Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Revenues
Gross premiums written	$ 2,950,938	$ 2,648,705	$ 2,557,506
Reinsurance premiums ceded	(469,633)	(289,705)	(328,681)
Net premiums written	2,481,305	2,359,000	2,228,825
Change in unearned premiums	99,783	(109,835)	18,064
Net premiums earned	2,581,088	2,249,165	2,246,889
Net investment income	177,873	150,385	127,824
Net realized gains on investments	7,623	15,757	2,298
Change in net unrealized gains (losses) on investments	3,215	16,871	(32,395)
Income (loss) from investment affiliates	22,010	(2,083)	4,281
Other insurance related income and other income	13,179	2,195	5,111
Foreign exchange (losses) gains	(7,447)	10,864	(8,731)
Total Revenues	2,797,541	2,443,154	2,345,277
Expenses
Losses and loss expenses	2,300,178	1,065,097	977,833
Policy acquisition costs	471,553	449,482	410,058
General and administrative expenses	352,137	336,294	363,709
Share compensation expenses	40,111	42,907	38,341
Finance expenses	58,546	58,520	74,742
Transaction expenses	4,427	0	0
Total expenses	3,226,952	1,952,300	1,864,683
(Loss) income before taxes, (loss) from operating affiliate and loss (income) attributable to AlphaCat investors	(429,411)	490,854	480,594
Tax benefit (expense)	7,580	19,729	(6,376)
(Loss) from operating affiliate	0	(23)	(3,949)
Loss (income) attributable to AlphaCat investors	16,929	(23,358)	(2,412)
Net (loss) income	(404,902)	487,202	467,857
Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	357,280	(123,363)	(92,964)
Net (loss) income (attributable) available to Validus	(47,622)	363,839	374,893
Dividends on preferred shares	(15,861)	(4,455)	0
Net (loss) income (attributable) available to Validus common shareholders	(63,483)	359,384	374,893
Comprehensive (loss) income:
Net (loss) income	(404,902)	487,202	467,857
Change in foreign currency translation adjustments	4,057	(10,440)	(3,716)
Change in minimum pension liability	2,869	(484)	544
Change in fair value of cash flow hedges	(6,352)	277	(841)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	574	(10,647)	(4,013)
Comprehensive loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(357,280)	123,363	92,964
Comprehensive (loss) income (attributable) available to Validus	$ (47,048)	$ 353,192	$ 370,880
(Loss) earnings per common share
Basic (loss) earnings per share (attributable) available to Validus common shareholders	$ (0.80)	$ 4.43	$ 4.47
(Loss) earnings per diluted share (attributable) available to Validus common shareholders	(0.80)	4.36	4.34
Cash dividends declared per share	$ 1.52	$ 1.40	$ 1.28
Weighted average number of common shares and common share equivalents outstanding
Basic (shares)	79,091,376	81,041,974	83,107,236
Diluted (shares)	79,091,376	82,359,460	86,426,760