CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Assets
Fixed maturities, available for sale, at fair value (Amortized cost 2017: $12,611,219; 2016: $11,523,316)	$ 12,622,006	$ 11,397,114
Equity securities, available for sale, at fair value (Cost 2017: $552,867; 2016: $597,366)	635,511	638,744
Mortgage loans, held for investment, at amortized cost and fair value	325,062	349,969
Other investments, at fair value	1,009,373	830,219
Equity method investments	108,597	116,000
Short-term investments, at amortized cost and fair value	83,661	127,461
Total investments	14,784,210	13,459,507
Cash and cash equivalents	948,626	1,039,494
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	415,160	202,013
Accrued interest receivable	81,223	74,971
Insurance and reinsurance premium balances receivable	3,012,419	2,313,512
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid and paid losses	3,338,840	2,334,922
Deferred acquisition costs	474,061	438,636
Prepaid reinsurance premiums	809,274	556,344
Receivable for investments sold	11,621	14,123
Goodwill	102,003	47,148
Intangible assets	257,987	37,901
Value of business acquired	206,838	0
Other assets	317,915	295,120
Total assets	24,760,177	20,813,691
Liabilities
Reserve for losses and loss expenses	12,997,553	9,697,827
Unearned premiums	3,641,399	2,969,498
Insurance and reinsurance balances payable	899,064	493,183
Senior notes and notes payable	1,376,529	992,950
Payable for investments purchased	100,589	62,550
Other liabilities	403,779	325,313
Total liabilities	19,418,913	14,541,321
Commitments and Contingencies
Shareholders' equity
Preferred shares	775,000	1,126,074
Common shares (shares issued 2017: 176,580; 2016: 176,580 shares outstanding 2017: 83,161; 2016: 86,441)	2,206	2,206
Additional paid-in capital	2,299,166	2,299,857
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	92,382	(121,841)
Retained earnings	5,979,666	6,527,627
Treasury shares, at cost (2017: 93,419; 2016: 90,139)	(3,807,156)	(3,561,553)
Total shareholders’ equity	5,341,264	6,272,370
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$ 24,760,177	$ 20,813,691