Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands	Total	Common shares	Treasury shares	Additional paid-in capital	Accumulated other comprehensive (loss)	Retained earnings
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2009		$ 23,033	$ (553)	$ 2,675,680	$ (4,851)	$ 1,337,811
Common shares issued, net		68		(80)
Repurchase of common shares			(3,052)	(441,027)
Share compensation expenses				13,422
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(1,875)				(1,875)
Dividends						(57,054)
Net (loss) income	61,404					61,404
Total shareholders' equity available to Validus	3,602,926
Ending Balance at Jun. 30, 2010	3,602,926	23,101	(3,605)	2,247,995	(6,726)	1,342,161
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	3,504,831	23,247	(6,096)	1,860,960	(5,455)	1,632,175
Common shares issued, net		167		6,071
Repurchase of common shares			(35)	(5,960)
Share compensation expenses				19,677
Foreign currency translation adjustments	936				936
Dividends						(54,890)
Net (loss) income	(62,480)					(61,886)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(594)					(594)
Total shareholders' equity available to Validus	3,408,317
Noncontrolling interest	134,895
Ending Balance at Jun. 30, 2011	$ 3,543,212	$ 23,414	$ (6,131)	$ 1,880,748	$ (4,519)	$ 1,514,805