 2016: $11,523,316)	$ 11,191,529	$ 11,397,114
Equity securities, available for sale, at fair value (Cost 2017: $591,559; 2016: $597,336)	653,419	638,744
Mortgage loans, held for investment, at amortized cost and fair value	339,855	349,969
Other investments, at fair value	780,395	830,219
Equity method investments	111,233	116,000
Short-term investments, at amortized cost and fair value	13,338	127,461
Total investments	13,089,769	13,459,507
Cash and cash equivalents	1,165,263	1,039,494
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	286,307	202,013
Accrued interest receivable	69,649	74,971
Insurance and reinsurance premium balances receivable	2,891,811	2,313,512
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid and paid losses	2,070,341	2,334,922
Deferred acquisition costs	609,773	438,636
Prepaid reinsurance premiums	645,663	556,344
Receivable for investments sold	40,448	14,123
Goodwill and intangible assets	84,613	85,049
Other assets	293,330	295,120
Total assets	21,246,967	20,813,691
Liabilities
Reserve for losses and loss expenses	9,541,963	9,697,827
Unearned premiums	3,629,354	2,969,498
Insurance and reinsurance balances payable	514,356	493,183
Senior notes	993,229	992,950
Payable for investments purchased	83,783	62,550
Other liabilities	253,917	325,313
Total liabilities	15,016,602	14,541,321
Shareholders’ equity
Preferred shares	1,126,074	1,126,074
Common shares (2017: 176,580; 2016: 176,580 shares issued and 2017: 85,170; 2016: 86,441 shares outstanding)	2,206	2,206
Additional paid-in capital	2,276,671	2,299,857
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	699	(121,841)
Retained earnings	6,499,262	6,527,627
Treasury shares, at cost (2017: 91,410; 2016: 90,139 shares)	(3,674,547)	(3,561,553)
Total shareholders’ equity	6,230,365	6,272,370
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$ 21,246,967	$ 20,813,691