Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Revenues
Gross premiums written	$ 2,648,705	$ 2,557,506	$ 2,358,865
Reinsurance premiums ceded	(289,705)	(328,681)	(313,208)
Net premiums written	2,359,000	2,228,825	2,045,657
Change in unearned premiums	(109,835)	18,064	(52,602)
Net premiums earned	2,249,165	2,246,889	1,993,055
Net investment income	150,385	127,824	100,086
Net realized gains on investments	15,757	2,298	14,917
Change in net unrealized gains (losses) on investments	16,871	(32,395)	(2,842)
(Loss) income from investment affiliates	(2,083)	4,281	8,411
Other insurance related income and other income	2,195	5,111	1,229
Foreign exchange gains (losses)	10,864	(8,731)	(12,181)
Total revenues	2,443,154	2,345,277	2,102,675
Expenses
Losses and loss expenses	1,065,097	977,833	765,015
Policy acquisition costs	449,482	410,058	339,467
General and administrative expenses	336,294	363,709	329,362
Share compensation expenses	42,907	38,341	33,073
Finance expenses	58,520	74,742	68,324
Transaction expenses	0	0	8,096	[1]
Total expenses	1,952,300	1,864,683	1,543,337
Income before taxes, loss from operating affiliate and (income) attributable to AlphaCat investors	490,854	480,594	559,338
Tax benefit (expense)	19,729	(6,376)	(155)
Loss from operating affiliate	(23)	(3,949)	(4,340)
(Income) attributable to AlphaCat investors	(23,358)	(2,412)	0
Net income	487,202	467,857	554,843
Net (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(123,363)	(92,964)	(74,880)
Net income available to Validus	363,839	374,893	479,963
Dividends on preferred shares	(4,455)	0	0
Net income available to Validus common shareholders	359,384	374,893	479,963
Other comprehensive (loss) income:
Change in foreign currency translation adjustments	(10,440)	(3,716)	(7,501)
Change in minimum pension liability, net of tax	(484)	544	(210)
Change in fair value of cash flow hedge	277	(841)	(228)
Other comprehensive (loss), net of tax	(10,647)	(4,013)	(7,939)
Comprehensive (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(123,363)	(92,964)	(74,880)
Comprehensive income available to Validus	$ 353,192	$ 370,880	$ 472,024
Earnings per share
Basic earnings per share available to common shareholders	$ 4.43	$ 4.47	$ 5.24
Earnings per diluted share available to common shareholders	4.36	4.34	5.07
Cash dividends declared per share	$ 1.40	$ 1.28	$ 1.20
Weighted average number of common shares and common share equivalents outstanding
Basic (shares)	81,041,974	83,107,236	90,354,745
Diluted (shares)	82,359,460	86,426,760	94,690,271

[1] The transaction expenses relate to costs incurred in connection with the acquisition of Western World, which was completed on October 2, 2014. Transaction expenses are primarily comprised of legal, financial advisory and audit related services.