Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of obligations due all related parties. For classified balance sheets, represents the current portion of such liabilities (due within one year or within the normal operating cycle if longer).

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(a))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(k)(1))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6881521&loc=d3e23780-122690

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 19
-Subparagraph a
-Article 5

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 850
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (d)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6457730&loc=d3e39549-107864

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Article 4
-Section 08
-Paragraph k
-Subparagraph 1

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 57
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph d
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DueToRelatedPartiesCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Related party transaction brokerage expenses.

+ Details

Name:	vr_RelatedPartyTransactionBrokerageExpenses
Namespace Prefix:	vr
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element represents the amount of ceded premiums written with related parties.

+ Details

Name:	vr_RelatedPartyTransactionCededPremiumsWritten
Namespace Prefix:	vr
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The specified number of securities that each class of warrants or rights outstanding give the related party the right but not the obligation to purchase from the issuer at a specific price, on or before a certain date.

+ Details

Name:	vr_RelatedPartyTransactionClassOfWarrantOrRightNumberOfSecuritiesCalledByWarrantsOrRights
Namespace Prefix:	vr
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Related party transaction gross premiums receivable.

+ Details

Name:	vr_RelatedPartyTransactionGrossPremiumsReceivable
Namespace Prefix:	vr
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This element represents the amount of gross premiums written with related parties.

+ Details

Name:	vr_RelatedPartyTransactionGrossPremiumsWritten
Namespace Prefix:	vr
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Investment management expenses recognized during the period resulting from transactions (excluding transactions that are eliminated in consolidated or combined financial statements) with related party during the period.

+ Details

Name:	vr_RelatedPartyTransactionInvestmentManagementExpenses
Namespace Prefix:	vr
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element represents the amount of net premiums earned with related parties.

+ Details

Name:	vr_RelatedPartyTransactionNetPremiumsEarned
Namespace Prefix:	vr
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Related party transaction reinsurance balances payable.

+ Details

Name:	vr_RelatedPartyTransactionReinsuranceBalancesPayable
Namespace Prefix:	vr
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Shares held by related party in the Company.

+ Details

Name:	vr_SharesOwnedByRelatedParty
Namespace Prefix:	vr
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Related party transactions (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Dec. 31, 2010
Goldman Sachs Asset Management [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Investment management fees		$ 241		$ 733
Aquiline Capital Partners LLC [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Shares owned by related party	6,255,943		6,255,943
Warrants to purchase shares	2,756,088		2,756,088
Tiger Risk LLC [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	829		829		792
Brokerage expenses	628	1,432	1,081	1,469
Group Ark Insurance Holdings Ltd [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Gross premiums written	900	601	1,411	1,341
Net Premiums earned	344	213	678	881
Ceded premiums written	0	0	163	606
Gross premiums receivable	1,038		1,038		378
Reinsurance balances payable	49		49		132
Conning Inc [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Investment management fees	234	100	380	186
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	$ 203		$ 203		$ 97