OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Reclassification out of accumulated comprehensive income into net income available to common shareholders [Line Items]
Other realized investment gains(losses)	$ (2,864)	$ 27,379	$ (21,361)	$ (29,401)
OTTI losses	(1,528)	(6,369)	(8,082)	(16,099)
Income before income taxes and interest in income (loss) of equity method investments	94,328	134,361	110,613	176,207
Income tax (expense) benefit	3,333	(4,901)	12,670	1,639
Net income available to common shareholders	85,030	119,491	90,045	157,908
Non-cash foreign exchange losses			24,149	0
Foreign currency translation adjustment [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification out of accumulated comprehensive income into net income available to common shareholders [Line Items]
Income before income taxes and interest in income (loss) of equity method investments	0	0	(24,149)	0
Income tax (expense) benefit	0	0	0	0
Net income available to common shareholders	0	0	(24,149)	0
Unrealized investment gains (losses) on available for sale investments [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification out of accumulated comprehensive income into net income available to common shareholders [Line Items]
Other realized investment gains(losses)	3,092	24,973	(16,112)	(29,289)
OTTI losses	(1,528)	(6,369)	(8,082)	(16,099)
Income before income taxes and interest in income (loss) of equity method investments	1,564	18,604	(24,194)	(45,388)
Income tax (expense) benefit	(61)	(4,585)	736	125
Net income available to common shareholders	$ 1,503	$ 14,019	$ (23,458)	$ (45,263)