Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value (amortized cost: 2014—$5,263,024; 2013—$5,522,853)	$ 5,287,600	$ 5,542,258
Short-term investments, at fair value (amortized cost: 2014—$831,679; 2013—$751,734)	831,800	751,778
Other investments, at fair value (cost: 2014—$632,924; 2013—$637,728)	662,974	618,316
Cash and cash equivalents	1,017,350	1,056,346
Total investments and cash	7,799,724	7,968,698
Investments in affiliates	221,607	141,243
Premiums receivable	1,091,391	697,233
Deferred acquisition costs	202,367	134,269
Prepaid reinsurance premiums	218,363	103,251
Securities lending collateral	4,877	3,392
Loss reserves recoverable	348,407	370,154
Paid losses recoverable	37,032	80,080
Intangible assets	105,367	106,407
Goodwill	20,393	20,393
Accrued investment income	16,518	18,876
Other assets	190,043	202,436
Total assets	10,256,089	9,846,432
Liabilities
Reserve for losses and loss expenses	2,925,059	3,030,399
Unearned premiums	1,273,734	824,496
Reinsurance balances payable	212,807	154,874
Securities lending payable	5,343	3,858
Deferred income taxes	22,609	19,086
Net payable for investments purchased	84,303	19,383
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	183,794	278,187
Notes payable to operating affiliates	561,373	439,272
Senior notes payable	247,225	247,198
Debentures payable	541,454	541,416
Total liabilities	6,057,701	5,558,169
Commitments and contingent liabilities
Redeemable noncontrolling interest	8,390	86,512
Shareholders' equity
Common shares, 571,428,571 authorized, par value $0.175 (Issued: 2014—154,597,094; 2013—154,488,497; Outstanding: 2014—90,786,237; 2013—96,044,312)	27,055	27,036
Treasury shares (2014—63,810,857; 2013—58,444,185)	(11,167)	(10,228)
Additional paid-in-capital	1,490,652	1,677,894
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss)	(155)	(617)
Retained earnings	2,142,679	2,010,009
Total shareholders' equity available to Validus	3,649,064	3,704,094
Noncontrolling interest	540,934	497,657
Total shareholders' equity	4,189,998	4,201,751
Total liabilities, noncontrolling interests and shareholders’ equity	$ 10,256,089	$ 9,846,432