Basis of preparation and consolidation	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2018
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis of presentation and consolidation	Basis of preparation and consolidation These unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements (the “Consolidated Financial Statements”) have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 in Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. In addition, the year-end balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements but does not include all disclosures required by U.S. GAAP. This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and related notes included in Validus Holdings, Ltd.’s (the “Company”) Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). During the fourth quarter of 2017, the Company changed its reportable segments to “Reinsurance,” “Insurance,” and “Asset Management.” The change in reportable segments and primary lines of business had no impact on the Company’s historical consolidated financial positions, results of operations or cash flows as previously reported. Where applicable, all prior periods presented have been reclassified to conform to this new presentation. The Company consolidates in these Consolidated Financial Statements the results of operations and financial position of every voting interest entity (“VOE”) in which the Company has a controlling financial interest and variable interest entity (“VIE”) in which the Company is considered to be the primary beneficiary. The consolidation assessment, including the determination as to whether an entity qualifies as a VIE or VOE, depends on the facts and circumstances surrounding each entity. In the opinion of management, these unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements reflect all adjustments (including normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair statement of the Company’s financial position and results of operations as at the end of and for the periods presented. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. The results of operations for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results for a full year. The preparation of these Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. While the amounts included in the Consolidated Financial Statements reflect management’s best estimates and assumptions, actual results could differ from those estimates. The Company’s principal estimates include: •the reserve for losses and loss expenses; •the premium written on a line slip or proportional basis; •the valuation of goodwill and intangible assets; •the loss reserves recoverable, including the provision for uncollectible amounts; and •the valuation of invested assets and other financial instruments. The term “ASC” used in these notes refers to Accounting Standard Codification issued by the United States Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”).

Basis of preparation and consolidation

These unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements (the “Consolidated Financial Statements”) have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 in Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. In addition, the year-end balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements but does not include all disclosures required by U.S. GAAP. This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and related notes included in Validus Holdings, Ltd.’s (the “Company”) Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).

During the fourth quarter of 2017, the Company changed its reportable segments to “Reinsurance,” “Insurance,” and “Asset Management.” The change in reportable segments and primary lines of business had no impact on the Company’s historical consolidated financial positions, results of operations or cash flows as previously reported. Where applicable, all prior periods presented have been reclassified to conform to this new presentation.

The Company consolidates in these Consolidated Financial Statements the results of operations and financial position of every voting interest entity (“VOE”) in which the Company has a controlling financial interest and variable interest entity (“VIE”) in which the Company is considered to be the primary beneficiary. The consolidation assessment, including the determination as to whether an entity qualifies as a VIE or VOE, depends on the facts and circumstances surrounding each entity.

In the opinion of management, these unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements reflect all adjustments (including normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair statement of the Company’s financial position and results of operations as at the end of and for the periods presented. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. The results of operations for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results for a full year.

The preparation of these Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. While the amounts included in the Consolidated Financial Statements reflect management’s best estimates and assumptions, actual results could differ from those estimates. The Company’s principal estimates include:

•the reserve for losses and loss expenses;

•the premium written on a line slip or proportional basis;

•the valuation of goodwill and intangible assets;

•the loss reserves recoverable, including the provision for uncollectible amounts; and

•the valuation of invested assets and other financial instruments.

The term “ASC” used in these notes refers to Accounting Standard Codification issued by the United States Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”).