Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Assets
Fixed maturities trading, at fair value (amortized cost: 2015—$5,556,900; 2014—$5,546,994)	$ 5,510,331	$ 5,545,231
Short-term investments trading, at fair value (amortized cost: 2015—$1,941,615; 2014—$1,501,360)	1,941,635	1,501,212
Other investments, at fair value (cost: 2015—$315,963; 2014—$320,476)	336,856	334,685
Cash and cash equivalents	723,109	550,401	$ 729,333	$ 1,110,566
Restricted cash	73,270	173,003
Total investments and cash	8,585,201	8,104,532
Investments in affiliates, equity method (cost: 2015—$70,186; 2014—$107,501)	88,065	114,450
Premiums receivable	658,682	706,467	695,277
Deferred acquisition costs	181,002	161,022
Prepaid reinsurance premiums	77,992	82,947
Securities lending collateral	4,863	470
Loss reserves recoverable	350,586	377,466	370,154	439,967
Paid losses recoverable	23,071	38,078
Income taxes receivable	16,228	0
Deferred tax asset	21,661	23,821
Receivable for investments sold	39,766	18,318
Intangible assets	121,258	126,924
Goodwill	196,758	195,897	20,393
Accrued investment income	23,897	24,865
Other assets	126,782	137,307
Total assets	10,515,812	10,112,564
Liabilities
Reserve for losses and loss expenses	2,996,567	3,243,147	3,047,933	$ 3,553,604
Unearned premiums	966,210	989,229
Reinsurance balances payable	75,380	129,071
Securities lending payable	5,329	936
Deferred tax liability	3,847	5,541
Payable for investments purchased	77,475	68,574
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	627,331	395,178
Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated, Carrying Amount, Notes Payable	75,493	0
Senior notes payable	245,161	244,960
Debentures payable	537,668	539,277
Total liabilities	$ 5,610,461	$ 5,615,913
Commitments and contingent liabilities
Redeemable noncontrolling interest	$ 1,111,714	$ 617,791
Shareholders' equity
Common shares, 571,428,571 authorized, par value $0.175 (Issued: 2015—160,570,772; 2014—155,554,224; Outstanding: 2015—82,900,617; 2014—83,869,845)	28,100	27,222
Treasury shares (2015—77,670,155; 2014—71,684,379)	(13,592)	(12,545)
Additional paid-in-capital	1,002,980	1,207,493
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(12,569)	(8,556)
Retained earnings	2,634,056	2,372,972
Total shareholders' equity available to Validus	3,638,975	3,586,586	3,704,094
Noncontrolling interest	154,662	292,274	375,026
Total shareholders' equity	3,793,637	3,878,860	$ 4,079,120
Total liabilities, noncontrolling interests and shareholders’ equity	$ 10,515,812	$ 10,112,564