CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY (USD $) In Thousands	Total	Share Capital - Ordinary Shares	Share Capital - Series A Non-Voting Convertible Ordinary Shares	Series B, C and D Non-Voting Convertible Ordinary Shares	Share Capital - Preference Shares	Treasury Shares	Additional Paid-in Capital	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Retained Earnings	Noncontrolling Interest
Balance, beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2010		$ 12,940	$ 2,973			$ (421,559)	$ 667,907	$ 35,017	$ 651,143	$ 267,400
Return of capital										(16,200)
Issue of shares and warrants, net							105,439
Issue of shares		539			750
Net earnings attributable to Enstar Group Limited	24,942								24,942
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest	(17,194)									17,194
Preferred shares converted		42		750	(750)		168
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(13,271)							(9,623)		(3,647)
Amortization of share awards							1,957
Net movement in unrealized holding (losses) gains on investments								(213)		76
Decrease in defined benefit pension liability	272							272
Balance, end of period at Sep. 30, 2011		13,521	2,973	750		(421,559)	775,471	25,453	676,085	264,823
Balance, beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2011	1,683,411	13,665	2,973	2,726		(421,559)	956,329	27,096	804,836	297,345
Return of capital										(35,366)
Issue of shares and warrants, net							415
Issue of shares		4
Net earnings attributable to Enstar Group Limited	98,111								98,111
Dividends paid										(18,985)
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest	(13,638)									13,638
Preferred shares converted		44					381
Foreign currency translation adjustments	2,689							1,332		1,356
Amortization of share awards							2,066
Net movement in unrealized holding (losses) gains on investments								(1,145)		(1,073)
Balance, end of period at Sep. 30, 2012	$ 1,744,189	$ 13,713	$ 2,973	$ 2,726		$ (421,559)	$ 959,191	$ 27,283	$ 902,947	$ 256,915