CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Assets
Fixed maturities, available for sale, at fair value (Amortized cost 2018: $11,616,312; 2017: $12,611,219)	$ 11,435,347	$ 12,622,006
Equity securities, at fair value (Cost 2018: $365,905; 2017: $552,867)	381,633	635,511
Mortgage loans, held for investment, at amortized cost and fair value	298,650	325,062
Other investments, at fair value	787,787	1,009,373
Equity method investments	108,103	108,597
Short-term investments, at amortized cost and fair value	144,040	83,661
Total investments	13,155,560	14,784,210
Cash and cash equivalents	1,232,814	948,626
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	597,206	415,160
Accrued interest receivable	80,335	81,223
Insurance and reinsurance premium balances receivable	3,007,296	3,012,419
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses	3,501,669	3,159,514
Reinsurance recoverable on paid losses	280,233	179,326
Deferred acquisition costs	566,622	474,061
Prepaid reinsurance premiums	1,013,573	809,274
Receivable for investments sold	32,627	11,621
Goodwill	102,003	102,003
Intangible assets	241,568	257,987
Value of business acquired	35,714	206,838
Other assets	285,346	317,915
Total assets	24,132,566	24,760,177
Liabilities
Reserve for losses and loss expenses	12,280,769	12,997,553
Unearned premiums	3,635,758	3,641,399
Insurance and reinsurance balances payable	1,338,991	899,064
Senior notes and notes payable	1,341,961	1,376,529
Payable for investments purchased	111,838	100,589
Other liabilities	393,178	403,779
Total liabilities	19,102,495	19,418,913
Commitments and Contingencies
Shareholders' equity
Preferred shares	775,000	775,000
Common shares (shares issued 2018: 176,580; 2017: 176,580 shares outstanding 2018: 83,586; 2017: 83,161)	2,206	2,206
Additional paid-in capital	2,308,583	2,299,166
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(177,110)	92,382
Retained earnings	5,912,812	5,979,666
Treasury shares, at cost (2018: 92,994; 2017: 93,419)	(3,791,420)	(3,807,156)
Total shareholders’ equity	5,030,071	5,341,264
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$ 24,132,566	$ 24,760,177